Chapter 283: Chapter 283: Cui Yun Actually Feels a Bit Sorry for Xie Xun
Xie Xun frowned deeply, but soon his features relaxed again.
He could understand Cui Yun.
If some other young man approached Shen Hua, he too would not present a friendly face. How could one allow others to covet a fine girl from his own family?
Cui Yun, unaware of his identity, thus looked down on his actions; this cousin who showed up halfway was indeed doing his job.
He chuckled.
"Having been in the military for years, the fish I grill tastes quite good. Later tonight, let Marquis Cui and Miss Shen have a taste."
Shen Hua promptly agreed, "Sounds good."
"We originally came here to eat fish, and since Heir Xie is cooking, we’ll wait to enjoy it."
Cui Yun cautiously said, "Shen Hua."
Shen Hua looked up at Cui Yun, taking it as him not wishing to owe anyone favors. In the past, Shen Hua would not have wanted it either, but now, of course, it was a different matter.
"If he’s willing, cousin, why bother being so polite to him? Why not sit back, do nothing, and wait for a feast?"
The girl also gave Xie Xun detailed instructions, "Grill it until it’s crispy, I like it that way."
"Alright."
"Make it crispy for my cousin too."
"Alright."
Cui Yun paused, the girl still remembers to take care of herself at this time?
It seems that no matter how attentive Xie Xun is, the girl, without a care in the world, won’t take him to heart.
At this moment, Cui Yun felt somewhat sorry for Xie Xun.
His frown relaxed, and he managed a smirk, "Then I’ll trouble you."
Cui Yun flicked his clothes and apologized to Xie Xun, "My cousin is really straightforward with her commands. It’s really informal of her. My apologies for the awkwardness, Heir Xie."
Ji Huo was infuriated when he heard this: ???
Xie Xun! Rebuke him!
But Xie Xun just smiled, "It’s nothing."
Ji Huo: ...
He hadn’t expected that Xie Xun could be so humble for the sake of Shen Hua.
Before his eyes, the previously serious atmosphere had been whimsically turned over, replaced by a tranquil ambience, as if the earlier scene had never happened.
Ji Huo, who was watching, felt rather displeased by this. When Xie Xun walked away and Cui Yun took Shen Hua to collect firewood from the surroundings, Ji Huo was utterly puzzled, "What’s going on? With such arrogant provocation, I couldn’t stand looking at it, yet Xie Xun even smiled about it?"
"It’s one thing inviting Miss Shen for fish, but why would he extend the invitation to Cui Yun?"
He nudged Ji Ge who stood next to him, "Do you understand what’s happening?"
Ji Ge fell into deep thought. It was hard to know how long it took.
"Do you know why I’m friendly with Cui Yun?"
"Friendly? You’ve obviously been shamelessly clinging to him."
"Fine, then do you know why I shamelessly cling to him?"
Ji Huo replied with annoyance, "How should I know!"
Ji Ge explained earnestly, "Shengjing’s top two are him and Xie Xun. I never had a place. Like attracts like; I always thought that by spending time with them, I’d eventually learn something. Over time, if I couldn’t replace Xie Xun, perhaps there might be a third among Shengjing’s most sought after."
Ji Huo: ??? "I wouldn’t even dare dream of that."
As if Ji Ge didn’t hear, he continued, "But I’ve strived for so many years, and all I’ve done is run in circles without meaning."
He calmly added, "So, why do you think I would understand?"
Over here.
Xie Xun approached Ji Teng.
Just as he thought, Ji Teng’s patience was superb. Unlike the other two, his fish basket was already full.
All of them plump and beautiful.
Ji Teng looked at the lake, its surface rippled in concentric circles by the wind.
"Cui Yun doesn’t like you."
His voice was low but clear enough for Xie Xun to hear distinctly.
"On what grounds do you say that?"
"I have quite a good understanding of him."
Xie Xun was taken aback. He clearly remembered that when he returned to Shengjing with Ji Teng earlier in the year, he had tried to share the current situation with him.
He had barely started talking about Ji Zhui when Ji Teng showed no interest in his affairs.
At that time, all he did was ask.
——Do you know Cui Yun from Marquis Yangling Mansion? Tell me about him.
