Chapter 331: Chapter 331: Has This Fox’s Seal Been Broken?
Early the next morning.
Gentle breeze brushed through the curtains, and the morning light slowly penetrated through the window panes.
Shen Hua wrapped herself like a cocoon, half-seated, reflecting silently against the wall.
"Miss Shen." Ji Xin approached to greet her.
Shen Hua, troubled, ignored her.
Seeing this, Ji Xin, deftly smiling, handed over a slip of paper, saying, "This is the Marquis’s measurements; he instructed me to deliver it."
After waiting for a moment without any response from Shen Hua, she had no choice but to hand the note to Yicui, then bowed and retreated.
The girl felt somewhat ill; this statement stirred up too many memories, scenes from yesterday vividly flashing before her eyes.
She was kissed disoriented, tears in her eyes, every pore on her body trembling slightly, and at the same time, that familiar warmth followed suit.
Shen Hua still managed to think.
—Had she forgotten to change her sanitary pad?
She loved cleanliness and couldn’t stand the stickiness, thus she would change it every one and a half two hours. But too much had happened, so much that she had forgotten this time.
This body was conditioned by Ni Kang, and recent medical prescriptions often included Gui Di, Qiong Shao, angelica, and other blood-invigorating herbs.
Therefore, the flow was not minor.
Noticing her distraction, Cui Yun’s actions became gentler. He tenderly kissed the girl’s swollen lips a few times, then rested his head against her jade-like neck to catch his breath.
Shen Hua looked at the canopy above her head, her gaze somewhat unfocused.
She didn’t know how long passed before she slowly said, "I feel, I am a bit unwell."
Cui Yun softly sighed.
It was he who was unwell.
His whole body clamored, yet he remembered to stop at the right moment.
The girl’s body was soft, and her voice was unbearably tender. She immersed herself in her own world, continuing on: "I also heard a scholar mention another story, ..."
"No beating around the bush."
She awkwardly bit her lower lip: "You move away."
Cui Yun, assuming he might have teased her too much, complied and released her, then sighed and lay beside her.
The material of the pillows in her room was indescribably soft, as if filled with freshly picked cotton. Her head sunk into it once she leaned back.
Truly fanciful. Just the kind this girl liked.
He rarely did not mind: "Did I scare you?"
Shen Hua sat up, her back towards him, fumbling for something, rustling sounds filling the air.
The edge of Cui Yun’s wide clothing had somehow become tangled behind her, now stained with a blot of blood.
Shen Hua closed her eyes heavily. Suddenly she opened them again and stared fiercely as if her gaze was a blaze that could burn everything away.
She did have a sense of shame, especially at such a critical moment.
The girl stood up composedly, exceedingly polite.
"May I trouble the Marquis to pass me the scissors from the basket under the bed?"
Cui Yun’s gaze landed discreetly and restrainedly on her face, radiant as a begonia. He reached out and handed them over without questioning the reason.
Shen Hua reached out to receive them, lowering her head: "You are truly a good person."
Good person Cui Yun: ...
Shen Hua then turned her head, measured the size and shape of the blood-stained fabric, pondered for a moment, and cautiously cut it.
In the process, she couldn’t help but sneak a guilty glance at Cui Yun.
But she was startled inside.
The man had somehow half-risen and was indulgently watching her from behind. Noticing her gaze, he lazily said, "No rush, take your time."
Shen Hua: ...This is a bit of bullying.
She held her breath, feeling like a fool.
With a mix of embarrassment and anger hastening her movements, she quickly finished cutting the obtrusive fabric and then kicked Cui Yun with her foot.
"You can leave now."
Cui Yun, taking his time: "Kicking me out just like that?"
He stood up, straightened his clothes, then his gaze suddenly fixed. The missing piece was as big as two palms. It was very conspicuous and also...
Ridiculously round.
Just like the circle she drew on the ground with her embroidered shoes earlier, and the one during the spring hunt revolving around Xie Xun.
Yet the girl still stubbornly held her chin high. It was unclear whether she was saying it for him to hear or to convince herself.
"You don’t need to thank me."
"After all, you are a high official in the court, many eyes are watching. If there were rumors outside one day making fun that the Marquis, a man, also experiences menstrual periods, though ridiculous, rumors can hurt, and misunderstandings aren’t uncommon. Even if you don’t mind, your colleagues might mock."
Her voice grew louder and more assertive.
"Besides, it’s just a piece of clothing, not worth much money. You’ve never been one to sweat the small stuff, so I assume you wouldn’t mind."
Cui Yun quietly listened until she finished. He traced the torn round part with his fingertip.
"I mind."
Shen Hua frowned.
Just then, Cui Yun chuckled lightly: "This garment was personally sewn by an old embroiderer who has been in service for over thirty years. Not to mention the effort it took, this fabric is bestowed by the emperor, only four or five bolts available from the palace each year. And it was barely worn a few times before it was ruined."
Shen Hua was utterly disheartened. She took a closer look at it. The embroidery truly was excellent.
"If you really like it—"
She made a suggestion: "You could still wear it when you go out."
Shen Hua: "Some people, no matter how noble and proper their attire, just don’t have the look, and even the finest clothes are spoiled. But there are others, even in tattered and wrinkled clothes, whose striking and god-like presence can’t be undermined."
The Cui Yun before her, clad in black, was stunningly handsome. Standing tall there, he seemed even more distinguished.
She reluctantly said: "You could at least be the latter."
"Wearing this out, people might suspect there’s a hidden meaning to it. The literary folks might even start to imitate."
Her justifications were always so skewed.
"I heard, you’ve been sewing a robe these past few days?" Cui Yun suddenly asked.
Hearing this, Shen Hua looked at him warily.
The man in the ragged clothes still carried an air of dignity, "It seems you understand my intention."
"I was making it for my brother."
"His outfit today is also a royal gift. Lucky that when the official bestowed it to me, your brother also received it."
Cui Yun: "His outfit could still be worn a few more times."
Shen Hua crossed her legs, sensing even the couch might be tainted, she hastened: "No, it’s tailored to his measurements..."
"No worries, Miss Shen is skillful, adjusting it a bit here and there won’t be difficult."
Cui Yun, noticing her awkward position, considerately said: "Take your time, I’m not in a rush to leave."
He even said: "Where is the sanitary pad? I’ll fetch it for you."
Shen Hua looked at him weirdly.
She really couldn’t understand how he, a man, could talk about such matters without blushing!
The words burst out, clearly anxious and irritated: "Why don’t you say you’ll change it for me!"
Cui Yun gazed at the agitated Shen Hua, his dense eyelashes casting shadows on his eyelids: "If you wish, I don’t mind doing so."
Ahhh!
Has this fox been unsealed?
Shen Hua could only collapse, lying stiff on the couch. Weakly, she pointed towards the door.
Go away!