Chapter 9 Chi Anchun directly covered her lips.
He clearly knew something; in fact, he was connected to the person behind it all.
Cui Yiluo concealed the wariness in her eyes, a hint of doubt appearing on her face: "What does this mean? Does my cousin suspect that someone harmed me today?"
Jiang Yunjin's expression was complicated.
Looking at the man's solemn and handsome face, Cui Yilu couldn't help but lower her head and smile.
Seeing his brows furrow, Cui Yiluo's eyes sparkled with a clever and mischievous light, and she smiled slightly, saying, "Cousin, are you worried about me?"
Jiang Yunjin said coldly, "I'm talking to you seriously."
Cui Yilu blinked, looking completely sincere: "I was also asking my cousin seriously, so why didn't he answer me?"
Jiang Yunjin stared at her with his dark eyes, saying nothing, but he was clearly displeased.
Despite the oppressive gaze, Cui Yiluo still smiled, but straightened her tone: "Since you're worried about me, cousin, I should answer your questions seriously."
Jiang Yunjin's face darkened further after being teased by her repeatedly, but considering the important matter at hand, he did not reprimand her and gestured for her to answer with his eyes.
Cui Yiluo's smile faded, as if she were lost in thought. Her expression gradually darkened, then hesitation and fear surfaced: "Actually, at first I wasn't quite sure if I had accidentally fallen into the water, but after my cousin mentioned it, I thought about it carefully, and it's true that someone pushed me. Since my cousin has asked this, have you found out anything? Is the person who pushed me today the same group of thieves from last time?"
A hint of "as expected" flashed in Jiang Yunjin's eyes.
Cui Yilu noticed this subtle detail, and it was indeed true. Today, there were only attendants and Princess Jia's people on the painted boat, as well as Jiang Yang and his companion. The person who pushed her into the water was from the same group of thieves.
Seeing Jiang Yunjin remain silent in thought, Cui Yiluo softly called out, "Cousin?"
Jiang Yunjin pursed his thin lips and said sternly, "He failed today, so he won't act as conspicuously in the future. Hiding is not a long-term solution, but it's safer to reduce going out and be more cautious when you do go out. If necessary, you can send someone to find out what's going on."
Isn't finding Wen Feng just finding him? He's always kept his distance from her, so why would he offer to help her now?
Something's not right.
He seemed to see through her thoughts, and with an interpretive tone, he added, "Now that you are staying at the Jiang family's place, it is only right and proper for me to ensure your safety."
Is that really the case? Cui Yiluo didn't believe it. His help to her couldn't possibly be out of affection; he was indifferent to people, always minding his own business and keeping clear distinctions, so it couldn't be out of courtesy or obligation.
Therefore, it can only be because of the person behind the scenes.
Cui Yilu lowered her eyes to hide the gloom in them, and her gaze suddenly stopped on the hand that had been holding his sleeve.
Last time under the crape myrtle tree, she tugged at his sleeve in the same way, and he ordered her to let go. But this time, he seemed to be preoccupied with important matters and didn't even notice that she had been holding on for so long.
Jiang Yunjin was a gentleman who knew how to conduct himself properly, was self-disciplined and followed proper etiquette.
But Cui Yiluo happens to be the kind of person who is most likely to take an inch and then a mile.
When she looked up again, Cui Yiluo's face was full of emotion, and her eyes were glistening with tears: "Thank you, cousin. With your help, Yiluo will definitely get through this ordeal safely."
As she spoke, her eyes reddened slightly, and her fingers quietly reached out to Jiang Yunjin's hand, as if she wanted to take his hand.
With the movement, half of the cloak opened slightly, revealing the undergarment she had hastily changed into, which had been hidden under the cloak. The summer clothes were made of thin material, and her exquisite figure was faintly visible.
The moment her fingertips entwined with the back of his hand, Jiang Yunjin's eyes darkened. As if finally realizing what was happening, he dodged her hand and smoothly pulled his cloak shut, closing the half-open curtains in an instant. The series of movements were fluid and effortless.
He took a large step back, his sharp gaze piercing her with a questioning look, freezing her face, which was a mixture of gratitude and shyness.
Jiang Yunjin's voice suddenly turned cold: "Have you completely forgotten what I said last time?"
