Chapter 444: Chapter 443: Darling, Stop Pretending to Be Strong
Her reaction, Cui Yun saw it all, and was not surprised. The man maintained a clear and dignified demeanor, his authority evident.
He did not look away, but his tone suddenly became softer.
"Last year, He Chu had just ended an engagement and then immediately arranged a marriage with you. Since you had private interactions, you should have some sense of decency. If you have any restraint, Mrs. He should not have spoken so recklessly in front of her."
"The Shen Family case was personally judged by Magistrate Wang. If you are unsatisfied, you can go to the government office and beat the drum to appeal the case."
"One does not feel the pain if it is not on one’s own body. If she had any sympathy for those people of the Shen Family, that would be her indifference to her own mother and brother. The world is not fair to women, and their reputation cannot be spoiled. She is already in a difficult position, caught in the center of controversy; Mrs. He should choose her words wisely!"
"In my opinion, leaving her alive is already an act of kindness!"
He was extremely indifferent, suppressing Zhou Zhizhi to the extent that she hardly dared to breathe.
Everyone knew clearly that he had come for Shen Hua.
Cui Yun was always a man of few words.
Now, he was merely protecting Shen Hua’s reputation.
"Take her away, don’t let Miss Shen see this bad omen."
Ji Qing understood and respectfully bowed his head slightly: "Yes."
The troublemaker was completely cleared out, and Shen Hua did not raise her head even slightly. Her fingertips occasionally tugged on the tassels of the Jade Pendant.
It was the warm feeling of being protected.
Cui Yun stepped forward, looking at her as if no one else was present.
"Some time has passed since we last met, do you not recognize people anymore?"
Shen Hua cautiously glanced at him.
"I..."
She uttered a sound, but her words were choked in her throat.
The girl pondered with a furrowed brow, considering that she should not let his reputable image as the Minister of the Ministry of Justice be destroyed here.
Thus, she humbly looked at Cui Yun’s face.
"Thank you, Marquis, for your concern."
She spoke in an unusually awkward tone, "Why have you come here?"
Cui Yun was silent.
Shen Hua asked again, "Why have you come here?"
Cui Yun: ...
The girl blinked at him.
"How could you..."
Cui Yun looked at her steadily, indifferently: "Passing through."
Wang Xu: ...
Really playful!
He almost believed that these two really were not familiar!
"Is he the Marquis? Is he the same Marquis who took Miss Shen to Shengjing before?"
A soft gentle voice spoke up.
Zheng Qianyu looked towards the round-faced girl: "Indeed."
The round-faced girl moved closer to her and whispered.
"Wasn’t there a rumor that Miss Shen became a concubine and was then disdained by the noble? Could it be false? The Marquis came to look for her personally. It appears he still cares a lot."
Zheng Qianyu frowned, wishing she could clear things up for Shen Hua: "I said before, the Marquis took care of her due to an old friend’s request, but it was those gossipy foolish women outside who kept talking nonsense! Stirring trouble out of nothing!"
Everyone suddenly realized.
Shen Hua really isn’t someone content to just stay at home. She has too many flaws, how could a man of such integrity and honor like the Marquis have an affair with her?
Even if there were, could it be possible that after they eventually quarrel, a dignified gentleman like Cui Yun would lower himself to deal with a stringent and unyielding girl like Shen Hua?
Impossible.
"No wonder it seemed like that, they are very estranged. I always said, in earlier years, Zhou Zhizhi and He Chu were very close. Every time something happened to Zhou Zhizhi, he would protect her extensively. He never avoided it in public, if they weren’t involved, the relationship might have become tangled long ago. In this light, Miss Shen is the real victim."
"What Zhou Zhizhi said just now was indeed excessive. No matter right or wrong, it’s not her place to point fingers at what Miss Shen does. As if everyone has to respect her."
"Zhou Zhizhi indeed brought it upon herself. Had she not provoked Miss Shen, how would she have suffered? After getting married, she clung to the matter even more, fortunately this time it involves Miss Shen. If it were any other girl, who wasn’t strong-minded, the idle gossip alone might have driven her to hang herself with a white silk."
The people’s true intentions aside, Shen Hua was pleased to hear this.
It just so happened that Wang Xu threw in a random comment.
"Ms. Ge originally said she had invited an opera troupe here, now that she has left, I don’t know if the performance will still go on."
Zheng Qianyu asked curiously, "Which opera troupe is it?"
"Muchun Garden’s."
"That’s the troupe Shen Hua often visits. When she was nine, she even spent a large sum of money just to have one of the young male actors accompany her for meals."
"He has become even more handsome now, with a great voice, singing with such poignant emotion that everyone in Fengzhou City praises him. The last time at my Daddy’s birthday banquet, he even asked about you."
Shen Hua couldn’t maintain her proud smile.
She knew it, Zheng Qianyu was not worthy to be her close friend! Then they heard a faint laugh from above. The girl’s scalp tingled inexplicably.
Cui Yun: "Miss Shen loves opera."
Zheng Qianyu clenched her fists: "Since the Marquis is here so seldom, why not let her show her hospitality and take you to listen to a performance?"
"He doesn’t like to listen!" Shen Hua rushed to say.
Cui Yun pondered for a moment: "It’s indeed possible to listen."
"The Marquis is busy with many affairs—"
"Right now, I actually have some free time."
Cui Yun lowered his eyes, still speaking unhurriedly: "I must meet this handsome young actor who has caught Miss Shen’s admiration."
Zheng Qianyu smiled mischievously: "Then—"
"Mr. Mi!"
Shen Hua: "Shut up."
Zheng Qianyu looked innocent.
She inexplicably glanced at Wang Xu.
Wang Xu took two steps back, widening the gap between them, as if fearing stupidity was contagious.
Cui Yun calculated the time, it was nearly dusk, muttering: "Not sure if we can still make it now."
"We can’t make it!"
Shen Hua shook her head sincerely: "Perhaps another time."
"No matter."
Cui Yun gave her a slight smile.
"Miss Shen will always be able to spend generously again."
Shen Hua: !!!
He’s getting impatient!
This man is jealous!
Rarely seen, Shen Hua subconsciously cupped her face and gazed for a while. Her lips unwittingly curved upwards in joy, thinking of getting up to twirl around Cui Yun.
Cui Yun’s patience had run out, he dusted his robe: "Aren’t we going?"
An embroidered shoe peeked out from her skirt, the girl shook it at him.
"Injured my foot, can’t go."
No wonder she had been sitting all this time.
Cui Yun frowned and crouched down. Upon seeing this, Shen Hua withdrew again. She lowered her voice, her lips parting and closing: "There are so many people watching."
That pair of eyes were all staring wide now.
Cui Yun raised his eyelids, just asking: "Did you apply any medicine?"
The girl shook her head.
Shen Hua felt very sad, she sniffled.
"I feel it’s already rather mangled."
"I’ll take you back."
He wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her up. Shen Hua quickly hugged his neck, but soon let go again.
"No no no, this isn’t appropriate."
The girl strained herself greatly being so dramatic: "How could I let the Marquis stoop so low."
"Yes! I! Am! Not! Worthy!"
Saying so, she was about to jump down.
"Behave."
Cui Yun’s steps didn’t stop, his tone calm and unruffled, it was unclear whom he was scolding: "My dear, you better not overestimate yourself."