The atmosphere was extremely tense. Shen Xihe had Biyu help her stand up. She walked over to Cui Jinbai and bowed: "This matter was my oversight. I hope Cui Shaoqing will be magnanimous."
It wasn't that she needed something from Cui Jinbai. Shen Xihe's behavior stemmed from her understanding of the proud nature of aristocratic scholars. However Bu Shulin had previously abducted Cui Jinbai was their own affair, but this time he had been kidnapped specifically for her sake, which was quite offensive.
Cui Jinbai was the Crown Prince's man. How could those close to him not know about the Crown Prince's feelings for Zhaoning County Princess?
He hadn't actually been angry with Zhaoning County Princess. What angered him was...
Seeing Zhaoning County Princess's pale face, clearly still recovering from serious illness, and considering himself a proper gentleman with Shen Xihe's sincere apology, Cui Jinbai clasped his hands in return: "Please don't blame me, County Princess. This official spoke inappropriately earlier."
"Quick, sit down. Why be so polite with him?" Bu Shulin was heartbroken and hurried over to support Shen Xihe, but was subtly blocked by the quick-witted Biyu.
Bu Shulin then smiled awkwardly, having forgotten that others saw him as a man.
Cui Jinbai gave him a cold glance, preferring not to see what annoyed him, and said to Shen Xihe: "What instructions does the County Princess have?"
Before the Crown Prince left the capital, he had instructed them that whenever Shen Xihe had any needs, they must do their utmost to assist.
"I have someone here whom I suspect was substituted from a prison in the capital. I'd like Cui Shaoqing to investigate." Shen Xihe handed a portrait to Cui Jinbai. "The body has been dissected and is decomposing. I've ordered it to be disposed of."
Shen Xihe had a cleanliness obsession and would absolutely not tolerate a corpse remaining in her residence for long.
The portrait was drawn by Xie Yunhuai. Though Cui Jinbai didn't expose Xie Yunhuai's identity, he recognized his meticulous brushwork. After a glance, he thoughtfully looked over at Xie Yunhuai and asked: "County Princess, if a death row inmate were substituted and released from prison in the capital, it should fall under a minor official's duties. This official still wishes to know how this person came into your hands and why you wish to investigate."
Since she had called for Cui Jinbai, Shen Xihe hadn't planned to hide anything. However, being physically weak and mentally exhausted, Xie Yunhuai took the initiative to explain the whole story, including his investigation into the Jiannanchun Wine matter, though he omitted the part about Adai.
"Are you alright, County Princess!" Cui Jinbai's expression tightened upon hearing this, his voice urgent with concern.
His urgency made Shen Xihe, Bu Shulin, and Xie Yunhuai all turn to look at him simultaneously.
Cui Jinbai realized he had been somewhat indiscreet, but having been in official circles for so many years, he remained composed, still showing concern without offering explanations that might reveal he was covering up: "Is the County Princess unharmed? Should we summon the imperial physician for examination?"
"With Doctor Qi here, I am fine." Shen Xihe smiled weakly. "Thank you for your concern, Cui Shaoqing. There is another matter requiring your attention."
Cui Jinbai: "Please speak, County Princess."
Shen Xihe beckoned to Adai. When he approached, she said to Cui Jinbai: "This child is naturally intelligent. The Cui family school, with its spring recitations and summer strings, carries an elegant reputation—it's an excellent place for study. Please take him there, Cui Shaoqing. In the future, he will not waste the Cui family's cultivation."
She had long planned a place for Adai, just waiting for the right opportunity.
"County Princess, has Adai done something wrong? Don't you want Adai anymore?" Adai thought Shen Xihe was sending him away to another place and grew somewhat panicked."Talents bestowed by heaven, if not seized, will incur divine retribution." Shen Xihe reached out and touched his freshly washed, gaunt little face. "If you wish to serve me, go with Cui Shaoqing to the Cui family and study diligently. When you achieve the highest honors in the imperial examinations, you will be able to undertake great tasks for me."
The thin face with disproportionately large eyes lit up with a brilliant spark. "If I succeed in my studies, can I truly perform great deeds for you, my lady?"
"Mm. If you do not follow Cui Shaoqing, all you can do for me now is guard my gate. When you grow up, I will have no need for a gatekeeper, and you will become useless," Shen Xihe said gently.
"I'll go! I'll go with Cui Shaoqing! I will study hard and learn to read, and I will surely achieve the highest honors!" The boy named Adai nodded eagerly.
Cui Shaoqing glanced at Adai with some surprise. Given the boy's background, this was likely the first time he had heard the phrase "achieve the highest honors," yet he remembered it after one hearing and vaguely understood its meaning. His innate talent was truly exceptional. "Set your heart at ease, my lady. This official will certainly look after him," Cui Jinbai promised.
"The matter of the vicious criminal will trouble you, Cui Shaoqing," Shen Xihe nodded.
"My lady, please focus on recuperating. If you have further instructions in the future, simply send word to this official," Cui Jinbai added.
"I will remember," Shen Xihe replied with a faint smile.
"Since my lady has not yet fully recovered from her serious illness, we shall not disturb you further." Cui Jinbai took his leave, then firmly grabbed Bu Shulin by the arm and dragged him out.
"Hey, hey, hey! Cui Shitou, you want to leave, but I never said I was going! Let go..." Bu Shulin was forcibly dragged away.
She did not struggle hard, half-resisting and half-yielding, allowing Cui Jinbai to take her away. It was not out of a guilty conscience or feeling that she had gone too far earlier, but because she genuinely sensed that Shen Xihe was in very poor health and wanted to let her rest without further disturbance.
Once away from the lady's presence, Bu Shulin easily broke free from Cui Jinbai's grip. "Pulling and dragging like this—what kind of behavior is this?"
Cui Jinbai:...
How could she have the nerve to say that?
Taking a deep breath, Cui Jinbai said, "I know you admire the lady, but you should understand that you cannot marry her. Stay away from her."
Hearing this, Bu Shulin scratched her head, blinked, and thoughtfully circled him once.
"What kind of look is that?" Cui Jinbai felt uncomfortable under her gaze.
"Why should I stay away from her?" Bu Shulin's eyes darted. "Now I get it. I've abducted you before, but you've never been as sarcastic as you are today. So, you're jealous!"
Cui Jinbai's brow twitched, and he snapped, "What nonsense are you spouting!"
"What nonsense?" Bu Shulin wore an expression of having seen through him. "Fair ladies are what gentlemen seek. Though I admire the lady, I don't mind if one more person admires her. You're right—I can't marry her, but you don't stand a chance either."
"Shut up!" Cui Jinbai roared in furious exasperation.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Flying into a rage out of humiliation," Bu Shulin clicked her tongue twice. "I've hit a nerve, haven't I? Alright, alright, I admit I was wrong today. I get it—men always want to appear graceful, handsome, and dignified in front of the women they admire. I shouldn't have thrown you into such a disheveled state before the lady today. I apologize, I apologize. It won't happen again."
Cui Jinbai was so enraged his chest heaved, wishing he could tear apart this scoundrel spouting such absurdities.
Her ability to twist the truth was truly unmatched!
Fuming, Cui Jinbai flicked his sleeve and stormed off in another direction."So what if your thoughts were exposed? Is there any need to be this angry?" Bu Shulin couldn't help muttering, "Not manly at all."
A real man should be like her - daring to love and daring to admit it!
OpenNovel