Chapter 71 "Come and talk to me, Cousin Zhi."...
There were no lights on inside; the light under the curtains was unusually dim, almost pitch black.
Cui Huai stared intently at Shen Yunzhi, his eyes seemingly glowing slightly in the dim light.
Shedding his gentleness, he revealed his cold fangs, with a bloodthirsty cruelty, as if he wanted to devour her bones and blood inch by inch, and then truly become one with her, so that from then on, nothing in this world could ever separate them again.
Shen Yunzhi clearly sensed the dangerous aura emanating from Cui Huai.
The answer Cui Huai wanted to hear, she had repeatedly told him in bed.
But shock and anger filled her entire being.
She couldn't bring herself to say those words insincerely in exchange for a moment's respite.
Shen Yunzhi's desperate struggle is the answer.
Cui Huai's eyes grew colder, and he moved his hand away instead of continuing to forcefully cover her mouth as before.
"Cousin Zhi, do you hate me?"
"Do you also wish you didn't have me?"
Cui Huai's tone was chilling. His fingers slid down her collarbone, stopping at her heart, his eyes empty, seemingly filled with a desolate sorrow. After being released, Shen Yunzhi wanted to hurl insults at Cui Huai, but before she could speak, she heard his two sentences. Her heart sank, and her face felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over it. All her anger subsided, and she silently turned her face away.
Shen Yunzhi quieted down.
Cui Huai gazed at her profile quietly for a long time before slowly saying, "I won't let you get rid of me."
Receiving no response, he leaned in and kissed her again.
His kisses were tender and lingering, full of affection, his fingers running through her loose hair, a far cry from the frenzy of the previous moment.
"Give me a break, Cousin Zhi." After a long while, seeing that Shen Yunzhi had no reaction, neither resisting nor refusing, but only silently enduring, Cui Huai recalled the past and couldn't help but say in a low voice, with a hint of pleading in his tone.
Shen Yunzhi closed her eyes, not turning to look at him, and said in an even lower voice, "Cui Huai, you broke into my room in the middle of the night and did whatever you wanted to me."
"Do you think such shameless behavior should be treated with politeness?"
Cui Huai turned Shen Yunzhi around.
He felt no shame, kissed the corner of her mouth and said, "Even if you hate me or resent me, I am still happy."
Shen Yunzhi then opened her eyes.
"I don't hate you," she said calmly. "Even if you humiliated me a thousand times, I would never hate you."
“Cui Huai, you’re right. Even if I hate you, I’ll still remember you for the rest of my life.”
"I don't want to hate you, I don't want to think about you."
Cui Huai's face stiffened.
Shen Yunzhi added, "You can force me to smile at you if you want to."
This time, it was Cui Huai who remained silent.
He wasn't without experience; it was precisely because of those experiences that he came to a clear understanding that false affections are like bubbles that eventually dissipate.
Shen Yunzhi will also suddenly disappear.
Thinking of this, Cui Huai's body stiffened, and then he restrained himself, released Shen Yunzhi, and got off the bed.
He stood in front of the bed, turned his back, and dressed.
Shen Yunzhi secretly breathed a sigh of relief and sat up, still wrapped in the brocade quilt.
As Cui Huai was about to leave, she looked at his back and said, "From now on, I will not avoid meeting anyone. You have to get used to it. If there is any misunderstanding, you can ask me instead of making wild guesses and harboring resentment."
“You drove me away, yet you met with him,” Cui Huai said, his tone unreadable.
Shen Yunzhi said, "It was a chance encounter."
Cui Huai turned to look at her: "You two had a pleasant conversation?"
"In front of the Third Prince's mourning hall?" Shen Yunzhi replied irritably, feeling that Cui Huai had something wrong with his head.
Cui Huai's eyes flickered slightly as he continued, "What did he say to you?"
Shen Yunzhi said, "He only said 'sorry,' and I don't know why he said that. Do you know the reason?"