Cui Yiluo raised her head, her clear eyes full of innocence: "It was just a gesture of gratitude, why is my cousin so angry and upset? Aren't we cousins?"
She spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Jiang Yunjin's face seemed to be covered with a layer of frost: "For seven years, men and women have not sat together. Miss Cui, you should understand the principle of propriety, not to mention that you and I are not real cousins."
"You are already engaged, so you should respect yourself even more."
His words were blunt and unforgiving, even addressing her as "Miss Cui," and his last sentence completely captivated Cui Yiluo.
Cui Yiluo had bright, clear eyes, like a pool of clear spring water, allowing one to clearly see any emotion in them. At this moment, the hurt rising in her eyes was particularly obvious. Jiang Yunjin pursed his lips, and his fingers hanging at his side twitched slightly.
After a few moments of silence in the room, Jiang Yunjin turned his eyes to the door and said, "Remember what I told you. I'm leaving now."
After he turned around, the grievance on Cui Yiluo's face vanished instantly, replaced by a cold gaze mixed with a hint of sarcasm.
The reaction was even more intense than the previous two times; a single touch seemed capable of killing him. Cui Yiluo, so unconventional, couldn't understand what kind of life he had led for the past twenty-one years. His constant preaching of propriety and benevolence—didn't he feel suffocated at all?
“Cousin,” she called out to him, “If you don’t want to see me, why are you helping me?”
Jiang Yunjin did not turn around. His tall and slender figure blocked most of the light from the doorway. His voice was calm: "Once a promise is made, there is no reason to go back on it."
"What a gentleman," Cui Yiluo thought sarcastically.
The man was about to step out of the room when he suddenly stopped, as if he had sensed something. He then quickly turned around and strode back.
His sword-like eyebrows furrowed deeply, and his dark eyes reflected a sharp, cold light: "Hide, someone's coming."
Someone's here?
Cui Yiluo's hearing was not as acute as that of someone who practiced martial arts. Jiang Yunjin could hear footsteps that Cui Yiluo could not, and could even guess the size of the person coming from there and whether they practiced martial arts.
His urgency suggests that the person has come to kill her!
She then came to her senses. The palace maid who had taken the imperial physician to write the prescription had not returned for a long time, clearly leaving her alone in the room on purpose. The palace maid said that the Consort had ordered that no one should be missing, but Jiang Yunjin was able to leave the main hall. It was likely that Lan Hui and the other two had also been deliberately sent away.
The room was simply furnished and spacious, with a corner of Qing Le Lake visible from the window. Where could one hide?
"It's too late."
Jiang Yunjin added.
It seems the only option is to hide underwater in the lake; at least that will buy us some time.
Just as Cui Yiluo was about to speak, a large hand suddenly wrapped around her waist and pulled her into his arms.
The moment her back pressed against his strong chest, Cui Yiluo was stunned for a moment. Before she could react, Jiang Yunjin lifted her by the waist and stepped out of the window.
There was a small patch of soil connecting the wall to the lake, but it was so narrow that only one person could stand there.
Jiang Yunjin clearly realized this as well, and tightened his grip on her waist, bringing them even closer together, a situation they had no choice but to be.
He practically lifted her up in his arms. Cui Yiluo had her back to him and couldn't see his expression, only the flowing lake water in front of her and the strong arms around her waist. He was wearing wrist guards today, and unlike his usual lean figure in loose robes, his sharp muscle lines were particularly prominent.
Cui Yiluo placed one hand on his head, seemingly just to maintain her balance. As she expected, his whole body stiffened considerably, so she gripped him even tighter.
He held her in his arms and carefully stepped onto the narrow muddy surface, moving to the side wall.
That way, even if the other party looks out the window, they won't see that they are hiding outside.
Footsteps echoed into the room. Cui Yiluo's back was pressed tightly against the left side of the man's chest. His rapid heartbeats pounded against her back, and the heat emanating from it was scalding.
Cui Yiluo turned her head slightly and caught a glimpse of his chest as he deliberately suppressed his breathing, and his Adam's apple bobbing slightly.
He mouthed: Don't move.
Cui Yiluo turned her head back, her slightly upturned lips hidden in the shadows.
"Damn it! Where is he? Didn't I tell you to keep an eye on him?!"
