Chapter 294: Chapter 294: Was It Always Marquis Cui Who Yearned in Vain?
Shen Hua successfully irritated someone and made them leave.
She walked towards the Xie Family’s camp, her head low and in a gloomy mood.
Upon learning that she was looking for Xie Xun, Xie Yinong was briefly surprised: "Brother had gone out early in the morning."
"Then, where is he?"
"Brother’s affairs are not something I usually inquire about," she responded.
After finding a moment alone, the girl was enveloped in a veil of gloom.
Meanwhile, Xie Xun was currently at Half Moon Lake, meeting the Little General Jin, who should have been healing in the mansion. The two were clandestinely discussing matters. After about finishing their discussion, Xie Xun gently observed the tranquil surface of the lake.
"Jin Zhong, the first battle is now underway. What kind of tumultuous waves do you think are hiding beneath this tranquility?"
Jin Zhong, burly and brusque: "Stop beating around the bush with your fancy words, it’s annoying."
Xie Xun smiled.
"Something is off with you."
Jin Zhong suspiciously added, "Considering the days, it’s been just a few days since we met last. Why have you come today in a new outfit? Seeing you dressed like this is fresh, almost like a scholar."
He was somewhat surprised: "Which family’s daughter are you planning to deceive?"
Xie Xun glanced at the time, laughingly cursed, and then, not bothering to engage further, said, "Alright, I’m leaving. Don’t forget what I’ve told you."
As Xie Xun went to leave immediately, Jin Zhong clicked his tongue.
Xie Xun walked back leisurely, but just as he stepped out of Half Moon Lake, he overheard a conversation from inside the woods.
"What do you think of the matter concerning the Wei Family?"
Then came the girl’s tender voice: "Even if I have a plan, would Mama listen?"
The Governor’s wife angrily replied: "Is that how you speak to Mama?"
With calm poise, the girl faced her. Upon hearing these words, she smiled softly: "Mama is only keen on pushing me into the fire pit, why would she care about my unwillingness? Since that is the case, why bother asking me again?"
The Governor’s wife glared coldly at her.
"Fine."
"You’re more awake to reality than anyone else."
"After the spring hunt is over, come with me for a visit."
Yan Mi’s gaze was steady: "Yes."
Pleased with the response, the Governor’s wife departed. Yet, Yan Mi’s complexion grew increasingly pale. She wiped the tears from her face with her sleeve, but they kept flowing more abundantly.
Just then, footsteps approached from behind.
Yan Mi’s body stiffened, and as she lowered her face, preparing to leave,
"Lady Yan."
Xie Xun, remembering that she was close friends with Shen Hua, said warmly,
"I inadvertently heard your conversation with your mother."
Yan Mi paused, recognizing the voice behind her. Out of everyone, why did it have to be him? The humiliation surged in the girl’s heart.
"I understand that parental commands cannot be defied, and the rules of the Governor Mansion are strict. However, to my knowledge, Wei Xiheng has caught some illness, and even the Imperial Physician is helpless. Does your mother know of this?"
"She knows."
————
Meanwhile,
On her way back, Shen Hua was stopped by a group of girls, amongst whom she noticed Wei Zhuzhu.
Wei Zhuzhu approached for a chat: "It’s a sunny day, is Miss Shen also out for a walk?"
Shen Hua remained silent.
Wei Zhuzhu: "I consider myself acquainted with Miss Shen, and though there was some unpleasantness before, after all—"
Shen Hua interrupted her coldly with a sneer: "Don’t you understand? I am close with Wei Yingying, and she dislikes you, naturally, I also dislike you. I thought you had some self-awareness, yet you force me to spell it out."
Wei Zhuzhu choked up.
Shortly after, the Haitang Red Skirt Girl affectionately grasped Shen Hua’s hand: "Miss Shen, I am Zhuang’an from the Fan Yang Lu Family. I saw the young sister yesterday and took an immediate liking to her, wondering to myself how there could be such brightly beautiful and tender girls in the world. Today, seeing you close-up, I am even more astonished."
