Yu Mingyue saw the Cui family flourishing and, thinking of the endings in storybooks, felt a touch of melancholy.
Centuries-old families, brought down like a collapsing mansion.
The Central Plains had been embroiled in war for hundreds of years. Now, with the imperial court growing stronger, the decline of aristocratic families was inevitable.
It was better to make a dignified exit than to scatter in disgrace.
The welcome banquet that evening was exceptionally grand. Even Yu Mingyue, who had attended many imperial banquets, found the palace feasts to be utterly meager in comparison to these dishes.
No wonder the aristocratic families looked down on the imperial court; they indeed had some capital.
The attendants serving Yu Mingyue had been trained and sent by the Cui family, so their etiquette was naturally impeccable.
Although aristocratic families did not take concubines, their lineage was prosperous. Old Madam Cui had three sons and three daughters, and there were also second and third consorts, along with a large group of cousins, both male and female. Even with Yu Mingyue's good memory, in the end, she could only address them by their birth order, such as "Sixth Sister" or "Ninth Cousin," which was truly dizzying.
Compared to the infighting in large families, they were harmonious, like sisters born of the same parents.
Her maternal grandfather was somewhat different from what Yu Mingyue had imagined. She had expected a stubborn old man, rigid and pedantic, full of rules and propriety, but he turned out to be a humorous, affectionate elder.
Yu Mingyue gained more confidence in persuading her maternal grandfather. She exchanged a glance with Cui Jiulang, but her maternal uncle's expression was not as optimistic as she had expected.
Cui Jiulang smiled on the surface, but sighed inwardly. "Is Yue'er being blinded by her father's facade? She's still so young. She'll understand after a few setbacks."
Yu Mingyue sat beside Old Madam Cui. The old madam patiently introduced the Cui family members to her and would share a few amusing anecdotes in between. Yu Mingyue listened attentively, feeling enlightened.
Every word Old Madam Cui spoke was well-chosen. In their conversation, she conveyed the general temperaments of the members from the various branches of the family. This would save Yu Mingyue much trouble in their future interactions.
The old madam had been betrothed at ten, married into the Cui family at seventeen, and began managing the household. Her personality was astute, and her methods were firm. She had managed the inner chambers of the Cui family with absolute control. Even though she no longer managed the household, these younger generations did not dare to act too presumptuously.
Yu Mingyue knew that the old madam's affection for her was genuine, but her giving her face in front of everyone was also true.
In their eyes, the imperial family was not worth mentioning, let alone her Duke's mansion, which had only accumulated wealth for less than three generations.
If not for her mother's connection, in the eyes of the Cui family, she would probably be considered a nouveau riche upstart.
After the welcome banquet, the female relatives went to the old madam's courtyard to chat. Yu Mingyue observed the First Madam's expression, as if she wanted to say something, but was warned off by a look from the old madam.
Yu Mingyue pretended not to notice. After about half an hour, the old madam, citing the fatigue from the journey, dismissed everyone, keeping only Yu Mingyue to speak with.
"Your courtyard has been prepared. It's the one your mother lived in before she was married. Go and take a look. If there's anything you need, feel free to tell your maternal grandmother. We are family, there's no need to be so formal," Old Madam Cui said.
"Thank you, Maternal Grandmother. Yue'er understands."
"Go now, get some rest. Tomorrow, your sisters will take you to the academy. Think of it as a way to pass the time."
"Yes, Yue'er will listen to Maternal Grandmother."
What it meant to be overwhelmed with gifts, Yu Mingyue truly experienced it. Three paternal uncles, and over a dozen maternal uncles, aunts, and cousins...
And the gifts they sent were each more precious than the last.
In a single day, the money she had lost to Li Jingmen was returned, and then some, doubled.
Cui Jiulang couldn't help but worry that many among these people harbored the ambition of Yu Mingyue entering the palace to become empress.
Especially after the evidence of the Wang family's rebellion was confirmed, and Empress Wang had protected the Wang family members, this ambition could no longer be hidden.