Chapter 307: Chapter 307: Completely Without Restraint
Cool breeze dropped raindrops from the branches. The ground was unspeakably wet, with uneven potholes accumulating water.
When setting off again, Xie Xun didn’t wait for Shen Hua to return. Yet, the incessant babble of the little girl’s milky voice filled his ears.
"I’ve taken a liking to your carriage after some thought, it just barely caught my eye. So I’m going to stay put here," the little princess declared.
"It’s been the same for the next few days."
She yawned contentedly, bringing a large apple, half the size of her face, close and patted Xie Xun’s hand to get his attention.
Xie Xun resignedly took the dagger and started peeling.
But Cui Rong had another request: "I don’t want it like that, you need to carve it into a mighty lion for me."
His knife peeling halted, yet his voice remained gentle: "I can’t."
"Unacceptable!"
The high pitch of the little girl’s voice rose, her small face falling as though deeply wounded.
"I saw you carve a rabbit for Sister Shen. How come you can’t do it when it’s my turn?"
"This is displeasing to me, your Commandery Princess!"
Her every move resembled Shen Hua, yet she was but a little girl, making Xie Xun’s demeanor soften at last: "I only know how to carve rabbits, does the little princess want one?"
"But I only like lions."
Xie Xun, at a loss: "Can your second uncle do it?"
"He can’t."
Cui Rong lifted her chin, prideful: "My second uncle is a man destined for great things, how could he do such intricate work?"
She didn’t forget to mention.
"Even if he could, I wouldn’t bear to let him do it."
Xie Xun: ...
Cui Rong really wanted a lion apple. So she whined in her milky voice, trying to persuade him: "Can’t you learn it just for me?"
Xie Xun with a heavy heart: "...Alright."
He finally understood.
That bastard Cui Yun whisked away Yangyang right in front of him, and now he had to help look after the child.
It’s truly... truly infuriating.
In another carriage, Shen Hua had intended to send Cui Yun on his way and not linger any longer.
"Are the Xie Family’s carriages inlaid with gold?"
Cui Yun, unusually sitting up straight and dignified, casually shook off his usual laziness. One hand, however, was clenched around the girl’s wrist.
"Planning to leave just like that? Miss Shen should consider staying."
Shen Hua tried to withdraw her hand, but Cui Yun’s grip was unyielding: "If you feel bored alone, why not call the little ghost back?"
"Heir Xie knows how to care for people. Leaving her with him means there is no need for distraction or worry."
Cui Yun’s pupils reflected the girl’s beautiful features, his eyes profound as water, resting on one spot. His straightforwardness could not be more overt: "Could it be you want to call her back to ruin my good opportunity?"
With formidable force, Cui Yun pulled her closer and closer until Shen Hua had no choice but to lean her half body against him. Unsteady on her feet, the girl instinctively reached out to the carriage wall, trying to put some distance between them.
From the outside, it appeared as though she was cornering Cui Yun, with the intent of misconduct.
Shen Hua’s clear, cold eyes were full of astonishment.
Cui Yun: "I fear you’re forgetful. I need to act out of line occasionally, just to remind you from time to time."
Shen Hua was enraged.
"I don’t need your reminding!"
He pressed his hand on the back of her neck, drawing her completely into his arms, his voice cold but whispering into her ear: "I’m nineteen now, of age to take a wife, I hope Miss Shen will forgive this."
Shen Hua’s ears burned at once, redness creeping up her jade-like face. In a nervous flurry, she pushed him away and retreated several steps.
————
Night fell, and they arrived at the post station. They stayed in the same rooms that had been allocated on the way there.
Xie Xun witnessed the girl’s distractedness during a brief quarter-hour period.
"Yangyang."
"Ah?"
"Where did brother stop in the story?"
Shen Hua, frustrated, propped herself on the table with a sigh. Unwittingly revealing a small stretch of jade neck, where a dark red mosquito bite was clearly visible.
