Chapter 411: Chapter 410: Are We Really Sleeping Together Tonight?
The gentle breeze blew softly, carrying with it a touch of warmth.
Cui Yun gazed at her deeply, the weariness in his eyes was plain to see, yet his mind was exceptionally clear.
Shen Hua was supposed to be radiant and unrestrained, but the woman before him concealed a fragility and caution. She ought to be cherished to the utmost, yet it was he who had brought her this undue grievance.
It was as if he had been struck by a heavy blow.
It turned out that what he had done was far from enough.
In the political arena, he was a mastermind, but in matters of love, Cui Yun at his most prudent was still but a greenhorn.
With Xue Tuan, though he indulged it, when Xue Tuan misbehaved, punishment was still meted out. One could say he was cold and ruthless.
Every time Xue Tuan threw a tantrum, a flick of his hand would teach it the cruel realities of the human world.
But Shen Hua was different.
She was once lost, but having regained her, she became the constant focus of his thoughts.
Even if he had not known she was Xue Tuan, he must admit that when he brought the girl back to Marquis Yangling Mansion, Shen Hua was already a special presence.
He... would have fallen for her sooner or later.
In this matter, perhaps he wasn’t at fault, but causing Shen Hua’s eyes to redden was indeed inexcusable.
Cui Yun, you really are a bastard.
Seeing the girl defending the clean official, he felt a twinge of jealousy. And what about Shen Hua then, the most pampered girl, what were her feelings at that time?
Shen Hua waited for a moment, but no response came.
Her shoulders drooped, and she sulked with her face in her hands. Yet from above her head came Cui Yun’s voice.
"It’s my fault."
Shen Hua pursed her lips.
"You just realized that, huh?"
Seeing this, Cui Yun’s dark eyes trembled fiercely; he thought that a clear explanation would suffice, but he failed to consider the sensitive and delicate thoughts of a young woman.
Luckily it was Shen Hua; she couldn’t hide her true feelings. She made it crystal clear to him—I’m still holding a grudge, now it’s up to you to deal with it.
Had it been anyone else, resentment could have taken root deep in their heart, eventually becoming a thorn over time.
"Flowery rhetoric is not my strong suit, even if I were to utter a bunch of pretty words, and try to be slick, you wouldn’t believe me."
"But I feel that some things should be said at least once."
He looked at her sincerely, speaking in a low voice.
"It’s my first time adoring a girl, wanting to cherish and treat her well. But in my actions, there are inevitably oversights, resulting in negligence."
"Miss Shen, can you forgive me this once?"
The person before her, lowering his voice in supplication, finally made her feel thoroughly appeased!
Shen Hua’s mouth couldn’t help but turn upwards, but she restrained it with effort and tried to smooth it over. The girl’s eyes sparkled brightly, but her face remained stern.
"No."
Cui Yun raised his eyebrows slightly, somewhat at a loss.
Shen Hua cleared her throat and posed authoritatively: "Alright, ask me again."
She extended two thumbs and waved them in front of Cui Yun.
"You have to ask twice, I might just reluctantly agree to double requests."
Fearing that Cui Yun might think she was being too demanding, Shen Hua quickly added.
"Anyone else would have received four cold looks from me, there’s a limit to everything, but see, I’m also considerate towards you. You really should cherish that."
"Hurry up!"
Seeing Cui Yun remain unmoved, she urged, "I’m ready."
Cui Yun’s expression turned to one of helplessness.
She’s really here to torment me.
Yet, seeing Shen Hua revert to her pretentious demeanor, he breathed a sigh of relief.
He didn’t ask, but instead said.
"If all goes well, the issues in Hengzhou should be resolved within three months at most."
There’s no shortage of evidence in hand.
But the deeper the investigation goes, the more corruptions uncovered.
Emperor He sent him here solely for the investigation. He didn’t expect him to eradicate all the corrupt vermin of Hengzhou in one swoop.
If he doesn’t act, Emperor He certainly won’t.
Da Qi has long been rotten to the core.
