An outsider would doubtlessly be surprised by the Empress' words.
In every royal betrothal, the Emperor and Empress would give the permission, the princess would nod her head, and an inquiry would be sent to the male's family. The Emperor and Empress would never need anyone else's permission other than their own. And yet, here is the Empress asking for Cui Buqu's opinion, and that if Cui Buqu refused it, then she would not force him.
Cui Buqu neither accepted nor denied her offer. He asked instead: "Does Her Majesty remember something she said when you pointed at a flowering tree in Daxingshan Temple back then in the Spring of the First Year of Kaihuang?"
The Empress was taken by surprise as if she didn't understand why Cui Buqu would want to bring up something irrelevant, but still, she gave it a thought.
"Naturally, I remember. That tree had been dead for an entire decade, and yet it had bloomed once more during the reign of Kaihuang. Having a long withered tree blossoming back to life; back then I pointed at you and said: 'This is proof of the decline of the Zhou Dynasty and the rise of the Sui Dynasty. Our country the Great Sui will most certainly receive the blessings of the Heavens in the rise of its nation.'"
As an incredibly intelligent person, she understood immediately after saying it.
"You thought I was an imposter, and so you were testing me?"
Cui Buqu nodded his head, "Back then, this humble subject was the only one who heard what you said. This proves you are not an imposter."
The Empress laughed, "You just don't want to marry Maiden Ying, is it? Then I will not force it. She was opposed to the idea in the beginning, but afterwards, she voluntarily asked about matters pertaining to you. It seems she already developed some feelings towards you. You have always been alone all these years, coming and going like a lone wolf. You should know it feels differently to have someone than to be alone. Maiden Ying grew up with me since she was young; she has always been gentle and she was never proud, neither is she the type to abuse her position into bullying."
Cui Buqu gave it a deep thought, "Ever since Her Majesty fell ill, how many times has Yuwen Xuanzhu visited the palace?"
The Empress, "Not too frequently, yet not too sparse. Similar to the past. She came with her mother and rarely spoke."
As their conversation reached up to this point, the Empress also felt Cui Buqu was getting at something.
"Why? Do you think something is wrong with her?"
Cui Buqu shook his head, "I've not managed to decide on a conclusion."
The Empress said, "After you left the capital, I too tested her. Other than a few incidents that happened when she was little, she could answer all of my questions. In fact, if something was wrong with her, her mother would have been able to tell. His Majesty even sent someone to investigate—these two years she has always been in the capital, going to and fro from the Princess' manor to her own. She hasn't visited anywhere else otherwise, so let alone foreign places. Among all the daughters of the aristocracy and the rich in the capital who are more lively, none of them could be more law-abiding than she is."
She was no longer in her prime. After these words, she looked weary and worn. When the palace's maidservants saw the colour of her face, they immediately guided her to lay back down.
Cui Buqu said: "You've been ill for quite long. How did it happen? What did the Imperial Physician say?"
There was no need for the Empress to answer these questions herself. The palace maidservant explained and said: "A few days ago, it was the Eldest Princess' birthday and the Princess' manor held a banquet. Her Majesty attended it in person and the Xuanzhu played the se and the zither in person. Her Majesty was delighted, and it was a pity that she was plagued by a cold afterwards. The Imperial Physician said that the weather is tough and cold, and hence one would need to be mindful of their body. It's a pity that the medicinal soups did not help. Her Majesty still could not put the former dynasty behind her."
The Empress laughed at herself, "I am used to being busy and could not afford to take a rest. Once I take a rest, I would fall ill. However, when the topic of Maiden Ying was brought up, I recalled something. When she was little, she hated all the Five Arts. Once she had to learn them, she'd cry non-stop. However, as years passed and she grew up, His Majesty and I were so busy with country affairs that we had not seen her in years. She had become such a proper woman and grew up into a gentle and humble lady."
Her original intention was to speak a bit more about the trivial matters regarding Yuwen Xuanzhu to move Cui Buqu's stoic heart.
And Cui Buqu seemed like his interests truly did peak.
"When she was young, was she very different from the way she is now?"
"There truly is some difference. However, certain things happened during that time, and she was young, so naturally, she would be affected."
The Empress spoke conservatively, but Cui Buqu understood what she was referring to.
In the former dynasty, Yuwen Eying was originally the eldest princess. Even if she wasn't extremely loved, her high status was unsurpassable.
After the dynasty changed, within a single night, she lost her princess status and was demoted into a Xuanzhu. A Xuanzhu that has no power and only a name.
Some people such as the women in the royal families of the capital had distanced themselves from Yuwen Eying just because of the change in her status, and so even if Yuwen Eying was slightly spoiled, the Emperor and Empress would tolerate her. Yet, the older she grew the gentler and more humble she became, and never abused her privilege.
Even if the Emperor and Empress did not like her, they would feel guilt towards her.
As of late, Yuwen Eying became even more sanguine. The Emperor and Empress thought that it was her first time experiencing love and couldn't help feeling glad watching.
Cui Buqu pondered over it deeply.
