Chapter 28 A Gentleman's Pursuit is Open and Honest "Brother, what is love? Love..."
The candlelight flickered in the study, and the bright light stretched the shadows of the two people, forming two parallel lines that never intersect.
Cui Fuyu glanced down at the jade hairpin on the ground, sneered, and suddenly raised his hand to force Chi Yanzhou to kneel on the ground, making him look at the jade hairpin.
She said, "Chi Yanzhou, the jade pendant is mine now that you've given it to me, and the jade hairpin, pick it up."
Cui Fuyu's tone was harsh and forceful, compelling Chi Yanzhou to pick up the jade hairpin he had smashed.
Her attitude was not good.
She coldly watched Chi Yanzhou's tears, then suddenly squatted down, cruelly raised her hand to wipe away his tears, and said lightly, "Chi Yanzhou, you are not allowed to go anywhere without my permission. The new tutor will come to our house tomorrow."
Cui Fuyu wanted him to stay at home completely, and wouldn't even let him go to the academy anymore.
He even found a new tutor for himself.
She treated Chi Yanzhou cruelly, completely disregarding his reactions, and treated him like a caged bird.
Treat him casually and cruelly.
Chi Yanzhou gripped her skirt, his hands trembling. Suddenly, he felt breathless, a tightness in his chest that made him extremely uncomfortable.
The house given to him by others became his prison; how ridiculous.
His face turned pale: "No, you can't do that."
His resistance seemed so futile in the face of Cui Fuyu.
She wouldn't change her mind because of him.
With a smile, Cui Fuyu slowly pried open Chi Yanzhou's fingers, and her skirt was suddenly pulled out of his hand.
"Butler, keep a close eye on Chi Yanzhou. If he steps out of the villa, you will be held responsible."
Cui Fuyu instructed the steward, then strode out of the study, leaving Chi Yanzhou with an indifferent back view.
Chi Yanzhou watched her leave helplessly, tears welling in his eyes as he shakily picked up the shards of the jade hairpin. He tightly clutched the jade hairpin he had carved himself, buried it in his chest, and bowed his head in anguish, saying, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
The sharp, broken corner of the jade hairpin pierced deep into his palm, and warm blood seeped out between his fingers, drop by drop, onto the hem of his blue robe, spreading a small patch of dark red.
Cui Fuyu's footsteps disappeared completely into the depths of the corridor, leaving only the crackling of the burning candlelight in the study.
His heart felt as if it had fallen into an icy lake; his heart ached terribly, and a tremendous sense of suffocation overwhelmed his faint and pitiful hope.
The butler, seeing Chi Yanzhou's state from outside the door, could only helplessly try to persuade him before leaving with a sigh.
The study fell into a deathly silence. Chi Yanzhou slowly raised his head, his face streaked with tears and his eyes vacant. He took out a plain handkerchief from his bosom, carefully wrapped the broken jade hairpin inside, and carried it to his room.
——
After this commotion, Cui Fuyu lost all interest in anything.
When she liked Chi Yanzhou, she was naturally willing to follow him and let him have the right to make a fuss. But when she disliked him, she wouldn't even be qualified to make a fuss.
She left the villa under cover of night and rode back to the Cui residence at full speed.
Cui Fuyu walked quickly to Yutang Courtyard. As soon as she entered the courtyard, she was about to sneak back to her room in the dark.
Cui Hexuan appeared like a ghost, startling her. "Sister, you're back so late. Did you go to your villa again?"
The light and shadow on Cui Hexuan's face shifted, and he stared at Cui Fuyu with interest, his arms crossed. His words carried certainty; he knew his sister's character all too well.
The two of them have covered for each other since they were little.
Still shaken, Cui Fuyu's already unpleasant mood worsened, and she couldn't help but yell, "Cui Hexuan, why are you hiding and scaring me?"
Cui Fuyu put her hands on her hips and said, "What do you mean by 'misfits'? Don't use such harsh words."
