Chapter 44 Qian Qianjie He is hugging her
Cui Yiluo invited the others into her private residence, deliberately concealing Jiang Yunjin's secrets, only to be exposed by an unexpected fire. She had no idea whether Jiang Yunjin believed her or not; she had always been unable to see through him.
The truth was revealed, and most of the house in Luoyun Lane was burned down again. It would probably take at least a year or two to repair it. Jiang Yunjin respected his elders, and the Cui family members were frightened by the sudden fire. Cui Yiluo's father Cui Qi was even seriously injured. Naturally, he could not place the Cui family members outside.
Cui Yiluo was unwilling in her heart, but things had developed to this point, completely beyond her control.
Moreover, Yuzhu Courtyard was more than enough to accommodate four people. Each room had a large courtyard. For example, the second room had a son and a daughter, and Cui Yiluo had previously lived with the second room and still found the courtyard spacious. Moreover, the first room and wife had both passed away, and they only had one son.
But whether intentionally or unintentionally, the courtyard Jiang Yunjin arranged for the four people was not very close to their bedrooms.
It was already late at night, and the servants were all being careful, but they had to arrange for Cui Qi to be treated by a doctor, so the noise was bound to be loud, and it was likely that the old lady would hear about it tomorrow.
Her father was burned by fire. As a daughter, Cui Yiluo had to pretend to be healthy and had to wait by the side for the doctor to treat him.
But what she didn't expect was that Jiang Yunjin had been following her all the time, and all the affairs of tonight were arranged by him personally.
Although she knew that he was respectful and polite because he respected his elders, Cui Yiluo had to admit that she felt inexplicably at peace when he stood beside her.
Cui Qi was particularly seriously injured. The flames burned a lot of his flesh. I'm afraid he will have to stay in bed for half a month before he can walk.
This meant that Cui Yiluo had no way of sending the family away in the short term. Furthermore, was the fire truly an accident? Why was only Cui Qi injured, while the others, whether Yao or Zhao Jian, only sustained minor burns.
In the bedroom, Cui Yiluo stared at the lotus lantern on the small table, her eyes stinging from the flames. It was not until she heard the sound of the bathroom door opening and closing that she shifted her gaze to look at Jiang Yunjin, who had just changed into his pajamas and was approaching after lifting the bamboo curtain.
After working hard for most of the night, he didn't look tired at all. He still stood in the candlelight like a pine tree on a snowy mountain. His eyebrows and eyes were dark, and his handsome face was cold. He looked at her, and his eyes were suppressing emotions, but he couldn't help revealing a hint of complexity.
Cui Yiluo bit her lip, stepped forward and hugged his waist and abdomen, her soft body instantly embedded in the man's strong and thin body.
"Thank you for tonight, my husband." The voice sounded softly.
The man's body paused, and then Cui Yiluo felt his hand hanging by his side move, and one hand pressed on her waist, holding her.
She subconsciously raised her eyes, but could only see his jaw and neck, and her Adam's apple rolled slightly.
He was holding her.
When he was under her bed before, he never responded to her active hugs and hand holdings. Maybe he didn't know what this meant.
Or maybe, the fire tonight just made him feel a little pity, but could a cold-hearted man like him feel pity for a woman?
He held her in his arms with one hand, his warm breath gently spraying on the top of her hair. He hugged her like a lover, and it seemed intimate and tender in the middle of the night.
She inexplicably coveted this feeling. Cui Yiluo tightened her arms around his waist and abdomen, pressing her cheek closer to his hard chest, embedding herself more deeply with him.
"Don't worry about your family's affairs. I will solve them with you. If there is anything during the day, send Wen Feng to deliver a message to me in the Imperial City."
His voice flowed through the night like the gurgling of a spring. Cui Yiluo's eyelashes trembled slightly, and the thought came to her mind again. Did he already know this?
But she didn't ask, nor did she answer. She didn't dare to gamble that her pity would override his rules and etiquette.
Jiang Yunjin didn't say anything else. He just put his arm around her and held her soft and delicate body in his arms.
-
The next day, when Cui Yiluo went to pay her respects to Madam Jiang, she was indeed asked about the Cui family.
According to the rules, the Jiang family should have held a banquet to entertain the Cui family, but Cui Qi was injured in the fire and was bedridden, so the banquet could not be held for the time being. Old Madam Jiang did not mention whether to hold it after Cui Qi recovered from his injury, which was exactly what Cui Yiluo wanted.
Obviously, Madam Jiang had no intention of receiving the Cui family. Therefore, she did not ask any in-depth questions, but only expressed a few superficial concerns and sent someone to deliver some supplements.
Of course I won't go to visit in person. After all, Jiang Yunjin is the head of the Jiang family, and he represents the entire Jiang family.
