Chapter 46 He reached out to check her pulse and nose...
Upon learning that Shen Yunzhi had been invited to Qiyun Residence by Cui Huai, Cui Hong immediately went to Qiyun Residence.
Just then, Choi Yeo-joo came looking for him, and the two bumped into each other.
"What is Second Brother doing today? Why did he suddenly get engaged to Zhi Niang?" Cui Lizhu felt completely confused; everything seemed to be in disarray, making it impossible to make sense of anything. How could her two brothers be so infatuated with her?
Her elder brother's obsession and concern for Zhi Niang had left her at a loss.
Even my second brother didn't interfere today.
Things became increasingly absurd, and the situation spiraled out of control.
She truly couldn't understand why things had turned out this way, nor could she see what the future held.
“I want to help my cousin,” Cui Hong solemnly answered Cui Lizhu’s question, replying, “My elder brother just sent someone to invite her over, and I have to go to Qiyun Residence right away. Lizhu, we can talk about it another day.”
Choi Yeo-joo watched Choi Hong walk away quickly, hesitated for a few moments but did not leave. Instead, she caught up with Choi Hong.
"Second Brother said he would help Zhi Niang, but can he really help her today?"
Cui Hong then stopped walking.
He said seriously to Choi Yeo-joo, "Perhaps I can't help my cousin much, but if you insist on going your own way, you will harm her sooner or later."
"Just knowing that my elder brother was close to my cousin, my father severely punished him."
"What do you think will happen to the two of them once Father realizes that Brother has ulterior motives?"
With mixed feelings, Cui Lizhu and Cui Hong rushed to Qiyun Residence.
Upon reaching the outside of the study, before he could utter a sound, the study door was suddenly opened from the inside.
Shen Yunzhi stood inside the door, looking slightly embarrassed at the two people outside.
Cui Lizhu glanced at Shen Yunzhi, stepped forward, took her hand, and led her out of the study.
Cui Huai walked out of the study with a normal expression, only the lingering blush at the base of his ears betrayed a hint of something.
He said gently to Shen Yunzhi, "You should go back first today."
Cui Hong stared at Cui Huai's reddened ears, knowing that something must have happened between him and Shen Yunzhi.
What did the older brother do to his cousin?
Cui Hong asked in a deep voice. Shen Yunzhi quietly tugged at Cui Lizhu's sleeve. Cui Huai was still savoring the strange feeling brought by Shen Yunzhi's light kiss. Hearing this, he just smiled slightly and remained noncommittal.
Cui Huai's reaction made Cui Hong even more intrigued.
He turned to look at Shen Yunzhi, his voice reassuring: "Lizhu and I are here, cousin, don't be afraid, we will definitely help you."
"Let's take this opportunity to have a frank discussion with my elder brother."
"Today I mentioned to my father that I wanted to get engaged to you, but my father only said that it depends on your wishes."
Cui Hong stared intently at Shen Yunzhi.
He asked slowly, "Cousin, what do you think?"
Hearing Cui Hong's words, Cui Lizhu felt Shen Yunzhi's fingers tighten suddenly as she gripped her sleeve. Although she couldn't refute her second brother's earlier words, she disliked the current standoff and said unhappily, "Second brother, how can you let Zhi Niang make such a big decision so casually?"
"Of course, I don't expect my cousin to agree to my request immediately."
Cui Hong said, "I just hope my cousin will tell the truth."
Shen Yunzhi lowered her eyes.
All three men's eyes fell on her. She raised her eyes slightly and asked softly, "Does the Second Young Master want to marry me?"
...
Cui Lizhu silently led Shen Yunzhi away from Qiyun Residence.
She didn't ask anything, but when her second brother couldn't answer the question, she felt a tightness in her chest.
Her father had most likely never truly agreed to the marriage; how could being a concubine be the same as being a wife? Her second brother kept saying he was worried about her eldest brother's stubbornness and about her cousin's safety, but she couldn't condone his actions. Ultimately, Zhi Niang hadn't done anything wrong; why should she be reduced to a concubine?
She would never support it.
