Marrying a treacherous official

Yunji summoned guards to lead the way, heading straight for Cui Shuhua's tent.

The morning breeze brushed her face, its cool coolness dispelling her turbid thoughts.

Those absurd and romantic moments are gone. The most urgent task is to return to the mansion as soon as possible, handle Aunt Du's funeral arrangements, and then find a way to rescue Gu Jinyu from prison.

She lifted the curtain and entered the tent, where she saw Chunxuan styling Cui Shuhua's hair. Through the bronze mirror in front of her, she met those tearful eyes. She walked straight over, put her arms around her, and gently pulled her into her embrace.

"My aunt entrusted you to me before she passed away. From now on, you will live with me."

"I'll listen to my elder sister-in-law."

"Stop crying. When we get back to the manor, we will give your aunt a proper burial. You need to pull yourself together."

Yunji gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and said with pity, "Are there any other people in your family? I'll send Granny Kong to invite them over later."

"I have an uncle on my mother's side who runs a fried dough shop on Nanxie Street. He's an honest and upright businessman. After my maternal grandfather passed away the year before last, he's my only maternal relative."

As Cui Shuhua spoke of her current situation, she became increasingly distressed.

Yunji gently comforted her, "Then go and invite your uncle. I'll personally talk to the Lady of the Marquis and try to get your aunt buried as soon as possible."

Cui Shuhua trusted her completely and nodded in her arms with tears in her eyes.

Yunji ordered Chunxuan to go out and arrange the return carriage.

Chunxuan left the tent, not daring to wander around. She summoned a guard to look for Huo Xi, and waited behind the tent.

Huo Xi ran all the way there, drenched in sweat from his morning exercises. Afraid his stench would offend the beauty, he stood six feet away, his face dark with sweat, and smiled at her, saying:

"The guards said you were looking for me?"

"It is the First Madam who has something to instruct you on."

Chunxuan glanced around and, seeing that no one was around, took two steps forward and instructed him, "Arrange a carriage to send the First Madam and the Second Miss back to the mansion."

Huo Xi quickly agreed, "I'll find you a carriage as soon as we get out."

Seeing her lower her eyes shyly, he immediately thought of her soft body as he lifted her onto the horse from the pine forest, and his heart fluttered as he said:

"Once I have some free time, I will ask the general to intervene and ask the lady to let you marry into the family."

"What utter nonsense you're spouting."

Chunxuan, filled with shame and indignation, scolded him, "Who said I was going to marry you? How dare you ask Master to propose to the First Madam?"

Huo Xi laughed out loud at her scolding and coaxed her gently:

"I was trying to discuss this with you properly, wasn't I?"

"Who needs to consult with you?"

Chunxuan glared angrily with her almond-shaped eyes and said huffingly, "I want to stay by the First Madam's side forever and serve her attentively."

Huo Xi swayed her, saying, "Even after you marry someone else, you can return to Qinghui Courtyard and serve the First Madam wholeheartedly."

Chunxuan stamped her foot in protest, "Then she won't be a first-class maid anymore, but the head matron of the courtyard."

Huo Xi grinned widely and laughed incessantly.

He was overjoyed to learn that despite her anger, she was still willing to marry him.

"I originally planned to wait another year or two until you were of marriageable age and released from the mansion, then I would go to your house to propose marriage. But after this dangerous situation, I can't wait any longer."

Chunxuan pursed her lower lip, refusing to smile in front of him, "What nonsense are you spouting again?"

Huo Xi made up his mind firmly, "Don't worry about this. When the Madam asks you about it, just nod and agree."

Chunxuan's cheeks flushed, and she glanced at him shyly before asking in a muffled voice:

"Did you get all eighty lashes last time?"

"It's nothing serious."

Huo Xi took her hand and placed a gourd-shaped porcelain bottle into her palm. "This is the Golden Silk Ointment that was presented as tribute to the imperial court. Apply it to the wound on your forearm, and be careful not to leave a scar."

As Chunxuan watched his departing figure, she tightened her grip on the gold thread ointment in her hand, a warm feeling welling up in her heart.

Yunji led Cui Shuhua and three maids back to the mansion.

As soon as she entered Qinghui Courtyard, she instructed Granny Kong:

"Clean up the west wing and let the second young lady live there for now. Then find someone to demolish the east corner of the backyard wall, build a gate, and merge the neighboring east fence courtyard into it. The second young lady will live in that courtyard from now on."

Granny Kong was extremely shocked. Such an overstepping of the bounds would likely incur the wrath of the Lady of the Marquis, and even if the matter were brought before the Old Madam, the First Madam would have no grounds for complaint.

"Madam, should we consult with the Marquis and his wife before making a decision on this matter?"

"Need not."

Yunji was too particular about rules and couldn't bring herself to be ruthless, which is why she couldn't protect Aunt Du.

If she had returned to her residence from Lingshan Temple after receiving the divination slip, ignoring Cui Zemin's suspicions and disregarding the fact that this matter would implicate Gu Jinyu, then Aunt Du would not have died, nor would the guards protecting her.

Now that the list of abbots has fallen into Cui Zeming's hands, whether Cui Gongquan can get out of prison depends on Cui Zeming's approval.

The Marquis and his wife could only beg Cui Zeming to release the people, so why should she have to cater to their whims anymore?

She took the tea offered by the maid, took a small sip, and asked Cui Shuhua:

"Does the Second Miss want the maids from her previous courtyard to serve her, or would you like me to assign her new maids?"

"To be honest, after what happened when a maid in the courtyard betrayed me, I still feel lingering fear."

What Cui Shuhua fears most right now is that the Lady Hou, as her mother, will take her to Minghe Hall for upbringing. With her mother gone and her father unreliable, she will only be tormented and mistreated by the Lady Hou in every way.

Only the First Madam wholeheartedly protected her, taking her into Qinghui Courtyard for care and also setting up a separate courtyard for her to live in nearby, all to prevent the Marquis's wife from keeping her by her side.

"I'm afraid those maids and servants are spies planted by the Lady of the Marquis. If possible, please send me a maid to serve me."

Seeing the uneasy and tentative look in her eyes, Yunji, fearing that she might feel a sense of desolation at being dependent on others, called to Huachao and said:

"Find a clever and quick-witted nanny from the estate for the second young lady, two capable maids, and a diligent old woman to serve her. After you find them, bring them over for me to see."

"This servant will take care of it immediately."

Yunji solemnly instructed Granny Kong:

"Aunt Du has unfortunately passed away. Granny, please go to the fried dough shop on South Sloping Street and invite Aunt Du's uncle over to discuss the funeral arrangements. There's no need for Madam Hou to handle Aunt Du's funeral; I will take care of it myself."

Granny Kong opened her mouth, wanting to say a few more words of advice to the First Madam, but seeing the First Madam looking at her resolutely, she dared not say another word:

"This old servant obeys."

"Has the old man returned home?"

Xi Kui, who was waiting outside the door, hurriedly stepped over the threshold and respectfully replied.

"This servant saw that the master went to Jiaxing Garden. I asked Lieutenant General Li, and he said that the master went to discuss Consort Du's matter with the Marquis."

Yun Ji could not hide his surprise; he hadn't expected that Yun Ji would step in to appease the Marquis over this matter.

That's for the best, so she won't be implicated and suffer any more punishment from the Marquis.