The Cui Family

Watching her son, who appeared dispirited and sluggish, and then glancing at the four brothers beside him, all lively and full of vigor, Lady Cui pondered silently, “My son has been coddled since childhood, his nature is weak, and now that he’s become a prince consort, his backbone seems utterly softened. His elder brothers are tolerant of him only because their father is still around; should their father depart before us, what place would my son and I have in the Cui household? Previously, I opposed his association with Liu Motong and the others, fearing they might lead him astray. But now, I see I was mistaken—they are bold and resolute, highlighting my son’s incompetence. Very well, I must rely on these sworn brothers to support him.”

Lady Cui was the second wife of Cui Zhi, the Deputy Minister of Rites, and had only one child, Cui Yudong, while Cui Zhi’s first wife had borne him six sons, all grown and established. Cui Zhi, now elderly and frail, left Lady Cui understandably anxious for her and her son’s future.

Thus, four years after their oath of brotherhood, Liu Motong and Shi Xiong finally became honored guests of the Cui residence, receiving the highest hospitality. Lady Cui began addressing them as “virtuous nephews,” hosting family banquets in their honor. During the feast, she summoned house musicians and dancers for entertainment. Seeing Lady Cui’s genuine treatment, Liu Motong seized the opportunity for Cui Yudong to raise the matter of Cui Yingying’s formal adoption. Lady Cui agreed readily and even told Li Xi that she would soon pay a visit to the old lady.

Li Xi accepted her words but regarded them as mere courtesy, not taking them to heart.

The revelry lasted until the end of the evening. By then, the city gates were shut and curfew imposed. Liu Motong, Shi Xiong, and their companions were accustomed to nighttime travel; as they parted, they advised Li Xi, “Ride swiftly and ignore the patrols—if you pay them no mind, they won’t dare trouble you.” Still uneasy, Liu Motong accompanied him, claiming it was because Li Xi’s horsemanship was poor and he feared he might fall drunk from his mount.

Fueled by wine, Li Xi galloped home; when confronted by patrols, he ignored their shouts and charged straight through. Strangely, the Golden Guards merely blustered but dared not intervene.

Though curfew was in effect, the streets were hardly tranquil; Li Xi was not alone in flouting the ban. Near Renqin Ward, he nearly collided with another drunken youth on horseback. Returning to Fengyi Ward, Liu Motong swaggered up to the gate, pounding loudly; the gatekeeper hastily opened, fearing the pair might lose their way in the dark, and sent his son with a lantern to escort Li Xi home.

After dismissing the gatekeeper’s son, Liu Motong refused to enter the Yang residence, cautioning, “Though the old lady hasn’t recognized you, be vigilant—time breeds change. Settle matters here quickly and leave for your post as soon as possible.” Li Xi acknowledged this, saw him off, and stepped into this home, still unfamiliar yet increasingly dear.

Before heading to the Cui residence, Li Xi had sent Wangcai ahead to report that the banquet would keep him late and dinner need not be held. Yet, the old lady Yang, seeing her grandson still absent, refused to sleep. Upon learning this, Lady Qi, after settling her own children, hurried over to sit in the old lady’s chamber, sewing and chatting to keep her company.

Suddenly Li Xi, reeking of alcohol, pushed open the door. Lady Qi, startled, pricked her finger and a bead of blood welled up. She feigned annoyance to the old lady, who laughed, brushing aside her hand and saying, “I see nothing at all; don’t come tattling about my grandson.”

Lady Qi laughed, “You two, one soaked in wine, the other full of mischief—I can’t compete with you, so I’ll be off.”

As she prepared to leave, Li Xi stopped her, smiling, “There’s progress with Yingying—tomorrow I’ll trouble you to find someone to deliver a formal letter.” He outlined Lady Cui’s promise regarding Yingying’s adoption, and both the old lady and Lady Qi were delighted.

Lady Qi congratulated him, “Firstborn, congratulations! The Mu family has agreed to forego the formal wife’s ceremony; they only ask you prepare a bridal sedan for her entrance tomorrow.”

She then led Li Xi to the side hall, pointing excitedly at a heap of festive gifts. “Look, all dowry items sent by her family!”

Li Xi, resting his chin in his hand, smiled, “How did this sudden change come about? Just days ago, weren’t they demanding this and that?”

Lady Qi rolled her eyes, “Don’t act coy after gaining an advantage. They’re doing this to curry favor with their son-in-law.”

The old lady interjected, “The Mu family is wise—this is the art of not fighting yet fighting. They humble themselves first, letting you owe them this kindness; how could you bear to mistreat their daughter later?”

Li Xi nodded, “Indeed. If she shows such consideration, it would be shameful for me to wrong her.” Then he asked Lady Qi, “Does this mean I can bring her home tomorrow?”

Lady Qi smiled, “Had you returned earlier, you could have brought her home tonight.”

“Hahaha… Lady Qi, your jest is not funny at all.”

“This child—too much wine and now talking nonsense. Did you bring back your official certificate today? Let me see.”