She would not approve of either her eldest or second eldest brother.
"You... should get some rest." After sending Shen Yunzhi back to Yunxi Courtyard, Cui Lizhu finally managed to utter a few words.
But before she could let go, Shen Yunzhi grabbed her hand in return: "Do you trust me?"
It would be a lie to say I'm not angry at all.
Choi Yeo-joo never imagined that one day the relationship between her eldest and second brothers would become so awkward, especially because of a young woman.
Having spent so much time with Shen Yunzhi, and knowing it wasn't her fault, there was no reason for him to resent her.
He simply had nowhere else to vent his anger, so he decided to take it out on her.
"What difference does it make whether I believe you or not?" Cui Lizhu said in a muffled voice. "It's too late to say anything more now. Instead of worrying about whether I believe you or not, you should be thinking about what you're going to do in the future."
Shen Yunzhi looked worried and Cui Lizhu was sullen.
This time, Aunt Xue did not come to Yunxi Courtyard. Instead, she went to the Prince of Chu and wept bitterly.
Although it was her own son who had fallen for a cousin from a fallen family, Aunt Xue couldn't bear to blame Cui Hong. Instead, she wanted to shift all the blame onto Shen Yunzhi, her words carrying a strong sense of belittling. Finally, wiping away her tears, she cried out, "The once peaceful Chu Prince's mansion has been turned into such a mess. There have been many rumors circulating outside. Why doesn't Your Highness send her away quickly to prevent further trouble in the future?"
"I had no idea that it was Aunt Xue's turn to speak in this Prince's mansion."
Princess Chu overheard Aunt Xue's words outside the door. The usually gentle and kind woman burst in, speaking coldly and rudely.
Aunt Xue was startled, and even stopped crying.
Princess Chu looked at the silent King Chu, bowed silently, and said, word by word, "Your Highness, I am now in charge of Zhi Niang's marriage, so let me be clear: Zhi Niang will never marry into the Chu Prince's mansion."
Aunt Xue was stunned, but then her face lit up with joy.
The King of Chu reacted much more calmly, nodding and saying indifferently, "If this were to happen again, I would not tolerate it either."
After meeting the King of Chu, the Queen Consort of Chu personally went to Yunxi Courtyard.
It was already late afternoon and time for dinner, so she stayed at Yunxi Courtyard to dine with Shen Yunzhi.
Both of them had poor appetites, and after eating a little food, they couldn't eat anymore and put down their chopsticks.
Princess Chu then moved with Shen Yunzhi to the daybed to drink tea and chat.
Only then did they begin to talk about what happened in the Chu King's study earlier. Shen Yunzhi listened quietly, and the Chu King's wife continued, "Do you remember the estate your aunt arranged for you? It's been so long, and you haven't even gone to see it yet. Why don't you go and take a look in the next couple of days? There are hot springs on that estate, so you can stay there for a few days while you're at it."
Knowing that she was being asked to leave and avoid the situation, Shen Yunzhi obediently agreed to the Princess Consort of Chu's request.
Choi Yeo-joo also felt that the atmosphere in the mansion was strange, so when she left the mansion, she went to the estate with her.
As they walked along the long street, they encountered the carriage of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
Liang Zhi lifted the carriage curtain and saw Cui Lizhu and Shen Yunzhi sitting in the carriage of the Prince of Chu's residence. She greeted them politely.
"Where are the Princess and Miss Shen headed?" Liang Zhihan asked.
Cui Lizhu was too lazy to reply, so Shen Yunzhi answered, "I'm planning to stay at the estate for a few days."
Liang Zhi nodded, said a few words casually, and then gestured for the driver to make way for them.
Choi Yeo-joo and Shen Yunzhi immediately went ahead.
Liang Zhi was going to keep her appointment with Cui Xuan.
When Cui Xuan mentioned that she wanted to visit the villa for a few days in the spring, she couldn't help but recall her chance encounter with Cui Lizhu and Shen Yunzhi, and mentioned it to Cui Xuan.
"It's so cold outside, what are they going to the estate for?" Cui Xuan chuckled. "They must have something to do."
