Chapter 60: "I want you to live."
“I told you before my mother’s memorial tablet at Lanting Garden that I had no intention of marrying Miss Liang.”
Does my cousin Zhi think I'm lying?
Cui Huai looked down at Shen Yunzhi's hands, which were clasped together with his.
He took the opportunity to interlock his fingers with hers.
Why don't you believe me?
"Could it be that your disbelief that I would marry you as the Crown Prince's consort is also related to this?"
Shen Yunzhi tried to pull her hand back, but Cui Huai held it tightly. More than whether she believed Cui Huai's words, she did harbor some lingering resentment about her final experience in her previous life. Although the truth seemed close, without completely dispelling the fog of mystery, lingering doubts remained.
“My cousin told me about many of his dreams, and I have also dreamed about him.”
"But it wasn't a good dream."
Cui Huai listened attentively, and Shen Yunzhi tentatively continued, "In that dream, my cousin imprisoned me in a dark room for some reason and chained me up. I only remember being terrified. Later, for some reason, my cousin was getting married, so he had Cui Hong deliver a cup of poisoned wine to me. In the dream, Cui Hong told me that the person my cousin was going to marry was Miss Liang."
"It was just a dream, and shouldn't have been taken seriously."
"But if I were to get involved with someone like my cousin, it would certainly be a stain, and it would be normal for it to be erased."
Shen Yunzhi glanced at Cui Huai: "When my cousin brought me back to Qiyun Residence, he wanted to chain me up, didn't he?"
"It actually matches that dream."
Cui Huai hesitated for a moment, then led Shen Yunzhi to the window. He embraced her from behind and admitted without any remorse, "I did prepare a secret room for Cousin Zhi to stay in, but thinking of how cunning you are, I felt I should lock you up, so I prepared the chains." He paused and continued, "So that's why Cousin Zhi saw through my thoughts back then. But this dream can't be real. Even if I think you're a stain and want to erase you, I would never do it through anyone else, and besides, I never thought that way."
Shen Yunzhi then said, "I can't tell how my cousin is treating me now."
"I can't see my cousin's true feelings."
A clump of lush purple bamboo outside the window was bathed in the afternoon sunlight. Cui Huai looked at the scene and smiled, saying, "During the days when I thought you were really dead, whenever I thought that you could no longer act cute and silly in front of me, I wished you were alive."
"Cousin Zhi, you taught me what it means for a person to die like a lamp going out."
I want you to live.
Shen Yunzhi turned around to face Cui Huai directly. Their eyes met, and she saw the tenderness in his eyes. She slowly said, "But cousin, a person can't just live. I don't like my current life. Whenever I think of that dream, I feel an indescribable panic. I'm always worried that one day I will become like that."
"Then try your best to convince me that you won't leave me."
Cui Huai smiled and said, "But Cousin Zhi can believe that I will only marry you."
...
The next day, before dawn, Cui Huai appeared at Shen Yunzhi's bedside.
Still half-asleep, she was being half-held by Cui Huai as she washed up and got dressed. Confused, she asked, "Cousin, why are you up so early today?"
“It’s time to go,” Cui Huai replied.
As Shen Yunzhi gradually regained consciousness, she remembered what he had said yesterday—that he wouldn't be free today—and asked uncertainly, "Is it... that we're leaving the capital today?"
After washing up and getting ready, everything was settled, but it was still pitch black outside.
Shen Yunzhi and Cui Huai had already boarded the carriage and were heading south from the Chu Prince's residence.
Choi Yeo-joo couldn't sleep all night.
Thinking of her brother's madness, she tossed and turned in bed, so much so that when she appeared at Qiyun Residence early in the morning, her face was haggard and there were dark circles under her eyes.
Unexpectedly, my elder brother left early and had even left the capital.
But she received a letter from her brother, who had left it before leaving, anticipating her return.
"...an empty coffin..."
