Reborn in the Cold Palace: The Emperor's lie

Chapter 12: malicious



 

The plague was eventually suppressed by Cui Yi and the generals of the western camp, without reporting to Emperor Jianyuan. The dead soldiers' deaths were covered up as diseases, with compensation to their families.

 

Chiyong specially thanked Cheng Fengyi for her efforts.

The prescription written by Concubine Cheng had been kept. If everything went as planned, in two and a half years, Cui Yi would be exiled to Gan Prefecture, a desolate place that only existed in her imagination, where it was unlikely for there to be any competent doctors. It was always better to prepare ahead of time.

 

If she couldn't bring Concubine Cheng with her to Gan Prefecture, then within these two years, she needed to get closer to her and learn as much medical knowledge as possible for future use.

 

The first day of the seventh month was the wedding date that Cheng Hu had previously told Cui Yi about. Chi Ying thought this was an excellent opportunity. On one hand, the Cheng family had shown kindness to Cui Yi, so he needed to personally visit and thank them. On the other hand, with the relationship between Baili Zan and Zhai Rang, it would be easier to win over Cheng Hu.

 

Cui Yi didn't mind going to the banquet, but when Chi Ying expressed her desire to go with him, he refused.

 

"Why do you want to go?" Cui Yi lay diagonally on the general's couch, his legs swinging on the edge of the wooden table, looking at her coldly. "Are you planning to flirt with someone under my name again?"

 

Chi Ying laughed heartily, "Your Highness is astute. I want to flirt with Miss Cheng."

 

Cui Yi grunted and crossed his legs. Chi Ying then moved to the other side to continue massaging his legs.

 

Cui Yi asked, "Why flirt with her if she's already married?"

 

Chi Ying smiled, "Even after marriage, flirting is still possible. Miss Cheng's late mother was a disciple of the Medicine King. I want to learn some healing skills from her. In the future, if Your Highness falls ill or gets injured, we won't need to trouble others to come over."

 

Cui Yi thought it made sense and nodded, "Then come with me."

 

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

 

"Wear a brighter dress. Don't look like you're attending a funeral. That's inauspicious."

 

"...Yes."

 

Cheng Hu was marrying off his daughter, not to royalty, nor to high officials or wealthy merchants, but to a poor scholar who only had two acres of land and three chickens. Even the ox for plowing in spring had to be borrowed from a neighboring village. The colleagues who received the invitations were puzzled. With Cheng Hu's prestige in court, finding a good husband for his daughter wouldn't have been difficult. Why did he choose to make her suffer?

 

In response to his friends' questions, Cheng Hu just laughed and changed the subject, inviting everyone to sit down and drink wine.

 

When Cui Yi came to congratulate, he became the most distinguished guest in the entire Ministry of Rites mansion. All the seated officials hurriedly stood up to greet him. Cui Yi casually waved his hand, "I'm just here as a guest. There's no need for all the formalities, lords."

 

The officials retreated respectfully, speculating in their hearts. Cui Yi usually looked down on scholars and never interacted with civil officials in court. Why would he come to congratulate the Cheng family's daughter? When did he and Cheng Hu become close? Among these officials were also confidants of the Crown Prince, pretending to drink with their colleagues while secretly observing Cui Yi's movements.

 

However, Cui Yi had no intention of doing anything. He presented his congratulations and thanked Cheng Hu for his daughter's previous life-saving grace, and then sat down like any other guest, eating and drinking.

 

The confidants of the Crown Prince were perplexed.

 

While everyone's attention was focused on Cui Yi, it gave Chi Ying a perfect cover. After obtaining Cheng Hu's permission, she directly went to the bridal chamber in the backyard.

 

Inside the bridal chamber, Cheng Fengyi had already lifted the red veil and was directing, "Get rid of those things on the bed! How can anyone sit here? Also, fetch some dishes from the kitchen. I'm starving."

 

The maid said nervously, "But Miss, it's not proper."

 

Cheng Fengyi glared, "Proper? What propriety? I am the propriety! Go quickly!"

 

"Sister Cheng has such a bold spirit, truly a woman who rivals men," Chi Ying entered with a food box, smiling. "I made some longan red bean cakes this morning. If you don't mind, have some to tide you over."

 

Hearing there was food, Cheng Fengyi immediately treated her like a dear friend, gratefully holding her hand, "No need to be so formal. Sister comes from a noble family. If you don't mind, let's call each other sisters! ——Give me a piece of that red bean cake."

 

Chi Ying chuckled, not expecting her to be so hungry, and hurriedly opened the food box. The first layer neatly arranged twelve pieces of pinkish-white cakes, revealing longan flesh, red beans, sesame seeds, and other fillings. Cheng Fengyi took a bite and was almost moved to tears, "So delicious! Sister has such skills. His Highness is truly fortunate."

 

"I'm fifteen this year..."

 

"Oh, I'm two years older. Let's call you sister. Sister, sit and eat together. There's tea here, come."

 

Flirting was easier than expected. With just a box of cakes, Chi Ying gained a sister.

 

While the two women enjoyed the cakes and chatted in the bridal chamber, Cui Yi sat alone at the banquet table, drinking by himself.

 

Most of the guests at the banquet were civil officials who knew he looked down on scholars. No one dared to approach him, merely offering a toast before returning to their seats. Thus, while other tables were filled with laughter and joy, Cui Yi's table was empty and cold.

