In a moment of impulse, I forcibly kissed my brother's best friend.

Xie Yige took the dress and gently stroked the smooth silk surface with her fingers.

"This one will do."

Bichun's eyes lit up, and she immediately took the dress: "How about I style your hair into a butterfly bun? Paired with the 'Gilded Butterfly Dance' headdress given to you by Princess Yuzhen, it will surely be gorgeous."

Zhi Xia leaned against the cabinet, watching this scene expressionlessly, silently thinking to herself: Why does she have a feeling that someone might be jealous?

After getting dressed, Cui Yutang prepared to go out.

"It's still early, she's probably still sleeping in." He glanced at the sky, a smile appearing on his lips. "Let's go to the pastry shop where she couldn't buy anything last time." When he spoke of her, his eyes were full of affection, and his whole demeanor softened.

Bao Yu followed behind, his heart filled with mixed feelings: "Master, there's a long line at that shop, are you sure you want to go?" He felt that he was still too naive, and should have realized that this day would come when he complained last time.

"Stop talking nonsense and get going."

As soon as the two reached the front hall, they suddenly encountered a man—a eunuch dressed in a gray-blue robe, holding a whisk, standing in the hall with an imposing air.

"Please wait, Scholar Cui, we've been looking for you."

Cui Yutang's expression froze, and he stopped in his tracks. This attire belonged to the head eunuch of the inner palace.

"Father-in-law, may I ask what business you have with me?" His expression remained unchanged, but his tone became somewhat indifferent.

"By imperial decree of the Imperial Concubine, Cui Yutang, the top scholar, is ordered to come to court immediately."

Cui Yutang's expression turned completely cold: "May I ask what business Your Highness has with me?"

"This is not something I could know," the eunuch said with a smile, but his tone left no room for refusal. "Scholar Cui, you should hurry up and leave, lest you keep Her Majesty waiting."

Cui Yutang was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly: "Please wait a moment, sir, I'll be right back."

Without waiting for the eunuch to react, she quickly led Baoyu out of the front hall.

Turning into the corridor, he lowered his voice: "Go find Steward Cui and tell him to find an opportunity to tell Father about my situation. Father is still in court right now." He lowered his head and thought for a moment, his eyes becoming somewhat gloomy, "Then go to the Zhou residence in person and tell her... just say that I will go to see her another day."

"Master, are you in danger?" Bao Yu frowned deeply, feeling a strong sense of unease.

"Consort Zheng is the Second Prince's birth mother. Her visit at this time is ill-intentioned." Cui Yutang paused for a moment, then lowered his voice, "Don't let her worry."

"Scholar Cui, are you done yet?" The eunuch's shrill voice rang out again from outside.

Bao Yu nodded quickly. Cui Yutang took a deep breath, returned to the front hall, and followed the eunuch out of the Prime Minister's residence.

Upon arriving at the Yanxi Gate of the Imperial City, the gatekeepers verified his registration. Cui Yutang alighted from the carriage as required by regulations and removed the soft sword from his waist. He walked along the palace road, passing through layers of vermilion gates and forbidden walls, and traversing several palace courtyards before finally arriving at the residence of Consort Zheng—the Guanju Palace.

Cui Yutang was led into the inner palace by a palace maid.

Consort Zheng wore a scarlet ceremonial robe adorned with gold phoenix patterns and hairpins, her hair styled in a cloud-like bun and embroidered with nine red gold pearl hairpins, exuding elegance and grace.

She sat upright on the golden chair. When she saw Cui Yutang enter, her fox-like eyes smiled faintly, a hint of darkness flashing across them.

Cui Yutang lowered his sleeves and bowed deeply, performing a grand salute: "Your subject Cui Yutang pays respects to Your Highness the Noble Consort."

Consort Zheng did not immediately make him rise, but instead scrutinized him carefully for a long time. Her gaze was sharp, as if she were examining something.

After a long silence, she slowly raised her hand: "Cui Yutang, our Cui and Zheng families are both among the 'Five Surnames and Seven Noble Families,' so we are all family. There is no need for such formalities."

Cui Yutang stood up, looking at Consort Zheng, who sat regally above him, with neither servility nor arrogance, and asked calmly, "May I ask what brings Your Highness here to summon me?"

Consort Zheng smiled slightly, a smile that was proper and elegant, revealing her intimacy.

"The Cui family of Qinghe is a prestigious clan, and you have just won the imperial examination, a time of great joy for you. My ninth princess is gentle and beautiful. If you two were to marry, the Cui family would be able to maintain its position in the court, the relationship between our Cui and Zheng families would be even closer, and you would be doubly happy."

Cui Yutang's face instantly darkened.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but I am already engaged and cannot comply."

Consort Zheng's faint, fake smile suddenly froze, the fine lines at the corners of her eyes deepened, and fine powder fell from her eyes: "I have never heard of you being engaged. Are you perhaps deceiving me?"

"I have always kept a low profile, as everyone knows," Cui Yutang said calmly, without any ripples. "Therefore, the matter of the engagement has not been made public. The two families have already exchanged betrothal tokens, with heaven and earth as witnesses."

The atmosphere in the hall instantly turned cold, and a hint of murderous intent filled the air.

"Do you know what crime it is to deceive me?" Consort Zheng's voice was as cold as ice.

"Your subject dares not deceive you." Cui Yutang looked directly into her eyes and said, word by word, "The betrothal token is the imperial clan token representing my status. As one of the 'Five Surnames and Seven Noble Families,' Your Highness should know the significance of this token."

He pondered for a moment, then added, "Princess Yuzhen can testify to this matter."

Consort Zheng's pupils contracted slightly. Li Yuzhen was, after all, a princess of the royal family; if she testified, this matter would not be easily let go. But she clearly did not intend to give up so easily.

"It's just an engagement, not a formal betrothal or marriage yet." She picked up her teacup again, her tone cold and threatening. "I don't mind. If you truly feel guilty towards that woman, you can take her as a concubine after the Ninth Princess's wedding to you."

A flash of anger crossed Cui Yutang's eyes, but he suppressed it.

"The Cui family of Qinghe has always been a family of integrity, which is why we have been able to stand for hundreds of years." His voice was not loud, but every word was firm and resounding. "Does Your Highness truly intend for our two families to completely sever ties?"

"Cui Yutang, how dare you!" Consort Zheng slammed her hand on the table, making the teacups rattle loudly.

"Your subject dares not." Cui Yutang immediately knelt down, but his back remained ramrod straight.

Consort Zheng looked at his unyielding demeanor, took a deep breath, and suppressed her anger. She changed her tone and spoke earnestly.

"Cui Yutang, you should understand that after the Crown Prince is deposed, the Second Prince is the head of all the princes. This matter can only benefit you, not harm you. With our two families joining forces, he will surely have a bright future. Why would you give up your and your family's promising future for a woman?"

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your kindness," Cui Yutang replied calmly, a hint of sarcasm flashing across his lips. "But you should know that our Cui family has no interest in the struggle for imperial power. Otherwise, we would have sent the women of our clan to the palace long ago."

Consort Zheng clenched her fingers tightly in her sleeve, her anger rising in waves, mixed with a hint of grievance.

"Looks like you're going to have to suffer the consequences," she said coldly. "You'd better kneel here and reflect on your actions."