Even women who travel through time can become prime ministers and nobles.

Chapter 262 Returning to the Prime Minister's Residence

At the palace gate, people came and went, creating a bustling and noisy atmosphere, yet there was also a strange sense of oppression.

Cui Zhihao wore a moon-white brocade robe, its hem fluttering in the wind. His posture was as upright as a pine tree, and his sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes revealed a hint of fatigue from just coming out of the palace, as well as a trace of worry that was not easily detected.

Shi Wanxia moved gracefully beside him, wearing a light pink silk dress with delicate floral embroidery on the hem.

Her long, black hair was tied up with a single plain ribbon. Her face was beautiful and her eyes were like brimming autumn water, but at this moment, there was also some unease hidden in her eyes.

The Cui family's steward was already waiting there. When he saw the two of them come out, he ran forward and knelt down with a thud, performing a grand salute.

He called out, "Young master, this old servant is here on the orders of my master to await your return. My master and the head of the household have important matters to discuss with you. Please come in!"

After saying that, the butler quickly waved to the guards behind him. The guards were well-trained and stepped forward to help Cui Zhihao into the car.

Cui Zhihao stepped aside and quickly reached out to stop him, his eyes fixed on the butler, and asked, "Uncle Cui, did my uncle and elder brother send you?"

His voice was deep and magnetic, but at this moment it carried a hint of wariness.

Steward Cui nodded hurriedly, his face full of a fawning smile: "It was indeed the two masters who instructed us. Young master, please return to the manor quickly, don't keep the masters waiting."

Choi Ji-ho subconsciously bit his lower lip, silently considering what he was about to face.

He glanced at Shi Wanxia and saw that she had her head slightly lowered, her pearly teeth gently biting her lower lip, like a frightened fawn.

He knew that what his uncle and elder brother were about to say next would definitely be something important, such as family honor and career prospects.

Miss Shi is a weak woman, and she certainly cannot bear such a scene of open and covert struggles. He does not want her to live in fear and be involved in this unnecessary trouble.

However, Miss Shi was new to the capital and unfamiliar with the place, so where could she find a suitable place to stay?

Although the capital city is vast, it seems there is no place for a lone woman to settle down. Cui Zhihao was in a dilemma, standing still, unable to move forward or backward.

As he looked at Shi Wanxia with embarrassment, trying to find a clue in her eyes.

Butler Cui's tactless voice rang out again: "Young master, the master has also instructed that Miss Shi will stay at the Prime Minister's residence temporarily, and the madam has also made all the arrangements."

Upon hearing this, Choi Ji-ho's brows furrowed even more, and a complex emotion flashed in his deep eyes.

He recalled how, in the imperial court today, he had declared in front of everyone that he would break away from the Cui clan genealogy of Qinghe.

At that time, he was only thinking about pursuing freedom, seeking his ideals, and breaking free from the shackles imposed by his family.

His uncles must be furious. They must be calling him back to the mansion to persuade him to change his mind.

He glanced at Shi Wanxia and saw that her eyes were also full of hesitation and worry.

Cui Zhihao felt a pang of pain in his heart. He knew that once he entered the Prime Minister's residence, he would be facing a war without gunpowder.

The pressure from her family and the expectations of her elders will come like a tidal wave. But if she doesn't move forward, what will become of Miss Shi?

After hesitating for a long time, Cui Zhihao finally spoke, his voice soft but firm: "Uncle Cui, I understand. Please go back and tell your uncle and elder brother that Miss Shi and I will arrive shortly."

The butler did not move, his posture as upright as a pine tree, his respect as if etched into his wrinkles. He knew in his heart that the master's and the head of the family's orders were as heavy as mountains, and he dared not make the slightest mistake.

"Young master, please don't make things difficult for this old servant. Please get in the carriage."

The butler bowed slightly, his words were polite but his tone was authoritative, carrying the dignity he had cultivated over many years in a grand mansion.

Cui Zhihao frowned, his thin lips pressed together, and his gaze shifted between the butler and Shi Wanxia.

Seeing the steward's determined look, he knew he couldn't persuade him today, so he could only sigh and get into the carriage with the help of the guards.

Seeing that Cui Zhihao had compromised, the steward secretly breathed a sigh of relief and quickly waved to the maid next to another carriage.

The maids understood immediately and moved quietly to Shi Wanxia's side, saying softly, "Miss Shi, please get in the carriage and watch your step."

Inside the carriage, Choi Ji-ho leaned against the soft cushions, but he was far from comfortable. His long, slender fingers tapped his knees absently, his heart filled with worry.

He knew full well that his declaration in court today had undoubtedly thrown a boulder into the calm lake of his family. By breaking away from the Qinghe Cui clan, his parents, who always valued the family's reputation, would surely be furious in the future.

But when his gaze passed through the carriage window towards the direction of Shi Wanxia's carriage, a sense of determination welled up within him.

To prevent her from being swayed by the intrigues of imperial power, to uphold his ideal of governing the country and ensuring peace, and to ensure that all people could live a good life, he had no other choice!

The convoy drove smoothly along the streets of the imperial city, where the setting sun cast a warm yellow glow on everything.

The streets were bustling with people, filled with the sounds of vendors hawking their wares and laughter. Every now and then, caravans of merchants from the Western Regions, with their high noses and deep-set eyes, would appear, leading camels laden with a dazzling array of exotic goods, adding to the prosperity and hustle and bustle of the capital.

Before long, the imposing plaque of the Prime Minister's residence came into view.

Cui Zhihao alighted from the carriage first, then turned and reached out to steady Shi Wanxia as she followed. Led by the steward, the two entered the mansion through a side gate.

After navigating several corridors, Cui Zhihao spotted Cui Zhe and Cui Yan sitting upright in the main hall, clearly having been waiting for him for some time.

Inside the hall, the Prime Minister's wife sat gracefully to one side, casually stroking the handkerchief in her hand, her eyes occasionally glancing towards the doorway.

Standing beside her was a young man, tall and straight, expressionless, but with sharp eyes. From the very beginning, the meeting was filled with an atmosphere of tension.

Inside the Cui family mansion, the atmosphere was heavy and oppressive, like a leaden cloud hanging over the place. Cui Yan, the current head of the Qinghe Cui family, had a somber expression, and the disgust and hatred in his eyes seemed to set the hall ablaze.

Shi Wanxia stood quietly in a corner, her delicate figure feeling as if she were being pricked by thorns. She knew that she was an anomaly amidst the hostility of the Cui clan members in the room.

"If it weren't for this vixen, how could my nephew have been so blinded by greed and disobeyed the family!"

Cui Zhe felt a surge of anger. The Qinghe Cui family had been a prominent family for hundreds of years, the head of all the aristocratic families in the country, with deep roots. How could he allow a woman from another family to easily undermine it?

"Miss Shi,"

Cui Zhe suppressed his anger, his voice cold and hard.

"I still have family matters to attend to. It is getting late. You should come with my wife to have a meal and wash up."

Shi Wanxia was worried about Cui Zhihao, and her steps faltered. She was an orphan who had drifted here, and was fortunate to have Cui Zhihao's help, which allowed her to find some warmth in this bustling yet cold capital city.

However, at present, I am an outsider and it is not appropriate for me to interfere too much in the internal affairs of the Cui family.

The Prime Minister's wife, with her graceful demeanor, quickly called her maid to help Shi Wanxia walk outside, half-persuading and half-supporting her.

"Please don't worry, young lady. My master will surely make a decision. Please come with me to the side room to rest."

Before Shi Wanxia could refuse, she was already surrounded and led out of the hall.