 

Despite his dislike for scholars, being ignored like this certainly wasn't pleasant. Bored, Cui Yi played with his wine cup, occasionally glancing towards the door leading to the backyard.

 

She had been gone for so long. Why hadn't she returned yet? Leaving him alone here to drink was unacceptable!

 

He wasn't interested in the dishes; he just wanted to end this social event quickly and return home to lie on the general's couch and let Chi Ying massage him.

 

"Your Highness," Zhai Rang apologized after making rounds with toasts, "We haven't entertained you well. Please forgive us."

 

Cui Yi nodded indifferently, and Zhai Rang sat down to serve him food, cautiously saying, "Your Highness has just recovered from illness and should take care of your health. You shouldn't drink too much wine."

 

Cui Yi asked, "You and Baili Zan are from the same hometown?"

 

Zhai Rang nodded, "This humble person has known Brother Wenyu since childhood and studied under the same teacher."

 

Unlike Baili Zan, who was confident and articulate, Zhai Rang appeared to be an ordinary scholar, thin and short, with unremarkable looks. He spoke and acted cautiously, the type who would never amount to much in officialdom without external help.

 

What did Cheng Hu see in him? And what did Cheng Fengyi see in him? Cui Yi remained outwardly calm but wondered inwardly.

 

"The Crown Prince arrives!"

 

Everyone in the courtyard was stirred. Cui Yi narrowed his eyes slightly, watching the drooping flower gate. Soon, Crown Prince Cui Jie arrived grandly with a group of palace maids and eunuchs.

 

Cheng Hu quickly walked to the front of the crowd, lifting his robe to kneel, "Welcome, Crown Prince."

 

Cui Jie put his hands behind his back and casually said, "Rise." Then he surveyed the surroundings, noting the red silk decorations everywhere. "Lord Cheng's house is lively. Are you having a celebration?"

 

Cheng Hu stood aside and replied, "Yes, my daughter is getting married today."

 

Cui Jie didn't look at him, instead scanning every face present. The officials immediately lowered their heads, wishing they could disappear.

 

"So it's Lord Cheng's daughter's wedding. Such a grand event, why didn't someone notify me? I would have prepared a gift," Cui Jie said.

 

Cheng Hu couldn't answer. He bowed his head submissively.

 

Marriage was a personal affair, and the host had the right to invite whomever they wished. Even Emperor Jianyuan had no authority to interfere. But with the Crown Prince standing in Cheng Hu's yard and asking this question, Cheng Hu couldn't respond, "I didn't plan to invite Your Highness," nor could he say, "Your Highness is busy, and I didn't want to disturb you." Any answer would be wrong.

 

During his silence, Cui Jie spotted the kneeling Cui Yi and walked towards him, causing everyone to hastily step aside.

 

Cui Yi stared blankly at the ground until the dragon-patterned black boots appeared in his vision. He then said indifferently, "Your brother greets you, Crown Prince."

 

"Brother, you sure got the news fast. Why didn't you inform me?" Cui Jie's words were gentle but carried a chill.

 

Cui Yi lied casually, "I didn't know beforehand."

 

Cui Jie's lips curled into a smile, intrigued, "Oh? Then how did you end up here?"

 

"It was this servant who dragged Your Highness here."

 

Chi Ying returned from the bridal chamber and heard Eunuch Fu De announce, "The Crown Prince arrives!" She hid behind the arched gate, intending to avoid confrontation. However, sensing Cui Jie's malicious intent towards Cui Yi, she knew he wouldn't come up with a plausible excuse. So, she stepped forward bravely.

 

"Slave pays respects to the Crown Prince," Chi Ying knelt behind Cui Yi and explained, "This slave and Miss Cheng are old acquaintances. I received the invitation early but feared Your Highness wouldn't like interacting with civil officials, so I delayed informing you. Today, I tricked Your Highness here."

 

Cui Jie's gaze became more meaningful, his smile unwavering, his eyes lingering on the small patch of white skin visible above Chi Ying's collar—smooth and flawless, not showing signs of disease.

 

"Is that so?" Cui Jie didn't want to ruin his reputation, so he turned and beckoned. Eunuch Fu De approached with a beautifully wrapped box.

 

Cui Jie handed the box to Cheng Hu, "A small token. Congratulations to the newlyweds."

 

Cheng Hu accepted it with both hands raised, "Thank you, Crown Prince."

 

Bringing gifts to deliberately cause trouble wasn't typical of Cui Jie's style. Chi Ying was puzzled. Even if he learned Cui Yi was attending Cheng Hu's banquet, he wouldn't impulsively show up to ruin the event.

 

"I have many reports to review. I'll take my leave now. Continue enjoying yourselves, lords."

 

Cui Jie left graciously, and the officials kneeling in the yard breathed a sigh of relief.

 

One of Cheng Hu's close friends complained, "Lord Cheng, you've put us in a tough spot. If the Crown Prince reports to the Emperor that we're forming cliques, what will happen?"

 

"So that's it..." Chi Ying understood.

 

"What do you mean?" Cui Yi frowned unhappily.

 

Chi Ying whispered, "The Crown Prince didn't come here to embarrass Lord Cheng or intimidate Your Highness. He came to warn the other guests—he's identified everyone present."

 

Cui Yi's eyebrows furrowed, his lips pressed tightly.

 

"If anyone dares oppose me, I'll report to the Emperor...that they conspired with the Martial King to rebel," Chi Ying enunciated slowly.

 


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