Though she didn’t understand the meaning behind his words, they felt overly ambiguous.
Yet the man’s expression remained cool and detached. Sitting upright across from her, he exuded an aura of purity and serenity, as if he had merely uttered the most ordinary of remarks.
Only she was thrown into disarray by it.
Li Tingyuan lowered her gaze, swallowing softly before explaining in a quiet voice:
"This lip rouge was given to me by Yueyao yesterday. I wasn’t aware there was anything inappropriate about it."
"The Cui Family upholds strict propriety. Women of the Cui Family should embody the demeanor of a recluse and avoid overly heavy makeup."
Cui Zhuo’s tone was calm.
Had these words come from anyone else, Li Tingyuan would have found them overly preachy.
But perhaps because Cui Zhuo had long held a position of authority and was the undisputed head of the Cui Family, his words carried an unshakable and convincing weight.
She pursed her lips, suddenly feeling a burning sensation on them.
"I understand."
Cui Zhuo gave a soft "Mm." "Brocade Emporium is my private property. Another day, go there and pick out some rouge and powder you like."
Li Tingyuan’s hands, resting on her knees, curled almost imperceptibly. Suppressing the urge to look up at him, she murmured her assent.
Not long after, Cui Ji’an returned with the hibiscus cakes.
Li Tingyuan picked up a piece of pastry and, while eating, stole a glance at Cui Zhuo’s face.
She saw him leaning back slightly, eyes closed as he rested against the carriage, clearly in a state of repose.
From Li Tingyuan’s angle, the man’s profile was sharply defined—his nose bridge high, his eye sockets deep. As he leaned back, his Adam’s apple became even more prominent.
Li Tingyuan’s gaze swept over his Adam’s apple before she hastily averted her eyes.
Yet the next moment, her chewing of the hibiscus cake froze. Disbelieving, she looked up again to confirm.
—On Cui Zhuo’s pale skin, an extremely faint scar resembling a bite mark was discreetly hidden just below his Adam’s apple.
Previously, she had kept her distance from him and dared not look directly at him. Moreover, Cui Zhuo’s collar was always meticulously buttoned up to just below his Adam’s apple, so she had never noticed it before.
Li Tingyuan remembered that on that night three years ago, overwhelmed, she had clung to him and bitten down there…
At the time, she had tasted the metallic tang of blood in her mouth.
Now, three years later, could the scar still remain?
As she stared distractedly at the scar, the man’s Adam’s apple suddenly bobbed.
Li Tingyuan, startled like a frightened bird, quickly averted her gaze, her heart pounding wildly.
The next moment, Cui Zhuo slowly opened his eyes, his gaze settling on her, the emotions in their depths unfathomable:
"What are you looking at?"
"…"
Li Tingyuan trembled, nearly dropping the pastry in her hand.
"N-nothing…"
Cui Zhuo’s gaze swept over her lightly:
"Hibiscus cakes are hard to digest. You should moderate your intake."
Li Tingyuan forced down the bite of hibiscus cake in her mouth, lowered her head to avoid his gaze, and nodded guiltily.
In truth, Li Tingyuan very much wanted to ask about the handkerchief Cui Zhuo had mentioned, but by the time the carriage returned to the estate, she still hadn’t mustered the courage to bring it up.
As soon as the two of them entered the estate, the steward Zhang Sheng hurried over anxiously.
"Master."
Zhang Sheng glanced at Li Tingyuan.
Li Tingyuan took the hint:
"Thank you for the ride back to the estate today, Prince. I shall take my leave now."
Cui Zhuo nodded.
Watching Li Tingyuan’s figure disappear into the distance, Zhang Sheng leaned in and lowered his voice:
"Master, there's trouble with the canal transport. Second Master and the others have been waiting in the council hall for quite some time."
Cui Zhuo's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly as he said calmly:
"Fetch the account ledger from the shelf in my study."
The council hall of Cuifu was situated beside the ancestral hall. Incense smoke curled through the air, yet it could not dispel the tension that hung thickly in the room.
Peering around the screen wall, one could vaguely see the hall crowded with people. The main seat remained empty, and everyone seemed as restless as headless flies.
Several elders and heads of various branches sat below, their faces flushed with agitation, their arguments nearly loud enough to lift the roof.
