Have You Written Your Will Today?
Chapter 173: They Realize Their Mistake, Is That Okay?

Chapter 173: Chapter 173: They Realize Their Mistake, Is That Okay?

This was the first time everyone saw emotions on the face of Cui Yun.

He stepped forward, not even bothering with the usual formalities. He didn’t even pay respect to Ji Zhui and Ji Wang.

He looked straight at Duke Wei, without a hint of emotion. His dark eyes were deep and heavy.

"If Duke Wei looks down upon the Cui Family, then be forthright about it. My small and insignificant family cannot afford to offend with its petty schemes and tricks."

This remark was the spark to the powder keg.

The man was impeccably dressed in his official clothes, with an imposing yet proper demeanor. Not a single fault could be found.

This remark also caught Duke Wei completely off guard.

After all, up until now, due to the good relations between the little princess and the youngest son, the two houses had been quite close.

It was not just him; even the other officials hadn’t been expecting this.

Duke Wei: "What do you mean by this, Marquis Cui? Has there been some deficiency in my household’s hospitality?"

Prince Gong, who was always keen to see drama unfold, strode forward: "Mr. Cui, tell me what’s going on, so I can take a stand for you."

"Over the years, I have always kept an eye on you. Back when you were in charge of the Ministry of Justice, wasn’t there a number of impeachments against various people? I was the only one who saw your potential at a glance!"

All the officials fell silent at once.

Didn’t they know they were wrong?

Who knew that Cui Yun, at such a young age, could be more capable than his elder brother.

But, yes.

When Cui Yun was underestimated in the past, he always responded indifferently, never seen to lose his temper at anyone over these years.

What on earth could Duke Wei have done to provoke Cui Yun to this extent?

Everyone’s gaze turned sharply toward Duke Wei.

Duke Wei himself was clueless.

At this moment, troubles were already brewing in his household.

Facing Prince Gong’s question, Cui Yun restrained his emotions somewhat, but his voice was still cold and strange.

"Miss Cui of our family was born young. Even at her birth, the whole Cui Family was in the period of mourning. My sister-in-law had an unstable pregnancy, which was extremely dangerous. When Your Majesty learned of this, he sent all the Imperial Physicians from the Imperial Hospital to the Cui Family, saving both mother and daughter, and thus the sole bloodline of my brother was continued. It was divine grace, and even more so, the Emperor’s favor."

Cui Rong was born premature, a tiny bundle, but seemed to represent the entire hope of the Cui Family.

Cui Yun still remembers holding the frail-breathed Cui Rong, feeling the pounding of his heart at the time.

"The Imperial Physician said she was too small, born with bruises all over, and it was unlikely she would survive. I did not believe it. I took care of her myself, never daring to relax."

"The Emperor, taking pity on her, especially bestowed her the title of Princess Rui’an, with the hope that she would have a peaceful and fortunate life."

Cui Yun: "If Duke Wei’s house looks down upon her, you could’ve just made it clear."

"It’s true my brother left early, but how could my sister of the Cui Family be regarded as a fatherless wild child?"

Cui Yun said coldly: "If Lord can’t teach his sons properly, perhaps the Ministry of Justice should do the teaching instead, to prevent disasters spilling from their mouths."

"I may be of low status and my words carry little weight, but I still have the power to discuss right and wrong with you, the Wei Family."

Prince Gong was surprised, his eyes wide.

Even the usually neutral Duke Wen found it absurd.

No way, no way. Duke Wei’s declining house actually looks down on the people from the Marquis Yangling Mansion?

Even, looking down upon the daughter of Cui Bai?

Madness! Everyone looked sharply at Duke Wei.

The first to jump out was the Imperial Censor Shu, his face darkened.

"If there is a lack of virtue among the people of your household, you might as well employ a nanny early to discipline them."

"I have seen Miss Cui, and what’s wrong if a young girl causes some trouble? If you don’t provoke her, she wouldn’t make things difficult for others. The last time she met me, she was very polite and paid her respects properly. Very sweetly at that!"