Cui Hexuan curled his lip and showed off the two jugs of fine wine he had brought—Fire Throat—"Want some?
He went to Cui Shihai's warehouse to look for wine again.
Cui Fuyu nodded with a troubled expression. She also had something on her mind that she wanted to confide in her brother. She felt strange when she left the villa earlier.
A dull ache in my heart.
"drink!"
She pulled Cui Hexuan into her room, where they each had a pot of hot pot and sipped it from a small cup.
She asked, puzzled, "Brother, what is love? Why is love so strange?"
Upon hearing this, Cui Hexuan instantly realized that his younger sister had someone she liked.
Little Tyrant's love star has moved.
He perked up, his curiosity piqued, and asked, "Love is selfish; it wants to belong only to you and locks it away. Love is knowing your bad side but still loving you. Love is also learning to let go and being selfless. In short, love is very complicated. Why do you ask this, sister? Who is it that has offended you? Let your brother teach him a lesson."
Cui Hexuan sipped his wine and answered Cui Fuyu's questions, able to see Cui Fuyu's confusion.
Cui Fuyu still only vaguely understood her brother's explanation. She felt very unhappy about how he had treated Chi Yanzhou today. She didn't want to treat Chi Yanzhou like this, but Chi Yanzhou kept provoking her, and when she was angry, she couldn't help but hurt him.
Actually, she was heartbroken when she saw the jade hairpin that Chi Yanzhou had carved fall to the ground and break. She was unwilling when Chi Yanzhou asked her to take out the jade pendant.
Even when she was arguing with Chi Yanzhou and ignoring him, she would still think of him at home, even if she had other things to do. She felt a pang of sadness and bitterness in her heart, and most importantly, she always felt that there was a void in her heart.
Is this love?
Cui Fuyu didn't know.
When Cui Fuyu recalls the things she did with Chi Yanzhou, she thinks of him endlessly, thinking that things shouldn't be like this between them.
She forgot that she had initially approached Chi Yanzhou with the intention of using him.
"Brother, have you ever been in love?" Cui Fuyu asked suddenly. "What is it like to be in love? Can you tell me?"
Cui Fuyu's words stumped him. Cui Hexuan hesitated, wondering how to put it. Love manifests differently in everyone.
Cui Hexuan didn't want to get involved anymore. In any case, judging from Cui Fuyu's appearance, he believed she would suffer later.
"Never mind, sister, fine wine can wash away all sorrows." Cui Hexuan raised his wine glass and toasted with Cui Fuyu, downing his drink in one gulp first.
He had just finished drinking when he thought of Zhao Chengxu, who had always secretly loved Cui Fuyu, and couldn't help but say, "Little sister, if you don't like Zhao Chengxu, you should tell him as soon as possible, otherwise this guy will be stubborn and refuse to acknowledge you. Let's not waste his precious youth."
Zhao Chengxu is getting on in years, and he doesn't have a confidante in the Prince's mansion. Now that he's back from the border, I reckon the Emperor will bestow a marriage upon him.
If Cui Fuyu doesn't make things clear to him beforehand, Zhao Chengxu will most likely use his military merits to get the Emperor to grant them a marriage.
His sister didn't understand love, but Zhao Chengxu loved too much.
One or two of them are really a headache.
Helpless, Cui Hexuan drank.
Cui Fuyu nodded: "I'll find an opportunity to explain things to him tomorrow."
Cui Fuyu raised her wine glass to toast her brother and downed it in one gulp.
In the stillness of the night, the calls of nightingales could be heard. The two siblings of the Cui family were completely drunk, and their maids and servants had to clean up after them. Meng Bai led his young master back, and Juning and Zhu Jin helped the truly drunk Cui Fuyu and gently placed her on the bed, tucking her in. Zhu Jin was left to keep watch on the small couch.
The night passed peacefully.
