Chapter 66. He held her hand tenderly.
Cui Huai's sweet talk came out stiffly and awkwardly.
Shen Yunzhi remained unmoved, her expression indifferent as she gazed at the pleasure boats on the river, their laughter and chatter emanating from them.
The flickering lights were reflected on the shimmering water.
A night breeze swept by, and the brightly colored flags, standing tall, fluttered in the air.
"What is my cousin Zhi thinking? Why won't she talk to me?"
Cui Huai gazed at Shen Yunzhi's beautiful face hidden in the dim light and shadow, wanting to see through her thoughts.
Shen Yunzhi slowly said, "To think that the Prince of Chu, who is so noble and renowned, would be so obsessed with me just because he has feelings for me, even to the point of self-destruction, is more bizarre than any other strange tale in the world."
"My cousin Zhi was thinking of me."
Cui Huai laughed, making no attempt to hide his delight.
"You taught me what love is, the desire to live and the desire to die for love."
"No one else can make me understand these joys and sorrows."
"I used to think that love was insignificant, and that desire was simply a matter of being unable to control oneself. But now I know that some things are beyond my control. No matter how absurd others may think, I want to keep you by my side and stay with you forever. My heart is set on you, and I only want to look at you, not wanting you to look at anyone else. Isn't that right? Isn't it enough to do this to be considered true love, unwavering until death?"
"I once read about a bird in a book. It is said that this bird has only one mate for its entire life, and they are inseparable day and night. If one day the mate dies, the bird will follow the mate and will not be able to live alone."
"Later I also experienced this feeling."
"I was devastated when I thought you were dead. I never expected that my cousin Zhi would feel the same way."
Shen Yunzhi listened quietly as Cui Huai recounted his feelings for her, feeling as if struck by lightning.
She stood there blankly, her gaze unfocused on the night, unable to immediately shake off Cui Huai's grasp on her hand.
“Cousin Zhi, I always remember what you told me: when I meet someone I truly want to be with, I will naturally understand love without being taught.” Cui Huai smiled gently. “Back then, you were reluctant and avoided teaching me, but you are exactly that person for me.”
He held her hand tenderly.
“You’re right. I should try my best to make you think that I’m worth your willingness to stay by my side.”
Shen Yunzhi tried to pull her hand away.
After realizing her intention, Cui Huai tightened his fingers for a moment, but quickly released her.
“What if I keep refusing?” Shen Yunzhi asked.
Cui Huai's smile remained unchanged as he said tolerantly, "If I am ultimately unable to make you willingly stay, then I should let you leave."
Shen Yunzhi finally turned her head to look at Cui Huai.
She saw her reflection gently in his dark eyes, as if he were speaking his most sincere words to her.
However, Shen Yunzhi did not believe it.
Cui Huai was adept at disguising his inherent paranoia and madness; he was merely using sweet words to deceive her.
Even if it was just a pretense, she had already chosen to step back. For her, it was always more advantageous to feign affection and play along with him for a while longer than to provoke a madman and make him lose his mind.
A gentleman's promise is as precious as a thousand pieces of gold.
Shen Yunzhi remained silent for a long time before saying, "Cui Huai, you must always remember what you said today."
"good."
Cui Huai responded obediently and took Shen Yunzhi's hand again, and this time she did not pull her hand away.
...
As night deepened and the dew grew heavy, they did not linger on the banks of the Qinhuai River.
Cui Huai thoughtfully escorted Shen Yunzhi back to the inn before boarding the carriage to return to the yamen.
The exquisite white porcelain bottle was repeatedly handled and played with by his fingertips.
Once the carriage came to a steady stop outside the government office, Lin Yue opened the carriage door and stood respectfully to the side.
Before getting off the carriage, Cui Huai handed over the porcelain bottle in his hand: "Take care of it."
Lin Yue took it, his expression softening: "Yes."
Two days later they left Jinling.
After Cui Huai's fever subsided, his condition was no longer as dangerous as before, so there was no need to travel day and night.
Shen Yunzhi did not continue to ride in the same carriage with him.
