Chapter 10 The Crown Prince of Chu also arrived.
Shen Yunzhi was not surprised by Cui Xuan's appearance. Before entering the palace, she had instructed Cui Lizhu to tell Cui Xuan that it was she, Shen Yunzhi, who had gone into the water to save someone that day.
Not wanting to get involved with Cui Huai, he had no choice but to find a way to protect himself first.
Although Cui Xuan was not born to Consort Shu, she was raised under Consort Shu's care since childhood, and therefore Cui Xuan and Cui Xu had always had a good relationship.
Cui Xuan was punished by the Empress for what happened in the Imperial Garden last time, and she must be holding a grudge.
If he knew that she was the one who went into the water to save Huo Yuan, how could he not want to take revenge on her?
Given Cui Xuan's impulsive nature, she would definitely come to Cui Xu to demand her release.
Given their relationship, there's a very high chance that Cui Xu will temporarily hand her over to Cui Xuan today.
With Cui Lizhu willing to protect her, Cui Xuan was much easier to deal with than Cui Xu.
That way she could escape this calamity.
"What does Seventh Sister want her to do?" Cui Xu was quite surprised by Cui Xuan's arrival, especially since she asked for someone.
Cui Xuan angrily said, "She was the one who caused me to be punished that day!"
"Oh?" Cui Xu glanced at Shen Yunzhi, whose face showed some panic, with a half-smile, but his tone was slightly impatient. "What exactly happened?"
Cui Xuan said, "It was she who went into the water to save someone in place of Cui Lizhu, which upset me."
"Fifth Brother, how about you let me have her today? You know how much I've suffered these past few days. If I didn't know it was her, I would have let it go, but now that I know, how can I swallow this insult?"
Cui Xuan begged Cui Xu to agree.
His younger sister looked pleading. Although he was unwilling, he didn't want to disappoint his sister. Cui Xu's face was gloomy. He glanced at Shen Yunzhi again, flicked his sleeves, and strode away.
Cui Xuan, having achieved her goal, happily watched Cui Xu leave, and when she looked at Shen Yunzhi, she curled the corners of her lips.
"Guards, take her to the Peerless Palace immediately!"
Even though Cui Xu was gone, Shen Yunzhi, who was not afraid that Cui Lizhu would abandon her, remained calm despite facing Cui Xuan's anger. However, she looked flustered and took two steps back in fright: "Seventh Princess, I don't know what you were talking about. I should go back, otherwise my aunt will worry about me."
"It's alright, I will send someone to the Chu King's residence."
Cui Xuan gave a cold laugh, "Let's say we hit it off immediately, and I'll keep you in the Wushuang Hall for a late-night talk by candlelight."
What are you standing there for?
She then turned her head and scolded the hesitant palace servants, "Why aren't you taking her to the Wushuang Palace?!"
Without further hesitation, the palace servants rushed toward Shen Yunzhi.
Before Cui Lizhu arrived, Shen Yunzhi, knowing that resistance was futile and not wanting to suffer in vain, struggled slightly before letting the palace servants tie her arms behind her back.
"Stop! Who gave you permission to touch her!" Cui Lizhu, who saw this scene from afar, was furious. She lifted her skirt and rushed forward, shouting sharply, "If you don't let go, believe me, I'll throw all of you blind fools into the inner palace!"
The Seventh Princess is not to be offended.
Could Princess Danyang possibly afford to offend her? Besides, even the Crown Prince of Chu has come.
The palace servants keenly sensed that something was amiss.
I was trembling with fear, feeling that letting go was wrong, but not letting go was also wrong.
Shen Yunzhi raised her head, her gaze falling on Cui Lizhu, then passing over her to see Cui Huai walking steadily and calmly down the corridor. She was puzzled by Cui Huai's appearance, and her feelings were mixed—Cui Lizhu had actually gone out of her way to invite Cui Huai to save her. No wonder Cui Lizhu arrived later than expected.
"Release her." Cui Huai walked forward slowly and instructed several palace servants.
Cui Xuan dared not act presumptuously in front of Cui Huai. Although she was dissatisfied, she could only frown and ask, "What does this have to do with my cousin?"