Cui Fuyu slept for an exceptionally long time; perhaps the intense burning sensation in her throat allowed her to sleep soundly until midday. The maids in the courtyard also worked quietly and quietly.
It wasn't until lunchtime that Juning woke her up.
It was only past 3 PM yesterday, and today Zhao Chengxu has come to our home.
Cui Fuyu looked at the maid who came to report, put down the book in her hand, and said: "I understand. Tell him to wait for me in the garden pavilion, and then go and call the young master over."
After receiving the order, the maidservant hurriedly went to call Cui Hexuan as instructed, and then went to welcome Zhao Chengxu to the pavilion.
Zhao Chengxu came today to express his feelings to Cui Fuyu. He followed the maid to the pavilion with a smile on his face. Before he even saw Cui Fuyu, he was both expectant and nervous, which made him flustered.
At the same time, he cursed himself for being so nervous. He and Cui Fuyu were childhood sweethearts, and they knew each other well. They were destined to be husband and wife.
It's okay if my cousin rejects me; pursuing a girl isn't something you can do in one go.
If my cousin has someone she likes, it would be a manly thing to back out.
Zhao Chengxu encouraged himself, his face still showing a nervous smile. He didn't even hear the maid asking him to sit down until she called out "Your Highness" a few times before he snapped back to reality.
Zhao Chengxu sat anxiously in the pavilion, but no one came.
A moment later, Cui Hexuan's voice came from afar: "Brother Chengxu, what brings you here today?"
Even before he arrived, he couldn't wait to ask Zhao Chengxu why he had time to come today.
Zhao Chengxu stood up and saw only him; Cui Fuyu was not following behind him.
I felt a moment of disappointment, but then I quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Cui Hexuan could tell from his actions that Zhao Chengxu had come to the Cui family because of Cui Fuyu.
It's a pity that the falling flowers are willing, but the flowing water is indifferent.
If possible, he would prefer his sister's wife to be Zhao Chengxu.
Zhao Chengxu smiled and said, "I wanted to come and visit since we last met. My cousin's birthday is coming up soon, so I thought I'd ask her if she has anything to celebrate this year."
They hadn't been talking for long when Cui Fuyu arrived late. As soon as she appeared, Zhao Chengxu's eyes never left her.
Cui Fuyu gracefully arrived at the pavilion and greeted Zhao Chengxu, "Cousin."
Zhao Chengxu blushed when she called him "cousin," and he felt awkward in front of her, thinking about what he was going to say today.
He covered it up by saying, "Cousin, you're here. Please have a seat."
She sat down next to Cui Hexuan, but seeing Zhao Chengxu's excessive nervousness and unease, she guessed why he had come.
Cui Fuyu admired him. Zhao Chengxu was a patriot, a man of good character, and a gentleman, but she didn't like him. Love between a man and a woman cannot be forced.
When Zhao Chengxu saw that the person he missed had arrived, he raised his hand, made a loose fist, and cleared his throat. "Cousin, your birthday is in three days. In the past, I have not been able to deliver the gifts to you in person. This time, since I am in the capital, I would like to ask you about it before handing them to you in person."
Cui Hexuan chimed in, "Little sister, you just said he wasn't thoughtful. Who asks before giving a birthday gift?"
Cui Hexuan winked at her, hinting that Zhao Chengxu had something else to say.
Cui Fuyu subtly challenged him, saying, "Just give me whatever you like this year. It's only my sixteenth birthday, nothing special."
Zhao Chengxu nodded after hearing this, pursed his lips and clenched his fists to relieve his tension. He mustered his courage and said, "Cousin, there is actually something else I want to say. I would like to ask Hexuan to be my witness."
His cheeks flushed instantly after he said that one sentence, and the burly man turned into an adorable red apple.
Cui Fuyu and Cui Hexuan exchanged a glance, knowing that he was about to get to the point.