Liang Zhi shook her head and said she didn't know, and the two quickly started talking about other things.
Although the estate that Princess Consort of Chu had prepared for Shen Yunzhi had a few hot springs, it was undoubtedly far inferior to the royal villa of the Chu Prince's Mansion in the suburbs of the capital. It was not only smaller, but also far less luxurious. Cui Lizhu was initially excited, but after two days she found it unbearable and wanted to return to the Prince's Mansion.
Shen Yunzhi did not go back with Cui Lizhu.
She saw Cui Lizhu off to the carriage and said with a smile, "Thank you for accompanying me, Lizhu. I will be going back in a few days."
Choi Yeo-joo responded, but ultimately did not stay any longer.
As Shen Yunzhi herself said, after staying at the estate for three more days, she set off back to the capital.
However, an unexpected incident occurred on the way back to the Chu Prince's residence.
Shen Yunzhi has disappeared without a trace.
...
Although Cui Lizhu returned to the capital first, she left about ten maids and guards at the estate to take care of and protect Shen Yunzhi. However, on their way back to the Chu Prince's mansion, they were attacked by men in black. None of the guards survived, and most of the maids were killed or injured. Shen Yunzhi's whereabouts were unknown.
When the news reached the Chu Prince's residence, it plunged the once slightly calmed-down area into chaos once more.
Cui Huai left Cui Lizhu at the manor to take care of the Chu Prince's residence, while he personally led a search party for Shen Yunzhi's whereabouts. Cui Hong also led a search party to find Shen Yunzhi's location.
None of the guards responsible for protecting Shen Yunzhi were left alive, and the terrified maid could not explain what happened next.
The only certainty is that these men in black were after Shen Yunzhi.
During the search for Shen Yunzhi's whereabouts, based on the traces of a struggle left behind, Cui Huai deduced that the guards had protected Shen Yunzhi and helped her escape into the mountains. However, by the time they arrived, it was already dark, and the forest was dangerous at night. Lin Yue tried to stop Cui Huai, but to no avail, and had no choice but to accompany him into the forest to continue the investigation. Fortunately, they made some progress; they discovered the bodies of two men in black, killed by several hidden arrows.
Cui Huai held the blood-stained hidden arrows in his hands and examined them by the light of the torch.
He was certain that he had given Shen Yunzhi the plum blossom hidden arrow, and he was even more certain that Shen Yunzhi was in the mountains.
However, the swords and blades of those men in black were also stained with blood.
He couldn't tell who the bloodstains came from, but he couldn't help but wonder if Shen Yunzhi was seriously injured... in such cold weather, could she withstand it?
For the first time, the usually composed and decisive heir of the Chu Prince's mansion revealed an unconcealable anxiety. In the darkness, others could not discern his expression, but Lin Yue noticed that he was walking erratically, unknowingly stepping into the bushes several times.
Unable to discern directions at night, searching for people becomes aimless.
Lin Yue had to advise, "Your Highness needs to rest. Everyone has not eaten and is quite exhausted. Why don't we look for food again at dawn?"
Cui Huai gripped the hidden arrows tightly.
He couldn't just wait all night; he was afraid that if he lingered any longer, it would be too late by the time he found the person.
She cannot die.
Even if she were to die, her life should be given to him, not to anyone else.
"Let them rest," Cui Huai said calmly, his voice hoarse.
He continued deeper into the mountains and forests without any sign of stopping or taking a break.
Lin Yue tried to dissuade him to no avail, and was forced to follow in Cui Huai's footsteps.
Finally, the two searched from night until the first light of dawn. With the help of the dim light, they could discern directions and make out the dried bloodstains on the grass and trees. Following these faint traces of blood, they found a cave.
Cui Huai paused for a moment.
He stood outside the cave, staring at it for a moment before slowly walking inside.
The frail young woman sat against the earthen wall, her eyes tightly closed.
Cui Huai stepped forward and saw clearly that familiar yet pale face. He squatted down in front of her and reached out to check her pulse and breath.
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