Chapter 38: It's Not Yet to the Point Where I'm Indispensable

Having achieved her goal, Shen Hua contentedly withdrew her gaze, not bothering to further look at Zhou Zhizhi's stiff expression.

She held herself with noble and aloof elegance, standing tall.

The earlier mink coat, stained, had already been sent off for cleaning, and now she wore a thick, pot-grey fur cloak.

Though not as luxurious as mink, the fur was still incredibly valuable. Yet Shen Hua always found it ugly and had stashed it at the bottom of her chest, this being the first time she wore it.

"Miss Shen."

Ji Qing had appeared at some point by the stairway of the corridor, gesturing for Shen Hua to proceed.

"The Marquis has sent for you, and I am here to guide you."

His appearance did not surprise Shen Hua. She pressed her lips, thinking that if Cui Yun didn't come looking for her, she too would need to settle matters clearly with him.

Hoping henceforth dust would return to dust, paths would go their separate ways. There was no need to keep things unclear.

"I'll be right there."

Shen Hua took a step but paused briefly when passing by Zhou Zhizhi. She cast a sidelong, arrogant glance at her, showing a smug demeanor of taking advantage.

Her pale lips moved slightly, fearing Ji Qing might overhear, keeping her voice deliberately low: "See that?"

She sighed slightly.

"The Marquis simply can't do without me, sending someone over so soon to urge me along. So clingy."

Zhou Zhizhi's hand under her sleeve clenched tightly, struggling to maintain control, she suddenly stood up, the air around her thinning. She held back from disrupting the seemingly peaceful times.

"Then I won't disturb Miss Shen any further."

With that, she hastily left, almost as if fleeing in defeat.

Little girl.

Even dare to put on airs in front of her like this.

Shen Hua's spirit soared, embodying the demeanor of a victor, even her steps were lighter than usual.

Ji Qing, possessing acute hearing, wore a subtly exasperated expression.

Meanwhile, Cui Yun had already been waiting for some time.

The room smelled of coal fire, and he was clad in a black robe with a fine drape, a piece of black jade hung at his waist. The cuffs embroidered with flowing cloud patterns in a dim tone, his demeanor imposing.

Realizing it was just a misunderstanding, Ji Ge transformed into reluctance. All his confidence in barging in had vanished.

"This... can't blame me."

Who made what Shen Hua said seem so convincing?

Such a decent young lady, she really had quite the imagination, even tricked him!

Cui Yun couldn't be bothered to argue further with him, instead bringing up the subject of setting out tomorrow.

Ji Ge's face turned dark immediately.

"I'm not going back! Last year there wasn't even a seat for me at the palace banquet!"

The palace banquet had always been organized by the Empress, with the Ministry of Rites assisting, so such an omission had to be intentional.

But no one stood up for him.

At that time, he could only stand alone, surrounded by a hall full of clinking cups and mingling conversations. A vast palace, yet no place for him.

With no shred of a prince's dignity.

And Emperor He, who should have advocated for him, never blamed the Empress. Nor punished the Ministry of Rites, but instead, after the banquet, called him over to sternly reprimand him.

"Your mother is certainly burdened with the arrangements; you too should be considerate of her."

"It's merely a matter of asking a palace maid to fetch another table, yet you put on airs? Are you the one to be laughed at by all the ministers or to embarrass your mother?"

He spoke lightly, but palace protocols were strict, and seating arrangements were of great importance according to ritual customs.

Could a prince really sit at the most inferior seat?

Emperor He simply didn't care about Ji Ge, how could he be unaware of the underlying ramifications?

Ji Ge had barely managed to break free and had this moment of respite. Even if he wasn't loitering in front of Emperor He on New Year's Eve, Emperor He wouldn't remember him as his son.

Ji Ge concealed his inner loneliness.

"You were there last year as well; I was made a laughingstock."

Cui Yun's expression remained unchanged, his clear eyes suddenly as dense as ink that wouldn't dissolve.

