Chapter 8. In her pitiful pleas for mercy, she saw... in Cui Huai's eyes.
The fear of Cui Huai stems from various events in their past lives.
Choosing to stay away from Cui Huai was because he did not want to repeat the mistakes of his previous life.
For a fleeting moment, Shen Yunzhi seemed to catch a glimpse of a faint, cold smile flashing across Cui Huai's lips, and she was startled, her heart leaping in her throat. Trying to focus her gaze more closely, she saw that Cui Huai's expression was calm and composed, showing no sign of anything amiss.
It must be...an illusion.
Shen Yunzhi forcibly looked away while trying to calm herself down, but her heart was still pounding violently in her chest, revealing her unease.
It was indeed she who provoked Cui Huai first in her past life.
But this time, her relationship with Cui Huai is far from what it was in her previous life, so it shouldn't be like this.
"Why are you crying over such a small thing? Aren't you annoying!" Cui Lizhu was slightly taken aback when she saw Shen Yunzhi burst into tears for no reason. She shook off Shen Yunzhi's hand in displeasure, thinking that Shen Yunzhi was deliberately putting on this act for her brother.
Shen Yunzhi then realized that she was crying.
She said "Excuse me" and went to a side room to leave.
Huo Ming was completely confused about the situation and thought that Shen Yunzhi was afraid of being retaliated against. So he solemnly promised Cui Huai, "Your Highness, I will definitely keep my word and do my best to protect Miss Shen and prevent her from being harmed because of today's events."
“It’s alright.” Cui Huai said calmly and steadily. “Young Master Huo need not worry about it.”
Cui Lizhu muttered, "This matter has nothing to do with my brother, and he shouldn't bother with it." She didn't want Cui Huai to get involved, so she gave Shen Yunzhi encouragement and hope.
Cui Huai said gently, "Li Zhu, go and take a look."
Choi Yeo-joo looked at her brother, who seemed hesitant to speak, and finally went to the side room reluctantly.
Huo Ming couldn't get a word in edgewise.
Fortunately, at this moment, a palace maid came out from the inner room and said that Huo Yuan had woken up. Huo Ming hurriedly went to see his sister.
After calming herself down, Shen Yunzhi went to see Huo Yuan. Cui Huai had left sometime earlier. Reassured that Huo Yuan was alright, she considered it repayment for a debt from her past life. After comforting Huo Yuan for a few moments, she left Zhaoyang Palace with Cui Lizhu.
They did not see the Seventh Princess Cui Xuan again in the Imperial Garden.
Later, she heard that the Empress had reprimanded her and told her to go back and reflect on her actions.
Cui Lizhu was dissatisfied with Shen Yunzhi's behavior in front of Cui Huai.
She endured until she left the palace and returned to the Chu Prince's residence. In the carriage, she threatened Shen Yunzhi as she had done countless times before: "If you trouble my brother because of what happened today, not only will I not help you anymore, but I will also make sure my brother stops helping you. Then there really won't be anyone to help you."
"Lizhu has misunderstood. I did not intend to trouble Your Highness."
Shen Yunzhi made her stance clear to Cui Lizhu and then coaxed her, "I know that if Lizhu agrees to help me, she won't abandon me or let me be bullied."
Choi Yeo-joo couldn't help but curl the corners of her lips slightly, then chuckled softly, "It's good that you know."
"Fine, I'll let it go this time, but if there's a next time, I won't let you off so easily."
Shen Yunzhi nodded repeatedly, adopting a docile posture in agreement.
Cui Hong learned from Cui Lizhu that the person who went into the water to rescue Huo Yuan was Shen Yunzhi.
He went to Yunxi Courtyard to find Shen Yunzhi and asked with concern, "Cousin, were you frightened? Are you feeling unwell?"
Shen Yunzhi said gently, "Yesterday I drank the ginger soup that the princess had prepared to ward off the cold in the palace, and I still feel fine. Thank you for your concern, Second Young Master."
Cui Hong nodded and asked again, "I heard that my cousin is worried about being retaliated against by the Seventh Princess?"
Shen Yunzhi frowned: "I'm just afraid the Seventh Princess will be unhappy."
