Have You Written Your Will Today?
Chapter 197: Among you two brothers, Bai is not as thoughtful as you (Xue Tuan - )

Chapter 197: Chapter 197: Among you two brothers, Bai is not as thoughtful as you (Xue Tuan Chapter)

She grimaced and turned to go to Dowager Yan’s quarters, where the mischievous Second Old Lady was kneeling on the ground, trembling and daring not to speak much.

Dowager Yan had already exploded in anger, with shards of porcelain on the floor. Everything that should and shouldn’t be scolded was all hurled at the Second Old Lady.

This was the first time she’d ever made such a blunder. At her age, other old ladies were enjoying their lives, yet she was the one dragged out to make a spectacle.

All thanks to these two daughters-in-law!

The Governor’s wife walked over and looked down at the Second Old Lady condescendingly.

"Second sister-in-law, you really have a knack! Just with your tongue, you’ve brought disaster upon the whole family."

"What is your status, and what is Xuan Shuyu’s status?"

The only consolation was that the Xuan Family hadn’t come. Xuan Shuyu’s sister-in-law was very protective!

The Second Old Lady no longer had the demeanor of being favored as before. She bowed her head and dared not say another word.

The Governor’s wife still hadn’t vented her anger.

"Marquis Yangling dislikes Xuan Shuyu, and you alone know this? You alone have a mouth? Even if he dislikes her, Xuan Shuyu is still the Madam of Cui family. Look at the clothes she wears, which item is inferior?"

Over the years, Cui Yang has not skimped on giving her due dignity. It’s just that he makes mistakes concerning the Wu Family’s affairs.

"After returning from the military camp, Marquis Yangling went to the palace to confess his misdeeds overnight. Eldest Young Master Cui wasn’t allowed to leave the house today, and by his appearance, he likely received family punishment. But how does it matter? He is the legitimate eldest son who will inherit the title in the future!"

"Enough!" Dowager Yan reprimanded.

"In my courtyard, where do you get the right to be outspoken?"

Dowager Yan: "I was just about to ask, why did the Second Prince come? Did you give him an invitation?"

Speaking of this, the Governor’s wife felt wronged.

"Mother-in-law, how could I dare to casually send an invitation to a Prince of the palace?"

"The Second Prince came on a whim. Could you have stopped him at the gate? He’s not the Seventh Prince. The Fourth Prince is his younger brother, and their mother is currently the most respected Princess Consort Jing in the palace."

Speaking of which, the Governor’s wife felt suffocated with anger. In all these years, she hadn’t made a single mistake in managing the household, yet today she was implicated.

"Mother-in-law, I know you don’t like me, hence you also don’t want Mi to follow me. No matter, take it as my filial piety to accompany your granddaughter by your side. This time, if you still favor and protect my sister-in-law, it would be unreasonable."

Dowager Yan looked deeply at her.

"Go kneel outside. Without my permission, you do not stand."

It’s the peak of summer now, and it’s stiflingly hot outside, likely the punishment of kneeling will peel off a layer of skin.

These words were naturally directed at the troublemaking Second Old Lady.

The Second Old Lady quickly kowtowed: "Yes."

The Governor’s wife was not satisfied.

Only then did Dowager Yan turn to look at the Governor’s wife.

"Don’t bring Mi into this! I’m well aware of your dealings!"

"You think I don’t know that you intentionally made me go? Being the Madam of the Yan Family, don’t I understand the principle of sharing both honor and disgrace? The little schemes you harbor, do you really think I, an old lady, can’t see through them because I’m senile and blind?"

"How come when you want to save face, I must lose mine?"

The Governor’s wife clenched her hands under her sleeves tightly.

It’s laughable, even now, the mother-in-law still accuses her of wrongdoing?

Could it really be her who forced that fool to say those words?

Seeing her grimace, Dowager Yan stood up.

"Do you know why I look down on you? It’s not because of your dirty past."

She sneered: "It’s your heart that’s too venomous. At least the one kneeling outside is not as bad as you. Don’t mention filial piety, if I let Mi stay with you, the seedlings of the Yan Family would eventually go crooked."

