Chen Quan was demoted, the position of Vice Minister of Personnel left vacant, the Cui Family lost a wing, Prince Cheng returned to the capital only to be sidelined, and Prince Sui had no one left in the capital. All the benefits seemed to point to the man on the dragon throne.
Cui Daoyuan was the Cabinet Prime Minister, Grand Secretary of Wenyuan Hall and Minister of Personnel, the head of all officials, wielding power over the court.
Before Chen Quan’s downfall, the Ministry of Personnel had been firmly controlled by the Cui Family, the Ministry of Rites was in Cui Wangshu’s hands, and Rongguo Gong had close ties to the Ministry of Revenue as Cui Daoyuan’s father-in-law. In fact, three of the Six Ministries were already under the Cui Family’s control.
With the demotion of the Vice Minister of Personnel this time, the Cui Family’s ironclad grip on the Ministry of Personnel finally showed signs of loosening, and all sides eyed that position covetously.
Li Cong’s eyebrows rose, his usually effeminate face showing a rare hint of masculinity, though his narrow phoenix eyes still made it impossible to read his emotions.
“Your Majesty, the position of Vice Minister of Personnel cannot remain vacant indefinitely. I recommend transferring Household Vice Minister Li Qingqing to the role.”
It was Prince Heir’s Tutor Zhang Kewi who spoke, and his suggestion was reasonable enough. However, the Ministry of Revenue had close ties to Rongguo Gong, so Li Cong’s gaze swept over Cui Daoyuan.
Cui Daoyuan said nothing, and Li Cong turned to Cui Wangshu.
Cui Wangshu’s expression was indifferent, just like her father’s—calm and composed in a way that was truly irritating.
Not even the Vice Minister of Personnel could ruffle them?
At that moment, another person spoke: “Your Majesty, Li Qingqing has only just been promoted to Household Vice Minister. It is not appropriate to transfer her to the Ministry of Personnel now.”
Zhang Kewi was about to say something more but was stopped by a sidelong glance from Cui Wangshu.
“Then, in your opinion, who is suitable for the position?”
That person replied, “This… I have no candidate in mind yet.”
Li Cong narrowed his eyes but did not press: “What does the Prime Minister think? Who is suitable?”
Cui Daoyuan was the Minister of Personnel, so it was most fitting for him to recommend someone. Moreover, given his understanding of Cui Daoyuan, the man would not easily let others encroach on the Ministry of Personnel.
But… was that really the case?
Cui Daoyuan’s expression remained calm: “I have no candidate in mind. Please enlighten us, Your Majesty.”
Li Cong frowned, unable to fathom what Cui Daoyuan was thinking.
The civil and military officials of the court all coveted the position inwardly, but aside from Zhang Kewi, no one dared to speak up.
They all knew the Vice Minister of Personnel was a hot potato, and no one wanted to rashly step forward and become a sacrificial pawn in the court struggles.
Seeing that Cui Wangshu had no intention of speaking either, Li Cong narrowed his eyes again. What medicine were this father and daughter pair selling in their gourds?
At that moment, a clear and melodious female voice rang out: “Your Majesty, I recommend Yongzhou’s Inspector-General Song Yu for Vice Minister of Personnel.”
Cui Wangshu raised an eyebrow and looked somewhat surprised toward the woman who had spoken from behind her—it was Li Qingqing, the Household Vice Minister whom Zhang Kewi had just recommended.
Song Yu had served as Inspector-General in Yongzhou for years, with ample ability but insufficient background. She was upright and incorruptible, unwilling to get involved in court factions, which was why she had not risen further.
On second thought, Song Yu was indeed suitable—her achievements were outstanding, and she remained neutral. What surprised Cui Wangshu was that Li Qingqing would recommend her.
Li Qingqing and Song Yu were somewhat similar: mere women who possessed more backbone than most men in the court. They only wished to be independent ministers, focused solely on serving the people.
In the face of overtures from the Emperor and the Cui Family, Li Qingqing had always acted as a mediator, offending neither side, and with her outstanding abilities, it had taken her many years in the capital to rise to Household Vice Minister.
