Minister Li hurried so urgently that his back was soaked with sweat. Upon entering the residence, he didn’t rush to see the prince. Instead, he took out a neatly folded white robe from his donkey’s saddlebag and changed into clean, fresh clothes before entering the hall to wait for the prince and Miss Liu to sign the marriage contract.
As the witness, he needed to look presentable.
Miantang had thought Cui Xingzhou was joking, but he had sent Minister Li with the marriage contract. She hurriedly dressed to meet Minister Li, complaining, “Did I agree to sign the contract? Calling someone here is forcing my hand!”
Cui Xingzhou, while helping her insert gold hairpins, drawled, “Didn’t you agree last night?”
Miantang blinked in confusion, not remembering any such agreement. Cui Xingzhou leaned close to her ear and whispered a few words.
Miantang’s cheeks flushed as if steamed. Indeed, during their passionate encounter the previous night, Cui Xingzhou had cunningly extracted her agreement to sign the contract.
“How… how can that count?” Miantang turned her head, pressing her lips together, refusing to acknowledge it. But Cui Xingzhou held her tight and said, “If we set aside everything else, at this moment I will marry only you. Are you willing to marry only me?”
Miantang fell silent. Yes, if she considered only the present, she wanted to be with only him…
Just then, Bicao called from outside, “Minister Li is waiting for the prince and miss!”
Cui Xingzhou took Miantang’s hand, squeezing it gently, and led her out of the room towards the hall.
At the doorway, Miantang hesitated to enter.
Seeing her reluctance, Cui Xingzhou tugged her hand and said, “What’s wrong? Are you going to keep Minister Li waiting all day?”
Liu Miantang took a deep breath, shook off his hand, and entered the hall. After greeting Minister Li with a curtsy, she called for Fangxie to bring water.
Li Guangcai, parched from his journey, accepted the cup of tea from Fangxie and drank it in one gulp. “Miss Liu, this is an official document. If the prince ever denies it, come find me!”
Miantang smiled faintly, offering Explorer Li a plate of pastries. She replied, “That won’t be necessary… But if one day I want to dissolve the marriage contract, would it also have to go through you, Minister Li?”
Li Guangcai nearly choked on his tea. He had initially thought Miss Liu was worried about the prince not taking the marriage seriously without his family’s involvement, potentially jeopardizing her reputation if he changed his mind.
He never imagined that Miss Liu was already contemplating divorce before even signing the contract. Did she realize what she was saying?
Thinking this, Li Guangcai couldn’t help but glance questioningly at the prince. Prince Huaiyang was in his prime, having outgrown his youthful naivety. He exuded both scholarly grace and unmistakable martial prowess, even more charming than before.
Years ago, they had taken the imperial examinations together in the capital, forming a friendship despite Cui Xingzhou’s exam being revoked by the late emperor. In their younger, more carefree days, they occasionally indulged in drinking and entertainment with courtesans. However, Prince Huaiyang had always remained aloof, never dallying with those women. Meanwhile, many noble ladies in the capital secretly admired the prince, discreetly sending him love notes.
His reputation as a “modern-day Xia Xiuhui” was well-earned. Despite the many beauties in the capital, Prince Huaiyang had never seemed infatuated with any woman, always maintaining a cold, unapproachable aura.
It was a pity for all those pining flowers, as the young prince remained unmoved like flowing water.
Unexpectedly, the handsome prince once envied by his fellow scholars had fallen for a common-born escort agency lady.
The mismatch in status was one thing, but what truly surprised Li Guangcai was that this lady seemed somewhat disdainful of Prince Huaiyang, appearing reluctant.
Noticing Li Guangcai’s astonished expression, Liu Miantang realized she had embarrassed Cui Xingzhou in front of others.
Regardless of their private quarrels, Miantang didn’t want others to look down on Cui Xingzhou. She quickly explained, “Please don’t misunderstand, Minister. It’s just that the Dowager Princess in the prince’s household probably doesn’t know about this marriage. If she objects… this contract couldn’t possibly be valid. Otherwise, wouldn’t the prince be accused of filial impiety?”
Cui Xingzhou gave Miantang a deep look before turning to Li Guangcai. Without even raising an eyebrow, he said calmly, “Minister Li, why are you just standing there? Please tell Miss Liu that Da Yan’s laws clearly state that unless it’s a marriage decreed by His Majesty, there’s no reason why a marriage contract can’t be dissolved.”
Li Guangcai marveled at how Prince Huaiyang remained unperturbed despite being seemingly rejected. Nevertheless, following the prince’s instructions, he promptly replied, “If Miss Liu has second thoughts, you can certainly discuss it with the prince and dissolve the contract…”
Miantang bit her lip, still uncertain. Cui Xingzhou silently watched her. She fidgeted with her fingers for a long while before hesitantly picking up the brush, dipping it in ink, and neatly writing her name on the marriage contract.
Li Guangcai, relieved on the prince’s behalf, quickly offered the ink pad for Miantang to press her fingerprint next to her name.
Cui Xingzhou, without hesitation, wrote his name in a flourishing script on the contract, not only pressing his fingerprint but also affixing the Prince of Huaiyang’s seal.
As the witness, Li Guangcai also had to sign, stamp, and affix his official seal.
Although no elders from either family were present, this marriage contract was not merely a private agreement. It was officially valid in terms of procedure.
Li Guangcai had the couple sign two copies of the contract and a witness certificate before taking them back to file at his office.
With the marriage contract in hand, Cui Xingzhou’s expression brightened considerably.
Since Minister Li had traveled so far on his donkey, and as the witness, he naturally had to stay for a meal and drinks before leaving. Cui Xingzhou instructed Mama Li to prepare food.
Mama Li and Mo Ru had been watching the prince and Liu Miantang signs the marriage contract.
They exchanged bewildered glances, hardly believing that the prince had gotten engaged to Liu Miantang.
Mo Ru, in particular, was on the verge of tears. No one in the prince’s household dared to question him, but as someone close to the prince, Mo Ru feared the Dowager Princess would flay him alive for not reporting this.
Mama Li’s thoughts ran deeper. She regretted not having guided Miss Liu more thoroughly before. If the wedding day truly came, Miss Liu would have so much to learn. How could they possibly teach her everything in time?
Meanwhile, Miantang, having been half-coaxed, half-tricked into signing the contract, stared at her red-inked finger as if in a dream. She couldn’t decide if she felt regretful or relieved. Her name was signed, and all that remained was to take things one step at a time.
Although she had established her household, she still needed to inform her grandfather. So, while Cui Xingzhou was dining with Minister Li, she returned to her room to write a letter. She would have someone inform her grandfather, let him know first, and then choose an auspicious day to visit the Lu family with Cui Xingzhou to pay respects.
Cui Xingzhou drank with Li Guangcai. With the marriage contract secured, he appeared much more relaxed, genuinely smiling as he drank with his old friend.
After a few drinks, Li Guangcai remembered an important matter to discuss with Prince Huaiyang. “Your Highness, have you heard about the recent situation in the capital? In my humble opinion, it would be best if you could delay your return to the capital…”
Cui Xingzhou understood that by “situation,” Li Guangcai meant the palace.
The young emperor had always been in poor health, and recently he hadn’t attended court for a whole month. Only Empress Dowager Wu was managing state affairs from behind the curtain.
The emperor was young and without an heir. Now, court officials were frantically speculating which prince would take the throne if something were to happen to the emperor.
Cui Xingzhou nodded slightly, saying calmly, “I’ve heard about it. But I’m thinking of something else. In this situation, why is Prince Sui rushing to leave the capital? What do you think he’s planning?”
Li Guangcai nodded thoughtfully. Others might not know, but having known Prince Huaiyang for so long, he was well aware that the seemingly carefree Prince Sui had always harbored ambitions for the throne.
Now, with the young emperor’s health uncertain, it was odd that Prince Sui would leave the capital as if nothing was wrong. It didn’t align with his wolfish ambitions.
Realizing this point raised by Prince Huaiyang, Li Guangcai’s expression tightened. “Should… should I send some people to investigate Prince Sui?”