Chapter 43 "Your life is mine, you promised it long ago..."
Shen Yunzhi did not make a move.
"I will go and summon someone to serve Your Highness."
Cui Huai laughed, leaned over, and picked up the bowl of plain porridge himself: "Is this something to get angry about?"
He didn't know why Shen Yunzhi was angry. He used to think he didn't understand her temper, but now he found it amusing.
Even when she's angry, it's different from how she gets angry with others.
Sometimes sharp-tongued, sometimes indifferent, sometimes dignified... More than being willful and capricious, it comes from her inexplicable stubbornness.
After finishing a bowl of plain porridge, Cui Huai put down the bowl, then picked up the bowl of bitter medicine and drank it all without hesitation. After putting down the medicine bowl, seeing that Shen Yunzhi did not speak, he lightly tapped the edge of the bed with his finger, gesturing for Shen Yunzhi to come and sit down.
"Say something to me."
Cui Huai looked at her expectantly, "You haven't spoken to me in a long time."
Considering Cui Huai's illness and the need for compromise, Shen Yunzhi took two steps closer: "What does Your Highness wish to hear?"
Seeing that she refused to sit, Cui Huai added, "I won't touch you."
Shen Yunzhi then sat down on the edge of the bed.
Cui Huai smiled, but the words he uttered the next moment caused the atmosphere to plummet to freezing point.
“I ordered someone to investigate. Yesterday, Cui Xuan went to Baiyun Temple, and her husband Huo Ming was also there.”
"Did my cousin Zhi really only go to get a lucky charm for me?"
Cui Huai spoke slowly and deliberately, his gaze fixed on Shen Yunzhi, unwilling to miss any subtle change in her expression. Seeing her unusual surprise, he chuckled softly, unsure whether he was laughing at her naivety or at his own overwhelming joy from the previous day.
Shen Yunzhi had anticipated that Cui Huai would send someone to Baiyun Temple to investigate.
He was always like this; even if she disappeared for a moment, he would still have doubts about her.
The surprise on his face was all an act.
They had prepared their response to Cui Huai even earlier.
"Didn't Your Highness promise not to spy on me? What is this?"
Shen Yunzhi suddenly stood up, coldly looking at Cui Huai, who lay on the bed with an indifferent expression, "That's right, I went to see Huo Ming, not to ask for any peace charm for you."
Even though he is now the consort of the Seventh Princess, I still can't live without him.
"For him, I'm willing to risk my life and disregard my aunt. Is Your Highness satisfied?"
Cui Huai remained unmoved, his gentle tone concealing sarcasm.
"Perhaps you also want to rekindle your old flame with him, since he still can't forget you."
Shen Yunzhi seemed to laugh in anger: "Does Your Highness mean that I'm eager to become Huo Ming's concubine?" She laughed twice, her disappointment growing stronger, and her words becoming more resolute: "I would rather commit suicide right now than become anyone's concubine, let alone a nameless concubine. Your Highness doesn't need to belittle me like this."
"Your life is mine; you promised me that long ago."
Cui Huai glanced at her and said, "Even if someone forces you to become a concubine, you must not commit suicide for that person."
In her past life, Shen Yunzhi might have been so angered by Cui Huai's words that she vomited blood. Having seen it all before, she was numb and wouldn't even be surprised. She was simply too lazy to argue, and the dispute ended when the Princess of Chu came to visit Cui Huai.
Later, Shen Yunzhi left Qiyun Residence with the Princess of Chu.
Princess Chu had some concerns about her presence at Qiyun Residence: "Zhiniang and the Crown Prince have become quite close lately."
"It's only because His Highness is seriously ill that I've come to visit," Shen Yunzhi reassured her aunt.
The Queen of Chu did not press further, only saying, "If there is anything, you must tell me, understand?"
Shen Yunzhi obediently agreed.
But she knew she would find it hard not to feel indebted to her aunt.
In her previous life, upon learning of how Cui Huai had treated her, her aunt, filled with grief and indignation, appealed to the emperor, only to be placed under house arrest instead.
In this life, the only thing she could do was to prevent her aunt from being dragged into this.
...
Cui Huai took a break from his illness for about ten days.
