That cheeky demeanor was a world away from his appearance when carrying out brutal tortures in the government office.
He turned around, preparing to return to the office, but his robe was suddenly grabbed.
Cui Yunchu said, "Shen Xiabai, could you... make an exception, just this once, please?"
Shen Xiabai lowered his eyes, his gaze landing on the woman's exceptionally fair hand. His voice was cold. "Has Eldest Miss Cui forgotten the grudge between our two families?"
"But Grand Tutor Tang was framed. I believe Lord Shen is not someone who would hit a man when he is down, or fail to distinguish black from white."
Shen Xiabai's eyes flickered slightly.
Cui Yunchu continued, "Even if there is a personal grudge, you wouldn't use this as an excuse to lash out. Lord Shen is a gentleman; even if you were to seek revenge, you would not take advantage of someone's misfortune."
Shen Xiabai said no more.
His expression remained impassive, but Yu Feng felt that the way he raised his eyebrows was quite conspicuous.
He was probably enjoying being sweet-talked again.
"Lord Shen, are you going to just watch as treacherous people take power and harm the loyal?"
Shen Xiabai cast a sidelong glance at her. "You shouldn't have come today, let alone be the one to step forward."
"Cui Yunchu, where are your sisters? Do you really not know who the treacherous people you speak of are?"
"You should also be well aware that the person you should be begging is not me."
Cui Yunchu's eyes flashed slightly.
What did he mean? He wasn't involved that night?
"That night had nothing to do with you?"
Shen Xiabai laughed out of anger. "So, all that talk about me being a gentleman just now was pure nonsense."
She suspected him, yet hypocritically called him a gentleman?
"Cui Yunchu, is there a single true word that comes out of your mouth?"
Cui Yunchu was speechless.
How did the conversation fall apart so quickly?
Shen Xiabai's face darkened slightly. "The Cui family has two princes as sons-in-law. Shouldn't they be the ones stepping up at a time like this? Why does Eldest Miss Cui need to show her face in public?"
He was an irrelevant outsider, so why seek his help?
Cui Yunchu remained silent.
She didn't believe Shen Xiabai was unaware of the complexities of the matter. "That day, knocking you off the cliff was truly not intentional."
"I know," Shen Xiabai nodded.
"Then does Eldest Miss Cui know who harmed you?"
Cui Yunchu replied, "I have a guess."
Shen Xiabai chuckled softly. "Your Cui family is truly interesting. With a family like this, there's no need for outsiders to strike; it's probably already falling apart from the inside."
Cui Yunchu stayed silent.
Shen Xiabai stepped forward to leave again, but Cui Yunchu immediately stepped up and grabbed him. The two were extremely close, and she forcefully stuffed the letter into Shen Xiabai's hand.
Shen Xiabai frowned and tried to refuse, but she grabbed his hand, terrified he would throw it away.
They were too close. Shen Xiabai's body stiffened, his breathing pausing for a moment. "What are you doing? You are an unmarried lady, what kind of behavior is this?"
The back of his hand was enveloped in a soft, damp grip. It was warm, and very... comfortable.
He was clearly a little flustered.
Several people around them were watching the scene.
Cui Yunchu said, "I heard that Young Master Shen and Miss Chen are not getting along very well. I'm sure Lord Shen wouldn't want me to seek out Young Master Shen for help, right?"
It was like a basin of cold water being poured over his head, extinguishing all of Shen Xiabai's panic and racing heartbeat.
His expression turned gloomy. "Are you threatening me?"
Cui Yunchu held his hand and tucked the letter into his sleeve. "Lord Shen, you exaggerate. You are busy with myriad affairs every day. What I meant was, I was afraid of disturbing you."
Shen Xiabai glared at Cui Yunchu with a very cold gaze, but ultimately, he didn't throw the letter away and strode off.
His broad back retreated quickly, carrying a chilling aura.
"A young lady, constantly bringing up other men, completely lacking in propriety."
He frowned, clearly very dissatisfied and displeased with Cui Yunchu's threat.
Yu Feng said, "Master, you are a man who practices martial arts year-round. Eldest Miss Cui is just a young lady, so thin a gust of wind could blow her away. Actually, just now, you could have pushed her over with a gentle shove."
You could have knocked her down with a single finger, yet you just stood there letting her hold you, acting as if you couldn't resist.
And then you get mad about it afterward.
To put it bluntly,
What's the difference between this and grabbing someone's hand while screaming harassment?
