Chapter 231: Chapter 231: I’m Not Annoying You, I’m Disgusting You
The rosy glow stained half of the sky crimson, and the clear pond water was suffused with an equally deep red. The magnificent fiery clouds bathed the vast world in their resplendent light.
Cui Yun massaged her temples.
"Being an only daughter, Miss Shen has suffered from a frail condition since childhood, and the Shen Family couple never took her outside Fengzhou City."
Kneeling on the ground, Ying Er reported in detail. Ying Er was responsible for intelligence in various regions and had been to Yong State since last June. On the way back, passing through Fengzhou City, she received a secret order to investigate.
She presented the object from her bosom, which meticulously recorded the life of Shen Hua.
Cui Yun looked over it.
At the age of six, she proudly smashed one of Zhou Zhizhi’s elder brother’s teeth, tossing and turning unable to sleep that night, and the very next day, she broke another tooth to finally sleep soundly.
In August of the same year, she pushed the eldest son of the second house into the water, arrogantly making threatening remarks. The cause was the eldest son’s teasing of Shen Zhui.
——See you once, push you once, just you wait! I’ll drown you one of these days!
Each incident, one after another, was infuriating. In creating troubles, Cui Rong was nowhere near her league. Cui Yun leisurely read word by word, finally stopping at a particular entry.
——At the end of autumn, when she was nine, Miss Shen spent a large sum of money to book a troupe, all for the sake of having dinner with a handsome young actor from the opera.
Nine years old.
Her past was indeed fascinating and tenacious.
Cui Yun’s expression remained indifferent.
However, one could see that Shen Hua’s temperament has always been consistent, never changing significantly. Having been Miss Shen for more than a decade, how could she become entangled with his Xue Tuan.
Cui Yun closed his eyes in fatigue, leaning back. He pressed his abdomen, feeling a sharp burn due to irregular eating.
Who would have thought that after all these years, Cui Yun had still not let go of the past.
The room was not lit, and the dim light cast a shadow over half of the man’s face, which was then engulfed in dead silence.
It was unknown how much time had passed before he finally said, "Return to the mansion."
The rosy glow was slowly swallowed by the twilight, the light becoming increasingly dim.
In recent days, Shen Hua had been avoiding Cui Yun, which is why she rarely left the East Courtyard.
The girl seldom behaved herself. Fortunately, there were distractions, like Wei Yingying visiting the Marquis Mansion from time to time. She brought news of the Fifth Princess’s return to Shengjing.
"Look at her arrogance, eyes aimed so high as if everyone in the world is only fit to carry her shoes."
"Born to a good family and relying on her orthodox status, previously when the Third Princess was not married off, the official heart was somewhat biased. Now that the Third Princess is gone, she seems undeservingly noble."
Shen Hua was listless.
After all, both three and five are odd numbers.
But Wei Yingying spoke with righteous indignation. It was not surprising given that Fifth Princess Ji Shimin was too arrogant and dismissive of others.
As soon as she returned to Shengjing, she organized a Cuju Conference. It was as if she couldn’t wait to announce to the world her return. In fact, there was nothing inherently wrong with this. But without receiving an invitation from her, Ji Shimin turned around and sent one to that sly Wei Zhuzhu.
How could she not be angry!
The ladies of various mansions in Shengjing, who once held her in high favor, now turned their faces away, not recognizing her. Nowadays, the only ones who would speak heartily with her, apart from the gentle as water Yan Mi, was the aloof Shen Hua.
"You must have seen the girl from Duke Fu’s Mansion of the Xuan Family. She’s timid and least willing to attend such occasions. Ji Shimin, however, was extraordinary, sending her old woman to make two visits. Xie Yinong declined both times with the excuse of being unwell."
Yet, Ji Shimin was not at all angry, nor did she put on her princess airs, but instead personally visited Duke Fu’s Mansion. This was not to seek out Xie Yinong, but clearly aimed at Heir Xie.