Cui Yiluo breathed a sigh of relief. The issue with Madam Jiang had been resolved. She only needed to deal with Jiang Yunjin while Cui Qi was recuperating, and then she could deal with those people with peace of mind.
After paying her respects, she went to the courtyard of the Cui family.
When Yao saw her coming, she hurriedly came forward with a smile, and her attitude changed so quickly that even Lilan couldn't help showing contempt.
Cui Yiluo ignored her courtesy and just sat down in the hall calmly.
"Mother, please tell me in detail what happened last night."
Yao's smile faded, but thinking of the future glory and wealth, she finally endured it and told the story of last night.
"Last night after dinner, Jun'er was playing pitch pot with Jian'er in the courtyard, so I left the room. Your father was alone in the bedroom. Suddenly, we smelled a burning smell, and then heard the sound of a fire. We then realized there was a fire, and your father seemed to have been unconscious in the bedroom. The fire was too big to put out with well water. We couldn't open the door and were trapped in the fire. Fortunately, the city guards arrived in time."
Although Yao was vicious, she couldn't help but look frightened after this incident.
Cui Yiluo frowned when she heard this: "Was it the bedroom that caught fire first, or the house next door?"
"I don't know. When we found out, the whole place was engulfed in flames. Your father had been in the bedroom the whole time. He only said that he saw the fire outside the door, so he couldn't open it."
As soon as the words fell, the hall fell into silence.
Yao thought it was just a surprise. Seeing Cui Yiluo's silence, she anxiously changed the subject, "But Yiluo, look, your father is old, and he's been seriously injured this time. Since you're married to a wealthy family like the Jiang family in Shengjing, why don't you talk to your son-in-law and find an official position in the capital for your father, even a sixth or seventh rank one. Then send your brother to the Imperial College. That way, our family can be reunited in Shengjing. If your brother gets a position in the court in the future, he can help you. What do you say?"
Cui Yiluo raised her eyes calmly, her eyes were cold and it was impossible to tell what she was thinking.
Yao smiled and continued, "Mother always felt that Cheng Jiancheng was not worthy of you. But you also know that our family is not high-ranking. It was only because of your scheming that you were able to marry a figure like the Minister of the Central Secretariat. Now that you've become successful, you won't ignore your parents and younger brothers, will you?"
The hall was silent for a few moments.
Seeing Cui Yiluo remained silent, Yao Shi couldn't help but lose her patience and took the initiative to say, "Jian'er is just here to have fun in the capital this time. Don't worry, Yiluo. We'll stay in the capital and send him back to Ningzhou. That matter is already over. Your son-in-law will never know about it in his lifetime, right?"
Cui Yiluo's gaze fell on her, and it was surprisingly sharp, so chilling that Yao felt a slight chill in her heart. She had never seen Cui Yiluo with such a look before.
After a while, Cui Yiluo smiled and said, "My mother has already brought Zhao Jian here, so what can I say? But my husband is a fair man, so I'm afraid he won't agree."
Yao became anxious and was about to speak again, but was interrupted by Cui Yiluo.
Cui Yiluo said with a half-smile on her face: "But as a daughter of your mother for so many years, how can I not repay her? Mother, you should take good care of your father these days and don't worry about other things for now. You don't want to end up with nothing, do you?"
Yao pondered Cui Yiluo's words for a while, suppressed the fierceness in her eyes, and smiled gently, "Okay, then I'll leave this matter to you, Yiluo. Mother believes that my daughter is a smart person and knows how to make choices."
After all, the Zhao Jian incident had become a major event, and Cui Yiluo had suffered the most. They had only lost some reputation, but they still had their son, Cui Jun, to rely on. If Cui Jun became successful, he would still bring them wealth and glory. But what about Cui Yiluo? She had gone from being the wife of the Minister of the Central Secretariat to being a disgraced, abandoned woman. The difference was enormous, and Cui Yiluo was probably finding it much harder to accept than they were.
Smart people know how to choose.
There was a hint of confidence and pride in Yao's smile.
Meanwhile, on the other side, in a farmyard outside the city, it was already September. The lush greenery turned to golden color, which fell on the moon-white robe of a man sitting upright on a stone bench under a tree, adding a touch of bright color.
The slender fingers gently pinched the leaves and brushed them to the ground.
"It seems he's really desperate this time. He used to hide in the dark, but now he's gone to such lengths to cause such a big scene. But compared to your wife, he's definitely more direct and more dangerous."
Xiao Jing said, then changed the subject: "But Shenzhi, didn't you send people to monitor Luoyun Lane on the first day they entered the city? Why did the city guards rescue them last night?"
Jiang Yunjin said calmly, "I really can't hide it from Your Highness. It's just that the fire isn't strong enough to cause any waves. Just wait a few more moments."