Xie Xun knew that back when the Shao family met their tragic end, it was Cui Yang who had carried out the execution. Yet Ji Teng’s attitude towards Cui Yun had always been inscrutable, leaving Xie Xun unable to discern any resentment.
Mindful of Shen Hua, he weighed his words before speaking out.
"There aren’t many reliable people in Shengjing. What do you think of him? Not to mention the high status of Marquis Yangling Mansion, he has also been through ups and downs in the officialdom for years, with his own connections..."
"Although the Minister of Ministry of Justice holds a third-rank position, the power in his hands surpasses many of the veteran ministers," said Xie Xun.
Xie Xun added, "He’s not blindly loyal, and indeed differs from his father and brothers. Over these years, he has focused on maintaining stability in his actions, likely unwilling to get involved in the murky waters between the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince."
However, Ji Teng said, "It’s precisely such a person who is most suited to be a flatterer."
"Believe it or not, he could become the sharpest dagger, but if misused, the blade could be pointed at us," he added.
As he spoke, he scattered some fish feed onto the lake surface.
"Don’t underestimate him. His hidden influence is probably not small."
"His hatred for the Imperial Family is likely no less than mine," he said.
Xie Xun thought of something, his eyes flickered.
"What do you think about this, at least give me a definite answer. If you’re interested, I’ll arrange it as soon as possible," he said.
Ji Teng: "We’ll discuss this matter later. I notice you treat the girl beside him quite differently, do you fancy her?"
"You’re overthinking it."
"That’s good, otherwise it would be troublesome later on," Ji Teng replied.
Xie Xun was confused, but soon he went to check on the fish in the wooden barrel.
"It’s quite a lot. You can try my cooking skills," Ji Teng said.
"Then grill them all."
"I’m afraid we won’t be able to finish them."
"The leftovers can be sold," said Ji Teng with business acumen.
"Sell them to the Heir of Prince Gong," he suggested.
As evening approached, the surroundings plunged into darkness.
A bonfire rose.
The aroma of the grilled fish was tantalizing.
Shen Hua ate with gusto, making quite a fuss.
"Third Cousin! You can’t finish so many fish by yourself! What’s the harm in giving me one?"
"Cui Yun and the others can eat, why shouldn’t I have a share?!" she exclaimed.
Ji Teng, unlike when speaking in front of Xie Xun, dared not look at Ji Huo and spoke very softly, "They are guests invited by Heir Xie."
Ji Ge, with grease all around his mouth, said, "You could have some if you paid with Silver like I did. The Princely Heir is so stingy, aren’t you worried about being a laughingstock?"
Ha!
That’s easy for you to say!
Ji Huo was so irritated, he almost wanted to storm off. But he desperately wanted to eat those fish.
Restless and fidgety, Ji Huo turned to Ji Teng, "How much?"
Ji Teng stretched out a hand.
"Fifty taels again? Are you trying to rob me!" Ji Huo protested.
Ji Teng, seemingly startled, blushed and stammered without being able to explain.
His appearance indeed elicited sympathy. Ji Teng had always been pitiable, and suffering untold hardships as a hostage over the years only added to that.
Could you say he’s greedy for money?
No, he’s just been poor for too long.
Could you say he’s overcharging and exploiting people?
Also no, because the fish were personally caught by the Third Prince and grilled by the Princely Heir’s own hands; how could they be compared to common dishes from a tavern?
Cui Yun said indifferently, "If the Princely Heir does not want to eat, then there’s no need to pay."
"I’ll eat! Who said I wouldn’t eat!" exclaimed Ji Huo.
Ji Huo looked around and locked onto one person.
"Rong, lend me another fifty taels."
Cui Rong was amiable and handed him the Silver without fuss.
Shen Hua, witnessing this, couldn’t help but be amazed.
"You—"
Cui Rong leaned in close to her, "Let me tell you, he’s been fooled. He just told me he’d repay me double later. After calculating, he’ll owe me two hundred taels."
Her whole demeanor shouted: Praise me!
Shen Hua pondered for a moment.
"Aren’t you afraid... that he won’t be able to repay it?"
Cui Rong was taken aback.
Indeed, that was a possibility.
She felt somewhat anxious and asked, "What will happen if he can’t repay?"
Shen Hua replied with a slight smile, "He’ll default on the debt."