The next morning
News that the Marquis of the Marquis Yangling Mansion supported an unknown girl and did not hesitate to warn the Heir of Prince Gong spread like wildfire, thanks to the ddleso Ji Ge who didn’t shy away from stirring up trouble.
Soon, it proliferated with an unstoppable montum.
Shocking the entire Shengjing.
In Shengjing, many of the girls who admired Cui Yun cried their eyes out. If Cui Yun had remained single, then it would be fine as no one could have him.
But now soone did.
How could their agitated and envious hearts calm down?
Even Prince Gong, who had intentions of proposing marriage to him for his daughter, sighed deeply and, after the morning court, he even dragged Ji Huo from the concubine’s bed.
"Slling of powder and rouge, what a disgrace!"
Ji Huo couldn’t help but shiver when confronted with Prince Gong’s imposing and wrathful visage. She was about to kneel when she heard this sentence.
"Tell honestly, did Cui Yun really intimidate you yesterday because of that girl?"
Intimidation?
Ji Huo montarily blanked out, but she had to do whatever it took to slander Cui Yun.
"Yes, his character is truly poor! All that gentlemanly deanor is fake!"
Prince Gong didn’t listen to these trivial excuses.
He only cared about one thing.
"It’s a pity. I had intended to invite him over more often. If things had worked out, I would have entrusted my younger daughter’s future to him. Tell , which family’s girl is she? She even managed to outshine my daughter!"
Ji Huo: ???
Are you insane?
Prince Gong, after so painful reflection, said: "There’s no hope with Mr. Cui now, these next few days I should play chess more often with the Duke; his son Xie Xun should also be returning around this ti."
Outside, the rumors intensified, and even as Cui Yun dealt with official duties at the Ministry of Justice, he could tell that his subordinates looked at him with more intriguing gazes than usual.
Even if the sky fell, he would not care, let alone now.
Cui Yun was not distracted by this. He had not even asked Ji Qing to investigate.
The Zhong Chu case had been thoroughly concluded, its many difficulties not worth ntioning now. The verdict was execution after autumn. Crown Prince Ji Zhui had, as expected, sacrificed a pawn to save his chariot.
"Sir."
Jiang Zhao stepped forward.
"Soone from the Fourth Prince has co."
Cui Yun looked up with an unfazed expression: "Let him in."
Jiang Zhao stepped back and soon ushered the visitor in, who then offered a grand salute to Cui Yun with a smile.
"Zhong Chu committed countless wrongdoings; such a corrupt official reaps what he sowed. If not for you, sir, he would assuredly be resting easy under the protection of powerful friends."
"The Fourth Prince thanks you for enforcing the law as firmly as a mountain on behalf of the affected common people."
Cui Yun’s face showed a hint of a smile but also a distant coolness.
"The Fourth Prince overstates, the Ministry of Justice naturally has the authority to overturn any misjudgnts during the tri-ministerial review. If Zhong Chu were innocent, I would have no grounds to fra him. If guilty, I would impartially apply the law to set things straight," he stated clearly.
His stance was unequivocal.
He would take on the Eastern Palace for Zhong Chu’s misdeeds, not on behalf of the Fourth Prince Ji Wang.
No matter who had a slightly better chance of ascending the Dragon Chair, the Marquis Yangling Mansion would not take sides.
The ssenger’s face stiffened for a mont, then quickly regained composure.
After the visitor left, Cui Yun turned his gaze back down to the official docunts on his desk.
Jiang Zhao, after much internal struggle, couldn’t contain his curiosity: "Sir."
He finally gathered the courage to ask: "Are the rumors outside true?"
Seeing Cui Yun frown, he quickly added another line.
"They say you’re about to get married. It would be a joyous occasion for the Ministry of Justice."
Cui Yun found it absurd: "Are street rumors to be trusted?"
"To think you’re the Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice. If you truly have free ti, I might just have to assign all the new cases at the ministry to you..."
