Marrying a treacherous official

Xi Kui went out to the outer courtyard and led Li Xiuji to the porch for questioning.

Li Xiuji cupped his hands in greeting and said, "This subordinate pays respects to Madam Gu."

As Madam Gu was a guest at the Marquis's residence, she couldn't put on airs like a member of her own family, so she only politely asked:

"I've never seen any other household with guards at the second gate. It's quite strange. Why would the Marquis's residence make such an arrangement?"

Xi Kui glanced nervously at Li Xiuji, afraid that he might accidentally say something wrong and reveal that the First Madam was being held captive. In that case, all the good things she had painstakingly said for the Master would be wasted.

"In response to Second Madam, it was actually Old Madam Cui Zheng who led the way in causing trouble this morning. In order to prevent them from harming First Madam, the General ordered his men to guard the second gate."

Li Xiuji continued, "Without the general's instructions, I dare not evacuate the men from the second gate without authorization."

"I see."

Madam Gu nodded knowingly. "Will anyone stop Ji'er from going out?"

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuji knew she was subtly probing about the First Madam's imprisonment, and categorically denied it:

"Even if I had the greatest courage, I would not dare to stop the First Madam from going out. Even if the First Madam does not allow guards to accompany her when she goes out, I would not dare to follow her without permission."

Madam Gu wanted to inquire about something else, but then she saw Yunji push open the door and enter the side room.

Xi Kui thoughtfully closed the door to the room and quietly left.

The two looked at each other, and Madam Gu's eyes welled up with tears.

"Ji'er, I know you've had a hard time in the Marquis's mansion."

She wiped away her tears and choked out, "I never imagined that there would be wolves and tigers lurking in the inner quarters, and that someone would want to kill you."

"My aunt was used to a comfortable and easy life in the Gu family. She was quite overwhelmed when she arrived at the Marquis's mansion and experienced so many grand events."

Yunji poured a cup of warm tea, held it in her hands, and said:

"Outsiders don't know the truth and only think that the old man is fierce and cruel, but to me, that's just right. Only someone like him can protect me."

"We can protect them."

Madam Gu held her hand tightly and said, "The young master is a bit too domineering, but when it comes to dealing with those women who plotted against you, he shows no mercy and cuts them down with terrifying speed and efficiency."

Yun Ji was taken aback. Why did these words sound like praise for Cui Zemin?

"Why did my aunt suddenly decide to come and stand up for me?"

"It's all because your second uncle is easily frightened."

When Madam Gu thought about the trouble this matter had caused Yunji, she was filled with remorse.

"A few days ago, your second uncle came back from court and told me in a panic that your son-in-law was going to kill you. Two days later, Chunxuan sent someone to report that you were trapped alone in the inner courtyard. I thought something terrible had happened to you, so I came here rashly."

Yunji asked her directly, "What did Grandpa and Second Uncle say to each other?"

Madam Gu hesitated and said:

"He said he wanted to cut open your heart to see if he was inside. At first glance, this sounds quite chilling, but as you slowly come to understand it, it shows that your fiancé cares about you a lot."

Yunji knew that Cui Zemin was behind it all.

Seeing that she remained silent, Madam Gu was at a loss for what to do.

"Your second uncle sent me here this time to take you out of the manor."

"What kind of logic is it that a married daughter would run back to her parents' home just because she had a quarrel with her husband?"

If Yunji goes back to her parents' home like this, it will be difficult for her younger sisters to marry into wealthy families in the future.

Besides, she can't go back this time, and it will be difficult for her to go back in the future.

Madam Gu couldn't help but complain about Gu Huaizhang again.

"It's all your second uncle's fault. That kind of pedantic scholar always likes to take things out of context and misinterpret the son-in-law's meaning. The son-in-law is the kind of person who's always ready to fight and kill. It's one thing for him to be a coward and easily frightened, but he also wants to drag me into this mess. What kind of nonsense is this?"

"Aunt, don't be angry, it's all Second Uncle's fault."

Yunji slipped three silver notes hidden in his sleeve into her hand and solemnly instructed, "Take these silver notes back to open a shop."

Madam Gu refused to accept it no matter what, but Yun Ji forcefully stuffed it into her hand, not allowing her to push it away.

"After my second uncle lent out the rice and grain from the grain shop, it would take him a year or two to pay off the debt."

"But your second uncle said that he's sure to be promoted one and a half levels this time."

"The meager salary from the imperial court is hardly enough to support such a large family."

Yunji tightened her grip on the silver notes in her hand and said:

"Aunt, the people in the Marquis's mansion are unpredictable. I want to have a backup plan. This is my personal savings. I will provide the funds for my future business, and you can manage the shop. How about we split the profits fifty-fifty?"

After hesitating for a long time, Madam Gu Er grasped her hand firmly and said, "Your idea is right, I will listen to you."

After seeing off Madam Gu Er after dinner, Yunji stood silently in front of her desk piled high with historical materials for a long time.

She never dared to hope for Cui Zemin's love.

She felt that the favor she had never received in her past life was easily obtained in this life, and she could only feel that life was cruel.

Of all the stunningly beautiful women in history, few who relied on the love of their husbands to survive met a good end.

On the contrary, those ruthless characters who rise to power through men's love and hold their fate firmly in their own hands are often able to have a good beginning and a good end.

She couldn't sleep through the night, preoccupied with not knowing when she could escape from the Marquis's mansion.

He acted on a whim, and who knows when he'd be done with it? Only when he grew tired of it could he get that divorce papers.

Perhaps it will take a few months, perhaps a year or two, perhaps it will last until death, like in a past life.

She could not go back to the old path of her past life; all she could do was try to make him hate her as soon as possible, nothing more.

After the imperial court's soup kitchens were gradually established, Granny Kong led the maids and servants back to Qinghui Courtyard.

Three vermilion chests filled with account books were carried into the accounting room.

Hua Chao led three maids to check the curtains, while Chunxuan led a maid to tidy up the house inside and out. No one mentioned the matter of the First Madam being confined to her quarters, and the matter was let go.

Yunji leaned against the chaise lounge, leisurely watching them as they lowered their heads to do calculations.

Granny Kong lifted the curtain and came in to report, "Madam, Vice General Li said that the master will return from the military camp at 5 PM and will have a meal in the inner courtyard."

Upon hearing this, the sound of beads being turned in the accounting room stopped for a moment, and then the abacus began to clatter.

It's no wonder the maids were speculating. Previously, the master and mistress always ate separately, and even when they ate together, it was always in the outer courtyard. They had never eaten in the inner courtyard.

The old man set up a meal in the inner courtyard for the first time ever. Did he rest there after his meal?

Yun Ji gave a soft, almost inaudible reply, "Mmm."

Granny Kong held her breath and listened intently, and finally heard the First Madam's response. Overjoyed, she raised her voice.

"This old servant will go and instruct the kitchen to prepare the meal."