Have You Written Your Will Today?
Chapter 132: I’m Not That Petty

Chapter 132: Chapter 132: I’m Not That Petty

Cui Yun’s words were all attentively heeded by Ji Qing.

He knew full well the importance and urgency; since Miss Shen was personally entrusted to their care by Xie Xun, there could be no room for mistakes. Hence, the Marquis was somewhat anxious.

But why must the abstinent Cui Yun use his own hands? He too could have acted!

If Ji Huo, vexed and embittered, were to spread this matter, the rampant rumors might just be confirmed.

Even returning to the Mansion would not bring peace.

Though Ji Qing was burdened with heavy thoughts, his pace on horseback never slowed.

At this moment, the Octagonal Pavilion in Marquis Yangling Mansion was the epitome of tranquility.

On the stone table, an array of pastries and fruits were neatly arranged. The maids, considerate as ever, had padded the stone stools with thick plush.

"I’ve told you that these ledgers need not be reviewed by me," Cui Xuan spoke gently, pushing back the hefty account books.

"The household expenses, servants’ monthly salary, the ledgers bearing the accounts of your properties, including all the village holdings – you manage them. Can I not trust my own steward?"

"You’ve reconciled last year’s accounts completely; losses in the village holdings occasionally happen, and there’s no need to brood over them," she assured.

Qiao Si, whom she had personally mentored in household management, had only her first-year accounts slightly scrutinized out of concern for any clandestine actions her subordinates might take against Qiao Si.

Since then, she had given her full authority.

Yet, every year after the New Year, Qiao Si would always come bearing the ledgers. No matter how much she insisted she wouldn’t look, year after year, Qiao Si never failed to make the visit.

Qiao Si said, "Since mother-in-law values me as your daughter-in-law, naturally, I must show my respect in my own way."

Upon hearing these words, Cui Xuan couldn’t help but smile and said to the nearby Nanny Fang, "Listen to her, no wonder she’s fit to be Bai’s wife; she has a stubborn streak just like us."

Nanny Fang laughed along, "Madam is filial; such is the fortune of our Madam. The eldest lady from the Chengbo Marquis Mansion flounced back to the Imperial Palace, having embarrassed the Duchess Chengbo. The Duchess had to personally go and plead for her return but was denied even an audience, and on top of that, the fiercely protective Empress Dowager scolded her. She fell ill after returning home and is still bedridden."

Upon hearing this, Cui Xuan felt even more pleased.

The Duchess Chengbo, in her youth, was excessively prideful and claimed her nobility justified her always vying for the lead, unwilling to submit even a step to others.

There’s an innate elegance in one who’s learned and read, and Cui Xuan cherished reading above all.

Yet, in those years, the Duchess made countless veiled jibes at her for feigning cultural refinement.

Later, when she married into Marquis Yangling Mansion, the Duchess, smiling, presented her with congratulatory gifts, yet repeatedly alluded to Cui Xuan as a second wife. She had the audacity to marry into the Chengbo Marquis Mansion directly, intending to compete with Cui Xuan for a lifetime.

Afterward, Cui Bai chose to offend the Empress Dowager rather than marry Princess You Ning. The Duchess visited countless times, incessantly claiming that the Cui family knew not their place. Upon learning of Qiao Si’s identity, the Duchess turned up her nose, suggesting she had lost her senses, her arrogance reaching the skies.

Qiao Si furrowed her brows, "Princess You Ning was overly intimate with an outsider male, indeed a breach of decorum and a disgrace to her status. Even common households couldn’t accept such behavior, so the Duchess’s reprimands were not exactly unwarranted."

However, her words were already somewhat euphemistic.

It was more than mere intimacy.

It was none other than the Duchess herself catching the Princess in a scandalous embrace, an affront to decency.

Yet, Princess You Ning was the apple of the Empress Dowager’s eye.

She had no choice but to choke on this silent reproach.

Cui Xuan smiled slightly: "I am inferior to her; as for choosing a daughter-in-law, I only look at moral integrity, whereas she expended a great deal of effort to have her son marry Princess You Ning. When the marriage was fulfilled, it indeed brought a moment of splendor, but much suffering awaited."