Cui Huai did not show any displeasure or dissatisfaction with this, and worried that she would be bored on the journey, so he specially sent her many storybooks to pass the time.
The North is not like the South.
At this time of year, the weather is already freezing cold and the north wind is biting.
Because she left in such a hurry, Shen Yunzhi didn't have time to prepare a winter coat in advance.
Cui Huai invited her to his carriage, saying, "There's a small stove there; you can warm yourself by it." Seeing her hesitation, he added, "Or perhaps we could switch carriages."
Hearing this, Lin Yue advised, "Your Highness is injured and should not be exposed to the cold."
Shen Yunzhi simply said no need and refused.
Unfortunately, a heavy snow began to fall before half a day had passed.
They braved the snow to reach the nearest post station, where they found shelter, hot water, and steaming meals.
Shen Yunzhi refused to leave the house.
Cui Huai knocked on the door, bringing his own cloak, which he wrapped her up tightly, insisting on taking her out.
Seeing that Cui Huai was taking her hiking again, Shen Yunzhi's already displeased expression worsened.
"Now that everything has settled down, no one will send out a large number of assassins to kill us like before," Cui Huai explained gently, seeing through her thoughts.
Shen Yunzhi's expression did not soften as a result.
Cui Huai then said, "The mountain road is difficult to travel, Cousin Zhi, shall I carry you on my back?"
"No need."
Shen Yunzhi refused decisively. He was injured, and if something happened to him, wouldn't he be even more likely to cling to her?
Fortunately, they arrived before her patience completely wore off.
Cui Huai brought Shen Yunzhi to the mountains to see the rime ice.
Along the frozen stream, in the stillness, tall and straight pine trees are covered in silver, pure and immaculate. Sunlight shines through the clouds and mist, creating a scene of jade trees and flowers, like a fairyland. One can't help but hold one's breath, afraid of disturbing such a beautiful sight.
They arrived not early, yet their arrival seemed perfectly timed.
Before long, the frost flowers began to fall from the branches, fluttering and dancing in the air, like a dream.
Cui Huai led Shen Yunzhi for a stroll along the stream.
He asked, "Is this the first time Cousin Zhi has seen such a sight?"
Shen Yunzhi nodded and reached out to catch the falling frost, which resembled snow but was not snow, yet it quickly melted in her palm.
Cui Huai said, "From now on, I will accompany you to see more sights you've never seen before."
"Even the most beautiful scenery becomes less appealing if it requires going through countless hardships to see." Shen Yunzhi withdrew her hand, her words carrying a hidden meaning.
Cui Huai smiled slightly: "With Cousin Zhi by my side, even the most difficult places aren't so difficult."
Aren't you curious whether I've been here before?
After a moment, Cui Huai broke the silence that had been broken by Shen Yunzhi's silence.
Shen Yunzhi felt that he talked too much.
But she still asked, "Is this also your first time seeing such a sight?"
“It is indeed my first time here,” Cui Huai said gently. “But I saw it in another mountain when I accompanied my uncle on a winter hunt. Last night, the postmaster mentioned it, and I thought my cousin Zhi would like it, so I thought I would bring you to see it.”
Upon hearing Cui Huai mention Emperor Jiaping, Shen Yunzhi realized that she would have to go to the palace to meet the emperor upon returning to the capital.
She asked abruptly, "Does Your Majesty truly believe that I faked my death and fled because I was forced by the Fifth Prince and the Seventh Princess?"
Cui Huai answered frankly, "I don't really believe it."
Shen Yunzhi choked, her brows furrowing: "Then why did His Majesty grant your request?"
"Because I made a deal with my royal uncle."
Cui Huai spoke with remarkable ease, "Besides, it is true that Cui Xu once tried to humiliate you, and it is also true that Cui Xuan sent someone to assassinate you. Your imperial uncle must consider the face of the royal family."
Shen Yunzhi asked in confusion, "A deal? What kind of deal?"
Cui Huai said, "My mother's last letter."
Shen Yunzhi was stunned for a moment.
