Chapter 18 Bewitching Enchanting Cousin, Help Me
The small banquet was hosted by the heir of the Duke of Zheng. He was on good terms with Chu Ke and was also particularly skilled in entertainment. Unlike ordinary banquets held in the hall, today's banquet was set up in the garden with tables and chairs. Fearing that the noble ladies would find the sun too strong, many tables and chairs were placed in the pavilion or under the flower trellis.
This way, everyone doesn't have to gather in one place, making it convenient for friends to get together, visit each other, and creating a particularly relaxed and harmonious atmosphere.
This also made things convenient for Cui Yiluo.
Jiang Zhaoyue and Yang Jingling went to the lakeside to enjoy themselves. She pretended that it was too sunny outside and stayed in the pavilion because she had more important things to do.
A servant from the Duke of Zheng's mansion brought up the wine and presented it slowly and cautiously to Cui Yiluo.
"Miss Cui, please have some."
Cui Yiluo moved forward almost imperceptibly. The wine infused with the Bewitching Elixir had an extremely faint, exotic fragrance, which she would not have noticed at all if she had not read about it in a book.
At this moment, she could clearly feel a gaze fixed intently on her, like that of a hungry wolf.
The sunlight reflected in the glass, making the clear wine sparkle. Cui Yiluo gently twirled the glass with her slender fingertips and curled her lips into a smile.
Jiang Yunjin preferred quiet and was aloof. He had disappeared somewhere. Cui Yiluo looked around and saw the young men huddled together in twos and threes, but Jiang Yunjin was nowhere to be seen among them.
The effects of the bewitching medicine are not quick, usually taking half an hour. If the medicine is taken too late, it cannot be administered before returning to the Jiang residence. Therefore, she must make Jiang Yunjin drink it no later than half an hour before returning to the Jiang residence.
The Duke of Zheng's mansion was lush with flowers and leaves, its pavilions and towers arranged in a pleasing, staggered pattern. The young men and women at the banquet were scattered and socializing, with servants following behind carrying wine cups. Cui Yiluo, leading Lilan, passed by them and searched along the corridor.
But they found nothing.
She glanced at the slightly lower sun and felt a surge of anxiety. If she delayed any longer, it would be too late.
"Miss Cui."
A male voice, full of amusement, suddenly came from behind her, interrupting her thoughts.
Cui Yiluo turned around upon hearing the voice and saw that the person was dressed in an indigo brocade robe, with exquisite and translucent gemstones and jade pendants tied around his waist. The folding fan he held in his hand was also inlaid with gold and jade. His whole body was covered in gold and jade jewelry that shone brightly, and it was clear at a glance how extravagant he was.
His eyebrows were thick and dark, but his eyes seemed somewhat unfocused. He was clearly still young, yet his face had a faint, murky look. He bore a striking resemblance to Cheng Feng.
Cui Yiluo recalled four words: excessive indulgence.
She replied, "Young Master Chu."
Chu Ke gave a surprised "Oh," and narrowed his eyes, saying, "Miss Cui recognizes me?"
Cui Yilu smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying.
Chu Ke snapped his folding fan shut, took a step closer with a nonchalant air, and said with a half-smile, "Miss Cui and I hit it off immediately. How about we find a place to chat for a bit?"
Cui Yiluo subtly stepped back: "Young Master Chu, I have something to discuss with my cousin, so it's probably inconvenient for me."
As she spoke, she secretly observed her surroundings. This place was next to the Duke's mansion's garden, and there were quite a few people admiring the flowers and chatting. Chu Ke certainly couldn't force himself on her here.
Chu Ke smiled knowingly: "Cousin? Is that Mingxun? I have some connection with him, why don't we come together?"
Cui Yilu sneered inwardly and looked at him leisurely: "It's my older cousin."
As expected, Chu Ke's expression immediately froze. He had been appointed to one of the Six Ministries this year and had some official dealings with Jiang Yunjin. Jiang Yunjin was rigid, boring, and bound by convention. On several occasions, Chu Ke had only drunk some wine before going to his post, and he was reprimanded by Jiang Yunjin.
Upon hearing that Cui Yiluo was going to find Jiang Yunjin, all her romantic thoughts vanished.
He pressed further, "Are you very familiar with him?"
