CHAPTER 533: CHAPTER 522: THE MARRIAGE MUST PROCEED ON SCHEDULE

Cui Yang felt a sudden jolt in his heart. He didn’t know what he was afraid of. Even though he was slow to understand, he knew that these two brothers were again throwing obstacles in his way.

Xuan Shuyu was known in Shengjing as a talented woman raised on the saintly books.

To humble oneself and benefit others, that’s what a gentleman from the saintly books would do.

He too had read many varied texts on the ways of getting along, all of them teaching that if one wanted their spouse to care, they should keep a respectful distance and not be too passionate.

He did so, but Xuan Shuyu no longer had eyes for him.

He didn’t know where he had gone wrong.

When they first married, she disliked him for being a military general. His brute force was nothing compared to the clean appearance of a scholar.

He could read, but it was to learn military strategies. He didn’t understand the convoluted subtleties among the learned nor could he comprehend the poetry and essays she wrote.

Every time, he could only offer dry praise.

"Good!"

"This is also good!"

"All not bad!"

What he wanted was fierce. Every time, he desperately wished to be with her. In bed, he would speak lewdly, making her utterly ashamed.

So much so that afterwards, every touch from him would make her shiver and her calves tremble.

He thought that it was repulsion.

He delved into both the teachings of books and what wasn’t taught in books, to the point where he treated the Wu Family increasingly well, even showing reverence for his late wife to prove his depth of feeling!

This was what every girl dreamed of in a gentleman!

How could he let Xuan Shuyu know that marrying the daughter from the Wu Family was not his choice but his family’s decision. He didn’t have any feelings for her, and at that time, he hadn’t met a girl he liked. When age required it, he had to lead troops in battle, fearing unforeseen incidents, and the original motive could cruelly be said to merely be creating offspring for his family.

Why did Xuan Shuyu drift further and further away from him?

Watching a group of people getting ready to leave the residence for the Xuan Family, he subconsciously followed, only to be blocked by Cui Yun.

"If people from the Wu Family come, father will have to stay to tend to them. You’re injured, it’s inconvenient for you to go out, you should stay home and heal."

"But your mother..."

"Wrong."

Cui Yun: "You and mother don’t get along, it’s understandable that she doesn’t take care of you."

The carriage from the Marquis Yangling Mansion slowly traveled on the official road. The Cui brothers rode on horses, leading the way.

Someone chased up on horseback.

"Cui Bai!"

It was Yuan Shaqing.

At this time, the Chen County Yuan Family hadn’t faced any disasters. The Yuan Family hadn’t lost a daughter, and Grand Marshal Yuan was still full of vigor.

"What’s wrong with you?"

Yuan Shaqing’s eyes were misty with tears, like a lost deer: "Didn’t you say that you would pursue martial arts and I would pursue literature? Why have you suddenly changed your mind?"

His mind was spinning, and since there were many people on the road, who knew if there were spies around, he leaned in closer and asked in a lowered voice.

"What happened to make the Marquis Yangling Mansion become so desperate?"

Cui Bai smiled, as always the humble gentleman, gentle as jade.

"Shaoying."

Although he smiled, his words were sincere.

"As for the palace banquet, if the Yuan Family can avoid it, they should. Although the Princess is young, she is capricious, and the Zou Family holds a position of great power. Tugging at one thing affects everything else. If anything goes wrong, they will be able to escape unscathed. Take good care of your sister, find some capable maids to protect her fully. This trip back to Shengjing, my father and I are truly acting out of prudence. The Yuan Family should do the same, and be especially wary in speech and behavior. The Emperor’s power is not to be encroached upon."

"These words, you must relay to Grand Marshal Yuan."

Yuan Shaqing was taken aback.

He didn’t understand why Cui Bai mentioned these things.

But he instinctively nodded: "Alright."

After speaking, however, his brow furrowed deeply.

He carefully considered each word and suddenly felt a chill all over.

But by the time he wanted to ask more, he saw Cui Bai had already driven the carriage far away.

Yuan Shaqing didn’t chase after him.

His hand holding the reins couldn’t help but tremble. He still remembered how Cui Bai was full of pride when he abandoned literature for martial arts.

Now, he had given up.

It was a forced renouncement.

