Chapter 563: Combining Force and Softness (Part 1)

Cui Huan was stunned. He slowly picked up the document dissolving the engagement. Of course, he knew what this document meant—it was his own reputation. Without it, his son would be accused of abducting a woman. This had been the reason he couldn’t sleep through the nights these past few days. He knew his son would surely not be able to preserve Yu Yaonang’s innocence. Even if she remained pure, what good was it if his son still ran away with another woman’s spouse?

But at this critical moment, Cui Ping brought him the document to dissolve the marriage. What was this? It was like help in times of need, like rain in a drought. A deep sense of gratitude filled Cui Huan’s heart. For many years, he had never felt such gratitude toward anyone, especially someone he had always despised…

Though moved, Cui Huan didn’t show it. His face remained calm as usual. He put down the document and sighed, “What good does dissolving the engagement do? Where is that scoundrel? Sigh!”

Cui Ping smiled and said, “Uncle, I’ve already found him and brought him back to Chang’an.”

“Ah!” Cui Huan stood up abruptly, filled with shock and anger. “Where is that scoundrel?”

“Uncle, please calm down and listen to me first.”

Cui Huan’s mind was in chaos—shocked, angry, yet also overjoyed. At this moment, his gratitude toward Cui Ping was indescribable. His past hatred for him had vanished completely, replaced only by emotion.

“Sigh! My dear nephew, I truly apologize for my past actions toward you.”

“Uncle, that’s not right. We’re all one family. How can we not be forgiving toward our own kin? It was my fault for not understanding before. It was the threat from the Pei family that made me realize that only by uniting as one can the Cui family stand against them.”

“You’re right! Even a hundred-legged insect doesn’t die easily. What a family fears most isn’t external enemies but internal strife. As long as the Cui family stays united, what can the Pei family do to us?”

Deeply moved, Cui Huan still worried about his son and asked, “Where is he now?”

“They’re at my residence now. My brother is willing to reform and kneel before you to confess his faults. He only asks that you accept Yu Yaonang—they got married secretly.”

The words “married secretly” struck Cui Huan like a hammer to the head. His vision went dark, and he staggered. Cui Ping quickly caught him. “Second Uncle!”

After a while, Cui Huan regained his senses. He waved his hand to show he was fine, then sighed, “The Cui family is unfortunate to have such a wayward son. What am I to do? It’s ruined my reputation.”

Cui Ping pondered for a moment before saying, “Actually, it’s not a problem to take Yu Yaoniang as a concubine. She’s still young, only fourteen, and she comes from a humble family. It’s already a great fortune for her to marry into the Cui family. Why not let your younger brother take her as a concubine for now, win over her family, and when she grows up a bit or even bears children for the Cui family, then promote her to a secondary wife? That wouldn’t be a disgrace to her. What do you think, second uncle?”

Cui Ping’s words struck a chord with Cui Huan. What he truly feared was his son marrying Yu Yaoniang. He had already set his sights on Wei Jiansu’s daughter, Wei Qing’er, hoping to strengthen ties with the Wei family through this marriage. With such a father-in-law as a backing, his son’s career would progress more smoothly. But now his son wanted to marry a woman from a humble family—how could that work?

Cui Huan had been frantic these past few days, fearing that things would go from bad to worse. Thankfully, Cui Ping’s suggestion came like a timely rain, giving Cui Huan a plan. Nodding, he said, “You’re right. I now have an idea. I’ll ask my talented nephew to handle this thoroughly. First, send Yu Yaoniang back to her family, then inform them that I’m willing to let her marry into our family, offering five thousand guan as a dowry. But there’s one condition: she cannot be made the main wife. If her family insists on a formal marriage, then I’m sorry—no money, no wife. If they want to sue, I’ll fight to the end!”

“Don’t worry, second uncle. I’ll handle this perfectly and ensure everyone is satisfied.”

Cui Ping took his leave. Cui Huan sat alone in the guest hall, not thinking about his son but rather about his nephew, Cui Ping. Once, he had harbored hatred toward Cui Ping, disliking everything about him. Now, he realized that Cui Ping was actually very shrewd and capable. Even such a serious issue as his son eloping with someone else had been resolved silently by him. No wonder Li Qingan valued him so highly—rising to the position of Deputy Minister at such a young age. With such talent in the Cui family, and yet he had suppressed and ignored them. Sigh! What a shame to his ancestors!

Under Cui Ping’s efforts, the matter between Cui Feng and Yu Youniang was resolved satisfactorily. The Cui family agreed to let Yu Youniang enter their household and even gave her a dowry of five thousand guan, which delighted her father greatly. Initially, upon hearing that his daughter had lost her chastity, he had intended to beat her severely. Now, however, she had become a treasure for the Yu family, and he was overjoyed beyond words. Moreover, Cui Ping offered an additional benefit: Yu Youniang’s brother could go to another place to serve as an official, specifically as the county clerk—a suggestion made by Li Qing’an to make things even more perfect.

