CHAPTER 349: CHAPTER 347: IS THIS HOW IT ENDS BETWEEN YOU AND THE CROWN PRINCE?

"You’ve braided the tassel quite beautifully," Shen Yinning remarked. "This jade pendant suits you."

A gentleman is like jade.

Cui Ji grew up eating meals from the homes of common villagers in the countryside. He is more sympathetic to the people than any official.

Since taking office, he has worked diligently. Apart from helping her, he has never done anything that violates the law or moral principles.

Now, everyone knows that the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, though young, is honest and upright. The townspeople often see him eating noodles or wontons at roadside stalls, and even the old lady selling vegetables dares to joke with him, enthusiastically introducing him to young maidens and newlywed wives.

Shen Yinning looked at Cui Ji’s refined and noble face: "Killing is not something that requires your involvement. To me, Cui Ji doesn’t need to be stained with blood and lives; Cui Ji only needs to be the original Cui Ji—isn’t that enough?"

A true gentleman is as precious as jade.

Shen Yinning naively thought about her father and brother’s treason case, full of suspicious points, yet not a single official from the Ministry of Justice or the Ministry of Justice had stood up. They had stayed silent, watching as her father and brother were sentenced to execution.

If the one who had overseen the trial back then had been Cui Ji...

Would her father and brother have lived?

Cui Ji’s dark eyes warmed, and he softly murmured, "Yes."

Returning to Shen Garden, as soon as she stepped into the study, Wen Liluo rushed up to her.

The young girl was dressed in a sky-blue Taoist robe, with a crown of white jade lotuses atop her head. Cradling a horsetail whisk, she looked like a disciple of some immortal—radiant and ethereal.

But the moment her small mouth opened, words tumbled out like a torrent, adding a touch of worldly humor to her celestial appearance: "Boss, are you insane?! You actually betrayed the Crown Prince?! We used to lean on the big tree to enjoy the shade, and you’ve gone and chopped the tree down! Are we still running a business? Are we still earning money?!"

Shen Yinning sat down, lazily saying, "I haven’t introduced you yet. This is the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Cui Ji, and this is Wen Liluo, the shopkeeper of Seven Treasures Pavilion."

Cui Ji?

The youngest recipient of the top scholar title?

Wen Liluo finally spared Cui Ji a couple of proper glances, visibly reining in her earlier aggression: "Oh, so it turns out you’re Vice Minister Cui. The honor is mine, the honor is mine."

People like her, who ran businesses, always gained from smooth relations with officials.

Cui Ji remained silent.

This little girl’s ability to switch moods was remarkable; clearly, she was an old hand at this.

Shen Yinning gestured for Cui Ji to sit, while directing Wen Liluo, "Although Lu Ying has fallen, I’ve now connected with Prince Duan. We’re effectively partners. You can continue doing business as usual. If there are any difficulties, take my token to Prince Duan’s mansion. He will undoubtedly help you wherever needed. He’s not like Lu Ying. Lu Ying is rigid and pays no heed to personal relations, refusing to loosen restrictions on various fronts. But Prince Duan is different; he’s more attuned to my wishes."

Wen Liluo, her mouth slightly agape, watched Shen Yinning in shock.

Her boss was too impressive—she had immediately found a powerful new ally!

Shen Yinning stared directly at her: "Is there anything else you’d like to ask?"

"No..." Wen Liluo stammered. "Not for now."

"Then get back to earning money."

"Oh."

Wen Liluo stomped in with fiery resolve but left meekly and obediently.

Yet, just as she stepped out the threshold, she couldn’t resist turning back: "So... your dealings with the Crown Prince are really over?"

Over the past few days, she had been brainstorming love letters with Lu Jiazhe and the others, fully tending to this pairing.

Unexpectedly, her boss turned out to be ruthless, betraying the Crown Prince at the drop of a hat.

Cui Ji couldn’t help but silently look toward Shen Yinning.

He had followed her to Shen Garden, and the thought had been constantly lodged in his heart.

Shen Yinning sipped her tea, replying, "It’s not over."

Wen Liluo’s eyes sparkled.

Shen Yinning set down her teacup, her phoenix-shaped eyes shining with ambition: "He is mine."

It was as if she declared her ownership.

Only then did Wen Liluo leave, satisfied, eager to share the news with Lu Jiazhe and the others.

Cui Ji’s pale face reflected his inner torment, as his lowered lashes concealed the dense pain within his eyes.

Water vapor seeped through the intricate carved window panels, dampening his dark green robe as an icy chill spread through his chest.

Shen Yinning glanced at him: "Feeling upset?"

Cui Ji tightened his fists: "I thought, Commandery Princess, that by throwing yourself into this intricate court game and sacrificing your own reputation to pull him down from the position of Crown Prince, it meant you were utterly disappointed in him and no longer held any affection."

"Disappointed?" Shen Yinning savored the word, opening the lid of the lacquered brass incense burner to toss in a slice of agarwood. "He’s quite excellent—both his looks and background. His conduct and manners are upright and commendable, his sense of national interest solid. Cui Ji, I quite admire him."

Cui Ji pressed his lips tightly together.

The youth’s delicate and handsome visage had turned pale, and his ink-black eyes seemed darker and gloomier than the oppressive storm clouds outside the window.

He had his pride too.

How could he not feel hurt when the woman he loved praised another man right before him?

The agarwood smoldered, its wispy tendrils of fragrance curling from the ornate burner.

Priceless as gold, the costly incense imbued the study with an elegant and serene aroma.

Leaning on her hand, Shen Yinning’s lotus-green dress complemented the intricate jade shelves behind her—an air of opulence and splendor.

She wrinkled her delicate nose, her tone vexed as if sharing a young girl’s private grievances: "If I must find fault in him, it would be his issues with personal relationships. Cui Ji, there are far too many women around him—from Shen Yunxi to the Eastern Palace’s concubines—it’s infuriating just to look at them. And he’s annoyingly sentimental! Simply because of a few years of marriage to Shen Yunxi, he won’t permit me to strike her down. Isn’t that maddening?"

Rain battered the plantain leaves, each sound striking an aching chord.

Cui Ji murmured, "When you speak to me about these things, have you ever considered my feelings?"

Shen Yinning spoke nonchalantly: "You and I are neither spouses nor lovers. Why should I consider your feelings?"

Cui Ji’s nails dug fiercely into his palms.

"Cui Ji, it’s time you married and had children. Your position is unique, and your uncompromising nature has offended many officials in both overt and covert ways. You should take advantage of the Emperor’s reign and request a match befitting your rank. Shangguan Min is an excellent choice—the Shangguan family refrains from siding with any prince, and their ancestors were founding heroes of the dynasty. If you marry into their family, even if you offend others, Prime Minister Shangguan will ensure your smooth ascent."

Cui Ji lowered his gaze.

The Emperor had privately spoken to him about his marriage.

The Emperor’s favored candidate was indeed Shangguan Min.

Shen Yinning studied him intently: "Shangguan Min likes you."

She had overheard Haitang and the others chatting about a banquet at the Prime Minister’s Mansion, where Shangguan Min had taken the initiative to consult Cui Ji on poetry, poured tea for him personally, and even cooked pastries specifically for him—pastries no other guests received.

A proud and talented woman like Shangguan Min only displays such warmth toward someone she truly admires.