Li Xi handed over the certificate, while he moved to the old lady’s side. The lamplight cast a healthy blush on Yang Ge’s face, her gentle smile lingering, yet Li Xi sensed something amiss—the color was too vivid, unnaturally so. Liu Motong had mentioned her lingering illness and that her days were numbered, yet she seemed robust.

Li Xi felt a pang of sadness—not for any particular reason, but simply for a life nearing its end. In his two years wandering the northwest, he'd witnessed too many deaths; once, he saw hundreds of heads severed in a single moment, blood spraying, the executioner's cruel grin, loved ones weeping—the lives vanished in an instant.

Human life is as worthless as grass; grass withers but can regrow, while the dead never return. In this sense, people fare worse than grass.

Li Xi grasped the old lady’s feverish hand and asked, “I wish to marry before the month ends and depart for Shaozhou at the start of next month. What do you think, grandmother?”

“It is well, it is well. Serving the court must not be delayed. Shaozhou is four or five thousand miles away; you should leave early. Luckily, the south is not too cold, nor as chaotic as Hebei.”

“I’d like to leave the Mu family’s daughter here to care for you—is that permissible?”

“If you think so, I’m pleased. With Lady Qi here, I am cared for, but you need someone by your side who understands your needs. The Cui girl is good, but she doesn’t know how to care for others.”

“That’s not her fault. She’s from a prominent family as well…”

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Li Xi instinctively defended Cui Yingying; the old lady shook her head, smiling, “I don’t blame her. Whoever you choose, I won’t comment, lest I incur your resentment. I’ve met the Mu girl—she’s a fine person. Keep her close, you’ll find her useful.”

“…I just worry…”

“Two tigers can’t share a mountain, especially when both are female?”

“Ah? Hahaha, grandmother, you’re too witty.” Li Xi hadn’t expected such a playful remark and burst out laughing. “Yingying is young and a bit insecure; if both are here, there may be friction.”

“Well, then show your authority as master of the house and set rules. A true man should be able to handle two women at home. The ancients said: cultivate oneself, regulate the family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world. Regulating the family and governing the state are equally crucial. Firstborn Yang, if you can’t manage your household, how can you serve the emperor and become a pillar of the nation? I’ll decide for the old lady—bring both women, leave none behind.”

Lady Qi returned the official certificate, kneeling before the old lady, murmuring, “I’ve examined it carefully—it’s genuine.”

The old lady nodded repeatedly, pleased, “That’s good, very good!”

Li Xi asked Lady Qi, surprised, “You doubted my certificate was false?”

Lady Qi smiled, “Don’t look at me—it was her doubt.”

The old lady pounded the bed, exclaiming, “You wretched girl, you’ve sold me out again!” She explained to Li Xi, “I had nothing to do with it; she argued that after two years in the northwest, you might be wild and unwilling to stay in the capital to care for me, so you’d use official duties as an excuse to slip away. She suggested verifying the certificate’s authenticity. I was careless and let her fool me.”

Lady Qi protested, “Old lady, how can you twist—”

Suddenly, the old lady barked, “Silence! Don’t speak.”

Lady Qi dared not argue further, quietly telling Li Xi, “The imperial lady came this afternoon; it was her idea. The old lady ordered me, so it’s not on me.”

Li Xi guessed the truth: mischievous old folks—just like children, unpredictable and eccentric.

The certificate was authentic, so he had nothing to fear, and as for the old lady’s antics, he could only smile wryly and let it go.

After bidding goodnight and preparing to leave, Li Xi remembered something and returned, “Grandmother, may I take Wangcai to Shaozhou?”

“He…” The old lady hesitated.

“He’s not suitable,” Lady Qi objected, “Firstborn, choose someone else. This Wangcai…”

She seemed reluctant to explain; the old lady sighed, “Let him go. The child suffered much in youth, so his character is tough—it’s inevitable. But he’s not bad at heart.”

With this, Lady Qi relented, “Very well. Alone outside, you need someone tough and ruthless by your side—not to be taken advantage of.”

Li Xi wanted to ask what manner of “tough and ruthless” Wangcai was, but seeing the old lady yawning, he didn’t delay further, bid goodnight, and left.

He had intended to visit Cui Yingying in the east wing, but it was late and she likely asleep, so he refrained.

The night passed quietly.

Early the next day, the Yang residence was suddenly abuzz. Shortly after dawn, Lady Yue, wife of Deputy Minister Cui Zhi, arrived, accompanied by her only son Cui Yudong, the house steward, and over forty servants. They carried and hauled trunks of every color, filling the Yang courtyard.

The Cui family of Qinghe lived up to its reputation; as Li Lao-san had said, a single hair from their heads could bring Li Xi wealth and office, with no worries for the future.

Lady Yue had two purposes: first, to thank the Yangs—her son had survived the Xuanzhen Temple affair safely, and Yang Zan had contributed greatly. The Cui family repays kindness, so a formal visit was warranted. As for why she visited Li Xi’s home first, Lady Cui had her reasons.

Her second purpose was to formally adopt Cui Yingying as a goddaughter, as promised to Li Xi the previous night. Normally, Yang’s family would initiate the formal adoption, but Lady Cui, impulsive and forthright, felt the rituals could wait; she wanted to see her daughter first.