Cui Yiluo said meaningfully, "My eldest cousin has always been considerate of his juniors."
Chu Ke frowned upon hearing this. How could it be that Jiang Yunjin treated his nominal cousin quite well? Then his plan today... no, he was the eldest son of the Chu family. Once the deed was done, no matter what Jiang Yunjin did, could he possibly bypass his father and aunt to interfere with him?
However, it's still daylight, so it's not advisable to act now. We should wait until she drinks the drugged wine and the effects kick in before making any moves.
Chu Ke immediately decided to let Cui Yiluo off the hook for now: "Miss Cui, please go quickly, don't keep Lord Ling waiting."
Cui Yiluo took in Chu Ke's changing expression, knowing that even if she intentionally misled him into thinking that Jiang Yunjin was familiar with her, he wouldn't give up easily. The eldest son of the Chu family, raised in luxury, was actually so pathetic, his mind filled with lust. But she remained outwardly calm: "Excuse me."
After seeing Chu Ke off, she looked at the twilight, which had darkened further, and couldn't help but feel irritated.
She had searched almost the entire Duke's mansion, but still hadn't seen Jiang Yunjin. Could he have gone back home first?
Lilan behind him hesitated and said, "Miss, perhaps..."
Cui Yilu shook her head, whispering as if trying to reassure herself, "There's still time."
After saying that, she turned a corner, and a figure appeared in front of her. Before she could react, she bumped into the person head-on.
Cui Yiluo nearly bumped into someone's arms, staggering. She instinctively tried to maintain her balance and stepped back to create distance.
A steady force came from her arm, easily stabilizing her body. The familiar scent made Cui Yiluo stop in her tracks.
Her expression softened instantly, and tears welled up in her eyes, still shaken: "Cousin, cousin."
Jiang Yunjin lowered his eyes to look at her and gave a faint reply.
This was the first time Cui Yiluo had met him since her last visit to Jixuezhai. Today, he was wearing a snow-white round-necked brocade robe, which made his handsome face appear even more like it was carved from cold jade. As always, his expression was calm, his dark eyes were unfathomable, and he exuded a cold and aloof aura that made people afraid to approach him.
"As pure as white jade, it remains cool even when burned," Cui Yiluo suddenly recalled a poem she had read before.
Her gaze drifted to the dark circles under his eyes, which were particularly noticeable against his pale skin.
Her voice was soft: "Cousin, have you been very busy these past few days?"
With such severe bruises, it's likely he hasn't had a proper rest in days; he's far too conscientious about his official duties.
As soon as he finished speaking, he paused for a moment.
Perhaps he didn't expect that when he saw her again after the incident at Jixuezhai, she would still speak to him with concern as usual.
He softly said "It's acceptable," and then remained silent.
“Cousin,” Cui Yiluo bit her lip, her expression troubled, “What happened last time was because I was reckless. You protected me many times, but I was so ignorant. I’m about to leave the manor to marry into the Cheng family, so thank you for taking care of me these past few days.”
Her words were heartfelt and sincere. After speaking, she picked up the wine cup from the tray held by Lilan behind her and said to Jiang Yunjin, "If there is anything I can do to help you in the future, I will do my best. Today, I toast you, cousin."
Jiang Yunjin looked at her with his dark eyes, his gaze deep and unfathomable. After a few moments, he finally did not refuse and turned to get the wine cup.
His wine jug was empty, suggesting he hadn't drunk with anyone; he was only carrying the jug to follow the etiquette of a small banquet.
Cui Yiluo slightly turned her head, picked up the wine pot, and poured the wine into Jiang Yunjin's wine cup before Wen Feng could pour it behind him. Her movements were fluid and graceful.
The sound of water splashing softly could be heard.
She poured the wine in one smooth motion, then placed the wine pot back on the tray. Her smile remained unchanged, relaxed and open, revealing no hint of anything amiss.
"Cousin, please."
Cui Yiluo slightly raised her wine cup, but the person in front of her did not move. He simply lowered his eyes and stared at the wine in his cup, his long eyelashes obscuring his eyes, making it difficult to see the emotions in them.
Could it be that he figured it out? Cui Yiluo's heart skipped a beat, and she tightened her grip on the wine bottle.