In the end, it was another family’s affair. Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law did not dwell further, not wishing to continue the discussion.

Afterward, Qiao Si brought up a concern.

"All seems well at the West Garden; dismissing Miss Wu from the residence may prove improper."

Cui Xuan lifted the teacup, took a sip, and its fragrance lingered on her lips and teeth.

"Never mind the wrongs; even before any trouble arose from the Wu Residence, she carried herself with arrogance and rudeness towards the other cousin ladies of our residence. Upon her arrival, barely settled into the West Garden, she promptly sought out each to apologize, proving she can indeed bend when she must."

It was more than being able to bend; now she assumed the guise of a hapless lotus.

In conversations with her, she seemed ready to tumble into tears at a word’s notice.

Qiao Si once hinted, and Wu Shaoyin’s face drooped, tears falling thick and fast.

——Could Madam not tolerate my presence?

Qiao Si’s head ached somewhat.

"Mother-in-law, please be at ease. Your daughter-in-law will think of other solutions," she always persuaded others with reason, but it was quite different from Wu Shaoyin’s approach, and these days had brought her considerable distress.

Cui Xuan comforted her, patting her hand.

"How could I not understand your worries? As long as she doesn’t make a mistake, the Marquis Mansion cannot drive her away. Right now, Yun is the Minister of Ministry of Justice, and many people in the officialdom are keeping an eye on him. He has recently offended the Crown Prince. The slightest carelessness could become a handle for outsiders to criticize him; although it won’t necessarily hinder his promotion, one less problem is always better than one more..."

Her voice suddenly broke off. She stared intently at something.

Cui Xuan abruptly stood up. The teacup in her hand fell, shattering on the ground into pieces.

Qiao Si sensed something was amiss and followed Cui Xuan’s gaze.

A man was hurrying along the narrow path in the distance, his clothes billowing in the chill wind.

"Who is the young uncle carrying in his arms?"

They were too far away to make out the face of the woman.

The powerless arm that hung down swung with Cui Yun’s movements, swaying back and forth.

A bit of the wrist was exposed, shockingly white, while the bracelet on it was strikingly red and eye-catching.

Cui Xuan exhaled three words: "It’s the girl."

Cui Yun was unaware of the commotion here.

He walked rapidly, with Ji Qing having to jog to catch up with him.

Soon, they arrived at Ni Kang’s courtyard.

Ni Kang was reviewing medical techniques; hearing footsteps, he looked up slightly. His expression exploded.

He blinked, then blinked again.

"Take a look at her," said Cui Yun coldly.

While Ni Kang was still in shock, Cui Yun slightly raised the pulse he had checked on the way: "The pulse is rough and difficult to detect, irregular in cadence, still in turmoil. She vomited blood, but there are no signs of poisoning on her body."

Ni Kang inexplicably felt relieved.

He had never been pleased that Cui Yun had hidden Shen Hua away. A man standing tall and upright in this world, unwilling to give even a title, truly made him look down upon him.

Now, he felt gratified.

This is how a man should be!

He finally would not have to run to the pear garden to have breakfast early in the morning anymore.

Look, Cui Yun had brought her back to the mansion!

He dared not delay: "Please, Marquis, send her to the side chamber."

"Ji Qing, go get my medicine chest."

Soon, Shen Hua, unconscious, was placed by Cui Yun onto the bed.

Ni Kang no longer distracted, closed his eyes, feeling the pulse.

Just as Cui Yun had said, it was exactly the same.

His eyebrows knitted together.

"Did the Marquis feed her an elixir?"

Cui Yun concealed his current disarray. Having walked hurriedly, his robe was indeed in disarray.

"Yes."

Had he not fed her, Shen Hua might have stopped breathing on the way.

She was lucky; he always carried lifesaving medicine pills with him.

Ni Kang asked, "Which kind did you feed her?"

Cui Yun’s expression was indifferent: "I’m not that stingy."

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