In Chapter 29, she angrily tugged at Cui Huai's sleeve. ...
After the Mid-Autumn Festival, Princess Chu, understanding Shen Yunzhi's feelings, told her that she didn't need to go to the main courtyard to pay her respects so often.
Shen Yunzhi then stayed indoors all day, spending her days in Yunxi Courtyard.
Knowing that she was in a bad mood, Cui Lizhu did not disturb her at first, but when she did not cheer up for a long time, she was afraid that she was worrying too much and would harm herself. Cui Lizhu remembered that when Shen Yunzhi caught a cold, the imperial physician came to the palace to examine her and said that she was thinking too much. Now, she was afraid that it was even worse.
Taking advantage of the Double Ninth Festival and the clear autumn weather, Cui Lizhu went to Yunxi Courtyard to find Shen Yunzhi and forcibly took her hunting.
She didn't need to make any preparations; everything was arranged perfectly.
Shen Yunzhi was pushed onto the carriage by Cui Lizhu.
Only after leaving the city gate did they realize that they were going to the royal villa of the Chu Prince's Mansion in the suburbs of the capital.
Cui Hong accompanied them, riding alongside the carriage. Seeing Shen Yunzhi lift the curtain of the carriage window, he said, "Li Zhu is absolutely right. Staying cooped up in the mansion like this will make you sick sooner or later. Why not go out and clear your head?"
The arranged marriage did indeed cause Shen Yunzhi to feel depressed for two days.
But it wasn't just for Huo Ming; it was more because the sudden turn of events had turned the path she had chosen for herself into nothing.
But she no longer worries about those things.
I'm just a little lazy about dealing with other people and want to be alone, so I pretend to be depressed all the time.
Going hunting at the villa was neither a problem nor a problem for Shen Yunzhi. Lowering the curtain, she turned to see Cui Lizhu pouting at her: "We're already here, you're not going to refuse to come with us, are you?"
"How could I not be willing?"
Shen Yunzhi countered with a question, and after a moment of contemplation, added, "Shouldn't the villa be enjoying a bountiful harvest at this time of year?"
"Of course!" Cui Lizhu then shared with Shen Yunzhi the fresh fruits and vegetables that could be enjoyed at the villa in autumn, and talked about the autumn scenery in the mountains. Finally, she mentioned Chen Zhaoyu, "I originally wanted to ask him to come along, but he has been busy lately, so he couldn't." What Cui Lizhu didn't say was that besides Chen Zhaoyu, she had also tried to find her own brother, Cui Huai, but he was too busy and didn't agree.
"I've troubled Li Zhu again."
Shen Yunzhi said, "If we can hunt a few good pelts this time, we will use them to make gloves and knee pads for Lizhu."
Choi Yeo-joo didn't seem to care: "When have I ever lacked these things?"
She chuckled, "But you'd better work hard, or I'll laugh at you. I won't let you off easy."
The three of them arrived at the villa in the afternoon.
The steward of the villa received advance notice and led the villa's servants to tidy up the east and west wing rooms early in the morning, and also prepared the afternoon meal according to the time.
There's no rush to hunt today.
After washing up and having lunch, they went back to their rooms to rest.
Shen Yunzhi had recently gotten used to taking an afternoon nap, but perhaps because of the change of scenery, she lay on the bed for a long time without feeling sleepy, so she simply got up. She didn't disturb Cui Lizhu and Cui Hong, and wandered around the villa at her own pace.
This villa of the Chu King's Mansion is built against the mountain and is located halfway up the mountain. It is exceptionally spacious.
The mansion is filled with flowers and trees, and in autumn, the ground is covered with withered leaves, creating a desolate yet charming atmosphere.
Shen Yunzhi climbed up to a pavilion on the artificial hill.
Because this is the highest point in the villa, one can see the mountain path leading up the mountain and the scenery at the foot of the mountain.
In the crisscrossing farmland, small groups of farmers are scattered about, working diligently.
On the mountain path, someone rode up on horseback.
