Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
When Wen Jinming heard the captainâs words, his face was filled with displeasure. He said angrily, âItâs true that a high-ranking official can crush someone to death, but the matters of the eastern part of the capital arenât things that a mere commander like her can handle. In the end, this matter isnât my own matter, and it also concerns the interests of my brothers below. If this eastern part of the capital becomes chaotic, even her position might be at risk!â
âBut she is Yan Zeâs daughter after all. I heard rumors that she is engaged to Su Wen. Su Wen is the son of the prime minister! We cannot afford to offend him.â
Speaking of Su Wen, Wen Jinming revealed a smile and said, âThis is the second thing Iâm talking about. Thereâs news from the palace that Yan Luoying proposed to annul the engagement in front of His Majesty, and Su Wen also provoked Yan Luoying in front of the royal palace. The two of them donât have a good relationship! Hence, we can offend Yan Luoying, but we canât offend Su Wen. That Su Wen coming to our patrolling office is just a formality and he will be promoted sooner or later. We have to coax and respect him instead.â
âIs this news accurate?â
Everyone had some misgivings about the credibility of the news.
Wen Jinming was furious. âOf course! I spent three thousand taels of silver for it!â
It was obvious that some people in the palace were aware of how much information could be worth. They immediately found the people that needed such information at an instant.
Wen Jinming changed the topic and said, âHowever, this is a different story. If Yan Luoying is willing to maintain the status quo, then it will be good for both of us. Everyone can continue to be cordial on the surface, each taking their own share.â
After the discussion, everyone dispersed.
In the meantime, He Pingâan arrived at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion.
Carrying stacks after stacks of banknotes.
When he saw the Madame, he paid the remaining amount and bought over Cui Yumianâs indenture contract.
This time, Cui Yumian did not shed a tear. She bore only a face full of smiles.
Before they left, the Madame held onto Cui Yumianâs hand and said, âYumian, heâs the son of the prime minister. Donât think too much about it when youâre there. Serve Young Master Su well and youâll have everything else you need.â
To put it bluntly, she was reminding Cui Yumian to behave with her tail between her legs.
Cui Yumian nodded, deeply engraving the advice to her heart.
The carriage left slowly, and the news quickly spread.
Eight million taels of silver to redeem the Courtesan Belle.
An unprecedentedly high price!
But these were all topics to be left for later.
When Cui Yumian arrived at the Su Residence, Su Wen was already waiting at the entrance.
Seeing her get out of the car, he went forward to welcome her.
The two of them entered the courtyard and Su Wen smiled. âLetâs stay here for a few days. When Xue Meng and I are done, I will move out.â
Cui Yumian was delighted to hear this.
She nodded lightly in response.
Immediately after, Su Wen brought Cui Yumian to meet his family.
The first was his father, Su Changqing. When he saw Cui Yumian, Su Changqing couldnât help but sigh with emotion. âMy son has good judgment.â
Cui Yumianâs looks could be said to be otherworldly.
After that were the aunts, Su Changqingâs wives, including Su Wenâs biological mother.
Cui Yumian, on the other hand, was gracious and did not show any signs of disrespect.
âIs this Third Brotherâs wife? Sheâs even prettier than the Eldest and Second Sister-in-law! Third Brother is the best!â A seven or eight year old little girl smiled and said.
Su Changqing had three sons and only one daughter.
Her name was Su Nuannuan and she came from the same mother as Su Wen.
Naturally, their relationship was the best.
On the other hand, Su Wenâs mother looked at Cui Yumian with a face full of smiles. âYumian is so pretty. Once you enter the house in the future, we will be a family.â
Cui Yumian felt warmth in her heart.
She was actually mentally prepared to accept the harsh criticism.
After all, she knew that with her background, once she entered the Prime Ministerâs residence, even if she was only a concubine, it was very likely that she would be looked down upon.
However, unexpectedly, both Su Changqing and Su Wenâs mother were rather gentle and warm to her.
Next was the family banquet.
Su Nuannuan was someone who was obsessed with looks. She especially liked Cui Yumian and stuck by her side.
This allowed Cui Yumian to feel the tenderness of having a family.
After the banquet ended, Su Wen led Cui Yumian back to her room.
In the room, the two of them sat facing each other. Su Wen gently stroked Cui Yumianâs hair and gently said, âItâs been hard on you. I can only give you the position of a concubine.â
The status of concubines was not high to begin with.
It was different from an actual marriage, with all sorts of etiquette and rituals to be performed. Taking a concubine did not however require any ceremony.
Although Su Wen was a preposterous person, he knew that even Su Changqing would never agree to him marrying Cui Yumian.
Cui Yumian chuckled. âWhat are you talking about, hubby? Iâm already very grateful that you were able to redeem me so quickly. Iâm already very satisfied to be able to serve you by your side. What status I have is not important. Even if Iâm brought over as a maidservant, I wonât complain.â
Cui Yumian also knew that with her background, being a concubine was already her limit, so she had never hoped for more.
Su Wen slowly moved closer to Cui Yumian. He looked at her beautiful face and gently leaned over.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
There was a series of knocks on the door.
Su Wen was furious. âWho is it!â
âThird Brother! Itâs me! I want to sleep with Sister Cui!â Su Nuannuanâs voice came from outside the door.
Su Wen: âNonsense, thereâs no place for you. Go back to your room and sleep!â
The outside went quiet, and the footsteps faded away.
Cui Yumian couldnât help but laugh. âLittle sister is really cute.â
Su Wen rolled his eyes. âShe is indeed cute, but sometimes it gets too annoying!â
The atmosphere in the room became ambiguous again.
As their eyes met, Cui Yumian blushed and slowly lowered her head.
Su Weng was about to make a move when⦠âBang bang bang!â
The knockings sounded again.
âThird Brother, Iâve already instructed the servants to clean up the guest room for you. You can give the room to me now!â
Su Nuannuan shouted out proudly.
Su Wen suddenly stood up and walked to the door. He opened the door and looked at his younger sister. He gritted his teeth and said, âSu Nuannuan, quickly go back to your room and sleep. Do you believe that I will beat you up?â
Su Nuannuan instantly felt wronged. She pursed her lips and her eyes started to water up.
âI just want to sleep with Sister Cui. You⦠youâre bullying me⦠you said thereâs no room, so I already got someone to clean the guest room, why do you still want to beat me up? Boohoo!â
Su Wen felt a headache coming on as he looked at Su Nuannuan.
Can I beat her? ⦠I canât.
Can I curse at her? ⦠Canât either.
âForget it! Iâm scared of you. Donât cry anymore. You can sleep with Yumian today.â
Su Wen finally gave in.
Su Nuannuanâs tears turned into a smile instantly. She rushed into the room and climbed onto the bed. She held Cui Yumianâs hand and happily gushed out, âSister Cui, Nuannuan will sleep with you tonight. Sister Cui, youâre so pretty. Nuannuan likes you so much!â
The world of children was very simple. She liked Cui Yumianâs looks and beautiful things. That was all.
Cui Yumian looked at Su Wen worriedly, afraid that he would get angry.
However, she realized that Su Wen was only looking at them with a smile.
âYou two rest early, good night!â
Su Wen went out and closed the door.
He shook his head helplessly. âThe guest room? Iâm so angry now. Sheâs occupying my woman and she cannot even bear to let me stay in her room. What a clever girl!â
He could tell what Su Nuannuan was thinking.