Chapter 76 "Only when I die will you truly be..."
Shen Yunzhi didn't remember.
Cui Huai's words stirred up old memories, when she secretly plotted her escape and was very obedient to Cui Huai.
Even though I know it's all fake... I still remember it.
Shen Yunzhi didn't understand, so she asked Cui Huai, "Why would you rather remember?"
Cui Huai led Shen Yunzhi to the railing, overlooking the bustling night scene of the Lantern Festival in the capital: "In the days when you were gone, I often wondered if you had ever truly existed. Perhaps the things you left behind can serve as proof, but if memories disappear, everything is meaningless. I want to remember things related to you, as evidence that you lived by my side. Only then will you truly leave me until I die."
Shen Yunzhi asked, "Even painful memories?"
“Whether it’s pain or joy, it’s all unique to us,” Cui Huai said. “I love it all.”
Fireworks shattered in the dark night sky.
The brilliance, though fleeting, continued to bloom, drawing cheers from all sides, just as it had in previous years.
Shen Yunzhi gazed silently at the magnificent scenery, exactly as she remembered, without pulling away from Cui Huai's hand. Turning her gaze away, she noticed the sachet at his waist; the light was too dim to discern if it was the one she had given him last year.
"The things my cousin Zhi gave me before are all still here."
Cui Huai took off the sachet and placed it in Shen Yunzhi's hand, then picked up the bamboo bird lantern on the stone table and held it in front of her.
Shen Yunzhi took a closer look at the sachet.
It wasn't the one she gave to Cui Huai last year; it was a gift she gave him even earlier. It was made of dark blue fabric and embroidered with dark cloud patterns.
Seeing that Shen Yunzhi recognized him, Cui Huai continued, "Later, we discovered the words embroidered by my cousin Zhi."
Shen Yunzhi stuffed the sachet back into his hands: "It was just to fool you, don't take it seriously."
Cui Huai remained noncommittal and put the sachet back on.
A moment later, he said to Shen Yunzhi, "If my cousin Ruozhi can deceive me as she used to, I would be more than happy to do so."
Shen Yunzhi smiled and said, "It's windy and cold here. If you want to dream, Your Highness, you should go back to Qiyun Residence first."
"Do you want to come back with me?" Cui Huai asked casually.
Shen Yunzhi refused, saying, "No."
Cui Huai nodded, and carrying the lantern, he left the pavilion with her.
...
Liang Zhi hadn't expected to spot Cui Huai in the crowd. Just like last year's Lantern Festival, Cui Huai wasn't alone; a slender figure was beside him, and even though her face wasn't clearly visible, she knew it was a woman. And this year, on the Lantern Festival, she was still with Cui Xuan.
"What are you looking at?" Cui Xuan noticed that Liang Zhi seemed to be staring at someone and asked casually.
Liang Zhi was pulled back to her senses, shook her head and smiled, "It's nothing, I must have mistaken you."
Over the course of that year, her relationship with Cui Xuan had become much more distant.
However, since the Fifth Prince had just been made Crown Prince, Princess Cui Xuan's status had undoubtedly risen accordingly. When Cui Xuan invited her to the lantern festival, she found it difficult to refuse.
Cui Xuan ignored all of this, only adjusting the red gold bracelet inlaid with rubies and begonia flowers on her wrist, and asked, "Do you still have feelings for Cui Huai?"
Liang Zhi was slightly taken aback, then realized that it wasn't because she knew that she had been looking at Cui Huai, but because there was something else going on.
"Why do you say that, Seventh Princess?" Liang Zhi asked, puzzled.
“It’s no secret that you used to like him, but he rejected your marriage proposal a year ago.” Cui Xuan’s words carried a hint of bitterness. “If you still can’t forget him even now, you’re just belittling yourself.”
Liang Zhi didn't take it to heart and replied with a gentle smile, "That's not true. I have nothing to do with him anymore."
Cui Xuan glanced at her: "That's excellent."
Liang Zhi thanked Cui Xuan for her concern. Cui Xuan rested her chin on her hand and looked out of the teahouse, saying to Liang Zhi, "Have you ever thought about what it would be like if Cui Huai fell from a height one day? Aren't you curious?"
"This... is indeed hard to imagine," Liang Zhi said hesitantly.
Cui Xuan smiled and said, "Perhaps one day you will see how he has wronged you, and I think you will be happy then."
A few unusual words lingered in Liang Zhi's mind.
Upon returning to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, she inquired with the servants and learned that her elder brother had already returned. She then went to find Liang Zhengting.
The Seventh Princess's confession that she had once harbored feelings for Cui Huai was no secret, and her undisguised desire to see him fall from grace, filled Liang Zhi with unease. It was also no secret that the Seventh Princess had once been in love with her brother, and had been rejected by him as well… If the Seventh Princess treated Cui Huai this way, what were her true feelings for her brother?
...
With Cui Xu taking over the Eastern Palace, Cui Huai seemed to become busier as a result.
Shen Yunzhi met with him less and less frequently, enjoying a brief period of peace and quiet.
Before we knew it, another spring had arrived.
Amidst the blooming flowers and lush grass, Shen Yunzhi had not seen Cui Huai for a long time. When she visited her aunt at the Chu Prince's Mansion, she learned that he had been leaving early and returning late lately.
Choi Yeo-joo even secretly asked her if she knew what Choi Hwae was busy with.
She wasn't sure, but she vaguely guessed that it might be related to the promises he had made to her before.
But it was inconvenient to tell Cui Lizhu.