The Yu family was even more grateful than before. They began to spread rumors in the streets, claiming that Cui Feng had not abducted Yu Youniang to run away together, but rather that he had gone on a study trip with her brother and taken Yu Youniang along for fun. Thus, the sensational story of a wealthy man abducting a poor girl came to an end.

Although Cui Feng’s issue was resolved, the fact that Cui Ning, the head of the Cui family and the governor of Qizhou, had been impeached and suspended posed a shadow over the family. However, soon news spread in the imperial court that the Central Secretariat’s order to conduct a thorough investigation against Cui Ning had been rejected by the Chancellery on the grounds of insufficient evidence. This was the power of the Chancellery—to reject orders from the Central Secretariat. For an order to take effect, it required the seals of both the Central Secretariat and the Chancellery; without the Chancellery’s seal, the order meant nothing. And the Chancellery’s seal was in the hands of Cui Ping, the vice chancellor.

The next day arrived—the day before the Cui family’s ancestral ceremony. Early in the morning, Cui Yu, who was in charge of organizing the ceremony, went to see Cui Huan with heavy concerns.

Cui Yu was the person responsible for everything related to the ancestral ceremony and had taken ten days off for this purpose, being extremely busy. But ever since Li Qing’an suddenly visited him a few days ago, he had been preoccupied. Although he understood Li Qing’an’s intentions, he felt it would be extremely difficult to have Cui Ping replace Cui Huan as the head of the family. With just him and Cui Yuan, it would likely be hard to convince the family members. More importantly, it was Cui Huan himself who had to choose the new head of the family. Even if he wanted to step down, would he choose Cui Ping? The answer was obvious.

These past few days, Cui Yu had remained silent. Soon, the case of Cui Ning’s collusion with Southern Tang broke out. Cui Yu understood that this was Li Qingan sending him a warning—if they took no action, the Cui family would face even more serious troubles. He didn’t know what those troubles might be, but he understood one thing: it was extremely important for Li Qingan that Cui Ping replace Cui Huan. To achieve this goal, Li Qingan would stop at nothing, so the next major crisis facing the Cui family would surely be severe, possibly one that would send all those who supported Cui Huan to prison and allow the Cui family to be rebuilt from scratch.

Cui Yu had already seen Li Qingan’s tactics against the Pei family—even Pei Min, the most capable and trusted member, had been eliminated by Li Qingan. What else couldn’t he do to the Cui family? Cui Yu knew he couldn’t delay any longer; he had to resolve this matter before the family ritual, regardless of whether Cui Huan was willing to listen or not.

Cui Yu’s serious expression surprised Cui Huan as well. He immediately realized something serious must have happened and led him into the inner study. The two brothers sat down, and Cui Yu took a deep breath before saying, “There’s something I need to tell you. Cui Ning’s impeachment is related to me.”

“How do you mean?”

Cui Yu shook his head. “Someone wants you to step down. Cui Ning’s case is just a warning.”

Cui Huan had extensive political experience. With a quick thought, he understood. “You mean Li Qingan?”

“Yes, it’s him. Actually, five days ago, he came to see us. Cui Yuan was also there, and we talked for a while.”

Cui Huan gradually understood Li Qingan’s intention to have him step down—it must still be related to Pei Min. He had supported Pei Min before, and Li Qingan had eliminated him. Months later, it was now his turn.

“You need to tell me in detail what he said. This concerns the rise and fall of our Cui family. You must not hide anything from me.”

“Hmm! Here’s what happened…”

Cui Yu recounted in detail how Li Qingan visited him and Cui Yuan that day, without hiding anything. As he listened, Cui Huan pondered the deeper meaning behind each of Li Qingan’s words. He also realized that Li Qingan might want Cui Ping to replace him.

Thinking of Cui Ping, Cui Huan suddenly realized—could it be that Cui Ping’s advances toward him yesterday were also arranged by Li Qingan? The more he thought about it, the more suspicious he became. Without Li Qingan’s help, how could Cui Ping have found his son hiding in Jiyang? It had to be that way. Cui Huan was stunned; he felt as if he had fallen into a trap. Cui Ning’s impeachment and the resolution of his son’s elopement—all these twists and turns were actually aimed at him.

An invisible fury rose in Cui Huan’s heart—a fury born from being deceived and fooled. The corners of his mouth slowly curved into a cold smirk. Li Qingan and Cui Ping were actually scheming against him like this? They thought too highly of themselves!

Cui Yu stared at his elder brother in shock. He knew Cui Huan all too well. From the cold smirk on his face and the anger in his eyes, he knew things were worsening, and he had to stop Cui Huan’s fury.

“Second brother, you must stay calm. This isn’t just your problem—it’s the entire Cui family’s problem. If Li Qingan really wants to destroy the Cui family, is it necessary to go through such complicated steps?”

Cui Huan suddenly realized. Yes! What Li Qingan really wanted to deal with wasn’t the Cui family, but the increasingly arrogant Pei family.