Chapter 69 Chapter 69 Jinjiang First Release
Chapter 69
The next day, before going to the military camp to deal with the war, Cui Jue ordered someone to send a litter of puppies.
The puppies looked like they were less than a month old. They were huddled together, shivering, and even their eyes were squinting. They looked so pitiful.
Su Li initially didn't want to take the puppy in, fearing she wouldn't be able to support it and would commit another sin of killing. But General Zhang, hoping to capitalize on Cui Jue's rise to power, persuaded Su Li to adopt the puppy, even bringing a dedicated servant to care for it.
Su Li thought about how she had already promised Cui Jue yesterday to raise her. If she didn't do what he wanted today, there was no guarantee that the man would have wild thoughts again and do something bad to her in bed.
Su Li reluctantly picked the smallest white puppy and carried it out of the kennel.
Su Li and the puppy stared at each other until the puppy hummed twice and lay clinging in Su Li's hands.
At this moment, Su Li's heart felt softer, but her eyes became clearer... She seemed to understand why Cui Jue always forced her to have a child.
Because he didn't have any bargaining chips in his hand, if he wanted to keep Su Li, breaking her wings was not enough, he had to add a little more cause and effect ties, just like a well-behaved and sensible child, just like this newborn puppy.
Su Li kept the puppy and named it "Taxue".
Cui Jue had no objection to the dog's name, and even felt that it was somewhat elegant and very suitable for the name "Chixia".
Su Li was no longer depressed. She forced herself to adapt to her current life and gradually got out of those decadent days.
Su Li began to circle around the puppy.
She would feed it goat milk with her own hands, train the dog with a small wooden stick, teach it to place its paws on the palm of its hand, and even talk to it.
Su Li tried to smile at Cui Jue and told the man about her dog training results.
Cui Jue was slightly stunned. He didn't know that Su Li could even get along well with a puppy. His original intention was just to let her raise a living creature, which might make her feel better.
After months of marching, even the soldiers and generals would feel depressed when they saw mountains of corpses and seas of blood every day. There were frequent incidents of camp riots, not to mention Su Li, a young lady who had lived in the boudoir for a long time.
Cui Jue has never raised cats or dogs since he was a child. However, his third sister Cui Shunhua and fourth sister Cui Shunying secretly hid a stray cat when they were young that ran to the Cui family to steal fish.
The nanny who teaches etiquette does not allow the noble lady to be unruly. She spends all day walking cats and playing with dogs, which lacks the demeanor of a lady.
The two concubine sisters had no choice but to hold the furry kitten and beg Cui Jue.
Cui Jue was very busy with government affairs and had to deal with a lot of things every day. He took a look and just told his sisters not to play around and to listen carefully to the teachings of the governess.
The concubine sisters were filled with disappointment, but they did not want to offend their eldest brother, so they could only hand the kitten over to the kitchen and let the servants take it to the farm to catch the mice that were gnawing at the old house.
But today, Cui Jue actually made an exception for Su Li and accompanied her to look after the puppy for a while, doing so many unreasonable things.
It's extremely rare indeed.
A few days later, Cui Jue joined the war and had no time to accompany Su Li.
But Su Li could see that Cui Jue was obviously worried about her. Not only were the fine horses missing from the mansion, but all the sharp scissors and hairpins in the house were closely guarded by servants. Even when Su Li was eating a roasted leg of lamb, she was not allowed to use the dagger to cut the meat. Everything had to be done by the servants.
The smile that Su Li had been forcing herself to put on these days finally faded a little bit, and she began to stay in her room again, not going out. Even when Taxue pulled at the edge of her skirt coquettishly, she didn't even bend over to touch it.
Su Li was trapped in the yard for quite a few days. With nothing to do, she could only sit in front of the window and stare blankly.
Unfortunately, there is only a gray snow scene outside the window, and my eyes feel sore after looking at it for a long time.
The maids in the house treated her with respect and did not dare to talk to her much. Cui Jue was afraid that she would run away, so he issued a military order, forbidding the guards to let the lady leave the house without permission.
Su Li could only be trapped in this yard, being fed with fine clothes and delicious food every day, and she became increasingly listless.
Su Li's heart felt empty.
She recalled the forced state she had in the past few days... It was like a last glimmer of life before death.
