Chi Ying froze, staring at him dumbfounded.
Cui Yi paced, sitting on the bed, "Lu Ping is my second uncle's daughter. In terms of family background, talent, appearance, and character, she is excellent. Since she is not betrothed, I wanted to secure her future."
Chi Ying was speechless.
Cui Yi stared at her, "So, was it a misunderstanding?"
Chi Ying nervously replied, "Yes, I misunderstood."
Cui Yi frowned, "Do you think so?"
Chi Ying blushed deeply, wishing she could disappear. Without confirming the reason, she had assumed Cui Yi had fallen for another woman and had argued irrationally.
Cui Yi motioned her closer, and she approached shyly, being pulled into his embrace.
"I promised you, and I keep my word. You don't need to worry," Cui Yi sighed.
Chi Ying whispered, "I was too suspicious. I won't do this again."
Cui Yi smiled warmly, tapping her forehead, "I thought your intelligence was a good thing, but maybe it's better if you're a little less smart. Then you wouldn't worry so much."
Chi Ying leaned against his shoulder, "When I first came to the palace, I didn't feel this way. But as time passed, I became more possessive. Just a few compliments on Zhong Lu Ping, and I couldn't control myself. If you become emperor..."
Cui Yi kissed her hair, "I am happy that you are jealous and cry for me. But I hope this doesn't happen again. As they say, couples should trust each other completely."
"It's 'Bound by marriage, love and trust without doubt,'" Chi Ying corrected with a smile.
"Whatever, I don't read much poetry. Just remember, I trust you, and I hope you trust me," Cui Yi stroked her shoulder.
Chi Ying nodded, feeling a mix of emotions.
Cui Yi suddenly asked, "Isn't it said that pregnant women become suspicious? Could it be..."
Chi Ying blushed, defending herself, "No! My period just ended last month. Even if I was pregnant, the safflower would have terminated it!"
Cui Yi grunted, "That bowl of safflower, I will settle the score with him someday."
Chi Ying laughed, "Ling Fang is already infertile. How will you exact revenge?"
Cui Yi grinned mischievously, "He will have to taste it himself. As they say, gratitude should be repaid generously. We'll prepare a pot of safflower and force him to drink it."
Chi Ying couldn't help laughing, "Enough, stop imagining such things. Aren't you tired? Let me massage your back."
Cui Yi pushed her playfully, "Aren't you tired too? Let me massage your shoulders."
They played around on the bed, laughing and teasing until they finally settled down.
The next day, Cui Yi told Zhong Yuanshan about his intention to arrange a match for Yang Qiong. Zhong Yuanshan neither agreed nor disagreed, explaining that Lu Ping was their only daughter, cherished by the entire family, especially by her grandparents. Her marriage couldn't be taken lightly and needed her consent.
Cui Yi was a bit disappointed, but Chi Ying understood. Zhong Yuanshan knew nothing about Yang Qiong and wouldn't easily agree to marry his daughter to someone without knowing him well, especially someone with no family and only military prowess. What if he didn't treat her well?
Cui Yi assured, "Yang Qiong risked his life to save Lady Cheng. He will definitely be a good husband, no less than me, and will not mistreat Lu Ping."
Chi Ying laughed, "You sure know how to flatter yourself. He risked his life for Lady Cheng, showing deep affection. How can you force him to marry another woman, especially your cousin? Wouldn't it be cruel to her?"
Cui Yi responded seriously, "Even if he loves Lady Cheng, she is married. Does that mean he should never marry or have children?"
Chi Ying agreed, realizing that Yang Qiong couldn't remain single forever. His life as a soldier was precarious, and delaying marriage wasn't wise.
Sure, here is the translation of the provided text into English:
It was decided that if he didn't marry and have children soon, the Yang family's spear techniques would be lost with him. His ancestors for eighteen generations would surely haunt his dreams to demand justice.
Two days later, Chi Ying hinted at the matter again, not directly suggesting to marry Zhong Lüping to Yang Qiong but saying that since they respected Lüping's opinion, it would be best for her to meet Yang Qiong in person. If she didn't like him, neither Chi Ying nor Cui Yi would force her.