"This humble subject has no desire to climb to higher positions via Yuwen Xuanzhu, but during the dawn of these eventful times, one must be cautious at every turn. I beseech Your Majesty not to elect a suitor for the Xuanzhu, and not to tell her of my thoughts. Best let everything remain unchanged, just like the period of time this humble subject was away from the capital and allow the others to misunderstand that you are about to arrange a marriage for the both of us."
He appeared to have set his focus on Yuwen Eying, since his topics could never stray away from her.
The Empress felt strange about it, but taking into consideration how well she knew Cui Buqu, this person was incredibly meticulous and he was always cautious with what he said. He would never hold any prejudices.
But now, Cui Buqu was obviously very suspicious of Yuwen Xuanzhu.
She didn't know why Cui Buqu was suspicious, but as she pondered over these trails of thoughts, she slowly recalled something that happened a long time ago.
"Oh, right. Actually, back in that year, my eldest daughter gave birth to twins."
Cui Buqu had an immediate response to this, "Were they both daughters?"
The Empress said: "That's right. One of them, however, was congenitally deficient and passed away not long after she was born. Otherside, my eldest daughter would have a pair of lovely and adorable daughters."
Cui Buqu: "Was there a 'Huan' character in the name of the other Yuwen Xuanzhu?"
The Empress: "No. The child passed early; she was not even recorded in the genealogy, naturally, she doesn't even have a name."
Cui Buqu: "When that child passed away, were you present yourself?"
The Empress: "No. During that time, Emperor Wu of Zhou was wary of His Majesty. In order to avoid suspicion and to involve our eldest daughter who was the Crown Prince's consort, I seldom entered the palace. After Yuwen Yun succeeded the throne, he was perverse and fickle and wanted to dethrone our eldest daughter. During that time, it truly felt like a sharp sword was above our heads, and that every moment might be our doom. As mother and daughter, we seldom saw each other, so let alone Maiden Ying. I only hear most things pertaining to her from my eldest daughter."
She paused. "You're suspecting that the child is still alive? This wouldn't be too possible. It's not easy for normal families to hide the existence of a child, let alone an Imperial Family. In fact, as the Crown Prince, Yuwen Yun's children are naturally of high status. There was no need to conceal the fact."
Cui Buqu said: "What if there was hope for the child's life before she was buried? If the person in charge of burying her harboured the intentions of concealing her existence, then pick an opportune moment to send her out of the palace, would that make everyone think that she'd died?"
The Empress was stunned.
The palace maidservant, Maolan had served the Empress for many years, unlike just any normal palace maidservant. She couldn't help herself saying: "Commander Cui, please pardon this humble servant's ignorance. If what you said did indeed happen, the child would have become an adult by now, so why hasn't she come back to reconcile with her family to enjoy the life of a Xuanzhu? And instead chose to conceal her identity and masquerade as her own sister?"
Cui Buqu's expression didn't change. He grimly said: "Therefore, these are only baseless theories. Truth to be told, I've had my suspicions on the Princess' manor since the Thousand Lantern Banquet, but I have simply no evidence. The enemy is waiting patiently in hiding, refusing to show themselves even as we are approaching the eleventh hour. However, as of late, torrential events have been brewing within the capital. Perhaps we will have an answer soon for all these questions."
The Empress gave a quiet sigh.
Had it been in the past, with the capable and brilliant woman she is, the Empress would never sigh in such a dejected manner even if all hell broke loose.
"My eldest daughter is a woman who is gentle on the outside but strong on the inside. She keeps many things in her heart and refuses to tell me about them, but what I do know is that she bears a grudge."
From the time she was the Crown Prince's consort, to the moment she was crowned an Empress—positions of nobility that people regarded as dignified on the outside—in truth, Yang Lihua has endured many hardships that were born from the doubts her husband's family had on her own.
Her husband, Yuwen Yun had never treated her the way an Empress should have been treated as. After she was crowned Empress, he crowned four other Empresses.
Never once in history were there five Empresses at once.
Yang Lihua had not shown anything on the surface, but one could imagine the disgrace she had to endure at this sheer insolence.
She did not have it easy to wait until her husband's death, so that she would finally become the Empress Dowager via her family's relationship as well as her own current rank as the Empress. Then no one would be able to shame or order her around any longer.
However, before two years of good days have gone by, her father ascended the throne.
Was it nice to be a princess?
Naturally, it was nice. But how could it compare to being an Empress?
The Empress sighed. "If you discover anything she's done in the future that isn't something as serious as treason, consider to let her go."
Cui Buqu impassively says: "Neither the aristocratic caste nor the common people will be exempted from the laws of the country." refusing to give the Empress even an ounce of pride, "This humble subject is bound by duty, and will execute punishments according to the law."
The Empress smiled bitterly.
She has long known about this personality of Cui Buqu's; if she could not tolerate such an attitude, she would not have made him her subject. But since she has made him her subject, it only made sense for her to trust him and tolerate him.
After speaking for so long, the Empress was obviously tired, at this moment even her eyes have closed.
Upon seeing this, Cui Buqu excused himself and the Empress allowed her maidservant to send him off in person.