Shen Yunzhi shook her head and told Cui Lizhu that she and Cui Huai hadn't seen each other for some time.
Within two days, news of Cui Huai emerged from outsiders.
On this day, Shen Yunzhi went out to select fabrics, preparing to make several summer clothes for her aunt in advance.
As noon approached, she went to a restaurant for lunch and overheard people discussing the Crown Prince of Chu.
The other person was dressed like a scholar, with a mature appearance, and was talking animatedly with great enthusiasm to his companion, recounting the news he had heard. Shen Yunzhi slowed her pace, listened for a few more minutes, and roughly understood what was going on. She was stunned.
Those people were discussing the imprisonment of the Crown Prince of Chu.
According to this person, Cui Huai was embroiled in a corruption case, which was being personally handled by the Crown Prince.
Shen Yunzhi's mind went blank for a few moments.
Cui Xu is bound to settle scores later, and she was prepared for it, but isn't she being a little too hasty?
Is it too hasty to act after only two months of being named crown prince?
imprison……
Shen Yunzhi's thoughts became chaotic, and she suddenly couldn't even hear what the people around her were saying.
The waiter, who had been leading the way, noticed that the distinguished guest hadn't followed, so he turned back to invite her. He called out several times, but the woman stood there blankly, unresponsive. Just as he was wondering what was going on, the young woman turned and left with a pale face, not even bothering with her food or tea.
The waiter, surprised, called out several more times.
The young woman disregarded Shuyi and ran out of the restaurant without looking back.
After leaving the restaurant, Shen Yunzhi went straight to the carriage.
After she got into the carriage, the driver asked her if she wanted to go back to the house. She was taken aback and didn't know how to answer.
Shen Yunzhi eventually went to the Chu Prince's Mansion.
The news had already reached the ears of Princess Chu, Cui Lizhu, and others, but they could not explain the specific reasons.
"The Prince has gone to the palace, and the Second Young Master has also gone out to gather information, but His Majesty has been unwell these past few days..." Princess Chu hesitated, then sighed softly, her brows furrowed with deep sorrow. Cui Lizhu, on the other hand, was furious, practically jumping up and down in a rage: "It must be... a deliberate frame-up, a revenge plot! Despicable and shameless! Utterly vile!"
Shen Yunzhi remained silent.
Once she confirmed that Cui Huai's imprisonment was not a rumor, and that what she had heard was largely the same as what they knew, she ultimately did not stay at the Chu Prince's residence to wait for news.
Back at the mansion, she heard Qi Song waiting for her.
Shen Yunzhi invited Qi Song in, and they chatted briefly about Cui Huai's matter. Chen Zhaoyu also arrived.
When Chen Zhaoyu saw Qi Song, he was taken aback. Looking at the man's handsome features, slender figure, and pure temperament, he couldn't help but feel a little strange. Ignoring this strangeness, he said to Shen Yunzhi, "Princess, I have something important to discuss with you."
Shen Yunzhi intuitively felt that the "important matter" Chen Zhaoyu mentioned was related to Cui Huai, so she asked Qi Song to wait a moment.
She led Chen Zhaoyu to talk under the apricot tree in the courtyard.
Despite being alone, Chen Zhaoyu kept his voice very low and said quickly, "Zhi Niang, I know you understand. Whether you admit it or not, I know that you were forced to fake your death and escape by Cui Huai. Today, Cui Huai has been imprisoned by the Crown Prince and is too busy to take care of himself. This is the perfect opportunity to get rid of him completely. As long as you nod, I will arrange for someone to send you away immediately."
Shen Yunzhi was astonished by the fact that she heard every word clearly.
Seeing this, Chen Zhaoyu comforted her: "Zhi Niang, don't be afraid. I will do my best to protect you and will never reveal your whereabouts to anyone."
Cui Huai was preoccupied with his own problems, which presented him with an opportunity to get rid of him.
That's not wrong.
Because she was right, Shen Yunzhi could not suppress her astonishment.
Chen Zhaoyu noticed her relationship with Cui Huai for one thing, and realized that she was not trying to take the opportunity to escape after Cui Huai got into trouble for the second.
So when she heard Chen Zhaoyu's words, she couldn't feel any joy at having a chance to escape Cui Huai.
All the feelings were so clear and real.
"Are you worried that you can't be protected?" Chen Zhaoyu pressed.
Before Shen Yunzhi could answer, he hurriedly explained, "Whether Cui Huai gets out or not, he'll have to stay in prison for some time, and that's enough. You can use this time to get away from the capital. Even if he gets out of prison safely, how will he find you if he doesn't know where you are?"
"I……"
Shen Yunzhi took a deep breath to calm herself down.
"Young Master Chen, do you have a way to let me see His Highness the Heir Apparent?"
She asked Chen Zhaoyu, "What if I want to see him?"
Cui Huai's imprisonment was undoubtedly the work of Cui Xu.
In their open and covert struggles, Cui Huai might not necessarily lose, but if she does lose, she won't have a better chance to escape than she does now.
Chen Zhaoyu is absolutely right.
With plenty of time, she could escape far away, away from Cui Huai, and also away from Cui Xu.
It was just an accident that the house was set on fire.
Does that mean the county princess won't be burned to death?
However, hiding one's identity is not enough; one must also change one's appearance.
Otherwise, if Cui Huai's method of issuing a warrant for her arrest had come in handy, finding her would not have been difficult at all.
But before that, she wanted to see Cui Huai.
At least, let's see Cui Huai first.
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