Xiao Jing breathed a sigh of relief. After all, Cui Qi deliberately condoned Yao's harsh treatment of Cui Yiluo. If Jiang Yunjin deliberately did not save people for the sake of his wife, resulting in Cui Qi's death, that would be bad.
"But the Cui family is currently staying in your house, so they probably won't dare to take action again. In Shenzhi's opinion, what's the right move this time?"
Jiang Yun lowered his eyes, "In my opinion, now is not the best time. Although the Fifth Prince is in seclusion, it does not hurt his influence. After all, His Majesty will suppress the matter. If we act too hastily, it will be disadvantageous."
He said sternly, "Yiluo is my wife. It won't be difficult to get the Cui family to come to Shengjing someday."
Xiao Jing was stunned: "You mean, let's put it on hold this time?"
"The fire broke out last night, and those in the court who are concerned must have been paying attention. I think that instead of exposing this matter now, it is better to reduce the power first and leave this matter to the end."
Xiao Jing nodded thoughtfully. "Indeed, if this matter were revealed prematurely, Father would certainly do everything he could to suppress it. It would be better to strike a decisive blow when he's at his weakest." Then, Xiao Jing suddenly smiled and said, "But you're worried about your wife, right?"
Jiang Yunjin's expression remained calm, not at all embarrassed by what he said. He said in a gentle tone, "She doesn't know this, and I'm afraid she won't be able to accept it for the time being."
Xiao Jing said with a teasing smile, "Before, I said so, and you said I was overthinking it. Now you are so generous. It seems that love can really change people. Even you would go to such lengths to protect someone."
Jiang Yunjin slowly poured tea into Xiao Jing's cup. "I heard that His Highness recently sent people to search for rare treasures. Are you planning to give them to Miss Xie?"
Xiao Jing was stunned, then said frankly, "She and I were childhood sweethearts, and now she's breaking off the engagement. What's wrong with that? Chu Ke has already taken her half-sister into exile. I heard that her half-sister cried and made a fuss at home before the exile, and even blamed her. She must be feeling bad. I used to be concerned about her engagement, but now it's different. If I don't speak up now, won't I miss out?"
Xiao Jing was extremely frank and straightforward. Jiang Yunjin did not respond but just lowered his eyes, as if thinking about something.
-
The twilight gradually climbed up the white walls and black tiles, plunging the entire courtyard into dim light.
Under the flower stand in the courtyard, Cui Yiluo turned a page in the account book and said calmly, "Has the kitchen delivered dinner?"
"Yes, Yao was very disappointed to hear that the eldest son hadn't returned home and couldn't dine with her." Remembering what Yao had said earlier, Lilan sneered, "How dare Yao. They're asking for such a ridiculous amount of money. They really don't know how much they think they are worth."
Cui Yiluo closed the account book and said with a smile, "They came all the way here just for this matter, didn't they? What about Zhao Jian? What did the people they sent say?"
"Don't worry, young lady. We've already arranged everything at the gambling house. Zhao Jian lost several hundred taels today, and I'm afraid he'll come looking for you in the next two days."
Cui Yiluo poured a cup of tea nonchalantly. "He lost hundreds of taels in one day. My cousin is really a worry."
However, Zhao Jian was even more anxious than Lilan thought. Shortly after dinner, he sent someone to tell Cui Yiluo to go to the corridor behind the yard.
Cui Yiluo asked Lilan to hide in the dark with the palace guards and walk towards the corridor.
Before turning the corner, Cui Yiluo picked up a dead leaf that had fallen on the fence and threw it on the ground. Lilan had too many people with her to hide here, and their hiding place couldn't see the corner, so there was no guarantee that someone else would be hiding there and eavesdropping.
"My cousin is here."
The moonlight was faint, but the night couldn't hide Cui Yiluo's beauty. Just one glance at her could seduce anyone. Zhao Jian's expression brightened, and he couldn't help but regret why he hadn't been more careful in the beginning. If he had been closer...
Cui Yiluo paused a few steps away and said with a faint smile, "My cousin has already said that if I don't come, I will go find my husband. How can I not come?"
Zhao Jian smiled awkwardly, and tried to contain the beauty's pride. "Cousin, I don't want to upset anyone. After all, we are cousins, right? I'll just say it straight: three thousand taels."
Cui Yiluo was immediately shocked: "Three thousand taels? I just got married, how can I afford such a large sum?"
Zhao Jian chuckled, "Cousin, you're truly modest. You've even managed to seduce someone as worthy as the Minister of the Central Secretariat. If you can't come up with a mere three thousand taels, can your husband? I still say the same thing. If you can't help, then I can only go and find the Lord."
Cui Yiluo panicked and said hurriedly, "Don't go looking for my husband. I'll go back tonight and think of a solution."
Seeing her agree, Zhao Jian smiled even more. "I knew my cousin had a plan. Tomorrow at Ruyi Tower, I'll be waiting for you in the private room. You must come, otherwise..."
