Chapter 39 But! Really! So embarrassing!

"Miss Shen, do you know Xie Xun?"

A buzzing echoed in Shen Hua's ears, making her uncomfortable. She couldn't hear what Cui Yun was asking.

The young lady's small face, the size of a palm, widened her eyes, looking dazed and confused.

Cui Yun raised his sleeves, gracefully poured some tea to give Shen Hua some time to recover, and then spoke slowly.

"He knows your brother. Just returned to Shengjing from the border. Perhaps on his way back to the court, he sent someone to inquire and learned of your brother's misfortune and feels for you being alone. Unable to come himself, he entrusted me to seek you out."

Shen Hua almost forgot her earlier embarrassment. With a jolt, she nearly knocked over the tea Cui Yun handed her.

She murmured in a lost state, "He knows my brother?"

Cui Yun did not blame her for the lack of manners. He glanced sideways at the letter beside him.

"Fearing you might not believe it, I brought a token. Look, does this handwriting look familiar?"

Shen Hua stiffly took it.

Biting her lower lip, her fingers trembling slightly, she opened it.

Though the letter was a bit old, its owner cherished it greatly and preserved it well. Not a crease in sight.

Shen Hua was not well-educated, yet in her past life, she knew how to read to pass the time.

Indeed, it was her brother's handwriting.

Shen Zhi had a quirk of elongating half the stroke at the end for a flourish.

The letter's tone was friendly, yet one could vaguely sense the writer's heavy-heartedness, even the handwriting carried an irritation.

Shen Zhi mentioned wanting to see Xie Xun.

Though Shen Zhi never mentioned Xie Xun in her presence, she knew he had a pen pal he corresponded with for years.

The young lady gradually increased her grip on the letter. Coming to her senses, she carefully smoothed it out as if it was a treasure.

So, even in death, her brother was silently helping her.

"On the way here, I learned your health was not good, yet I didn't expect it to be this depleted."

Cui Yun said gently, "Fortunately, there's a doctor at our residence with excellent skills. He will personally check your pulse by then."

"My illness is incurable." Shen Hua had lost all hope.

Ji Ge tutted and spoke quickly.

"Yes, that old man Ni Kang indeed has some skill."

"Miss Shen, you should know that although the doctor has a bad temper, he can save someone on the brink with just a few needles."

"He's elusive, and many pursue him for treatment."

"Cui Yun invited him several times for his niece, and finally got him out. Perhaps after he examines you and you take some medicine, you might recover."

Ni... Kang?

Shen Hua had heard of him. Mama went to Shengjing to consult him that year.

Ms. Shen Chun heard of Ni Kang's presence in Shengjing, left Fengzhou City in a hurry, and unfortunately, by the time she reached Shengjing, Ni Kang had already left.

Afterwards, Mama would often sigh deeply.

——If only Doctor Ni could see my Yangyang personally, how wonderful it would be.

Shen Hua's eyes trembled.

So, maybe she could live normally for a long time?

Cui Yun quietly listened to Ji Ge, then seeing Shen Hua's silence, he added, "If you're willing, that's best, but if not, what of it? Since I'm here, I'll have to take you with me."

"But you can rest assured, I won't harbor improper desires for you."

"It's just that traveling long distances, I'm not sure if you..."

"I'm willing." Shen Hua quickly replied.

Afraid that Cui Yun didn't hear, she looked into the man's eyes and repeated it once more.

"I'm willing."

Cui Yun smiled faintly.

"Xie Xun may find it difficult to return before the end of the year, so I will arrange for you."

Shen Hua looked at him expectantly and asked in a quiet voice, "So shall I return to the residence with you?"

In that moment, she seemed less like Cui Rong, and more like that kitten Cui Yun had raised six years ago.

"The residence is complicated with many affairs and strict rules. Fortunately, I have an empty courtyard under my name, and you'll reside there at that time."

Ji Ge: ???

Many affairs?

Marquis Yangling Mansion is considered quite simple in terms of population in the capital.

As for the rules...

In the entire residence, aside from Old Master Cui, only Cui Yun was upright and solemn.

Shen Hua promptly agreed. Happily, she left.

Ji Ge: "Shameless, to think you dare tell such lies."

Cui Yun lifted the teacup, savoring a rare leisure.

"Don't you think Miss Shen is very much like Xue Tuan?"

Ji Ge: ...

"The cat you raised."

Ji Ge said with difficulty, "The one you raised to death and buried with your own hands?"

Ji Ge chuckled with exasperation and followed suit, leaving the room.

He had to find a way to meet that Seng'er just once before returning!!!

Only then did Ji Qing close the door. He dutifully reported all he heard, leaving nothing out.

Cui Yun's expression remained unchanged.

Then, he heard this line.

[This isn't something to brag about, after all, I don't harbor romantic feelings for the Marquis.]

The considerate gentleman, as gentle as a clear breeze, Cui Yun's dense lashes turned into shadows beneath his eyes, finally letting out a faint sneer.

If she hadn't been Xie Xun's person, he might not have minded raising another kitten.

Shen Hua returned to her room feeling dizzy and listless.

An empty house is good!

Without a master, there were no constraints either.

The young maid followed behind Shen Hua: "Miss, did Young Master Cui express his affections to you?"

Drenched in sudden joy, Shen Hua felt like cold water had been poured on her face.

Shen Hua: "No... never."

"Miss, why does your complexion look a bit off?"

Shen Hua pretended to maintain her composure: "I'm just tired."

"Then, Miss, please rest. If you need anything, just call for this servant."

As soon as the young maid left, Shen Hua's face collapsed.

She knocked her head against the wall, her fingers aimlessly tapping at the wall.

Truly a gentleman from a prominent family, considerate in all things. Cold on the outside and warm on the inside.

Not blaming her for her wishful thinking, but mindful of the girl's sensitivity, he glossed over it with 'wit and humor.'

Shen Hua continued tapping the wall, her face growing increasingly hot, her blush like the vibrant hue of a blooming begonia.

But! Really! How embarrassing!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

She's! Going to suffocate.

————

Yicui brought back a piece of good news.

"Miss, it's fortunate that there's a house for sale right across from Mr. Liu's place. I went to take a look; it's a well-structured courtyard. Fearing someone else might snatch it up quickly, perhaps Miss should see it. If satisfied, you can buy it outright."

Shen Hua seemed a bit out of sorts.

"Don't want to buy it anymore."

Yicui: ?

"I'm going to Shengjing."

Yicui: ??

"Young Master Cui is so magnanimous. Concerned that I might not be accustomed to staying as a guest at the Marquis's residence, he offered a vacant house for me to stay in."

She just left for a moment, how did Miss change her mind?

Clueless about what transpired, Yicui exclaimed, "How can this be!"

Shen Hua: "You needn't worry. He offered it himself. I didn't force him."

Shen Hua always had her reasons. She didn't feel indebted for Cui Yun's kindness, as it was Xie Xun's suggestion, and the favor should be returned by Xie Xun.

As for this Xie Xun, whom she'd never met...

Shen Hua was grateful to him.

She was willing to give Xie Xun a silver note. If he refused, she'd find a way for Shen Zhi to repay it.

Yicui was at a loss for words, sputtering in anxiety.

"Miss...!"

"Don't be fooled."

"Cui Yun is up to no good, trying to keep you as a hidden concubine he can't show in public!"

Shen Hua seized the critical point: !!!

She widened her clear, round almond eyes.

"Nonsense, how could I be unseen?"