Chapter 18: Cousin, please help me
The small banquet was hosted by the Prince of Zheng. He was good friends with Chu Ke and was also very accomplished in entertainment. Today's small banquet was not held in the hall like ordinary banquets, but tables were set up in the garden. In order to prevent the ladies from feeling the sun was too strong, many tables were placed in the pavilions or under the flower stands.
In this way, there is no need for everyone to gather in one place, making it convenient for friends to get together and visit each other, creating a particularly casual and harmonious atmosphere.
It also made things convenient for Cui Yiluo.
Jiang Zhaoyue went to the lake with Yang Jingling and others to have fun. She pretended that it was too sunny outside and stayed in the pavilion because she had more important things to do.
The servants from Duke Zheng's mansion brought the wine and presented it to Cui Yiluo slowly and cautiously.
"Miss Cui, please."
Cui Yiluo inched closer, almost imperceptibly. The wine soaked with the Immortal Bewitching Infusion had a faint, strange aroma that she wouldn't have noticed if she hadn't read about it in a book.
At this moment, she could clearly feel someone staring at her eagerly, like a hungry wolf.
The sunlight was reflected in the glass, and the clear wine crystal was sparkling. Cui Yiluo lightly turned the glass with her slender fingertips and curled her lips.
Jiang Yunjin likes quietness and is aloof from others. No one knows where he went. Cui Yiluo looked around and saw the men gathered in groups of three or four, but there was no sign of Jiang Yunjin among them.
The effect of the magic spell was not very fast, usually taking half an hour. If she took the medicine too late, she would not be able to get it back before returning to the Jiang Mansion. Therefore, she had to let Jiang Yunjin drink it at least half an hour before returning to the Jiang Mansion.
The Duke of Zheng's mansion was lush with flowers and lush greenery, with pavilions and terraces scattered throughout the grounds. The gentlemen and ladies at the banquet were socializing, with servants following them with wine jugs. Cui Yiluo led Lilan past them, searching along the corridors.
But nothing was found.
She glanced at the sun, which was setting slightly lower, and her heart began to tense. If she delayed any longer, it would be too late.
"Miss Cui."
A male voice with a playful smile suddenly came from behind her, interrupting her thoughts.
Cui Yiluo turned around when she heard the voice and saw that the man was wearing an indigo brocade robe, with exquisite gemstones and jade pendants tied around his waist. The folding fan in his hand was also inlaid with gold and jade. The gold, jade and jewels on his body were dazzling. It was obvious at first sight how extravagant he was.
His eyebrows were thick and dark, and his eyes were a bit hazy. He looked young, but his face was vaguely murky. He was surprisingly similar to Cheng Feng.
Cui Yiluo thought of four words: excessive indulgence.
She replied, "Mr. Chu."
Chu Ke said "Oh" in surprise, narrowed his eyes and asked: "Miss Cui, do you recognize me?"
Cui Yiluo smiled faintly and did not comment.
Chu Ke folded his folding fan with a snap, took a step closer, and said with a half-smile, "Miss Cui and I hit it off right away. Why don't we find a place to chat for a while?"
Cui Yiluo retreated without leaving a trace: "Master Chu, I still have something to ask my cousin, I'm afraid it's not convenient."
As she said this, she secretly looked around. This place was next to the garden of the Duke's Mansion, and there were many people admiring the flowers and chatting. Chu Ke certainly couldn't force herself on her here.
Chu Ke smiled playfully, "Cousin? Is that Ming Xun? I'm somewhat acquainted with him, why don't we go together?"
Cui Yiluo sneered inwardly and looked at him leisurely: "It's my eldest cousin."
As expected, Chu Ke's expression froze. He had been appointed to one of the six ministries this year, and had some official dealings with Jiang Yunjin. Jiang Yunjin was a staid, dull, and conventional person. On several occasions, he'd been scolded and reprimanded simply for going to work after a few drinks.
When she heard that Cui Yiluo was going to look for Jiang Yunjin, all her romantic thoughts disappeared.
He pressed, "Are you familiar with him?"
Cui Yiluo said meaningfully, "My eldest cousin has always been very caring towards the younger generation."
