Cui finished speaking, bowed to the Old Madam, and then sat in her seat.
The Old Madam shot Zhao a displeased glance, knowing she couldn't win an argument with Cui and yet always coming out to embarrass herself.
The Old Madam dabbed the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief and said to Cui, "You've come at the right time. I have something to discuss with you. Yaowen will be thirteen next year. You know how hard it is to find a good teacher. I was thinking, Mingjing's tutor is quite reputable and teaches Mingjing very well. It's no different for him to teach one more student, so why not have Yaowen also study under him?"
Cui's brows furrowed, and her eyes immediately turned cold.
The Old Madam had a good plan, didn't she? Teaching one more student was no different? Was this a matter of simply adding one more student?
If she knew how hard it was to find a good teacher, she shouldn't have brought it up. While the Yu family was a Duke's mansion, it was unthinkable to invite a renowned tutor like Master Zi'an.
Master Zi'an's family had produced twelve imperial tutors. If it weren't for some past connection with the Cui family, let alone becoming his disciple, ordinary people would have a hard time even meeting him.
Madam Fan had quite the nerve to so casually suggest teaching Qin Wenyao as an afterthought.
The Qin and Yu families combined didn't have that much influence.
Yu Mingyue remembered that in the storybook, her mother had also not agreed to this matter.
The Old Madam had stirred up trouble in front of her father, who felt his authority as the head of the family undermined, and had a fight with her mother.
After that, her mother forbade her father from entering her Qingfeng Courtyard again.
"I should be helping Mother with her worries," Cui said. As soon as these words left her mouth, the Old Madam knew she likely had more to say, and her smile became somewhat stiff.
This daughter-in-law of hers was just like this, with no sense of filial duty, never putting her mother-in-law in her eyes.
As expected, Cui continued, "Mother is right, good teachers are hard to find, which is why all renowned tutors have eccentric personalities. It was my grandfather who personally intervened to invite Master Zi'an. He is already very reluctant to teach Mingjing alone, and I truly don't have the face to ask him."
"What's the point of being famous? He's just a tutor. Our Duke's mansion can afford the money," the second branch's Zhao, having been stung by Cui earlier, now wanted to retaliate.
Most importantly, she had selfish intentions. Her son would also be thirteen soon. If Master Zi'an could accept Qin Wenyao, he would have to accept her son too.
The Old Madam did not stop her, her expression showing a clear intention to support Zhao.
Zhao had spoken the words she wanted to say. He was just a tutor, so what? Was her grandson not good enough?
Aunt Yu Ruyi also felt uneasy. She disliked this sister-in-law immensely; her arrogant and condescending demeanor was annoying.
If only her elder brother hadn't married her.
The sound of Cui placing her teacup on the table was a distinct clink, certainly not a sign of Cui losing her composure.
On the contrary, her bearing was textbook perfect; even the Empress had praised Cui as a model of noble upbringing.
"Since Second Sister-in-law is so confident, then this matter should be entrusted to Second Sister-in-law. I'm sure you'll achieve great success." Cui smiled faintly, speaking unhurriedly, not taking Zhao seriously at all.
Zhao was again taken aback. That Master Zi'an was quite demanding; a mere tutor had his own courtyard and forbade anyone from disturbing him.
Even the young lord had to go to his courtyard to attend lessons, and others were not allowed near.
"Enough!" Madam Fan exclaimed, "You're everywhere. Instead of stirring up trouble, you should think about how to please your husband. A woman, consumed by jealousy, forces her husband to go out every day."
The Old Madam was venting her anger on Zhao, but she was also indirectly criticizing Cui for not knowing how to please her husband and for being jealous.