Chapter 7 She couldn't help but look towards Cui Huai. ...
After quickly finalizing all the details, Shen Yunzhi and Cui Lizhu parted ways for the time being.
Bickering with Cui Xuan was something Cui Lizhu excelled at; her appearance immediately and easily drew most of Cui Xuan's attention. Taking advantage of this moment, Shen Yunzhi went into the water from another direction to rescue someone.
Huo Yuan had been floating in the water for too long and had lost all her strength; she was almost unable to struggle any longer.
As soon as Shen Yunzhi approached her, she quickly led her ashore.
The voices of Cui Lizhu and Cui Xuan rose and fell by the lotus pond.
By the time Cui Xuan discovered that Huo Yuan had been rescued, Shen Yunzhi had already pulled Huo Yuan ashore. Cui Xuan was furious: "Which bitch dared to go into the water to save her?!"
Separated only by a lotus pond, and seeing only a silhouette, Cui Xuan couldn't recognize Shen Yunzhi's identity.
She was furious and took a step to rush towards Shen Yunzhi.
Cui Lizhu stepped in front of Cui Xuan, blocking her path, and looked down at her with a smile: "Hmph! I don't know who saved the person, but it did help you by preventing any deaths. Does the Seventh Princess know the meaning of repaying a small favor tenfold?"
"Get out of my way!"
Cui Xuan, her face ashen, pushed Cui Lizhu away. "Danyang, let me tell you, don't think I'm really afraid of you. If you provoke me like this again..."
Cui Lizhu raised her eyes, her gaze passing over Cui Xuan and landing on Cui Huai, Cui Hong, and Liang Zhengting who were walking over. A surge of joy filled her heart, and she deliberately interrupted Cui Xuan, asking provocatively, "So what if I provoked you? What are you going to do with me?"
"Huo Yuan's today is your tomorrow!"
Cui Xuan retorted angrily, "Then I'll have someone capture a bunch of beggars and surround you on the shore. Let's see how you'll face people after that!"
Cui Lizhu's eyes immediately welled up with tears, and she ran towards Cui Huai: "Big brother, save me, I'm so scared."
Following her gaze, Cui Xuan finally belatedly noticed the presence of Cui Huai, Cui Hong, and especially Liang Zhengting. Seeing Liang Zhengting's serious expression and slightly furrowed brow, she stood frozen, her mouth agape, her mind blank.
Shen Yunzhi successfully rescued Huo Yuan and brought her ashore.
She half-carried, half-dragged the unconscious Huo Yuan into the artificial hill and hid there. After helping Huo Yuan vomit a few mouthfuls of water, she breathed heavily and leaned against the artificial hill wall to rest.
Once she regained some strength, Shen Yunzhi peeked out from behind the artificial hill to check on Cui Lizhu's condition. Seeing several tall figures standing by the lotus pond, she recognized one of them easily as Cui Huai. She pursed her lips and retreated back behind the artificial hill. Knowing everything was alright, she waited patiently for Huo Yuan to wake up and for Cui Lizhu to send someone to deliver the cloak.
"Zhiniang? Zhiniang, are you inside?"
After waiting for an unknown amount of time, Cui Lizhu's voice came from outside the artificial hill.
Shen Yunzhi was momentarily dazed by the word "Zhi Niang" she heard from her.
Fang Xinxi responded, "Princess, I'm here!" She didn't get up, but Cui Lizhu quickly slipped into the artificial hill, carrying two cloaks in her arms.
Why are you sitting on the ground?
Cui Lizhu frowned and looked at Shen Yunzhi, asking.
Shen Yunzhi said weakly, "I used up too much energy and can't get up."
Cui Lizhu's expression changed drastically in an instant: "If you can't do it, why force yourself? If something unexpected happens, how am I supposed to explain it to my mother?"
"It's alright..."
Shen Yunzhi said apologetically, "But I really thought there wouldn't be any serious problems. I wasn't deliberately being stubborn."
Choi Yeo-joo's face grew increasingly grim.
"You didn't mean to, but you almost hurt me. Never mind, you should rest for a while."
"What's wrong with Huo Yuan again?"
Shen Yunzhi replied, "He probably choked on too much water and passed out, so he won't wake up so quickly."
Choi Yeo-joo pouted in disdain: "I'll go and call two strong nannies."
