Chapter 19 Chapter 19 Jinjiang first release
Chapter 19
Most of the people in Wu State worshipped Buddhism and Taoism.
In the first month after the New Year, the aristocratic families would go to the Lotus Temple to burn incense in order to preserve the family's majestic image.
Not only that, they would also set up tents outside the county to distribute porridge, or send winter clothes and quilts to poor families, doing good deeds to bring good fortune, in the hope that their families would prosper.
A hundred years ago, with the approval of the Cui family, the Emperor Wu designated the Lotus Temple as the Imperial Temple.
During festivals, the Lotus Temple would stop common people and open the lacquered gate to welcome the Cui family in to burn incense.
After the Cui family had paid their respects to the Buddha, other prominent families would come to the imperial temple one after another to burn incense and pay their respects.
This year, in order to show the kindness of the great family, Cui Jue invited other prominent families in Jianye to go to the Imperial Temple to worship Buddha together.
In addition, the Cui family also invited Princess Chonghua Li Muyao to go up the mountain to enjoy the snow and relax.
When Su Li received the news that he was going out, she came to her senses.
The whole thing about "Cui family wanted to show goodwill to the royal family, so they invited Princess Li to worship Buddha together" is all bullshit.
Cui Jue simply wanted to have a secret rendezvous with Li Muyao, using this high-sounding excuse to cover up his shame. Cui Jue's desire to date his future wife would have been fine, but he also wanted to bring these unrelated young ladies along as a cover-up for "private intercourse between a man and a woman." What a calculated scheme!
But it must be said that Su Li also realized a little bit of Cui Jue's love for Li Muyao. Even though Wu Guomin was an open-minded person, he still considered her reputation and made so many plans... It was nothing like what he did to Su Li that night.
The man's finger bones were stiff and straight.
Even though he knew she was bleeding, he still rubbed her so quickly.
The slender knuckles that were good at playing the piano went in... a lot and heavy.
Cui Jue just did the job with his hands. He was superficial and showed no sympathy for Su Li, only coldness and indifference.
Although Su Li was forcing others to do what she wanted, it is normal that a forced melon is not sweet.
But Su Li secretly thought that no matter how cruel Cui Jue was, he was still a normal man. Even if he didn't pity her, he should have been gentler when he saw her crying so hard with tears in her eyes.
Unfortunately, Su Li was wrong. Cui Jue was not interested at all. His preference and tenderness were only given to the person he loved.
The day Cui Jue is getting married will probably be the day Su Li dies.
After all, Su Li was unable to consummate her marriage with Cui Jue. Her mother-in-law, Mrs. Zhou, and even Mr. Cui would soon discover something was wrong... Su Li sighed and glanced gloomily at the thick snow on the eaves.
She really hoped that the snow would melt quickly and spring, when everything revives, would come soon.
Su Li had to take her grandmother and escape as soon as possible before they noticed anything was going on.
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Tomorrow, all the young ladies and young men from the prominent families in Jianye will go to the Lotus Temple to worship Buddha.
Qiu Gui was very excited when she heard the news.
She rummaged through the wardrobe and makeup box all night, vowing to dress up her wife beautifully and stun everyone.
Su Li finished a bowl of red date and ginger soup that dispelled cold and warmed her abdomen, and waved her hand: "No need to be too bright, I'm not the protagonist tomorrow."
She didn't want to offend Li Muyao again and appear to be unable to read other people's expressions.
Qiu Gui looked up blankly: "What do you mean, my lady? I finally have an opportunity to go out for a walk. If, if my lady has a favorite man from a wealthy family, it might be another way out..."
Qiu Gui understood Su Li's situation best.
Qiu Gui always thought that if Su Li could meet a man who treated her wholeheartedly, did not care about her background, experience, and circumstances, and could save her from danger, then maybe Su Li would have a chance to escape from the Su and Cui families.
This way, Su Li would have a stable life ahead of her, and she wouldn't have to travel around with her grandmother.
Su Li heard this and laughed softly: "Do you think that now that I've become like this, there will be other men who dare to marry me?"
Qiu Gui thought of Su Li's widowhood and her entanglement with Cui Jue... And rightly so, how could any man dare to go against the powerful Cui family? Qiu Gui was clearly dreaming.
Qiu Gui became sad again: "My wife..."
