CHAPTER 366: CHAPTER 364: CUI JI, THE PERSON I LIKE IS LU YING

The annex was filled with steaming heat.

Shen Yinning fingered the bronze key hanging on her chest.

This was a relic that her brother had entrusted to Yan Zhehai to give her. She still did not know where the corresponding lock was.

She repeatedly recalled the words her father and brother had said before the whole family was imprisoned, but they were just ordinary conversations, without a single clue to indicate that the disaster had stemmed from her.

Cui Ji came over holding a tray.

On the tray were a small white porcelain urn filled with flower petals, a fragrant soap cream, and two snow-white towels.

He scattered the flower petals into the bath barrel. "The ramblings of dying men, Your Highness, are nothing to take to heart. Back then, you were just a naive young girl, unaware of worldly matters. How could you have caused such calamity?"

Shen Yinning’s expression was still grim, the fingertips clutching the key faintly whitening. "Cui Ji, if it really was I who caused the deaths of my father and brother, I will never forgive myself in this lifetime."

"It wasn’t Your Highness’ fault." Cui Ji picked up a towel and applied a warm compress to the back of her neck. "Most likely, it was Shen Yan, jealous of your father, framing and incriminating him. Coupled with the Emperor’s fear of powerful courtiers amassing private armies, the two joined forces, which led to the demise of your father and brother."

His voice was steady and reassuring, like a lifeline Shen Yinning had grasped amid a stormy sea.

Shutting her eyes, Shen Yinning leaned against the edge of the bath barrel, enjoying the way Cui Ji kneaded her shoulders and neck. Gradually, her breathing steadied.

After a while, she suddenly murmured, "Cui Ji, if one day I were to kill the Emperor, would you still stand by my side?"

The night rain tapped against the windows, the sound of banana leaves echoing rhythmically.

The chill of a summer night seeped in through the gaps in the windows and doors, winding its way inside.

The audacious word "kill the Emperor" had left her lips so effortlessly.

Shen Yinning spoke softly: "He is your father."

Cui Ji lowered his head, continuing to massage her shoulders and neck little by little.

The girl’s skin was as pale and smooth as jade, and under his ministrations, it tinged faintly pink. He applied some pearl peach blossom cream to his palms, then pressed down along her arm until he clasped her delicate, soft hand.

The heady sweetness of the cream filled his nostrils.

In his sight was only the beautiful, vibrant girl in the bath barrel.

He said, "Cui Ji has no father."

"Hmm?"

Cui Ji’s voice was colder than the night rain: "Cui Ji’s mother was once promised to someone. But later, during an imperial campaign, when he passed through the village where my mother lived, he saw her during the day and thought she was beautiful. That night, he crept into her boudoir and stole her purity."

Shen Yinning froze.

She hadn’t expected such a turbulent past in Cui Ji’s lineage.

"Mother was disgraced, and the engagement was broken. He refused to reveal his identity, leaving only a jade pendant as a token, promising my mother that one day he’d bring her to the Capital to live a good life. But soon, he forgot about her. To a woman, it was a lifetime of ruin; to him, it was just an impromptu indulgence. For twenty years, he never once remembered my mother."

Cui Ji’s tone was calm, yet every word dripped with sarcasm.

He continued, "Your Highness, Cui Ji owes his existence to him and does not dare to hate him. But Cui Ji’s mother died because of him, and for that, Cui Ji will never love him, respect him. If you kill him, to Cui Ji, it would be no different than the death of a stranger."

Their fingers interlocked.

Though the steamy mist behind the folding screen billowed thickly, Cui Ji’s skin emitted a chill.

He lowered his long lashes, and his jet-black eyes held the endless drizzle of spring rain.

Shen Yinning was silent for a long time.

Her gaze fell upon the lock of white hair at Cui Ji’s temple. Reaching out, she wordlessly touched his forehead.

Cui Ji allowed her touch, his eyes gradually darkening with a quiet, smoldering intensity.

He lowered his head, tentatively pressing his lips to the girl’s.

She was warm.

Like a blazing, radiant flame. Being near her, he no longer felt so desolate and cold.

Cui Ji pressed down on Shen Yinning’s delicate shoulders, parting her lips, kissing her hungrily. It was as if he wanted to devour her entirely, to keep this fire burning for him alone forever.

"Mmm..."

Shen Yinning leaned back against the edge of the bath barrel. Yet, in her mind, Lu Ying’s face surfaced.

Her breath quickened as she tried to push Cui Ji away, but she couldn’t move this seemingly slender scholar. Instead, he pinned her hands above her head, lifting her out of the bath, stepping over the water and scattered petals, and carried her to the bamboo cot in the annex.

He loomed over her.

Shen Yinning’s lips were sealed, rendering her unable to call for help.

Tears streaked down her cheeks, and suddenly, she bit down on Cui Ji’s lip ferociously.

Cui Ji winced from the pain, the lust clouding his dark eyes clearing somewhat.

He cupped his lips, staring blankly at Shen Yinning.

Shen Yinning pulled the brocade blanket to cover herself. "Cui Ji, the one I love is Lu Ying."

Cui Ji’s eyes turned red: "Even after he’s been deposed, you still love him?"

"Yes."

"Then what about me? What am I to you?"

"Family."

The seemingly gentle word felt like the sharpest blade in the world, plunging deeply into Cui Ji’s heart.

He clenched his fists tightly, bloodshot eyes growing darker.

Shen Yinning’s tone turned icy. "From now on, you are not to step foot in Shen Garden."

The next day.

Shen Yinning had been occupied throughout the night dealing with Shen Yan’s matters and only woke at dusk the following afternoon.

Haitang assisted her with her grooming and reported, "The guards followed Your Highness’ orders and hung Shen Yan’s headless corpse at the gates of Shen Guogong Mansion overnight. By morning, the citizens had discovered the corpse, causing an uproar in the Capital. Mrs. Qin was furious and personally went to both the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Justice to demand justice for Shen Yan. After all, Shen Yan was a government official, and this blatant provocation has enraged the Imperial Court. Master Cui has already left; he’s likely returned to the Ministry of Justice to handle the case."

Shen Yinning, adjusting her hairpin, lazily yawned.

Cui Ji was her man.

No matter how thoroughly the Ministry of Justice investigated, they’d find no connection to her.

She thought of Lu Ying, still confined in her bedchamber, and instructed, "Have dinner prepared at Wanxiang Pavilion. Tonight, I’ll dine with Brother Lu Ying."

Having eliminated an enemy, Shen Yinning was in high spirits, even ensuring the evening meal was especially sumptuous.

She arrived dressed to the nines, affectionately linking her arm with Lu Ying’s. "Brother Lu Ying, Shen Yan is dead. Won’t you have a drink or two with me to celebrate?"

Lu Ying subtly withdrew his hand. "Last night, I saw everything from behind the window."

Shen Yinning carefully studied his expression and probed, "You’re upset? Though Shen Yan was once your father-in-law and helped secure your position as Crown Prince, in recent years, he not only embezzled and abused his position but also privately traded official titles under your name and oppressed the common people. I thought you’d long despised him and wouldn’t care about the fate of such a corrupt official."

Lu Ying said, "I do not care about his life or death."

"Then why the long face?"

"Didn’t you already celebrate with Cui Ji last night? Why seek me out to celebrate again today?"

Shen Yinning raised an eyebrow, then chuckled softly. "Brother Lu Ying, you’re jealous."

"I am not."

"You are." Shen Yinning linked her hand in his with a bright, teasing smile. "Brother Lu Ying, there is nothing improper between Cui Ji and me."