Chapter 40: Marrying a Wife, Not an Ancestor

Perhaps it was because she caught a chill yesterday, Shen Hua held a handkerchief and coughed quietly, her throat both itchy and sore. After much effort to ease it, she took the dark medicinal decoction offered by Yicui once more.

In the end, she had Yicui purchase the house.

This time, she only planned to take Yicui, Nanny Cheng, the little maid Ningzhu, and the servant Cheng Gui on the long journey.

The items brought out from the Shen Residence and the other servants were all settled into the new house.

Shen Hua had Cheng Gui privately seek out Aunt Liu, originally wanting her to move in so they could look out for each other.

But Aunt Liu politely refused.

——Thank you, Madam, for your concern. I have been adrift for half my life, and only with Madam's kindness have I found a place at the Shen Residence. For the rest of my life, I live to remember Ah Zhu and to pray for Madam's fortune.

Shen Hua didn't insist.

After all, Shen Qu and Shen Xue-shi's reputations were utterly ruined.

As Shen Hua expected, Shen Xue-shi was summoned to the government office for questioning. In the entire case, she had merely played a motivating role.

Ghost marriages have precedents in our dynasty, but there are no corresponding laws. Matters of the underworld are not governed by the office; the issue reaching the office was merely because the Dong Family planned a murder, and their sinister plot was shocking.

If Shen Xue-shi were shrewder, she would not hide anything, would present everything she knew on written statements, sign them, and after the entire case proposal is complete and the Dong Family's crimes are decided, she would merely suffer a few days in jail.

Once everything concluded, she could return home.

As for the Dong Family…

It's natural justice for a life to repay a life.

All Fengzhou City's people were watching, and they wouldn't trouble Aunt Liu anymore.

The next day,

The morning market was bustling, streets filled with traffic.

Ji Ge casually glanced at the various gift boxes inside the carriage, with a tone dripping with sarcasm: "You really dote on Rong."

If not for Cui Yun, Cui Rong wouldn't have been so unruly.

Cui Yun's fingers lightly stroked the paper, flipping through a scroll. Upon hearing this, he merely responded with a flat acknowledgment.

To say he was arrogant, he would respond; to say he was stolid and steady, Ji Ge truly never saw Cui Yun act too conventionally before him.

Still, he couldn't quite find any fault.

Having been shut out again at the brothel, Ji Ge gritted his teeth.

If he was in a bad mood, why should Cui Yun have it easy? On such a long road, one had to find some amusement.

"The last time I visited your residence, I heard from your mama that she had her eye on the third young lady from the Governor Mansion. That Yan Mi is well-educated, decently pretty, and seems quite a match for you."

The Nine Gates Governor's infantry patrol had never once disgraced the Marquis Yangling Mansion.

This matter, as long as Cui Yun nodded, was about 80% settled.

It's quite a good match.

Ji Ge suggested slyly: "You have your ideas, but after all, you've never met Yan Mi. Why don't we sneak into the Governor Mansion to see for ourselves when we have some free time?"

Shen Hua was covering her mouth, yawning, holding a bunny plush in her arms, her little head nodding drowsily, half asleep.

Upon hearing this, she perked up.

Cui Yun's lips pressed into a thin line, remaining silent.

"You may not be great yourself, but when it comes to marrying a wife, you must marry wisely. The choice of Marchioness cannot be made carelessly."

Saying this, Ji Ge even sought the opinion of Shen Hua, who was peeking curiously.

"What do you think, Miss Shen?"

Shen Hua nodded without hesitation.

"Someone like the hero deserves only the best."

Saying this, she recalled that little wretched Zhou Zhizhi. With a frown, she said, "From ancient times, to marry wisely, one mustn't choose a girl who is of no use, always pretentious."

Thinking of Zhou Zhizhi also brought Zheng Qianyu to mind.

"To ensure a peaceful household, such a troublemaker, always causing a scene, taking advantage of people's misfortunes, with no clear mind, should not be chosen either."

Ji Ge: "Exactly!"

Ji Ge: "Marrying a wife isn't about marrying an ancestor."

Shen Hua: "I agree."

The more Ji Ge looked at Shen Hua, the more agreeable she seemed. This young lady, to help Cui Yun have clear goals, didn't hesitate to belittle herself. Ji Ge advised Shen Hua: "Since it's like this, you should also change those bad traits of yours, and in the future marry a good husband."

These words made Shen Hua frown heavily.

The young lady was bewildered for a moment, then it turned into faint anger. Yet, given Ji Ge's esteemed status, she could only turn it into silent resentment. Clenching her small fists, she pursed her lips in annoyance.

"Why are you scolding me so well?"

"...?"

Shen Hua spoke earnestly: "I am a virtuous and gentle good young lady."

Ji Ge was dumbfounded.

Do you have some misunderstanding about yourself?

Cui Yun's brow twitched hard.

He looked with indescribable feelings at Shen Hua, who slumped bonelessly, listless.

Ji Ge: "Hahahahahahaha."

Hearing the laughter, Shen Hua became even more displeased, but she dared not speak up, depending as she did on the two of them for the journey. All she could do was lower her head in huffiness.

The snow twine in her hair swayed slightly with her actions.

The coarse gray fur cap made her look even more pitiful. Her small face, the size of a palm, had no color at all…

Due to long-term medication, she carried a faint medicinal scent, not unpleasant.

Cui Yun was thoughtful.

Before long, something weighed on his knee, and Shen Hua looked down to see a bag of walnut pastries.

"You didn't eat much during breakfast, so you must be hungry. Eat."

Cui Yun's voice was calm and steady, but compared to Ji Ge, he was like a gleaming moon, while Ji Ge was a pool of mud that couldn't say a single decent word!

The walnut pastries were crispy and fragrant, something Shen Hua liked but rarely had, as swallowing them sometimes made her choke.

However… she was indeed a bit hungry; Yicui had brought food, but forgot to give it to her, having taken it to the carriage at the back.

Shen Hua thought for a moment and finally thanked him before reaching out to accept it.

The young lady picked up a piece and nibbled on it slowly, her cheeks puffing up, her eyes sparkling. She ate very slowly, her full attention on the walnut pastry.

The expression in the man's eyes flickered, not reading the scroll anymore, instead watching as if seeing something particularly pleasing.

Shen Hua finished one piece and was just about to wipe her hands with the handkerchief.

Cui Yun's voice was gentle: "If it suits your taste, why not have another piece."

Shen Hua couldn't bear to refuse Cui Yun's goodwill.

She had no choice but to eat another. Just as she swallowed the last bite.

"Don't hold back, eat."

Shen Hua felt a bit full.

"No…" I won't.

Cui Yun: "I bought a lot, this snack isn't the last."

Shen Hua froze for a moment, moved, she instinctively picked up another piece.

Cui Yun smiled at this, "Take your time, Miss Shen, the whole bag is yours."

"Cough, cough."

Unable to refuse Cui Yun, Shen Hua was startled, her soft brows furrowing in pain, her throat feeling blocked.

"Drink some water."

A cup of tea appeared before her.

Such a considerate Cui Yun, Ji Ge had witnessed before.

Xue Tuan had been fed continuously by him until it was literally stuffed to death!!!

It had been just like this that year.

——"Eat, your favorite dried jerky."

——"I've heard that cats love fish, yet you are picky, only eating cooked ones."

——"The tribute of lychees, I received a basket. I gave some to Mama and Rong, and the rest are yours."

Even more ridiculous was this!!

One day, Cui Yun attended court, looking concerned. He specifically sought out the eunuch in charge of the royal cats.

——"Xue Tuan ate regular food behind my back, will it die?"