Cui Renhe of the second branch, Cui Zhuo's second uncle and a direct descendant of the Cui Family, held the most sway among the group.
He set down his teacup and stood up, declaring:
"This matter cannot be delayed any longer! We must immediately send someone to smooth things over! No matter the cost!"
A few nearby nodded in agreement.
"Absolutely not!"
An elder with white hair and beard rose to his feet:
"Taking action now would be tantamount to admitting guilt without being accused! In my opinion, we can easily shift the blame to the military governor of Yuzhou for failing in his protective duties! Isn't Mingheng acquainted with people in the Censorate? We should immediately request the Censorate to submit a memorial impeaching the military governor of Yuzhou!"
"Third Uncle's strategy of diverting the trouble is clever—"
A younger man stood up, casting a glance at the middle-aged man in blue robes sitting nearby before sneering:
"But how did our ships get trapped so precisely this time? If there wasn't a traitor among us, I wouldn't believe it! I say we should investigate the spy first!"
The man in gray robes, whom he had glanced at, slammed his hand on the table and stood up, shouting angrily:
"Why are you looking at me?! This matter wasn't under my responsibility, and its failure brings me no benefit. Are you actually suspecting me?!"
"Whether it was you or not, Seventh Uncle, you know in your heart!"
"You…"
"Enough! Stop arguing!"
Another middle-aged man stepped forward to mediate, while an elder seated below the main seat shouted, "Stop this!" Yet everyone was already red-faced from the quarrel and paid no heed to the admonitions.
Someone was the first to smash a teacup, and instantly the council hall erupted into chaos, filled with shouts and clamor.
Amid the scuffle, one of the younger men caught sight of Cui Zhuo standing at the entrance. His expression changed abruptly, and he called out loudly:
"The Prince is here!"
The faces of those who had been arguing fiercely moments before instantly turned solemn. They quickly retreated to the sides, standing properly with bowed heads, each as silent as a cicada in winter.
Even the older elders rose to their feet, their tones awkward and restrained:
"Mingheng is here."
Cui Zhuo's gaze swept over the crowd, and he gave a slight nod.
He had changed into a moon-white casual robe, spotlessly clean, and strode calmly into the hall, the hem of his garment swaying with a steady and elegant grace.
Amid the disarray and the furious, richly dressed elders, his composure stood out starkly.
He did not head for the main seat but instead chose a corner spot at random and sat down.
A servant immediately presented a fresh cup of tea with reverence.
Cui Zhuo gently placed the account ledger on the table, unhurriedly picked up the teacup, used the lid to skim off the tea foam, and took a small sip.
"Whoever smashed the teacup earlier will compensate according to its value."
He set the cup down, his gaze sweeping over those who had been shouting the loudest moments before. His tone was not raised:
"Those who instigated the conflict first will, after the meeting concludes, voluntarily accept punishment according to the clan rules. Does anyone have any objections?"
Those he looked at lowered their heads one by one, not daring to show the slightest hint of defiance.
"Take your seats."
Only after Cui Zhuo spoke did everyone, starting with the elders, begin to sit down in order.
"I am already aware of the canal transport matter."
Cui Zhuo's gaze calmly swept over everyone present.
All eyes were upon him—some filled with anticipation, others with doubt or worry.
"Three matters."
Cui Zhuo spoke unhurriedly:
"First, the shortfall in canal transport has been covered by the salt certificates from Jiangnan. The accounts are here. As for the three ships stranded in the canal, they have been rerouted to a tributary and are being escorted by the private canal workers I arranged earlier. They will arrive in the capital as scheduled within three days."
"Second, the mastermind behind this is the Meng family, cloth merchants from Yangzhou, who ingratiated themselves with the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works half a month ago. Evidence of Censor Zhou’s embezzlement of river project funds was presented to the Emperor early this morning by Censor Chen of the Censorate. By now, he likely finds himself in dire straits."
Upon hearing this, the crowd visibly relaxed.
