Obstacles

Ping An didn't have any hope of being taken out for fun by Cui Lingxian. After all, this was a slum, what fun could there be? As for making new friends, she didn't care at all. Everyone here was penniless and powerless, and she didn't want friends like that.

But when she arrived at her destination, everything before her eyes was beyond her expectations, to the point that her naive mask almost cracked.

—When Cui Lingxian said she would take her to play, she meant taking her to play hopscotch and to make new friends, which included a bunch of skinny little kids who looked to be around ten years old.

Ping An had played hopscotch before, and it was incredibly boring. She had no interest in playing with these dirty little devils in this run-down place, especially since she was almost of marriageable age! How could she possibly play with these little brats?!

But she couldn't think of a reason to refuse Cui Lingxian without attracting his attention, so she could only bite the bullet and pretend to be engrossed in the game, mingling with the children and having a great time, even ignoring Cui Lingxian.

—Ignoring Cui Lingxian was intentional, because she felt that Cui Lingxian's actions were malicious, a test to see if she was truly innocent or just pretending.

So when Cui Shenzhi and Lu Fengping arrived, what they saw was Cui Lingxian watching with a look of satisfaction, carefully preventing the children from doing anything dangerous with Ping An, while Ping An was playing with a group of children who were a little taller than her waist, and there was no sense of incongruity at all.

Choi Shin-ji smiled from the bottom of his heart upon seeing this scene.

Lu Fengping's brows furrowed even more.

He noticed that whenever the children touched Ping An, whether intentionally or unintentionally, Ping An would pat them subtly within moments, clearly showing his disdain for the children. If Ping An were truly a simple and innocent child, he wouldn't have done such a thing.

He tugged at Cui Shenzhi's hand and whispered, "Shenzhi, did you notice anything amiss in that girl's movements?"

"You mean Ping An shouldn't have pushed those kids so hard? Yes, but she didn't mean it. She just didn't realize she was stronger than them. But it's really not a good thing. I'll talk to her about it later."

"No, look..."

Before he could finish speaking, Lu Fengping and Cui Shenzhi saw Ping An slip and fall heavily to the ground.

Ping An caught a faint scent of Cui Shenzhi.

Seeing this, Cui Shenzhi could no longer hide. He hurriedly ran out from the shadows, and Lu Fengping, unable to stop him, could only follow him out.

Soon after Ping An was helped up by Cui Lingxian, she saw Cui Shenzhi's concerned face and Lu Fengping's inquisitive expression.

So, Cui Shenzhi's sudden visit to spy wasn't because he suspected her, but because Lu Fengping sensed something was wrong? Ha, a fool who can't even see through Cui Lingxian's hypocrisy still wants to ruin her plans?

Ping An threw herself into Cui Lingxian's arms and sobbed. She even gave Lu Fengping a provocative look when no one was looking, leaving Lu Fengping stunned.

Lu Fengping was now 100% certain that Ping An was in trouble, but looking at Cui Shenzhi, who trusted Ping An completely, and Cui Lingxian, who was holding Ping An in her arms and carefully coaxing her, he could only grit his teeth and swallow the words he wanted to say.

He has no evidence, so saying this like that won't convince anyone.

*****

Since meeting Cui Lingxian during her trip to the slums, Ping An's life in the East Palace has changed. It's not that Cui Shenzhi has become a million miles away from her since then, but rather that the person who taught her to read and write has changed from Cui Shenzhi to Cui Lingxian.

Although the teaching location was still in the study, and Cui Shenzhi hadn't gone far and was still in the study, with Cui Lingxian around, Cui Shenzhi no longer allowed her to get close easily. After she finished writing the large characters, she wanted to give them to Cui Shenzhi for inspection under the pretext of improving their relationship, but Cui Lingxian would take them automatically without giving her any space at all.

As a result, her relationship with Choi Shin-ji became quite distant after the trip to the slums.

Seeing this, Ping An was so angry he wanted to bite his teeth.

We need to quickly find a way to get Cui Lingxian, this obstacle, out of the East Palace.

*****

When Shen Meiwu heard Cui Lingxian say that she was bored in Chengqian Palace and should go to the East Palace to play with Cui Shenzhi every day, she felt both happy and sad.

Ling Xian has grown up and reached the age where her heart is beginning to flutter with romantic feelings. Although she hasn't told the two children that they are not related by blood, they have developed some feelings for each other over time. It seems that the 'truth' she has prepared will soon come in handy.

At that time...

Shen Meiwu closed her eyes slightly, concealing the murderous intent within them.

By then, it will be time for Cui Sugong to pass away.

Shen Meiwu was becoming increasingly unable to tolerate Cui Sugong. Despite the fact that both the imperial physicians in the palace and the doctors outside the palace had said that he would not have any more children, she began to search for all sorts of folk remedies in an attempt to produce a biological prince because Cui Shenzhi was more outstanding and popular than her in both the court and among the common people.

Shen Meiwu would not allow such a thing to happen.

Cui Sugong is so dissatisfied with Cui Shenzhi. Once he has a biological son, he will inevitably reveal Cui Shenzhi's identity. What will happen to her Lingxian then? No matter who she marries, she will not be able to escape the fact that she will have to lower her head and please her younger brother who is more than ten years younger than her.

