Chapter 2

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

The sky gradually darkened as dusk fell.

It had started snowing outside at some point, the snowflakes fluttering down the sky. After a night passed, a thick layer had accumulated on the branches, which had bent down into a strange arc as though they could not handle the weight.

Shen Hua leaned against the bed and lowered her gaze, thinking to herself.

However, her heart was already burning with anxiety.

“Mistress, why don’t we plead with the elder? He’s the fairest person and has taken good care of you in the past. I think he can make the right decision.” Yi Cui lifted the curtain and served the medicine sent by the chef.

The black medicinal liquid looked bitter.

The corners of Shen Hua’s mouth twitched, showing a hint of mockery.

Fair?

The elder had colluded with Shen Hewen a long time ago.

It was inevitable that the two of them would add fuel to the fire.

As for taking care of her…

In her previous life, when she was imprisoned, Shen Hewen seized control of the lifeline of the First Branch and targeted her. Shen Xue did not save her. Shen Hua risked everything and pleaded with the elder.

The elder turned his back on her and sent her back to Shen Hewen. His face was as amiable as ever, but his words were heartbreaking.

“Yangyang, listen to your Second Uncle. He’s your father’s brother. How could he harm you?”

“Shen Qu regards you as a sister. You’re the daughter of the Shen family. Your marriage prospects have long been ruined. Moreover, you’re still suffering from a lingering illness and your days are getting shorter. It’s better to be obedient and take the sacrifice for your Second Uncle and Second Brother. It will be worth it.”

“Listen to the elders and stop fooling around. When the time comes, no one will be able to keep their dignity. The family just has to be harmonious.”

He called her by her pet name with the attitude of an intimate elder, but his words were vicious.

Shen Hua took a few sips of the medicine. She did not take the sweet candy that Yi Cui had prepared. After drinking this medicine, there was no real improvement to her condition, but it was better than nothing.

Seeing Shen Hua’s lifeless expression, Yi Cui found some good things to say.

“After the mourning period, Mistress will enter the He family and be protected by Young Master He. With him around, you won’t have to suffer.”

Yi Cui thought that these words would comfort Shen Hua.

However…

Shen Hua merely let out a low laugh. Her smile was mocking, but it was also firm.

“He Chu will come to annul the engagement.”

Yi Cui’s eyes widened.

“No… that won’t happen. Young Master He received the obituary yesterday and was in a hurry to pay his respects. Every word he said was about you, Mistress.

“The wedding date of the two prefectures has been set long ago. How can he go back on his word and do something so heartless?”

Pay respects?

It was nothing more than an opportunity to find out the truth about the Shen family.

That considerate He Chu was just a hypocrite.

The He Family was engaged to her for no other reason than money. The First Branch’s momentum was gone, so the He family would naturally distance themselves in a hurry. They did not even forget to sell them out to the Second Branch.

She was afraid that if she was a step late, she would have to become the He family’s lapdog.

Who could she plead with?

Even if she reported it to the government, she would be ignored.

Shen Wei would be buried soon.

To stop the establishment of a successor was unfilial and disobedient. It would be seen as a huge crime.

Her current self was weak and could not take down the Second Branch. This was an indisputable fact.

—

Shengjing

Marquis of Yangling

The lights in the room were already on, and it was as bright as day.

Smoke was curling upward. It was extremely faint but elegant. It seeped out from the incense burner and filled the room.

Cui Yun sat upright, her expression cold and indifferent. As she flipped through the scrolls, the bearing of a member of an aristocratic family could be seen.

Suddenly, his fingertips moved and he looked up at the window.

Then, with a soft sound, someone broke through the window.

He did not panic at all and calmly retracted his gaze.

Cui Yun put down the book in his hand, but she did not seem interested in entertaining the person.

“What a rare guest.”

The man’s voice was extremely cold. It was as cold as snow, matching his appearance.

If not for his cold personality, the women in Shengjing would have been all over him.

Xie Xun raised his eyebrows and stepped forward. Standing across the table from Cui Yun, he did not look embarrassed at all.

Cui Yun and Xie Xun were not really friends.

However, Xie Xun had something important to ask of him.

“Young Marquis Cui.”

“I want you to help me pick up someone. It is Shen Hua, the daughter of Shen Wei from the Shen family’s embroidery workshop in Fengzhou.”

Xie Xun received the imperial edict and promptly ordered troops to suppress the bandits. He did not waste any time and spoke in a straightforward manner.

He cupped his fists and bowed to Cui Yun.

However, his tone was filled with disappointment.

“Her brother passed away at an early age, but she has a relationship with me. I hope that Young Marquis can settle her down properly. When I return, I will definitely thank you properly.”

Xie Xun thought that he would have to spend a lot of effort on this trip to convince the man.

However, Cui Yun looked at him for a few seconds.

“Very well.”

Xie Xun, who had already prepared a long speech, “…”

Cui Yun frowned. “But…

“You’re best friends with Prince Gong. Why are you asking me for help?”

Xie Xun paused slightly.

He said angrily, “That Ji Huo is famous for being a playboy. He can’t move when he sees a beautiful lady. Shen Hua’s health isn’t great. What if she gets frightened? I don’t know when I’ll return, so how can I be at ease?”

Xie Xun glanced at Cui Yun. In the end, he was just asking for a favor, so he decided to butter him up.

“But Young Marquis Cui, you’re different. Everyone in Shengjing knows that you’re as cold as the moon and won’t lay your hands on a woman.

“All the young masters of those aristocratic families have spread the news in private. Even if the Goddess is standing naked in front of you, you won’t fall in love.

“You’re the most suitable candidate right now.”

This did not sound like a compliment. Instead, it was an insult to the man.

Cui Yun’s expression remained unchanged.

After Xie Xun left, Ji Qing, who was waiting outside the room, entered respectfully.

“Master, you may have to investigate the background of the Shen family’s daughter.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

Although Xie Xun had been outside for many years, he was a member of the Fuguo Public House. How could he not have enough connections?

What was he afraid of?

Xie Xun’s words just now were full of logic holes; they did not make sense.

However, Xie Xun had already guessed that there was no one in the entire Shengjing who was more tight-lipped than him, Cui Yun.

Cui Yun had no interest in Xie Xun’s secrets, nor did he have any intention of prying into them.

Ji Qing said, “Fengzhou is a long way away. If you plan to stay in Shengjing, I can go in your stead.”

“No.”

Cui Yun continued to pick up the book. His fingertips rubbed against each other as he flipped a page. His gaze landed on the densely packed scriptures, and his voice did not fluctuate at all. “I’ll go personally.”

He had never made a losing deal. With just a little effort, he could make Xie Xun, the son of the Duke of Fuguo, owe him a favor.

That was enough.

It was late at night.

Cui Yun rose to his feet, a plan forming in her mind.

He walked out of the courtyard. The night was quiet, and Ji Qing was holding a lamp to illuminate the place.

“Cousin.” A woman’s gentle voice came from not far away.

“I made some sweet soup and brought it here on the old lady’s orders.”

The woman bowed shyly.

Cui Yun frowned.

There were many relatives who had come to the Cui Residence to seek refuge. He had never paid much attention to them, so he naturally could not tell who this person was.

However, his aristocratic blood and self-restraint prevented him from scolding her. However, his words were cold and emotionless, exposing her intentions and extinguishing the young lady’s burning passion.

“I’ll be in the study. No one shall disturb the quiet. It’s late. Cousin, please show some self-respect.”