The middle-aged man in blue robes who had earlier argued with the young man stepped forward, his face filled with indignation:
"Since Mingheng is here, I must ask—since when has our Cui Family lacked such discipline? Even a junior dares to question…"
"Seventh Granduncle, this third matter concerns you—"
Cui Zhuo’s gaze shifted calmly toward the man who had spoken:
"The private mine you operate outside the city encroaches upon the residual veins of the imperial mausoleum’s dragon pulse. I have already suppressed this matter once on your behalf. Starting tomorrow, the mine will be managed by the family estate. You will still receive thirty percent of the profits, but given your advanced age, you need not trouble yourself with family deliberations henceforth."
As his words fell, the hall fell deathly silent.
All eyes involuntarily turned to Seventh Granduncle—though Cui Zhuo had not explicitly stated it, his attitude had made everything clear.
Those present could hardly believe that Seventh Granduncle had truly dared to collude with the Meng family to intercept the Cui Family’s merchant ships.
The Seventh Elder of the Cui Family, whose speech had been cut short, first flushed crimson, then slumped back into his chair, his expression ashen.
He parted his pale lips, still wanting to defend himself, but meeting Cui Zhuo’s gaze, he swallowed his words awkwardly.
Cui Zhuo’s expression remained unchanged as he picked up the slightly cooled teacup again, only to frown slightly.
A nearby attendant paled and hurried over to replace it with a fresh, hot cup.
Cui Zhuo took a sip of tea and looked at the assembly:
"Thus, does anyone still have objections?"
The council hall, though crowded, was now utterly silent.
Cui Zhuo rose and gave a slight nod:
"If there is nothing else, allow this junior to take his leave."
Under the watchful eyes of all, he left the council hall with the same composed demeanor as when he had arrived.
Several elders of the family exchanged glances, then unanimously turned their gazes to Cui Zhuo’s steady and dignified retreating figure, unable to suppress a lingering sense of trepidation.
Returning to his study, Cui Zhuo picked up a brush and wrote down several names.
"Xiao Yun—"
A man dressed as a guard pushed the door open and entered. "Master."
"According to this list, invite these officials to the residence for a discussion tonight."
With that, Cui Zhuo stared at the letter, tapping his fingers lightly on the table.
After a moment, a profound glint flashed in his eyes. He wrote another name and handed it to Xiao Yun:
"Never mind. First, invite this person to the residence."
Xiao Yun glanced at the name on the paper, his expression shifting in surprise:
"Guo…"
Cui Zhuo waved his hand, leaned back, and wearily pressed his fingers to his temples. "Just go and invite him."
Meanwhile, from Li Tingyuan’s Qingning Yuan, the cheerful laughter of a young woman could be heard from afar.
The room was filled with the soft fragrance of flowers, and the bed and couches were piled high with various soft brocades and gauzes.
Cui Yueyao was holding a bolt of vibrant, water-red fabric, holding it up against herself in front of the mirror again and again.
"Yuanshu…"
She drawled, "Are you really sure you don’t want any of these fabrics? I went through so much trouble to get them from my brother."
Li Tingyuan recalled Cui Zhuo's words in the carriage earlier that day and smiled at Cui Yueyao:
“I won’t need that. I’m new here and unfamiliar with the customs, so it’s better for my daily needs to be arranged uniformly by the household.”
“Alright then…”
Cui Yueyao shook Li Tingyuan’s arm gently, “But you promised me you’d sew a pouch for me using this cloud brocade.”
“Yes.”
Li Tingyuan pursed her lips and lowered her head to turn another page of the book.
Cui Yueyao leaned over curiously, but the moment she saw the dense rows of accounts, she felt a headache coming on.
“My dear sister, when did you start managing accounts? My brother is really something—you’re now the Adopted Daughter of Cuifu, and you’re being provided with fine clothes and food, so why trouble yourself with such matters?”
Li Tingyuan tapped the abacus a few times, carefully noting down an entry before looking up at Cui Yueyao, her expression hesitant.
“What is it?”
Li Tingyuan shook her head, still unsure how to tell Cui Yueyao about her desire to leave.
“By the way, in a few days when Huaishan is free, let’s invite him to the residence for a gathering. I haven’t seen him in years—he was just a little kid back then!”
Cui Yueyao couldn’t help but smile as she recalled the little rascal who used to follow her around, calling her “Sister Yueyao.”