A familiar, high-pitched voice suddenly rang out from inside the room.
It really was him!
With a thud, the palace maid knelt on the ground, her voice filled with extreme panic: "Eunuch Xu, this servant has no idea! This servant just saw the physician off and went to greet you, who knew that Miss Cui would disappear in such a short time!"
Eunuch Xu raised his hand and slapped the palace maid hard across the face, angrily saying, "Useless! The master ordered that the person be dealt with cleanly. Do you know how difficult it is to act outside? Today you failed and alerted the enemy, making it even more difficult to act in the future! You failed to keep an eye on the person, ruining the entire plan. Tell me, how should I deal with you to appease the master's anger?"
Xu Gonggong's voice rose, like a black venomous snake hissing and flicking its tongue, making even Cui Yiluo's heart skip a beat.
The word "master" he used immediately brought to mind Xiao Ying. However, Cui Yiluo's intuition told her it wasn't Xiao Ying. Judging from Xiao Ying's words and actions, she was just a pampered princess who was naive and inexperienced in the ways of the world. Although she deliberately tried to get close to her, she didn't harbor any malicious intentions.
On the surface, Eunuch Xu serves Xiao Ying, but secretly he works for others. Of course, it's also possible that the opposite is true: Xiao Ying is actually quite cunning, and her innocent appearance deceives everyone, causing her to lower her guard.
The palace maid trembled so much she could barely speak. She kowtowed several times, her voice trembling with sobs, and said, "Please spare me, sir! For the sake of my many years of service to my master, please give me a chance to make amends."
Eunuch Xu chuckled, but his voice was cold: "Then why don't you hurry up and find her? I don't believe that she can escape when everyone in Shuizhi Palace is one of our people."
Cui Yiluo slowly tightened her grip on Jiang Yunjin's wrist, her soft thumb and forefinger touching his hand directly outside the wrist guard.
The man behind them suddenly stopped breathing, and the soft, wet ground beneath their feet suddenly loosened, causing the two of them to slide downwards.
Her waist tightened as the man quickly bound her waist to steady her and turned her to the side.
As if afraid she would cry out, he covered her lips with his well-defined knuckles. His palm was large, and the lower half of her face was covered by his palm. The hot breath she exhaled from her nose and the wetness on her lips were reflected in his palm.
His breath came from behind, heavier and stronger, onto her neck.
Inside the room, Eunuch Xu suddenly shouted to the palace maid, "Wait! There's a noise outside!"
Cui Yiluo bit her lip and held her breath. The sounds they had just made were extremely faint, yet they had been heard by Eunuch Xu, which showed that his martial arts skills were not low, and could even be described as unfathomable.
The palace maid responded and walked to the window.
“Eunuch Xu, Qing Le Lake is outside. Miss Cui doesn’t seem to be hiding here.”
Eunuch Xu also went to the window to take a closer look, but there was indeed no sign of anyone hiding. He pondered the little noise he had just heard and snorted coldly: "She must have jumped into the lake and swam away to escape! The intelligence service never found out that she could swim. She even had to learn to swim by herself. She is really cunning by nature. Hmph, I wonder who she took after."
Cui Yiluo heard everything clearly and sneered inwardly.
This was because the Cui family mansion was a dangerous place from which she could not escape. When she was twelve years old, her stepmother abandoned her in the wild. The first thing she did upon returning to the mansion was to try to secretly learn some self-defense techniques. That's when she learned to swim.
As he walked out of the room, Eunuch Xu said, "Let's go, search downstream along the lake!"
The two left quickly, but unsure if it was a trap, Cui Yiluo and Jiang Yunjin remained motionless, even pressing themselves closer to the wall.
Only when there was no sound coming from the room for a long time did the two of them finally feel relieved.
Jiang Yunjin was about to withdraw his hand when he met the girl's bright and clear eyes.
He covered most of her face, leaving only her bright, smiling eyes visible.
But the smile seemed mocking: Didn't you say that I'm engaged, and that we're not real cousins, and shouldn't overstep boundaries?
So what are you doing?
A note from the author:
A Luo: [Pitiful]
The next chapter will be released on Tuesday (July 22) at 9:00 AM.
Don't forget to bookmark this page, my darlings! [heart emoji]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