Without hesitation, Cui Hexuan said, "Okay, I'll be your witness."
Cui Fuyu also looked at Zhao Chengxu intently, gesturing for him to speak.
Zhao Chengxu felt a surge of joy and blurted out everything on his mind.
“Cousin, I love you. I wonder what your thoughts are about me or if you have someone you admire? I originally wanted Father and Mother to speak to Aunt and Uncle, but even if it is true that marriage is arranged by parents and matchmakers, we should still respect your feelings and ask for your opinion before speaking to the Emperor. If you are unwilling, it will not embarrass you.”
After saying a lot, he gradually calmed down and glanced at Cui Fuyu's expression. Seeing that she was normal, he thought he still had a chance.
"If my cousin has someone she likes, I will not bother her; but it doesn't matter if she doesn't like me, I just ask her to give me a chance."
After Zhao Chengxu finished speaking, his heart tightened again. His heart was pounding so hard that all he could hear was the sound of his own heartbeat, as loud as the drumbeats of a battlefield.
He wasn't this nervous when he first went to the battlefield.
My palms, back, and forehead were constantly sweating.
Cui Fuyu looked at Zhao Chengxu across from her, her smile fading as she spoke with equal seriousness: "Cousin, I'm sorry, I can't be your wife. I have no feelings for you, and I only admire you and consider you my cousin. I know you've been very good to me, and you are a gentleman who deserves better. I'm really grateful that you asked me about this first. You should go find a wife who is more suitable for you and don't need to waste your time on me."
Cui Fuyu resolutely rejected Zhao Chengxu, her words sincere, and she genuinely hoped that he could marry a better woman instead of wasting his precious time on her.
We've been exchanging letters for a while, but we haven't discussed this directly until now. Finally, we can openly talk about it.
Zhao Chengxu smiled after hearing Zhao Chengxu's sincere rejection and his concern for his well-being: "Being able to tell my cousin the truth is a way of making amends for my feelings for her. From today onwards, I will slowly forget about her and try to get to know new women."
He had regrets, but he was also able to love and let go.
He didn't lose to anyone, but he just didn't win his cousin's favor. It seems his cousin prefers Young Master Chi.
Cui Fuyu admired him more and more. He interacted with people openly and honestly. How many people in wealthy families could do that?
"Thank you for your understanding, cousin. I will pretend I didn't hear what you said today. Our relationship is as usual. I just hope you won't distance yourself from me because of this." Cui Fuyu said, "What happened today is known only to the three of us, so as not to cause misunderstandings if it gets out."
Cui Hexuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that a fight hadn't broken out. If a fight had actually started, he wouldn't know whose side to take.
He immediately said, "What are you talking about? I don't know anything about that. Didn't Brother Chengxu come here because of your birthday gift?!"
Seeing Cui Hexuan's attitude, the two chuckled and let the matter drop.
She and Zhao Chengxu are cousins, and they don't hold any grudges against each other.
The three chatted and laughed in the pavilion. Cui Hexuan had a chessboard brought over, and they started playing chess, taking turns to compete, with the loser playing the next round.
Zhao Chengxu took the lead, perhaps because he was skilled in military tactics, which resulted in the Cui siblings being defeated by him, which in turn inspired the siblings to fight.
The afternoon flew by, and as evening approached, the sun began to set.
The three players were still full of fighting spirit as they played chess. Now it was Cui Fuyu's turn to fight Cui Hexuan, and she had just placed her white piece.
Xiao Ling ran over anxiously from a short distance away, calling out, "Young Miss, Young Miss."
She ran until she was covered in sweat, her hair sticking to her face, but she didn't care.
She ran to Cui Fuyu and immediately knelt down: "Miss...Young Master Chi is in trouble!"
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Author's Note: Cui Fuyu: Oh wow, what's wrong with Chi Yanzhou?
Chi Yanzhou (heartbroken version): Miss... I... have something very important to do!!
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