Choi Yeo-joo stood under the corridor, opened the letter, and quickly read it. Before she could finish reading, her gaze was fixed on those two words.
In Zhi Niang's grave, there was an empty coffin?! She was so surprised that she felt a bit terrified. Her hand holding the letter trembled uncontrollably. Although she had lost the ability to think, she instinctively looked down.
The elder brother said that he would take the opportunity to look for Zhi Niang's whereabouts on his way out.
Empty coffin, feigned death, searching for whereabouts...
Choi Yeo-joo was terrified. The letter slipped from her fingers and floated lightly to the ground.
If you firmly believe that Zhiniang is alive, then leave the capital to search for her. What about that young lady from yesterday?
Unable to accept that her once upright and gentle brother had gone mad, Cui Lizhu stood there stunned for a long time before bending down to pick up the letter and leaving Qiyun Residence in a daze. Suddenly, she didn't know where to go or who to tell these things to. When she came to her senses, she found herself standing outside her second brother's study.
"Lizhu, what's wrong?"
After hearing the report from his subordinates, Cui Hong, who had come out of his study, saw Cui Lizhu, whose face was pale, in the courtyard and quickly pulled her into his study.
Choi Hong noticed the letter in Choi Yeo-joo's hand.
He recognized Cui Huai's handwriting at a glance and asked, "Is something the matter, brother?"
"Second brother..."
Choi Yeo-joo looked up blankly, her eyes slightly red and her voice trembling with tears, "Has big brother gone mad?"
Cui Hong was taken aback and was unable to answer her question.
After a moment, Cui Hong was equally astonished after reading the letter, though he did not believe it was nothing more than Cui Huai's mad ramblings.
"Did something happen before your brother left this letter for you?"
Faced with Cui Hong's question, Cui Lizhu hesitated for a moment, but ultimately did not reveal the existence of that young woman. She only said, "I asked my older brother to accompany me to visit Zhi Niang's grave, but he refused. Today, he left me this letter."
Cui Hong frowned deeply and pondered for a long time before saying, "Then I'll go and take a look."
Choi Yeo-joo was taken aback. He said, "Whether it is an empty coffin or not can be found out by examining it. Perhaps my elder brother has already confirmed it before making this statement."
“But…” Choi Yeo-joo hesitated.
Cui Hong comforted her, "How can I know my brother's condition without seeing it for myself? This was a last resort, so I don't think you'll blame me."
"But there's no need to alarm my father and mother."
"For now, this letter is only for the two of us to know, Lizhu, do you understand?"
Cui Lizhu nodded: "Second brother, I understand."
Cui Hong raised his hand to touch the top of Cui Lizhu's head, then withdrew it and ordered his men to prepare a carriage.
...
Shen Yunzhi and Cui Huai traveled south by waterway.
Lin Yue was with them, and the maid who had recently taken care of her daily life was also there.
Besides, everyone else on the ship was Cui Huai's confidant, and the guards on the nearby ships were all responsible for protecting Cui Huai's safety on this trip. Therefore, this time Shen Yunzhi and Cui Huai didn't need to hide or wear veils when they went out. Appearing openly in public, she could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
What remained unchanged was Cui Huai's debauchery.
Despite the poor soundproofing of the cabin, he showed no restraint and felt no shame whatsoever for his indulgence.
But Shen Yunzhi was too shy to be as shameless as Cui Huai, so she could only clench her teeth to avoid making any embarrassing noises. Her forbearance only made Cui Huai more reckless, and once he even pinned her against the window, with guards watching outside.
They knew that those outside couldn't see them inside the cabin.
But at that moment, I was terrified, fearing that someone might pass by outside the window.
The more nervous and afraid she became, the more determined Cui Huaiyue was to stop.
Shen Yunzhi was so angry with him that she finally left a deep bite mark on his shoulder once again during his crazy and unrestrained behavior.