So, Huo Yuan, who was still unconscious, was wrapped tightly in a cloak and carried out by the nanny. Shen Yunzhi, who was helped up, put on a cloak and covered most of her face with a hood. She followed Cui Lizhu out of the Imperial Garden to change out of her wet clothes.
"Princess, where are we going?" Shen Yunzhi asked curiously.
Although she asked this question aloud, she guessed that he was going to take them to Zhaoyang Palace, which His Majesty the Emperor had previously bestowed upon Cui Huai for resting in the palace.
Cui Lizhu's words confirmed Shen Yunzhi's guess.
She said proudly, "My brother has a palace bestowed by the Emperor in the palace. You didn't know that? The Emperor dotes on him the most and often summons him to the palace. Later, he simply gave him Zhaoyang Palace to rest in, so that he doesn't have to run back and forth between the palace and the Prince's Mansion when it's late at night."
Cui Huai was highly regarded by Emperor Jiaping.
Because of this, all the adult princes wanted to win him over and treated him with great courtesy.
Shen Yunzhi is now completely indifferent to Cui Huai's affairs.
But she smiled slightly and flattered Cui Lizhu: "I only learned about this rare thing today when the princess mentioned it."
“There’s a lot you don’t know!” Cui Lizhu was indeed pleased, but she didn’t forget her original intention and reminded Shen Yunzhi, “So now you know how extraordinary my brother is? Not just any woman can be worthy of him.”
Shen Yunzhi smiled faintly.
She tightened her cloak and wisely lowered her head.
...
When the palace maids of Zhaoyang Palace brought hot water, they also prepared clean clothes.
After washing herself clean, the discomfort from rescuing the person in the water subsided, and she finally felt comfortable. Only after the palace maid helped her dry her hair and restyle it did she emerge from the bathhouse with a bare face.
During this period, the imperial physician came once to examine Huo Yuan.
Huo Yuan remained unconscious, and Cui Lizhu sat idly on the daybed by the window, drinking tea. Just as she brought the teacup to her lips, she heard a noise. Cui Lizhu casually looked in the direction of the sound, her gaze landing on Shen Yunzhi. She paused slightly, forgetting to drink her tea.
Without makeup, Shen Yunzhi's skin was as smooth and delicate as a lotus flower in clear water, gentle and beautiful.
Although she knew she was good-looking before, Choi Yeo-joo realized for the first time how beautiful she was.
"Princess, is Miss Huo still asleep?" Shen Yunzhi stepped forward and asked gently.
Cui Lizhu snapped out of her daze, took a sip of tea to cover her embarrassment, and replied curtly, "No."
After a moment of stunned silence, she felt a surge of annoyance.
Looking at Shen Yunzhi's face again only annoyed him. He wanted to leave, but he didn't want to give Shen Yunzhi and his brother a chance to spend time together for nothing, so he could only endure it in silence.
Shen Yunzhi didn't want to be around Cui Huai, but she wanted to wait for Huo Yuan to wake up and confirm that Huo Yuan was safe and sound.
Therefore, they hope that Choi Yeo-joo will stay here.
She sat down on the other side of the daybed, poured tea for Cui Lizhu, and then poured herself a cup. Cui Lizhu glanced at her, remembered that she had asked someone to make ginger soup as the imperial physician had instructed, and ordered that the ginger soup be brought over: "Drink it, so that your mother won't have to worry about you when you're sick."
"Okay, thank you for your concern, Princess." Shen Yunzhi smiled and picked up the bowl of ginger soup.
Choi Yeo-joo scoffed, "You're just being presumptuous." But she raised her hand to touch her face, trying to dispel the slight heat from her cheeks.
After finishing a bowl of ginger soup, Cui Huai and Huo Ming entered the hall from outside.
Huo Ming is Huo Yuan's second brother, and there is no doubt that he came for Huo Yuan.
Shen Yunzhi rose with Cui Lizhu to greet them.
Although she didn't look at Cui Huai, the subtle sense of oppression made it impossible for her to ignore his presence.
Seventeen-year-old Huo Ming did not possess the aloofness of Cui Huai, but instead exuded the dashing spirit and high morale of a young man.
Today, when his younger sister Huo Yuan encountered trouble, his expression was serious, and when he thanked Shen Yunzhi, he was both earnest and sincere.
