Chapter 78. Cui Huai, like a vine, covered the land day after day…
The night breeze was cool, yet gentle as it blew across the corridor.
Shen Yunzhi caught a whiff of the clean, familiar scent of pine and cypress on Cui Huai, and then noticed that his temples were slightly damp.
That was the slight dampness left after a bath.
He came out of prison and thoroughly washed himself before coming to see her.
Shen Yunzhi looked at Cui Huai in the moonlight and the dim light coming from the room, unsure how to respond. Cui Huai didn't expect her to welcome him, nor did he bother waiting for her response; he simply opened his arms and embraced her tightly.
Her body temperature, her scent, and her rare submissiveness filled Cui Huai's heart with joy.
He tightened his arms around her, holding her even closer, and couldn't help but chuckle helplessly: "If only my cousin Zhi could be this obedient and let me hold her again tomorrow."
Shen Yunzhi stiffened upon hearing this.
In her embarrassment and anger, she tried to break free from his embrace. With a slight struggle, she heard Cui Huai groan, as if he was in pain from aggravating his wound.
Remembering the torture he had endured in prison, even if she suspected he was feigning weakness, Shen Yunzhi paused in her movements.
Looking up at him, all she saw was the smile on Cui Huai's lips.
Realizing she had easily fallen into his trap, Shen Yunzhi coldly looked away.
Cui Huai released his arms, then gently cupped her face in his hands, and before she could regain her senses, he lowered his head and kissed her deeply.
The kiss, shared after a long separation, was exceptionally tender, seemingly tinged with unspoken affection. Shen Yunzhi felt breathless, slightly turning her face away, only to be picked up by Cui Huai and carried back to the room. He placed her on the daybed, nestled against a corner, and continued the lingering kiss.
She placed her hands on his shoulders, unconsciously tightening her grip as she endured his increasingly intense kisses.
Suddenly, my fingertips seemed to touch a dampness seeping from under my robe.
Shen Yunzhi was taken aback.
She glanced at the hand that had moved away from Cui Huai's shoulder.
In the dim, yellowish light, Shen Yunzhi's breath caught in her throat when her gaze fell upon a smear of blood on her fingertips. She looked at Cui Huai's left shoulder; the blood had silently stained his robes a dark red.
The glaring color made Shen Yunzhi quickly look away.
When Cui Huai leaned in to kiss her again, she dodged away, but the next moment she looked at him again.
Shen Yunzhi saw the joy filling Cui Huai's dark eyes.
All pain is insignificant; all that matters is the joy of being with her in tenderness.
"What are you thinking about, Cousin Zhi?" Cui Huai's voice was low and husky. He leaned down, a slight smile on his face, and nuzzled her shoulder, his hot breath brushing against her neck. Shen Yunzhi glanced sideways, silently reaching out to untie his belt.
Her actions caused Cui Huai to hesitate noticeably.
But Cui Huai did not stop her, nor did he say anything frivolous. He simply calmed down and let Shen Yunzhi treat him as she pleased.
Beneath the brocade robes lay a body riddled with wounds.
New wounds overlapped with old ones, the skin was torn open, and blood was dripping out, a horrifying sight that made one shudder.
Time and time again, he gambled with his life.
"What's wrong with dying for the one you love?"
He said it, and he did it.
Regardless of whether she appreciates it or not, he insists on laying his heart bare for her to see.
Shen Yunzhi remained silent and lowered her head.
"It's just a little physical pain, Cui Xu won't take my life, it's alright..." The comforting words stopped abruptly. Cui Huai had reached out to touch Shen Yunzhi's face, but warm tears suddenly dripped onto his hand. His arm froze in mid-air. One drop, two drops, the sensation of the slight dampness amplified, and Cui Huai's fingers finally touched her cheek, feeling a wet patch.
She felt sorry for him and her heart ached for him; she shed tears for him.
He should have expected her to care about him, but his heart felt suffocated with pain.
Cui Huai carefully cupped Shen Yunzhi's face in his hands, as if holding a rare treasure, and gently kissed away the tears from the corners of her eyes.
It wasn't until he carried her to the bed that Shen Yunzhi came to her senses and chased Cui Huai out.
"I don't have any medicine here." Standing outside the tightly closed door once again, Cui Huai heard Shen Yunzhi's muffled voice coming from the other side of the door. Beneath her forced indifference lay concern, hoping he would go and treat his injuries first.
Cui Huai smiled helplessly: "I'm afraid the smell of the medicine will bother you."
There was no response from the person at the door, so Lin Yue stepped forward and whispered that he had invited the imperial physician.
Shen Yunzhi was wide awake.
She turned on two more lamps and sat down on the daybed again.
Recently, there have been no rumors in the capital about the Crown Prince of Chu being exonerated or released without charge. Instead, news has spread that Consort Shu has passed away. It is said that Consort Shu was so devoted to serving His Majesty the Emperor that she neglected her own health and overworked herself, which led to this tragic event.
But something unusual happened in the capital tonight.
Cui Huai came out directly from the Ministry of Justice prison... which shows that the unusual commotion tonight was quite extraordinary.
This means that Cui Xu and his people have no time to pay attention to him at this moment.
They are bound to face an even bigger problem.
Everything is different from my previous life.
Shen Yunzhi had no idea how the strange events of tonight would end, even though the situation had already deviated from what she knew in her previous life since the death of the Third Prince.
Cui Huai said that the matter concerning the Third Prince last time had nothing to do with him.
Is tonight's events also unrelated to him?
