Cui Jinbai and Xie Yunhuai were of similar age, both exceptionally talented individuals—one from an aristocratic family, the other from a noble lineage.
During the covert rivalry between aristocratic families and nobles, their youthful arrogance inevitably led to occasional clashes.
The most outstanding naturally attract the attention of their peers. Both Cui Jinbai and Xie Yunhuai had some understanding of each other.
Xie Yunhuai wasn’t slandering but stating a fact: Cui Jinbai was an inflexible man, difficult to persuade.
Shen Xihe’s gaze gently fell upon A-Dai, who had washed his hands and was nibbling on a pastry. “He will listen,” she said.
Meanwhile, Shen Xihe waited for Bu Shulin and Moyu to bring Cui Jinbai. Moyu, following orders, immediately sought out Bu Shulin, who was on duty that day. However, it had become routine for Bu Shulin to feign illness and slip away to gamble, watch cockfights, or court courtesans.
So when she complained of a stomach ache, her superior impatiently waved her off, as if telling her to scram and not bother him.
“What does Youyou want with Cui Shitou?” Bu Shulin asked, displeased, as soon as she met Moyu and learned of Shen Xihe’s intention.
Wasn’t she appealing enough? Cui Shitou was as stubborn and unyielding as a rock in a latrine!
Ever since Bu Shulin had blocked Xue Jinqiao from calling Shen Xihe “sister,” she had changed her form of address. She initially wanted to call her “little sister,” but after one attempt, Shen Yungan drew his sword on her. In the end, she had no choice but to use Shen Xihe’s milk name.
Shen Yungan, upon learning Bu Shulin was actually a woman, didn’t mind much. After all, many people called his sister by her milk name—he didn’t care about that. But only he could call her “little sister”!
"By the princess's order," Moyu replied expressionlessly.
Bu Shulin shot Moyu a disdainful look. Just like Cui Shitou, rigid and utterly devoid of fun.
With a scoff, Bu Shulin went to inquire about Cui Jinbai’s whereabouts. Cui Jinbai wasn’t on duty that day, but the Dali Temple had many unresolved cold cases. He was a pitiable soul—boring, friendless, and devoid of life’s pleasures.
On his days off, he would often bury himself in the Dali Temple, poring over old files, finding meaning in life by solving cold cases. At least, that’s what Bu Shulin thought.
Hearing that Cui Jinbai wasn’t on duty, she guessed he was at the Dali Temple and swaggered over.
The guards tried to stop her, but she shoved them aside. “No vision! Delaying this heir's rendezvous with his lover.The Dali Temple guards were flushed with anger. In their eyes, Cui Shaoqing was a deity, and here was this good-for-nothing playboy tarnishing his reputation everywhere. Yet, they dared not offend Bu Shulin and couldn’t defeat her either.
Cui Jinbai’s face darkened at the sight of Bu Shulin, who promptly misinterpreted it: “Aiyo, are you upset because you haven’t seen me for two days? I knew you’d be angry. That’s why I skipped duty and rushed over to keep you company!”
The guards who followed them in wished they could gag Bu Shulin and cover their own ears.
Listen to that! Filthy words right out of her mouth!
“All of you, leave,” Cui Shaoqing ordered the guards.
He alone should suffer this torment.
“Don’t be like that! How embarrassing—just the two of us? I’m blushing!”
When only the two of them remained in the room, Cui Jinbai—already tempered by repeated exposure to such poison—demanded calmly, “State your business!”
“I don’t like talking; I prefer action…”
Before Bu Shulin could finish, Cui Jinbai had already drawn the sword beside him and pressed it against her neck."Wait, wait, wait..." Bu Shulin gently pushed the sword blade away, "Blades have no eyes. Physical tussling is playful fun, but drawing swords and spears only hurts feelings..."
Before the words faded, Cui Jinbai swung his sword backhanded. Bu Shulin swiftly spread her feet, her body dodging as nimbly as a swimming fish, instantly shifting behind Cui Jinbai. With a spinning motion, she locked his arm and embraced him from behind.