Li Tingyuan also chuckled softly and nodded:
“That sounds nice, but he’s no longer that little rascal now—he’s even taller than me.”
As she spoke, she suddenly noticed what seemed to be an error in the accounts. She looked more closely, flipping back a few pages, occasionally tapping the abacus as her brows gradually furrowed.
While holding the brush, Li Tingyuan’s wide sleeve slipped slightly, revealing a slender wrist that glowed with a pale radiance.
Cui Yueyao watched her wrist moving back and forth for a moment, and a strange feeling suddenly stirred within her.
“I originally thought that once my brother marries, all matters in Cuifu would naturally be managed by my sister-in-law. But seeing how dedicated you are to household affairs, I almost wish you could be the one overseeing the household in the future.”
Li Tingyuan’s brush paused mid-stroke. Though she didn’t look up, a faint blush crept onto her cheeks.
Cui Yueyao noticed her odd expression and immediately realized the ambiguity in her words.
She quickly waved her hands to explain:
“D-don’t misunderstand, I didn’t mean you should marry my brother. You’ve hardly spoken to him before, and besides, he already has someone in his—”
“Miss, Miss Liu Mengyuan has arrived.”
Before Cui Yueyao could finish, a maid gently knocked on the door and announced.
Accompanying Liu Mengyuan were Mama Zhao, the head maid of the inner residence, and two other maidservants.
Li Tingyuan invited everyone into the room.
Mama Zhao pointed to the two maids behind her and said to Li Tingyuan:
“These two are first-class maidservants in our residence, Yun Xiang and Yun Qiao. Since you currently have no one attending to you in your quarters, the Prince has instructed them to serve in Qingning Yuan.”
At the mention of “the Prince,” Li Tingyuan’s eyelashes trembled slightly as she looked at the two maids.
Cuifu was a large and prosperous household, and even the maidservants were exceptionally well-mannered.
At first glance, these two appeared more refined and poised than young ladies from modest families, their entire demeanor exuding an air of “propriety.”
Their grace only made Li Tingyuan feel even more out of place.
Li Tingyuan twisted the edge of her sleeve, forcing a smile as she thanked them.
Seeing her task completed, Mama Zhao prepared to leave, but Cui Yueyao stopped her. She glanced at Li Tingyuan and offered an apologetic smile:
"I suddenly remembered I haven't finished today's schoolwork yet. I should head back first."
Li Tingyuan hadn't expected her to abandon her at this critical moment, and secretly pinched Cui Yueyao's arm.
Unexpectedly, Cui Yueyao acted as if she hadn't felt it at all, smiling as she placed her hand over Li Tingyuan's, subtly applying pressure to pry Li Tingyuan's hand off her arm.
Then, as if being chased by wolves, she left without looking back, pulling Mama Zhao along with her.
"…"
The corner of Li Tingyuan's mouth twitched slightly. When she turned back, she found herself face to face with Liu Mengyuan once again.
She forced an awkward smile and tentatively suggested:
"Since everyone has left, and it's getting late now, perhaps you, Miss Liu…"
Before she could finish, Liu Mengyuan stepped forward and gently took her hand.
Liu Mengyuan had a very gentle and graceful appearance. When she smiled, her lips curved softly, and her voice was light and tender when she spoke:
"When I saw you at the madam's place yesterday, I felt an instant connection. I've been wanting to visit you, but when I came at noon, I discovered you had left the estate."
Seeing that Liu Mengyuan had no intention of leaving and feeling increasingly uncomfortable being called "sister" repeatedly, Li Tingyuan could only force a smile and respond:
"That was my fault. I went to White Horse Temple during the day."
"So you went to White Horse Temple too?"
"Too?" Li Tingyuan was puzzled.
Liu Mengyuan lightly covered her mouth, as if only then realizing she had said something she shouldn't have, and glanced around.
Noticing that Yun Xiang and Yun Qiao weren't paying attention to them, she leaned closer to Li Tingyuan and whispered:
"Please don't tell anyone, but the Prince also went to White Horse Temple today. He doesn't like others knowing his whereabouts, so I must keep his secret for him."
As she spoke, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she lowered her gaze, her expression revealing a hint of shyness and an ambiguous, suggestive charm.
Author's note: