"Uncle, I will not marry the Seventh Prince, nor will I be controlled by anyone or any family." Yu Mingyue's words were not just for Cui Jiulang, but also for those outside.
She believed the message would reach her maternal grandfather within the time it takes for a cup of tea to brew.
Her grandfather's affection for her was genuine, as was his desire to use her.
"Don't worry, your maternal grandfather won't force you. Just as you wish to reason with him, he will do the same." Cui Jiulang was amused by Yu Mingyue's serious and determined expression, and the defensiveness written on her face.
If forcing Yue'er to marry Xiao Che meant forcing Yue'er to become an enemy of the Cui family, he would not do such a thing.
"Uncle, do you know grandfather's plan?" Yu Mingyue asked.
"Ever since I returned last time and told my father my thoughts, I've been excluded from the family's core. How could he possibly tell me about matters concerning the future of the Cui family and the noble clans?" Cui Jiulang shook his head.
Yu Mingyue cupped her cheeks in her hands, deeply troubled. The noble clans were too united. If only their alliance could be broken.
But they were bound by generations of marriage; how could it be easy to disrupt?
...
Xie Jiayan and his entourage had already arrived in Jiangzhou. To their surprise, they received a letter from Yu Mingyue as soon as they arrived.
She had been sending her letters to the Cui family's rice shop in Jiangzhou. The moment Xie Jiayan's group arrived, they were informed of their presence.
Under the guise of delivering a letter, they paid a visit to this Hanlin scholar, Xie, who was tasked with establishing official schools.
Yu Mingyue's letters were numerous, sprawling, and lengthy, more like a diary.
She even wrote about meeting those two young brothers in Qinghe. Upon reading this part, Xie Jiayan looked up at the Cui family steward standing beside him.
Those few letters were one thing, but it was rather intriguing that the Cui family had not intercepted this one.
This self-proclaimed rice shop steward possessed an extraordinary demeanor and eloquence. Combined with Yue'er's letter, the Cui family's rice shop was likely more than just a rice shop.
"I heard that Your Excellency is good friends with our Young Master and Sixth Lady, and that you have taken good care of them both. The family head is very grateful to Your Excellency and said that you are welcome to have a cup of tea in Qinghe when you have free time." The steward was much older than Xie Jiayan, yet his words were extremely respectful.
The Cui family's intention to show goodwill was evident, and it was within his expectations. The success of establishing the official schools would still require the Cui family's support.
The Cui family naturally wished to turn the Jiangzhou official schools into a branch of their own clan school, firmly controlling the scholars within the Cui family's grasp.
This was a protracted battle, as he had known from the moment he set out.
Xie Jiayan smiled, "Thank you for the invitation from the Cui family head. I will pay a visit once I have finished my current affairs."
After speaking, Xie Jiayan called for Kong. "This is a gift that Brother Mingjing entrusted me to bring to an elder before I left the capital. Since Steward Cui is here, please trouble him with it."
The steward quickly smiled and said, "Thank you, Your Excellency. I will personally deliver these to the family head. I will not disturb Your Excellency's rest today. I take my leave."
Liao Kong personally escorted the steward out. Upon his return, he had already ascertained the steward's background.
"This person's name is Cui Jing, courtesy name Jingzhi. He is also a member of the Cui family, though he is more than five generations removed. However, due to his intelligence from a young age, he was chosen as a companion reader for the Cui family's eldest young master during his studies. He is not just the manager of the Jiangzhou rice shop, but oversees all grain stores under the Cui family's name. He has been at the Jiangzhou rice shop for the past year. I will continue to investigate."
"His coming here personally means he has no intention of hiding his identity. What we can find out is only what he wants us to know. We are new here, so be careful in your actions," Xie Jiayan instructed.