“Cui Xuan’s temperament is not gentle enough, so it’s understandable that you’re worried,” Cui Hong comforted her. “Li Zhu also told me that she would help you, and besides, there’s your eldest brother.” He added, half-jokingly, “Only your eldest brother is called ‘cousin’ by you. I’m just the second young master, not the second cousin. Your eldest brother shouldn’t abandon you.”
Shen Yunzhi felt embarrassed, as if her thoughts had been seen through.
She didn't look at Cui Hong, and her voice was a little lower: "It's already very kind of Li Zhu to be willing to help me."
Cui Hong quietly observed her for a moment.
"Did my cousin have a fight with my brother? Or did he say something to me?"
Shen Yunzhi chose to remain silent when she couldn't explain something.
Cui Hong sighed: "Brother has always been like this, don't take it to heart. If my cousin is really in trouble, I won't ignore it."
Shen Yunzhi neither confirmed nor denied this, but instead recalled how Cui Hong had helped her resist Cui Huai in her previous life: "If something happened to me, the Second Young Master wouldn't ignore it or turn a blind eye, right? I know the Second Young Master is also a kind-hearted person."
Cui Hong paused, his expression seemingly complex.
He then smiled and said, "Since my cousin says so, I really can't just ignore it."
As they chatted and laughed, Lin Yue, Cui Huai's attendant, came to Yunxi Courtyard.
He came to relay a message from Cui Huai, inviting Shen Yunzhi to Qiyun Residence.
Shen Yunzhi was resistant. Cui Hong glanced at her and, seeing the hesitation on her face, asked Lin Yue, "Did Brother say what it was about?"
Lin Yue said, "It's because of what happened in the Imperial Garden yesterday."
Cui Hong then went to see Shen Yunzhi: "In that case, cousin, you should go and make a trip."
Shen Yunzhi pursed her lips and nodded in agreement.
Qiyun Residence is very quiet.
Even though it's springtime, there are no bright flowers to be seen, only lush greenery everywhere.
The closer Shen Yunzhi got to this place and the more familiar the scene became, the more memories of the past flooded her mind. The urge to escape was strong, yet she also wanted to fight it, so she patiently followed Lin Yue to the study to see Cui Huai.
"Young Master, Miss Biao has arrived." As they walked down the corridor, Lin Yue reported to Cui Huai, who was in the study.
Cui Huai's voice rang out, and Lin Yue invited Shen Yunzhi inside.
The study door opened, and Shen Yunzhi composed herself and stepped inside.
Cui Huai, dressed in a dark blue brocade robe, sat behind his desk. He seemed to be reading official documents at the moment, and only raised his eyes slowly when he heard footsteps.
"Sit down." Cui Huai's gaze fell on Shen Yunzhi, and seeing that she had her head down, he spoke calmly.
Lin Yue silently withdrew.
After Shen Yunzhi picked up a rosewood chair and sat down, she lowered her eyes and became as if she were an old monk in meditation.
Only she herself knew how her heart was pounding like a drum at that moment.
Cui Huai seemed oblivious and got down to business: "The Seventh Princess has already been punished for what happened in the Imperial Garden yesterday. The palace servants in Zhaoyang Palace have also been instructed not to speak carelessly. She is unaware that it is related to you, so there is no need to worry too much."
I heard about the Seventh Princess Cui Xuan being reprimanded by the Empress yesterday in the palace.
But at this point, Cui Huai was referring to "punishment".
Shen Yunzhi sensed the difference, temporarily setting aside her anxiety, and began to ponder Cui Huai's words. Whether Cui Xuan's punishment was related to Cui Huai could not be confirmed from a few words, however, the palace servants of Zhaoyang Palace had received instructions... which clearly indicated that it was Cui Huai's doing.
Did Cui Lizhu later ask Cui Huai for help?
Otherwise, his behavior would be completely unlike his character.
Shen Yunzhi was thinking uncertainly when she suddenly heard Cui Huai say again, "Li Zhu is simple-minded."
He left it at that, his tone devoid of blame, but she understood instantly.
Choi Yeo-joo is simple-minded.
Those who take advantage of Choi Yeo-joo are naturally not innocent.
Cui Huai was calling her.
He reminded her that he was fully aware of her thoughts.
Shen Yunzhi suddenly felt a surge of annoyance.
She suddenly looked up and met Cui Huai's lake-like eyes, recalling what had happened in this study.
