Chapter 10 What is love that can cause life and death? His waist was broad and strong...
A gentle breeze was blowing, the sun was blazing, and the sky over Beijing was getting increasingly hot.
After the Cui family finished their meal, they returned to their residence to rest.
Today was a day of rest for the court officials, and Cui Shihai had a rare moment of free time to spend with Zhao Ying.
Cui Fuyu returned to her courtyard, changed into a dress that was easy to ride, had Ju Ning put her hair up in a small bun again, and then took her horse and went out.
Cui Fuyu rode his horse alone to the villa in Willow Leaf Lane.
When she arrived at the villa, apart from the servants who were sweeping and cleaning, Chi Yanzhou had not yet come over.
She wanted to see him right away!
Cui Fuyu instructed, "When Chi Yanzhou arrives, have him come to the music room to find me!"
The music room is a waterside pavilion built on the water, surrounded by water on three sides. The maple trees on both sides of the road and the pond water reflect each other, and several purple water lilies floating on the water have already bloomed, making the scenery complement each other.
What's most amazing is that there's a small platform behind the waterside pavilion. In her spare time, she would invite a few actors to perform on the water, with small boats gently gliding by.
The waterside pavilion was furnished with music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and servants tidied it up every day.
When Cui Fuyu is in a bad mood, she comes here to play the flute. Her excellent flute playing was taught to her by her father. Her mother once said that what she liked most was the moving way her father played the flute.
Her bamboo flute played a deep and melodious tune. Her fingers deftly pressed the holes, and she played slowly, producing a clear and pleasant sound.
Even Chi Yanzhou, who rushed over after receiving her message, was captivated by the scene before him.
Chi Yanzhou stood still, appreciating her flute music with a serious expression.
The scenery, the beautiful women, the sound of the flute—everything is perfectly natural, captivating the viewer.
Chi Yanzhou was Cui Fuyu's most loyal listener.
People outside only say that the young lady is spoiled and domineering, but they don't know how good she is!
When the piece ended, Cui Fuyu put away her flute and gazed at the rippling water.
Her suppressed emotions had been relieved, she felt much better, and everything about her was satisfactory.
She stood quietly by the water, looking down at the koi swimming underwater, a slight smile on her lips.
Chi Yanzhou also walked to her side and asked with concern, "Is something on your mind, Miss?"
Chi Yanzhou had just discerned disordered thoughts in the young lady's flute playing; this was the second time he had heard her sorrow.
Today, Chi Yanzhou was dressed in a blue-gray long robe and was holding a brocade box in his arms, inside which was a portrait of a beauty he had painted for the young lady.
He didn't want to see the young lady so distressed.
So I wanted to help her.
Cui Fuyu stared at him silently, without replying. She looked at him from beginning to end, her eyes dark and unfathomable, as if trying to see something through his eyes.
Chi Yanzhou felt a tightness in his chest from being stared at, but he was glad that he had tidied himself up before going out today.
A strong gust of wind blew by just in time.
Cui Fuyu's waterfall-like black hair and skirt were suddenly lifted by the wind, forcing her to raise her hand to shield her eyes.
Chi Yanzhou held his breath, the sound of his own heartbeat ringing in his ears like a heavy drumbeat.
The beautiful scene caught his eye and momentarily amazed Chi Yanzhou.
He was unaware that he had also caught Cui Fuyu's eye.
The wind blew up his wide sleeves, lifting strands of hair that fell onto his face. One hand hung naturally at his sides, half-holding a brocade box. His handsome face, black hair blowing from behind, and blank expression revealed a sense of brokenness.
With a slight smile, Cui Fuyu casually took Chi Yanzhou's hand and gently pulled him into her arms.
Subtle emotions spread with the wind, accompanied by a lingering fragrance, tightly binding Cui Fuyu and Chi Yanzhou together.
The sudden movement startled Chi Yanzhou, who let the brocade box fall to the ground and savored the warmth and fragrance in his arms.