Maolan had spoken a few times with Cui Buqu. She had long gotten used to his dull attitude when he wasn't discussing state affairs.
Just as they silently reached the outside of the palace, she heard him say, "Sister Maolan, do you have the Immortal Salve?"
Commander Cui who had never participated in idle banters finally spoke. After a moment of being taken aback, Maolan quickly nodded her head, "I have a few bottles. Commander Cui wants this for…?"
Cui Buqu gave a concise and comprehensive response: "A gift for someone."
Maolan was more than willing to make friends with this subject who deeply earned the Empress' trust. She immediately said after hearing it, "Then please wait for me, Commander Cui, I will go fetch them now."
On her journey back, Maolan suddenly thought through many things.
Why would Cui Buqu reject such a wonderful betrothal from the Empress? It only made sense to think that he'd given his heart to someone else.
Otherwise, how would someone of Cui Buqu's character pay attention to something like the Immortal Salve?
The person he'd given his heart to was probably even more beautiful and elegant than Yuwen Xuanzhu.
But Yuwen Xuanzhu's feelings for him have just blossomed. If she knew about this, wouldn't it upset her?
Holding the Immortal Salve in his hands, Cui Buqu finally left the palace's gates.
He hadn't run into Feng Xiao, nor did he run into Prince Qin, Yang Jun, but he had run into Qin Miaoyu.
Yang Jun originally wanted to pay his mother a visit, but when he heard that Cui Buqu was present, he waited for a while and after knowing that he wouldn't be seeing her for a while, he returned.
Qin Miaoyu was waiting next to the Zuoyue Bureau's horse carriage with an exaggeratingly bountiful smile. She was in a good mood.
She could not not be in a good mood.
As a scout who worked in the dark to begin with, after the incident at Guangqian County, Feng Xiao permitted her to return to the capital and officially become one of them.
Working for the Jiejian Bureau in the capital was different from working as a scout in hiding in one of its stations. Supervisors would not be able to see all that she did in the latter, but for the first, everything she did would be acknowledged and seen by her supervisor. She would also be promoted easily.
Even if she was just sent as an envoy, Qin Miaoyu took her job seriously.
"Commander Cui!"
Qin Miaoyu smiled as she went forward to welcome him.
"How have you been? The Second Commander of the Jiejian Bureau and my Lord extends his invitation to you to make a trip to the bureau."
Cui Buqu gave her a look. "Why didn't he come himself?"
Qin Miaoyu quietly said: "The Second Commander had an audience with His Majesty just now, and it seemed like His Majesty gave him a task. He must have wanted to ask for your help, but is afraid that he'd appear inferior."
Cui Buqu said: "I know what he wants to ask. Go back and tell him to keep an eye on Zheng Yi."
Before Qin Miaoyu could understand what he meant, a few porcelain bottles wrapped in a sack made of leather were stuffed into her hands.
"Eh? Eh?"
She lowered her head to take a look, and both her eyes shone.
"Is this the Immortal Salve? Are you really giving them to me? Oh my, how could I accept it?! I thought it would be just one, and yet you've given me so many. But since you've given me, wouldn't it be rude for me to not accept it?"
Cui Buqu: "You can have a bottle, but Feng-er will have the others."
Qin Miaoyu: "Ah?"
Cui Buqu: "Don't say it was me, just say that it's you who wants to give them to him."
Qin Miaoyu: "???"
She made a face: "This… wouldn't be too nice would it?"
Cui Buqu raised a brow: "Why wouldn't it be nice? You can say that you've adored him for a long time, and now that this is the best time, you are going to give him something as proof of your affections."
Qin Miaoyu: ….But the problem lies in the fact that it wasn't her who adored him!
Cui Buqu: "Then return them to me. I will find someone else to give it to him."
Qin Miaoyu immediately hugged the Immortal Salves in her hands tightly.
"Don't, don't. I can do it. Guaranteed it will be done. Just rest assured!"
Cui Buqu wasn't assured, and so he repeated one more time: "Remember not to mention me."
Qin Miaoyu nodded like a little chick. "Understood."
Watching Cui Buqu turning around to get up the horse carriage, she immediately pulled the other's sleeve.
"There is something else! The Second Commander wants to invite you to meet in the Luqi Pavilion of the Eastern City at sundown."
Feng Xiao's original words were: I want to give him a chance to admire how elegant and suave I look.
However, Qin Miaoyu automatically rephrased those words when it came to her. "The Second Commander misses you more than usual and hopes that he could spend the festival with you. You know as well that he has no family in the capital, and that he is alone. That's quite pitiful of him. Why don't you spare someone a little kindness as a favour?"
Cui Buqu gave her a half-smile as he looked at her. He did not say whether or not he would be attending before he lifted his sleeves and went into the horse carriage.
Qin Miaoyu couldn't force him, so she watched as his horse carriage left.
The Immortal Salve made her both joyous and troubled, in mixed feelings that were difficult to describe.
A headache was coming to her when she thought of all the possible reactions Feng Xiao would be having.
Nay, a rather massive headache was coming.