Dugu Jingyao is reborn as Li Chu's beloved

Chapter 145 I’m so unwilling!

Before hearing the content of the imperial edict, Cui Caiping was full of joy, but after hearing the end, she no longer had the initial joy, and the same was true for Mrs. Wei.

However, Eunuch Gao was still there, so the two of them had to put their thoughts aside for the time being. After the imperial edict was read out, they all kowtowed together and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace."

Then, Eunuch Gao handed the imperial edict to Cui Minghui and said, "The imperial edict has been delivered. I will take my leave now!"

Cui Caiping felt she must have misheard. Her eyes widened, a look of disbelief on her face. Madam Wei wasn't watching, and Cui Caiping rushed forward like an arrow, grabbing Eunuch Gao by the sleeve. Her voice trembled as she asked, "Eunuch Gao, was the Emperor's edict written incorrectly? Or did you misread it?" She stared at Eunuch Gao's face, as if trying to find a flaw in his expression.

Eunuch Gao was startled by Cui Caiping's sudden action. He leaned back suddenly and almost fell. Fortunately, the eunuch behind him was quick to support him.

He stared at Cui Caiping with wide eyes, filled with astonishment. Cui Minghui and Madam Wei were also taken aback; they hadn't expected Cui Caiping to react so violently. However, Cui Minghui, a seasoned official, quickly recovered from his shock. He pulled Cui Caiping back and whispered, "Caiping, don't be rude!"

Eunuch Gao finally recovered. He patted his chest, a wry smile on his face. He frowned and said to Cui Caiping, "Miss Cui, what do you mean? I'm just following orders. How could I possibly be falsely conveying an imperial decree?" As he spoke, he pointed at the golden imperial edict.

Cui Caiping didn't seem to have listened to Eunuch Gao's words. She continued to glare at him angrily, tears glistening in her eyes. Eunuch Gao shook his head helplessly and continued, "If Miss Cui doesn't believe it, you can go and see for yourself the contents of the imperial edict to see if we misread it."

After saying this, he no longer paid any attention to Cui Caiping, but turned and walked out. Cui Minghui didn't have time to care about Cui Caiping. It was more important to appease Eunuch Gao first, so he said, "Hmph, I'll settle the score with you when I get back."

He chased after Eunuch Gao, and finally caught up with him after a long time. Eunuch Gao looked at Cui Minghui who had caught up with him and wanted to know what he wanted to do, so he slowed down his pace and said, "Master Cui, what else do you want?"

How could Cui Minghui not hear that Eunuch Gao was angry, so he said, "Eunuch Gao, don't be angry. Anger is bad for your health. It's all my fault for not teaching my daughter well." Then he took out a silver note and stuffed it into Eunuch Gao's sleeve.

Eunuch Gao took a look and saw that it was one thousand taels of silver. His dissatisfaction immediately dissipated a lot, but his face was still serious. He said: "Master Cui, what do you mean? I am a close friend of the emperor. I can't accept bribes casually!"

Cui Minghui quickly apologized with a smile, "Eunuch Gao, you misunderstood. This is just a small token of my appreciation. I hope you won't despise it." He then pulled out a jade ring from his bosom and handed it to Eunuch Gao, "This ring is also made of top-quality Hetian jade. Please accept it."

A trace of greed flashed in Eunuch Gao's eyes, but he still pretended to refuse: "This... How can I be so embarrassed?"

Cui Minghui smiled and said, "You're welcome, Eunuch Gao. I just hope you'll take good care of my daughter in the future."

Eunuch Gao hesitated for a moment, but ultimately accepted the gift. A satisfied smile appeared on his face, and he said, "In that case, I won't be polite. But Lord Cui, Miss Cui is your and Madam's only legitimate daughter. It's understandable that you pamper her a little, but you still have to teach your daughter well. After all, your daughter is going to marry into the royal family. If she doesn't understand the rules, her life might be in jeopardy at any time!"

