Chapter 67: Chapter 59: Noble Consort Cui

Jiaofang Hall.

This was the residence of Noble Consort Cui in the harem, but oddly, there were very few eunuchs and palace maids coming and going, giving it a somewhat deserted appearance.

At that moment, the eunuch delivering the order hurriedly came over and, after reporting to the palace attendants, was quickly brought inside.

“This servant greets Noble Consort Cui!”

Behind the light gauze curtain sat a delicate woman, holding a book in one hand, seemingly deep in thought.

A few moments later, a faint voice of inquiry came: “What is it?”

“In response to Noble Consort Cui, today is the day of the Military Examination and the day of the Champion Banquet.”

“His Majesty decrees that Noble Consort Cui’s two brothers, Cui Xiazhao and Cui Xiawu, have respectively won the top ranks in the Literary and Military Examinations. This is a significant event for the nation, and tonight a grand banquet will be hosted, inviting Noble Consort Cui to attend.”

“Top ranks in both Literary and Military Examinations?”

Noble Consort Cui’s voice now carried a hint of surprise, and she asked, “It is true that Cui Xiazhao is my elder brother, but who is this Cui Xiawu?”

“Which uncle or cousin’s son is he?”

“This…”

The little eunuch hesitated for a moment and then replied, “I do not know, my lady.”

“But I heard from the court officials that the Cui Clan winning both top ranks is a huge triumph, and countless people are heading to the Cui Mansion to offer their congratulations. Elder Master Cui can’t stop smiling.”

The little eunuch kowtowed on the ground, his heart thumping because delivering the decree to Jiaofang Hall was a task he had managed to snatch from his godfather, Liu Cheng’en. If…

“What is your name?”

Noble Consort Cui suddenly asked, and the little eunuch quickly replied, “In response to Noble Consort Cui, this servant is named Ma Bao.”

“Ma Bao, is it? You shall be rewarded.”

“Yes~”

A little maidservant stepped out respectfully from behind the gauze curtain and handed Ma Bao a piece of silver.

Overjoyed, Ma Bao quickly said, “Thank you, Noble Consort, thank you, Noble Consort!”

“You may leave now. Tell His Majesty that I… will attend the grand banquet.”

“Yes!”

Ma Bao scrambled up and retreated.

And behind the gauze curtain, Noble Consort Cui slowly stood up as well.

Sunlight streamed through the paper window, illuminating Noble Consort Cui’s true appearance.

In a light green palace dress, she was not very tall, rather petite.

Her eyes shone like stars, and her face was a delicate oval, though slightly pale, exuding a gentle scholarly aura.

“Noble Consort, the Cui family winning both top ranks is truly a blessing for the family.”

The little maidservant hurried in, congratulating Noble Consort Cui, “Congratulations, Your Ladyship, congratulations.”

“What is there to celebrate?”

Noble Consort Cui retorted.

“Well… it is the top rank. Young Master Xiazhao has studied diligently for ten years and finally fulfilled his dream.”

“And though we may not know Young Master Cui Xiawu, he is still part of the Cui family.”

“Winning both top ranks is something many families dream of but cannot achieve~”

“Alas…”

Noble Consort Cui shook her head, her face full of worry.

“If only Brother Xiazhao had won the top rank, it would undoubtedly be a good thing, but who is this Brother Xiawu?”

“Winning both top ranks, His Majesty is putting the Cui family under immense pressure.”

“As such, our Cui family has drawn the attention of most officials, and it’s uncertain how many fair-weather friends will flock to become our dependents.”

“This could make the Cui family prominent for a while, but we are bound to offend countless families and officials.”

“Just like the… Lu Family!”

The little maidservant was startled: “Then what should be done, I heard that the elder master is still quite happy~”

Noble Consort Cui could only helplessly say, “Xiao’er, prepare my bath and attire.”

“Our Cui family’s fate depends entirely on His Majesty.”

“We must not follow the path of Yang Ni.”

“My Jiaofang Hall cannot become another Yonghe Palace.”

“Yes~!”

In the mist-shrouded bathhouse, Noble Consort Cui revealed only her fair, jade-like shoulders as she submerged herself in the hot spring, closing her eyes in contemplation.

Two little maidservants slowly bathed and scrubbed her.

Under the hot spring, Noble Consort Cui’s brows remained furrowed.

“Alas, to protect my Cui family, we must maintain a good relationship with His Majesty.”

“But before my master left, she strictly ordered that I must not consummate before reaching the Third-layer Qi Cultivation, otherwise, at best, my skills will scatter, and at worst, I could suffer severe injuries.”

“What should I do about this?”

The ripples on the hot spring water obviously indicated Noble Consort Cui’s anxious thoughts.

“Previously, I could use the excuse of being weak and ill from a fall to evade the Imperial Household Department’s duty markers, but today…”

“It’s been over four years, if I do not consummate with His Majesty soon, it won’t just be His Majesty, even the elder master would be so angered he’d beat his chest.”

“Alas… the mundane world really does not allow cultivators to practice peacefully.”

“No wonder my master, despite my many pleas, left all those years ago.”

“Now, it’s my turn.”

She sighed deeply, slowly extending her two fair, jade-like arms.

“Your Ladyship?”

“Enough, dry and dress me.”

“Yes~!”

The pink palace dress gradually draped over her delicate body, and her entire aura transformed in that instant.

From the elegant orchid in a secluded valley to the tender cold plum as white as snow, indescribably tender.

“Fortunately, before my master left, she anticipated this and left me the Mind-bending Fragrance. This fragrance is particularly good at bewildering the mind, causing people to fall into a deep sleep, even Innate Realm Martial Artists cannot resist it.”

“Unfortunately, there are only three sticks, so I must use them sparingly.”

With her palace attire complete, she now appeared outside Jiaofang Hall as a youthful yet aloof woman.

The sedan had been waiting outside the hall for quite some time, and with Noble Consort Cui’s ascent and command, the procession wound its way forward towards Taihe Hall.

The sparse starlight matched their approach to Taihe Hall, where they unexpectedly encountered another procession.

Noble Consort Cui’s procession slowly came to a halt. Once the opposing sedan was recognized, those standing immediately bowed with respect, “We greet the Empress!”

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