The words Cui Bai just spoke were light, but Cui Yun listened attentively. Finally, all the unusual signs found their answers.

And it was clear that Cui Bai did it on purpose, not avoiding him.

"What is your view on this matter, Weizhen?"

Cui Yun was silent for a long time before he finally dismissed the idea, saying, "The Cui family has been in military service for generations. Half of the ancestors in our ancestral hall sacrificed their lives for the country."

But now, he heard Cui Bai talk about protecting oneself and the inviolability of imperial power.

No wonder...

Cui Yun said in an almost indifferent voice, "The world’s common folk need protection, but it’s not the lifelong duty of the Cui family."

"It’s easy to say ’sacrifice oneself for righteousness.’ But it’s always those silent soldiers who bravely face death. They do the greatest things, yet often after they die, they can only have an anonymous tombstone, unable to return to their homeland, let alone enter the family cemetery. There is no shortage of officials in the court who tirelessly pledge to serve the country and its people out of pure concern, but they cherish their lives more than anyone else. Do you believe it, brother? Whenever their lives are in danger, they run the fastest."

"That might be for the best."

"The emperor may not need brothers, but the Cui family cannot do without them."

Does Emperor He really think everybody can go to Chi City to protect the borders? He drives people to desperation, and when trouble arises, trying to call them back to action becomes truly difficult.

"But this way, the glory of the Marquis Yangling Mansion will be gone."

Cui Yun: "Is that very important?"

"You’ve just given Brother Yuan some advice. Although I don’t know why, if the court can’t tolerate people endlessly..."

He paused.

Cui Bai looked at him: "What will happen?"

Cui Yun was unconcerned, daring to say anything: "The empire will change hands."

————

The Yongchang Marquis Mansion was busy with the marriage arrangements for Xuan Ai.

Xuan E was both happy and worried.

As a mother, she feared her daughter might marry into dissatisfaction. But Earl Yong Chang, Xuan’s father, said that since Ai had a gentle nature, if she married into a noble family’s residence of equivalent status and suffered grievances, the Xuan Family would be incapable of offering support due to their limited reach.

Chong Bingwen was learned, ambitious, humble, and honest—a good man.

His family was not well-off, but with a helping hand, they could make a place for themselves.

The Chong Family would also value their Ai, and who would dare to impose rules on her?

She had figured out some sense in it.

As long as the Yongchang Marquis Mansion didn’t encounter troubles, Xuan Ai wouldn’t suffer the slightest grievance in her husband’s family.

But this sense of security was soon shattered by the arrival of Cui Bai.

These were the most promising children of the two families.

"Uncle and aunt, cousin’s marriage needs further deliberation."

These words made Xuan E frown deeply.

"She’s a Miss Xuan, raised in luxury and comfort, deserving to choose the best match. To marry high where the marital home is unsuitable is mostly to suffer. But why should she marry beneath her then?"

"It is not easy for a poor family to produce a scholar, but this definitely isn’t a reason to offer support. A good young man with real ability and integrity would definitely not seek advancement through his wife’s family."

Cui Bai: "Chong Bingwen is not what he appears to be; absolutely unacceptable."

Upon hearing this, Xuan couldn’t believe it.

"This..."

"Please trust me, uncle."

Xuan E took a deep breath, turned her head, and couldn’t suppress a harsh scolding: "How did you choose a partner for the daughter, almost causing her harm!"

"Cousin’s marriage can wait."

Xuan E hurriedly said, "Yes, we still need to observe carefully and be extremely cautious."

"Aunt, that’s not what I meant."

Xuan Chen was sitting beside Cui Yun, his heart fluctuating wildly. He turned his head to speak to him, "Cousin, you seem different this time since you’ve returned."

"Xuan Chen."

He was quickly called out.

Cui Bai: "Let’s put cousin’s marriage on hold for now, and although you and the Wen Family’s daughter have exchanged tokens, the marriage must be expedited."

Upon hearing this, Xuan’s father’s expression darkened, and he lowered his voice.

"Tell your uncle frankly... what exactly happened?"

Cui Bai sighed: "These past few years, the imperial court has granted many marriages. The Wen Family’s daughter..."

Everyone was shocked.

"Who?"

"The Crown Prince."