It was very eye-catching, capturing Xie Xun’s gaze successfully.
Xie Xun’s face darkened, and he rose suddenly to stride next door. Ying Yi did not stop him, and with a kick, he burst open the room door.
"Cui Yun!"
Cui Yun put down the official matters in his hands. Then he saw Xie Xun glaring at him with fury: "You beast! She has just reached the age of coming of age!"
"I thought at least you had some sense of propriety, but it turns out you’ve ceased to be human!"
Cui Yun met his gaze and did not hide the truth: "If it weren’t for her mourning period, she would have already become the Marchioness."
"I believe I’ve been restrained enough."
Xie Xun was so angry his hands trembled.
"But you shouldn’t have violated her like that; even betrothed couples still abide by conventions. Not to mention you!"
He hasn’t even nodded his approval yet!
Cui Yun better not dream of becoming his brother-in-law!
Even Cui Yun was momentarily dazed.
He thought, Xie Xun must have misunderstood.
And the misunderstanding was quite deep.
Nevertheless, Cui Yun, with his clever heart, meaningfully said: "Fine, I will pay attention next time."
That only infuriated Xie Xun even more.
The next day, as they continued their journey, one person was missing from the Marquis Yangling Mansion’s carriage and another was added.
Xie Xun sat motionlessly across from Cui Yun. Shen Hua had him sent to the Xie Family’s carriage.
Inside the carriage, the atmosphere was tense. To be precise, it was Xie Xun’s one-sided tension.
Cui Yun was calm and composed, serene and dignified.
"The Princely Heir seems to have some complaints against me."
The usually good-tempered Xie Xun let out a cold laugh.
Afterward, Cui Yun passed him a note.
"Regarding the matter of that year, there’s still no breakthrough, but I think you’re not unfamiliar with this person."
Xie Xun took it, his eyes scanning over.
It was You Qing.
"Her arrival might shed light on some secrets. For you, meeting her might be helpful."
Xie Xun’s hand clenched the note tightly.
"No need."
His mood was somber.
"I’ve already seen her."
He had been to Qingtong Lane and found the Fang Family.
Naturally, You Qing did not recognize him.
She was still as he remembered her, but inevitably there was also a difference. At the Shen Family, Ms. Shen Chun treated her like a sister, and she was considered half the master of the Shen Family. Now, dressed as a married woman with only a wooden hairpin in her hair, it was clear that her husband’s family was impoverished.
Yet the faint smile at the corner of her mouth couldn’t conceal the truth.
"Mrs. Fang, do you still remember Shen Zhi?"
Upon hearing this name, You Qing’s lips began to tremble.
Xie Xun naturally did not reveal his identity; he was only there to confirm one thing.
At this moment, even if he had many issues with Brother Cui, he did not hide this matter.
"It was my Mama who sternly asked her to leave back then."
Xie Xun leaned back, his fatigue not concealed in the slightest.
"You might laugh at this, but at that time my Daddy intended to take her as a concubine. You understand those tricks men play. If it hadn’t been for Mama’s interference, I fear..."
"That old man is all good in Yangyang’s heart, this matter, I don’t even know how to bring it up."
While speaking, he looked somewhat absent-mindedly at Cui Yun.
"She was very wary of me, and unwilling to say more than half a word about anything else, but I always feel that indeed, I could find clues from her, that she must be hiding something even more important."
Cui Yun lowered his head to pour tea: "She should be aware of these things."
"Heir Xie, Shen Hua knows right from wrong far more than you think."
Moreover...
Cui Yun was clear.
If Shen Hua truly thought Shen Wei was all good, she would probably talk about Daddy every day instead of brother.
Girls are more sensitive than anyone.
Ever since Shen Wei remarried, how could she not feel a barrier in her heart?
But at that time... she only had Shen Wei as her kin.
So, the girl would lower her head over and over, and compromise again and again.