Yu Feng said, "He's just a playboy with no real power. He can't get an official position, so even if he returns, there's nothing to fear."
"But he is still the eldest son of the Cui family. You, sir, have hated the Cui family for years. Isn't this the perfect time to kick them while they're down?"
"..." Yu Feng's gaze shifted to Shen Xiabei, who had been sitting silently behind the desk.
Killing the eldest son of the Cui family—that would create an irreconcilable rift.
Prince An was a glaring example of what happens.
He was still bedridden. The real terror wasn't death—it was torment that broke the spirit.
Shen Xiabei absently turned the white jade thumb ring on his finger, his gaze cold. "Kicking others when they're down is the act of a petty person. Am I, in your eyes, a petty person?"
The man who had spoken was stunned.
How many times had they themselves ruthlessly attacked the Cui and Tang families in court?
"Sir..."
"Officer Wang, it's getting late. Let me see you out," Yu Feng interrupted firmly, escorting the man out.
The door opened, and they ran into Shen Zilan, who was about to knock.
"Young master."
Shen Zilan nodded, entered the study, and closed the door behind him.
Shen Xiabei shot him a glance. "What is it?"
"Did you know that the eldest Miss Cui is discussing marriage?"
Shen Xiabei frowned slightly, his voice turning cold. "Have you called off your own engagement yet, and you're already worrying about others?"
"Madam Chen sent Chen Miaohe to the Cui household to propose marriage on behalf of Chen Jiuhe."
Shen Zilan's words left the study in a brief, stifling silence.
"Uncle, did you and Miss Cui have a falling-out?"
A falling-out?
"No," Shen Xiabei replied, though his indifferent tone carried a hint of icy aloofness.
"If you didn't have a falling-out, then why would Miss Cui suddenly start discussing marriage?"
"How should I know?" Shen Xiabei said. "Whether she discusses marriage or not, what does it have to do with me?"
"Uncle, you're angry," Shen Zilan said, squinting. "There was a clear sulking tone in your voice just now. You two definitely had a fight."
"..."
Shen Xiabei would never admit it. "Is the Ministry of Personnel so idle that you have nothing better to do?"
"If you and Miss Cui have truly broken things off, I want to ask Grandmother to propose marriage to the Cui family."
"..."
Shen Xiabei felt that the nameless frustration he had been feeling about Chen Jiuhe now had countless layers added to it, piling into a fortress that made him want to kick it over.
"Miss Chen..."
"I've already made it clear to Miss Chen today. As long as you and Grandmother agree, I'll go cancel the engagement tomorrow."
Shen Xiabei listened and nodded.
Shen Zilan beamed with joy. "Uncle, you agree?"
"Very good," Shen Xiabei said, finally finding a reason to teach him a lesson.
"Yu Feng, bring the household rod."
That night, Shen Zilan was responsible for all the commotion in the Shen residence. Even Shen Laofuren, who had intended to intervene, shook her head repeatedly after hearing the full story and Shen Zilan's own words.
"That woman is your future aunt. How dare you be so disrespectful?"
After Shen Zilan was taken away, the study fell completely silent.
Yu Feng frowned and muttered under his breath, "That eldest Miss Cui really is unfair. She sent the master pastries not long ago, and now suddenly she's discussing marriage? Isn't that just toying with him?"
Those rock-hard pastries hadn't even been finished yet.
First there was the Chen family's young master, now the young master of their household—she sure had a lot of admirers.
Shen Xiabei shot Yu Feng a look, and Yu Feng immediately fell silent, not daring to make another sound.
Leaning back in his chair, the candlelight cast shifting shadows over Shen Xiabei's sharp features, making his inner feelings impossible to read.
Two consecutive days passed, and he remained in low spirits. Yu Feng, on the other hand, was quite lively. Every morning and night, he made sure to say,
"No one went to the Cui household today to propose marriage."
As for the rumors spreading outside, none of the parties involved paid any heed.
Shen Xiabei now simply stayed silent, quietly listening to Yu Feng's reports and the occasional murmur about Cui Yunchu.
