Chapter 32. She sensed certain physical changes in Cui Huai. ...
Shen Yunzhi couldn't see through Cui Hong's thoughts.
However, his suggestion that he could accompany the Seventh Princess at her wedding banquet was rather simplistic.
Cui Xuan invited her, even if not to make things difficult for her, she still wanted to see her make a fool of herself. With Cui Hong accompanying and protecting her, she could avoid being harassed and also use this opportunity to further distance herself from Huo Ming, who had become the prince consort.
In such a situation, such behavior is tantamount to making it public.
Even if she really had this intention, the person she would consider wouldn't be Cui Hong, but... Cui Hong's unusual behavior also bothered her.
Shen Yunzhi did not refuse immediately.
Cui Hong did not urge her, as if patiently waiting for her to give a response.
The stalemate was broken when Cui Huai stepped onto the stone bridge.
Cui Hong turned around and looked, quite surprised: "Big brother... is he in the library too?"
"The library in this mansion is vast, containing countless rare books. This is not a place for your pleasure-seeking." In the darkness of the night, only a single glass lamp could reveal Cui Huai's expression, but the seriousness of his tone was evident. "Why set off fireworks in the library?"
Cui Hong seemed speechless when asked the question.
Shen Yunzhi then felt Cui Huai's gaze turn to her, and he asked, "Miss Shen?"
"Your Highness..."
Before Shen Yunzhi could even open her mouth, Cui Hong interrupted her.
Cui Hong said urgently, "Brother, it has nothing to do with my cousin. I'm the one who invited her here."
"Setting off fireworks was also my own doing."
Cui Huai seemed to chuckle lightly, his tone becoming even colder: "You must know the rules of the library. In that case, you shall accept your punishment."
"Yes, elder brother." Cui Hong responded, glanced at Shen Yunzhi, and stepped off the stone bridge past Cui Huai.
In a short time, things inexplicably turned into a situation where Shen Yunzhi was facing Cui Huai alone.
Shen Yunzhi was about to say a few polite words and then take her leave when Cui Huai said, "If the Seventh Princess makes things difficult for you, I will protect you. You don't need to be afraid or do anything unnecessary."
Unnecessary?
Shen Yunzhi lowered her eyes, gripped the glass lamp in her hand tightly, and spoke with a sense of desolation.
"I see the Second Young Master less frequently than I do with His Highness, and I know nothing about what happened today. If Your Highness believes that I did something unnecessary to cause this, do you also feel that I have done many unnecessary things for Your Highness?"
"Since Your Highness is annoyed, it is ultimately my fault for overstepping my bounds."
"I will pay more attention to my words and actions in the future, and I thank Your Highness for your guidance."
She knew that Cui Huai looked down on her.
He used to be unhappy about her closeness to Choi Yeo-joo, but now he's probably just worried that she and Choi Hong might cause some trouble again.
Even though she never had any feelings for Cui Hong.
To assume that Cui Hong's ingratiating behavior was intentional is so narrow-minded.
Even if it's not true.
Even if it is, what does it have to do with him? If she's unhappy, then she'll draw a clearer line between them.
Shen Yunzhi turned to leave without waiting for Cui Huai's reaction. But a hand grabbed her arm and tried to pull her back. Caught off guard, she lost her balance as she was about to step down the stone steps and fell backward uncontrollably, dropping the glass lamp in her hand.
After a moment of panic, as if the world was spinning, she came to her senses to find herself lying in Cui Huai's arms.
Cui Huai wrapped his arms tightly around her waist, and she pressed herself close to him.
Shen Yunzhi did not expect Cui Huai to try to persuade her to stay.
Feigning anger, she righteously questioned, "What is Your Highness doing?"
Cui Huai remained silent, and Shen Yunzhi was also speechless.
Because they were pressed so close together at that moment, she could feel certain physical changes in Cui Huai even through their clothes.
The atmosphere was awkward, and everyone was stiff.
Shen Yunzhi was stunned for a few moments before she remembered to push Cui Huai away, and this time she truly fled in panic.
Cui Huai also did not expect his body to react in this way.
However, the warmth and softness in his arms were undeniable, and along with her fragrance, it easily aroused him before he even realized it.
...