The weather was fine that day, and sunlight streamed into the study through the window. Cui Huai, dressed impeccably, stood before the large rosewood desk, initially holding a ruler, then a brush. The cool, tingling touch brushed against her body, and she saw the passion in Cui Huai's eyes amidst her pleading cries.
At that time, he certainly did not have a cold and aloof demeanor.
Shen Yunzhi dared not argue with him now. Having been given a second chance at life, it would be a waste of this heaven-sent opportunity to provoke him again.
"Your Highness has gone to so much trouble." Shen Yunzhi rose and curtsied, her tone restrained and controlled.
Cui Huai didn't say much and quickly let her go back.
"Why does Miss look like she's about to cry?"
Lin Yue watched Shen Yunzhi leave from the corridor, then came into the study from outside and couldn't help but say something.
Cui Huai remained indifferent, ignoring these words, and ordered all the windows to be opened.
That sweet fragrance was just too strong.
...
Shen Yunzhi was depressed by Cui Huai's words.
But after a night, once he woke up from a nap, he stopped caring about it.
As for how she and Choi Yeo-joo get along, that's not something Choi Hoe can really interfere with.
She always needs to assess the situation first.
Because Huo Yuan had caught a cold, she recovered after seven days and, accompanied by her brother Huo Ming and Lady Dingyuan, paid a visit to express her gratitude. The Princess of Chu, along with Shen Yunzhi, Cui Lizhu, and Cui Hong, personally received them. That day, the flower hall of the Chu Prince's residence was filled with a harmonious atmosphere, laughter, and lively conversation.
Having met in her previous life, Shen Yunzhi knew that Huo Yuan was kind-hearted and was very willing to associate with her.
In particular, Cui Huai had hinted to her that if Cui Lizhu was not capable, it would not be bad for her to befriend Huo Yuan.
Therefore, when Shen Yunzhi received Huo Yuan's invitation to visit the Huo family's estate some time later, she immediately accepted. Cui Lizhu also received an invitation from Huo Yuan, but it was inconvenient for her to go due to her menstrual period, so Shen Yunzhi went to the appointment alone.
As the daughter of the Marquis of Dingyuan, Huo Yuan was skilled in horseback riding, archery, and polo.
At sixteen, she was radiant and full of life, completely different from the Huo Yuan that Shen Yunzhi had seen in her previous life—a married woman who was listless and dispirited.
"Zhi Niang, would you like to learn to ride a horse? I'll teach you."
Shen Yunzhi, who couldn't ride a horse, was left watching others play outside the polo field when Huo Yuan took the initiative to ride over and chat with her, not wanting her to be left out.
Shen Yunzhi actually knows how to ride a horse; in her past life, she pestered Cui Huai to teach her.
But at that time, it wasn't because I really wanted to study; I was just looking for an excuse to spend time with Cui Huai.
Now we know that being able to ride a horse is a good thing.
Even if all else fails, at least you'll have more options when you need to escape.
"Is it alright?" Shen Yunzhi asked hesitantly. "Wouldn't it be too much trouble..."
Huo Yuan smiled brightly: "Of course!" She dismounted, approached Shen Yunzhi, and warmly invited her.
Thus, under Huo Yuan's guidance, Shen Yunzhi quickly "learned" to ride a horse.
This prompted Huo Ming to ride forward, sit on the horse's back, and praise with a smile: "Miss Shen is indeed a clever person, she has grasped the essentials so quickly."
Shen Yunzhi smiled shyly.
She rode her horse and trotted around the riding arena twice more.
Just as she was about to return to Huo Yuan and Huo Ming, a sharp arrow flew from the shadows and struck the leg of the horse she was riding. The horse was startled and neighed as it bolted. She quickly gripped the reins, but didn't know how to deal with the situation. In her fright, she only felt the horse galloping away.
Jumping off the horse now might break your leg.
Shen Yunzhi instinctively closed her eyes tightly, but she didn't forget to calm herself down, assuring herself that the Huo siblings wouldn't let anything happen to her.
Just then, someone rode up and caught up.
Before she could even open her eyes, she felt a sudden lurch on the horse behind her, and suddenly another person appeared.
"I've come to save you, Zhiniang."
The voice of the Fifth Prince, Cui Xu, entered Shen Yunzhi's ears, causing her to freeze and her heart to sink.
A note from the author:
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