Chapter 458: Chapter 458

The night was thick, with broken moonlight hiding among layers of overlapping foliage, mottled yet gentle.

It was something she had never felt before, unfamiliar, and she couldn’t help but sob softly.

After wiping her tears, Cui Yun went to the washroom. The bite mark on her neck was deep, made when she could not restrain herself.

He washed his hands methodically. It seemed as though the firmness and softness lingered on top of his hands.

The girl was too delicate and even more sensitive.

He feared hurting her. Merely testing her with shallow movements, she already had red-rimmed eyes, dodging and panicking beside Cui Yun’s ear. Softly pleading.

—Please don’t do this.

She was so small, a single finger could hardly support her.

How could she bear what follows...

Cui Yun’s Adam’s apple moved as he unexpectedly lost his voice, not knowing who he was really punishing.

By the time he emerged from the washroom, moist all over, an hour had passed.

The girl curled up in a corner, having completely fallen asleep. The moment his hand touched her slender waist, she recoiled as if frightened, trembling even in her dreams.

The brightness of day completely devoured the darkness of night.

When she woke up, Shen Hua’s face was stern.

During breakfast, she intentionally chose the seat farthest from Cui Yun.

The dishes Cui Yun served her were considerately prepared, and Shen Hua accepted all of them without complaint.

Seeing him pick up the white, snow-like napkin, ready to familiarly wipe her mouth.

His fingers were distinct, long, and strong. Certainly, the most beautiful hands Shen Hua had ever seen. Read complete versıon only at Nov3lFɪre.ɴet

Shen Hua couldn’t help but remember the awkward incident from last night and immediately felt uneasy, slapping him. This was met with his lazy, curved lips, deliberately asking a very annoying question.

"There’s really no need to stare blankly."

Cui Yun met girl’s flustered eyes: "It’s clear you like it."

Shen Hua had a belly full of curses bubbling up. But she didn’t speak them. Liu Chu and Liu Huan then came over.

She could only hold it in.

The couple’s luggage was already packed earlier, and Liu Chu had prepared many local products from Hui State. The couple then saw them off the door.

The carriage was already waiting outside.

Liu Chu gave them multiple reminders, and with great reluctance, helped them board the carriage.

The roads in Hui State were not smooth, resembling the rugged forests of remote mountains. Even though Ji Qing tried to make the ride as smooth as possible, it was still bumpy all the way.

Shen Hua glanced at Cui Yun from the corner of her eye, noticing his gaze constantly drifting over her lightly.

She immediately frowned and unreasonably snapped at him.

"What are you looking at?"

Girl: "What, you think seeing less of me now will make you forget me later?"

Cui Yun replied calmly: "Why sit so far, come here."

Shen Hua fiddled with her skirt, yet what she said was: "I once saw a play."

"I’ve forgotten the name of the play, but I remember that in it, a young master ordered the girl around, even dictating how many grains of rice she should eat and how many cups of water she should drink daily. Do you know what happened to the girl eventually?"

Shen Hua clearly didn’t care how Cui Yun would respond. Without waiting for him to think it over, she answered herself.

"That girl was good-natured and gentle, but as time passed, she couldn’t stand it and ended up getting close to someone else."

Shen Hua looked at him soothingly: "I am faithful and will never leave you, and you aren’t like that oppressive young master. But I advise you, don’t..."

Cui Yun tugged at the corner of his lips calmly, still composed in his speech: "If you find that corner comfortable and not too cramped, I won’t insist."

She thought Cui Yun at least would persuade her!

A narrow corner without a cushion, every jolt felt like it was shaking out her insides—a far cry from his spacious and comfortable side.

Girl, melancholically: "I’ve also heard another play."

"It featured a young master too, who wasn’t considerate nor consistent. Everything he did was only half-hearted..."

Cui Yun listened to her ramble on, "You’ve really watched quite a number of plays."

He casually mentioned, "It seems the young man from Muchun Garden has indeed caught your eye."

He suddenly commented, "This act of hinting and insinuating is quite fitting."

She was so angry that she wanted to kick him.

Yet, Cui Yun’s tone eventually lost its playfulness and became much more steady.

"After returning to Fengzhou, do not leave the city. Hengzhou will be in great chaos."

Hengzhou is, after all, not too far from Fengzhou.

"Write to me if there’s anything."

"In a few days, your brother will also be too busy to detach himself. Once Hengzhou falls into chaos, I fear the fire will spread to Fengzhou City. Magistrate Wang is a good official, but after all, he doesn’t have deep roots and cannot protect the people of Fengzhou from even the slightest harm. Safety first. Remember, once you get news from Anzhuang, it’s best not to leave your home. My people, your brother’s people, will ensure your complete safety."

Shen Hua listened to him.

"Once everything is over, I’ll come to pick you up, but I don’t know how long it will be. Nor can I predict the outcomes. This is a battle with no certainty. Once I go, victory or defeat is unknown, and life and death are irrelevant."

"Yangyang, are you still angry with me?"

Shen Hua pursed her lips.

She thought, Cui Yun is playing the victim.

Ji Teng endures hardships to gain strength, your brother is exceptional, and Cui Yun has superior strategies.

Duke Mansion, Marquis Yangling Mansion.

Cui Yun has the entire Ministry of Justice under him. Your brother and General Jin command the troops.

Not just these, there are also many followers behind the scenes pushing the waves.

Otherwise, Cui Yun wouldn’t have kept her from getting too close to Ji Huo.

And there’s the heir of Yongchang Marquis Mansion, Xuan Chen. His official position is not low either.

Those noble families that were suppressed by Emperor He must have been eagerly waiting for that day.

This is only what Shen Hua knows.

But there are also numerous cunning and experienced officials who have long been entrenched in the court, supporting the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince.

The power of the Imperial Guard in Emperor He’s hands should not be underestimated as well.

Yet Shen Hua thinks, Cui Yun will definitely triumph once he sets out.

Sooner or later, the nation of Da Qi will be overturned by these people.

Indeed, she has no need to be angry with Cui Yun.

Though it’s painful..., it’s also comforting, and she is deeply immersed in it.

Shen Hua thought that even the consummation of their marriage wouldn’t be so frightening after all.

She is just infuriated that last night, she was manipulated by him, defenseless, her body bare, while he looked, touched, and kissed. Yet, his clothes remained perfectly smooth and unrumpled.

The boundary of Hui State is small; they quickly left the city.

Ying Yi was waiting in the suburbs, leads of several horses behind him.

The one with the glossy coat, hardest to tame, was Cui Yun’s mount.

The carriage slowly stopped.

One heading south, the other west.

It was time to part ways.

Pressed for time, Cui Yun had to hurry to catch up with Jin Zhong. He could not escort Shen Hua any further.

Yet, he didn’t get out of the carriage. He just stood up and moved to her side. He was tall, careful to avoid hitting the canopy. He was bending at the waist.

"Is there anything you want to say to me?"

The girl remained silent but grabbed hold of his robe.

Shen Hua looked up at him, her hand shifting from the hem to grasp his arm.

Her lips moved but remained silent,

Eventually, the girl rose, and concealed and re-concealed the bite marks on his neck with his collar. Then in a very quiet voice: "That on the wall, wasn’t done by hand. You still don’t understand."