Chapter 36: I'm Excessively Beautiful, It's Already Annoying to Attract Jealousy!

Shen Hua shrank cautiously into a corner of the carriage.

After dipping the handkerchief in warm water, she carefully wiped away the bloodstains from her face.

The scar stretched long to the corner of her lip, and with Shen Hua's fair complexion, it appeared quite horrifying.

Shen Hua bit her lip tightly, her eyes misty. Her body trembled slightly from the pain.

"The wound is not deep. I've asked the medical staff to prepare some ointment."

Cui Yun's voice was cold, yet it carried a rare hint of reassurance.

Not deep? Shen Hua glanced at him resentfully.

Her precious golden ball was bleeding!

Shen Hua's emotions always rose and fell quickly; Cui Yun had never seen anyone change expressions so fast.

The young lady now puffed her cheeks, looking dejected, as her delicate embroidered shoes peeked from beneath her skirt, adorned with dark plum blossom patterns.

Her toes were twirling in circles.

Shen Hua's mind wandered; she wanted to buy a house, but for now, she could only stay at an inn.

Fengzhou City was neither too big nor too small. To avoid Shen Qu's manipulations, Shen Hua needed to find a safe residence, preferably right next to the Liu Residence.

Once she settled the servants and felt better, she would leave Fengzhou City.

The bustling Shengjing, the beautiful Hengzhou... she wanted to see them all with her own eyes.

Thinking of this, she hummed a cheerful tune. However, when she looked up, she met Cui Yun's enigmatic gaze.

Shen Hua tilted her head and blinked.

Cui Yun didn't show any embarrassment at being caught; he wasn't actually looking at Shen Hua but was instead thinking about a Ministry of Justice case.

Before setting off, he had obtained Emperor He's approval.

He couldn't neglect his duties, and upon returning, he would be busy again with the piled-up documents on his desk.

"Benefactor."

A soft, delicate voice interrupted his thoughts.

Cui Yun focused his gaze.

Shen Hua displayed her twirling toe again with enthusiasm and asked, "Is my circle round enough?"

She resembled Cui Rong begging for candy, and for once, Cui Yun's gaze softened.

"Miss Shen is clever and talented."

Flattery indeed, men's words are truly honeyed.

Shen Hua secretly grumbled, yet couldn't help but lift the corners of her lips, revealing her pride.

She was clever and talented, and that wasn't wrong...

————

Upon entering the inn, Cui Yun instructed the attendant to book several rooms so that Shen Hua's people could settle in.

After doing so, he was about to offer some advice when he unexpectedly saw Shen Hua, hands on her hips, running off to watch the servants move vases, fearing they might get chipped or broken.

"Be careful, move them to my room."

Her every move was like a child's.

Fierce and alert at times, yet occasionally muddled by nature.

Cui Yun chuckled to himself, then stepped back into the room.

Yicui, holding a rabbit doll, couldn't resist asking cautiously after seeing Cui Yun leave.

"Miss, are we really going to follow the Marquis?"

Yicui, older than Shen Hua, was worried.

Such a high-status noble, one could only rely on them for a while but not forever. If he only found delight in Miss for a moment and later abandoned her, how would Miss endure then?

After all, Miss no longer had anyone to rely on.

"No."

Shen Hua rubbed her cold, frosty face and began applying ointment.

In this cold weather, her breath almost felt like it would freeze.

Her gaze turned to an elderly woman dressed in neat cotton cloth.

This was the most senior old woman sent by the baby broker before.

"Nanny Cheng is honest and reliable, able to handle matters. In the coming days, you should accompany her to look around the vicinity of the County Magistrate's Liu Residence to see if any houses are for sale. She should know the house prices, so discuss with her."

Shen Hua had money but didn't want to be cheated.

Yicui's eyes lit up. She couldn't wait any longer and eagerly said,

"I'll go right now, my lady."

She was dependable and didn't forget to call a little maid over to attend to Shen Hua before leaving.

Shen Hua watched them walk away, then finally showed signs of fatigue and prepared to return to her room to rest.

"Shen Hua!"

Someone called her from behind.

Shen Hua turned to see Zhou Zhizhi in a lotus pink outfit.

Zhou Zhizhi was plain-looking, with her only highlight being an air of scholarly elegance.

She wore few accessories, making her appear both shabby and refreshing, while the jade at her waist was something Shen Hua was very familiar with.

It was the token He Chu had given her years ago. A few days after the engagement breakup, Shen Hua had thrown it back, and now Zhou Zhizhi was flaunting it around.

Zhou Zhizhi looked around; the inn entrance was bustling with activity, maybe because the year-end was approaching, but business inside the inn was getting quieter day by day.

"I have something to discuss with you. May we talk?"

Shen Hua had no interest in talking to her.

Seeing Shen Hua remain silent, Zhou Zhizhi quickly added,

"It will only take a moment. I won't delay you long."

Zhou Zhizhi spoke softly and behaved gracefully, showing no embarrassment despite being unwelcome.

The thing Shen Hua disliked most about Zhou Zhizhi was her seemingly impeccable demeanor, as if she had no temper.

She still remembered that year when Zheng Qianyu pointed at Zhou Zhizhi's nose.

"Are you faking it or not! Say what you need to say; doesn't holding it in make you uncomfortable?"

Zhou Zhizhi responded with a faint smile, "Lady Zheng, you've misunderstood me."

"Zhou Zhizhi, I can't stand people like you. My Daddy's newly taken concubine resembles you about 50%, always pretending to be a fairy sipping floral nectar."

Zhou Zhizhi smiled, "Did I upset you, Lady Zheng? How about I apologize?"

"Come on, have a fight with me; your attitude really puts me off."

"Lady Zheng, you jest."

Back then, this infuriated Zheng Qianyu to no end, and she turned to Shen Hua.

"Shen Hua, are you pretending too."

Shen Hua exploded on the spot.

Zheng Qianyu passed the words she had given Zhou Zhizhi straight to Shen Hua.

"I can't stand people like you. My Daddy's newly taken concubine resembles you about 50%, always pretending to be a fairy sipping floral nectar."

Shen Hua couldn't tolerate this and chased after Zheng Qianyu. But her body wouldn't allow it; she stopped after a few steps to catch her breath.

"A concubine? I, the Shen Family daughter! You compare me with a concubine?"

"Being too beautiful attracts envy and it's truly annoying!"

You fairy, do you obstruct their view?

"You rice seller, are you going to bring your face here for me to slap, or should I go over and slap you?"

Zheng Qianyu: Now that's a normal reaction! After being frustrated by Zhou Zhizhi, finally feeling satisfied with Shen Hua's response.

Therefore, Shen Hua truly disliked this kind of Zhou Zhizhi.

What she disliked more was being compared to Zhou Zhizhi by the city's residents.

——Lady Zhou is gentle and kind, even her voice is soft and warm, and she is very kind-hearted.

——Tch! But that Shen Family daughter is something else. So young, but full of schemes.

——Who would be lucky enough to marry Lady Zhou?

——Just hope a good family isn't ruined by Miss Shen.

Heh.

She "ruined" He Chu, who is now Zhou Zhizhi's fiancé.

"No, I'm tired and want to sleep."

Shen Hua gave her a haughty sidelong glance, rightfully refusing.