————

After returning to Cui Mansion, Cui Yun sent Cui Xuan back to her quarters, and after giving Nanny Fang some instructions, he left.

The youth tightened his jaw, his eyes glinting sharply. He turned to leave.

"Second Young Master. Old Master summons you."

Cui Yun narrowed his eyes. With a pivot, he grabbed Xue Tuan and headed towards the main courtyard.

As he arrived, Old Master Cui was painting. Seeing him, he did not even stop his brush.

"Still resenting your father?"

"How dare I."

Listen to that sarcastic tone.

"Then it is blaming me."

Old Master Cui: "How is your brother doing?"

"He developed a fever that night, which has since subsided, yet his consciousness has not cleared; he still speaks deliriously."

Old Master Cui: "Your grandmother hasn’t slept well these past few nights; if it weren’t for me holding her back, she might have gone to care for him secretly that night."

Cui Yun respectfully said: "My elder brother is neither crippled nor disabled; right now, he’s merely unable to move on his bed. Naturally, it wouldn’t be right to trouble your elderly self to visit in person."

Old Master Cui wasn’t annoyed, but rather seemed intrigued as he added the final stroke on the Xuan paper.

"Share your thoughts on this matter."

Cui Yun pursed his lips.

"That night, our father struck with the military baton very ferociously, dozens of times, and although I applied medicine on my brother, it only seemed a bloody mess, terrifying indeed, but didn’t really harm his muscles or bones; it’s clear he was holding back strength."

He stroked Xue Tuan’s fur.

"Everyone says that Marquis Yangling Mansion enjoys the Holy Favour, but I don’t believe the official family wouldn’t feel threatened."

Old Master Cui paused, the ink from his pen dropped, completely ruining what was meant to be the finishing touch of the painting.

He said in a deep voice: "You are quite daring."

Cui Yun stood there. The atmosphere in the room was tense.

After a while, Old Master Cui said: "Continue."

"These past few days I have thought for several nights, and it’s likely that our father acted for the officials to see."

It was confirmed this morning.

Before I even left the house, a servant from Emperor He’s side had specifically delivered medicinal ingredients.

Before leaving, he specifically left a message.

——Eldest Young Master Cui is young and talented; the official family is still waiting for him to marry and establish himself early, Marquis, please don’t harbor resentment over this matter.

If Cui Bai were not punished at all, perhaps Emperor He wouldn’t openly say anything, but he would certainly be wary. Companionship with the emperor is like accompanying a tiger.

It’s likely that sending the medicine was merely a pretext while the true intention was to probe the reality.

Having been beaten for several days, they only sent someone over now.

Seeing Cui Bai truly ’half-dead’, and that the Cui family elders are so angered by their legitimate grandson that they didn’t visit, the official family is probably appeased.

But what of it?

Such matters, Cui Yang should have discussed beforehand with Xuan Shuyu, who isn’t an unreasonable person.

It serves him right that he is now resented by Xuan Shuyu.

Cui Yun knelt on the ground. He looked into Old Master Cui’s eyes.

"My brother has suffered; I wish to ask you, grandfather, for a favor on his behalf."

Old Master Cui had already guessed what he was going to say. He was wiping his hands.

"Granted, once his injuries heal, let your mother personally go to propose marriage, after all, he was beaten and punished, and the official side has even spoken out. If the Cui family has shown its backbone, let it be as he wishes."

He, indeed, was never truly willing to make things difficult for Cui Bai.

Only, the Cui family can’t simply do as they wish, there are always people watching.

Only then did Cui Yun stand up.

Old Master Cui looked at him, and said solemnly:

"Among you two brothers, if one were to say who is more thoughtful, it would be you; Bai doesn’t compare to you."

Well, one a civil servant, the other a military general. The Cui family is indeed complete.

Xue Tuan was not listening to their conversation; she was intently gazing at the red glazed porcelain willow leaf vase placed in front of the bookshelf in the room.

Slanting shoulders, bare rim, the white clay showing; the whole piece with graceful lines.

She patted Cui Yun’s hand, and pointed at the vase.

Get one for her too!

Cui Yun understood.

"Grandson asks for one more favor."

Old Master Cui: ?

"This vase, please also bestow it as a reward."