The second wife came from the Wei family of Jingzhao and was the Old Madam’s own niece. Before her marriage, she had been doted on by her father and brothers, and after marrying into the Cui family, she was pampered by the Old Madam. Her life was extremely easy, with the only disturbances coming from the two granddaughters of the eldest son’s branch.
Although the Old Madam disliked the eldest son’s family overall, she still doted on her two granddaughters. Both the older Third Sister and the younger Ninth Sister were adored, always provided with the finest of everything.
The eldest son’s third daughter was about the same age as the second daughter. They had met around the same time, but unexpectedly, the third daughter was chosen by the Crown Prince, who personally petitioned the Emperor to grant their marriage. She entered the Eastern Palace as Crown Princess.
Madam Wei had considered marrying her second daughter to another prince as a second option, but her father-in-law had cautioned that the Cui family had already produced enough crown princess, and marrying another into the royal family might arouse the Emperor’s suspicion.
With her father-in-law’s words, what could Madam Wei say?
After finally marrying off her second daughter and enjoying a few years of peace, the seventh daughter had now reached marriageable age. To make matters worse, the ninth daughter was approaching her coming-of-age ceremony.
Madam Wei could not help but feel anxious.
In all of Luoyang, who did not know that Cui Yaoning was unmatched in beauty? She had not even reached marriageable age, yet countless suitors had already inquired about her, some openly, some secretly. Once she officially came of age, wouldn’t the Cui family’s doors be worn down by visitors?
With Ninth daughter so dazzling, who would notice Seventh daughter?
Because of this resentment, Madam Wei never looked kindly on them.
Today, Cui Yaoning wore a pink jacket embroidered with intertwining floral patterns over a lychee-white silk skirt. To ward off the cold, she draped a white satin cloak over her shoulders, embroidered with flowers, the collar lined with a ring of snow-white velvet that made her fair skin and delicate features stand out even more. Her thick hair and fragrant cheeks made her look like a blooming peony, dazzling, gorgeous, and with a touch of audacious charm.
The moment she entered, the room seemed to shine.
Madam Wei felt even more disheartened.
Before Cui Yaoning could speak, the Old Madam Cui’s displeased voice rang from behind her, “Jiuniang has been in poor health since childhood. You, as her aunt, not only fail to care for her but even hold a grudge against a younger one?”
Cui Yaoning turned around.
Several maids helped a kind-looking, gentle old lady into the room. She had just returned from a visit to the Buddha and was dressed simply, aside from two jade bracelets of exceptional clarity on her wrists, giving her a quiet nobility.
Cui Yaoning quickly went over to support her, her voice soft and sweet. “Grandmother…”
The little girl’s tone was full of adoration and dependence.
Old Madam Cui’s heart melted at the sound. She patted her hand and said kindly, “Don’t be afraid, Grandma is here. Let’s see who dares to discipline you.”
Seeing this, Cui Xuan, the seventh daughter of the second wife, curled her lips sourly. “With Grandmother doting on Ninth Sister so much, who would dare say anything against her?”
She and Cui Yaoning had always been at odds.
Besides her mother’s constant admonitions, it was because Cui Yaoning always liked to play with Sixth Sister, Cui Xiuxiu. Though they were legitimate daughters, Cui Yaoning often associated with a concubine’s daughter, which seemed to diminish the status of the others.
Although the Old Madam favored the two granddaughters of the eldest son’s family, she was not the type to treat the granddaughters of the second son’s line as inferior. Hearing Cui Xuan’s remark, she feigned anger. “You little brat, how dare you say I favor one over the other? Think carefully, when have I ever let anything be sent that wasn’t a separate gift for you and your Ninth Sister?”
The seventh daughter, still young, saw her grandmother’s stern face and believed she was genuinely angry. She hurried over and shook her arm, promising not to do it again.
Old Madam Cui tapped her forehead gently, saying, “Your mother is foolish. Don’t be like her. You are all sisters. There’s no need to fight over who is better and ruin your relationship. That just makes us a laughingstock.”