But the next moment, the man picked up the wine glass, drank it all down, and as he tilted his head back to swallow, his Adam's apple bobbed.
After finishing his drink, he looked at Cui Yiluo, tilting the wine cup slightly to show her that he had finished it—a common courtesy among aristocratic families.
Just now she was worried that he would see through her, but the moment he drank it down so readily, Cui Yiluo's heart sank even more for no reason.
There was no turning back for her.
After Jiang Yunjin finished his drink, it was her turn. She looked at the clear wine in the wine glass, her eyes filled with an unfathomable darkness.
She clenched her fist, took a deep breath, and as if making up her mind, slowly picked up the wine glass and quickly tilted her head back to drink it down.
Cui Yiluo doesn't drink often, and her stomach burned as soon as she drank it, but Jiang Yunjin in front of her remained unmoved, and her gaze deepened.
A dose of medicine in just one glass of wine shouldn't be ineffective for him, right?
But since things had come to this point, she had no choice but to continue.
"Cousin, I'll be going now."
See you later.
Jiang Yunjin gave a soft "hmm".
The scattered sunlight was dim and yellow, and as darkness gradually fell, the servants of the Duke of Zheng's mansion scattered with candles and lit the lamps one by one.
Cui Yiluo returned to the pavilion and sat down. The candlelight illuminated her profile, which surprisingly revealed a sharp and fierce look.
The medicine was starting to take effect; her whole body began to feel weak. She looked at Lilan.
Lilan understood, moved quietly outside the pavilion, and then quickly left.
After walking for a while, Lilan calculated the time, Cui Yiluo straightened the white jade lotus petals on her skirt and slowly walked into the secluded path in the back forest where few people walked.
Lilan on the other side didn't expect that she would find the person so quickly, near the artificial hill not far behind the pavilion, much less difficult than the search she had done in the afternoon.
Wen Feng sat with his master behind the rockery for a while, and saw Li Lan running around, covered in sweat and looking anxious, on the verge of tears: "Young Master, something terrible has happened! The young lady has been taken away by the Chu family's men!"
Wen Feng was taken aback, but immediately understood: "Young Master Chu?"
Lilan nodded hurriedly, concealing her nervousness, and looked at the man sitting upright on the stone chair.
He frowned slightly, but his expression remained normal: "Lead the way."
Lilan's heart skipped a beat. Apart from his normally clear voice being slightly hoarse, there was no sign of the medicine taking effect. Could it be that he hadn't drunk enough and the medicine wasn't working? What should she do then?!
-
Cui Yiluo clenched her fists, enduring the soreness as she walked along the secluded path. The sky was dark, and the further she went, the fewer stone lanterns and candles she encountered. She ran into fewer and fewer people, and occasionally heard the chirping of cicadas all around her. The silence was eerily quiet.
Cui Yiluo deliberately slowed down her pace and walked while leaning against the wall, as if the effects of the drug had reached their peak and she was powerless to resist.
After everyone had completely disappeared, a maidservant emerged from around the corner, accompanied by two servants, and blocked their path.
The maidservant wore a sinister smile: "Miss Cui, my young master requests your presence."
Cui Yiluo took a step back, but was powerless. Her face, flushed from the effects of the drug, showed panic: "What are you going to do?"
The maid's expression suddenly turned fierce: "Miss Cui, please don't make things difficult for us. We are just following orders. If you don't comply, we'll have to offend you!"
As soon as she finished speaking, two burly servants behind her blocked Cui Yiluo's retreat and reached out to grab her by force.
Just as they were about to reach her, they both cried out in pain at the same time.
A figure in black flashed out.
It was Yuan Ling.
Cui Yiluo staggered back a few steps, unable to support herself, and crashed into the stone wall behind her. She barely managed to stand by the stone wall, and with the movement, a ball of fire surged up from her abdomen, making her vision somewhat blurry.
She hadn't expected to be so sensitive to the drug, and its effects were occurring much faster than in most people.
Yuan Ling was agile, light yet powerful, and subdued the two servants in an instant. The two fell to the ground, scrambled to their feet, and fled with the maid who had been leading them.
Yuan Ling then turned to look at Cui Yiluo, who was leaning against the wall and breathing heavily.
