Chapter Nine

Chen Jiao’s skin was thicker than a city wall. Ignoring Cui Jue’s cold indifference, she gave a dry cough and attempted to strike up a rapport using formal, bureaucratic language.

"Back in Minzhou, my mother and I were well cared for by Master Cui. I have always kept your kindness in my heart..."

Cui Jue had no patience for her high-sounding pleasantries and interrupted unceremoniously, "Speak plainly."

Chen Jiao: "..."

Cui Jue stared coldly at this shameless woman who lacked any standing, feeling a deep-seated disdain in his very bones. Her mother was a prostitute, and she herself had once scratched out a living in the Bo Hall—she had even killed and buried a body. The fact that this creature had evaded the local authorities and tricked Xu Zhao into keeping them safe showed that her mind was anything but simple.

He knew well the situation within the estate: the Prince of Huaian intended to form an alliance with Jiaozhou and was preparing to marry off a daughter. Without a doubt, this woman would likely be the cannon fodder used as a replacement bride. Yet, she had sought him out—sought out Cui Jue—and had done so with threats. He had already shown her great restraint by not having her thrown out on her ear.

Chen Jiao was surprisingly docile. Realizing his annoyance, she immediately lowered her posture and knelt. "I beg Master Cui to save Ah Ying’s life."

A moment ago she had been arrogant, yet now she knelt without a shred of pride, more flexible than an earthworm! Cui Jue was truly witnessing something new. He wore a face as stern as a coffin lid and retorted sharply, "The marriage alliance with Jiaozhou is the Prince of Huaian’s decision. You have come to the wrong person."

Chen Jiao looked into his eyes and said, word by word, "I implore Master Cui to save Ah Ying. If I can remain in the inner chambers of the Chen estate, I will surely be of use to you one day."

At these words, Cui Jue could not help but pause.

Chen Jiao offered her allegiance. "My mother and I can get close to the Prince of Huaian. As long as Master Cui is willing to help us out of this predicament, there will come a day when you will find us useful."

Cui Jue remained silent, merely scrutinizing her with a subtle gaze. Beside them, Xu Zhao was stunned, never expecting her to use such tactics to beg for help.

Chen Jiao was determined to force this transaction through. She cut straight to the chase, playing the rogue:

"Rather than being schemed against by the senior branch and married off to Jiaozhou, I would sooner dash my brains out and die. Since death is the outcome either way, I might as well drag a few people down with me as cushions. If Master Cui is willing to protect me today, my mother and I will surely serve you in the future. If you are unwilling to get involved, I will not force you. However, since Master Cui has no wife, Ah Ying is willing to offer herself to your bed to beg for my father’s consent. I just don’t know if Master Cui has the courage to accept?"

She knelt on the ground, speaking the most aggressive words with the most cowardly posture, leaving Xu Zhao speechless.

Cui Jue, seated on the dais, had seen his fill of human wickedness, but this was the first time he had encountered a woman so shameless and yet so ruthless. She used herself as a bargaining chip to force his hand; if it didn't work, she would drag him down with her to perish together. Her philosophy was clearly: "If I'm not happy, no one gets to be happy."

Very well. She was mad in a very individual way.

Cui Jue’s expression was somber. He stared at her coldly for a long time without speaking. Chen Jiao held her head high, meeting his gaze, though she felt a bit cowardly inside. But when she thought of the prospect of being pinned down by a fifty-year-old man, she would rather risk everything to see the fish die and the net break.

I don’t know how much time passed before Cui Jue said coldly, "What use are you to me?"

Seeing him waver, Chen Jiao answered quickly:

"There are nine wives and concubines in the estate. My mother and I are newcomers with no support; we are at the mercy of others. I will not hide from Master Cui that my mother is in constant distress over my situation. As long as you are willing to lend a hand, we will swear our loyalty to you. Even if I am of little use now, there will surely be a time when you find me necessary."

She spoke with sincerity, but Cui Jue merely raised his eyelids and said impatiently, "I haven't seen you today."

"Master Cui!"

"Go back."