The late Princess Chu's...last will and testament? Used to make a deal with His Majesty the Emperor? She was almost at a loss for how to understand Cui Huai's words.
"What does His Majesty want your mother's will for?" Shen Yunzhi pressed.
Cui Huai said, "I don't know."
Shen Yunzhi found this matter extremely strange, especially since it came from Cui Huai's mouth, making it seem insignificant. After asking several more questions without getting any information, she changed the subject and asked, "Does Your Highness know about this matter?"
Cui Huai said calmly, "If my father knew, he would definitely try to stop it."
Shen Yunzhi understood; he had done it behind the King of Chu's back.
"Is this the first time you've ever deceived your own father?" Shen Yunzhi asked him deliberately.
Cui Huai laughed and said, "Yes, but it's worth it for my cousin Zhi."
Shen Yunzhi disagreed and retorted: "You're not doing this for me, you're doing it for your own desires. If the Prince finds out about what you've done, he'll be furious. In the dead of winter, your injuries haven't healed yet. If you're forced to kneel in Lanting Garden for half a month, it won't be as simple as just catching a cold."
"Is my cousin Zhi concerned about me?"
Cui Huai didn't take Shen Yunzhi's warning seriously, and simply comforted her, "It's alright, I'll be patient."
...
The words Cui Huai spoke while admiring the rime ice scenery in the mountains took root in Shen Yunzhi's heart. She could sense the complexity of the situation and felt caught up in it, unable to extricate herself even if she wanted to.
But once the decree of bestowing the honor has been issued, the emperor will not contradict himself, nor would he want anyone else to contradict him, even if that person is the King of Chu.
Thinking of this, Shen Yunzhi's heart finally calmed down.
It was nearly December when I finally returned to the capital.
The capital was as bustling as ever, but the carriage did not return to the Chu Prince's residence; instead, it drove directly to the palace gate.
Shen Yunzhi followed Cui Huai as they disembarked from the carriage outside the palace gate and entered the palace to meet the emperor.
Before entering the city, they had already bathed and washed themselves, and she changed into the clothes that Cui Huai had personally bought for her.
This was not Shen Yunzhi's first time entering the palace, nor was it her first time meeting Emperor Jiaping.
But being scrutinized by the emperor was indeed a first for him.
His Majesty the Emperor, seated at the head of the hall, exuded a solemn and dignified aura. Though middle-aged, his sharp eyes and calm, unreadable face radiated an imposing presence.
His gaze fell on Shen Yunzhi, bending her neck so that she would bow her head deeply.
"I already know about your matter."
"From now on, you should behave yourself and act in accordance with the rules. I will not hold past grievances against you or hold you accountable for what happened."
He then praised her for "saving" Cui Huai.
Shen Yunzhi listened to the sacred teachings, bowed repeatedly, and thanked the Lord for His grace.
Emperor Jiaping then looked at Cui Huai again.
He said, "You are injured and should rest. Why don't you stay in the palace for a while and let the imperial physicians treat you carefully?"
Cui Huai bowed in gratitude for the emperor's favor, but declined, saying, "I have been away from the capital for a long time, and I should return home to pay my respects to my father and mother." Emperor Jiaping did not insist that he stay and let Cui Huai leave. Shen Yunzhi bowed and took her leave with him.
As he was leaving the palace in a sedan chair, he unexpectedly encountered Chen Zhaoyu, who was entering the palace to pay his respects to Empress Chen, in the passageway.
A gust of cold wind lifted a corner of the sedan curtain, and upon seeing the person inside, Chen Zhaoyu exclaimed in surprise, "Zhi Niang?!"
Cui Huaiyu lifted the sedan curtain with her long, white fingers, looking at Chen Zhaoyu who was getting off the sedan with a half-smile.
"I haven't been in the capital recently, so I haven't had a chance to congratulate Ming'an on her marriage."
Chen Zhaoyu's expression changed slightly.
Inside the sedan chair, Shen Yunzhi was speechless at Cui Huai, then heard Cui Huai say, "This lady is Princess Huihe."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com