“I’ve mentioned it to you before. He visited your grave repeatedly. Since your travel permit came from him, he must have guessed that you were still alive and wanted to confirm it. But because of his actions, I discovered that empty coffin…” Cui Huai chuckled as he spoke, “In that case, I should thank him.”
After returning home and thinking it over carefully, Shen Yunzhi also deduced that this was the reason.
She glanced at Cui Huai: "Then you should prepare a generous gift tomorrow to thank him."
As Cui Huai watched Shen Yunzhi's every smile, frown, and anger, he once again felt a surge of joy in his heart.
It was because of her that he felt this joy; only she could make him feel this way.
"good."
Cui Huai agreed, which earned him a cold snort from Shen Yunzhi.
He then wanted to kiss her again.
But he forced himself to suppress the thought and told Shen Yunzhi to get some rest.
Shen Yunzhi did not lie down again until she was sure Cui Huai had left.
Tonight was full of both surprises and gains for her.
While confirming that Cui Huai was indeed having someone secretly monitor her every move was not a good thing, it also confirmed that Cui Huai's madness could still be controlled. He had indeed changed; in the past, he would never have given up and would have forced himself on her to the very end.
Even though this is far from enough, the fact that Cui Huai can be more considerate and learn to care about her feelings means that their relationship has more room to grow.
Even if Cui Huai eventually can't act like a normal person, at least he'll have a way to deal with being harassed by him.
Remembering Cui Huai's words, "I won't let you get rid of me," Shen Yunzhi understood that this was his true feeling.
She was lost in thought for a moment, and finally let out a barely audible sigh.
...
After that night, Cui Huai'an had some time to himself, and Shen Yunzhi was able to enjoy some peace and quiet.
After returning to the capital, she did not visit Yuhua Temple until the weather cleared up for several days and there was no sign of snow, at which point she took the deaf-mute maid with her.
When she met Chen Zhaoyu at Yuhua Temple, she almost wondered if he was following her.
Chen Zhaoyu was relatively calm, admitting that he had done such a thing and apologizing to her.
"I wished to meet with Princess Huihe but had no opportunity, so I resorted to this desperate measure. I hope the Princess will forgive me." Chen Zhaoyu was polite and refined. Even though what he did was inappropriate, his sincere demeanor made it impossible for anyone to be cold to him.
On the day they returned to the capital, they bumped into each other in the palace. Shen Yunzhi knew that he had some doubts about her identity and probably had something to say.
But given their current situation, there's really no need to bring up the past.
Unexpectedly, Chen Zhaoyu stood in front of her and demanded an apology.
“If I hadn’t been unable to keep my promise back then… you wouldn’t have suffered so much.”
"I am relieved that you are safe and sound. I will do my best to help you in the future."
Shen Yunzhi knew better than anyone how despicable she had been in scheming against his sincerity, so how could she accept his apology? She remained silent, and Chen Zhaoyu replied, "Princess, you need not respond to me, nor should you refuse me. To be honest, I am ashamed to say that it was only because you look so much like that old friend that I wanted to tell you these things. I know it is impossible, but now that the divine being is at Yuhua Temple, I realize that I am probably just trying to find peace of mind."
"Young Master Chen seems to be a kind-hearted person."
Shen Yunzhi reluctantly agreed, and took the opportunity to congratulate him on finding a good match.
Chen Zhaoyu looked at Shen Yunzhi and said, "A couple of days ago, they sent a matchmaker to break off the engagement, wanting to end the marriage."
Shen Yunzhi was slightly taken aback.
They sent the matchmaker to the bride's home to break off the engagement...
It sounds like the young lady's family is unhappy with the marriage and is regretting it.
The thought had barely formed when it was abruptly interrupted by a voice.
"Yunniang, why are you so late?" Cui Huai appeared on the veranda at some point, holding a vase in his hands, filled with a bunch of jade pendants.
The pure white and elegant gold cups and silver stands are as exquisite and graceful as ever.
Shen Yunzhi gazed at the bouquet of daffodils, then her gaze shifted downwards, landing on Cui Huai's clothes, which were stained with mud.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com