Chen Jiao wanted to say more, but Xu Zhao intervened, "Young Lady Chen, please return. You are a woman of the inner chambers; lingering outside too long may cause trouble."

Chen Jiao fell silent. Xu Zhao gestured for her to leave, and she had no choice but to rise and depart. Xu Zhao saw her off personally.

In the room, the charcoal brazier crackled occasionally as sparks flew. Cui Jue sat motionless, seemingly lost in deep thought.

***

Later, when Xu Zhao returned to the room, he didn't even notice the movement.

"Wenyun?"

Cui Jue came back to his senses, slightly furrowing his brows. "Is she gone?"

Xu Zhao nodded, unable to suppress his grumbling. "I have never seen such a shameless person."

Cui Jue snorted, smoothing his cuffs. "A girl who has spent time in the Bo Hall is just a creature of the lower depths."

Xu Zhao was silent for a moment, then probed, "Chen Jiuniang has been so brazen in her threats; will you comply with her, Wenyun?"

Cui Jue scoffed, indifferent. "Complying with her is no harm."

Hearing this, Xu Zhao was very surprised and urged, "If you get involved, you may incur the resentment of the Zheng family siblings."

Cui Jue glanced at him sideways, his tone meaningful. "As if they don't already harbor grudges against you and me."

Xu Zhao: "..."

Cui Jue seemed to feel the chill, slowly rising to sit by the charcoal brazier to warm himself. Xu Zhao looked worried.

Cui Jue lifted his sleeves and said to himself, "The Zheng family is involved in too much; the Prince of Huaian is ultimately displeased. With this marriage alliance to Jiaozhou, the Zheng clan doesn't want to send Chen Wuniang away. I, however, want to force the Zheng family to swallow their broken teeth along with their blood. The more friction there is between them and the Prince of Huaian, the better."

Hearing this, Xu Zhao’s eyelids twitched wildly. Sometimes he had to admire Cui Jue’s methods. He knew that those surrounding the Prince of Huaian were all confidants with blood ties. His sons were already capable of handling matters alone, the Zheng clan of his wife’s family held significant weight, and there were the life-and-death bonds formed with old subordinates. The relationships within were complex and intertwined, leaving no room for them to display their talents. Yet, Cui Jue had managed to survive in the cracks, carving out a bloody path to stand at the Prince’s side as his right-hand man. One could see the depth of his schemes.

Xu Zhao silently picked up his teacup and looked out the window, seemingly moved. Suddenly, he said, "It is almost the twelfth lunar month. The end of the year is not easy to get through."

Cui Jue did not respond.

Xu Zhao continued, "Counting it up, you and I have been in Huizhou for over three years now."

Cui Jue looked at his own hands; the scar on his thumb was truly frightening. It was a mark left by a Hu barbarian’s blade. A fear that had seeped into his bones.

"Does Brother Xu regret coming to Huizhou?"

Xu Zhao shook his head, putting down his teacup. "I don't know."

Cui Jue turned his head to look at him. "You should regret it. The twelve provinces of the Central Plains have been occupied by the Hu, the southern warlords fight among themselves, the imperial court is in name only, and Huizhou sits in a corner, concerned only with petty gains..."

Xu Zhao seemed unable to listen further and interrupted, "Wenyun, say no more."

Cui Jue snorted. "How long has it been since Brother Xu tasted the life of leading troops?"

These words struck Xu Zhao’s heart, leaving him looking dejected. He was a military man by origin, having held a general’s post in the Central Plains before being framed during internal strife and suffering a defeat. He had no choice but to flee south with a few old subordinates. On the way, he met Cui Jue, who was also fleeing for his life, and they traveled together. Through three years of plotting, Cui Jue had relied on his intellect to climb step by step to the position of Attendant to the Regional Inspector. The Prince of Huaian, out of respect for Cui Jue, had granted Xu Zhao the title of Commandant, yet gave him no real power. The Prince’s estate was filled with too many confidants; outsiders like them simply couldn't squeeze in. Xu Zhao was frustrated, his heart full of melancholy.

Cui Jue suddenly stood up and patted his shoulder. "Just wait patiently. The troops of Huizhou will eventually fall into your hands, Brother Xu."