Cui Huai said, "The Seventh Princess was punished last time because she made a mistake, and it had nothing to do with anyone else. If the Seventh Princess vents her anger and takes it out on the innocent, she will probably be punished again for making a mistake."
Although Cui Xuan spoke gently, she was very serious.
Knowing he wasn't joking, Cui Xuan, unwilling to be punished, dared not speak out against her anger.
She was truly frustrated, and in her anger, she pulled a jade bracelet off her wrist and threw it to the ground. The bracelet shattered into several pieces, accompanied by Cui Xuan's furious words echoing in their ears: "Why bother with your pretense? What are you pretending to be fair about? You're just afraid I'll retaliate against your sister!"
"Cui Xuan, you're not allowed to talk about my brother!" Cui Lizhu jumped up and down in anger.
In contrast, Cui Huai, who was criticized for being hypocritical, remained calm, as if it were nothing more than someone else's business.
Seeing Cui Lizhu angry, Cui Xuan became even more agitated and sneered: "Am I wrong? Does your brother have to be extraordinary and otherworldly, like the moon in the sky or the snow on the mountain peak? I don't believe he has no selfish desires and is always putting on an aloof act for whoever he wants to impress."
Choi Yeo-joo cursed and swore.
Feeling somewhat relieved, Cui Xuan led her palace servants away.
Shen Yunzhi, however, half agreed with Cui Xuan's words. Cui Huai was, after all, just an ordinary person, and might even do things a hundred times worse than most people.
But she had no choice but to acknowledge Cui Huai's kindness today.
"Thank you for saving us, Your Highness and Princess. We are so grateful for your help," Shen Yunzhi said timidly.
After Cui Huai was scolded, Cui Lizhu also became displeased with her: "It's all your fault, you really are a troublemaker."
Shen Yunzhi lowered her head, appearing ready to accept any criticism.
Cui Huai glanced at her and advised Cui Lizhu, "Alright, take her back first."
"Isn't my brother coming with us?"
Choi Yeo-joo frowned slightly as she expressed her concern, "I'm afraid the Fifth Prince will get stuck on the way."
Upon hearing this, Shen Yunzhi also looked timidly at Cui Huai.
After all this commotion, we must make sure she returns home safely.
"Lin Yue will accompany you back."
Cui Lizhu always considered Shen Yunzhi's needs, which gave Cui Huai a slight headache, but he still made a decision calmly.
"Thank you, brother!" Cui Lizhu was completely oblivious to her brother's emotions, only letting out a sigh of relief. Lin Yue was highly skilled in martial arts, and no matter how strong and unyielding Cui Xu's attitude was, it couldn't withstand Lin Yue's fists. With Lin Yue present, Cui Xu would also have some reservations.
Lin Yue escorted Shen Yunzhi and Cui Lizhu back to the Chu Prince's Mansion.
Shen Yunzhi once again thanked Cui Lizhu for what happened today, exaggerating her gratitude to the fullest extent: "If it weren't for Lizhu, I don't know what I would have encountered."
Unable to resist her sincerity, Cui Lizhu awkwardly pulled her hand away from Shen Yunzhi's palm.
"I told you, don't embarrass me."
“But today we are all thanks to my elder brother.” Cui Lizhu said to Shen Yunzhi reluctantly, “You must also remember to thank my elder brother. In case you do anything reckless, you must let me see the gift you give to my elder brother first.”
Even though she didn't want her brother to get involved in Shen Yunzhi's affairs, she knew she couldn't handle Cui Xu, so she had no choice but to go to her brother.
It would be unreasonable to stop Shen Yunzhi from thanking him after already causing trouble.
That's the only way.
Cui Lizhu glared at Shen Yunzhi: "Can't you behave yourself?"
Shen Yunzhi looked somewhat aggrieved: "Lizhu, I really don't know why I offended the Fifth Prince. You know, I was following you the whole time at the Imperial Garden that day and never saw him. It was only at the Huo Family Manor that I first saw him."
"Alright, alright, I'm not blaming you." Choi Yeo-joo had heard these words once, and she didn't want to hear them a second time.
