The candlelight flickered inside the room, and the girl shrank back in resistance.
She was sensitive and prickly, naturally unwilling to discuss these matters with Cui Yun. She just wished to hide all the past sufferings.
To prevent outsiders from seeing her vulnerability.
Thus, she remained a radiant and beautiful girl.
Shen Hua stared unblinkingly at the candlelight, the fluctuating light and shadow cast upon the girl’s lovely face, leaving the room in utter silence.
Cui Yun had left at so point, unknown to her.
In the West Garden, Wu Shaoyin was sent off in a carriage by Yingwu in the middle of the night, her voice no longer feigning delicacy but instead was piercing and clear.
— My aunt is the Marchioness! She died in childbirth bearing the Marquis Mansion’s heir, the Wu and Cui families are related by marriage, according to the rules, cousin, you should also call her mother!
— You’re expelling ? In this West Garden, I am the closest connected cousin!
What she said afterward, Yingwu knocked her out with a single strike, and she collapsed unconscious, returning the night to silence.
anwhile,
"Madam."
Yicui approached and called softly.
In her hands, she held a familiar box: "The jewelry sent by Heir Xie, would you like to open it and see?"
Shen Hua glanced over.
Yicui deftly opened it, showing it to Shen Hua.
Inside the box, the step shaking ornant was exquisitely crafted, obviously not a common item. It dangled blooming Yulan magnolias paired with tiny bells, tinkling thrice with a shake, glittering under the lamplight.
Yicui was surprised: "It’s the style Madam likes."
She served Shen Hua and was the most aware of Shen Hua’s preferences.
Indeed.
Shen Hua was montarily dazed: "Keep it for now."
She was not planning to wear it.
Yicui hesitated: "...Yes."
Ningzhu carefully prepared the bed.
After taking care of Shen Hua’s bath and helping her to rest, they both tiptoed out.
After closing the door, Ningzhu asked in a low voice: "Madam, why is there no incense in the room? Previously in Fengzhou City, even the clothes had to be scented."
Yicui spoke calmly: "Incense is scarce, previously it was the master who traded for high prices from abroad."
After coming to Shengjing, she had searched through the stores and could not find any.
Once it was used up, naturally there was no more.
Shen Hua had always used only the best, if it was not available, she simply would not use it.
Madam has changed ever since the master passed away, she could see it in her eyes.
Forrly fond of Yulan, her jewelry, handkerchiefs, dresses, etc., were largely of Yulan designs. But now, it seed she was no longer so enthusiastic about them.
People, in the end, do change.
But the change made her heartache.
That night, Shen Hua slept very soundly. By this night, she had already adjusted her mood.
As soon as she opened the door, she bumped into the exaggerated smiling face of Xue Shuyue.
Xue Shuyue: "Miss Shen, good morning."
"It seems you are still radiant after a night apart."
Such flattery ca easily to her: "I’m not praising you, I’m just reminding you."
Shen Hua paused silently. Her gaze towards Xue Shuyue was filled with indescribable frustration.
With a ’bang’, she closed the door again.
Xue Shuyue: "..."
She felt rather awkward and left dejectedly.
But to find out at night! Cui Yun, who had just returned from the Ministry of Justice, went to the East Courtyard to dine with Shen Hua. The fla of retreat rekindled.
Shen Hua was sowhat surprised to see Cui Yun arriving.
"You didn’t go to Xuan Residence?"
Cui Yun: "I couldn’t spare any ti during the day to go there."
Shen Hua quietly asked: "Cousin, after dining with , do you still have to go out?"
Cui Yun didn’t hide it from her.
"Yes."
Shen Hua: "Did you co specifically to dine with ?"
Cui Yun: "Why?"
He certainly saw that he was not in the right state yesterday, which is why he made this effort. Being cared for is naturally a good feeling.
Shen Hua blinked, her lips curled into a smile, her eyes sparkled brilliantly.
Why the distance!
Why the distance with !
The girl coughed discreetly.