As for Cui Yudong’s promise to loan Li Xi three thousand coins, Lady Cui refused: “Since you are sworn brothers, what’s the point of a loan? Take it as a gift from your elder.”

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Besides, Lady Cui prepared a separate gift for Lady Yang—since she was adopting Cui Yingying, Lady Yang was now the elder; filial gifts were proper, three thousand coins.

After meeting Cui Yingying, Lady Cui grew ever more fond and handed her a meeting gift—also three thousand coins.

With all the additional items, Lady Cui’s visit amounted to a full ten thousand coins!

Last night, Li Xi had been thrilled by the Mu family’s five hundred coin dowry; now, by comparison, it was nothing—what “wealthy family”? Next to the Cui clan of Qinghe, it was insignificant.

Lady Cui, sharp-eyed, noticed the Yangs decorating the courtyard with red ribbons, preparing for a wedding. She inquired, and Lady Yang explained truthfully. Hearing that Li Xi was marrying a concubine, Lady Cui was displeased, saying, “So you’re a fickle man after all. I give you my lovely daughter and you’re still not satisfied, staring at the pot while eating from the bowl—men are all the same.”

She gave Li Xi no chance to explain, then called outside, “Ruhua, Siyu, come in!”

A maid named Ruhua entered, and Li Xi’s heart sank—sure enough, she was odd. Then came Siyu—another peculiar sight.

Their appearances aside, they possessed all four traits: clumsy, silly, dull, and awkward. Li Xi could only smile bitterly. Lady Cui, however, declared, “You youngsters know nothing—think it’s good to have seductive little vixens at home, but they drain a man’s vitality. If a man indulges in beauty, what good can come? Look at these two—plain, simple, honest, awkward. They may be unattractive, but they’re your blessing. You won’t understand now, but let Lady Yang explain if I’m right.”

Lady Yang said, “Couldn’t be wiser. With two ‘demons’ in your bed, even the little devils will flee. If my son stays away from wine and women, all the better.”

The room erupted in laughter.

Ruhua and Siyu, clueless, joined in the silly laughter.

Li Xi glanced at them, his smile bitter. With them at home, he’d rather brave a storm outside than return.

Lady Cui, suppressing her laughter, praised, “Lady Yang is wise—her words are most insightful.” Then she admonished her son, “You spent two years in the northwest and learned nothing good—picked up all the bandit habits instead. Now you’re even worse, getting drunk and tossing teapots. This time, you were lucky, with your brothers to back you up; otherwise, see what would have happened.”

Lady Yang had already heard Li Xi’s account of the Xuanzhen Temple incident, though he glossed over the presence of the princess, Tutu Chengcui, and Chen Hongzhi. The old lady hadn’t realized its severity, so she now smoothed things over, “Enough, enough. Yesterday they went to collect their official certificates and got carried away—youthful exuberance.”

She then sternly addressed Cui Yudong, “No more of this. You’re now a prince consort; as the imperial son-in-law, you must be vigilant and exemplary—how else can you set a standard for all the people?”

Cui Yudong replied, “Lady Yang’s advice is wise—I acknowledge my fault.”

Lady Cui was not satisfied, saying, “Words alone aren’t enough; remember it well. If not for the princess and your brothers, Tutu Chengcui and Chen Hongzhi would have torn you apart—those two are ruthless.”

Yang Ge was startled at these words, lifting her head to “look” at Li Xi; though she knew she could see nothing, Li Xi felt a chill.

Lady Cui, busy scolding her son, missed Lady Yang’s shock. Afterward, she and Lady Yang discussed the marriage of Yang Zan and Cui Yingying, joking and laughing as they settled the wedding date—on the twenty-sixth of the month. Only four days remained to prepare.

To organize a grand wedding in such a short time was no easy feat, so Lady Yue ordered Cui Yudong to help. Of course, he alone could not accomplish much, but his involvement meant the Cui family’s powerful influence could openly assist. In Chang’an, what could the Cui family not achieve?

As Mu Yaxin was to be married that afternoon, to avoid awkwardness, Lady Cui took Cui Yingying back to the Cui residence.

Although the Mu family had willingly foregone the formal wife’s ceremony for Mu Yaxin’s entrance, Lady Yang, Lady Qi, and Yang Fu agreed to make it as splendid as possible.

Their idea of splendid, in Li Xi’s view, was rather embarrassing—a two-man sedan, decorated with two red silk flowers, two neatly dressed servants carrying the bridal gifts, and a well-groomed matchmaker leading the way.

The wedding party carried the sedan out the west gate of the ward, circled Fengyi Ward, and at the south gate, the matchmaker threw candies from her sleeve, inciting a scramble among the onlookers. At the east gate, she scattered more candies, and children jostled for them.

The bridal sedan then turned north, exiting the north gate, where more candies were thrown amid the children’s laughter. Turning right inside the north gate, they followed the alley along the ward wall straight to the Mu family’s door, and, as custom dictated, called at the gate.

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