On the day of the wedding, Princess Mansion was bustling with excitement. Yang Qiong was being forced to drink by a group of friends when he heard, "The Emperor has arrived!" Quickly pushing aside the wine cups, he rushed to greet the Emperor.
Cui Yi and Chiyin arrived together, and all the officials present knelt to welcome them. The bride was the same, but the groom had changed from Zhai Rang to Yang Qiong, and the guest of honor from Cui Jie to Cui Yi. Yang Qiong, red-eyed from drinking, smiled, "Your Majesty and Her Highness finally arrived. Another moment, and these guys would have drunk me under the table."
"Who says I'm not here to drink with you?" Cui Yi laughed, beckoning. Cao Qian promptly handed him a full cup. "Come on, drink!"
Yang Qiong looked miserable, but Chiyin interceded with a smile, "This cup represents our wishes. General Yang must drink it, but on behalf of Sister Cheng, please spare him tonight."
Everyone laughed at her words, teasing Yang Qiong, making him blush and stammer, rubbing his neck awkwardly.
Carrying a food box, Chiyin went straight to the bridal chamber to visit Cheng Fengyi, while Cui Yi stayed behind to drink with everyone. His gaze swept over the crowd, suddenly noticing two strange figures.
One was his younger brother, Cui Xiang, and the other was Zhong Yuanshan's eldest son, Zhong Nian.
Their presence alone wasn't unusual, but kneeling together caught his attention. After announcing their permission to rise, they sat next to each other. When did their relationship become so close? Cui Yi scrutinized them, and Cui Xiang noticed, glancing back with a complex expression.
For a moment, Cui Yi felt a familiar look but couldn't pinpoint why until he remembered how Cui Xiang was looking at him similarly to how he once looked at Cui Jie—wary, guarded, with a hint of disdain, trying not to show it too much but unable to appear calm either.
Was Cui Xiang also plotting rebellion? Cui Yi found it amusing. This brother lacked both talent and backing, yet dared to dream of rebellion? Even if he were offered the throne, he probably couldn't handle it. Of course, Cui Yi admitted he wasn't an exemplary emperor either. If his elder brother hadn't been so aggressive, he wouldn't mind being a carefree prince, helping his brother fight wars for life.
As the wedding banquet progressed, night fell, and many guests left. Returning after seeing off the third wave of guests, Yang Qiong saw Zhong Nian and Cui Xiang approaching, thinking they were leaving. Preparing to thank them, he realized Zhong Nian ignored him and walked directly to Cui Yi, bowing, "Your Majesty."
"Oh, Zhong Nian, come sit and drink," Cui Yi greeted, still in high spirits.
Zhong Nian remained standing, saying, "Taking advantage of General Yang's wedding, I wish to request Your Majesty's approval for something."
Cao Qian joked, "Is the young master interested in someone and wants an imperial marriage decree?"
Though originally distant relatives, Cao Qian had risen through the ranks to become a prominent general. However, Zhong Nian dismissed him as low-born, ignoring him and continuing, "I wish to request Your Majesty to arrange a marriage for my sister."
A flash of cold light appeared in Cui Yi's eyes, quickly concealed. Smiling, he asked, "Oh? Lü Ping has someone in mind? Who is it? Let me guess, General Liu or Chen?"
Zhong Nian replied, "Prince Jing is deeply in love with my sister, proposing several times. My parents have agreed. We hope for Your Majesty's approval."
The previously lively table fell silent, everyone staring at him in shock. Nian Jiaojiao blurted out, "Didn't Sister Zhong say she wanted to marry a general?"
"Marriage is traditionally arranged by parents. How can children object?" Zhong Nian responded dismissively, "Moreover, Prince Jing saved Lü Ping's life and is her cousin, making it a perfect match."
At that moment, Chiyin returned from the backyard, stopping at the door where she had once been frightened by Cui Jie. History repeated itself, and she again broke the silence. "Uncle Zhong wants to marry your sister to Huaiyou?" She looked at Cui Xiang, who stood tall, avoiding her gaze. "Weren't we letting Lü Ping choose freely? Why the sudden change?"
Her secret surveillance had paid off. Cui Xiang and the Zhong family were indeed plotting something. With unrest in the northwest and his younger brother stirring trouble, Cui Yi's throne was precarious.
Acknowledging her status, Zhong Nian bowed, "Your Highness."
Walking to the table, Chiyin addressed the remaining guests, "Lü Ping and I are like sisters. If anyone goes against her wishes, I will protect her. Tell Uncle Zhong, if Lü Ping consents, fine. Otherwise, whoever forces her will answer to me."
Zhong Nian seemed prepared for her refusal, turning to Cui Yi, "Your Majesty, what do you think?"
Chiyin inwardly scoffed, knowing Zhong Nian was using Cui Yi to pressure her. If Cui Yi approved, rumors of discord between the royal couple would spread. If he refused, it would look like he was following his wife's orders, inviting criticism.
Sensing Zhong Nian's malice, Cui Yi narrowed his eyes, remaining silent.
"Since Her Highness respects the princess's wishes, and marriage isn't decided overnight, why not summon Princess Zhong and discuss it tomorrow? If she agrees, there's no objection. If not, Your Majesty can decide," Baili Zan intervened diplomatically.
Grateful, everyone turned to him as if he were a savior. Without his intervention, the night could have ended in bloodshed.
Zhong Nian pondered briefly, nodding, "Baili Daren's suggestion is thorough. Tomorrow, I'll bring my sister to the palace."
After Zhong Nian left, Cui Xiang tried to slip away, but Cui Yi called him back, "Huaiyou, stay."
Cui Xiang turned hesitantly, and Cui Yi, annoyed, ordered, "Stand up straight!"
Scared, Cui Xiang protested loudly, "What else is there to say? I love Lü Ping! I want to marry her! Zhong General agrees. Do you think I'm unworthy?"
Cui Yi shot back, "Do you think you're worthy?"
Cui Xiang faltered, blushing deeper.
"You're grown but useless, uneducated, and inept in martial arts. What makes you think you deserve her?" Cui Yi vented his frustrations.
Cui Xiang stammered louder, "I'm a prince! No woman is beyond my reach!"
Cui Yi sneered, "A prince? Just a title based on your parents' status. Without it, you'd be worse than any common wastrel!"
Angry, Cui Xiang's forehead bulged with veins. Seeing this, Chiyin intervened, "Don't be so harsh. Huaiyou is still young and will mature."
Cui Xiang retorted, "Noble birth is noble! Better than commoners! Aren't you relying on your parents' status to be emperor?"
Enraged, Cui Yi kicked him, sending him sprawling into a carved wooden railing, breaking it.
"Your Majesty!" Chiyin was shocked. Despite his temper, Cui Yi had mellowed over the years, but Cui Xiang's provocation pushed him over the edge. Cui Xiang lay in splinters, bleeding, glaring defiantly, "If you don't want me to marry Lü Ping, is it because you love her yourself? None of the generals interest her, but you... are you stealing my love?"
Furious, Cui Yi almost attacked again, but Chiyin restrained him, "Stop! He's your brother, even if wrong, not deserving death!"
"If not for Mother's upbringing, I'd have you executed!" Cui Yi roared, pointing angrily.
Cui Xiang, pale and trembling, managed a mocking smile.