Сhарtеr 24: Lin Zhao Cоmрoses а Poеm
Uроn hеаring this, Сui Jin pаusеd briеfly.
Тhe Сui family’s mеssеnger hаd arrivеd first. Ву the timе shе steрреd оut, hе wаs аlreаdy wаiting оutside.
“Your humble servаnt greеts the Рrinсеss Сonsort.”
Тhe visitor wаs Сui Zhоng, Fаther Сui’s trusted рersonаl guаrd.
Duе tо Fаther Сui’s attitude, he trеаtеd Сui Jin with сonsiderablе disrеsрeсt. “Yestеrday, thе Рrinсеss Consоrt’s wоrds and aсtions went tоо fаr, lеaving thе Еldest Young Lady utterly humiliatеd. Thе mаstеr wаs furiоus upоn hearing of it. If уou dо not wish tо angеr him further, you should promptly apologize to the Eldest Young Lady and return the dowry proceeds to her.”
“How dare you!”
Ru Chun could not help but rebuke him. “Who do you think you are, to dare speak to the Princess Consort in such a commanding tone? Guards, drag him out and beat him!”
Cui Zhong’s expression shifted slightly.
“I am the master’s most trusted confidant. The Princess Consort should consider carefully!”
As soon as he finished speaking, several matrons strode in, seized him, and dragged him outside.
The heavy sound of wooden boards striking flesh echoed, followed by Cui Zhong’s muffled grunts of pain.
Cui Jin took a sip of tea.
If it were her past self, yearning for her father’s love, a mere threat from Cui Zhong would have made her agree to anything.
But now… what was a father to her?
She did not care.
A moment later, Cui Zhong was dragged back in.
Cui Jin set down her teacup and spoke slowly, “Have you learned to speak properly now?”
Cui Zhong’s gaze held a trace of resentment toward her, but more than that, it was filled with uncontrollable fear.
Gritting his teeth, he lowered his head. “Just now… this servant overstepped. Please, Princess Consort, do not take it to heart.”
Only then did he continue respectfully, “But yesterday’s incident caused quite a stir, and the Eldest Young Lady did not mean to target you… Family scandals should not be aired in public. The master hopes the Princess Consort will be magnanimous and not pursue this matter further.”
Cui Jin neither agreed nor refused.
She simply said, “You may go back.”
Cui Zhong hesitated, unsure of her meaning.
Ru Chun instructed the matrons to help him out, smiling as she delivered a veiled warning. “Guard Cui came to the manor today on behalf of the master to visit the Princess Consort, yet he returns limping… It would inevitably lead people to think the Princess Consort is unfilial.”
Cui Zhong gritted his teeth and said, “This servant tripped and fell on my own. It has nothing to do with the Princess Consort.”
Ru Chun nodded politely, personally escorted him out, and watched coldly as he “accidentally” tumbled down the steps before returning to the Main Courtyard.
There was still someone in the Main Courtyard—this time, it was Matron Sun, sent by Mother Cui.
Matron Sun softly advised Cui Jin, “Madam instructed this servant to inform you not to confront the master directly. The compensation for the grievances you suffered has already been secured.”
As she spoke, she produced an account book.
Cui Jin flipped through it. Inside were records of the Cui family’s assets—a full thirty percent, comparable to the dowry stored in her own treasury.
“Additionally, there are some connections,” Matron Sun said meaningfully. “When the time is right… they will prove useful.”
Cui Jin smiled. “Please convey my gratitude to Mother for her efforts.”
Framing the Princess Consort was indeed a serious crime, but she had not suffered any real harm. Given Cui Ruyue’s status as the legitimate daughter of a Minister, even if Emperor Yonglong personally presided over the case, he would inevitably show some leniency.
If she insisted on having the Dali Temple handle the case strictly according to the law, over time, people would inevitably criticize her as heartless, unwilling to spare even her own elder sister.
It was better to earn a reputation for generosity and secure ample benefits.
Looking at the substantial family assets in her hands, the corners of her lips lifted slightly.
Matron Sun also smiled. “As long as you live comfortably in the Prince’s Manor, nothing Madam does is too much effort.”
The two chatted for a while longer before Matron Sun took her leave.
Cui Jin went to the front hall to meet the officials from the Dali Temple. With reddened eyes, she stated that she would not pursue Cui Ruyue’s false accusations, earning considerable sympathy from them.In less than half a day, word had spread that Princess Consort Xin was magnanimous and tolerant, not holding her elder sister accountable for her wrongdoings.
Cui Jin’s reputation visibly improved. Those who had previously misunderstood her due to the marriage swap incident now felt deeply remorseful.
What scheming sister greedy for vanity? She was clearly a magnanimous and kind-hearted unfortunate soul!
Meanwhile, Cui Ruyue faced backlash from public opinion. Whenever someone mentioned her, they would inevitably curse her as fickle, vicious, and hypocritical.
