Chapter 291: Chapter 291: This Man... Really Has Some Skills
The moon shone brightly, stars sparse. The temperature difference in the mountain forest at night was especially pronounced, with the cold air brazenly darting around.
All the nobles had retired early, the lights in each camp tent were extinguished one by one, and only the patrolling soldiers carrying torches were left to inspect the ground.
Shen Hua fainted on the spot from fright.
Cui Yun watched the fallen Shen Hua in silence, leaning back without mercy to expose the truth.
"I know you’re awake. Get up."
Not a chance.
Shen Hua chose to feign death.
Seeing this, Cui Yun slightly furrowed his brows and said indifferently: "I’m not a sentimental man, I will only marry once in my life. There is no need for you to be so agitated."
Shen Hua remained silent.
She couldn’t understand a word Cui Yun was saying.
"After some time, when official duties are not so busy, I will take you to Fengzhou. As for the embroidery workshop, you can make decisions on your own, and I should also visit the elders of the Shen Family, to offer incense at your father’s and Mama’s graves. We’ll make known the matter between us."
He really was someone she could entrust her life to.
The man’s face was as bright as the moon in the sky, his voice carrying a thread of cool detachment, yet also indescribably beguiling.
"You were quite bold before, now you’ve suddenly become shy, which is indeed rare."
Shen Hua continued to feign death without moving.
Cui Yun did not force her.
"The matter of proposing should rightfully involve the elders from both sides, but our situation is different, and we have already been pledged in private. It was rather presumptuous of me to bring this up tonight, given you are a girl."
Perhaps he was deeply moved, for he cherished the warmth of this moment and unusually spoke at length.
"But I always thought you are not one to follow conventions, and I have been tired of being bound by them for many years. Discussing this tonight seems justifiable."
Cui Yun glanced at the sky.
"Since you have no objections, I will take care of the rest. The night is deep, you should rest."
Shen Hua didn’t react.
"What, do you want me to carry you to bed?"
No sooner had his words fallen than the girl suddenly sat up.
Shen Hua glanced at Cui Yun very calmly: "I can walk on my own."
Just as calmly, Shen Hua took off her embroidered shoes, climbed onto the bed, covered herself with the blanket, and then turned her back to Cui Yun.
"Take care, I won’t see you out."
Cui Yun’s expression was indifferent, revealing no hint of sentiment. How could he not see the abnormality in Shen Hua’s behavior? It is said the heart of a girl is unfathomable, and now he’d indeed experienced it.
Of course.
He could understand Shen Hua; a girl being reserved about such matters was no problem. After digesting it overnight, any emotional turmoil would eventually subside.
"Fine, we’ll discuss it tomorrow."
Cui Yun blew out the lamp in the room and then left.
The tent fell into deathly silence.
Shen Hua silently curled her tense body slowly under the covers. She covered her delicate, palm-sized little face and started to pick at the bed frame, her mind still a tangled mess.
Cui Yun... had he gone mad?
Shen Hua tried hard to recall every word Cui Yun just said, almost deconstructing each one and reordering them to ponder over.
When had she ever agreed to a private engagement with Cui Yun?
Cui Yun must have hysterics!
But somehow Cui Yun’s words seemed all too plausible and convincing.
Shen Hua painfully tried to recollect every little past detail.
She didn’t know how much time had passed, the girl in the blanket lay straight and drowsy. She made a fatal realization that apparently Cui Yun had unilaterally been her lover for quite some time.
This man... did have some skills.
Shen Hua became conflicted.
Since Cui Yun was not like those dissolute young men, she couldn’t simply point at him and scold him for indulging in wishful thinking.
Shen Hua pursed her lips in annoyance.
She stared at the bed canopy, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep again.
The girl fidgeted with the blanket, finally deciding to leave her cousin with one last shred of dignity.
She resignedly got up and began to fuss over the rouge and lipstick she had brought this time.
Early the next morning.
The hunting grounds remained open. The hunt was not called off despite someone being injured.
Ji Ge had been busy all night, running back and forth on Ji Teng’s behalf, and somehow the story spread to Emperor He’s ears.
He didn’t ask how Ji Teng’s injuries were.
He only cared about one thing.
"The Fourth Prince’s actions with the Crown Prince were indeed calculative, but those two brothers still show affection for each other."
Among the Imperial Family, the last thing one should care about is affection. When it comes to the Dragon Chair, these people are destined to be enemies.
Emperor He was willing to watch them fight overtly and covertly.
However...
Draped in a Dragon Robe, Emperor He gently scraped the tea froth with the lid without drinking it.
"Even without paying much attention, sending someone to pay a visit and express condolences is better than doing nothing at all, which can provoke criticism."
This remark was meant for Princess Consort Jing, who was beside him.
The smile on Princess Consort Jing’s lips did not fade.
She too had the ability to mix truth with lies in her speech.
"Last night, Wang’s daughter-in-law came over; her coming here was naturally on Wang’s instruction, asking for some medicine from my maternal family for injuries."
Emperor He smiled without a change in expression: "The medicine from Jing Mansion is indeed quite good."
"It is a special remedy procured by my sister-in-law from an unknown source. Even Mr. Wei received a portion from Wang last night, let alone his own brother."
Emperor He nodded: "He’s considerate."
Princess Consort Jing playfully retorted: "How could that be worthy of the Emperor’s praise? He is in no way comparable to the Seventh Prince."
"I never realized he was close to the Third Prince until last night’s event, which truly surprised even me."
Emperor He raised an eyebrow: "Do you think that the Seventh’s actions were for show, to impress me?"
"What are you saying, Your Majesty? I wouldn’t dare play tricks in front of you."
Princess Consort Jing’s bold words matched the person from his memories, and not a trace of anger flickered across Emperor He’s nostalgic gaze.
The more he reminisced, the more he detested Ji Teng.
As for the medicine Princess Consort Jing mentioned, Emperor He did not care whether it reached Ji Teng or not.
"Speaking of which, the Third Prince should have dodged at that moment. He would have managed to escape had Wang merely found a moment to save him. It’s a shame Wang is incompetent, his martial arts not perfected."
This was something Emperor He disliked hearing.
In his eyes, Ji Wang was the son who resembled him the most.
Naturally, he saw no flaws in him.
"How could we blame the Fourth? He is the one lacking skill."
"If it weren’t for the Fourth finally killing the beast, he’d likely have been dead by now."
Once Emperor He left, Princess Consort Jing’s face suddenly darkened.
"Someone come."
"Lady."
Soon, a palace maid came forward.
"How is Ji Teng doing?"
"Still unconscious. It seems he is unlikely to pull through."
Princess Consort Jing said coldly: "He does indeed deserve to die."
"Every time I see him, I’m reminded of Shao Jinhui. Mother and son look so alike, it sickens me."
Constantly reminding her that her current grace and favor are nothing more than that of a substitute.
Shao Jinhui was Emperor He’s most beloved concubine, so much so that he sometimes mutters her name in his dreams.
"Be at ease, Lady, even so, the Emperor won’t spare him the slightest bit of pity."
Princess Consort Jing was taken aback, her beautiful eyes filled with malice.
"Pity?"
"Then guess, why is it that the Emperor disfavors him so much?"