Even though he thought he was fine, His Majesty specially issued an edict telling him to rest more and ordered palace servants to send many tonics to the Prince of Chu's residence.
Having already aroused Cui Huai's suspicion after visiting Baiyun Temple, Shen Yunzhi refrained from making any further rash moves.
She did not go out, nor did she visit Qiyun Residence again.
And the New Year is quietly approaching.
As we enter the twelfth lunar month, time seems to fly by faster than usual, and in the blink of an eye, the Lunar New Year is just around the corner.
The Chu King's mansion was bustling with activity as people prepared for New Year's Eve and the New Year.
Red silk ribbons were wrapped around the flowers and trees, and large red lanterns were hung under the covered walkways, making the place brightly decorated.
The end of the year, which should have been a busy time, turned into a quiet one for Cui Huai because of his previous illness.
He took Shen Yunzhi to admire the flowers.
Nanyuan not only had a royal hunting ground but also a large area of plum trees. The rare variegated plum, which was especially rare in Chen Family Plum Garden, was planted here in many places, along with countless other varieties of plum blossoms, making it a dazzling sight.
Shen Yunzhi strolled with Cui Huai in the plum grove.
He was very gentle today, as if the previous argument had never happened, and he wore the amulet she had asked for at his waist openly.
“I had a dream.” As he walked slowly to the plum tree, Cui Huai suddenly spoke.
Shen Yunzhi had a gut feeling that it was another absurd dream, but she could only play along and ask, "What dream did Your Highness have?"
Cui Huai's gaze swept over Shen Yunzhi's bright red feathered cloak: "In that dream, you were dressed the same way you are today. At that time, you stood under the plum tree and asked me if I wanted to be with you, and you called me..." He paused, then smiled, "How could you call Huo Ming that, causing me to have such a dream? Only in my dream would you treat me the way you treat them."
Each and every one of those dreams is unforgettable.
The more he savored it, the more he yearned to possess it.
Shen Yunzhi turned to look at Cui Huai: "Your Highness seems to be having many dreams. Have you asked the imperial physician to prescribe some calming soup?"
Her serious demeanor ruined the atmosphere, only making Cui Huai laugh heartily.
Cui Huai curved his lips and went to pluck a plum blossom.
Unlike Chen Zhaoyu, who picked plum blossoms for Shen Yunzhi, leaving her with a bounty of various plum blossom branches, Cui Huai only picked golden plum blossoms for Shen Yunzhi.
The blooming branches are adorned with clusters of plum blossoms.
Cui Huai broke off a plum branch and placed it in Shen Yunzhi's arms until the fragrance of plum blossoms enveloped her.
Picking plum blossoms for her was just one of the reasons.
After recovering from her illness, Cui Huai began to do many things for her that others had done for her.
Therefore, he went so far as to interrogate Qiu Yue, meticulously learning from her every detail of her interactions with Huo Ming and Chen Zhaoyu. Shen Yunzhi couldn't stop him and let him do as he pleased, but when he wanted to take her out, she would sometimes agree and sometimes refuse. If asked, she would say that she didn't meet with them that frequently.
Even if he thought she was playing tricks, Cui Huai would still cooperate with her.
This was a period in which they got along quite well.
Cui Huai took Shen Yunzhi to Nanyuan a second time because he wanted to go horseback hunting with her.
For various reasons, I had never been able to enjoy hunting to my heart's content. I thought I could find peace and quiet in Nanyuan, but I ended up meeting Cui Xuan and Huo Ming.
"I heard that my cousin was seriously ill, but unfortunately I couldn't find the time to visit him at the Prince of Chu's residence. Seeing that he looks quite well today, I'm relieved." As she spoke, Cui Xuan glanced at Shen Yunzhi, a faint, sarcastic smile playing on her lips.
The moment Huo Ming saw Cui Huai, he noticed the amulet he was wearing at his waist.
It was that day... that Zhi Niang prayed for at Baiyun Temple.
If Huo Ming hadn't gritted his teeth and endured it, he almost wouldn't have been able to keep a straight face.
Cui Xuan then retorted sarcastically, "I remember, aren't the Prince Consort and Miss Shen old acquaintances? How come they don't even greet each other when they meet?"