She raised her palm to catch Cui Jinbai’s sword-wielding arm as he swung again, exerted force, and the sword clattered to the ground. Then she tossed a handful of powder, and Cui Jinbai, who turned and inhaled it, stiffened immediately, swayed twice, and collapsed.
Bu Shulin, quick as lightning, caught him, hoisted him over her shoulder, and dashed out of the Dali Temple: "Cui Shaoqing and I are having a private rendezvous—don’t you dare follow and spoil the fun!"
They wanted to give chase, but Worldly Son Bu, if only you’d run a bit slower!
Before the Dali Temple guards could even react,
Bu Shulin’s voice still echoed, but she had vanished without a trace. Yet Bu Shulin, carrying the unconscious Cui Jinbai, soon appeared before Shen Xihe. Shen Xihe: …
Dropping Cui Jinbai, the panting Bu Shulin leaned on the table, grabbed the teapot, and gulped down water.
After a while, she finally caught her breath: "He’s really made of stone, so heavy! I nearly exhausted myself carrying him!"
"Who told you to haul him here like that?"Shen Xihe quickly had Biyu fetch a damp cloth to wash Cui Jinbai’s face, then used a wakefulness scent satchel."
"Didn’t Moyu say to bring him to you quietly, without alerting anyone?" Bu Shulin glanced at Moyu behind Shen Xihe. "I took the chance to test the knockout scented powder you gave me—it works way better than the ones sold outside."
"Where did you snatch him from?" Shen Xihe asked.
"Dali Temple," Moyu answered for Bu Shulin.
"And this is ‘without alerting anyone’? ‘Quietly’?" Shen Xihe stared at Bu Shulin.
"This is called creating a diversion. It’s not the first time I’ve snatched him like this—everyone’s used to it by now and won’t think twice," Bu Shulin declared proudly.
Shen Xihe suddenly felt a twinge of guilt, her conscience rarely stirred, realizing it was somewhat unethical to have had Bu Shulin pester Cui Jinbai to avoid trouble back then.
A fine young man, regarded by noble families in the capital as an outstanding talent and ideal son-in-law, not only had his reputation ruined by Bu Shulin’s antics but also suffered damage to both body and mind.
Xie Yunhuai, witnessing the once-proud young man who used to be his peer in such a sorry state, couldn’t help but feign a cough into his fist, though he was ever the gentleman.
The knockout scented powder was brewed by Shen Xihe, so naturally she had the fastest antidote. Cui Jinbai woke up almost immediately. The moment he opened his eyes, his icy gaze fixed on Bu Shulin, who sat carefreely at the stone table, snacking on tea pastries and ignoring the chill in his eyes. She offered him a half-eaten pastry: "I’ve taken a bite—does that make you want it even more?"
Shen Xihe: …
"Show some restraint." As a proper noble lady, Shen Xihe had never heard such frivolous talk.
Bu Shulin immediately straightened up, wiped the grin off her face, and smiled ingratiatingly at Shen Xihe: "Habit, just habit. I forgot it wasn’t just the two of us today. My apologies, my apologies."
Cui Jinbai’s eyes had been cold before, but now his face turned as dark as a pot.
Especially when he saw Bu Shulin’s fawning expression toward Shen Xihe—it looked for all the world like she was besotted with beauty, obediently following Zhaoning County Princess’s every word!
"Cui Shaoqing, I have a matter to ask of you. I apologize for the offense," said the usually eloquent Shen Xihe, her words now slightly awkward."I dare not accept such words. The Commandery Princess is of noble status, how could I dare harbor resentment?" Cui Jinbai spoke coldly.
"Hey, watch your tone. You can be harsh with me, but you're not allowed to..." Bu Shulin nearly said "not allowed to speak to my Youyou like that," but changed her words at the last moment, "...not allowed to be disrespectful to the Commandery Princess."
Cui Jinbai felt flames shooting from his head.
Her what? The one she holds in her heart?
OpenNovel