Chapter 436: Chapter 434: Zhaozhao, I hate that I cannot die for him
The hall was in an uproar.
Lu Ying glanced at Shen Yinning.
Her beautiful little brows furrowed slightly, as if she couldn’t believe the news.
Lu Qing was the first to scowl, and said sharply, "When two countries are at war, an envoy is not executed! Has Jiang Country gone mad?! Or do they simply not regard our Great Zhou?!"
The eunuch sweated profusely, "This servant heard that the Monarch of Jiang Country initially treated Vice Minister Cui with courtesy and even specially invited the legitimate Princess to dance for him. However, Vice Minister Cui allegedly flirted with the Princess, attempting to take liberties, which angered the Monarch of Jiang Country!"
"Impossible!" Shangguan Min trembled with anger, "I haven’t known Cui Ji for long, but I know he is not the type to be lewd towards women! He writes such excellent articles, and even drafted the law that requires punishment for the dishonor of women; he would never go against his own principles!"
The eunuch shrunk his neck, "This servant does not know much about it."
Shangguan Min turned angrily to Lu Ying, bowing, "Your Majesty, please seek justice for my husband!"
Lu Ying’s face was cold and stern, "I am unaware Jiang Country dares such bold actions. This matter, I will get to the bottom of it."
This was a serious matter.
And Cui Ji’s current status was not just that of an imperial envoy but also of the Imperial Family of Great Zhou.
Thus, the full moon banquet dispersed hastily, and Lu Ying went straight to the Imperial Study to gather ministers for discussions.
Shen Yinning returned to Furong Palace.
She sat on a soft couch by the window, pressing a hand against her forehead.
Haitang was worried, "Commandery Princess..."
Shen Yinning’s voice was very soft, "Will he die?"
No matter how she imagined, she couldn’t foresee Cui Ji dying in a foreign land for such a ridiculous reason one day.
How is that possible?
Haitang tried to comfort her, "We should wait for more accurate news. The road is long, and history has seen ludicrous miscommunication on military matters, let alone matters of life and death? Perhaps there’s been a mistake, or maybe someone with a similar name?"
Even though she said so, Shen Yinning couldn’t feel any comfort.
At night, Lu Ying came to Furong Palace.
Shen Yinning rarely spoke first, "How is it?"
Lu Ying removed his cloak.
He sat down, took a sip of hot tea, then his voice deepened, "The matter is true."
The hall suddenly fell silent.
After a long while, Shen Yinning shook her head, "I have known Cui Ji since our humble beginnings; I know he is not someone who covets women’s beauty. I could even believe he stole Jiang Country’s secrets, but I cannot believe he would behave lewdly towards women!"
Lu Ying looked at her.
Does she so firmly believe in Cui Ji’s character?
A shadow of darkness crossed his narrow eyes, and he said, "It is said that the Princess of Jiang Country bears a similar resemblance to you."
Shen Yinning stared at him.
"I do not lie. If Zhaozhao does not believe, send someone to inquire, and you will know. The mother of the Princess of Jiang Country is not only the Empress of Jiang Country but also of noble birth, being the legitimate Princess of Wei Kingdom. In today’s world, Great Zhou, Bei Yan, and Western Wei are the three major powers, and other minor nations depend on them. Because the matter involves Western Wei, Cui Ji was severely punished by the Monarch of Jiang Country."
Shen Yinning still could not fully believe it.
Lu Ying added, "It is said that Cui Ji drank too much at the banquet and mistakenly thought that Princess was you, so he behaved presumptuously."
Shen Yinning went to the window.
Outside the flower window was a lingering spring night, carrying a slight chill in the wind, which made her body cold.
Even though Lu Ying’s description of the case was perfect, with full motives, her inner voice still told her it was impossible.
She didn’t look back, only hoarsely said, "Lu Ying, could all this be your design?"
"How could it be?"
Lu Ying embraced her from behind.