Su Li couldn't help laughing: "Why are you sad? I don't care... Actually, this is also good. Although I'm not a virgin, at least I fooled my mother-in-law and stepmother, and it also gave me a chance to breathe... Forget it, forget it, you can dress me up if you want. Dress me up like a flower, I won't complain!"
Qiu Gui burst into laughter again. She thought, although it is said that "women dress up to please themselves", her wife was in a bad mood, so she dressed Su Li up beautifully and let Su Li look at her beautiful face in the mirror, which might help her feel better.
So, the next morning, when Cui Shunying saw Su Li's outfit, her eyes lit up and she exclaimed repeatedly: "Sister, you look so beautiful today!"
Su Li wore her hair in fox-ear buns, her hair tied with pearl ribbons, and she wore a butterfly-flower cloak with a hood of snow-white rabbit fur, revealing only her pointed, white chin. With her lively autumn eyes, slender waist, and red lips and jade-like complexion, there was no beauty more stunning than Su Li.
Cui Shunying approached her affectionately, "Sister Su is so pretty. If I were a husband, I would definitely take you home and pamper you every day!"
Su Li pinched her nose helplessly: "What kind of miscellaneous books have you read? If you get scolded by Concubine Xu again next time, don't hide in my room."
A few days ago, Cui Shunying used the cover of a musical score to wrap a storybook, and she laughed foolishly while reading it. Aunt Xu discovered it and scolded her. Fortunately, Su Li saw it and helped to comfort Aunt Xu with a few words, and she finally calmed down.
Cui Shunying nodded repeatedly: "Don't worry, I am very skilled now. As long as the servants don't tell on you, your aunt will never find out."
While the two were talking, the princess's carriage arrived.
Li Muyao received a rare invitation from the Cui family and was so happy that she couldn't sleep all night.
When she woke up in the morning, there was a gray and dark circle under her eyes, so she applied makeup powder to cover it up.
I thought she would be stunning today with her gorgeous attire, but the moment she lifted the car curtain, she froze in place.
Su Li also chose pearl hair accessories like her.
It was clearly just a string of pearls and silk ribbons, yet it could bind Su Li so brightly and charmingly...
Li Muyao's face turned ugly.
She remembered that her second brother, Prince Jing, had failed in the Cui family's inner residence that day. Not only did he fail to sleep with Su Li, but his whereabouts were also discovered by Cui Jue.
After Li Muyao learned about this, she was so frightened that she couldn't sleep well for several days. She was afraid that the powerful Cui Jue would find out that it was she who sent people to sneak into the Cui family's backyard and lead Prince Jing in to abduct the man.
Fortunately, even though Cui Jue rectified the inner palace patrols, he ultimately failed to trace the blame to Li Muyao, and he did not submit a memorial to impeach Prince Jing.
The matter was just brushed aside so lightly, as if it had never happened.
Thinking about it this way, even if Cui Jue saved Su Li that day, he would not stand up for her and offend the royal family... In Cui Jue's heart, no matter how beautiful and attractive Su Li was, she was just an insignificant thing. For the sake of the overall situation, he would never lose face for Li Muyao for Su Li.
Thinking of this, Li Muyao felt much more at ease.
She proudly adjusted the double-stranded jade hairpin on her head and said to Cui Jue, who was walking on the snow in the distance, "Young Master, it's snowing now, and the mountain paths are slippery. The roads will be jammed with carriages and horses, making it difficult to move. Since the Cui family wants to burn the first incense, why don't we ride in the same carriage and travel together?"
Whenever Cui Jue appeared on important occasions, he would wear a black dress with wide sleeves and a crown, with his long black hair tied up, and appear to be dignified and solemn.
It was very cold in December, and in order to keep out the wind, men put on a fox fur cloak over their flowing robes.
Now that he was covered with a black robe, Cui Jue's pair of dark phoenix eyes looked even colder and less lustful.
Cui Jue thought for a while and did not refuse.
Just as he was about to step onto the carriage, Chen Heng, standing beside him, threw the reins of his warhorse to Wei Zhiyan and said, "Then I'll take the carriage too. I won't ride a horse. It's freezing out here, and it would be terrible if my Jiaojiao stepped into the snow and broke a hoof!"
This is also the reason why most border battles in the depths of winter in December were fought by infantry... The loss of war horses was too great and the national treasury could not afford it.
Chen Heng wanted to climb onto the phoenix carriage, but then he remembered that he must not offend the princess. His sharp eyebrows and bright eyes turned and he looked at Cui Shunying's carriage on the side.