Even from a distance, you can feel the imposing presence and charisma of the person on horseback.
They were escorted by guards straight to this villa, where no one else would be present.
It's Cui Huai.
Shen Yunzhi watched for a while, and when she could faintly hear the sound of horses' hooves, she came down from the artificial hill and went back to her room to rest.
Choi Yeo-joo was pleasantly surprised when she woke up from her afternoon nap.
She thought her brother wouldn't be available this time, but he unexpectedly came.
“I thought my older brother was too busy.” Choi Yeo-joo stepped forward, beaming.
Cui Huai said, "The official business has been handled properly."
Cui Lizhu asked excitedly, "Then can big brother go hunting with us tomorrow?" Cui Huai nodded, and she cheered. After sending Cui Huai back to his room to rest, she went to find Shen Yunzhi in high spirits.
Choi Yeo-joo was genuinely happy about Choi Hwae's appearance.
Shen Yunzhi didn't share her sentiment; she knew that arguing about it now was pointless, and there was no need to spoil Cui Lizhu's mood.
That night, the four of them had dinner together.
The next morning, after washing up and getting ready, Shen Yunzhi thought she would take advantage of the time while preparing breakfast to go to the stable to feed her foal.
She arrived at the stables but couldn't find her horse. This time she'd left in such a rush that she hadn't had time to ask about anything; even her clothes and riding attire had been prepared for her by Cui Lizhu. But her foal had remained at the Prince's residence ever since, and Cui Lizhu recognized it—they'd gone to choose it together…
She went to pick it out with Huo Ming and Huo Yuan.
That's probably why Choi Yeo-joo changed her horse without saying a word.
"Lizhu has chosen another jade-colored horse for you."
Cui Huai appeared behind her without her noticing, but instead ordered someone to bring out the horse.
Shen Yunzhi turned around and bowed respectfully to Cui Huai: "Your Highness."
Cui Huai's gaze swept over the top of her head, and he said calmly, "This horse is docile, but it's best to be careful. Since you have some free time, why not give it a try?"
This is an extremely beautiful jade horse.
Pure white in color, with a lithe and agile physique, the Jade Horse is a rare and precious breed.
Shen Yunzhi took a liking to the horse at first sight, and since she didn't want to be alone with Cui Huai, she took the reins from the servant, mounted the horse, and tried riding it out. At first, she rode around the villa for a while, and then she rode out of the villa and up the wide mountain road.
The sound of horses' hooves echoed along the mountain path.
At first, there was only the sound of the horse beneath Shen Yunzhi galloping, but later the sounds of another horse running on the mountain road interspersed with it.
Even without turning around, one could guess who was following behind her.
Shen Yunzhi didn't stop, and kept running until she reached the end of the mountain path and climbed to the top of the mountain.
It was just as the first rays of the sun shone on the tall trees.
The autumn sun shines brightly, the mountains and forests are quiet, and birds chirp and fly...
Everything in sight was peaceful and serene. Shen Yunzhi sat on horseback, gazing at the distant scenery, when she felt someone spur their horse forward and stop beside her. Cui Huai's gaze fell on her face. Her plain face lacked the radiance she used to display when she went out, but possessed an indescribable calm and tranquility. She did not appear as haggard as outsiders might have imagined; she had simply lost some weight.
“Your Highness need not have come along,” Shen Yunzhi finally said.
As she turned her head slightly, Cui Huai looked away and said cryptically, "Miss Shen seems to be avoiding suspicion."
...
"Big brother, Zhi Niang...where did you go?" After getting up, Cui Lizhu searched everywhere for Shen Yunzhi but couldn't find her. She asked someone and learned that she and her brother had gone out on horseback one after the other. Seeing them return together now, she couldn't help but feel puzzled.
Shen Yunzhi took two steps forward, took Cui Lizhu's arm, and led her to the dining hall for a meal.
"Lizhu, that jade horse is excellent, I like it very much."
Choi Yeo-joo blinked: "You noticed?"
