"My nephew wishes Old Madam a fortune as vast as the Eastern Sea and a lifespan as enduring as the Southern Mountain."
As Vice Minister of Personnel, Cui Wenhu normally would have been doing well if he did not fight the noble Lineages bloody-headed over every little matter.
Yet now, not only had he come personally to offer birthday wishes, he was also exceedingly respectful in his manners.
He looked every bit like a family friend of long standing.
Most importantly, he had brought his daughter with him.
"Xiaoqian, come quickly and pay respects to the birthday star."
Cui Wenhu called to his daughter.
Soon, a quiet and delicate girl of sixteen or seventeen stepped out from behind him and softly paid her respects to Old Madam. Before she had spoken more than a few words, her face had already turned bright red.
Clearly, she had been raised in the inner chambers and rarely met strangers.
Yet though shy, the girl did not lose her manners. Her words were elegant and fluent, and a few auspicious phrases made Old Madam laugh heartily.
This display left everyone in the hall utterly baffled.
A young lady from an official family, brought out to meet people before even leaving the pavilion?
If Cui Wenhu had risen from humble origins and become an official through the examinations, it might have made sense for him not to care much for such rules.
But Cui Wenhu came from the Qingyuan Cui Family, one of the Twelve Great Families of the World, and from the direct line of its main branch. Their rules had been carved into their bones.
Could it be that Cui Wenhu wished to forge a marriage alliance with Marquis Changxin's household? But with which young man?
Marquis Changxin's family had two sons. One