Watching Cui Yingshu’s very composed manner, he couldn’t help but shake his head and sigh: “I thought you would ask me whether you should resume office, and when you should resume office. But looking at your appearance, where is there any need to ask me? You clearly have already made plans long ago.” He put away his chess pieces, nodding at Cui Yingshu. Seeing Cui Yingshu also begin to tidy the board, he smiled: “Having a student like you truly depresses this teacher.”

Cui Yingshu had deep affection with Chief Minister Chang. Over all these years, their teacher-student bond had become very deep. Moreover, without Chief Minister Chang’s support, many matters simply couldn’t have succeeded. Meeting Chief Minister Chang’s gaze, he smiled: “Don’t try to trick me. I know what you mean—one emperor, one court of ministers.”

He picked up a chess piece and placed it, his eyes fixed on the board, yet speaking to Chief Minister Chang: “I do indeed have this intention. The Crown Prince isn’t the type who won’t employ people because he’s wary of their power. Although the Cui family has already reached its peak, without relying on our granddaughter who became Empress, we are still the Cui family. This point won’t change. His Highness can see this.”

When the Cui family didn’t have Song Chuyi, they were already a flourishing great family, producing imperial scholars generation after generation, with no tradition of relying on women. There was no need and no possibility of choosing to yield just because the family produced an empress. They were ultimately quite different from the Song family.

Chief Minister Chang held his piece with a slight smile, shaking his head then nodding, ultimately saying nothing more.

However, Old Madam Chang sent word out, saying she wanted to keep Cui Yingshu for a meal, and specially had Old Master Chang come to the rear courtyard.

When Old Master Chang was discussing matters with people, the rear courtyard would absolutely never disturb him. This time Old Madam Chang sent someone out, so he felt something was amiss. He told Cui Yingshu to stay for the meal, had someone bring First Master Chang and the Chang family’s eldest young master to keep him company first, then went to the rear courtyard.

Old Madam Chang was leaning by the window watching children play cat’s cradle. Seeing Old Master Chang enter, she first asked him: “Yingshu is staying?”

She was very fond of Cui Yingshu. From early years when Cui Yingshu came to Chief Minister Chang to study, she had already regarded Cui Yingshu differently. If it weren’t for Princess Duanhui snatching him up quickly, Cui Yingshu would have been her son-in-law.

Old Master Chang couldn’t help teasing her: “Staying, staying. You eagerly called me in just for this? If one didn’t know better, they’d think something major had happened—you gave me quite a fright. You should restrain yourself a bit. If Princess Duanhui found out, it would bring up old matters again.”

These words were naturally in jest. Princess Duanhui wasn’t that petty.

Old Madam Chang scolded him, then had Old Master Chang sit down first. Looking at him, she spoke carefully: “I asked you to come in for a matter.”

She pointed out the window and nodded at Old Master Chang: “Look at Third Miss. Does she look presentable enough?”

Old Master Chang had been married to Old Madam Chang for many years. Hearing Old Madam Chang ask this way, his face twitched. He nodded and asked: “You can’t scheme against the person himself, so you’re scheming against his son?”

They had been a young couple who had supported each other all the way to now, long since sharing honor and disgrace, minds in accord. With Old Madam Chang’s question, Old Master Chang knew what Old Madam Chang wanted to do.

Old Madam Chang also nodded frankly: “You’re about to retire. I’ve never been able to decide on Third Miss’s marriage. Marrying into an ordinary family isn’t very realistic. Marrying into other noble families, I fear she’ll suffer mistreatment. The Cui family has good household discipline, good family background. Both Princess Duanhui and Yingshu are broad-minded people, and their education of children is extremely proper.”

She lowered her voice: “So I had this thought. Naturally, this can’t be said to Yingshu. We should first speak to the female family members. If you think it’s acceptable, I’ll enter the palace to sound out the Crown Prince’s Consort.”

Old Master Chang was somewhat hesitant: “It’s just that the Cui family still needs to observe mourning for their mother. The Cui family’s eldest young master will observe one year of mourning for his grandmother. After one year, he’ll be nineteen years old.”

“What of it? Our Third Miss can wait. She’s only just come of age. In the capital now, marrying early is no longer fashionable. Look at the Crown Prince’s Consort—didn’t she also marry only after coming of age?” Old Madam Chang interrupted him: “Moreover… to speak of something a bit more practical, our forming a marriage alliance with the Cui family means one more layer of protection.”

She reminded Old Master Chang: “You’ve offended quite a few people—no fewer than Old Master Song. Right now you’re still in the Chief Minister’s position, so no one dares move against you. But what about after you step down? Look at the previous Chief Ministers—have any had good endings?”

Only Old Madam Chang dared say such things. Old Master Chang grasped Old Madam Chang’s hand and sighed: “But if we’re accepting this marriage proposal only for this reason, I’d rather not form the alliance. Yingshu and I have teacher-student righteousness, and I also have some face and favor with the Crown Prince…”

Old Madam Chang shook her head: “Those aren’t as reliable as a marriage alliance. And it’s not entirely for this—it’s just adding good to good. We’re not insisting they must marry our girl. We’re just inquiring. If it works out, naturally it’s kinship upon kinship. If not, are we going to hold a grudge against them? There’s no such principle.”

Old Master Chang knew Old Madam Chang was wholeheartedly planning for the Chang family. Thinking it over, there truly was no reason not to ask. He said: “Since you put it that way, then do as you wish. Just be more low-key about it.”

After all, the Cui family was currently like cooking oil on a roaring fire. If they rushed over, the people above might read too much into it.

Old Madam Chang nodded: “Naturally. We’ll just settle it privately first. By the time it’s truly finalized, there probably won’t be so many taboos anymore.”

After Zhou Weizhao ascended the throne, this world would be what the Crown Prince couple said it was. Having already obtained the Crown Prince’s Consort’s approval in advance, there would be no question of taboos.

Old Master Chang stood up: “First ask Third Miss’s opinion, and also ask the eldest daughter-in-law’s opinion. If they agree, then tell me, I’ll drop a hint to Yingshu, and you can enter the palace to ask the Crown Prince’s Consort.”

Old Madam Chang smiled and nodded: “Do I need you to tell me? I already asked Third Miss and the eldest daughter-in-law before. Third Miss is young and doesn’t understand matters, so naturally she lets us and her parents decide. The eldest daughter-in-law is only pleased. You first go drop a hint to your prized disciple and test the waters!”

So it had already been planned long ago. She just called him in to inform him. Old Master Chang was somewhat amused. He spread his hands at Old Madam Chang, smiling as he left.