CHAPTER 535: CHAPTER 524: MISS SHEN’S POOR HEALTH, CUI YUN ALWAYS COMES TO VISIT

Inside the room, there was a drawn-out silence of death.

Xuan Chen felt it was absurd, yet he could not help but believe. The hand underneath his sleeve clenched.

"What about her?"

Someone sighed, "She chose death over submission."

The Imperial Family’s matrimonial matters were naturally as complex as they could be. The Astronomical Observatory was in charge of the marriage arrangement, set for one year later.

Just then, war broke out in the Northwest, and the situation became tense.

In the Wen Family Ancestral Hall, there hung an imperial gold medal, and with it, the ’disaster’ could not befall the entire family. The Wen Family’s daughter, Qing, was clear about this and attempted suicide by poison.

But it was unsuccessful.

By this time, the matter had blown up, attracting the scrutiny and commentary of the literati, all articulated with precision.

At this critical moment, three skilled Generals died in battle, and since then, our army has suffered defeat after defeat. The Emperor, instead of being worried, is actually pressuring a girl?

Incapable and shameless.

Truly incompetent!

The public outcry was too great to suppress.

This was also the first marriage Emperor He had decreed and then rescinded with his own hands.

Xuan Chen’s breathing was barely audible. He stood still for a long time, completely motionless. His voice was hoarse and harsh.

"Brother, was I good to that little girl?"

"Good."

"Then it’s settled."

Xuan Chen’s hands were trembling, but all at once, extremely calm.

"Back then, it seems I did what a father should have done."

"But that was just me at that time. Now that nothing has happened, what has it got to do with the current me? I have no need to bear those burdens. Nor was she the one I had been waiting for."

Even...

One could selfishly say.

"Her existence only serves to prove that I have wronged her."

This is a terribly frightening thought.

And something unforgivable.

Xuan Chen was covered in cold sweat.

He was clear and certain.

Without a doubt, he was to have Wen Yiran!

"It’s better for you not to know, yet you insisted on asking thoroughly, why bother?"

"I must bear what needs to be borne. I cannot leave Brother alone with the pain. I need to understand the unattainable desires from then, and the hard-earned situation of today."

Hearing these words, Cui Yun sparingly lifted his hand and patted. His tone was unexpectedly calm.

"Another one with deep affection."

As he said this, he looked at Cui Bai.

"What about me?"

"It seems I am also responsible."

Cui Bai said nothing, only looking towards Xuan Chen.

"The marriage is rushed; have you thought about an explanation for the public?"

Xuan Chen: "Dowager Wen’s health has not been great recently, she needs some happiness to brighten her spirits."

In Da Qi, cheering someone up with a wedding was never done on a grand scale; just as an elderly person with white hair, celebrating longevity, would not wish for fireworks to disturb the peace. This is a widely known taboo.

The matter has been dealt with properly.

"When is the wedding date?"

Xuan Chen: "In half a month’s time."

"The wedding is urgent; can Miss Wen’s bridal gown be prepared in time?"

Xuan Chen spoke softly: "We can only buy it."

Moreover, he would have to ask someone else to purchase it in secret, so that no one would notice. He couldn’t even give her a grand wedding.

Cui Bai smiled warmly: "That shouldn’t be difficult, the Shen Family’s embroidery workshop in Fengzhou is renowned everywhere. Just let Weizhen make the trip."

Xuan Chen looked at Cui Bai, then at Cui Yun. He bowed slightly to the latter: "I must trouble my cousin for this."

Cui Yun: ??

He couldn’t help but remind: "Half a month."

Does he mean to make me go back and forth?

Cui Bai seemed oblivious to his dismay: "Ride your fine horse there. Brother isn’t asking you to travel day and night without rest. As long as you care enough about your cousin, you will make it in time."

Cui Yun furrowed his brows tightly.

Just then, Qiong Kong came in from outside.

"My Lord, there is news about Ni Kang’s whereabouts."

He no longer called Cui Bai Young General. It was not appropriate.

Cui Yun: "Ni Kang?"

Cui Bai nodded.