"What luck, the kitchen stewed wild chicken. Added a lot of dicinal herbs, very nourishing, cousin, I’ll serve you a bowl since you’ve been working hard."
"No need."
With cravings, Shen Hua said to the opposite Cui Yun: "I want it, I do."
Cui Yun slightly raised his eyebrows: "Alright, you co."
Shen Hua paused with a smile. She struggled to phrase her request diligently.
"But the pheasant soup is placed on the right side of my cousin, too far from . If I were to serve myself, I’d have to walk over to you."
Shen Hua: "I’m not playing tricks on my cousin."
Girl slightly tilted her chin up.
"So things, I’ve hinted at them very subtly, they don’t really have to be ntioned too explicitly."
She blinked.
Cui Yun sighed deeply.
He leisurely scooped up the chicken soup. Under Shen Hua’s gaze, he brought the bowl of soup in front of her.
"Satisfied now?"
Shen Hua was indeed satisfied.
But her affected mannerisms did not allow it.
She heard herself say: "I’m so sorry about that."
——
Early the next day.
"Madam, I’ve found out."
Ningzhu hurried in from outside.
"Heir Xie fainted shortly after entering the palace that day, and it was heard that the official family summoned the Imperial Physician."
Shen Hua narrowed her eyes.
She was still sowhat puzzled. As Cui Yun stated, Xie Xun’s nearly healed wound had cracked open.
Just, Shen Hua didn’t understand.
Can Emperor He be trusted? Couldn’t the Imperial Physicians in the palace see this was man-made?
Strangely enough, when she asked Cui Yun yesterday, he didn’t want to say a single word anymore.
Ningzhu: "It’s stirring up quite the fuss outside. Heir Xie was praised for his efforts against the bandits, and his injuries were already severe."
"When the Imperial Physician examined him, the wound under the gauze split open, with that bit of flesh swollen and inflad beyond healing."
Emperor He saw it with his own eyes.
He never suspected Xie Xun considered him a fool. Initially wanted to expose his lie and seriously question him. However, the wound indeed appeared genuine.
At that mont, Emperor He’s expression grew stern.
Xie Xun weakly said: "I have offended Your Majesty’s eyes."
"Also bla my negligence, I didn’t take the injury seriously at the ti, casually applied so golden sore dicine, but did not realize the blade was poisoned until I felt sothing was wrong, and then my body started deteriorating."
"I didn’t bring dical staff with , and on my way, I visited a dical clinic, but the doctor’s skills were inadequate for a proper treatnt."
The Imperial Physician silently nodded to Emperor He.
Emperor He let the Imperial Physician re-treat Xie Xun’s wound: "The last ti you ca to report duty at the palace, your complexion was off, I blad myself for not thinking too much about it."
Shen Hua listened to Ningzhu’s words.
She couldn’t help but admire Xie Xun, he indeed was ruthless towards himself.
After making an incision, he didn’t forget to apply poison.
Just then, Xue Shuyue ca again.
Shen Hua saw her approaching from afar and turned to enter the house.
Xue Shuyue was still t with a closed door, separated by a door.
"Miss Shen, after all, we know each other. Can you teach how to naturally exude immortal energy?"
Shen Hua: ...
So sappy.
On the third day, Xue Shuyue ca again.
This ti, Shen Hua didn’t close the door.
She had Cheng Gui move the concubine’s couch into the courtyard, where she lay languidly.
Her gaze faintly t Xue Shuyue’s.
"I’m free today."
Shen Hua: "You’ve been rather eloquent these days, complenting is surely effortless for you."
Xue Shuyue, who prepared only one sentence.
She dryly said: "Ah! Another day I am enthralled by you."
Shen Hua smiled: "Don’t stop, continue according to this standard."
Xue Shuyue racked her brains: ...
Shen Hua suddenly changed her expression.
"What, were all those previous ones deceiving ?"
"Lady Xue, are you playing ?"
Xue Shuyue ran away, very awkwardly.
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