He lowered his head to kiss her neck, "Even though Cui Ji and I are rivals, you know full well what kind of person I am. How could I harm a Court official for my selfish desires? Zhaozhao, asking such a question shows how little regard you have for me."
The man’s kiss was fiery and lingering.
Shen Yinning turned to push him away but was restricted to the window.
He gripped her chin, meeting her eyes closely, "I know, you and Cui Ji are kindred spirits in adversity. Those three years in Gan State, it was him who stayed by your side, helped you through the most difficult times. In this aspect, I am not as good as him. Now that he dies in a foreign land, I am also deeply saddened, wishing I could die in his stead. In this way, Zhaozhao might not be so sad."
In the spring night, soft rain, the sound of insects murmuring.
Two palace lanterns hung outside, the fire reflecting a gentle and desolate color on Lu Ying’s face.
A pained emotion swelled in his eyes, "Does Zhaozhao also wish for me to die in his place?"
Shen Yinning turned her face away.
The strange feeling in her heart grew stronger; she indeed suspected Lu Ying’s involvement, but there was some truth in his words.
As dignified as he was, would he really harm a minister for personal greed?
After a long time, she stated firmly, "Until I see Cui Ji’s body, I don’t believe he just died like that."
Lu Ying gently caressed her cheek, "I heard Jiang Country has already sent back his body. But now that the weather is getting hot, and the journey is long, the body might have decomposed. Even though I disliked him, he was a person as clear as a bright moon; it’s a pity he ended up in such a situation."
"Stop pretending to be sad." Shen Yinning brushed off his hand, "Stay away from me!"
She wore a cold face and went to the adjacent hall for bathing and changing.
Lu Ying stood alone by the window.
Until Shen Yinning’s figure disappeared from view, he casually glanced at the bed couch.
Attached to the bedside was a small red paper portrait of Cui Ji.
It was before the new year, something Zhaozhao had him cut.
He slowly walked over, peeled off the portrait, and with a playful intent, tore it to shreds.
The little portrait had annoyed him for a long time.
In the shadow of the bed curtains, a young man in a dark robe with a golden hairpin let out a satisfied sigh.
The usually dignified and aloof expression was replaced by a sinister and cold smirk, shadows covering his brows and lashes filled with a teasing smile, as if a sanctified sage stepped down from the altar, determined to enter the tumultuous sea of sins.
...
Half a month later, Cui Ji’s body arrived in the Capital.
Shen Yinning and Shangguan Min went to see it together.
But as Lu Ying said, due to the long journey, the body was already decomposed, unrecognizable.
Only a lock of white hair combed at the temple seemed to confirm his identity.
"Zhaozhao..."
Shangguan Min trembled as she held Shen Yinning’s hand.
Even though she was Cui Ji’s legitimate wife, she had not yet developed deep, heartfelt emotions for him; thus, despite her sorrow, she did not cry.
In fact, in the vast Capital, no one wept for Cui Ji.
At the Cui Mansion’s mourning hall.
Shen Yinning, clad in white, followed behind Shangguan Min, receiving those who came to pay respects.
She coldly watched the guests.
None of them wept for Cui Ji, caring only to socialize with the high-ranking officials present.
Cui Ji...
This man spent ten years burning the midnight oil, from Gan State all the way to the Capital, rising from a destitute scholar to the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice; yet at his funeral today, no one seemed to truly care about him.
Shen Yinning’s heart was ice-cold.
Even her extremities were tinged with cold.
By night, the guests who came to pay their respects had all left.
Shen Yinning saw that Shangguan Min was exhaustively weary and advised, "Sister, you should go rest; I will keep watch here."
Shangguan Min hadn’t slept well in days and could barely stand now.
She nodded, staggered away under the maid’s support.
Shen Yinning knelt in front of the coffin, looked up at the white character "Sacrificial" and still felt dazed and incredulous.
Deep down, she kept feeling that Cui Ji was not dead...