Cui Huai glanced at Shen Yunzhi and saw that her face was calm. He said indifferently, "If the Seventh Princess is really bored, with the New Year approaching, she might as well send a few letters to the Fifth Prince and show him more care to ease his longing for his family."
This New Year, Cui Xu was unable to return to Beijing or reunite with his family.
The Imperial Concubine Shu pleaded with His Majesty several times for this matter, but to no avail.
The fact that Cui Xu left Beijing was inextricably linked to Shen Yunzhi and Cui Huai.
Now that Cui Xu has been mentioned, Cui Xuan no longer has the leisure to watch Huo Ming and Shen Yunzhi's embarrassing situation.
Fifth Brother will come back sooner or later.
Cui Xuan gritted her teeth in hatred, her eyes glaring at Huo Ming like knives, "But there are some who can only be buried with me until death."
As soon as she finished speaking, Cui Xuan led Huo Ming away. Although Huo Ming only glanced at Shen Yunzhi a few times, recalling her appearance at Baiyun Temple and seeing her today, noticing her lack of anxiety and worry when she was praying for a peace charm for Cui Huai, and the absence of genuine joy she seemed to have around Cui Huai, he couldn't help but feel suspicious. He also felt that she didn't seem very happy...
"She's nothing but a frivolous woman who turned to Chen Zhaoyu after leaving you, and when things didn't work out with Chen Zhaoyu, she went and seduced my cousin."
"What is there about someone as promiscuous as him that you're interested in?"
The harsh words rang out, but Huo Ming remained silent, suppressing his anger.
Cui Xuan was not satisfied and insisted that he say, "Why don't you dare to speak? Is it because you two have already gotten together that you still can't forget about it?"
"Shut up!" Huo Ming finally lost his temper, staring at Cui Xuan with a sinister look. "I may be able to tolerate your bullying and humiliation, but if you continue to insult others like this, even if you are the Seventh Princess, I will no longer tolerate it."
"How dare you! Who gave you permission to speak to me like that?"
Having never been contradicted by Huo Ming before, Cui Xuan raised her hand in annoyance, only to have her wrist easily grabbed by Huo Ming.
He used tremendous force, as if he wanted to crush her bones.
The pain made Cui Xuan scream, but Huo Ming showed no intention of letting go: "Seventh Princess, you underestimate me. Then give it a try."
Cui Huai took Shen Yunzhi horseback riding as usual.
The only change was that they each rode a separate horse, but now they were to ride together.
Shen Yunzhi stood in front of the horse, unwilling to get on its back.
Cui Huai hooked his fingers around her sleeve and held her hand in his palm: "He can't forget you."
"Isn't Your Highness the same?"
Shen Yunzhi withdrew her hand, said nothing, and mounted her horse.
As the sun set, Shen Yunzhi returned to the Chu Prince's residence.
Qiuyue finally received a reply from Wangzhou. In this belated letter, she learned that her sister was ill and had been bedridden for some time. It had been many years since she last saw her sister, and upon suddenly learning of her sister's serious illness, Qiuyue was filled with anxiety and tears welled up in her eyes.
"Don't cry." After reading the letter Qiuyue handed over, Shen Yunzhi folded it and handed it back, gently comforting her, "It's the New Year holiday, why don't you go to Wangzhou? You can visit the sick and reunite with your family."
Qiu Yue sobbed, "If I leave, what will happen to Miss?"
"Even if you leave, I will have someone to take care of me." Shen Yunzhi told her not to worry, and then went to the main courtyard to explain the matter to her aunt.
The Queen Consort of Chu was always kind-hearted.
After hearing Shen Yunzhi explain the whole story, he allowed Qiuyue to leave and even gave her some silver.
"You only have this one considerate maidservant by your side."
"Although she won't be gone for long, you'll need someone to take care of you. Why don't you send someone to serve you for now?"
Shen Yunzhi shook her head and politely declined, saying, "It's not appropriate to send someone temporarily, and I don't have any urgent matters requiring their assistance. Let's leave it at that for now." She then thanked her aunt for her concern. Princess Chu did not insist, thinking that she could arrange for someone else later if needed.
The next day, at the crack of dawn, Qiuyue left the capital for Wangzhou.
Cui Huai did not ask Shen Yunzhi about this matter. A few days later, Cui Hong approached Shen Yunzhi.
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