“It was the princess who wanted to save Miss Huo. If it weren’t for the princess, I don’t know what would have happened today.” Shen Yunzhi glanced at Cui Lizhu, then said to Huo Ming with a touch of shyness and embarrassment, “The person that Second Young Master Huo should be most grateful to is the princess.”
Cui Lizhu just wanted to annoy Cui Xuan and make her lose face.
Having achieved her goal, she felt relieved and didn't care whether the Huo family thanked her or not.
I never expected Shen Yunzhi to say such a thing.
She seems quite self-aware; it would be good if she could be this self-aware in matters concerning her brother.
"I also thank Princess Danyang today."
"Once my sister recovers, my brother and I will definitely bring gifts to your door to express our gratitude."
Huo Ming thanked Cui Lizhu again in a serious tone. Cui Lizhu smiled and said, "It's nothing, it's not worth mentioning." She was in a good mood and was kind enough to help pass on the message. "The imperial physician said that Miss Huo is fine, but we need to have someone keep a close eye on her at night to prevent her from catching a cold from falling into the water and getting a fever."
After thanking Cui Lizhu again, Huo Ming asked about his sister falling into the water.
Cui Lizhu had no patience to talk to him about Huo Yuan, so she had Shen Yunzhi tell Huo Ming directly.
Cui Huai listened to their conversation in silence.
His gaze swept over the gentle smile on Shen Yunzhi's lips, and the image of the pale red lipstick imprinted on the rim of the teacup that day flashed through his mind.
"Thank you for troubling me today, big brother." Cui Lizhu was always obedient in front of Cui Huai. Borrowing Zhaoyang Palace was a prestigious thing in front of outsiders, but when facing Cui Huai, she was only worried about causing him trouble.
Cui Huai said calmly, "The Seventh Princess is currently inquiring about news from all directions."
Choi Yeo-joo didn't take it to heart, and covered her mouth with a chuckle, saying, "She was so far away at the time, how could she have seen clearly?"
If you're too far away to see clearly, then there's no need to look for someone.
But this is in the palace, and there are quite a few palace servants serving in Zhaoyang Palace. Once Cui Xuan figures it out, she will realize that she can come to Zhaoyang Palace to inquire.
Shen Yunzhi never believed that she would not be able to leave the palace safely today.
But that doesn't mean Cui Xuan will let her off the hook.
Choi Yeo-joo is right about one thing.
It's easy for someone to be bullied by Cui Xuan if they don't have anyone to back them up, but Cui Lizhu promised to protect her.
She needs to ensure that Choi Yeo-joo keeps her promise in the future.
Shen Yunzhi deliberately pinched her palm, her face paling, and she whispered, "After all, we're in the palace..."
“Miss Shen got involved because she was trying to save my sister. No matter what, I will never let anything happen to her.”
Huo Ming spoke with unwavering conviction and without hesitation, immediately offering words of comfort.
The Seventh Princess is, after all, a young lady.
Shen Yunzhi believed that Huo Ming had the heart to protect her, but it would be inconvenient to rely on him for many things.
Moreover, Huo Yuan suffered even greater injustice.
It's already quite good that Huo Ming can protect his sister and stand up for her.
Shen Yunzhi hesitated, seemingly unsure whether to respond to Huo Ming's words. Her hands, hidden in her sleeves, clenched into fists, forcing herself to control her emotions. Her gaze, seemingly casually, swept over Cui Huai, whose calm and gentle demeanor betrayed a coldness. This small gesture, just as she had anticipated, easily provoked Cui Lizhu.
"So what? What are you afraid of?!"
"Didn't I say? If you're bullied, I'll lose face too. How can I just ignore you?"
Cui Lizhu spoke quickly and urgently, as if afraid that Shen Yunzhi would cause trouble.
Little did Shen Yunzhi know that this was exactly what Cui Lizhu was waiting for.
"Lizhu!" She gripped Cui Lizhu's hand tightly, looking deeply moved. Her eyes were smiling, but tears were glistening in them. "I am already content with Lizhu's promise today, and I ask for nothing more."
As soon as she finished speaking, Shen Yunzhi suddenly felt a chill on the back of her neck.
A familiar chilling feeling, reminiscent of Cui Huai from her past life, washed over her, and she couldn't help but look at Cui Huai.
A note from the author:
----------------------
Goodnight [droopy-eared rabbit head]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com