Chapter 276: Chapter 276: Yangyang Is Still Yangyang, but Will Brother... Still Be the Brother He Once Was?
The wheels rolled on, aiming to reach the station before nightfall, even the midday meal was taken inside the carriage.
If even the esteemed nobility could endure it, how could those pampered noble sons and delicately raised ladies dare to complain?
Fortunately, the carriage was lined with thick mattresses, smoothing out the journey without much jostling.
Cui Rong sulked, aggrievedly completing the homework assigned by Cui Yun. She occasionally picked at the tea table, then, from time to time, drifted into a daze.
In contrast, Shen Hua sat nearby. A book of embroidery technique lay on the mat, and she nibbled on fresh fruits leisurely.
But her thoughts had long since drifted thousands of miles away.
Cui Yun curled his index finger, tapping on the tea table.
Cui Rong hurriedly turned to her problems.
While Cui Yun was supervising Cui Rong, he noticed the girl’s distraction. Yet before he could inquire, Shen Hua leaned closer.
"Heir Xie has had glorious military achievements in recent years, from quelling the Northwest conflicts to recently recapturing Shan City and bringing back the hostage. I heard that Little General Jin, who fought alongside him, has been promoted and ennobled, bringing honor to the Jin Family. Why hasn’t the official family issued a decree for the Xie Family?"
Cui Yun’s brows slightly knitted.
In earlier years, Xie Xun celebrated national glory with Little General Jin for pacifying the Northwest. But how could the Emperor wish to witness another Cui Yang arise?
At first, it was Little General Jin who led the charge. But in recent years, Xie Xun’s reputation had already surpassed him.
"The matter of rewarding him was scheduled for when Xie Xun returned to Shengjing to report to court, but the day before, Duke Fu had sought an audience with the Emperor for this cause."
Shen Hua listened intently.
Seeing her interest in the matter, Cui Yun continued: "Duke Fu’s Mansion only has Xie Xun’s lineage. The Xie Family does not wish to see him on the battlefield again. They intend for him to seek a position in Shengjing."
Later, an incident occurred at the Fifth Princess’s banquet. Emperor He had still been troubled by considerations these past days.
On one hand, the Emperor accepted the Tiger Talisman presented by Xie Xun with a friendly smile; on the other hand, he was reluctant to assign a good official position to him in Shengjing, yet he also feared criticism.
Now, Emperor He’s power was not at the peak it had reached six years ago.
"Really? No longer going to the battlefield?"
Cui Yun lifted his eyes indifferently, gazing over.
The girl quickly contained her emotions. With an air of indifference, she added,
"That’s for the best, after all, the battlefield is no place for the faint-hearted."
Cui Yun responded with an indifferent nasal sound.
Seeing his lack of enthusiasm, Shen Hua did not inquire further. Unable to sleep the night before, her excitement had not yet dissipated, but she was ultimately exhausted.
The carriage soon returned to calm.
After some time, Cui Rong rubbed her sore little hands and handed over her completed work to Cui Yun.
The carriage shook slightly, and across from her, the girl who had fallen asleep earlier now slanted to the right side. Without contemplating, Cui Yun quickly caught Shen Hua’s body with his deft hands.
The carriage was spacious, and it would probably be several hours before reaching the station.
Cui Yun’s strong hands cradled her back, and wrapped around her waist in an intimate and possessive manner. His chin resting on the girl’s head, he proceeded to review the little girl’s homework.
Cui Rong did not think it amiss.
She was biased.
Whatever her uncle did was right, but if Shen Hua held Cui Yun like this, she would scold her.
Now, her plump little hands reached for Shen Hua’s plate of fruits.
The little girl pouted,
"Which cousin at home acts like her?"
"She’s become outrageously presumptuous. She didn’t even leave me a few more pieces. When Xue Shuyue from West Garden sees me, she always greets me with utmost respect and calls me Commandery Princess."
As she spoke these words, Shen Hua had in fact already awakened.
Her eyes flickered, finding the position somewhat bewildering. She held back and did not open her eyes.