Xu Zhao felt the blood surging in his chest and muttered, "As a Han man, I dream of the Northern Expedition."

Cui Jue stood with his hands behind his back, his oversized robes hanging loosely on his frame, tall and crane-like. His posture was as straight as an unbreakable rod, and he revealed a rare, clear, and gentle smile. "Which Han man does not?"

Indeed, this was the land of the Han. Any man with grand ambitions in his heart—who would not want to chase the deer across the Central Plains and slaughter the Hu to the last man?

***

The room was as silent as a grave. Two men with lofty aspirations were immersed in their own thoughts. The scholar sought to use his brush as a sword to plot for the nation; the warrior wished to gallop across the battlefield to restore the dignity of the Han people. They fought only for the singular faith in their hearts.

On the other side, Chen Jiao was already in a carriage returning to the estate. Lady Xu had many questions to ask, but due to the circumstances, she had to endure.

Upon returning to Lixiang Court, Chen Jiao personally picked out two silver hairpins and two boxes of rouge to reward Old Mother Jiang, along with an ingot of silver. Old Mother Jiang did not refuse; they were already on the same boat, a community of shared interests.

Chen Jiao said, "Mother Jiang handled this beautifully. You have granddaughters at home; I imagine the rouge will please them."

Old Mother Jiang quickly replied, "You are too kind, Young Lady. If you have any orders in the future, just speak."

Chen Jiao was very satisfied with her shrewdness. "If I can remain in the Chen family, you will never be short of benefits."

Old Mother Jiang quickly agreed.

Lady Xu had many questions and, unable to hold back, came into the room. Old Mother Jiang tactfully withdrew. Once she had gone, Lady Xu pulled Chen Jiao into the inner room and asked in a low voice, "Did you see Master Cui?"

Chen Jiao nodded.

Lady Xu asked hurriedly, "Was he willing to lend a hand?"

Chen Jiao reassured her, "Mother, just rest assured. This matter is not up to him."

Lady Xu was stunned, recalling the methods she had used on Mother Jiang, and probed, "You didn't... use some kind of scheme, did you?"

Chen Jiao said "Mm," and said nonchalantly, "I just told him that I have admired him for a long time and wanted to ask my father to marry me to him instead of sending me to Jiaozhou."

Lady Xu: "..."

She didn't know what expression to wear.

Chen Jiao patted her hand. "Don't worry, Mother, he doesn't think much of me."

Lady Xu held back for a long time before saying, "My child, I never knew your skin... was so thick."

Chen Jiao: "..."

Lady Xu’s mood was complex. "If we can get through this, I must find you a match quickly so that others stop eyeing you."

Chen Jiao said abruptly, "I made a deal with Cui Jue. If I can pass this hurdle, I will act for him in the future."

Lady Xu was shocked.

Chen Jiao said seriously, "Mother, these inner chambers are full of pitfalls. Father cannot be relied upon; we need to use external forces to protect ourselves. Do you understand?"

Lady Xu wanted to speak but stopped.

Chen Jiao made a shushing gesture. "I have already reached womanhood. From now on, I will protect you."

Lady Xu felt warmth in her heart; this was likely what it felt like to be pampered. "With that glib tongue of yours, if you went to coax a man, I fear he would be left dizzy and disoriented."

Chen Jiao raised an eyebrow. Lady Xu said, "Mother Jiang is quite useful."

Chen Jiao nodded. Hearing Mother Jiang’s reminder from outside, they stopped talking and went to look at the cosmetics brought back today. Young women loved red makeup; Lady Xu excitedly picked up the rouge to test the color.

Chen Jiao liked the citrus-scented balm. She used her fingertip to pick up a small amount and dabbed it on her wrists; the faint orange scent was refreshing. She sniffed it, intoxicated, and thought of the meeting with Cui Jue today.

That man had ambition.

High-level hunters often appear in the guise of prey. If she wanted to occupy a place in the Prince of Huaian’s estate, she had to use external forces for assistance. And Cui Jue was her first target.

She would appear before him as the prey, to play a high-stakes game of turning the tables.