"With such intentions, it’s probably clear as day to anyone with a brain."
"I’m not bad-mouthing her, but she’s not a match for Xie Xun."
Shen Hua remained sprawled out until the next sentence. The girl suddenly sat up straight.
"Ji Shimin left Shengjing to recover her health, but over the years, there’s been no sign of her getting better. However, she uses her status to indulge in affectation and fragility, flaring up and playing weak at the slightest disagreement - that’s quite similar to you."
Shen Hua: ???
"If you can’t speak properly, then don’t speak at all! Who is being affectatious and pretentious?"
"You."
Wei Yingying looked over: "Are you really that oblivious?"
Shen Hua coldly and nobly snorted: "Yingwu, escort the daughter of the Minister of Ministry of Industry out."
"I remember there is a Double-Sided Embroidery silk handkerchief in this room. Take it along and present it to the Second Lady of the Wei Family, wishing her a splendid performance at the Cuju Conference."
Wei Yingying: !!!
"And here I thought we were getting along. To spite me, you even sought out that little wretch!"
Shen Hua told her: "I’m not trying to anger you."
"I am disgusted by you."
Wei Yingying: ...
With a profile serene and distant, Shen Hua began toying with the prayer beads on her wrist: "Miss Wei is due to be married in a few months, her actions are nevertheless somewhat immature."
"What’s the point of being on good terms? A little lip service and siblings can breed resentment. There are plenty of unhappy couples in the world, not to mention those who pretend to be a loving couple in public."
Wei Yingying wanted to curse back.
But she found Shen Hua’s words not without reason.
Wei Yingying fell silent.
Shen Hua propped herself up nonchalantly: "As you said, the Fifth Princess is born of the official family and the Lady herself, her brother is the Crown Prince, so she does have the capital to act this way."
"What if she has designs on Heir Xie, how does that matter? To speak indecently, Heir Xie is not our brother, why should we care if the Princess has her eyes on him? The Xie Family is not anxious, why are you?"
Pale fingers lofted, she unsparingly removed the gold hairpin from Wei Yingying’s hair.
The girl curved her lips.
"All those pieces of jewelry you previously had, at least eighty percent of them should be pawned for silver notes and sent to the Third Prince Mansion in one go. You’re not even married yet and you’re practically squandering your dowry, employ some wisdom and keep some for yourself, lest you cry poor again later."
Shen Hua glanced at the hairpin and its quality, it was last year’s style.
No one can rely on others for a lifetime. Therefore, one should always learn to be a bit selfish.
————
"Miss Shen." Just after Wei Yingying left, Nanny Fang from Cui Xuan’s side came over.
"I’ve heard that you’ve had a poor appetite recently. Madam has therefore invited the chefs from Fengzhou City to prepare a feast of hometown dishes. The old servant invites you to dine."
Shen Hua was slightly taken aback.
Chefs from Fengzhou.
She showed a bit of concern in her question: "Has my cousin returned to the mansion?"
Nanny Fang was taken aback and then smiled more genuinely: "The Marquis has been busy these past days, returning late every night."
Shen Hua felt relieved.
She carefully adjusted her attire; Yicui pushed the wheelchair forward as the girl took her seat, and the party made their way toward Cui Xuan’s courtyard.
Passing through a small corridor, Shen Hua’s sharp eyes caught sight of Cui Yun returning slowly in a red robe. When their eyes met, Cui Yun hesitated, then changed direction towards Shen Hua.
Nanny Fang exclaimed in surprise: "My, what a coincidence."
Shen Hua: ...
She clutched the handkerchief tightly.
Without waiting for Cui Yun to draw near, the girl agilely leaped up from the wheelchair. Her movements were a bit rushed, causing her body to sway slightly.
Cui Yun stepped back.
He narrowed his eyes, witnessing Shen Hua as if seeing tainted goods, heading straight back the way she came.
She seemed to have forgotten her weak condition, and when crossing the threshold of the West Garden, she even gave a little hop.