For the next few days, Shen Yunzhi kept a cold face and refused to pay attention to Cui Huai.
At night, she refused to let him near her, and to show her anger, she threw herself into the river and swam to the shore.
The fleet of ships then came to a stop.
Cui Huai followed her into the water and swam with her to the shore.
Shen Yunzhi sat sulking in the withered reeds, enduring the annoying insects and ants.
He went ashore and sat beside her, watching the stars with her.
"Cousin Zhi, aren't you cold?"
A gentle night breeze blew by, bringing the coolness of autumn. Cui Huai asked Shen Yunzhi in a soft voice, but the only response he received was a sneeze from Shen Yunzhi.
Cui Huai chuckled. Receiving no reply, he didn't force her to leave. Instead, he ordered a light blanket to be brought and wrapped her tightly to keep her warm. Shen Yunzhi also knew when to stop. After confirming that Cui Huai had some reservations, she returned to the boat with him.
Hot water was quickly delivered to their room.
Shen Yunzhi did not refuse Cui Huai's help in washing her hair, bathing her, dressing her, and drying her hair.
However, her understanding of Cui Huai's shamelessness was ultimately too superficial.
While Cui Huai was taking a bath, she fell asleep out of sleep, but was awakened by a strange sensation after an unknown period of time.
The room was dark, with no lights on.
Shen Yunzhi couldn't help but close her legs, but was forcefully stopped by a warm hand. She tried to get up, but before she could move, she was kissed hard.
"Cui Huai!"
Once she realized what was going on, Shen Yunzhi spoke up angrily, only to be met with a light laugh from Cui Huai.
In the end, he could only collapse onto the couch.
She harbored resentment, but couldn't bring herself to say that Cui Huai's service was unpleasant.
Thus, Shen Yunzhi was only slightly relieved from this annoying situation after disembarking. They traveled for another two days to reach the small town where Shen Yunzhi had lived, accompanied only by Lin Yue and her maid.
The carriage stopped outside the small courtyard that Shen Yunzhi had bought.
With a sullen face, she and Cui Huai got off the carriage, while the neighbors watched curiously from the shadows.
Cui Huai is even more hateful.
Knowing that she didn't have any keys, he specially sent someone in advance to inform Qi Song, asking Qi Song to send over all the keys to the courtyard and the bookstore.
Qi Song only received the news that Cui Huai, the heir apparent of the Chu Kingdom, was coming to this small town, not expecting that "Yunniang" would also be there. Upon learning that his "lady" was actually the heir apparent's cousin, Qi Song wisely left the capital, no longer clinging to a futile attempt... Saving her should have been expected, but why did it seem so strange?
"Yunniang, you..."
After blurting it out unconsciously, Qi Song realized he had misspoke and quickly fell silent.
Cui Huai smiled, put his arm around Shen Yunzhi's shoulder, and looked at Qi Song: "Is the divorce agreement ready?"
Qi Song looked away from Shen Yunzhi: "...Yes."
After handing over the keys and the pre-prepared divorce papers, the sensible Qi Song didn't linger to disturb the two of them. Amidst the whispers of the neighbors, he left with a chill running down his spine. Cui Huai, on the other hand, swaggered in, seemingly pleased with the probing gazes, and led Shen Yunzhi into the courtyard.
Qi Song was stopped by a classmate before he even left the street.
The classmate was very concerned and enthusiastic: "Who is that man? Why is your wife with another man? Are you a cuckold? You even came to clean a few days ago, were you afraid that your wife was not comfortable living with someone else?"
Qi Song: "..."
Not wanting to reveal Cui Huai's identity, Qi Song swallowed his anger and said, "Yunniang and I have already divorced."
His classmate looked at Qi Song with affection and patted him on the shoulder.
The next day, however, he excitedly approached Qi Song: "Brother Qi, I've found out that the man is actually your wife's deceased husband!"
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Author's Note: Reversing the Heavenly Gang [shrug]
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