hypocrisy
After hearing about Ping An's background, Cui Shenzhi couldn't help but think of himself.
Ping An's mother died and her father's fate is unknown.
He was born after his mother's death and was not loved by his father.
Given these similar circumstances, it's no wonder that Fu Yunjin sought out Ping An.
However, his situation was much better than Ping An's. Although he lacked Cui Sugong's fatherly love, he had the care of the previous dynasty, the protection of Shen Meiwu, the companionship of Cui Lingxian, and the close friend Lu Fengping. He only lacked parental love; otherwise, he had everything, unlike Ping An, who had nothing.
Cui Shenzhi pursed his lips, looked up at Ping An, and said softly, "Ping An, do you want to leave here?"
"Leave? Leave...where to? And why would I leave?"
Ping An's habitual self-imposed limitations made Qi Kang and Cui Shenzhi, who knew her situation, look at her with even more pity.
"Ping An, aren't you curious about what's outside?"
"Of course I'm curious! But Grandpa Guo told me that there are terrifying man-eating monsters outside that specifically eat little girls like me."
Cui Shenzhi immediately realized that the so-called man-eating monster referred to the palace rules. After all, Ping An was the child born from someone's defilement in the palace, and once discovered, she would surely die. However, he was the crown prince, and as long as he didn't make Ping An's matter public, protecting her wouldn't be a problem.
Cui Shenzhi looked at Ping An, and was about to speak when he remembered that Ping An didn't even know what it meant that the Crown Prince didn't know. If he were to say directly that he could protect Ping An, Ping An probably wouldn't understand at all.
He thought for a moment, then changed his words and said, "Ping An, have you forgotten? I am the child of 'Fairy Sister,' so I am also an immortal. That terrible man-eating monster won't dare to provoke me. With me by your side, you will definitely be safe."
"Really?"
Choi Shin-ji met Ping An's expectant eyes and nodded heavily. Then he saw Ping An shakily stand up against the wall.
"Shenzhi, you'd better catch me!"
After saying that, Ping An leaped towards Cui Shenzhi and jumped into Cui Shenzhi's arms to Qi Kang's surprise.
Seeing this scene from afar, Siwei couldn't help but recall the teachings Shen Meiwu and Yanzhi had given her.
"The Crown Prince is the future emperor, and there will inevitably be many people around him who are tempted by their beauty to seduce him and gain benefits. Since you are the Crown Prince's chosen head palace maid, you must think about the Crown Prince's reputation and not let such things happen."
Siwei approached with a sullen face, just about to boldly offer a few words of advice to Cui Shenzhi, when he saw Ping An jump out of Cui Shenzhi's arms, then hide behind Cui Shenzhi, grabbing his clothes and peeking around.
This strange behavior was beyond Siwei's comprehension, so much so that she stood there somewhat puzzled, unsure of what to do next.
Ping An noticed Si Wei not far away, her eyes flashed, and she smiled, asking, "Shen Zhi, Shen Zhi, that sister is so beautiful! Who is she? Is she a fairy like Fairy Sister?"
After saying that, Ping An subtly began to observe Si Wei.
She was of average appearance and temperament, and not young. She didn't seem like Cui Shenzhi's concubine, but you can't be sure. After all, Cui Shenzhi was born without a mother. Who knows if he just liked older women who looked mature and stable?
Tsk, that would be troublesome if that were the case. The way she's putting on an act is anything but mature and composed.
Just as Ping An was troubled, Cui Shenzhi gave Qi Kang a look, signaling Qi Kang to explain Ping An's situation to Siwei. Then he smiled and explained, "She is not, she is my personal maid Siwei."
Hearing that there wasn't any overly intimate meaning in Cui Shenzhi's words, Ping An breathed a sigh of relief.
"'Personal maid'? What does that mean?"
"The person who stays by my side and takes care of my daily life."
"Wow, Shenzhi, you're so old and you still need someone to take care of you?"
Choi Shin-ji was stunned for a moment, a slightly embarrassed expression appearing on his face. He wanted to explain but didn't know where to begin.
*****
After hearing Qi Kang's account of Ping An's situation, Si Wei realized that she had misunderstood. She felt ashamed that Qi Kang was so quick to assume malice in people's hearts, and even more sorry for Ping An's plight. She quickly came over.
“Your Highness,” Siwei curtsied, “Let me take Ping’an back to the East Palace. Her attire is not conspicuous enough for me to take her back, but it won’t be appropriate for her to stay by your side. Her situation is not good for people to know, so it’s better not to make a scene.”
Cui Shenzhi nodded, then turned to Ping An and said, "Ping An, you go with Siwei first, I'll be there shortly."
"No!" Ping An clung tightly to Cui Shenzhi's hand, her voice filled with fear: "Shenzhi, the man-eating monster hasn't appeared because you're here, because you're the fairy sister's child, but Siwei isn't. If I go with Siwei, won't I get eaten?!"
Although Siwei is Cui Shenzhi's personal maid, she is still just a maid. If something unexpected happens on the way to the East Palace, can Siwei protect her?
I don't believe in peace.
But Cui Shenzhi couldn't help but think that Siwei's words made sense.
He patted Ping An's hand and then took off the dragon-patterned jade pendant from his waist and handed it to Ping An.
“Ping An, this is my father…this is the jade pendant my mother gave me. If the fairy sister’s jade pendant is on you, you will definitely be safe.”
A gift from the emperor? That's alright.
