The sunlight climbs onto the window lattice, casting mottled shadows that are blocked by the curtains.
Shen Hua stares at the canopy above the bed for a mont, her eyes sleepy and blurred, as her consciousness gradually recovers, her eyes, like glazed orbs, stealthily surveying her surroundings.
"The master rose early. Before leaving the house, he instructed this servant not to wake my lady. He wanted you to rest well."
Shen Hua is not the slightest bit grateful for this so-called kindness. Taking a deep breath, she says fiercely, "What sort of nonsense is this? Are we ignoring the rules of serving tea now? Allowing the elders to laugh at us for nothing, so he’s the only good person? He’s truly insidious and cunning!"
Marriage is clearly a joyous occasion, and a newlywed couple ought to be deeply affectionate. Ningzhu doesn’t understand where Shen Hua’s anger cos from, but Yicui is about to give birth, and since she’s not by her side to serve, only ca yesterday to send off the bride, so she can only gently persuade, "The master is being considerate of my lady."
Shen Hua’s hand covers her heart.
She! Cannot see a trace of tenderness from Cui Yun.
Pleading softly and tearfully, she had exhausted all kind words, but never saw Cui Yun relent.
With trembling legs, she is helped by Ningzhu off the bed, her sobs stifled as she covers her heavily made-up, amorous face—the unbearable mories surge forth.
At that ti, the bed curtain embroidered with dragon and phoenix patterns hid the erotic scene, suspended half-drape.
She could not escape, yet couldn’t drive it away.
The girl’s almond eyes brim with mist. Tears as big as beans fall one after another. Her sobs are heartbroken, like a mixture of complaint and accusation.
Outside the window, rain has begun to fall unknowingly, pitter-pattering.
In the silent night, the sound of rain grows louder.
The moon climbs atop the willow tips, its silver radiance overflowing onto the ground. Amid the chilling, whispering wind, Marquis Mansion is exceptionally serene.
He, with a certain fierceness, took for himself the beauty he had coveted for many years.
The large raindrops fall with an unstoppable force, drip-dropping.
Passing through layers of leaves, they hit the crabapple flowers, which unbeknownst to anyone, have blood stealthily ahead of ti, now glamorous and dripping wet, startling the pistils into a delicate tremor.
When she was lost in disarray, her body was filled.
————
When Cui Yun returns, he carries the cold air with him. Considering her delicateness, he only commanded for water to be changed twice last night, but he himself had a sleepless night.
As soon as day broke, he went out to practice swordsmanship for a while.
Seeing her awake, his eyes soften, and he steps towards her.
Unexpectedly, Shen Hua glances at him haughtily, quickly averting her gaze. As he approaches, the girl deliberately shows her rejection to communicate, turning away and presenting the back of her head to him.
Cui Yun can’t help but chuckle quietly.
During the morning al, Ningzhu and Ji Qing both withdraw, leaving just the two of them in the room.
Shen Hua, discontented, does not hesitate to clash with him.
Whatever Cui Yun picks up, she snatches it away first.
Of course, Cui Yun is deliberately letting her do so. However, Shen Hua will not be grateful for it. In no ti, her bowl is piled up like a small mountain, about to topple over.
Just then, a serving of shrimp dumplings arrive from across, infuriatingly, he serves them with ease and stability.
They don’t fall.
No longer shaky.
A serving of shrimp dumplings, harmonious and steady.
Shen Hua watches intently for a mont, then tries to add another piece of dim sum.
Just to hear him say softly, "Eat more, being so hungry, it seems I wore you out yesterday."
Shen Hua glares at him.
The ground is a bit damp, but there are no puddles.
When heading to the main courtyard, Shen Hua walks very slowly.
Last night her skin was broken, and afterward, Cui Yun applied dicine to her. Now, it doesn’t feel as fiery and unbearable as before. But her legs still feel weak.
Cui Yun steps forward to support her waist, "Today after the court session, Governor Zhou ca to seek privately, wanting to diate a marriage for his sister."