On the day before Cui Yunfeng's wedding, the two sisters went out together to do some shopping.
Cui Yunfeng said, "People outside are saying all sorts of things. Are you sure you're right about this?"
Cui Yunchu dismissed it casually. "Is there anything worse than Prince An calling me a toad?"
In terms of sharp words, no one had hurt her more than that brute. Her thick skin was all thanks to him.
Even the Crown Prince, compared to him, was far more gentlemanly.
Cui Yunfeng pressed her lips together.
In recent days, Prince An hadn't shown up at all. All the wedding preparations were handled by the Ministry of Rites or Consort Liang.
In the carriage, Cui Yunfeng studied Cui Yunchu and said, "Several days have passed, and except for the Chen family, no one has come to propose. What exactly are you planning?"
"There's no rush." Cui Yunchu sprawled across Cui Yunfeng's lap. "When it comes to love, it all depends on who breaks first. The one who breaks is always at a disadvantage."
Especially someone like her—she needed to confirm over and over, to verify again and again.
Moreover, she was selfish and vengeful.
"Yunfeng, if someone killed me, do you think I should seek revenge?"
"Killed you?" Cui Yunfeng was startled. "Who? Xiao Yi? Has he struck again?"
"No." A chill Cui Yunchu had never shown before appeared in her eyes. "Someone else."
"Of course you should seek revenge. But you said he killed you, yet you're still alive and well right now?"
"In a dream." Cui Yunchu smiled. "But that dream felt very real. I was in a lot of pain."
Cui Yunfeng reached out and gently stroked Cui Yunchu's head with sympathy. "You're my sister. Whatever you decide to do, I'll support you."
The carriage stopped in front of a jewelry shop. Cui Yunchu and Cui Yunfeng got off and began browsing the displays.
Cui Yunfeng already had many hair ornaments, but Cui Yunchu insisted on coming.
The shop was neither large nor small, and the designs were quite ordinary, nothing novel. Cui Yunfeng wasn't impressed, but Cui Yunchu seemed genuinely interested.
She occasionally picked up a piece and held it against Cui Yunfeng's hair to see how it looked.
After nearly half an hour, the shop assistant came over and asked, "Have you ladies found anything you like? I can pack it for you."
Cui Yunchu shook her head. "No."
"..."
Leaving the mess of ornaments they had tried on scattered across the counter, she instructed a servant to tip the assistant, then took Cui Yunfeng and prepared to leave.
Just then, a flashy carriage pulled up right next to theirs, the horses letting out sharp whinnies.
A man dressed in loud, colorful clothes, with a woman in his arms, swaggered into the shop.
Seeing him, Cui Yunfeng immediately frowned. "Elder sister, let's go."
But their way was blocked by the man.
"Oh, if it isn't the eldest Miss Cui," he said.
His gaze roamed over Cui Yunchu without restraint.
Cui Yunchu looked at him, her eyes filled with deep disgust, a chill rising from the soles of her feet.
"I hear Miss Cui is in talks for marriage?" He smirked obscenely, his eyes full of mockery. "Is anyone even visiting your home? I've heard that days have passed and no one has come calling."
He burst out laughing. "Do you really think you're a noble lady? The daughter of a prostitute—if Prime Minister Cui really cared about you, would he have abandoned you in the house for years without a word? In my opinion, you might as well stop dreaming, you ugly toad."
Cui Yunfeng clearly sensed that Cui Yunchu's hand was trembling slightly, and immediately asked with concern, "Elder Sister, are you all right?"
Cui Yunchu, who was always calm and composed no matter the situation, no matter what vile words she faced, was truly off today. Even Cui Yunfeng could feel her shaking.
Cui Yunchu shook her head, her gaze fixed on the man across from her—Gu Xuan.
"Well, well, if it isn't Young Master Gu. Still alive after all these years?" Her eyes trailed downward, glancing briefly. "It seems Lord Gu managed to find a fine physician for his son, after all."