Ping An steadily took the jade pendant and held it in her hand, nodding obediently: "Shen Zhi, I'll go with Sister Si Wei first, you must catch up quickly!"
After seeing Cui Shenzhi nod, Ping An followed Siwei away.
*****
After seeing Ping An leave with Si Wei, Guo Shu, who was hiding in the shadows, breathed a sigh of relief.
Ping An is quite something. She managed to get the Crown Prince to ignore her background and take her back to the Eastern Palace with ease, and she even got a dragon-patterned jade pendant. Her future is truly limitless. It seems he didn't bet on the wrong horse.
Remembering Ping An's words of advice, Guo Shu straightened his clothes and went out.
“Your Highness,” Guo Shu cupped his hands and said, “Ping’an has been in the Cold Palace for so many years. Meeting Your Highness is a blessing in disguise. However, there are some things… This servant is presumptuous and would like to say a few words in her defense. Please grant me permission, Your Highness.”
Choi Shin-ji nodded.
“That child didn’t mean to offend Your Highness. It’s just that there are many things she hasn’t been taught. After all, given her situation… who would have thought she would one day leave the Cold Palace? In that situation, the less she knew, the more she had the will to live, which led to this situation.”
Choi Shin-ji sighed.
"Don't worry, I won't hold it against you."
"Then I entrust Ping An to Your Highness." Guo Shu took two steps back and solemnly bowed to Cui Shenzhi, as if entrusting his daughter to someone else.
*****
After Cui Shenzhi left, Guo Shu released Qingya, who had been gagged and tied up in the room. The moment she was released, Qingya rushed towards the entrance of the Cold Palace, but as expected, she was dragged back by Guo Shu's men.
"Qingya, what exactly are you trying to do?" Guo Shu's puzzled voice came from behind her. "Ping An is going to live a good life by the Crown Prince's side. He's going to enjoy a life of luxury in the future, and he'll take you with him. Why are you so unhappy about it?"
"Ping An is my daughter! It's none of your business! I disagree, and that's final! She absolutely cannot be with the Crown Prince!"
Seeing Qingya's unrepentant attitude, Guo Shu curled his lip in disdain.
"With a mother like you, Ping An is truly cursed for eight lifetimes. Instead of expecting her daughter to enjoy wealth and glory in the Eastern Palace and rise to prominence, she wants to keep her in the cold palace to live a pitiful life. No wonder she repeatedly told me to lock you up, saying that you would definitely cause trouble."
"But no matter how much you make a fuss, this is all it will be like. After all, she has already left with the Crown Prince. Unlike her, no one will take you away from the Cold Palace. What can you do to her?"
Seeing that Qingya still showed no signs of calming down, Guo Shu casually took a letter from his pocket and threw it into her arms.
"This is what Ping An left for you. She wants you to read it and think carefully about what to do."
Qingya opened the envelope with trembling hands. Inside was only a thin piece of paper with a line of words written in blood by Ping An.
Mother, do you want me to die?
Qingya froze, then collapsed to the ground as if all her strength had left her.
Guo Shu leaned over for a look and then laughed.
“Ping An is right. Whether you like it or not, the fact is that she has deceived the Crown Prince. If you continue to make trouble, she will be the first to be punished by His Highness the Crown Prince. She may not die, but she will definitely not live well.”
After saying that, Guo Shu instructed the eunuchs to guard the Cold Palace and went to Chengqian Palace on his own. After all, Cui Shenzhi coming to the Cold Palace was no small matter. He had to make up an excuse to cover up the matter of Ping An. Otherwise, if Shen Meiwu knew that he was thinking of changing his mind now, he would be in big trouble.
*****
After Ping An arrived at the East Palace without any hindrance, Si Wei led her to the bathhouse where the palace servants washed up and tidied herself up. He then gave her a set of clothes and a pair of somewhat worn shoes to change into before taking her to the East Palace study to see Cui Shenzhi.
The moment Ping An saw Cui Shenzhi, she ran to greet him with an innocent smile, not caring that she had lost her shoes. When she got to Cui Shenzhi, she hugged him tightly in front of everyone without any hesitation. After rubbing against him, she said with a sense of satisfaction, "Shenzhi, I missed you so much."
Cui Shenzhi first instructed Siwei to take everyone out of the study.
Siwei would naturally remind them what they should and shouldn't say.
Then they wanted to pull Ping An away, since it's important to maintain proper boundaries between men and women, and Ping An's actions would be criticized if seen by others.
But seeing the reliance in Ping An's eyes, and considering Ping An's situation, he hesitated for a moment before finally placing his outstretched hand on Ping An's head.
He gently patted Ping An's head and said softly, "Ping An, we've only just met and haven't been apart for long, and you already miss me this much?"
Ping An nodded heavily.
"Because you're the first person to be so good to me!" Ping An released Cui Shenzhi and started counting on her fingers: "You talked to me, you brought me out, you gave me the jade pendant, you asked Sister Siwei to take me to take a bath, you asked Sister Siwei to bring me such beautiful clothes and such comfortable shoes..."
As she spoke, Ping An became even more emotional, and hugged Cui Shenzhi tightly, nuzzling him: "Shenzhi, you're so good to me, I really like you so much!"
Cui Shenzhi, however, could not quite manage a smile.
Aside from taking the jade pendant and leaving the Cold Palace, weren't all the things Ping An mentioned ordinary? If this can be considered kindness towards Ping An, then what kind of life did Ping An lead before?
He didn't even dare to think about it.
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