She looked away, refusing to look at Shen Yunzhi's aggrieved eyes.
Shen Yunzhi had intended to test him.
From Cui Lizhu's few words, it was clear that it was indeed she who went to find Cui Huai, which was why Cui Huai appeared.
When his younger sister asked for something, Cui Huai always obliged, which was in line with his usual style.
As for the thank-you gift for Cui Huai... Cui Xu and Cui Xuan failed to get what they wanted today, and it is still unknown whether they will give up. Even if they do not want to approach Cui Huai, they have received his favor, and if something unexpected happens in the future and they need his support, they should indeed thank him properly.
However, Cui Lizhu's performance today gave Shen Yunzhi some insight.
Even if she doesn't actively approach Cui Huai, she can still leverage Cui Huai's influence by relying on Cui Lizhu when necessary. All she needs to do is keep Cui Lizhu happy.
The only problem is Cui Huai's warning from a while ago.
Cui Huai disliked her approach to Cui Lizhu, but given her current predicament, she couldn't let go of Cui Lizhu's hand. It seemed she had to test Cui Huai's attitude again by expressing her gratitude.
Inside the carriage, Cui Lizhu was troubled, while Shen Yunzhi was preoccupied.
They remained silent on the way back to the Prince's residence, and still did not speak to each other. After paying their respects in the main courtyard, they parted ways.
Back at Yunxi Courtyard, after resting for a while, Shen Yunzhi calmed herself down and instructed Qiuyue to find the nearly finished embroidered bamboo leaf and crane sachet. She planned to spend a little more time embroidering it, so it could be given to Cui Lizhu as a token of her gratitude.
Besides the sachet, she also personally cooked two other pastries.
One portion was also for Cui Lizhu, and the remaining portion was intended to be used to thank Cui Huai.
I made the crabapple cake that Choi Yeo-joo loved the most.
This pastry requires considerable effort; its shape must be exquisite and unique, and its texture should be crispy on the outside, sweet and fragrant on the inside, soft and moist to be considered excellent.
Choi Yeo-joo was so amazed by the first bite that she squinted her eyes.
She liked the begonia pastry, but didn't like it to be too sweet, while Shen Yunzhi had it just right.
After finishing a piece of crabapple cake, Cui Lizhu took the handkerchief handed to her by the maid and wiped her hands, saying seriously, "The taste is acceptable, barely edible." Shen Yunzhi smiled, then awkwardly picked up her teacup, took a couple of sips of tea, and put it down, asking, "What is the thank-you gift prepared for my brother?"
Shen Yunzhi showed Cui Lizhu the begonia pastries from the other food box.
Choi Yeo-joo frowned and glanced at the sachet placed on the couch.
"What's the deal with this sachet? It must have taken a lot of effort. How could it be embroidered so well in such a short time? Besides, the pattern..." She only gave her brother a piece of pastry? Cui Lizhu suspected that Shen Yunzhi was playing tricks.
Shen Yunzhi looked at her innocently, as if embarrassed: "When I went to the palace for the flower viewing banquet earlier, Lizhu was willing to protect me, so I was preparing a thank-you gift."
"Don't you like it?"
Choi Yeo-joo chuckled: "You think this pattern suits me?"
"In my heart, Li Zhu is as pure and virtuous as a pine tree or bamboo, and as pristine as a crane in the clouds." Shen Yunzhi smiled slightly. "People often use pine, bamboo, and crane to praise a man's noble character, but I never think Li Zhu is inferior to any man. Why would this sachet be unsuitable for Li Zhu?"
Choi Yeo-joo: "..."
She forced a smile, her heart skipped a beat.
"Alright, alright, go and thank my older brother."
Cui Lizhu immediately told him to leave, "This crabapple pastry will lose its flavor once it gets cold, so you don't need to linger here."
"good."
Shen Yunzhi stood up with a smile, picked up the food box, and went to Qiyun Residence.
A note from the author:
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Choi Yeo-joo: Don't worry, I'm not smitten with her at all. This is just part of my plan. Everything is under control. I have my own rhythm.
Good afternoon! [Let me see]
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