Chapter 376: Chapter 375: Why Did You Lock the Door? What Are You Planning?
In the washroom, mist lingered.
The bathtub was filled with flower petals, and Yicui had added essential oils to it. After placing down her change of clothes, she slowly stepped out.
Shen Hua slipped off her skirt and removed her undergarment. Her slender waist was impossibly delicate to grasp. Her skin was soft and flawless, tender and pinkish.
Barefoot, she stepped in and sat down, the warm water immersing her as she comfortably sighed.
Her pale fingertips stirred the petals, Shen Hua seemed slightly lost in thought. Speaking straightforwardly with Cui Yun might seem too eager.
The matter of going to Fengzhou should also be brought up this opportunity.
She leaned against the bathtub, allowing the steam to tint her cheeks a blush red.
This time, Shen Hua bathed extremely slowly. Soaking for a long time left her feeling weak and dizzy.
Only when the water cooled did she gradually regain her senses and hurriedly got up.
In the inner room, Cui Yun was toying with high-quality chess pieces, but his thoughts were on the matters of the Imperial Palace.
This time, the Governor’s wife, being interrogated with evidence, could hardly lie and confessed everything.
Finally, the long-dead Lord Zhu could be vindicated.
Furious, Emperor He issued immediate orders to imprison the entire Yan Family, waiting for further disposition.
But Cui Yun did not think the Yan Family would suffer much.
Some power would surely come to their aid.
After all, Yan Kun was the right-hand man of the Crown Prince; disposing of him would likely cause factions like the Fourth Prince’s to spring up uncontested, a situation Emperor He was unwilling to see.
Hence, even in his great anger, he did not immediately order the decimation of the Yan Family.
Regarding the events of the day, the righteous old ministers might not verbalize it, but their dissatisfaction with the Emperor would only deepen.
Emperor He wanted to control everything in the court, but Buhuo repeatedly made him lose control.
This situation should indeed be shaken up.
Concerning Ji Wang.
He had sought him not just once.
Not only him but also secretly contacted Xie Xun.
Ji Wang, compared to Ji Zhui, is more intelligent and troublesome.
Cui Yun closed his eyes, feigning sleep, his eyes and brows revealing extreme fatigue.
Not until the girl’s hurried footsteps approached from afar.
Cui Yun looked up.
Shen Hua emerged fresh and slender from the washroom. Her black hair still dripping. She slowly dabbed at it, wearing a loose blouse and covered with an outer robe.
Meeting Cui Yun’s gaze, the girl pondered for a moment, then turned and ’clack’ shut and bolted the door.
People outside: ???
Yicui looked at Ningzhu, then at the door Shen Hua had locked herself. Even though she was usually composed, she was somewhat at a loss now.
Ying Yi emerged from the shadows, about to hand a prepared chicken leg to Yingwu.
Unexpectedly, Yingwu didn’t even look this time.
Yingwu: "Madam bought me six today, and I ate them all."
Upon hearing this, Ying Yi said with a hoarse voice that had been injured by a sharp weapon: "I’ve saved quite a bit of money recently. If you need it, just ask me for it."
In the past, Yingwu would have been touched to death.
But now.
She patted Ying Yi on the shoulder, expressionless.
"I serve directly under Madam, who recently decided to pay me the same monthly wage as Ningzhu. With what Madam and master give, I effectively receive double salary."
Yingwu’s tone carried a slight pride.
"Yesterday, Madam was so happy that she let us take and divide all the jewelry from an entire chest. I reckon, if taken to a pawnshop, it could fetch 500 taels!"
"Ying Yi, times have changed; your little money doesn’t interest me anymore."
"Keep it for marrying a bride."
Ying Yi gazed deeply at her.
For a moment, he didn’t know what to say.
————
Inside the room, Shen Hua approached and instinctively passed over a cotton cloth, assertively saying, "Wipe me."
Saying this, she turned to pick up a small stool and sat down in front of Cui Yun.
Cui Yun lowered his eyelids, not saying anything further.
His actions were gentle and patient.
Previously, Xue Tuan did the same, delivering the wet cloth in a haughty manner demanding him to wipe.
He couldn’t pull on its fur; it would hurt.
He couldn’t be perfunctory; it would not be satisfied.
She’s unbearably delicate.
The person before her seems even more so.
"Where have you been?" His hands keep moving, yet his tone remains indifferent.
"There are quite a few. Both Zhao and Wei families were there."
Shen Hua’s pert eyelashes flickered slightly: "This time, Ji Huo is also involved."
Cui Yun gathered his brows, his tone cooling further: "The Heir of Prince Gong is nothing but a libertine. Better keep your distance from him."
"I do listen to you, of course."
Cui Yun did not believe her.
And tonight, the girl was unusually obedient.
"After all, he is keen on stirring up trouble."
"He did nothing else but said you would flirt around."
Cui Yun momentarily paused.
He replied dispassionately.
"Do you believe it?"
"No, I don’t."
Shen Hua: "He also said he would help Wei Yingying keep a pretty-boy lover."
As for Ji Teng’s affairs, Cui Yun wasn’t concerned.
Thus, this statement brought no reaction from him.
Shen Hua, with her back to him, couldn’t see the murkiness in his eyes.
"What about you?"
Cui Yun leaned in close, his breath by her ear when he spoke brought a slight tickle, making her involuntarily shiver.
"Does Miss Shen wish to keep one?"
Shen Hua felt weak on one side of her body.
"...No."
Soon, Shen Hua replied proudly: "However, I have egged on Miss Wei. That Third Prince dared to drug me previously, we can’t let this go just like that. We have to infuriate him to death."
Cui Yun listened carefully to her till the end.
"Hmm, well done."
He looked at Ji Teng and harbored no illusions. He had wanted to trouble him for a long time.
Being praised, Shen Hua couldn’t help but wiggle her legs. She then remembered something: "That day, who was disguised as Wei Xiheng’s retinue?"
"Ying Shi."
Knowing that Cui Yun had many Hidden Guards under him, and having never met Ying Shi, she asked no further.
"How is Li San now?"
Cui Yun gently brushed her hair in front of her forehead behind her ear: "Why ask about him?"
"Although he was brought by Ji Shimin to harm me, I’m not the narrow-minded type who keeps grudges."
Moments after resolving to deal with Ji Teng, she quipped, "I think his crime does not deserve death."
As she spoke, she touched her hair, which was still wet.
"He is also in prison."
The girl turned around, looking up at Cui Yun.
"Then get him out!"
"You can do it!"
Cui Yun laughed in disbelief.
"Don’t put a tall hat on me."
He had returned early today, reminiscing about the chessboard sent days ago, also harboring the intention to teach Shen Hua.
However, he hadn’t expected to wait long for her to return.
The chess pieces, which Shen Hua intended to make into jewelry, were left untouched as Yan Mi left too abruptly.
After drying Shen Hua’s hair, Cui Yun glanced at the crackling candle flames inside the room.
"Shen Hua."
He asked lazily: "What are you planning by locking the door?"
Shen Hua did not respond.
The thing she wanted to do, not even ten bulls could pull her back!
She walked calmly to the bed, removed her outer robe and embroidered shoes before climbing up.
After lying on the side of the bed, the girl’s pitch-black eyes blinked as she raised her hand and patted the soft pillow beside her, making an invitation to Cui Yun.
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