Chapter 296: Chapter 296: A Gentleman Should Be Broad-Minded
Ji Huo could distinctly perceive, that as soon as his words fell, the surrounding air suddenly thinned, puzzled, he saw Cui Yun casting a chilling glance, startling him.
"What... what’s wrong?"
Cui Yun had a face that screamed ’strangers not welcome’, still carrying his usual indifferent demeanor, standing with his hands behind his back, his brows filled with an aristocratic aloofness.
"Princely Heir speaks eloquently; I am impressed."
The complimented Ji Huo felt a bit floated: "You actually said something reasonable for once. It’s not that I am bragging, but doesn’t everyone have their strengths?"
"If I hadn’t been reluctant to study, I would have outdone you long ago."
"Speaking of studying, it reminds me of Mr. Mo from the Imperial College. All show, no substance—his legitimate wife had barely been gone for half a month, and he married her younger sister using the excuse of needing someone to care for his young son."
What!
Shen Hua’s eyes widened.
With someone finally playing along, Ji Huo became even more enthusiastic in his speech.
"Now, the young aunt is not just an aunt, but has become the bedfellow. It’s said the two look very similar; no fears in the night then."
Soon, he concluded boldly: "In this aspect, Mr. Mo was never as good as me in his youth."
Cui Yun, listening to this, was at a loss for words and paused in silence: "Thus, is this the reason why the Princely Heir skipped school during his days at the Imperial College?"
"It’s natural; I couldn’t endure those torturous days of studying."
Worried that Cui Yun might spill the beans to Prince Gong, Ji Huo couldn’t help but be cautious, pretending: "I know skipping class is not good."
Shen Hua immediately disagreed: "How is it not good?"
Ji Huo: ...Huh?
"Being able to skip class is also a skill."
Ji Huo: !!
"Absolutely!"
Cui Yun, looking at Shen Hua, softened his tone quite a bit: "It corrupts the morals. Back then, many of the royal family descendants followed suit in skipping school."
Shen Hua: "It shows these people were no good at studying, it’s not like the Princely Heir held a knife to their necks and forced them."
Ji Huo excitedly: "Exactly! There were also those who didn’t skip classes!"
"They skipped classes, perhaps because they had long harbored such intentions."
"Right! You can’t blame me!."
Ji Huo: "Thinking about it now, I don’t think Mr. Mo has much scholarship either. Otherwise, I couldn’t possibly always feel like I’m listening to arcane scriptures. Maybe he got his position because his uncle can speak in front of the Uncle."
Cui Yun with a grim expression: "The teachers of Imperial College are selected through numerous layers, and only the very best can instruct the princes."
"Mr. Mo’s scholarship and political insights are impeccable, even the officials from the Hanlin Academy respect him as a teacher. Do you think being a teacher at the Imperial College is child’s play?"
Cui Yun coldly stated: "Mr. Mo’s remarriage did not break any of Da Qi’s laws, nor did it defy the traditional moral standards. Such matters are not uncommon among the common people, and even between noble families to strengthen alliances through marriage."
After hearing this, Ji Huo, surprised: "Are you saying I am wrong?"
Cui Yun did not respond.
It’s this world that is wrong.
Turning turpitude into a norm. In this, how many are truly clear-headed?
Indeed unexpectedly, Ji Huo, such a capricious youth, ought to have been influenced by such ethos a long time ago. This shows that Prince Gong, who often scolds Ji Huo for undershooting, has protected him well.
Seeing him not responding, Ji Huo, full of disdain, remarked: "I understand now, you and Mr. Mo are probably the same kind of person."
His eyes glanced around, and he chose to sabotage for his brother Xie Xun who was pursuing a girl. He immediately cleared his throat, deliberately adopting a tone.
"Are you also thinking of emulating him?"
"Cui Yun! How could you be such a person!"
"Then you tell me, if your future wife were to unfortunately die suddenly, would you—"
Before he could finish. Ji Huo’s voice grew lower.
This was due to Cui Yun’s fiercely intimidating gaze.
That kind of gaze, as if looking at a lifeless object.
Almost sending Ji Huo away.
Ji Huo was overwhelmed by fear.
Cui Yun’s face was cold and frosty as he sternly said: "A slip of the tongue can cause great trouble, Princely Heir, watch your words!"
Ji Huo, knowing he was at fault, hastily held his tongue. Yet unwilling to concede, he continued to speak stubbornly, albeit in grumbles: "You’re so fierce, damn it. But I’m not afraid of you."
"It’s just a joke. Why take it so seriously?"
Cui Yun’s expression was covered with a thick frost, staring intently at him, his eyes brewing a stormy surge, the atmosphere around him turned instantly ice-cold.
Each word he uttered, as if his scales had been touched: "A joke?"
Shen Hua heard Cui Yun ask again.
"Was it... funny?"
Ji Huo shuddered and scurried away.
He naively thought that by slipping away, everything would be fine.
Shen Hua crouched and tip-toed to his side.
"Shen Hua."
Cui Yun’s emotions were quickly overshadowed; he looked deeply at the girl’s profile, unsure whether he was comforting Shen Hua or reminding himself: "You won’t be troubled again."
These words were imbued with his deep passion.
Shen Hua’s heart quivered.
Then, a prolonged silence followed.
The girl took a deep breath and slowly lifted her porcelain-white face to meet Cui Yun’s gaze.
"I’ve thought it over and feel that a short pain is better than a long one."
"If I don’t want to hear it, you’d better take it back."
Cui Yun leaned down to meet her eyes: "There’s no need to deliberately avoid me, we’ll interact more in the future. You’ll get used to it."
"I will not."
Shen Hua chose her words carefully: "I’m going to marry someone eventually. But it won’t be someone like you."
Cui Yun’s temperament was good: "Tell me, what kind should it be?"
Shen Hua regarded him suspiciously.
After some thought, she, unapologetically, raised one hand and pressed a finger down: "Someone who always puts me first and listens to my words. If I say east, he would never go west."
Cui Yun: "...you might as well hire a servant."
Without paying him any mind, Shen Hua pressed her middle finger down: "He can’t be too handsome, lest he attract other women. I don’t have the time to deal with his messy love affairs."
Cui Yun was indifferent.
"Some people, despite their looks, still lead a life of wine and roses."
Shen Hua thought about it, and then pressed her ring finger down.
"He also can’t be too wealthy!"
Cui Yun looked up: "What exactly is Miss Shen looking for in a man?"
"Don’t interrupt me."
As she spoke more, she grew more enthusiastic: "He must be honest, and ideally skilled in embroidery."
Shen Hua rambled on: "He also shouldn’t be highly educated. My Daddy once said, a man too ambitious is prone to change of heart."
At this, she remembered someone — He Chu, who had called off their engagement.
The girl spoke in the most serious tone: "He must not have the surname He!"
Saying this, she paused, her thoughts lingering.
"This is it for now, I’ll add more when I think of them."
Cui Yun kept silent.
He sneered subtly.
Seeing this, Shen Hua spoke, "You insisted on making me say it. Now, look, are you hurt?"
She kindly comforted him: "Be broader-minded, my good man. At least you fulfill one criterion."
"Indeed, I should be thankful for having a good surname that has nothing to do with He."