Wei Wenlan had always been competitive and assertive in nature. Fortunately, Cui Xuan was still young and not inherently stubborn, so she could be persuaded, otherwise, dealing with her would have been a major headache.
Cui Xuan offered an awkward smile and remained silent.
Madam Wei was furious. Being scolded by her aunt in front of so many younger relatives made her face flush with embarrassment. She stomped her foot and exclaimed, “Mother!”
She was no longer a child, why was she acting like this?
It was unbearable to watch.
Old Madam Cui glared at her, then had someone help her settle into the head seat.
Cui Yu quickly stood, led the main branch family members to pay their respects, and then politely inquired about the Old Madam’s journey.
Old Madam Cui replied with a few calm words.
Though they were clearly mother and son, their interaction was formal and distant, almost like strangers.
Cui Yaoning watched them and sighed silently.
When she learn the reason for the rift between her father and grandmother.
Her grandmother had suffered severe hemorrhaging during her father’s birth, and delivering him had been extremely difficult. However, her great-grandmother had taken the newborn to raise. After her grandmother recovered, the baby refused to stay with her, crying and demanding to return to her great-grandmother’s care. Heartbroken, her grandmother kept her second uncle by her side to raise him herself. Her great-grandmother criticized her grandmother for neglecting her father and took him back to her own household.
It was only after her great-grandmother passed away that her father returned to her grandmother’s side. By then, however, her grandmother already had her second uncle, who was charming and talkative, by her side, while her father, quiet and reserved by nature, grew even more estranged from her grandmother.
Later, when her father reached marriageable age, her grandmother arranged for him to marry her niece. He refused, saying he only wished to marry her mother.
Her grandmother was furious. She felt that great-grandmother had oppressed her for so many years, weakening the bond between them. Now that she had finally outlived great-grandmother, her father wanted to marry her great-grandmother’s niece instead.
From that point on, her grandmother grew even more displeased with her father and his family. Her mother never earned her grandmother’s favor after marrying into the family. Even after her grandmother passed away in Cui Yaoning’s previous life, the grudges between them were never resolved.
Though her father never said it, he was likely saddened by this as well.
Both her father and grandmother loved her equally. Given the chance, Cui Yaoning sincerely wished the two could set aside past grievances.
After exchanging pleasantries with her two sons, Old Madam Cui first inquired about the academic progress of the young masters in each branch of the household. Satisfied with their answers, she then asked about the marriage arrangements for the young ladies in the family.
“The Liuniang is engaged, and Qiniang and Baniang are both of marriageable age. Baniang…” Old Madam Cui paused, glanced at Madam Wei, and admonished, “Wenlan, Baniang calls you Mother, so you should pay attention to her marriage. After all, she is a girl from our Cui family.”
Madam Wei forced a smile and replied, “Yes.”
Cui Wan kept her head down throughout, appearing meek and submissive.
She was an illegitimate daughter, born to a lowly concubine. After enjoying brief attention, she was abandoned by her father. Accustomed to being ignored since childhood, she never imagined that her grandmother would one day arrange a marriage for her.
In this way, even her legal mother would have to take responsibility and make some effort.
Cui Wan never dreamed of marrying into a wealthy or influential household, she only wished to marry someone respectable who could be a proper head of a family.
With red eyes, Cui Wan stood and thanked them.
Old Madam Cui smiled and said, “We are family. There is no need for thanks.”
After speaking, her gaze returned to Cui Yaoning. The young girl seemed lost in thought, her mind elsewhere.
Old Madam Cui then turned to her eldest daughter-in-law, Madam Wang, and said, “I remember that in two months, our Jiuniang will reach marriageable age, correct?”
Ps. Niang is an honorific for a young lady, often translated as “Miss,” and the number prefix indicates her birth order.
Liuniang – Sixth Miss
Qiniang – Seventh Miss
Baniang – Eighth Miss
Jiuniang – Ninth Miss