After hesitating for a moment, Chi Yanzhou raised his hand and hugged Cui Fuyu tightly, wanting to meld her into his very bones, and then lowered his head to gently rest his head on her shoulder.
He muttered to himself: Just a moment! Just a moment to have the young lady all to myself.
Time seemed to stand still, and the two were immersed in this small world.
People often lament that they do not know what love is, that it can make people depend on each other for life and death!
——
Cui Fuyu slowly unfurled the scroll, and what came into view was a clematis growing from bottom to top, surrounding the girl in the picture.
The girl smiled brightly, her posture unrestrained and carefree.
Clematis flowers of varying shades coiled around her, and in the picture she was wearing the dress she wore on the day they first met, a vibrant blend of red and purple.
The figures in the painting are lifelike, with smooth and unrestrained lines, which made Cui Fuyu smile from ear to ear.
"Chi Lang's painting is truly excellent." She praised generously: "The me in the painting is so lifelike, it's as if I'm about to come to life, especially the clematis, which is indistinguishable from the real flower."
Cui Fuyu stroked the flowers in the painting, carefully examining their patterns and postures, revealing the artist's dedication.
Cui Fuyu was unaware that Chi Yanzhou had consulted numerous books and spent several days searching the flower and bird market before finally finding the real clematis she had mentioned.
It took three days of observation to find this clematis that looks just like a real flower.
Chi Yanzhou felt that if she liked it, it was worth it.
Outsiders only know that Chi Yanzhou's articles are good, but in fact his paintings are exceptional, each one vividly depicting life.
To show his appreciation for the painting, Cui Fuyu immediately pulled a chair to the wall next to where a landscape painting was already hanging, and stepped onto it.
Chi Yanzhou was afraid she would fall, so he kept a close eye on her movements and held onto the chair.
As she took down the landscape painting, she said, "I'm going to hang up the portrait. Go and get the painting of the beauty."
Cui Fuyu handed the old painting to Chi Yanzhou, waiting for him to bring over the painting of the beauty.
A moment later, Chi Yanzhou handed the painting of the beauty to Cui Fuyu, raising his eyes with a smile: "Slow down."
After taking the painting, Cui Fuyu quickly hung it up and prepared to get down from the chair.
Chi Yanzhou took her hand and helped her down.
The two stood side by side, looking up at the painting of the beauty. Cui Fuyu smiled and reached out to hook Chi Yanzhou's little finger with his finger, but when he tried to pull it over, he suddenly dodged away.
After a few exchanges, Chi Yanzhou seized the opportunity when she wasn't paying attention and grabbed her hand tightly, not giving her a chance to slip away.
She asked, "I met Zhiyao today. She invited me to the Bailong Temple fair in a few days. Are you going?"
Without a second thought, Chi Yanzhou nodded and agreed to go.
The sun had already set, the sky was turning yellow, and night was slowly falling.
Before long, a maid came to invite Cui Fuyu to dinner.
Cui Fuyu ate rather slowly, as Chi Yanzhou had already finished eating and was waiting for her.
"Even when the young lady eats, it's a beautiful sight."
Cui Fuyu finished her meal by drinking the last sip of soup and invited him to take a walk: "Shall we stroll around the manor?"
"If it gets late, I'll have a carriage take you back."
Cui Fuyu said very considerately, and before Chi Yanzhou could nod, she got up, grabbed his sleeve, and walked out.
The villa was built piece by piece over three years according to Cui Fuyu's wishes.
Cui Fuyu walked ahead, and he followed silently behind. The two chatted intermittently, but Cui Fuyu did most of the talking, while Chi Yanzhou answered.
Cui Fuyu walked to her room and pointed to the room in front of her: "That's the room I usually stay in."
Cui Fuyu whispered in his ear, carefully enticing, "Does Chi Lang want to go take a look?"