When Qiu Yue saw Shen Yunzhi return to Yunxi Courtyard panting, with two suspicious blushes on her cheeks, she assumed something had happened between her and Cui Hong and couldn't help but ask in a low voice. Shen Yunzhi shook her head in denial, only saying that she wanted to take a bath and ordered hot water to be prepared.
The heat in her cheeks subsided, but Shen Yunzhi was still unable to calm down.
She knew all too well Cui Huai's self-restraint and abstinence, so his reaction today could not help but surprise and unsettle her.
So what is this?
It's absurd that he reacts so strongly to the slightest physical touch.
Could it be that Cui Huai has developed feelings for her? After she intentionally kept her distance from him and stopped trying to provoke him?
Shen Yunzhi found it hard to believe.
When Qiuyue came out of the bathhouse, she was surprised to learn that Cui Huai was waiting outside Yunxi Courtyard.
She pursed her lips, wanting to hear what he had to say and to test the waters, so she loosened her hair and went out to see him alone.
Cui Huai was standing with his hands behind his back under a persimmon tree. Hearing footsteps, he turned around and saw Shen Yunzhi stop a few steps away. He didn't approach her, but kept his distance and solemnly apologized to her. His serious demeanor left Shen Yunzhi at a loss for words.
"Your Highness should rest early."
After a long while, Shen Yunzhi finally managed to squeeze out a sentence.
Without saying much, Cui Huai handed another jar of white jade ointment to Shen Yunzhi.
He watched her go inside before leaving and returning to Qiyun Residence.
The scars on my arm are fading.
Shen Yunzhi let Qiuyue apply the medicine for her, thinking that Cui Huai was coming to apologize, and it seemed more like she was trying to maintain his gentlemanly demeanor.
Maintaining his upright and virtuous demeanor meant she wouldn't take any drastic actions. She wouldn't use the opportunity to get closer to him; there was still room for maneuver. If she couldn't find a suitable partner in the short term, her only remaining option was to continue "casually" revealing her past feelings for Huo Ming, letting Cui Huai believe she had someone else in her heart. As a gentleman, Cui Huai would not steal her away, nor would he force or cling to her.
Setting off fireworks at the Prince's Mansion was too noisy.
The next morning, just as Shen Yunzhi finished washing and dressing, Aunt Xue came to the door.
As a former courtesan renowned throughout Qinhuai, even in middle age, Aunt Xue, thanks to her excellent maintenance, retains her charm and has become even more alluring than in her youth. Every gesture she makes exudes a captivating charm, and even her slightest glance or smile reveals her elegance.
The only thing he did was utter a string of foul language.
After cursing for a moment, she sneered and said, "What kind of young lady is unworthy of my Hong'er? Who are you going to show your little tricks to?"
Shen Yunzhi had previously heard about the temperament of Cui Hong's birth mother, Aunt Xue.
Today I have truly witnessed it.
"Aunt Xue is overthinking it."
“I have no other intentions toward the Second Young Master, I have never used any tricks against him, and I have never thought of being a match for him.”
Shen Yunzhi responded calmly and unhurriedly.
Aunt Xue choked, almost slamming her hand on the table, and angrily said, "If you weren't always seducing him, why would he only pay attention to you?"
Shen Yunzhi smiled: "Then Aunt Xue should go back and ask the Second Young Master."
"Who taught you to speak to your elders like that?" Aunt Xue said angrily. "What gives you the right to look down on my son?"
Aunt Xue, stung by the attack, found Shen Yunzhi extremely displeasing.
She raised her hand to teach Shen Yunzhi a lesson, but before she could slap her, someone grabbed her arm.
Aunt Xue turned around and first saw Lin Yue, who had stopped her.
Only then did I see Cui Huai.
The fierce and domineering Aunt Xue seemed to deflate completely in front of Cui Huai, unable to utter a single coherent sentence. Cui Huai walked to the corridor, frowned, and looked down at Shen Yunzhi: "Did she hurt you?"
Shen Yunzhi shook her head.
Cui Huai then looked at Aunt Xue and said indifferently, "I was the one who punished Cui Hong yesterday. If Aunt Xue is angry, she should take it out on me."
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Author's note: I'm not satisfied with the writing and keep making revisions, so I can only update it briefly for now [crying emoji].
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