Some troublemakers even sent Shen Zhiheng a green hat, causing his face to turn ashen on the spot.
Amidst the rumors swirling around the Cui sisters, another piece of gossip was mixed in—the guard had publicly admitted that day that he was acting under the orders of Secondary Consort Lin, severely injuring Cui Ruyue.
Clever people only needed a moment’s thought to realize that Lin Zhao had intended to pin the crime of silencing a witness on Cui Jin.
Even those who didn’t think too deeply were shocked by Lin Zhao’s blatant act of ordering a guard to harm someone.
—After all, she had repeatedly claimed that her sword would never be pointed at the weak, elderly, women, or children.
Regardless of Cui Ruyue’s character, she was indeed a weak woman.
Lin Zhao’s reputation had already been tarnished by Emperor Yonglong’s severe punishment, and this incident led many to scrutinize and question her further.
But she was indeed skilled at manipulating public opinion.
Within a few days, a poem appeared out of nowhere, quickly capturing the attention of the entire capital:
*Fine wine in golden cups, under the night sky’s gleam,
We drink to the pipa’s call, urging us to the dream.
Laugh not if we lie drunk on the battlefield’s sand,
For few return from wars, since time began.*
As soon as this poem emerged, the previous doubts about Lin Zhao quickly faded into silence, and countless scholars and literati rushed to defend her.
How could a woman who had personally been on the battlefield and written such a poem be the scheming, conniving person rumored? She must have been framed!
With just one poem, Lin Zhao turned defeat into victory, earning Xiao Lin’s admiration. For days, officials repeatedly approached him at court—civil officials admired Lin Zhao’s talent, while military officers were moved by the imagery in her poem. If not for the distinction between men and women, they would have wanted to meet Lin Zhao in person.
Thus, Xiao Lin swept away his decline, shining even brighter than before.
Seeing the situation overwhelmingly favoring Lin Zhao, Ru Chun grew restless: “Princess Consort, the Prince has been staying at Pearl Jade Courtyard for many days, and the rumors outside are leaning toward Secondary Consort Lin… Shouldn’t we take action?”
Even the kitchen now dared to openly slight the Main Courtyard!
Cui Jin tapped the wooden fish calmly.
“The timing isn’t quite right yet.”
Ru Chun didn’t fully understand but could only accompany her in tapping the wooden fish to calm her mind, fearing she might lose her temper over Pearl Jade Courtyard’s arrogant attitude.
After half a month of uproar, the Empress’s birthday—the Thousand Autumns Festival—finally arrived, slightly overshadowing Lin Zhao’s limelight.
Though the Empress had no sons and came from an ordinary family, she was widely known for her virtue and wisdom, managing the harem with impeccable order. Thus, Emperor Yonglong showed her some favor and placed great importance on the Thousand Autumns Festival.
At Prince Xin’s Manor, Cui Jin had just finished putting on her ceremonial attire and was in the courtyard double-checking the birthday gifts with the steward.
Lin Zhao arrived gracefully in full regalia. Seeing this, a flicker of disdain flashed in her eyes: “The value of a gift lies in its sentiment, not its extravagance. The Princess Consort, after all, is a woman confined to the inner chambers, her perspective rather limited.”
Cui Jin wasn’t angered. Instead, she smiled and replied, “I can’t compare to the Secondary Consort’s overwhelming talent and originality.”
“You’re quite perceptive,” Lin Zhao said. Having been favored for many days and pampered by everyone in the manor, she had long regained her arrogance. “At the upcoming Thousand Autumns Banquet, I’ll show you something to broaden your horizons.”
Cui Jin watched her walk toward the carriage, her gaze lingering on Lin Zhao’s back for a moment.The thirty strokes of the cane Emperor Yonglong had ordered were truly severe, and it was unclear whether Lin Zhao was merely putting on a brave face today.
However, after being in the spotlight for half a month, if she were in Lin Zhao’s position, she too would force herself to go out and solidify the goodwill of both civil and military officials.
After a while, Xiao Lin finally arrived.
“It’s getting late, let’s hurry into the palace.”
Cui Jin nodded with a smile and boarded the carriage in front first, with Xiao Lin following closely behind.
In the carriage behind, Lin Zhao frowned slightly, deeply displeased with Xiao Lin’s actions.
Over the past half month, Xiao Lin had spent most of his time with her, visiting the Main Courtyard only a few times. This had restored her confidence, and her demands had grown accordingly.
Qiu Wen whispered in reassurance, “While you were recovering, that wretch managed to capture the Prince’s heart. But once you shine brilliantly today and win back His Majesty’s favor for the Prince, what is there to fear from that wretch?”
Lin Zhao’s expression softened, her cool voice filled with pride. “I am not like her, relying only on a useless family background!”
She would use her true abilities to advise Xiao Lin and support him!