Chu Ke frowned. It sounded like Jiang Yunjin was treating this nominal cousin well? Then his plan for today... no, he was the Chu family's legitimate son. Once the matter was settled, no matter what Jiang Yunjin did, could he still bypass his father and aunt to control him?
But it's still daylight now, so it's not appropriate to act now. Let's wait until she drinks the drugged wine and takes the medicine.
Chu Ke immediately decided to let Cui Yiluo go first: "Miss Cui, please go quickly and don't make the Lord wait anxiously."
Cui Yiluo observed every shift in Chu Ke's expression and knew that even if she deliberately misled him into thinking Jiang Yunjin was familiar with her, he wouldn't give up easily. The eldest son of the Chu family, raised in a world of luxury, had such little potential, his mind filled with lust. But she remained composed, saying, "Excuse me."
After sending Chu Ke away, she looked at the dusk which had grown even darker, and she couldn't help but feel irritated.
She had already walked through most of the Duke's Mansion, but still hadn't seen Jiang Yunjin. Could he have gone back home first?
Li Lan behind him also hesitated and said, "Miss, how about..."
Cui Yiluo shook her head and whispered to herself, "It's not too late."
After saying that, she turned a corner and saw a figure in front of her. Before she could react, she bumped into the person head-on.
Cui Yiluo almost bumped into the arms of the person who came in, and her steps staggered. She subconsciously tried to maintain her balance and stepped back to create some distance.
A steady force came from her arm, easily steadying her body. A familiar breath came, and Cui Yiluo paused.
Her expression softened in an instant, and her eyes flashed with fear: "Cousin, cousin."
Jiang Yunjin lowered his eyes to look at her and responded lightly.
This was the first time Cui Yiluo had seen him since her last visit to Jixuezhai. He was wearing a frosty, round-necked brocade robe, which accentuated his unparalleled handsome face, like a sculpture of cold jade. As usual, his expression was calm, his dark eyes were endless, and he exuded a cold, distant aura that made people afraid to approach.
The nature is like white jade, which remains cold even when burning. Cui Yiluo suddenly remembered a poem she had read before.
Her gaze drifted to the dark circles under his eyes, which were particularly noticeable against his cold white skin.
Her voice was soft: "Is my cousin busy these days?"
The bruises on his face are so severe now. I'm afraid he hasn't had a real rest for several days. He is too dedicated to his official duties.
After he finished speaking, he was stunned for a moment.
Perhaps she didn't expect that after the last incident in Jixuezhai, when she saw him again, she would still speak to him with concern as usual.
He said softly, "It's okay," and said nothing more.
"Cousin," Cui Yiluo bit her lip, a bit troubled. "Last time, Yiluo was reckless. Cousin, you've protected me so many times, but I was so naive. I'm leaving home and marrying into the Cheng family soon. Thank you for taking care of me during this time."
Her words were moving and sincere, coming from the bottom of her heart. After she finished, she picked up the wine bottle on the tray held by Lilan behind her and said to Jiang Yunjin, "If there's anything I can do to help you in the future, I'll be happy to help you. Let me toast to you today."
Jiang Yunjin looked at her with his dark eyes, his gaze dark and deep. After a few breaths, he did not refuse and turned back to get the wine bottle.
His wine jar was empty, and it looked like he had never drunk with anyone before. He brought the wine jug just to follow the etiquette of a small banquet.
Cui Yiluo turned her head slightly and picked up the wine jug. Before Wen Feng, who was behind Jiang Yunjin, could pour the wine, she poured the wine into Jiang Yunjin's wine bottle with smooth movements.
There was a soft sound of splashing water.
After pouring the wine in one go, she placed the jug back on the tray, her smile remaining unchanged, relaxed and frank, without a single clue to her intentions.
"Cousin, please."
Cui Yiluo raised the wine jar slightly, but the man in front of her did not move. He just lowered his eyes and stared at the wine in the glass. His long eyelashes covered his eyes, making it difficult to see the emotions in his eyes.
Could it be that he had figured it out? Cui Yiluo's heart skipped a beat, and her grip on the wine bottle tightened.
But the next moment, the man picked up the wine bottle and drank it all. When he tilted his head back slightly to swallow the wine, the protruding Adam's apple on his neck rolled.