Zhong Yuanshan still looked unwilling, but given their current cooperation, he couldn't refuse outright. He agreed to discuss it with his parents and wife.
At this time, Cui Xiang was finally found.
The pampered Jing Prince had first gotten lost, then encountered a black inn where his money was stolen, and he ended up owing more money than he could pay. He was forced to work there as a laborer. However, being a prince, he had never done such menial tasks before. Over half a month, the value of broken dishes far exceeded the cost of one meal, making his debt even larger. Had it not been for the officials who found him with his portrait, he might have been working there forever.
When Cui Xiang was returned to Jiangzhou, he was emaciated, his hair was disheveled, his beard unshaven, and his eyes sunken. His hands were full of chilblains from washing dishes in cold water daily.
Seeing his brother in such a state, Cui Yi couldn't help but gasp and sigh, "Huai You, why did you do this? Because you didn't trust me and your second sister-in-law, you turned yourself into this mess. How can our mother rest in peace knowing this?"
Cui Xiang, listless and supported by attendants, suddenly jumped up at his words: "What did you say? Our mother—she—is dead?"
Cui Yi silently nodded, while Chi Ying softly consoled him: "On the night we left, the Emperor went to the Zui Die Shan Imperial Villa, and the next day, news came that the Empress Dowager had passed away. It seems she couldn't hold on until we could return to rescue her. Huai You, don't be too sad; her last wish was for you to escape suffering..."
Before she finished, Cui Xiang broke free from the attendants and screamed at her: "How can I not be sad? How can I not be sad! Our mother died because of me, because of you, so unjustly, and you tell me not to be sad? Could you remain calm if it were you?!"
"Huai You!" Cui Yi immediately stepped between them, pushing his brother back slightly, "Your second sister-in-law meant well, worrying about your health. Our mother's tragic death in the villa—we will definitely seek revenge. You must believe in your second brother."
Cui Xiang's eyes were bloodshot, tears streaming down his face: "Believe you? You abandoned our mother in the villa to suffer alone, escaping yourselves. How can I believe you? How can I believe you?"
His emotions were running high, screaming loudly, spitting saliva all over Cui Yi's face. Chi Ying quickly wiped it off: "We didn't abandon our mother to escape. We explained it to you that day; only by ensuring your safety would our mother agree to leave with us. Her passing has saddened us all, especially the prince, who blames himself for her death. You are all her children; the prince's pain is no less than yours!"
Cui Xiang, half-supported and half-restrained by attendants, sneered: "You talk so beautifully, but if you truly wanted to save our mother, you wouldn't have left her to suffer alone in the villa, dying so tragically." He fell to his knees, wailing, "Mother! Your unworthy son failed to see you one last time, failed to be with you until the end. Unworthy son!"
Chi Ying sighed, knowing it wouldn't be easy to persuade him, but she hadn't expected him to be so stubborn, deeply distrusting both Cui Yi and herself.
After crying and screaming for a while, Cui Yi stood beside him until he calmed down, then squatted down, patting his shoulder firmly: "Enough crying and screaming. Life must go on. Mother wouldn't want you to fall apart. Remember, your enemy is not me. Stand up like a man, wait for the right moment, and avenge our mother."
Cui Xiang looked miserable, sobbing: "Unworthy son..." Then, he slumped unconscious. Chi Ying quickly called for him to be carried inside, ordered him to be cleaned up, and instructed the kitchen to prepare some nourishing food.
But Cui Xiang refused, sending back untouched meals, claiming he couldn't eat rich food when his mother had died less than half a month ago.
Cui Yi frowned, worried: "As the youngest son of the Emperor, Huai You hasn't experienced much hardship. His grief over our mother's death is understandable, but he can't starve himself."
Chi Ying suggested: "Or let him be for a few days. Right now, he is overwhelmed with sorrow. No amount of persuasion will work. Let him settle down, and then we can discuss the pros and cons. Maybe in a few days, he'll come around."
Cui Yi thought about it and agreed, sitting down to continue eating.