The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Song Ci’s open-ended inquiry made Cui Changxiao blush, leading him to ask, "How did Madam know I have a request?"

Did he make it that obvious?

"As the saying goes, ’If there’s nothing happening, one doesn’t visit the temple.’ If you just came by for sightseeing, then sightseeing it should be. But you insisted on having me stay for tea, indicating you have something to ask. If not, then let’s just assume I misunderstood, no need to feel embarrassed about it, right?" Song Ci said with a smile.

Cui Changxiao replied, "They all say you are a transparent and broad-minded person, with a heart as clear as water, and indeed, nothing escapes your notice."

"Is there truly something going on then?"

Cui Changxiao took a sip of tea, cleared his throat, and said, "Actually, it’s not anything particular, just wondering if Madam has found someone to manage your Charitable School? Oh, I mean someone like a Mountain Master."

Song Ci, surprised and teasing, said, "Why, do you, a Prince Consort and top-ranked scholar, wish to resign from the Emperor’s grand temple to become a humble Mountain Master in my small school? How could this Charitable School ever have the honor to accommodate such a great deity like you!"

Cui Changxiao joyously smiled, quickly waving his hand, "Not at all, if you haven’t found the right person yet, I have someone in mind to recommend to you. I’m not sure if that would be to your liking."

"Ah, that makes sense," Song Ci remarked, understanding. "Someone held in such high regard by a descendant of the Cui family from Qinghe must surely be exceptionally talented. Tell me, who might this person be? If it’s a respected scholar, remember my words remain the same: this temple is small, fear it may not be worthy."

Cui Changxiao shook his head, "Not a grand scholar, but rather an aunt of mine, a virtuous lady well-versed in poetry and literature, once reputed as a noble lady of the Qinghe Cui family, skilled in arithmetic and household management. However, her temperament is a bit stubborn and proud, plainly speaking, she is rather strong-minded."

"And what is her story?"

Cui Changxiao was surprised and smiled wryly, "You’ve guessed it again."

He sighed, saying, "My aunt, just turned thirty this year, separated from her husband’s family but did not return to her maternal home nor did she remarry. For the past two years, she has been acting as a governess for household ladies and came to the capital this summer, seeking relaxation and yearning to become a tutor here."

"I feel that being a governess is unstable, and inner households are rife with filth and conflict. It may be more freeing to be a teacher in schools, and coincidentally, since you have a Charitable School here, this thought arose in my mind," Cui Changxiao continued, "Given my aunt’s knowledge and household management skills, serving as a Mountain Master at your school would not be unworthy."

Song Ci laughed and said, "You’re certainly confident; let me boldly ask, why did she separate from her husband?"

Cui Changxiao’s smile turned cold as he said, "It’s nothing secretive, merely met with Chen Shimei. My aunt married late, having chosen her previous husband, who was impoverished but passed the scholar exam. They met and knew each other deeply, leading her to sever ties with uncles and cousins, insisting her heart belong only to him. As a result, for ten years, my aunt aided him to climb the ranks, becoming the Deputy Magistrate of Tongzhou, yet had no children in a decade. Originally, there was an agreement to adopt a son from his brothers, but unexpectedly, he secretly acquired a mistress and bore a son, intending to bring that child under my aunt’s name. Consequently..."

He did not need to say more; the result is clear. They’ve separated, and her refusal must have been fiercely resolute.

Song Ci slapped his tongue and said, "Indeed, another real-life melodramatic story."

The tale of a noble lady and a phoenix man—a staple plot in household drama stories.

Cui Changxiao had just taken a sip of tea and choked upon hearing this.

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