"By ancestral rites, you should be present, by custom, you must not be absent."

"After New Year's Eve, the officials enter the palace city in droves, parading through the halls, you cannot let yourself be the subject of gossip. Why act on impulse for momentary satisfaction?"

In the end, it was still him who would be punished.

Ji Ge always thought last year's seating was the Empress's doing, Cui Yun had never informed him that it was in fact Princess Consort Jing's idea.

Princess Consort Jing had bribed the people of the Ministry of Rites.

The reason was merely a minor quarrel between Ji Ge and Ji Cong a few days prior.

Ji Cong inadvertently saw the peace charm hanging around Ji Ge's neck, playfully demanded it.

Were it any other item, Ji Ge would have given it to avoid further disputes, but that charm was a gift from his birth mother before she passed.

The only object that allowed Ji Ge to remember his birth mother.

Of course, he was unwilling.

And Ji Cong, spoiled beyond measure by Princess Consort Jing, couldn't accept not getting his way.

What was said to be an argument, was merely Ji Cong incessantly pointing at Ji Ge and scolding him.

This matter blew up and was witnessed by the Empress Dowager, who had long been devoted to Buddhism, by chance.

The Empress Dowager disliked both Ji Ge and Ji Cong.

—"It's just a peace charm, how could it be more important than sibling affection? He asked you to give it, so you should have. Such a mess, how do you expect to resolve it?"

Having scolded Ji Ge, she turned to reprimand Ji Cong.

—"How did Princess Consort Jing educate you? Already foolish and wasting the family reputation, yet you've seen so many treasures, still your vision is this shallow! If you want everything you see, how are you different from a thief?"

Thus, from this incident, Princess Consort Jing bore a grudge against Ji Ge.

The Empress merely went along with the tide, turning a blind eye.

Once may be an incident, but it cannot happen twice.

Princess Consort Jing got away with it once, Emperor He may allow it, but if it happens again, the Emperor will surely be enraged.

After all, ultimately it would be the Imperial Family who loses face.

No one would dare toy with Ji Ge at this year's banquet.

Moreover, this is the first New Year since the Third Prince Ji Teng returned to court.

Ji Ge exhaled deeply.

"Fine, fine, I'll heed your advice."

As they were talking, someone outside the door knocked. Following was Ji Qing's respectful call.

"Marquis."

Cui Yun replied coolly, "Enter."

A harsh 'creak' sounded as the door was pushed open.

The inn had been running for over ten years, though repaired annually, Ji Ge had just given it a kick, so the door trembled as it opened.

Shen Hua, deep in thought, stepped in.

"Miss Shen, please sit."

Cui Yun spoke with calm authority.

Shen Hua hadn't expected other people to be present; seeing this meeting wasn't a private one, it truly was gentlemanly of him, paying heed to noble family etiquette and decorum. She was visibly relieved.

"Benefactor, there are some words you may not wish to hear, but I must say them nonetheless."

As soon as she was seated, Shen Hua quickly spoke before Cui Yun had the chance.

"But this matter needs to be swiftly dealt with."

Cui Yun's voice was calm and cold, "Miss Shen, you seem to have misunderstood."

But she was absorbed in her own thoughts, her words tactful.

"While your interest in me hasn't reached an unavoidable point, wouldn't it be better to stop now? Name your price."

Cui Yun: ...

Shen Hua: "If you won't name one, that's fine too, I must repay your kindness. How about a plaque made of gold? Wrapped in red silk with someone to beat the drums following the carriage all the way back to Shengjing."

Quite a spectacle.

Such sincere gratitude.

Shen Hua stared at Cui Yun with starry eyes, waiting for him to agree.

Cui Yun's lips moved slightly.

"I have no romantic feelings for you, Miss Shen."

"It's my fault for not clarifying in time, leading you to have such lively and humorous ideas."

'Boom', it seemed like a thunderclap exploded by Shen Hua's ear.