Chi Yanzhou stared intently at her, his gaze deep and unfathomable. He pulled her into his arms and asked, "Am I worthy?"
Chi Yanzhou had a vague idea that he was the young lady's prey, but it didn't matter; he was happy to be with her.
After smiling back at him, Cui Fuyu pulled Chi Yanzhou directly into the room.
Once the door closed, the shadows of the two were projected onto the wall, the candlelight flickering as their figures intertwined.
Suddenly, a small koi leaped out of the water, its tail swaying for a long time, bringing with it droplets of water that fell onto the half-closed purple water lily, leaving not a single drop!
——
Inside the carriage, on the way to the Chi family's residence.
Chi Yanzhou held Cui Fuyu tenderly and asked in a soft voice, "Miss, does it still hurt? Is there anything else that's bothering you?"
Cui Fuyu leaned on his shoulder, chuckled, and shook her head: "No, Chi Lang, you're great!"
Cui Fuyu lovingly stroked his face with her other hand, her expression one of contentment.
Chi Yanzhou affectionately rubbed her palm, "Young Miss."
Having tasted this for the first time, Cui Fuyu quite enjoyed it; his waist was broad and strong...
Chi Yanzhou's hand moved silently to the young lady's waist.
He unconsciously recalled what had just happened.
"If you have time, please come to the villa to keep me company more often."
Cui Fuyu's implication was practically a direct statement: If I want it, you have to come over and let this young lady sleep with you.
Chi Yanzhou: "If Miss needs me, I will do anything, even die for her."
After arriving at the Chi family's residence, Cui Fuyu lingered with him for a while before letting Chi Yanzhou go home.
The carriage changed course and headed towards the villa; she wouldn't be going home tonight.
Her parents knew that she would come to stay occasionally, and as long as nothing out of the ordinary happened, they would let her go.
Upon arriving at the villa, Cui Fuyu alighted from the carriage with a cold expression and asked the steward waiting at the gate, "Has the person arrived?"
The butler nodded repeatedly: "They've arrived and are waiting for you in the lobby, Miss."
The people in the villa were all servants who had signed a death contract, and were loyal only to Cui Fuyu.
Cui Fuyu is not returning to the Cui residence tonight because she sent someone to make a deal with Anxuan, a famous intelligence-gathering organization in the martial arts world.
She wanted to find out everything about Zhang Chaijie's life, both overt and covert, who he had contacted, and who he had done business with.
As Cui Fuyu approached, she realized that the person waiting for her in the main hall was a woman.
She walked to the head seat, looked at the people below, dressed in smart men's clothing, with a tall and upright posture, and looked like a capable person.
She spoke first: "I accepted the task that the master family issued to Dark Pavilion. Does the master family doubt my ability?"
Cui Fuyu chuckled: "No, it's just that I never expected you to be a woman. But it's fine to be a woman. How many days will it take you to find the information I need?"
She estimated for a moment and gave a date: "Find the intelligence and send it to the master's house within five days at the latest."
Cui Fuyu nodded in agreement and paid a partial deposit.
As the young hero departed, he added, "If my master needs more intelligence in the future, please let me know first!"
Late at night, the candlelight in the villa gradually went out, plunging it into complete darkness.
Cui Fuyu lay on the soft bed, covered with a brocade quilt, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.
She wondered what role the Cui family played in a huge conspiracy, and why Zhao Jinghuan insisted on marrying her.
The Cui family and the Prince's mansion were not on the same side. A thought suddenly flashed through her mind, along with the insects during the day. It all seemed very strange.
Is Zhao Jinghuan planning to harm her?
Cui Fuyu drifted off to sleep in a daze.
Meanwhile, the Chi family is facing a huge disaster...
A note from the author:
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Cui Fuyu: I love eating this! I want to eat more! [starry-eyed]
Chi Yanzhou: I love Miss Chi the most! (Woof woof puppy [dog head holding a rose])
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