Shen Xiabai stopped in his tracks, turned around, and his icy glare made Yu Feng instantly shudder.
"Well, um, this subordinate will immediately order someone to return to the estate and keep an eye on the young master, just in case Eldest Miss Cui tries a two-pronged approach."
...
Xing'er asked, "Miss, do you think Lord Shen will deliver the letter to the Grand Tutor?"
"I don't know." She had done her best and used everything she had ever learned. Whether it succeeded or not was up to fate.
Cui Yunchu let out a long breath and turned to get into the carriage, but someone who shouldn't be here appeared in her line of sight.
"Yunfeng, why are you here?"
Cui Yunfeng's gaze was vacant, as if her soul had been sucked out. She stood motionless and silent.
Cui Yunchu walked over and took her hand. Her fingertips were freezing cold, devoid of any warmth.
"Why are you so cold?" she frowned.
"Eldest Sister," Cui Yunfeng suddenly spoke. "Who was the person that caused you to fall off the cliff back then?"
Her voice was unnervingly calm, without the slightest fluctuation, so cold it was startling.
Cui Yunchu lowered her eyes. "It's been so long, how would I know who it was? Alright, let's hurry back to the estate. Stop letting your imagination run wild."
Cui Yunfeng followed Cui Yunchu into the carriage.
Xing'er covered her with a thin blanket, but it still failed to bring Cui Yunfeng any warmth.
"It was him, wasn't it?"
Cui Yunchu never looked up from beginning to end. "No, you misheard."
"I didn't mishear. I heard everything you said to Lord Shen. That carriage belonged to our cousin. The Crown Prince has no reason to harm our cousin. It was him; he wanted our cousin dead."
Cui Yunfeng turned her head to look at Cui Yunchu. Before her eyes flashed the image of that day at the bottom of the cliff, her eldest sister covered in wounds, on the verge of death.
And the image of her lying in bed, pale-faced, with a persistent high fever.
She almost died. Eldest Sister almost died.
Cui Yunfeng's tears flowed like a broken dam, and she instantly broke down sobbing.
"Eldest Sister, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I was wrong, it was my fault."
"What have I been doing?" She threw herself into Cui Yunchu's arms, crying until she nearly fainted.
Eldest Sister had known for a long time but never said a word.
Meanwhile, she had been spending romantic evenings and discussing marriage with the very culprit.
Cui Yunchu was worried. "Let me stay with you tonight."
Cui Yunfeng shook her head. "No need, Eldest Sister. I want to be alone for a while."
Cui Yunfeng's eyes were red as she walked alone toward the Maple Courtyard. Her back was straight, as if she had suddenly matured immensely overnight.
Xing'er said, "Miss, it seems the Second Miss has grown up overnight."
Cui Yunchu looked worried. "Follow her and tell Yun'er to keep a close eye on the Second Miss."
That night, Prime Minister Cui did not return to the estate. Only his personal attendant sent someone back with a message, saying he would stay overnight at the government office.
Old Madam Cui was overly worried, and her health took a turn for the worse in the middle of the night. Cui Yunchu did not let anyone inform Cui Yunfeng and stayed alone to watch over the Pine and Crane Courtyard.
Every two hours, Old Madam Cui would ask if there was any news from the palace.
Cui Yunchu comforted her, "Grandmother, no news is the best news."
Old Madam Cui nodded, feeling reassured. "Yunchu is right. To think that one day, it would be Yunchu taking charge of the situation."
She smiled faintly. "It seems your father is ready to openly break with the Emperor. I fear tomorrow's court assembly will be far from peaceful."
Just as her father had said, the Cui family's power was not merely empty talk. She was not worried about this, however, for there was a far more troublesome matter right in front of her.
Lady Zhao had arrived at the manor to deliver a verbal decree from Consort Liang, requesting that Cui Yunfeng enter the palace to attend to her.
"The day after tomorrow is Her Ladyship's birthday," Lady Zhao said. "She simply wishes for the Second Miss and His Highness to keep her company, so the family can have a joyous time together."
Cui Yunchu fell silent.
At this crucial juncture, given Cui Yunfeng's current condition, could she really enter the palace?
"Eldest Sister, I will go," Cui Yunfeng's voice suddenly rang out as she gracefully stepped into the hall.
Her dress was unlike the bright, flamboyant garments she used to wear; it was a pale cyan, making her look gentle, dignified, poised, and elegant.