Before he could finish, Jiang Zhao quickly declined: "No, no, no."
After his hasty departure, he ran into the Chief Clerk outside.
The Chief Clerk stroked his beard: "How is it? I said nothing happens without reason."
He clicked his tongue: "Really couldn’t see it coming. I heard that his lordship was angered last night, almost ca to blows with the Princely Heir; never thought soone like his lordship would get jealous."
"Quite sour indeed!"
Jiang Zhao dismissed him irritably.
"His lordship has always been calm and collected; even if he truly harbors affection for soone, he wouldn’t resort to harming others."
"Tsk! You just don’t understand. Only those n who have never experienced love can be shaken by the slightest things to earth-shattering proportions, just wait and see."
"Chief Clerk."
Ji Qing had arrived at so point.
"The master orders that since you love to indulge in gossip, might as well clean up the Ministry of Justice from bottom to top."
The Chief Clerk was stunned. The smile on his face slowly faded.
Ji Qing left for the outside.
Jiang Zhao: "It’s lunchti; where are you going?"
"To the Prince Ge Mansion."
Ji Qing replied aptly: "His Highness just got married and is very busy, yet he still manages to vex my master. Since the gift is accepted, naturally one must go and give thanks."
Jiang Zhao: ...I don’t see any thanks, but Ji Ge is sure to suffer.
Before nightfall, Cui Yun finished his official duties and finally returned to his mansion.
Madam Cui Xuan had been waiting outside for a long ti. She was wrapped in a fox fur coat. Seeing Cui Yun getting off the carriage and striding towards her, her expression grew ever gentler.
Cui Yun greeted her politely, imdiately followed by caring and gentle words, "It’s bitterly cold outside, Mama should take care of her health."
"Nanny Fang, you have been serving Madam for a long ti, you should advise her."
Madam Cui Xuan let him lead her back.
"Don’t scare her."
"Mama knew that you were returning to the mansion and tid it well to wait here. Am I so frail that a little wind could knock over?"
"Ah Si used to stand in that place every day, eagerly awaiting your brother’s return. In the future, your bride will do the sa for you. That Miss Shen..."
How could Cui Yun not understand Madam Cui Xuan’s implication?
The man’s eyes were profound.
He remained as cold and detached as ever.
"No need to take heed of the false rumors outside, Mama."
If there was any truth to them, a delicate girl like Shen Hua would never leave the warmth of her house to wait for him.
Madam Cui Xuan smiled subtly without a word.
"Oh?"
"I have already sought your cousin for a talk."
"Brother Chen wouldn’t lie to his aunt."
Madam Cui Xuan: "He said about you, last night you were distracted while dining, one part of your mind on Rong, and the remaining six parts on that Miss Shen."
The man narrowed his eyes: "How Ji Huo conducts himself, Mama surely knows better than anyone. It was rely for Rong’s sake that I helped her out of a difficult situation."
Madam Cui Xuan was really curious about what kind of girl could make Cui Rong behave. But clearly, Cui Yun flatly denied it.
Madam Cui Xuan paused mid-step, turning to look at Cui Yun, it was unclear whether she believed him or not, the lady just chuckled softly. She raised her hand to smooth out the sleeve of Cui Yun’s robe that was slightly wrinkled from riding a horse, tenderly straightening it.
"Indeed, my son possesses noble character and integrity, disdaining those twisted and unorthodox ways."
"You always conduct yourself with humility and without fear of power; even when you took the initiative at the feast, no faults could be found."
"Mama is relieved; your grandfather has raised you exceedingly well."
Madam Cui Xuan halted.
"Miss Shen suffers from a frail disposition; our Marquis Yangling Mansion has plenty of vacant rooms, no need for Ni Kang to visit every three days."
Her voice carried a smile.
"Mama just doesn’t understand why you placed Miss Shen in the pear garden under your na?"
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