Cui Yiluo's eyes were already tinged with red, and a thin layer of mist welled up in them. She struggled to keep herself from hunching over, and said with a mocking expression:
"Lord Yuan is following me?"
Yuan Ling seemed to find the scene before him extremely amusing, and sighed, "Your complexion is off, and you, who are usually very guarded, actually abandoned your maid and walked alone into the back woods. Your behavior is strange, so I followed you. You really didn't disappoint me, Miss Cui."
He glanced at Cui Yiluo with great interest: "Did they drug you?" As he spoke, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes: "Or did you drug yourself?"
Cui Yiluo suppressed her rapid breathing, but her tone was icy: "It's none of your business."
Yuan Ling took a few steps closer, his smile seemingly provocative: "I didn't expect you to be so ruthless to yourself. What's it for this time?"
Cui Yiluo bit her lip to suppress the surging effects of the drug, her gaze towards him sharp as an icy blade.
“But Miss Cui, if the effects of the medicine don’t wear off, you’ll die here today, losing both your wife and your money. What should we do then?” Yuan Ling’s sinister face flashed with a hint of amusement: “Why don’t you beg me for help?”
Yuan Ling approached step by step, his figure gradually enveloping her in darkness.
Cui Yiluo stared at him intently, her fingers digging into her palms to resist the surging effects of the drug, her lips bitten until they almost bled.
The scene before her eyes, however, became increasingly blurry beyond her control.
"girl!"
The moment Lilan's voice came, Cui Yiluo's palm relaxed slightly.
Behind Lilan, a tall figure was mostly shrouded in shadow. The dim stone lamp cast the man's sharp profile onto the wall. His breathing was slightly disordered, whether from his hasty arrival or the effects of the drug was unclear.
Almost instantly, her expression softened, her eyes filled with grievance and helplessness, and she staggered forward, crashing into Jiang Yunjin's arms as if she had mustered the last bit of strength in her body.
"Cousin, save me."
A note from the author:
The phrase "its nature is like white jade, burning yet still cool" comes from Su Zhe's poem "Sending Wang Shi to Xuzhou for the Imperial Examination".
The most skilled hunters often appear in the form of their prey. [doge emoji]
I'd like to recommend my pre-order novel, "Mistaken Spring Arrives," a sweet, everyday story. [laughing emoji]
Xu Lingyi had a close friend she had known since childhood, and when she visited her, she would inevitably run into her friend's brother.
Her friend's elder brother was born as the heir to the Duke of Dingguo. He was arrogant and would only nod slightly whenever he saw her, rarely speaking, and he was very intimidating.
It is said that he and Miss Yang are about to get married.
One day, Miss Yang approached her, asking for her help to dissuade the Duke of Dingguo's heir from marrying her.
Xu Lingyi: "I understand! I'm also very afraid of him."
Xu Lingyi kindly agreed to do the favor.
On the day Miss Yang got engaged to her sweetheart, Xu Lingyi breathed a sigh of relief and happily congratulated her.
She left without a trace after accomplishing her task, concealing her merits and fame.
That very night, someone climbed over the wall into her yard.
-
Xiao Zhun, the heir of the Duke of Dingguo, has always been fond of his younger sister's good friend.
Young people are often at a loss when they first fall in love. The girl they love only has awe for them, and they don't know how to win her admiration.
It turns out she liked him too.
On the day Miss Yang got engaged, she felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from her heart, and she was overjoyed when she offered her congratulations.
Xiao Zhun noticed a hint of envy in her eyes. Was it because someone else was engaged?
He tossed and turned all night, and finally, unable to contain his emotions, he climbed over the wall into his beloved's yard and, in one fell swoop, broke through the thin veil between them.
"Tomorrow I will go and ask His Majesty to grant us a marriage."
Xu Lingyi: "Huh? Me?"
*Xu Lingyi: Breathing
Xiao Zhun: She likes me, and I'm very good at seducing her. What should we name our child?
*A clever but emotionally oblivious girl x A clumsy, self-confident boy trying to win over his crush
*Childhood sweethearts + a touch of pseudo-incest, leaning towards a sweet everyday story.
*1v1, both leads are virgins. The male lead has never liked anyone other than the female lead and has explicitly refused to get engaged to anyone else.
*This copy was written on May 25, 2025, and has been archived.
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