Chapter 6 How about my cousin moves in with me? ...

Zhong Du's ears turned bright red, and he hurriedly covered his face with his sleeve.

He was utterly ashamed to face the elders of the capital!

Ji Chengning got up and sat back down as if nothing had happened.

He propped his chin up with his hand and looked up at Cui Yao with a smile, saying, "Cousin Cui, what are you saying? I am overjoyed to see you."

Anyone with eyes could see that he was being insincere, but the young man's tone of voice was always sweet and cloying, with the last syllable deliberately drawn out, sticky like candy.

Cui Yao also smiled.

His lips curled up, and the wound, which had only recently scabbed over, was immediately torn open, creating a small crack.

The pain wasn't particularly intense; what was unbearable was the tingling sensation from the wound, making one want to scratch it, yet afraid of tearing the crack open further.

Cui Yao looked at Ji Chengnin, who beckoned to him affectionately, "If you don't mind, cousin, please come sit here with me."

"What a fickle person," he thought, "a two-faced liar."

Ji Chengning had subtly threatened Cui Yao last night, and any normal person would have refused to come to his side. Cui Yao even had words of regret on her lips after her polite refusal.

Cui Yao opened her lips.

Ji Chengnin looked at him with a smile in his eyes.

Cui Yao lowered her head slightly, a respectful and courteous gesture.

He replied softly, "It would be impolite to refuse."

Ji Chengning was surprised that he would agree. He was stunned for a few seconds and then realized what it meant to shoot yourself in the foot.

He immediately slapped his forehead in frustration, "Men and women should not sit together; it was my oversight."

Just as Ji Chengnin was about to get up and sit down with Zhong Du, a cold object pressed down on his shoulder before he could.

"Whoosh."

The fabric made a rubbing sound.

Miss Cui lowered her head slightly and said softly, "It was originally my turn to come later. If I were to ask the young master to stand up and offer it to me, wouldn't that be like a cuckoo taking over the nest? That would make me feel embarrassed."

A cold breath brushed against the back of his neck.

Ji Chengning's back stiffened, and he felt as if he had been bitten by a poisonous insect on the back of his neck, which immediately went numb.

“My cousin is right,” he said, having no choice but to pull a handkerchief from his sleeve and brush away non-existent dust. “Please, cousin.”

Cui Yao smiled at Ji Chengning with her eyes crinkled.

He possessed a cool and aloof air; when he did not smile, he was serene and detached, but when he smiled, the chill vanished instantly, as if the waters of spring were flowing gently.

The young marquis paused as he pulled the handkerchief away.

Even though Cui Yao was extremely strange, he had to admit that Cui Yao was indeed born with a beautiful face.

It was the kind of beauty that Ji Chengning liked best: aloof and unattainable.

Cui Yao moved her hand away and sat down gracefully.

Zhong Du was already so embarrassed that he wanted to disappear. When he saw the girl who had interrupted their "good time" sit down, even though he had a thick skin, he couldn't stay in the room. "I'll go pour tea for the girl."

Cui Yao nodded and said, "Thank you, Daoist Master."

Zhong Du immediately got up and fled as if his feet were greased.

A ray of sunlight shone in as the door opened, only to be quickly shut out again.

"Crunch."

Ji Chengning's chest heaved uncontrollably.

He pinched his fingers hard, thinking to himself, what's so scary about it? Could Cui Yao really turn into a monster and swallow him whole?

The two looked at each other in silence. Cui Yao seemed unable to bear the silence and took the initiative to speak, "Why did the Crown Prince come to Da Zhao Temple?"

At this time, Ji Chengnin should be studying at the Imperial Academy, not in a Taoist temple, having a secret rendezvous with her lover.

Ji Chengnin rarely answered every question. “I came to the Taoist temple for two things. First, my friend’s elder brother is getting married, and I’m asking for a talisman on his behalf to pray for a long and happy marriage for his brother. Second,” he said meaningfully, “I haven’t been feeling well lately.”

Upon hearing this, Cui Yao leaned forward slightly.

The already cramped space between the two people was immediately brought even closer.

My gentle and kind cousin asked with concern, "Is the young master feeling any better now?"

A faint, cool, sweet, and slightly fishy smell wafted to my nose.