After drinking, he looked at Cui Yiluo and tilted the wine bottle slightly to show her that he had finished drinking. This is the etiquette in social interactions among aristocratic families.
Just now she was still worried that he would notice something, but the moment he drank it down swiftly, Cui Yiluo felt inexplicably heavier in her heart.
There was no turning back for her.
After Jiang Yunjin finished drinking, it was her turn. She looked at the clear wine in the bottle, her eyes dark and unclear.
She pinched her palms, took a deep breath, slowly picked up the wine glass with determination, and quickly drank it down.
Cui Yiluo didn't drink often, and her stomach felt burning as soon as she drank. However, Jiang Yunjin in front of her remained as still as a mountain, and her eyes became even more serious.
The amount of medicine is only the amount of a glass of wine, it won’t be useless to him, right?
But now that things have come to this, she has no choice but to continue with it.
"Cousin, I'm leaving first."
See you later.
Jiang Yunjin hummed softly.
The scattered light from the sky was dim and gradually darkened. The servants of Duke Zheng's mansion scattered around with candles and lit the lamps one by one.
Cui Yiluo returned to the pavilion and sat down. The candlelight shone on her profile, making it look a bit fierce.
The medicine had taken effect and her whole body began to feel weak. She looked at Lilan.
Lilan understood, moved outside the pavilion quietly, and then left quickly.
Lilan walked for a while, calculating the time. Cui Yiluo adjusted the white jade lotus on her skirt and walked slowly into the quiet and deserted path in the back forest.
Li Lan on the other side didn't expect that she would find the person so quickly. He was in the rockery not far behind the pavilion. It was much less difficult than the previous search in the afternoon.
Wen Feng sat with his master behind the rockery for a while. He saw Li Lan running around, sweating profusely, her face filled with anxiety, on the verge of tears. "Master, this is terrible! The young lady has been taken away by the Chu family's men!"
Wen Feng was stunned for a moment, then immediately understood: "Young Master Chu?"
Lilan nodded quickly, hiding her nervousness, and looked at the man sitting upright on the stone chair.
He frowned slightly, but looked calm. “Lead the way.”
Lilan's heart skipped a beat. Aside from his once clear voice becoming a little hoarse, there was no sign of the medicine taking effect. Could it be that he drank too little, and the medicine wasn't working? What would her daughter do then?
-
Cui Yiluo pinched her palms and endured the soreness as she walked along the secluded path. The sky was getting darker and the stone lamps and candles became scarcer as she walked forward. As she ran into fewer and fewer people, she could occasionally hear the chirping of cicadas around her. The silence was terrifying.
Cui Yiluo deliberately slowed down her pace and walked with the help of the wall, as if the effect of the medicine had reached its peak and she was unable to resist it.
After there was no one around, a maid came out from the corner and blocked the way with two servants.
The maid had a sinister smile on her face: "Miss Cui, my master wants to see you."
Cui Yiluo took a step back, but she was powerless. Her face, which was flushed by the drug, showed panic. "What are you going to do?"
The maid's expression suddenly became fierce: "Miss Cui, please don't make things difficult for us. We are just following your orders. If you don't obey, we will be offended!"
After saying that, the two strong servants behind him immediately blocked Cui Yiluo's retreat and stretched out their hands to grab her by force.
At the moment when it was about to hit her, they both cried out in pain at the same time.
"ah--"
A dark figure flashed out.
But it was Yuan Ling.
Cui Yiluo staggered back a few steps and crashed into the stone wall behind her. She held on to the stone wall and barely managed to stand. As she moved, a ball of fire rose from her belly and rushed up, and her vision became a little blurry.
She didn't expect that she would be so sensitive to the Immortal Guidance, and the effect of the drug would take effect faster than that of ordinary people.
Yuan Ling was agile, light and powerful, and he subdued the two servants in an instant. The two fell to the ground, scrambled to their feet, and fled with the maid who had been leading them.
Yuan Ling then turned to look at Cui Yiluo, who was leaning against the wall and breathing rapidly.