Shen Hua was bewildered.
Lu Family’s daughter continued, "The step shake on sister’s head looks really beautiful."
Shen Hua finally felt the urge to speak.
"It’s a gift from my brother."
Everyone in unison praised, "Your brother really has good taste."
Shen Hua then responded with a pleased expression.
However, soon after, these people exchanged glances tacitly, and quickly shifted the topic elsewhere.
"Miss Shen is the cousin from the Marquis Mansion, and this spring hunt, the Marquis brought you along with him, it must mean that the cousin relationship is very close."
Shen Hua’s just-lifted corners of her lips immediately flattened. She replied stiffly, "I’m not familiar with him."
Miss Lu covered her smile with a fan, "Sister Shen is joking."
Shen Hua: ...
"Everyone is saying Marquis Cui has already taken a liking to a girl, and outside it’s described in quite a detailed manner. Yet, no one knows from which household?"
All eyes turned to Shen Hua.
Shen Hua, expressionless, finally understood the intentions of these people; they were trying to pry information about Cui Yun from her.
Wei Zhuzhu quickly echoed, supporting Miss Lu, "Back then at First-tier Sky Restaurant, many witnessed Marquis Cui embracing that girl. Yet, so much time has passed, and there is no betrothal with any family from the mansion. Looking back, it is odd. Could a decent girl be so shameless to be intimately close with a man outside? It seems their betrothal had been called off early. After all, with Marquis Cui’s status, how could he be bewitched by such dubious girls who aren’t worthy of him?"
Shen Hua: ???
Say that again?
You! Are! Dead!
Regrettably, Wei Zhuzhu’s words gained unanimous agreement from the crowd.
Shen Hua’s sanity was collapsing.
She lifted her face slightly, "Wei Zhuzhu, if you can’t speak properly, just shut up."
"Just with your mouth, I bet you could argue the sky is falling."
"How is she not a decent girl? As to whether she is a match or not, that’s even more absurd, everybody in Cui Mansion is satisfied with her. Not happy with that? Choke on it! And that girl is indeed in a tough spot, because just with her nod, the wedding hall can be set up any day now."
Wei Zhuzhu’s eyes widened, "Are you saying that from the beginning to the end, it was Marquis Cui who couldn’t get what he wanted?"
The crowd gasped, "What virtues and abilities does that girl have!"
Shen Hua was even more displeased.
Listen to what you all are saying, does it make any sense?
Miss Lu incredulously, "A man like Marquis Cui should be rushing about in the official circles. How could he care about these trivial sentimental matters of children?"
"You are wrong again, everyone is bound by human emotions and desires, and when it comes to feelings, they are uncontrollable."
Shen Hua couldn’t help but wipe her lips, furious: "The more he can’t have it, the more he wants it. Looking at the scenario, he is probably sinking deeper."
The air froze with her final syllable.
Shen Hua witnessed the expressions of those nearby change into horror, while Wei Zhuzhu hurriedly adjusted her dress.
Miss Lu curtsied to the person behind Shen Hua, her voice tender: "Greetings to Marquis Cui."
Shen Hua: ...
She slowly turned around, meeting Cui Yun’s eyes.
Cui Yun had come back to fetch Cui Rong’s cloak, unexpectedly encountering this scene.
He and Shen Hua were several feet apart.
Miss Lu looked at Cui Yun and then at Shen Hua, who showed no signs of a guilty conscience.
She spoke thoughtfully, "The words Miss Shen said just now—"
Cui Yun looked at Shen Hua, but for once, found it hard to verbalize a response, "They are true."
He even felt relieved, glad that Shen Hua has such awareness; at least, what he said was taken to heart by these girls.
His expression relaxed, taking steps closer to Shen Hua.
Shen Hua’s pretty little face was covered with resistance: Back off! Back off! Back off!