It was Cui Daoyuan who had originally recommended her for the position, but she had always shown respect without closeness.
This made Cui Wangshu view her in a new light.
If she herself had not been born into the vortex of power at the center since birth, body not her own to control, how could she not wish to be like them—an independent minister serving only the people?
Li Cong was naturally aware of Li Qingqing and Song Yu’s situations. Unwilling to join factions, they were loyal only to imperial authority and the common folk.
For Li Cong, as long as they were not the Cui Family’s or the Empress Dowager’s people, they could be considered loyal to him.
Li Cong looked at Cui Daoyuan: “What does Your Excellency think?”
Cui Daoyuan said solemnly, “Song Yu is pragmatic in office and devoted to the people. She is naturally suitable.”
Seeing no objections in the court, Li Cong declared, “Very well. We shall draft the decree immediately and appoint Song Yu as Vice Minister of Personnel. She is to enter the capital and assume office at once.”
Court affairs were numerous, and by the time the session ended, everyone was nearly stiff from standing.
Cui Wangshu remembered how, the day before last, she had deliberately tormented Jiang Chenbi, who hadn’t paid her any attention for two days. She thought of going to the Immortal Feast Workshop to buy some sweets to coax her.
Her foot had not yet stepped onto the stairs when a voice called from behind: “Minister, please hold.”
Cui Wangshu turned around—it was Li Qingqing.
A mild, distant smile hung on Cui Wangshu’s face: “Does Vice Minister Li have something to say?”
Li Qingqing hesitated on her face and said, “My recommendation of Song Yu today was solely because she is suitable. There is no other intent.”
They hadn’t even left the palace yet, and she was already eager to draw a clear line, afraid the Cui Family might think she spoke out of gratitude for Cui Daoyuan’s past recommendation of her as Household Vice Minister.
Cui Wangshu chuckled lightly: “Vice Minister Li need not be nervous. I know you do not wish to get involved in the disputes, and I will not force you. I have never liked court struggles to affect the common people. Having people like you and Minister Song makes me very happy—and very respectful.”
Li Qingqing was stunned, seemingly not expecting Cui Wangshu to have such thoughts.
She had always thought the Cui Family formed cliques for selfish gain, caring only about court power struggles.
Cui Wangshu shook her head: “The Cui Family is the Cui Family, and I am myself. You and I are both women; I know well how difficult it is for Vice Minister Li to serve in office. Moreover, your devotion to the people is plain for all to see. How could I make things hard for you?”
Seeing her silent, Cui Wangshu added, “Vice Minister Li, sometimes if you can truly serve the people, why worry about your reputation? The common folk will remember your good deeds—that is enough.”
Watching Cui Wangshu’s departing figure, Li Qingqing realized she seemed to be meeting this Minister of Rites for the first time.
The woman’s straight back was wrapped in her official robes, slender yet strong. Her long-winged hat swayed slightly, and her gait in the light somehow carried the air of a scholar.
Li Qingqing’s children loved the Butterfly Pastries from the Immortal Feast Workshop—sweet but not cloying.
Every so often, Li Qingqing would buy some to take home.
Perhaps because she had just changed her impression of Cui Wangshu that day, when Li Qingqing encountered her again, she surprisingly felt that the minister’s expression did not seem as hypocritical as she remembered.
Cui Wangshu also seemed surprised to run into Li Qingqing at the Immortal Feast Workshop, a distant smile on her face: “Vice Minister Li, what a coincidence. Here for sweets as well?”
Li Qingqing nodded and, seeing the wrapped sweets in her hand, could not help but ask curiously: “My children at home like them. Does the Minister like sweets too?”
The woman’s aura seemed softer all around, gentleness in her eyes: “Not me… just… there’s a little cat in the residence who likes them.”
A little cat?
The Minister truly had leisure, buying sweets specially for a pet cat.
Li Qingqing could not help but add, “The Butterfly Pastries from the Immortal Feast Workshop are excellent. The Minister might try them.”
Cui Wangshu turned her head, her gaze falling on the exquisite Butterfly Pastries: “Is that so? That cat should like them.”