Now that light has become even dimmer.
-
With the battle on the front line imminent, Cui Jue could not come back to visit Su Li for at least half a month.
Before the war began, he returned to the capital where the military supply and logistics troops were camped. This place was dozens of miles away from the front line, so it would not be affected by the war, and Su Li would be much safer here.
When Su Li learned that Cui Jue had returned, she sat up straight in a daze. She had just taken a nap and her mind was still a little confused.
Seeing her infatuated look, the maid did not rush her. She just went to get clothes and water, and took out several sycamore green jackets and apricot yellow folded skirts that Cui Jue had praised from the closet, and dressed Su Li up.
Su Li packed up and walked towards the gate in the wind and snow.
In the evening, the afterglow of the setting sun shines on the snow, adding a bit of brilliant golden light.
Under the golden sunset, a tall and handsome man in black military uniform appeared.
Cui Jue saw her from afar and strode towards her.
He glanced at her fingertips, which were slightly red from the cold, frowned and asked, "Why don't you hold the hand warmer?"
Cui Jue's tone was clearly low, and his tone was not harsh or accusatory, but some servants, fearing Cui Jue's pressure, knelt on the ground in panic, stammering, "Sir, calm down! It's, it's because Madam doesn't like holding a hand warmer, so we didn't dare to bring it to you on our own. Please understand, Madam, we dare not neglect you..."
With the precedent of a horseman nearly being beaten to death in the front hall for failing to look after Su Li, who in the yard would be so bold as to let Su Li suffer even the slightest injustice? They wished this ancestor would just stay in the house and not be subjected to any wind or rain!
Seeing the servants' terrified expressions, Su Li sighed softly inwardly, tugged on Cui Jue's sleeve, and said with a smile, "Don't be upset, my lord. I really don't want to hold a hand warmer... I'm already wearing thick clothes, why should I hold a hand warmer to meet guests every day? It's so tiring."
Su Li rarely made a joke. Seeing the smile on her face, Cui Jue closed his eyes slightly and looked at her carefully for a while. After making sure that she was safe, he finally did not blame the people around her too much.
If the punishment is too severe, it will inevitably be seen as a warning to Su Li for not doing enough to manage the family, which is not conducive to her establishing her authority in front of others.
Cui Jue would not do anything that would bring shame to his family.
Cui Jue could only warn in a cold voice: "If any unruly servant dares to deceive his superiors and neglect his master, there is no need to consult the elders, just beat him to death. Su Li, if you are too tolerant, you will only encourage others to be arrogant."
Su Li didn't have a heart as cold and hard as Cui Jue. She couldn't use such extreme means to clean up the family tradition. Upon hearing this, she could only nod and say, "I understand."
Seeing her pitiful, timid look, Cui Jue raised his finger and gently pinched her fair cheek, saying meaningfully, "I'm teaching you how to establish your authority, and also preparing you to be the head of the family in the future. You must be able to distinguish between good and bad."
Cui Jue's words clearly indicated that a concubine had no right to rule the inner chambers of Cui Jue's main house. He intended to marry her.
But after Su Li heard this, her palms suddenly began to sweat and her breathing became difficult.
Su Li didn't show any joy at all, but nodded awkwardly: "I understand your teaching. I will follow your wishes and manage the servants well, and not let the servants become arrogant..."
"That's the best." Cui Jue took Su Li's delicate hand and glanced at her delicate, pointed, soft and white fingers. After the coldness on the girl's hand was dissipated by his rubbing, Cui Jue handed her a crane-shaped jade pendant engraved with the surname "Cui" (Cui).
"What is this?" Su Li lowered her head and stared at the flawless jade in her palm, which felt warm to the touch, confused.
"This jade is a token of trust from the Cui family's daughter-in-law. I am giving it to you today. I hope you will keep it well."
Although Cui Jue did not say any sweet words of love, the fact that such a powerful elder simply handed over a token of marriage was enough to make a young girl fall in love and shyly accept the marriage proposal.
Su Li looked at the precious jade pendant, stunned and speechless.
She should be happy.
It is really an honor for Su Li that Cui Jue, such a talented person, takes a fancy to her.
But when Su Li thought about becoming Cui Jue's wife in the future, having to live behind high walls every day, trapped in a noble family, and becoming a clay statue of virtue and chastity, she felt a chill.