The Chen family and the Cui family are old friends, and the two families are familiar with each other. Chen Heng and Cui Shunying also have a good relationship, and privately treats Cui Shunying as his own sister.
Chen Heng didn't dare to get on Li Muyao's carriage, but he dared to get close to Cui Shunying.
But before he could climb onto the carriage, he suddenly saw another beautiful face peeking out from behind the drawn curtain.
It was Su Li.
Chen Heng remembered the difference in how Cui Jue treated Su Li.
He looked at Su Li and then at Li Muyao with interest.
Chen Heng thought, what a fucking coincidence, I ran into Shura Field... Today, Cui Jue's first wife Li Muyao and concubine Su Li met, and Cui Jue was caught in the middle and was in a dilemma. Cousin Su Li had little influence and did not dare to go against the princess. She must be very sad.
He had a good impression of this cousin Su. Thinking of this, he shouted, "Third sister, are you and Fourth Mother also riding in the same car? Then, you two can give me a ride. I promise I'll only take up a small seat and definitely won't bother you!"
As soon as he called out "Third sister", Cui Jue and Li Muyao turned around at the same time.
Li Muyao was surprised. How come Su Li even knew Chen Heng?
Cui Jue said nothing, but just stared at Chen Heng with cold eyes, as if condemning his frivolity.
Cui Shunying, who was in the carriage, was puzzled when she heard Chen Heng's words.
Cui Shunying knew that the word "Fourth Sister" was referring to herself, but what about the word "Third Sister"?
Cui Shunying often bickered with Chen Heng, so she immediately asked, "Brother Chen, you're not calling me Cousin Su, are you?"
Chen Heng winked, "That's right! She's the third child in the family. Cui Lanju's sister is my sister. Calling her 'third sister' isn't too much, right?"
Cui Shunying pulled Su Li over and rolled her eyes at the sky: "Are you familiar with me? Why are you yelling nonsense!"
Seeing Cui Shunying and Chen Heng about to argue, Su Li didn't want them to make a big fuss over her, so she stuck her head out and smiled at Cui Shunying, "Fourth Sister, it's okay. General Chen considers me his younger sister, which is a compliment to me. I don't blame him. It's just that the Su family is just a small family in Lanhe County. Calling me 'Third Sister' is probably putting me above the status of the Chen family in Langshan."
Su Li couldn't afford to offend the Cui and Chen families, so she could only lower her status, retreat in order to advance, and persuade Chen Heng to take back those titles that were related to her relationship.
Unexpectedly, Chen Heng was determined to confirm Su Li's identity as her "sister" even at the risk of being associated with the Su family.
He smiled and said, "It's just a small title, what's the big deal? I have many sisters and brothers outside, and the elders at home will only say that I am good at getting along with others and will never offend me. Don't worry, third sister!"
Chen Heng was too shameless, and Su Li couldn't do anything about him. She could only silently acknowledge this brother from another family.
Chen Heng rubbed his hands and pulled Cui Shunying's carriage. "Alright, alright. It's freezing cold out here. I'll get in the carriage and warm myself up. Don't stand here like a door god. Where's the driver? Let's go. Let's go to the temple and burn incense!"
Before Chen Heng could step into Cui Shunying's carriage with ease, Cui Jue suddenly gathered his sleeves and said to the princess, "It's snowing heavily today, and I'm afraid it'll be inconvenient to travel... If we miss the auspicious time for offering incense, it would be bad. If Your Highness doesn't mind, could you please take three more people on the phoenix carriage?"
Everyone knows that these three people are Chen Heng, Cui Shunying, and Su Li who is waiting in Cui's carriage.
Hearing this, Li Muyao was stunned.
Cui Jue didn't want Chen Heng and her sister Cui Shunying to ride in the same car, fearing that Chen Heng, a man from outside the family, would act inappropriately and offend her sister. She could understand this, but why did Su Li have to ride in the carriage?
Cui Jue was afraid that if he took Chen Heng and Cui Shunying on the phoenix carriage alone, Su Li would be neglected, which would make this distant cousin embarrassed?
Or was it that Cui Jue felt jealous when he heard Chen Heng calling her "third sister" and selfishly didn't want to see Chen Heng and Su Li getting along in private?