Shen Hua blinks her eyes.
"Is it brother?"
Cui Yun responds affirmatively.
Shen Hua frowns, her mood sinking, "In fact, after Ji Teng ascended the throne, when brother ca back from Fengzhou that year, he must have been heartbroken for a while. He also intended to let go of the past, and before the New Year, Mama had her eye on a girl. He didn’t accept at the ti but didn’t rush to refuse either."
Young love, although unripe, is also carved deep in the bones and branded in the heart.
Moreover, he missed it twice over two lifetis.
But people, look forward as they walk on.
"Back then, Mama was ready to take our birth charts to the Daoist School to inquire. If it was a suitable match, the matter would be nearly settled."
"But at that ti, I received a letter from Zheng Qianyu."
"Sister Xiao died in childbirth."
At this point, disdain laced her eyes.
"Not even a month had passed since her death, and her husband moved on to marry another."
"Sister Xiao’s marriage was forced by her family; the Wei Family was wealthy, with several concubines in the household. To put it bluntly, the Xiao Family sold their daughter."
In this world, a man taking several concubines really isn’t sothing extraordinary. If he frequents the lanes of pleasure, at most he is chided for being a playboy.
The Wei Family treated Xiao Sesu well, and at that ti her husband was also considered considerate. Everyone said Xiao Sesu was fortunate; even without Mr. Shen, the Wei Family was eager to wed her.
Information that Zheng Qianyu could obtain, Xie Xun was certainly in the know. At that ti, Xie Xun left Shengjing. Rushing all the way there, he beat the man up.
But what did Wei Dun say?
——I am the sole heir of my family, tasked with continuing the lineage. When Lady Xiao was alive, I cherished her like a treasure, but now that she’s gone, I can’t pine for her forever.
——My mother said that a woman dying in childbirth is a terrible on, and I remarried so I could wash away the ill fortune with happiness.
She was infuriated hearing such words.
"Sister Xiao was soone brother held so dear he dared not even touch her, how could he!"
"After brother returned, I never heard Mama ntion the marriage again, and I don’t know what else might have happened."
All she knew was that night, the siblings sat together drinking.
She didn’t dare to ntion Xiao Sesu at all.
As Xie Xun drank glass after glass, Shen Hua dared not dissuade him.
After so ti, she heard Xie Xun’s self-mocking while drunk.
"The girl from the Chu Family that Mama selected is a fine girl, but I can’t bring myself to waste her life.
He closed his eyes, a mix of unwillingness and pain in his voice, barely audible: "I thought I had let her go, but it seems like I’m still waiting for her."
Thus, he’d rather have no resolution than settle for less.
Over at the main courtyard, Cui Rong stood on tiptoes, peeking outside the yard. Seeing soone, her eyes lit up, and she quickly began to scorn.
For such a short distance, she had to be supported by Uncle Er while walking, which seed overly delicate.
What, are her legs broken? Can’t she walk by herself?
"You’re quite late."
No sooner had she complained than she saw Shen Hua shooting a glare at Cui Yun.
Cui Rong: "Already married and yet lazy enough to sleep in. Midday al is almost upon us."
"I heard you and Uncle Er also need to enter the palace. Eh? I’m talking to you, why are you pinching Uncle Er? Did he offend you?"
"Rong."
"Hm?"
Cui Yun: "Let’s go inside."
Shen Hua snorted coldly: "You still know sha."
Cui Yun gazed intently: "Children speak their mind; I don’t really care. But your ears, they’re as red as if they’re bleeding."
Her serious little face stiffened.
Watching the bouncing Cui Rong in front, the girl seed more unbearable by the look.
"Little ghost."
Cui Rong turned back.
Shen Hua murmured: "It’s been quite so ti since I’ve paid attention to your studies."
Cui Rong was on alert.
Hearing this, Cui Yun also recalled sothing: "The teacher is getting older and has expressed wish to retire, I’ve agreed."
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