"Uncle, you should not overly dote on her just because she is on good terms with me!"
Shen Hua: ? Nonsense!
Cui Rong: "Who doesn’t love a sister who is both well-behaved and gentle?"
This remark eventually distracted Shen Hua.
She could not help but think of Shen Zhui.
Shen Zhui was both well-behaved and gentle.
In the past, not only did Shen Zhi take great care of her, but she too could not help but treat her well.
But... brother had already been dead for three years.
Has he been Xie Xun for these three years?
But three years ago, Xie Xun was still in Shengjing, so why didn’t he come to find her then?
Upon this thought, a detail previously overshadowed by joy comes flooding back.
A sentence from the clan elders echoes like a curse, tormenting her.
——Your Mama and brother went to get medicine for you. The mountain road was treacherous, and fog arose, scaring the horse and thus leading to their fall from the cliff. Weren’t they harmed because of you?
The girl can’t help but grip the hem of her cloth tighter. Her face a bit pale.
So, was brother’s hesitation to find her due to some resentment he harbored?
On one hand resentment, on the other an inability to let go. That’s why he gave her the step shake.
Xie Xun is clear that as long as she sees it, she could know his identity. He still wishes to acknowledge her as his sister.
But the last time brother came looking for her, it has already been many days ago.
Brother is Xie Xun now.
He has a new Daddy and Mama, and a new little sister. His surname is now Xie, no longer Shen.
Just like the current situation, she sits in the carriage of Marquis Yangling Mansion, while Xie Xun is in the carriage of Duke Fu’s Mansion. She cannot simply run over to the carriage of Duke Fu’s Mansion openly and upright. Even the blood flowing in their veins is no longer the same.
When did the girl become so prone to sorrow and sensitivity?
If she were Shen Zhi, she would surely also prefer Xie Yinong who was less likely to cause trouble.
Shen Hua isn’t contending for anything, she doesn’t know how the original Xie Xun is doing now, but she feels sincerely thankful to him from the bottom of her heart. At least brother is still alive.
She just suddenly feels very upset.
Yangyang is still Yangyang, but... will brother still be the brother from before?
The girl’s steady breathing turns to shortness, and Cui Yun notices that Shen Hua has awoken.
But Shen Hua curls up in his arms without moving.
He does not voice it nor is he surprised that Shen Hua is pretending to be asleep in order to cuddle with him.
Indeed... she has always been quite wily.
Cui Yun hides the helplessness in his eyes, and just lets her be.
His thin lips move slightly: "Well answered, practice writing a few more characters. Aim to finish your studies on the trip, so when we enter the hunting grounds in two days, I won’t restrict you."
Cui Yun covers Shen Hua with a quilt and unusually considerate, helps her find a comfortable position.
"But I want to sleep too."
Cui Yun nods.
"There’s another blanket in the carriage, go find it."
Cui Rong quickly approaches with a blanket in his arms.
Cui Yun’s voice is gentle: "This one, go sleep on your own, remember to cover up well."
?? Shouldn’t second uncle be pushing Shen Hua away, then come to hold me!?
That spot! It’s mine!!
Hurrying along, they arrived at the inn by evening.
Shen Hua’s eyes turn sharp, spotting Xie Xun three feet away, helping Xie Yinong out of the carriage.
As if sensing something, Xie Xun’s gaze shifts over and settles firmly on her.
Those are the eyes of Shen Zhi who would never be mad at her; nothing has changed. Shen Hua feels as though she’s returned to years past. The anxiety and fear of loss she felt in the carriage suddenly dissipate.
The girl pinches her fingers, then pinches them again.
She also raises her hand to adjust the step shake in her hair, the bell’s clear sound pleasant to the ear.
Shen Hua walks straight to Xie Xun, staring at him unwaveringly.
Call her!
A hug would also be fine!
Wuwuwu!
Why is Xie Xun not reacting!?
Is it a game where the one who speaks first loses?
Thus, the girl with a tense expression stubbornly circles around him three times.