The two bought more Butterfly Pastries and chatted a few words at the door of the Immortal Feast Workshop.
Holding her Butterfly Pastries, Li Qingqing could not help but ponder what Cui Wangshu had meant by not worrying about her reputation.
On her way home, Li Qingqing passed a rice wine shop and, remembering her husband liked it, stepped inside.
“Shopkeeper, three liang of wine.”
“Right away, ten cash.”
Li Qingqing frowned—how could three liang of rice wine be worth only ten cash? Remembering she was still in her official robes, her expression changed: “Charge what it’s worth.”
The shopkeeper was taken aback before explaining, “Sir misunderstands. Officials shopping here always get half price—it’s our shop’s rule.”
Li Qingqing’s face changed again. Was someone using officials’ names to bully the people?
Under the Emperor’s feet, who would dare be so brazen? “Why?”
Seeing her press for answers, the shopkeeper smiled and explained: “Last year was so hot, our wine turned out poorly. Minister Cui learned of our hardship and bought it all herself at above-market price with her own money, giving us the capital to continue this year.”
“We’re just common folk with a small business; we don’t know how to thank her. This is the wine sellers’ token of appreciation—half price for officials.”
“Madam, we commoners see what you officials do.”
Li Qingqing pressed her lips together and paid thirty cash anyway.
……
The weather was nice that day. As soon as Cui Wangshu entered Jiang Chenbi’s courtyard, she found her napping on the daybed again.
The woman’s head was tilted to one side, faint red and purple marks on her fair, slender neck. Jiang Chenbi’s skin was delicate; even slight force left marks that faded slowly.
Cui Wangshu’s lips curved. She placed the item on the nearby stone table and sat lightly on the outer side of the daybed.
Jiang Chenbi slept deeply, her cheeks flushed. She had been sleepy for two days straight, as if that night had truly exhausted her.
Cui Wangshu leaned down and could not resist stealing a kiss.
Jiang Chenbi let out a cat-like mewl, disturbed awake. She frowned, and upon opening her eyes and seeing Cui Wangshu’s face, she instinctively flinched and shrank back.
Cui Wangshu: “……”
Was she that scary?
Jiang Chenbi sat up warily, tense: “What do you want?”
Cui Wangshu laughed in exasperation: “What have I become in your heart?”
Jiang Chenbi’s lips moved silently, thinking: lecherous beast in fine clothes, absurd and wicked—not a good person anyway.
That lofty, aloof image of hers had shattered into pieces, impossible to pick up.
Cui Wangshu knew she was cursing her inwardly but was not annoyed. She stretched out her long arm and took the sweets from the table.
“Don’t you like sweets? Try this.”
Cui Wangshu unwrapped the exquisite packaging and held a Butterfly Pastry to Jiang Chenbi’s lips.
Jiang Chenbi observed her covertly. Seeing her eyes clear, not like that night, she relaxed and bit into it. Her lips accidentally brushed Cui Wangshu’s fingertip.
Milky, crispy, sweet but not cloying.
Jiang Chenbi’s eyes narrowed—she clearly found it delicious.
Her fingertip still bore the pastry’s sugar frosting and the warmth of Jiang Chenbi’s lips. Cui Wangshu licked away the sugar; it was indeed sweet and fragrant.
Jiang Chenbi stared at her action, pursed her lips, and shifted farther away.
Cui Wangshu looked guilty and sincere: “I won’t disregard your feelings like that again.”
Jiang Chenbi’s ear tips reddened, a bit awkward. It wasn’t that she was unwilling—that night had indeed let her experience new sensations, but… afterward, it had been too much. She had fainted only to be woken several times.
Seeing her guilt, Jiang Chenbi could not keep deceiving her. She coughed lightly: “I-it’s not that I was unwilling. Just don’t go overboard next time. I… I actually felt pretty good too…”
Her last words were soft and faint.
Cui Wangshu’s lips curved: “Alright.”
Jiang Chenbi looked up—where was the guilt or sincerity in Cui Wangshu’s eyes? She knew she’d been tricked.
This woman! Shameless!