"This time, you’ll accompany Qiong Kong. When the wedding garments are ready, let Qiong Kong deliver them. There’s no need for you to rush back, instead, go and invite Ni Kang to come out of seclusion."

"Brother, are you injured?" Cui Yun sat up straight, looking concerned.

"It’s not me."

Cui Yun lay back down with a look of world-weariness: "Then why should I look for him?"

Ni Kang possessed great medical skills, yet he was known to have an odd temper. Many wanted him to come out of seclusion, but those who could actually persuade him were few and far between.

At that time, Cui Yun could manage it, and he would surely be able to do so again.

Cui Bai: "After you find him, take him to the Shen Family in Fengzhou."

Cui Yun had never heard such an impolite request before. Had anyone other than Cui Bai said this, he would have turned on his heel and left.

"The reason?" he asked with a squint.

Cui Bai: "The embroidery workshop sold the wedding garments as a form of thank you."

But these were purchased with money, not gifted!

"That little girl from the Shen Family is in poor health; you ought to visit and check on her illness. Consider it as getting to know the place in advance."

This statement was laden with profound significance.

Xuan Chen’s heavy heart felt momentarily unburdened.

Clearly, he still remembered the time, years ago, when he asked Cui Yun.

— What kind of girl do you fancy?

The youth glanced at Cui Bai then.

— The sister-in-law my brother marries will naturally be the best. I’ll pick according to her temperament.

It seems like she would be a knowledgeable and sensible young lady just like his cousin-in-law. Since Cui Bai speaks so, he naturally approves of this younger brother’s wife.

Xuan Chen seemed to understand, yet he did not actually move. He nodded knowingly: "I see."

"If you don’t invite Ni Kang, we can’t expect someone else to."

"After all, the wedding garments are just a pretext."

Cui Yun: ...

He stood up expressionlessly and walked out expressionlessly. As his body crossed the threshold, he froze for a moment.

The youth tugged at his clothing hem, silent for a moment, then spoke in a voice that was both impatient and awkwardly unnatural.

"What’s her name?"

Cui Bai answered a seemingly unrelated question: "Her mother and brother are easy to get along with; you don’t have to worry."

Cui Yun understood.

It appears that she... lost her husband early on.

Quite pitiable.

"The journey should be of no concern, but when you go to see Miss Shen, you must be careful. Better to set off as you find time than to choose a day; after having dinner, just start your trip."

————

As the night fell, Ji Qing packed his luggage. Following behind Cui Yun closely.

He wanted to open his mouth several times, but seeing Cui Yun’s taut jawline, he swallowed his words back down.

The last time he had seen him like this was when the Third Princess had bashfully and nervously blocked his path.

It’s evident! He’s come across some bad luck!

But seeing Cui Yun’s out-of-character action of drinking from an empty cup, he felt it was still different.

The master is lethargic in front of his own family, but before outsiders, he’s a different person.

He can commit a misdeed without leaving any trace, clean and tidy.

After not giving the Third Princess any face last time, he patiently listened to what the Third Princess had to say, only to comment: "Too bad Cui Yun has scant luck."

He is a very particular person.

Three days later, at 11:45, the Third Princess somehow took a nasty fall, nearly disfiguring herself.

At the moment, Ji Qing doesn’t know what happened, but he sees Cui Yun’s eyelashes quiver slightly.

At least, his heart is in turmoil.

Once out of the mansion, the three of them rode horses.

The night was thick, all houses were uneventful, and all had their red gates closed.

As they passed by Governor Yan Mansion, Cui Yun slowed his horse’s pace.

He looked unexpectedly towards the person standing outside the Governor Mansion holding a lantern.

He squinted his eyes.

Xie Xun.

Xie Xun clearly saw him as well. The two men seldom interacted, and the polite exchanges befitting young men such as themselves were inevitable.

"Where are you going, Second Young Master Cui?"

"Night stroll."

Cui Yun sat on his tall horse, glanced at the Governor Mansion behind Xie Xun: "You..."

Xie Xun smiled, his reply equally disingenuous: "Just passing by."

Cui Yun also smiled: "Fine, I’ll believe that."