Like a spider web, sticky and tangled, seemingly there yet not quite.

Ji Chengning subconsciously held his breath, "This is bad." But he raised his lips, faced Cui Yao, and smiled tenderly, "But if I can get a word of concern from my cousin, I would be willing to die ten thousand times over."

Cui Yao knew that he was frivolous by nature and would say all sorts of sweet words when he was happy.

Her thick, fan-shaped eyelashes lowered shyly, avoiding Ji Chengning's gaze.

Ji Chengnin continued, "Strangely enough, my illness is really bizarre, and there is no cure from medicine. I can only ask the gods and spirits."

Cui Yao's eyes flickered. "Oh?"

“I don’t know why I was bewitched by the female ghost. She came to my dream to take my life,” Ji Chengning sighed softly. “I had no choice but to come to Master Zhong to exorcise the ghost.”

Cui Yao's fingers casually traced the teacup, a drop of water staining his fingertip.

My gaze shifted downwards and I saw that Ji Chengnin's other hand was also resting on the table.

The young marquis was restless, his hands unconsciously fiddling with the trinkets on the table.

Cui Yao responded softly, "When I was a child, the elders in my family said that it is easy to encounter ghosts when walking at night. Cousin, you must be careful and don't always go to quiet and deserted places."

"Sages and Taoist masters do not speak of strange phenomena, physical prowess, disorder, or spirits; how could Cousin Cui believe in such things?"

“I don’t believe in ghosts and gods, but even if there are no ghosts in the world, Your Highness should stay away from remote and deserted places,” he said, revealing a few sharp white teeth as he parted his lips. “After all, dark places are prone to venomous snakes and insects.”

Ji Chengning's entire attention was focused on Cui Yao's face. Before she finished speaking, his fingertips suddenly turned cold!

It was wet, cool, and slippery, as if insects and snakes were crawling across his skin, meandering and probing into the depths of his sleeves.

He suddenly lowered his head.

Zhongdu is clean and tidy, so naturally there are no insects or ants here.

Cui Yao's hand remained firmly on the table, but his fingertips had somehow moved to face Cui Yao.

He must have gotten carried away with his words and inadvertently touched Cui Yao's hand, startling himself.

Ji Chengning pretended to be calm and moved his hand away. "I have offended you unintentionally. Please forgive me, cousin."

"Your Highness is too polite. It was just an unintentional gesture," Cui Yao replied docilely.

Ji Chengnin was unwilling to stay any longer. He glanced out the window and said, "It's getting late, we should go back."

Cui Yao looked at Ji Chengnin and asked softly, "Da Zhao Temple is far away. I need to go to the bookstore to pick up some books. I'm afraid I'll miss the closing time. If Your Highness comes by carriage, would it be convenient for you to give me a ride?"

The boy smiled, "Of course it's possible."

Then Ji Chengning ordered someone to return to the Marquis's residence to fetch a carriage and horses, and first send Cui Yao to the bookstore.

The bookstore was located in Xuandefang. It was not a large space, and the entire bookstore could be seen from the outside. The interior was so ordinary that it was almost shabby.

Ji Chengnin didn't get out of the carriage; he just half-lifted the curtain with a fan and looked out listlessly.

With his sharp eyesight, he glanced around and saw nothing but classic texts and historical records used for the imperial examinations, along with collections of essays by past successful candidates.

Ji Chengning yawned listlessly.

Cui Yao was probably a big customer. As soon as she entered the bookstore, a middle-aged manager came up to her eagerly. Ji Chengning heard the manager say, "I'm really sorry, miss, but the ninth volume of the Qingletang Complete Works that you requested is nowhere to be found."

Cui Yao looked regretful, but still politely said, "I appreciate your help during this time."

He took a silver note from his sleeve and handed it over.

The steward glanced at the silver notes, his wrinkles deepening. "Thank you for your continued patronage, Miss. How could I possibly take more?"

Ji Chengnin paused in his hand, which was playing with the fan.

Cui Yao smiled slightly, "I will come to buy books again in the future. If the manager gives me a small percentage of the profit, it will just cancel each other out."

The steward nodded and bowed, "Yes, yes, the young lady is very thoughtful." After a few moments of silence, he slapped his forehead hard, startling Ji Chengnin, who was deep in thought.