The mere thought of such a possibility made Shen Meiwu wish she could kill Cui Sugong with her own hands.

You really won't learn to be honest until you're lying in your coffin.

Besides, Cui Shenzhi is more capable and popular than Cui Sugong, but has Cui Shenzhi ever said anything bad about him? Isn't he filial enough? After helping the people seek justice, he never forgets to mention him, reminding them to be grateful to the emperor. What could he possibly be dissatisfied with in such a good son-in-law? Would he be happy if he were a good-for-nothing?

That's utterly nonsensical.

Don't they realize that Cui Shenzhi is Cui Lingxian's future husband? If he's a good-for-nothing, what will happen to their Lingxian? Putting aside whether Lingxian would even look at a good-for-nothing, there's just one question: why would a good-for-nothing marry their Lingxian? They can't just say he's completely useless but deeply in love, can they?

A cold glint flashed in Shen Meiwu's eyes.

If Cui Shenzhi were truly that kind of person, she would never have allowed him to live to this age. Her Lingxian is the most unique and noble princess in the world, and only the best man in the world can barely be worthy of her. If Cui Shenzhi is not good enough, then even just having a thought about Cui Lingxian would be a sin that requires him to pay with his life!

*****

That day, after teaching Ping An and helping him write calligraphy, Cui Lingxian hugged him as usual and was about to leave when Ping An grabbed her sleeve.

"Ping An, what's wrong?" Cui Lingxian asked, somewhat puzzled.

“Little fairy, I think…” Ping An paused, “It’s okay, it’s okay. Little fairy, be careful on your way back and don’t fall. I once fell down when I was playing with Shen Zhi at night, and it hurt so much.”

It was quite surprising to Cui Lingxian that Ping An was clearly hiding something. After all, she had known Ping An for almost half a month, and this was the first time she had encountered such a situation. However, she didn't ask. With Ping An's naive nature, who could she possibly hide anything from? She would find out sooner or later anyway, so it was best to respect Ping An's wishes and pretend she hadn't noticed.

"Okay, I'll be careful, don't worry."

After saying that, Cui Lingxian turned and left, while Ping An stood at the door of the study, gazing at her intently, like a statue waiting for her husband.

Only after Cui Lingxian's figure had completely disappeared did Ping An run up to Cui Shenzhi.

"Be careful, be very careful!"

"What's wrong."

"When is the fairy's birthday?"

"Is this what you just wanted to ask Ling Xian?"

Ping An nodded heavily.

"My little fairy is beautiful and gentle. She teaches me to read and write, plays with me, and tells me stories. She knows so many things that I don't know, yet she has never looked down on me and cares about me so much. I want to make something for her as a birthday gift!"

These reasons are indeed quite valid, Cui Shenzhi thought to himself.

"Ling Xian's birthday is October 22nd, which is about a month away. But Ping An, since you're planning to give Ling Xian a birthday gift, what about mine?"

"Well..."

Ping An's gaze began to wander, looking at the sky, the ground, Qi Kang, and Si Wei, but not at Cui Shenzhi. This guilty little look made Cui Shenzhi laugh.

"Alright, I'm not Ling Xian, not the little fairy you've been longing for. It's okay if there's no gift. I will absolutely not be sad, I will not be unhappy, and I will definitely not cry while looking at the moon outside the window at night. Don't worry."

Although he said he didn't know, Choi Shin-ji deliberately repeated each "I don't know," afraid that An Ping wouldn't understand his implied meaning.

However, Ping An didn't hear it at all.

"Really? That's great! Shenzhi, you're so great!" Ping An cheered, hugged Cui Shenzhi while he was still stunned, and skipped away.

After Ping An's voice completely disappeared, Qi Kang's suppressed laughter immediately came from the study, and Cui Shenzhi, who had been stunned, finally came to his senses.

"Qi Kang!"

"Yes, Your Highness, this servant...this servant is here."

"Is it funny?"

"No...pfft...no, it's just that this servant thought of something very...funny, and couldn't help it."

Cui Shenzhi glared fiercely at Qi Kang, his voice full of annoyance: "Wasn't I obvious enough? How could Ping An not understand anything?"

“Your Highness,” Qi Kang said with an undisguised smile, “you know how naive Ping An is. She believes whatever you say without thinking twice. How could she possibly understand your little schemes?”

"Never mind, I was just saying. Whether Ping An delivers it or not is fine."

Despite saying that, there was an undeniable sense of disappointment in Cui Shenzhi's voice, which Qi Kang overheard.

Qi Kang's heart stirred, and he couldn't help but ponder it.

Ping An is just a child. His Highness wouldn't treat her like that... No, Ping An was born in the ninth year of Hongjia. She's already sixteen years old by the traditional Chinese age reckoning. Although she keeps saying she's fourteen, she'll be of marriageable age this year, so she can't really be called a child anymore. Even though her personality doesn't seem to be very suitable for the palace, given her situation, there's no better way out than staying by His Highness's side, right?

After letting his mind wander for a while, Qi Kang decided to find a time the next morning to tell Ping An to prepare an extra gift for Cui Shenzhi when she was preparing a birthday gift for Cui Lingxian.

Qi Kang didn't expect that before he could even go to find Ping An, Ping An would come looking for him first.

To be precise, it was Ju An who grabbed Ping An's wrist and stormed into the study to find Cui Shenzhi.