The corners of Cui Yiluo's eyes were already stained red, and a thin layer of mist was overflowing in her eyes. She tried hard not to hunch over, and said with a mocking look:
"Master Yuan is following me?"
Yuan Ling seemed to find the scene before him extremely amusing. He sighed, "Your face looked strange. You, who are always so cautious, actually abandoned the maid and walked towards the back forest alone. Your behavior was strange. I followed you. You really didn't disappoint me, Miss Cui."
He glanced at Cui Yiluo with great interest: "Did they drug you?" His eyes flashed with a sharpness: "Or did you do it yourself?"
Cui Yiluo suppressed her rapid breathing, but her tone was cold: "It has nothing to do with you."
Yuan Ling took a few steps closer, his smile challenging him. "I didn't expect you to be so cruel to yourself. What's your motivation this time?"
Cui Yiluo bit her lip to suppress the surging effects of the medicine, and looked at him with eyes as sharp as an ice blade.
"But Miss Cui, if the drug doesn't work, you'll die here today. You'll lose both your wife and your army. What are you going to do?" Yuan Ling's sullen face flickered with amusement. "How about you ask me for help?"
Yuan Ling walked closer, his figure gradually covering her in darkness.
Cui Yiluo stared at him intently, pinching her fingers into her palms to resist the surging medicinal effects, and her lips were bitten until they were almost bleeding.
The scene before her eyes became more blurry beyond her control.
"girl!"
The moment Lilan's voice came, Cui Yiluo's palms relaxed slightly.
Behind Lilan, a tall figure was mostly hidden in the shadows. The dim stone lamp cast the man's sharp profile against the wall. His breathing was slightly disordered, and it was not known whether it was because he came in a hurry or because of the effects of the medicine.
Almost in an instant, her expression softened, her eyes were filled with grievance and helplessness, and she staggered forward and crashed into Jiang Yunjin's arms, as if she had mustered up the last bit of strength in her body.
"Cousin, save me."
The author has something to say:
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"The nature is like white jade, yet still cold when burning" is from Su Che's "Sending Wang Shi to Xuzhou for the Examination"
The most advanced hunters often appear as prey [dog head]
I'd like to recommend my pre-collected "Mistaken Spring", a daily sweet treat [hahaha]
Xu Lingyi had a close friend who she had known since childhood. Whenever she went to visit him, she would inevitably run into his brother.
Her best friend's elder brother was named the Prince of Dingguo when he was born. He was arrogant and would just nod slightly whenever he saw her. He rarely spoke, which made her feel very oppressive.
According to legend, he and Miss Yang are about to get married.
One day, Miss Yang came to her and asked her to help dissuade the Prince of Dingguo from marrying her.
Xu Lingyi: "I understand! I'm afraid of him too."
Xu Lingyi kindly agreed to the favor.
On the day when Miss Yang got engaged to her lover, Xu Lingyi was completely relieved and happily congratulated her.
She also left after completing her work, hiding her achievements and fame.
That night, someone broke into her yard.
-
Xiao Zhun, the prince of Dingguo, has always liked his sister's best friend.
Young men are always at a loss when they fall in love for the first time. Their sweetheart only has awe of them, and they don't know what to do to win her admiration.
It was not until she repeatedly disrupted his marriage with others that he realized in disbelief that—
It turns out that she likes him too.
That day, Miss Yang got engaged. She felt like a huge stone had been lifted off her chest and was extremely happy when she congratulated her.
Xiao Zhun inexplicably saw a hint of envy in her eyes. Was it because someone else was engaged?
He thought about it over and over for most of the night, and finally, unable to control his emotions, he rushed directly into his sweetheart's yard and broke the thin window paper between them in one go.
"Tomorrow I will go and ask His Majesty to grant us a marriage."
Xu Lingyi: "Ah? Me?"
*Xu Lingyi: Breathing
Xiao Zhun: She likes me and she's very good at seducing me. What should we name our child?
*A clever but emotionally slow girl x a strong, clumsy, self-love boy
*Childhood sweethearts + a little bit of pseudo-orthopedics, more like daily sweet cookies
*1v1, double C, the male protagonist has never liked anyone except the female protagonist, and also clearly refuses to get engaged to others
*Written on May 25, 2025, and has been recorded
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