Nurturing a bunch of gluttonous wastes, bringing disaster to the common people. A nation’s Emperor, with power divided among his subordinates, is nothing more than timidity and incompetence.
The kingdom should have changed hands long ago.
He said.
"When we return to Shengjing, I will list all the storehouses, shops, villages, and residences under my name into a document."
Shen Hua suddenly looked at him.
Cui Yun had just started speaking, yet she seemed to have guessed what he was about to say.
And sure enough, the man’s soothing voice rose again.
"The ways of the world are not in chaos, but they are severe. Born as human beings, yet men are often given too much leniency, while girls must always be treated as less. Life is too long, and there are too many unexpected changes. Men who are fickle in love are not uncommon; it’s understandable for you to fear."
"I am, after all, a mere mortal, not as noble or virtuous as others see from the outside. There have been instances where I’ve burned bridges and done things too disgraceful to put into words. However, one of my virtues is not being flirtatious. I am devoted to only one person."
"I will include all those into the betrothal gifts."
"I’m not in need of money."
Shen Hua: "If you give me all your wealth, you’ll have to rely on me for a living. Aren’t you afraid that one day if I am displeased, I will treat you harshly and you won’t even have the silver for food?"
"Then it means that I have not done well enough and have upset you, and deserve to be at your mercy."
Cui Yun said with a warm voice, "If worldly possessions can be exchanged for marrying a girl, then it’s me who has the advantage."
Shen Hua: !!!
Do you really not know how to speak sweet nothings? She was nearly drowning in a honey pot!
The next moment, the grating sound of a chair being dragged on the floor was heard, and Cui Yun sat down with a little force, pulling the girl into his arms, forcing her to lift her head and placing his forehead against hers.
"It’s been a long time since I’ve held you like this."
Shen Hua whispered quietly, "Perhaps it’s been a while since you kissed me too."
With that said, she gently touched her fingertips to her lips.
He leaned in and captured them with his mouth.
But as he drew near, Shen Hua caught a faint scent of blood.
She pushed away the person in front of her, leaning her body back to evade his affection. Then she grabbed the arm she had bumped into earlier and without a second word, she pulled his sleeve up.
Cui Yun, seeing that he couldn’t avoid it, let her proceed with her actions.
The wound on his forearm had burst open, and the bandage was already soaked with blood.
Shen Hua was anxiously troubled, feeling the pain just by looking at it.
"Didn’t you say it was nothing serious, why does it look so severe?"
"I was ambushed at the mine last night, just a minor injury, it will heal after a few days," he said, chuckling softly. "Does it hurt your heart?"
"Still able to laugh about it? If your whole arm was broken and you became disabled, I can’t guarantee I wouldn’t feel even more distressed. Do you want to try?"
"I’ll have Ying Yi come and apply medicine for you."
"No need."
Cui Yun stood up, opened a cabinet, and took out some medicine powder.
Shen Hua leaned in.
"But I don’t know how."
"What if I can’t control my strength and hurt you again?"
Cui Yun glanced at Shen Hua, who was feeling guilty. He expertly sprinkled the medicine powder on and rebandaged the wound. It was inconvenient with one hand, so he bit one end of the bandage to help tie the knot. His movements were slow, but they were inexplicably captivating.
Shen Hua stuttered, "Are we really going to sleep together tonight?"
"You’re like this, and I feel that..."
Her voice grew softer and reddened her face, fading away until it disappeared.
Cui Yun finished bandaging and looked at her lazily with amusement.
"Why stop? Continue speaking."
Shen Hua felt like bumping into him again.
Cui Yun: "Should I also apply medicine to your arm?"
"I’m not injured, what medicine do I need?"
Shen Hua accused him: "You said you were fine, that’s why I bumped into you."
"I still hurt now."
"Don’t you know how tough you are?"
Cui Yun was stunned for a moment; his eyes deepened. He raised his hand to his forehead, unable to suppress a chuckle.
"You really dare to say anything."
"Without even trying, you’re already so clear about it."
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