Chapter 412: Chapter 411: Cousin, Kiss Me Again
The candlelight inside the room crackled noisily.
Shen Hua, dressed in begonia red, with her ink-black hair cascading down like a waterfall, slowly moved to a corner of the bed after climbing on. She rolled up the bedding and wrapped herself into a clumsy, round cocoon.
Having done these, she felt much more at ease.
Footsteps approached from afar.
Cui Yun, freshly washed, came around the screen and walked slowly. His gaze fell slightly, and the girl tightened her wrap around herself, closing her almond eyes and pretending to sleep.
He showed no surprise and, as usual, blew out the unnecessary lamps, leaving only one for nighttime use, before he leisurely walked toward the bed.
He lowered the mosquito net, covering half of the light, dimming the surroundings making it hard to see clearly. The bed slightly sunk as he lay down.
She waited a long time, and he did not react.
Shen Hua carefully opened one eye.
Cui Yun lay flat, in a very standard sleeping position. He did not open his eyes but seemed to guess that Shen Hua was secretly watching. Hence, he moved his lips slightly.
"Busy tomorrow, sleep, tired."
Completely different from the man at Qin Chu Pavilion who would engage her in acts against the wall.
Earlier, when they spoke frankly with each other, Shen Hua awkwardly thought that if Cui Yun really wanted to try, she would just let him once.
After all, Cui Yun had emptied his family fortune, she naturally had to make some sacrifices. Anyway, with eyes closed everything would pass.
But Cui Yun did not.
He was very gentlemanly. No other movements and he even planned to sleep. He didn’t even fight with her for the bedding.
Shen Hua understood!
Cui Yun was just a pretty boy with sharp words!
The girl couldn’t help but feel secretly overjoyed, thinking that Cui Yun, like her, felt that the act was disgustingly unnecessary. After organizing her thoughts, Shen Hua became fearless and resolute.
A delicate white hand reached out, generously covering Cui Yun with a corner of the bedding.
The sounds by her ear were rustling. Cui Yun didn’t open his eyes, but the girl’s soft body rolled over.
Cui Yun naturally wrapped his arms around her, kissing her hair. He didn’t open his eyes.
"Tomorrow the Luo Family is hosting a banquet, would you like to come along?"
Cui Yun rarely visited Qin Chu Pavilion, mostly Ying Shi impersonated him. It was only when Luo Chengdong was present that Cui Yun would personally handle it.
Luo Chengdong was the Prefecture Experience of the government office, slick and smooth in handling things. Going to the Luo Residence, it seems not just a simple banquet. With Ji Teng operating in the shadows, it compelled Hengzhou officials who wanted to meet him for a long time, tomorrow might just be a real confrontation.
Shen Hua was somewhat surprised.
"Not going."
But she quickly realized.
"Do you want me to go?"
Cui Yun’s cool hand caressed the girl’s delicate and luminescent nape.
"If you don’t go, I’m afraid I’ll have to take Nanxiang along."
Just as a murderous look appeared in her eyes, he added.
"Letting you know in advance, don’t be upset with me later."
This kind of banquet was clearly not a proper one. Yang Yu has a penchant for beauty, hence Luo Chengdong surely accommodated Yang Yu’s tastes.
If she did not accompany him, Luo Chengdong would likely make arrangements.
It wasn’t uncommon among the nobility to engage in dirty affairs with publicly shared concubines. Cui Yun knew well that Luo Chengdong climbed to his position by utilising wine and women.
He truly despised that and also didn’t want to play along superficially.
Shen Hua pursed her lips.
"Aren’t you afraid I might blow our cover?"
Cui Yun chuckled, "You are the most astute and sensible girl I have encountered."
Shen Hua loves to stir up trouble, but indeed, she was the most clear-headed and measured.
"Then, in what capacity shall I go?"
"Yang Yu is already married," he said.
Shen Hua pondered.
She had applied ointment on her body, the faint scent penetrated his nostrils, and Cui Yun’s drowsiness faded considerably. He held her even tighter.
"How have you been during those few days in Fengzhou City?"
Fine!
She caused a mess, even bullying people right at their doorsteps.
However, the words that she almost voiced, came to fruition.
"Not good."
The girl pouted weakly, "You know too, those people are truly ruthless beasts in human skins, doing all sorts of evil. They’ve wanted me dead for a long time, seizing every opportunity to bully me harshly. How can I, a delicate girl who would not even hurt an ant, possibly cope?"
"I am truly miserable."
Cui Yun remained silent.
He truly did not believe a word.
Yet Shen Hua carried on excitedly, grievously retorting: "Shen Qu wants to take me back, naturally, I dare not comply, but now he targets my newly opened shop. He’s vicious and can’t bear to see me well."
"Mrs. Xue is no good either, she looks at me as if she wants to devour me."
"The clan elders also bully me, ungrateful for my kindness, taking advantage of their age, they criticize my lack of manners in front of everyone."
Shen Hua: "They see that I’m unprotected and even think that you have abandoned me. I returned to Fengzhou City in disgrace."
Cui Yun’s expression darkened, taken unawares.
He had crossed swords with Shen Qu before and indeed, Shen Qu was nothing but a hypocrite.
If one really thinks about it, Shen Qu’s behavior is an imitation of Shen Zhi, clearly annoying.
Dealing with these people was a matter of a simple word for him, but revenge, after all, needed to be carried out by Shen Hua herself.
He tenderly kissed the girl’s rosy lips.
"What should we do then?"
"Do you need my help?"
Shen Hua buried her head in his chest, affectionately clutching his collar.’
"Yes."
"Cousin, kiss me again."
Listening to her calling him ’cousin’ repeatedly, Cui Yun’s eyes grew darker.
She whispered softly, "It’s not enough."
————
The next morning.
Guests arrived at Cheng Garden.
"I was afraid you would decline again, so I came personally to invite you. Is my sincerity not enough?" Luo Chengdong laughed heartily.
While speaking, he casually mentioned, "Knowing you are doing business in Hengzhou, you must be more familiar with the market than I. Mr. Yang, we have some acquaintance, and I’ve always wanted to get to know you."
Though he addressed him as a brother, he was old enough to be Cui Yun’s father.
The issue with the mines couldn’t be dragged on any longer.
Recently, he received a letter from higher-ups.
The Fourth Prince raising private soldiers and manufacturing weapons costs money. With commands from above, they were naturally under pressure and in urgent need of finding new business partners to engage in this extremely profitable trade.
Luo Chengdong did not know that the letter he received had been tampered with and switched.
Over these days of acquaintance, he had come to appreciate Yang Yu, who was bold yet meticulous.
Being just a small Prefecture Experience, the Prefect also intended to meet Yang Yu.
Speaking of this, he hinted, "I keep a house full of Yangzhou thin horses in my residence; though broken, each knows their duties. I reckon you would like them too."
Shen Hua, sleepy-eyed, emerged from the house.
Hearing this remark, she stood there, neither able to leave nor stay.
Luo Chengdong noticed her.
A flash of admiration appeared in his eyes.
"This—"
"You’re so fortunate! Secretly keeping a concubine while having a younger sister."
Last night an Oiran served him, and today he keeps another beauty! Truly living up to Yang Yu’s reputation.
Shen Hua, who thought she would have to play the role of the official wife, her eyes suddenly sparkled.
That despicable, jealous concubine.
She could do it!
Cui Yun felt a headache coming on.
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