Two days had passed, and beneath the seemingly peaceful surface of Shengjing City, turbulent undercurrents were already swirling. A strange wind had blown across all corners of the city within half a day, leaving no nook or cranny untouched.
Rumors began to spread, becoming increasingly outrageous. The source was unknown, as was the veracity of the claims.
Soon they were the talk of the town.
There was all manner of gossip.
The first version.
Groups of commoners were seen discussing incessantly.
——Have you heard? The Governor’s wife, with a heart of a serpent and scorpion, pushed her own daughter into the Wei Family for so silver, likely because they were short on cash.
——That’s not likely, she is the Madam of the Governor Mansion; how could she not have enough?
——May lightning strike dead if I lie! She’s not from a prominent family, coming from a rural background, naturally crude and greedy for money. Selling her daughter? I bet if a family offered enough silver for a match with her son, she’d gladly push him out as well.
The second version.
——What nonsense about the Governor’s wife being greedy for money, could a woman of her standing really dictate everything in the Governor Mansion?
——Is the Yan Family stupid or what? With all the good matches out there, why did Miss Yan have to marry Wei Xiheng? It’s clear that the Wei Family coerced the Yan Family. These nobles and officials are filthy behind closed doors. Who knows what sort of underhanded deal was struck between the Yan and Wei families?
Speaking thus, so broke into an elongated, aningful chuckle.
——The matter of Eldest Young Master Wei, now that’s even more interesting. By all rights, at his age, he should have been married with children by now, but he’s been ’sick’ for years. This ’illness’ is indeed severe; a certain part of him, effeminate as he seems, simply cannot stiffen. No matter what dicine he takes, it’s useless. Who wouldn’t go mad with such an ailnt? He’s rely putting on a brave front. It’s just too bad for the girl, marrying into that and dood to live like a widow.
The third version was even more sensational. It was the fastest spreading and most relished by the crowd.
——The previous two versions are false! Listen up; what I’m about to say is the truth!
The old woman with the basket, the most animated in pontificating, was practically spitting as she spoke.
——The Yan Family plays their cards way too deep. One after the other, they announced warm tidings, claiming Eldest Young Master Wei and Miss Yan were mutually in love, pah! A load of nonsense about mutual love. Even the burly woman selling dog at on the street, with layers of fat eightfold, knows to choose a handso young man. Could it be that Miss Yan is so foolish, or was she simply forced?
——Do you know why the Governor’s wife is so satisfied with that son-in-law from the Wei Family?
——The deed is done, so I won’t hide it any longer. Clearly, the Governor’s wife harbors impure thoughts for Eldest Young Master Wei. As a married woman, she cannot have what she desires! Unable to get him herself, she went mad and made her daughter marry him. At least in the end, they can be ’one family’.
——How could it be impossible? Eldest Young Master Wei may have ruined his looks, being unsightly, it’s true, but what if the Governor’s wife has an unusual taste, what if she fancies that sort of thing!
The fourth version.
"..."
The eighth version.
"..."
With many differing accounts, the fifteenth version
"..."
Because of this,
The number of visitors outside the Governor Mansion had increased by fifty percent compared to usual days.
Naturally, the news also reached the Governor’s wife.
She was furiously angry and with a stony face, smashed all the porcelain in the house.
"Who is the reckless fool daring to calculate and slander like this!"
The servants, trembling, knelt all over the floor: "Madam, should we investigate?"
"Investigate? Just the rumors outside, not to ntion a hundred, there are more than a dozen versions, each more absurd than the last. They spread like wildfire all at once from different places, how could such a thing be clearly investigated? Could it be possible to capture all the people of Shengjing?"
The old woman hastily advised: "Madam, please do not distress yourself over this, lest those wretched tricksters find an opportunity to exploit. These people have unknown ulterior motives. Lady, you better quickly consult with the Old Master and the Dowager on how to quell the public opinion as a priority."
"Although it is false, those people make it sound convincing with elaborate details, and everyone is watching your embarrassnt, Madam. If you do not clarify, I’m afraid it could all be mistaken for the truth."
————
Unlike the Yan Family, the Ministry of Justice has been relatively idle these days.
Just as Cui Yun set down the pen in his hand, Ji Qing hastened in from outside.
"Master, the Old Master left the mansion today, most likely to et the Third Prince. The Shadow Guards left at ho sensed sothing was amiss and promptly sent a ssage."
Cui Yun furrowed his brows and changed out of his official clothes.
"Where is he?"
"Mingting Pavilion."
He said indifferently, "Let’s go."
Mingting Pavilion is the most renowned tea house in Shengjing City, a favorite haunt for cultured scholars and literati.
In a private room, the fragrance of tea lingered in the air.
Ji Teng brewed tea, across from him sat Old Master Cui with a cold face.
He was not upset, instead, his deanor was exceptionally respectful, "Elder, you truly did not wish to see ."
Old Master Cui continued to look stern, "I’m getting old; the Third Prince should be more accommodating."
Ji Teng lifted his robe sleeves, poured the freshly brewed Longjing tea, and offered it with both hands to Old Master Cui.
"This is a fresh batch of Longjing from the tea house, please have a taste."
Old Master Cui, seeing his gesture, felt an even greater knot in his chest.
Yet, frustratingly, he had no place to vent his anger; with a heavy heart, he eventually reached out to accept the tea.
His hand trembled slightly, "How old are you now?"
Ji Teng replied, "Five years older than Cui Yun."
Old Master Cui fell into silence once more, then set the tea cup back on the table.
After a ti, he finally sighed. His gaze rested on the incense burner not far away.
"Originally, I did not wish to see you. When one grows old, they beco stubborn. I have reflected much these days and thought it right to et you, yet also feared the eting. I was afraid I could not justify it to the ancestors of the Cui family, nor explain it to the won of the household. But your uncle Shao Wu has been appearing to in dreams, ti and again."
"You should know, back then, he and Cui Yang were as close as brothers in their secret dealings,"
Ji Teng replied softly, "Yes. My mother often spoke of it when she was alive."
Reminding him never to forget this debt of gratitude in his lifeti.
Now, he has co into his own, no longer the youth who struggled to preserve himself.
"Years have passed, tis have changed, so grudges I cannot forget, and he... he should know that as well."
"To speak the truth, my visit here is not to steal a person from you, but I do harbor a personal desire; he should rightfully pay respects at my uncle and aunt’s graves."
Old Master Cui lowered his eyes; his back was not so straight anymore, as if he aged decades more.
"Shao Wu and your mother treated with respect as brother and sister in their lifeti."
"My son Cui Yang is gone, my eldest grandson Cui Bai is gone; it is only human to have personal desires. I have always wished to keep Yun by my side."
"Perhaps you do not know, when the Prince Huai’an Mansion t with disaster, Cui Yang took great risk to bring him back, initially ant to be sent to Prince Gong Mansion. But that day, my daughter-in-law Shuyu was laboring with difficulty, and the newborn did not survive. I was in deep sorrow, when that little bundle was in my arms, he so obediently grasped my thumb tightly, not letting go."
A trace of a smile finally appeared on Old Master Cui’s face, yet it was so faint that a re breath could disperse it; then it solidified into sorrow.
"I made a decision then, this child was fated to be with the Cui family."
He spoke softly.
"Shi Yunyu, a jade that radiates mountain’s splendor. Hence, I nad him Yun."
The room fell into a dead silence, with not another word spoken.
And Cui Yun, who was supposed to push the door and enter, beca utterly frozen, his face turning deathly pale.
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