Cui Minghui breathed a sigh of relief and thanked him repeatedly: "Yes, yes, yes, your suggestion is reasonable, Eunuch Gao. It is I who have spoiled this girl beyond measure. I will teach her well before she enters the palace! I hope you will continue to support her in the future."

Eunuch Gao nodded, and then said to Cui Minghui: "Okay, Master Cui, don't think about sending it off!"

Cui Minghui was still a little scared when he saw Eunuch Gao leaving, but there was nothing he could do, so he returned to the main hall angrily.

In the main hall, Cui Caiping continued to read the imperial edict over and over again in disbelief, but the result was always the same.

Cui Caiping looked at Mrs. Wei with tears in her eyes: "Mother! Why doesn't the emperor speak... Mmmm..." Mrs. Wei was shocked and covered Cui Caiping's mouth.

Although she was also very surprised by this matter, she also understood that such things should not be casually said! If others heard it, it would be a crime of disrespect and she might even be punished!

So she could only try to remain calm, then covered Cui Caiping's mouth with her hand and said softly: "Things have come to this point, there is no other way. The emperor has already issued an imperial decree, and we cannot disobey it!"

After hearing what Mrs. Wei said, Cui Caiping no longer cared about her image and slid down to the ground and burst into tears. Mrs. Wei felt sorry for her daughter, so she held Cui Caiping in her arms to comfort her.

Not long after, Cui Minghui returned from outside. Seeing the mother and daughter sitting on the ground without caring about their appearance, Cui Minghui became even more furious. He pointed at the two of them and said, "Look at the way you two are now. How disgraceful! Why don't you get up quickly?"

Mrs. Wei also realized that the two had lost their composure, so she slowly helped Cui Caiping up from her arms.

Cui Minghui ordered all the maids and servants to leave, closed the door, and then said to the mother and daughter, "Ping'er, it's not that father doesn't want to plead for you, but you must understand that the emperor's orders are difficult to disobey. Besides, although the emperor is old, he is not stupid."

After hearing Cui Minghui's words, Lady Wei Guo roughly understood why the emperor suddenly changed his mind. However, Cui Caiping was a noble lady raised in the boudoir, so she naturally would not learn about the affairs of the court unless there was a special situation.

Cui Minghui saw Cui Caiping's puzzled look and continued to explain, "You should know that although your uncle and aunt are the emperor's favorite minister and concubine, your uncle is only a civil official after all. How can he defeat a king of a different surname who commands a large army and has been a distinguished official for generations?"

After hearing this, Cui Caiping probably understood why the emperor had changed his mind overnight. But she was still furious! She was so unwilling to accept it!

Especially, it stands to reason that if there was no Dugu Jingyao, she would have become Li Chu's princess based on her family background. How could Dugu Jingyao suddenly appear?

Just when Cui Caiping was going crazy, something even more unacceptable happened to her.

Cui Minghui said helplessly, "Ping'er, your behavior just now was a bit extreme and offended Eunuch Gao. In order to give an explanation to Eunuch Gao and the Emperor, your father can only let you down."

Mrs. Wei knew her husband was going to punish Ping'er, so she said, "Husband, please be lenient with her because Ping'er is our only legitimate daughter!"

Cui Caiping's heart was in turmoil. She asked Cui Minghui, "Father, are you punishing me for... him?"

Cui Minghui was also helpless. He had offended the emperor's favorite. If Eunuch Gao said something like his daughter had no upbringing, the marriage would probably be ruined!

So he patiently said, "Don't worry. Consider it a punishment to calm you down. I'll just punish you by making you copy the house rules and grounding you for ten days. Announce to the public that copying the house rules ten times means you're grounded for a month."

Then he looked at Mrs. Wei, and Mrs. Wei also understood. This meant that she was being asked to find a way to shut up the servants in the mansion. As long as Ping'er didn't leave the mansion for a month, it could be said that she was under house arrest.

Although Cui Caiping was very unwilling, she still accepted the reality. She swore that one day she would make Li Chu have her in his heart and surpass Dugu Jingyao!