"If not for the sacrifices of the Cui father and son, I’m afraid the nation would be in turmoil and instability. Even though I am a civil servant, I admire the military generals’ willingness to die for justice. Without the soldiers’ sacrifice and battleground bravery, you, Wei Ce, how could you quietly serve as a high-ranking official in Shengjing every day, just skimming documents and earning your salary? And how could the young members of your household live in peace?"

As he spoke, his body trembled with emotion.

It wasn’t just him, soon the hall was filled with blame.

Prince Gong: "What’s the matter with you? I remember not long ago, you mentioned that your son shared a good relationship with the little princess, yet now your Duke Mansion seems to have played a clever strategy, on one hand wanting to cling to Mr. Cui, the desirable prize, and on the other, speaking ill of Cui Rong?"

The Duke shook his head: "This matter indeed looks unsightly."

Panic flashed across Duke Wei’s eyes.

He had heard the Duchess Wei belittling Cui Rong many times.

Although he agreed, every time the Duchess Wei mentioned it, he always felt compelled to admonish her.

But how did these words reach Cui Yun’s ears?

In his guilt, he stubbornly denied everything.

"Where did Marquis Cui hear such a thing? The Cui family is known for their integrity, and my entire household holds the utmost respect for you."

Crown Prince Ji Zhui furrowed his brows tightly.

Duke Wei was his supporter, and he also wanted to bring Cui Yun under his command. Isn’t this a fantasy?

For such trivial matters, would he really give up on Cui Yun?

Ji Wang disagreed: "Are you implying that Cui Yun is framing you, Duke Wei?"

Imperial Censor Shu’s face was still frightfully stern: "Framing? Marquis Cui has always been upright and proper! Over the years, he has not made a single mistake. He is known for his good temper."

"No wonder he reacted this way. If it were me, knowing such things, I would have gone directly to Duke Wei Mansion with a knife to demand justice!"

Even Duke Wen, who had been talking to Duke Wei before, stepped back to distance himself: "The Commandery Princess is so young, and yet your sons spoke such heart-wrenching words!"

Her daughter was to marry into the Xuan Family of the Yongchang Marquis Mansion, and hence would be related to Marquis Yangling Mansion in the future. Naturally, she supports her own people.

Crown Prince Ji Zhui’s face grew dark.

Xie Xun looked at Cui Yun thoughtfully, with admiration flashing in his eyes.

In his opinion, Cui Yun didn’t come just for justice.

Cui Yun deliberately stirred up this trouble to bring shame on the entire Duke Wei Mansion.

Crown Prince Ji Zhui must now reassess whether Duke Wei is worth his protection.

Half of the court might break ties with Duke Wei Mansion. Even the womenfolk at home would not associate with them.

This is the nature of court politics.

One wrong step leads to a series of missteps.

Moreover,

"The Emperor has arrived."

A sharp voice rang out, and soon, the golden yellow Dragon Robe appeared in everyone’s sight.

Emperor He took his seat on the Dragon Chair, sensing the tension in the atmosphere.

"What has happened here?"

Xie Xun cracked a slight smile.

Regarding yesterday’s disappearance case of the Wei Family brothers, it’s likely that Cui Yun had a hand in it. Yet, no one could produce evidence.

The young master was unharmed; perhaps it was a lesson to teach Duke Wei how to be a better man.

——To not harbor shameful thoughts towards a six-year-old child.

Perhaps, few would suspect Cui Yun. After all, this did not seem like Cui Yun’s usual style.

But what if they did guess?

The Wei Family boys were not fatally harmed!

At most, they were stung by a bee and could not show themselves for a few days. After being insulted, how could the Cui Family lack spirit, when his father is Cui Yang!

And if the Crown Prince intended to promote Duke Wei, he might push Cui Yun towards Ji Wang. If he is a wise man, he would surely know how to choose.

Not to mention the one sitting on the Dragon Chair above, who is about to burst into rage.

Impressive.