Shen Yunzhi then talked to her about feeding the horses and trying them out, and about the scenery at sunrise on the mountaintop.
“You should have come to me, instead of…” Cui Lizhu didn’t finish her sentence, but she didn’t really mean to forbid Shen Yunzhi from having any contact with her brother. After all, if she didn’t want to, why did she invite her brother in the first place? As long as Shen Yunzhi was happy and stopped thinking about Huo Ming, she could tolerate “lending” her brother to her for a while.
Cui Huai and Cui Hong are some distance behind Cui Lizhu and Shen Yunzhi.
After they entered the dining hall, Cui Hong sighed softly, "The Seventh Princess and Young Master Huo's wedding is next month; it can't be kept secret forever."
"I heard that as soon as the Second Young Master Huo was able to get out of bed, he went to the palace to kneel and beg his imperial uncle to withdraw the decree."
"As a result, he was carried back to the Huo family once again."
Cui Huai knew all about these things.
When Huo Ming requested an audience with Emperor Jiaping outside the palace, the emperor happened to be inside.
Emperor Jiaping even asked him for his opinion.
What are your thoughts?
Being too obsessed is never a good thing. Huo Ming's actions have completely trampled on the royal family's dignity and cannot be tolerated.
"I've gotten what I wanted," Cui Huai said calmly, stepping into the dining hall.
Cui Hong chuckled and followed him inside for breakfast.
Although the hunting grounds were on another mountain, they were not far from the villa, and it would only take them a quarter of an hour to get there on horseback. Shen Yunzhi carried her quiver and a bow that Cui Lizhu had prepared for her, and they rode into the depths of the mountains and forests together.
The birds and animals in the mountains and forests are at their fattest and most delicious in autumn.
Shen Yunzhi was still inexperienced and after walking for a long time, she still hadn't caught anything, not even a wild pheasant or a wild rabbit.
"I wasn't lying when I said I wouldn't let you have it." Cui Lizhu proudly showed off to Shen Yunzhi the wild fox she had just shot. After handing the prey to the guard, she set her sights on a deer in the forest.
"Second brother, help me!"
Seeing that the fawn was about to escape, Cui Lizhu hurriedly shouted to Cui Hong and spurred her horse to chase after it.
Cui Hong responded to her and followed her movements.
Shen Yunzhi, unwilling to be left behind, followed them, while Cui Huai, ever since entering the mountains, had been leisurely trailing at the very back of the group.
However, not long after, Shen Yunzhi was still left behind by them.
She stopped at the crossroads, unsure which way to go, and couldn't understand why she had lost track of the person.
The only clear fact was that she couldn't discern the whereabouts of Cui Lizhu and Cui Hong. Shen Yunzhi didn't hesitate much before choosing one of the paths. With guards following her on both sides, it wouldn't matter if she chose the wrong one.
She spurred her horse and galloped away. There was no movement ahead, and the sound of hooves behind her never ceased.
Cui Huai followed behind her the whole time.
A moment later, Shen Yunzhi reined in her horse and turned it around.
"Your Highness, you are mistaken."
Cui Huai did not respond, but simply reached out and used his riding whip to stop her.
Shen Yunzhi was puzzled. In the silence, the wind whistled, and just as she realized something was wrong, the sound of a sharp arrow piercing the air came.
One after another, sharp arrows shot out from the mountains and forests.
Sitting on horseback was too conspicuous, so they dismounted, and the guards immediately stepped forward to protect Shen Yunzhi and Cui Huai.
Shen Yunzhi took a deep breath.
Cui Huai was always calm, and she couldn't tell from his reaction whether he knew something bad was going to happen.
But she knew she was definitely not worth anyone sending men in black to hunt her down.
These people are only after Cui Huai.
She didn't want to die.
In her anger, Shen Yunzhi tugged at Cui Huai's sleeve.
-----------------------
Author's Note: I accidentally injured my hand, but I'm still updating despite my disability [crying emoji]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com