Zhao Jian curled his lips playfully, and the fat on his face was squeezed together.
Cui Yiluo's eyes were cold, and her face was still panicked: "Okay."
When Zhao Jian saw her pitiful appearance, his heart was moved and he couldn't help but want to go forward. But just as he was about to touch her hand, she turned around and dodged him.
"Cousin, my husband will be back in his room soon, so I'll be leaving first."
Hearing Jiang Yunjin's name, Zhao Jian sobered up a little and looked around. It was indeed not a good time now. Tomorrow, there would be only the two of them in the private room. He also prepared aphrodisiac incense. Wouldn't it be more enjoyable then?
He thought that he could get money and be close to the beauty, and he could use this matter to threaten Cui Yiluo in the future. After all, he didn't touch her that time before, but after tomorrow, it would be completely different.
Thinking of this, Zhao Jian couldn't help but smile again, "Then cousin, please go back quickly and don't keep Ling Gong waiting anxiously."
Looking at Zhao Jian's wretched face, Cui Yiluo felt nauseous and almost couldn't pretend anymore.
She responded casually, and suddenly heard some noise at the corner of the corridor behind her, so she quickly turned around.
But she saw the fallen leaves she had just dropped were still lying on the ground, untouched. Cui Yiluo stared at the fallen leaves, her brows furrowed. Could it be that she was too nervous and heard wrongly?
"Cousin, what's wrong?"
The sound of Zhao Jian's footsteps came from behind him, along with his muddy and frivolous voice.
Lilan and the others couldn't see this place, so Cui Yiluo didn't dare to stay any longer. She replied that it was nothing and left quickly.
Back in the room, Cui Yiluo was still thinking about what had just happened, but the fallen leaves on the ground were the best proof. If someone was coming and going, how could the fallen leaves not move at all?
Cui Yiluo calmed down and decided that the most important thing right now was to resolve tomorrow's matter first.
While thinking about this, she heard a noise at the door. Cui Yiluo glanced at the sky and saw that it was still early for Jiang Yunjin to return to his room, so she stood up quickly.
The bamboo curtain was lifted, and the bright candlelight cast a familiar figure of a man on the wall. The man's tall figure stood beside the door.
Cui Yiluo's heart was completely calmed, her expression softened, and she walked forward and hugged him.
"Husband."
He was lean and strong, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. His embrace made people feel inexplicably safe.
Jiang Yunjin's body stiffened uncontrollably when he suddenly felt something soft in his arms.
Just like last night, he raised one hand, placed it on her waist, and hugged her.
"Is there anything going on in the house today?"
Cui Yiluo bit her lip. After a few breaths, she pressed against his chest, her voice muffled: "Nothing, everything is fine."
The hand on her waist tightened, as if he wanted to restrain her in his arms. Cui Yiluo waited for a while, but he did not make any further moves.
A man's deep, hoarse voice came from the top of his head: "Okay."
-
In the afternoon of the next day, Cui Yiluo received the news that Zhao Jian was waiting in the private room.
She carefully applied the medicine on the dagger again. The sunlight shining on the dagger emitted a dazzling fragmented light. The cold light was reflected on Cui Yiluo's gorgeous face, and a coldness flashed in her beautiful eyes.
She took the wooden box beside her, which contained three thousand taels of silver notes.
He owed a large sum of money in a gambling house, but the banknotes in his hand were fake. "Those people" in the gambling house were all tall and skilled in fighting. What would be the end of Zhao Jian?
Cui Yiluo curled her red lips slightly, and went out with Lilan and the guards.
She had hinted at it last night, using her concern for Jiang Yunjin, and learned that he had no official business outside the house today, so she was not worried about running into him.
This matter will definitely be resolved smoothly.
After traveling for a while, the carriage arrived at Ruyi Tower.
Cui Yiluo, wearing a veil on her head, was brought to Zhao Jianding's private room by a servant in the building.
Cui Yiluo and Lilan exchanged glances, then slowly pushed the door open.
The door creaked open, and the aroma from the Boshan stove in the room was seen rising. The fragrant mist continued to climb upwards, obscuring the figure of the man sitting on the couch, who was standing tall and slender, making it somewhat vague.
Cui Yiluo stared at the familiar cold and dark eyes, and was completely stunned.
"Husband..."
The fragrance in the room was so strong that it made people feel a little dry for no reason.
-----------------------
The author has something to say: Thanks to "cousin" for the assist before he went offline [dog head] Everyone please come on time tomorrow night
Because of her upbringing, A Luo is very insecure and used to being independent, so it is difficult for her to completely trust someone. In fact, A Luo now trusts her cousin very much, but it will take some time for her to be completely honest.
[Red Heart] Thank you for the nutrient solution you provided.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