"I heard that Li Xuezheng of the Imperial Academy has a unique copy of the ninth volume, but Li Xuezheng loves books more than anything, and the ninth volume is one of a kind in the world, so he never lends it out."

Li Xuezheng of the Imperial Academy, Ji Chengning’s thoughts were pulled back. Could it be Li Wensheng?

Cui Yao nodded to indicate that he understood. Seeing that he was about to leave, the steward immediately said, "Someone, quickly move the things to the young lady's carriage."

Ji Chengnin knocked on the side of the car.

The manager instinctively looked over upon hearing the noise.

But he was taken aback.

The young master in the carriage had been waiting for too long, his thick eyebrows furrowing slightly. The sunlight was dazzling, and he squinted slightly, his expression showing a hint of impatience, yet he appeared even more extravagant and ostentatious, as if all the glory and wealth in the world had been condensed into such a person.

For a moment, the only words that came to mind for the manager were "magnificent".

"This, this gentleman..." The usually eloquent businessman stammered.

The coachman, upon receiving the order, silently stepped forward to take Cui Yao's book.

The sunlight was too bright, and Cui Yao squinted.

He nodded to the steward, lifted the curtain, and got into the carriage.

Light and shadow flicker and open.

The young marquis's earlier impatience vanished instantly, and he gazed at Cui Yao with tender eyes. The contrast was so striking that it was almost overwhelming.

"I have kept the Crown Prince waiting."

Ji Chengnin smiled and said, "Cousin, you don't need to be so polite." The next moment, he asked casually, "Cousin Cui, have you ever been to the capital before?"

The wheels turned, making a rumbling sound as they rolled on the bluestone path.

Cui Yao lowered her eyes and obediently replied, "My father came here a few times when he was still alive."

“No wonder, I thought that boss was just being glib,” Ji Chengnin said lazily, leaning back and closing his eyes. “My sister has only been in Beijing for a short time, how come she’s been patronizing his business all this time?”

Upon hearing this, Cui Yao slowly turned her face.

He spoke in a very gentle tone, “Business people have to be quick-witted when welcoming and seeing off guests.”

His dark eyes, however, were completely different, staring straight at Ji Chengnin.

The playboy acted too casually, showing no regard for the fact that he had a female companion with him.

He lay back, revealing a section of his snow-white neck, with prominent neck bones and skin so white it was almost translucent, revealing the delicate, fragile veins beneath.

Such a neck is actually very suitable for encircling with a ring blade.

No, that's not right.

Cui Yao internally refuted herself.

Ji Chengning has more bone than flesh, so there's no need for a blade. Just extend your hand, cup your fingers around it, and gently apply force—breaking this piece of bone won't be any harder than snapping a flower stem.

Ji Chengning casually said, "My cousin is naive and doesn't know the ways of the world. Don't be fooled by sweet talk."

"Thank you for your guidance, Your Highness."

He pressed the cold ring firmly against his finger.

Cui Yao pursed her dry lips.

The wound began to reopen, causing him pain and itching that annoyed him.

"It's not so much about teaching, but I'm a few months older than Cousin Cui, so I can't help but show her more care."

Before he could finish speaking, the young playboy suddenly opened his eyes.

Cui Yao sat quietly beside him, still looking very obedient and submissive.

Ji Chengnin couldn't help but rub his cold neck.

Strange.

He casually asked, "By the way, does your cousin have any brothers?"

The boy's finger moved down and landed on his own face, the force just right, leaving a small dent in his soft cheek.

"The kind of person who looks exactly like you."

Cui Yao said calmly, "I haven't been in touch with several of my cousins ​​for many years."

"I see."

After speaking, he lazily closed his eyes again.

Cui Yao looked at Ji Chengning.

He had a calm demeanor and observed people silently.

Like a venomous spider lurking in the shadows, silently lowering its web, and in the blink of an eye, it has already wrapped itself up in the web.

Ji Chengnin suddenly said, "Cousin."

"What's wrong?" Cui Yao asked softly.

“It suddenly occurred to me that my cousin’s courtyard is too remote. It’s worrying that you’re only bringing a few people to live there.” Ji Chengnin smiled, his eyes crinkling. “My courtyard is mostly empty. Why don’t you move in with me, cousin?”

A note from the author:

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