Chapter 38

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

After Shen Hua achieved her goal, she pulled back her gaze in satisfaction and did not look at Zhou Zhizhi’s stiff face again.

She stood up straight and said that her previous sable fur had been stained and starched, so she was now wearing a thick earthen gray fur coat.

Although it was not as good as mink fur, fur was extremely precious. It kept her warm, but Shen Hua had always found it ugly and kept it at the bottom of her chest. This was the first time she was wearing it.

“Mistress Shen.”

Ji Qing was standing at the stairs and he gestured for Shen Hua to come in.

“My lord has invited you somewhere. This subordinate will lead the way.”

Shen Hua was not surprised by his appearance. She pursed her lips. In fact, if Cui Yun did not look for her, she would have gone looking for him to tell him everything already.

‘I only hope that everything will go back to the way it should be.’ There was really no need to be unclear.

“Coming.”

Shen Hua took a step forward, but when she passed Zhou Zhizhi, she paused for a moment. She looked at the latter arrogantly from the side, showing off her obedient attitude after gaining an advantage.

Her pale lips opened and closed. Afraid that Ji Qing would overhear her, she deliberately lowered her voice. “See?”

She sighed slightly.

“Lord Marquis can’t leave me at all, so it won’t been long before the people around him came to urge me. You’re so clingy.”

Zhou Zhizhi clenched her fists tightly under her sleeves. She restrained herself and suddenly stood up. Even the air around her became thin. She resisted the urge to break the silence in front of others.

“Then I will not disturb Mistress Shen.”

With that, she left in a hurry, looking like she was fleeing.

One example.

She still dared to put on an act in front of her.

Shen Hua was refreshed and had the posture of a victor. Even her walking was much lighter than before.

His hearing was extremely good, and his expression seemed to be on the verge of collapse.

On this side, Cui Yun had been waiting for a long time.

The room was filled with charcoal fire. He wore a black robe with excellent draping and a piece of black jade hanging from his waist. The cuffs were embroidered with dark patterns of flowing clouds. His aura was overbearing.

Seeing that it was just a misunderstanding, Ji He became embarrassed. His confidence to kick down the door was gone.

“This… You can’t blame me. ”

Who asked Shen Hua to speak so methodically?

For such a good little lady, she really had beautiful thoughts. She even deceived him!

Cui Yun was too lazy to talk to him, so he mentioned the matter of leaving tomorrow.

Ji He’s face darkened.

“I’m not going back! I didn’t even get a seat at last year’s palace banquet!”

The palace banquet was organized by the Empress and assisted by the Ministry of Rites. How could there be such a mistake? It was nothing more than someone deliberately doing it.

However, no one made a decision for him.

At that time, he could only stand alone. In front of him was a full house filled with wine glasses. There was no place for him in the huge palace.

He had no dignity as a prince at all.

Emperor Hun, who was supposed to be the judge for him, never blamed the Empress. He even punished the Ministry of Rites, calling him to his side after the banquet ended and reprimanding him in a deep voice.

“Your mother will definitely be tired from handling the matters. You have to think about her more.”

“It’s just a matter of finding a palace maid to get another chopping board. Why do you have to show off? Are you making the officials laugh at you, or embarrassing your mother?”

He said it lightly, but the rules of the palace were strict. According to the etiquette system, the seats’ arrangement was also extremely important.

Did a prince like him have to sit at the back?

Emperor Hun was just not interested in Ji He, so how could he know about everything?

Ji He had finally managed to break free from the cage and get an opportunity to breathe. If Chu Xi did not show up in front of Emperor Hun, Emperor Hun would not have remembered that he had a son.

Ji He hid the loneliness in his eyes.

“You were there last year, and I became a laughingstock.”

Cui Yun’s expression did not change. His clear eyes were like a pool of thick ink that could not be melted in an instant.

“According to the ancestral system, you should be present. According to the rules, you can’t be absent.

“After New Year’s Eve, the officials will enter the palace city and escort you from the hall. You still can’t make people talk. Why do you have to act on impulse?”

In the end, he was still the one who was punished.

Ji He had always thought that last year’s seat was the Empress’s means and Cui Yun had never told him that it was actually Consort Jing’s idea.

Consort Jing bribed the people from the Ministry of Rites.

The reason was none other than an argument between Ji He and Ji Cong a few days ago.

Ji Cong accidentally bumped into the safety talisman hanging around Ji He’s neck and mischievously asked for it.

If it was any other item, Ji He would have given it to him, but this talisman was given to him by his mother.

It was the only thing that Ji He could see and be reminded of his mother with.

He was naturally unwilling.

Ji Cong had been indulged by Consort Jing to the point of lawlessness. After seeing that he could not get what he wanted, what did he do?

Although they were ‘arguing’, it was just Ji Cong pointing at Ji He and scolding him.

This matter was blown up, and the Empress Dowager, who worshipped Buddha all year round, saw it.

The Empress Dowager did not like Ji He nor Ji Cong.

“It’s just a talisman. How can it compare to brotherhood? He wants you to give it to him. How are we going to end this?”

After reprimanding Ji He, she turned to reprimand Ji Cong.

“What did Concubine Jing teach you? She was already stupid and lef the royal family with no face. What kind of treasure has she not seen before? She was actually so short-sighted! If you want everything you see, what’s the difference between you and a robber?”

Because of this, Consort Jing hated Ji He.

And the Empress was just pushing the boat along, turning a blind eye.

This could be done once, but not twice.

Concubine Jing did it once, and the emperor could side with her, but if it happened again, the emperor would be angry.

After all, the royal family was the one who lost face.

At this year’s banquet, no one dared to play with Ji He.

Moreover, this was the first New Year since Third Prince Ji returned to court.

Ji He exhaled deeply.

“Alright, alright. I’ll listen to you.”

As the two of them were talking, someone knocked on the door. Then, Ji Qing called out respectfully.

“Grandpa.”

“Enter.” Cui Yun said in a light tone.

An ear-piercing creak was heard as the door was pushed open.

This inn had been open for more than ten years. Although it was repaired every year, the door trembled when Ji He kicked it.

Shen Hua walked in thoughtfully.

“Mistress Shen, sit.”

Cui Yun’s temperament was calm.

Shen Hua did not expect there to be other people in the room. Cui Yun did not meet him alone. He was indeed a gentleman, paying attention to the etiquette and rules of the aristocratic family. She heaved a sigh of relief.

“Benefactor, there are some things that you might not like to hear, but I have no choice but to say them.”

Just as she sat down, Shen Hua was one step faster than Cui Yun.

“But this matter must be resolved quickly.”

“Mistress Shen, I’m afraid you’ve misunderstood.” Cui Yun’s voice was cold.

However, she was immersed in her own world and spoke tactfully.

“Since your interest in me hasn’t reached the point where you have to take me, why don’t you stop here? Name your price.”

Cui Yun was speechless.

Shen Hua said, “It’s fine if you don’t open it. I’ll definitely accept your kindness. Why don’t I make a plaque for you out of gold? You can also see the red silk parcel sent in the carriage with gongs and drums that we will take to go all the way back to Shengjing.”

This scene was impressive.

This gratitude was sincere enough.

Shen Hua waited for Cui Yun to agree with her starry eyes.

Cui Yun’s lips moved.

“I do not have any feelings of adoration for you, Mistress Shen.

“It’s my fault. I didn’t explain it in time, so you have such interesting thoughts.”

With a loud bang, Shen Hua felt as if there was a clap of thunder in her ears.