When Cui Huai returned, he reeked of medicine, a scent that could be clearly detected even from a distance. Shen Yunzhi turned to see him standing a few steps away. Before she could speak, she heard Cui Huai say, "I will answer any questions you have." After speaking, he slowly walked forward and asked in a low voice, "Do I smell bad?"
Shen Yunzhi withdrew her gaze, her words laced with sarcasm: "It doesn't matter. The smell of this medicine can remind me of the torture you suffered in prison. It's a way of getting revenge for the torment I endured from you."
Now there are more lights on in the room, making it brighter than before.
Looking at Shen Yunzhi's tearful eyes and slightly flushed cheeks, Cui Huai's heart melted like spring water, rippling in circles.
"I deserve it."
He bent down and picked up Shen Yunzhi from the daybed, and said gently, "That's why I don't feel bitter, except for missing you too much."
Shen Yunzhi let Cui Huai carry her to the bed.
The smell of medicine was strong. She leaned against him, listening to his strong heartbeat and his sweet words.
She had admired him, hated him, and when she was driven to the brink of collapse, she considered taking his life to find relief.
In the end, she still softened when she saw his scars.
Ever since he set his sights on her, Cui Huai has been like a vine, tirelessly and persistently entwining her in his own way, day after day. Only now, coming to her senses, does she seem to suddenly realize that she is tightly bound to him, unable to completely break free.
"Cui Huai, what do you want to do?"
Placed among the soft quilts, Shen Yunzhi looked up at the person standing beside the bed.
"I promised you I would give you something better."
Reaching out to brush aside the stray hairs on her cheek, Cui Huai followed her onto the bed and then embraced Shen Yunzhi.
Shen Yunzhi learned from Cui Huai about the recent events in the capital. The struggle for the throne and the imperial court were extremely complex, and bloodshed was inevitable. After the Third Prince's unexpected accident, Cui Xu was made Crown Prince, while the Eighth Prince also coveted the throne—a position that was just a step away for him. Moreover, the Emperor's sudden illness and refusal to see anyone seemed strange, providing an excellent pretext.
Cui Xu acted arrogantly, and many people dared not say much on the surface, but they were always dissatisfied in their hearts. The Eighth Prince took the opportunity to secretly win over a group of people.
Furthermore, the Eighth Prince already possessed his own power base, and thus dared to challenge Cui Xu.
The sudden poisoning of Consort Shu will inevitably point the finger at the Eighth Prince. Even if the matter has nothing to do with him, Cui Xu will not let this opportunity to strike pass. The Eighth Prince's faction has been severely suppressed for some time, and now that they realize this, they will be constantly hampered by Cui Xu, so they might as well strike first.
Tonight, it is the Eighth Prince who is leading his men to force the emperor to abdicate.
This time, a result is destined to be determined between the two princes.
Are you helping the Eighth Prince?
After listening quietly, Shen Yunzhi still had doubts, "Or perhaps he tried to win you over?"
“My conflict with Cui Xu is actually an asset to him.” Cui Huai pulled the quilt tighter, wrapping Shen Yunzhi up even more tightly. “He also has his own advisors, so he really doesn’t need my help to come up with ideas.”
Shen Yunzhi then asked, "You and Cui Xu don't get along, so you don't need to bother to advise the Eighth Prince. What were you busy with before?"
Cui Huai said, "It's our business."
"Our business?" Shen Yunzhi still didn't quite understand.
Cui Huai lowered his head and placed a kiss on her forehead: "I want to marry you, so I should start preparing now."
Are you preparing for their wedding?
Although Cui Huai didn't seem to be lying, Shen Yunzhi still felt something was wrong.
"But what do these matters have to do with Cui Xu and the Eighth Prince?"
“You are clearly involved, but what you are saying to me sounds like it has nothing to do with you.”
Holding Shen Yunzhi in his arms, and with her bright, expectant eyes staring at him, Cui Huai couldn't help but feel a little distracted. However, since they were talking about serious matters, Shen Yunzhi turned her face away in annoyance. Cui Huai whispered helplessly in Shen Yunzhi's ear, "Cousin Zhi, it's been so long since we last met."
"My uncle's sons have always been outwardly friendly but inwardly at odds; this day was bound to come sooner or later."
"How they fight is none of my business."
Cui Huai kissed Shen Yunzhi's cheek, took her hand, and said, "I don't need to rely on them to gain power, so I haven't gotten involved in their affairs." After hearing his words, Shen Yunzhi asked again, "What if the Eighth Prince loses? Do you think Cui Xu will let you go? He's already been so cruel to you just because he holds power. Are you going to suffer his torment forever?"
Shen Yunzhi didn't know where Cui Huai's certainty and confidence came from.
Things have gotten chaotic enough as they are today. How long will this palace coup last tonight, and what will be the outcome...?
Aren't all of these things closely related to his future?
She simply couldn't imagine Cui Huai trying to please Cui Xu or anyone else, or bowing down to them.
No, it won't.
Cui Huai placed her hand to his lips and gently kissed her fingers. "I'll be fine, and neither will you."
Shen Yunzhi said in a muffled voice, "You told me the same thing before."
Cui Huai laughed: "You only think that my injury is due to something because you feel sorry for me. Otherwise, if I came back alive and appeared in front of you, you would only be disappointed."
"Lizhu couldn't take this blow."
Shen Yunzhi felt a tightness in her chest. She withdrew her hand and turned her back to Cui Huai.
“I know you’ve been waiting for me.” Ignoring Shen Yunzhi’s excuses, Cui Huai gently embraced her from behind and whispered, “Cousin Zhi, I’m so glad you’re willing to wait for me.” As if he didn’t know how to express his joy, he simply repeated those dry words to Shen Yunzhi, “Cousin Zhi, I’m so glad, really.”
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com