Cui Yu, four years Wei Luo’s senior at twenty-six, possessed an outstanding demeanor and a clear voice, in stark contrast to the high-pitched tone associated with eunuchs. The circulating rumors about him being a eunuch seemed baseless, and Wei Luo couldn’t fathom who was playing such tricks, especially in front of Mrs. Yin.
Recalling recent interactions, Wei Luo thought of his second sister-in-law. But how did she come across this information? He glanced at Wei Yan beside him.
The second elder brother, known for his flirtatious nature, could be coveting men? Was he the one who desired Cui Yu’s masculinity and spied on his bath?
Just as everyone cheered for Cui Yu’s well-received poem, the commotion interrupted Wei Luo’s suspicions. Midway through the banquet, King Yan suddenly experienced abdominal pain and, while urging everyone to continue enjoying themselves, excused himself and retreated to the other courtyard.
As soon as he left, the military officers became more relaxed, particularly Feng Teng, who was quite drunk and actually pulled Liao Shisan into a wrestling match. Other military officers joined in. Liao Shisan had no choice but to decide to wrestle with Feng Teng. As soon as the challenge was issued, a large group of people followed them, forming a circle to watch the two wrestle. When Feng Teng was eventually knocked down by Liao Shisan, other military officers entered the fray.
Only a handful of people remained at the banquet, including the expressionless Wei Luo, the captivated Wei Yan enchanted by the dance, and Cui Yu, pouring himself a drink. The Wei brothers stuck to wine, while Cui Yu opted for tea.
Suddenly, Cui Yu left the table and headed towards the clean room in the downwind area. Wei Luo glanced at Chang Feng imperceptibly and noticed him following.
Wei Yan poured himself a bowl of wine, about to pick it up when he heard a woman’s voice. Turning his head, he saw Wei Yan pulling a singer into his arms, taking a sip of the wine himself, and then bowing to feed the singer. Their lips pressed tightly together—the man having just eaten barbecue, and the woman with lips adorned in heavy makeup.
Wei Luo’s stomach twitched slightly, regretting why he had to watch. He put down the wine bowl heavily and walked towards the wrestling field with a sullen face.
Hearing the sound of him throwing the wine bowl, Wei Yan glanced distractedly, secretly amused. Those unaware might think the youngest was acting like a chicken.
Wei Luo reached the edge of the wrestling ring, and the people in front automatically gave up their positions.
At that moment, Liao Shisan and Commander Yang Jingzhong fell together. Both took off their outer robes and went into battle shirtless.
Wei Luo noticed the old scars on Liao Shisan’s body, obviously unpleasant, yet in his eyes, these scars were much more pleasing than those of the singers.
“Do you want to compete with the third brother?” Wei Yang walked over and patted him on the shoulder with a smile.
Wei Luo shook his head. While he often agreed when soldiers asked him to compete, he didn’t fancy the idea of shirtless wrestling.
On the side of the clean room, Cui Yu and Chang Feng walked to the door one after the other.
When Chang Feng saw the target turn his head and glance at him, he stopped, lowered his eyes, and said, “I don’t know if you don’t mind, my lord…”
Cui Yu smiled, saying, “Come in.” Even King Yan shared the toilet with the officials, so he didn’t mind using it with the guards.
However, with so many people inside, Cui Yu still felt a bit strange when Chang Feng followed him and chose the position next to him. Fortunately, they were all men, so Cui Yu didn’t think much about it.
Chang Feng lowered his head, unbuttoned his belt, and glanced at Cui Yu from the corner of his eye. He observed that he was also quite particular about such things, even covering it up with his dangling cuffs.
With the sound of water, Chang Feng became more anxious, embarrassed, and nervous. Although he didn’t understand why the third master asked him to check, he couldn’t afford to let the third master down.
In desperation, just as Cui Yu was about to pull up his pants, Chang Feng suddenly fell straight toward him.
“You…”
Cui Yu instinctively reached out to help him, but he moved a step slower. The strong gust of wind hit him hard, and the two of them tumbled down together again.
“Are you okay?” Seeing that Chang Feng wasn’t moving, Cui Yu quickly pulled up his pants and then offered assistance.
Chang Feng, with his eyes closed, woke up leisurely, wearing a dazed expression. “Mr. Cui?”
Cui Yu looked at him with concern. “You fell down just now.”
Chang Feng slowly sat upright, rubbing his head as if he didn’t understand what was going on.
Considering the upright posture of guards standing by their masters, regardless of the weather, riding horses with their masters, and standing when their masters rested, Cui Yu suggested, “Go and find the military doctor to take a look.”
Chang Feng stood up, bowed his head, and cupped his fists. “Thank you, young master, but please keep this matter a secret for me, and don’t tell the third master.”
Cui Yu naturally agreed. Chang Feng left first.
After the dinner, which lasted until almost two o’clock, was finally over, Chang Feng found an opportunity to tell his master, “Third Master, the rumors are not credible.”
He could prove that Mr. Cui was not only a real man but also a real gentleman. He should have been offended, but he still cared about him.
Wei Luo pretended not to understand what he was talking about and went straight to the other courtyard.
Returning too late, he had to take a shower again. Yin Hui had fallen asleep early. When Wei Luo came to the bedside with a lamp, the light woke her up.
“Are you back?” Yin Hui covered her eyes with her hand and said sleepily.
Wei Luo sat down and looked at her carefully. “Chang Feng went to check; he is in good health.”
Yin Hui took a moment to grasp the situation and frowned, subconsciously saying, “Since he is not, then who spread such rumors…”
“In short, it has nothing to do with you. Don’t spread rumors, and don’t believe in them.”
With that, Wei Luo turned off the lights and lay down to sleep.
Yin Hui, not feeling sleepy for the time being, sank into deep thought in the dark.
Cui Yu was not a eunuch.
If not, Cui Yu held a significant position when her father-in-law ascended the throne, and he was the younger brother of one of the four concubines in the harem. He had a promising future, so why did he leave home due to a rumor that could easily be clarified? Why did his departure bring tears to her father’s eyes?
Honestly, Yin Hui couldn’t fathom the image of her father-in-law crying.
Many uncertainties surrounded this matter, and it remained unclear whether it had any connection to Wei Ying’s distant marriage.
In her previous life, there was little information, and even after pondering for a long time, Yin Hui couldn’t find any clues.
Well, as the next-door sister-in-law and a good friend, she would assist Wei Ying to the best of her abilities. Since Wei Ying wasn’t infatuated with a false man for nothing, Yin Hui would support her in whatever challenges lay ahead.
The cost of angering her father-in-law was too high. Even if Wei Ying was fearless, Yin Hui couldn’t afford it.