To others, Cui Jue's proposal was undoubtedly a pie in the sky, but to Su Li, it was nothing more than a chilling cage.
Perhaps when she grew old and her beauty faded, she would still magnanimously and humbly act like a queen, welcoming batches of noble ladies from aristocratic families into the palace, and earnestly admonishing them to serve the king wholeheartedly and to give birth to more children for Cui Jue...
She cannot be jealous, cannot complain, and cannot bring shame to her husband.
Su Li didn't even have the power to divorce her husband. She would be trapped in the palace forever.
Even within a few years, she might be abandoned by Cui Jue because of her fading beauty and waning love.
Su Li does not have a powerful paternal family. She is just a peasant girl. When Cui Jue deposes her from the position of wife, no one will care and will only applaud.
Cui Jue's possessiveness is so strong that it is impossible for him to give away things he has used to others.
Su Li might have to spend the rest of her life in the cold palace where no one cares about her.
Su Li shuddered. She looked blankly at the endless rooftops in the distance, and thought of the mansions of the wealthy families where even the servants were kept silent. She felt a mixture of emotions.
She was thinking of backing out: "Your Excellency may be overestimating me. With my background, how can I take on the responsibility of being a clan wife..."
Cui Jue said, "Su Li, you don't have to underestimate yourself. I know you are intelligent and quick to learn. In the future, I will also hire someone to teach you about managing the household and the etiquette of being a clan wife. Don't worry too much."
Su Li shut up.
She stared at the jade pendant for a long time, but she didn't ask the question: if she became the head wife of the Cui family, would she still be able to go to the countryside?
Can I still take off my embroidered shoes and silk stockings, wade in the water to catch snails and crabs?
Could she still leave the house often, stroll through the bustling market? Or go to a street stall, order two pots of tea and a plate of melon seeds, savor the myriad aspects of life while watching the peasant women wash clothes, listening to their chatter and gossiping about mother-in-law and daughter-in-law?
Su Li remained silent for a long time, and the man's patience ran out. He put his slightly warm fingers under her eyes and stroked her eyebrows.
Cui Jue gently twisted Su Li's jaw, forcing her to look up at him. The force of his knuckles pinching her jaw was very light, but his attitude was firm. "Su Li, you are making excuses, are you... unwilling?"
The man's cold phoenix eyes looked up and met Su Li's dark almond eyes, trying to find the slightest sign of resistance on her face.
Su Li could sense the increasingly dangerous tone in Cui Jue's voice. He had condescended to give his wife to a peasant girl, so he certainly didn't want Su Li to be tactless and disregard his kindness.
That was a humiliation to Cui Jue.
He won't let her go.
Cui Jue was testing her again.
Fortunately, Su Li was only in a daze for a moment and soon came to her senses.
Thinking of Qiu Gui and her grandmother, who were controlled by Cui Jue, she couldn't help but blink and murmured, "It's just... I'm worried that I can't manage the affairs of this aristocratic family well."
After hearing this, Cui Jue's hidden coldness finally dissipated a lot. His rough fingertips gently stroked Su Li's delicate lips, as if rewarding her for her good behavior.
"Su Li, as the saying goes, 'Teach your son in front of the hall, teach your wife by your pillow.' If you encounter difficulties in managing the family in the future, I will not ignore you."
Cui Jue dispelled her concerns and secretly reminded Su Li that he had cut off her retreat.
Su Li could no longer disobey him, so she just moved her lips and said softly, "Okay."
Su Li accepted the jade pendant, and in order to please Cui Jue, she wore it around her waist in front of Cui Jue.
Cui Jue finally looked a little better.
He took Su Li into his arms and gently stroked the girl's cheek.
The rich fragrance of orchids filled the air instantly, like a spider web covering the sky and entangling Su Li.
Su Li buried herself in his arms, clutching Cui Jue's clothes tightly, and raised her eyes to ask him, "Are you going to the battlefield tomorrow?"
Cui Jue did not hide it from her: "Well, this trip should be the last battle."
"Then I look forward to your triumphant return." Su Li lowered her eyes and said obediently.
"Stay in the house and wait for me to come back."
Su Li obediently responded "OK".
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