Li Muyao couldn't understand why, but she knew Cui Jue's temper. This eldest son seemed gentle and accommodating, but in reality, he was tough and ruthless... If Li Muyao hadn't agreed, Cui Jue probably wouldn't have ridden with her.
Thinking of this, Li Muyao could only force a laugh and pretend to be magnanimous: "What's the big deal? The phoenix carriage is spacious anyway, just get in and sit."
However, when Su Li heard this proposal, she felt hesitant.
She was just from a humble family, so she didn't dare ride in the same car with four geniuses.
The previous fight with Li Muyao was really a helpless act. Ever since Su Li was almost abducted by Prince Jing last time, she knew how weak and powerless a lowly sparrow like her would be against the royal family.
Su Li only regretted that she couldn't leave the nobles as soon as possible, so as not to become a victim of the power struggle. How could she dare to get too involved with them...
Su Li walked over with small steps and said awkwardly, "I dare not disturb the princess's carriage. I don't need to follow the eldest master and Mr. Cui to burn the first incense. Just send a carriage and let me follow far behind the procession."
Su Li thought that the first group of people entering the mountain could not drive so many carriages, so wouldn’t it be better for her to enter the mountain behind them?
Before Su Li could finish, the man's cold and lonely voice came faintly.
"The carriage that Madam Su rode in was engraved with the Cui family crest. As a family of high rank and prestige, we must not fall behind others... Even if it were out of respect for the Wudong Cui family's dignity, you shouldn't be so inconsiderate and keep shirking responsibility."
Cui Jue's solemn words came down on him, with a hint of criticism.
Su Li looked up in surprise and met Cui Jue's cold gaze.
He glanced at her and then looked away.
Su Li was blamed and felt embarrassed.
She felt humiliated, but to everyone else, Cui Jue's words sounded like Cui Jue patiently coaxing a young lady to ride in the same carriage.
Li Muyao was so shocked that she almost couldn't keep a decent smile on her face.
Li Muyao squeezed out a sentence from between her teeth: "Yes, since you are a distant relative of the Cui family, you should follow the Cui family's caravan into the mountains."
Su Li came back to her senses belatedly.
She suddenly understood why Cui Jue persuaded her to get in the car.
It must have been Su Li's suggestion that made Cui Jue's wishful thinking come to nothing - Cui Jue could clearly follow Su Li's example, take another carriage, follow Li Muyao's phoenix carriage, and slowly enter the mountains.
But Cui Jue refused. He wanted to ride in the same carriage with Li Muyao and cultivate their relationship... If Su Li had insisted on her own way and really took a separate carriage, wouldn't it mean that Cui Jue was also able to avoid suspicion in this way? But he insisted that Meng Lang offend the princess and ride into the mountains with Li Muyao? This was not the behavior of a gentleman of pure character.
Cui Jue is a meticulous person who would never give others the opportunity to criticize him.
Therefore, Cui Jue had to persuade Su Li and invite her to ride in the same car to avoid making a fool of himself.
Su Li was very considerate. Although she had bad behavior and used all means to seduce Cui Jue, she had no intention of destroying the marriage between Cui and the royal family...
never mind.
Su Li had no choice but to get in the car.
In order to prevent Cui Jue from hating Su Li for breaking up his happy marriage, he would not let her leave the Cui family as she wished!
It's really a fight between gods, and the little devils suffer...
Su Li smiled and responded appropriately, "Your Excellency is right. It's my humble background that has made me inconsiderate. Although I'm a daughter of the Su family, I live in the Cui family. I should always put the Cui family first. I shouldn't be so petty as to bring shame to the noble family. If it doesn't bother Her Royal Highness, I'll get in the carriage with you."
Su Li apologized respectfully to Cui Jue. She remembered Cui Jue's teachings and did not dare to offend Li Muyao. In her words, she also humbled herself and lowered her status, praising Li Muyao, like a piece of clay figurine that could be flattened or rounded by anyone.
The young lady is so good-tempered, Cui Jue should calm down and treat her kindly.
But for some reason, Cui Jue lowered his eyelashes and felt a little annoyed.
He thought about that night again and again.
Su Li knelt down in front of his palm while crying... The girl was obviously light and weak, like a crane waiting to be slaughtered, but the way she raised her neck high inexplicably carried a sense of determination and beauty of being destroyed together with her.
Although Cui Jue disliked Su Li's absurd and unorthodox behavior, he had to admit that Su Li's pretending to be docile made him even more annoyed.
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