Сhарtеr 11: Сlimbing intо Веd
As Cui Jin steррed out, shе saw Mоthеr Сui wаiting оutsidе.
She wаlkеd оver аnd sat with Мother Сui in thе cоol раviliоn to tаlk, whilе Ru Chun аnd thе оthеrs stооd guаrd outsidе.
“Seеing уou return home аlonе todау, I wаs initiаlly a bit wоrried,” Mоthеr Сui рattеd her hаnd. “I never ехресted Рrince Xin tо bе quitе dесent, willing to show уоu rеspеct.”
Нad she knоwn еаrliеr that Xiао Lin’s treatmеnt of Cui Jin wаs mеrеlу pеrfunсtory courtesy, she might hаve bееn dissаtisfiеd with this mаrriagе. But after lеarning оf Xiаo Lin’s еxclusive favor toward the Secondary Consort, seeing him still willing to show Cui Jin respect made her feel this man wasn’t so bad after all.
Cui Jin smiled, reassuring her.
After chatting for a while, Mother Cui took out a stack of gift lists: “I moved your dowry out the night before the wedding. In a couple of days, I’ll have it sent to your estate in the suburbs.”
Cui Ruyue’s dowry was merely flashy but useless, all items that had been gathering dust in the Cui family storerooms.
The dowry Mother Cui had painstakingly prepared for seventeen years was, of course, reserved for her own daughter.
Cui Jin hugged her, laughing: “I knew Mother would take action… These are treasures accumulated by the maternal family over many years. I couldn’t bear to give them to Cui Ruyue and the Shen family.”
The Xie family, a prominent clan of officials and nobles, had amassed treasures that were priceless and extraordinary in heritage.
As the eldest daughter of the main branch, Mother Cui’s dowry was as lavish as that of a princess.
“Give them to her? Dream on,” Mother Cui sneered. “Didn’t Sun Shi back then covet my status and dowry, wanting to scheme for her daughter? I won’t give her a single bit!”
Sun Shi was Cui Ruyue’s mother.
She herself came from a humble background. She had once received help from Mother Cui to escape a playboy who wanted to take her as a concubine, and the two became close friends.
Knowing her time was limited, she first set her sights on Mother Cui.
Because the latter was gentle-natured and shared a bond of friendship, entrusting Cui Ruyue to her would ensure she grew up safely, free from the torment of a stepmother, while also taking advantage of Mother Cui’s kindness and nostalgia to share in the resources and assets of the Xie family.
The only thing she hadn’t anticipated was that Cui Ruyue was a fool. From childhood, she only fawned over Father Cui, repeatedly offending Mother Cui, even going so far as to poison her.
That she grew up safely was thanks to Mother Cui’s good heart, not resorting to killing her.
Cui Jin chuckled: “She relied on Mother’s kindness, not knowing that even a clay figure has its temper.”
Mother Cui’s voice was filled with disgust: “If she’s still in the underworld, let her open her eyes wide and see… all her scheming came to nothing. I want her to die with her eyes wide open!”
Her eyes reddened for a moment, then faded.
Back then, she had been discussing marriage with her childhood sweetheart, but because of Sun Shi’s schemes, the rest of her life was ruined.
She also had to endure Father Cui’s deep nostalgia for Sun Shi day after day, watching Sun Shi’s daughter trample over her own, held in the palm of Father Cui’s hand… How could she not hate?
Seeing the concern on Cui Jin’s face, she smiled: “Old matters, no need to bring them up again. If there’s anything I’m most grateful for in this scheme, it’s having you four siblings.”
Cui Jin held her arm, gently comforting her for a long time.
Finally, she looked up at the sky.
What was coming should arrive soon.
Sure enough, in less than the time it took to drink a cup of tea, a matron hurried over, urgently saying: “Madam, please go quickly… something has happened at Yiyun Courtyard!”
Yiyun Courtyard was Cui Ruyue’s residence.
Hearing the tone, Mother Cui knew it was no small matter and quickly stood up to rush over.
On Cui Jin’s homecoming day, nothing should be ruined by irrelevant people spoiling the mood.Cui Jin had no desire to join the commotion, but Xiao Lin, now mostly sober, became quite interested upon hearing about the trouble involving Cui Ruyue and Shen Zhiheng and insisted on going to see.
When the two arrived at Yiyun Courtyard, they saw Cui Ruyue grabbing Fang Yun and hitting her, crying and cursing: “Shameless wretch! Are you so desperate that you’d even climb into your brother-in-law’s bed? How dare you commit such a filthy act in my Cui family home!”
Fang Yun’s clothes were disheveled, her face flushed, but her eyes were even redder.
“No, I didn’t…”
Cui Ruyue slapped her across the face: “Caught in the act, and you still dare to deny it!”
Fang Yun wept bitterly: “I saw that Zhiheng was suffering from drunkenness, and you were nowhere to be found, sister-in-law, so I thought to make him some sobering soup. Who would have thought… Zhiheng was so heavily intoxicated that he mistook me for you…”
Cui Ruyue sneered: “If it weren’t for that, do you think you’d have had a chance to climb into Shen Lang’s bed?!”
“Enough.” Shen Zhiheng, who had remained silent until now, looked momentarily embarrassed as Cui Jin entered.
Cui Ruyue’s expression was also grim.
She had deliberately acted affectionate with Shen Zhiheng, hoping to provoke Cui Jin, but instead, the current scene had turned her into a laughingstock.
Cui Jin must be laughing at her!
At that moment, Shen Zhiheng took her hand and said, “Ruyue, my elder brother passed away early, and my mother is getting on in years. I was able to advance in my studies all the way here thanks to my sister-in-law supporting me by making rouge and doing embroidery work… As husband and wife, we should be even more filial to her, not misunderstand and beat her. Moreover…”
His voice softened: “Who my heart truly belongs to, don’t you already know?”
Cui Ruyue’s anger subsided somewhat.
She did know.
If Shen Zhiheng didn’t have feelings for her, why would he come looking for her immediately after his Rebirth and even push Cui Jin into the fire pit that was Prince Xin’s Manor?
But Fang Yun, on the ground, clenched her fingers slightly upon hearing these words.
Her peripheral glance swept over Cui Jin and Xiao Lin at the doorway as she sobbed quietly: “Yes, Zhiheng fell in love with you at first sight, sister-in-law. The jade pendant you gave him is kept in his study, admired day and night to soothe his longing… I know you two are deeply in love; how could I ever come between you?”
Shen Zhiheng’s expression changed slightly, and he instinctively looked toward Xiao Lin.
The latter’s gaze had indeed darkened.
Cui Ruyue, however, was somewhat placated by Fang Yun’s words and glared at her fiercely: “If I ever catch you seducing Shen Lang again, I’ll have you sold off!”
Fang Yun trembled in fear.
Shen Zhiheng hurriedly cupped his hands toward Xiao Lin: “My apologies for this disgraceful scene, Your Highness. My sister-in-law is unaware of the full situation and mistakenly believes I have long been enamored with Ruyue. It is truly baseless.”
Those accustomed to high positions are the least comfortable with bowing their heads, and Shen Zhiheng was no exception.
But Xiao Lin was currently at the peak of his power, not yet reduced to a prisoner, and could not be offended.
Xiao Lin’s eyes deepened slightly: “Since it is a misunderstanding, this Prince will not intrude further.”
He politely bid farewell to Mother Cui.
Mother Cui, busy dealing with the situation, could only repeatedly apologize and sent someone to fetch Father Cui to see them out.
As they reached the steps at the doorway, Xiao Lin paused slightly, then reached out to support Cui Jin as she descended.
Inside, Cui Ruyue witnessed this scene and dug her nails into her palm once more, this time drawing blood.
On her wedding day, she was the one humiliated. Today, on her return visit, she was humiliated again! Even her attempt to drive a wedge between this couple by deliberately bringing up Cui Jin’s scheme to switch marriages had been deflected by Xiao Lin.
He actually felt fortunate that it was Cui Jin who married into the Prince’s Manor!
Cui Ruyue’s eyes burned with hatred, turning red.
She had already changed her fate, so why was everything still going wrong for her?
Instinctively, she sought comfort from Shen Zhiheng, but he seemed lost in thought, his gaze distant.Shen Zhiheng was thinking about his past life… Fang Yun had followed Cui Jin back to her family home under the pretext of valuing family ties.
Back then, some incidents had occurred as well, but thanks to Cui Jin’s timely handling, they had quietly passed without a trace.
Unlike now, where all dignity was lost and they became a complete laughingstock.