After all, at a grand wedding, one had to be somewhat restrained; it wouldn't do to wear white.
Their eyes met, and in Shen Xiabai's gaze, it seemed as though everything around him was slowly fading, even the noise becoming inaudible.
"Move aside, I'm not finished speaking yet." She pushed Shen Xiabai aside and looked once more at the young master of the Wang family.
Her line of sight was blocked again.
"..."
"Can't you stand somewhere else?"
Shen Xiabai said nothing, so Cui Yunchu stood on tiptoe, craning her neck to look past him at the Wang family's young master. "I remember that young master Wang used to have delicate features, but after not seeing him for a while, how has he become so ugly?"
"Could it be that gossiping too much has widened his cheekbones?"
Don’t think she hadn’t heard him muttering earlier about her being unable to marry.
"Tsk, I really dislike such a loose-tongued man; his face is shockingly ugly."
The Wang family young master’s face was still red, but not from shyness—it was red from anger.
Someone tried to speak, but Cui Yunchu immediately glared at them.
She looked ready to pick a fight at any moment.
She was disliked among the noble ladies and just as disliked among the noble gentlemen, because she attacked indiscriminately, especially those who isolated her or whispered behind her back.
The displeasure in Shen Xiabai’s eyes gradually faded. He withdrew his gaze from Cui Yunchu and looked at the few noble gentlemen. "Your Excellencies are hiding so far away; you must be very fond of quiet. How about the Prince of An sets up a separate table for you on South Street Bridge?"
Yu Feng, standing nearby, twitched his eyelids.
South Street Bridge, beneath Wangyue Tower—the very large stones where his master and Miss Cui had once sat.
His master really had a special affection for that place.
But to be fair, it was indeed far—several miles away from the Prince of An’s estate.
After the ceremony, going there to eat... Yu Feng’s lips twitched.
The Crown Prince also chimed in. "I think Minister Shen is absolutely right. That place is remote and uninhabited, with pleasant scenery and no one to disturb you. You can eat and drink to your heart’s content."
Several miles away, far enough, right?
The two wore expressions of great consideration. Shen Xiabai called over the Prince of An’s steward to give orders,
and the Crown Prince added a few words. "Make sure these gentlemen enjoy themselves to the fullest. No one leaves until they’ve finished eating."
The Prince of An’s steward twitched the corner of his mouth, glanced at Cui Yunchu standing nearby, and promptly agreed to make arrangements.
The face of young master Wang and his companions turned ashen.
Their disgust and aversion toward Cui Yunchu were genuine enough, but there was another reason—their families had specifically instructed them to avoid any contact with her, to stay as far away as possible.
After all, she was beautiful, and young men were hot-blooded, easily tempted by charm.
Young master Wang said, "Minister Shen, I..."
"Is several miles not far enough?" Shen Xiabai’s voice was calm and gentle. "How about going outside the city to eat?"
It sounded like a concerned inquiry.
"No, no, it’s far enough, far enough." Young master Wang nodded.
The Prince of An’s steward said, "Then I invite you gentlemen to set off immediately. If you wait until after the ceremony to go, the food will have gone cold."
Cui Yunchu raised her chin, watching them slink away.
"Miss Cui, at this moment you look just like a dog throwing its weight around in arrogance."
"..."
Cui Yunchu cast a sidelong glance at Shen Xiabai. "Then do you want to be my master?"
Shen Xiabai lowered his gaze, and beneath his calm exterior, something seemed to be slowly cracking.
Cui Yunchu winked at him.
He immediately looked away, his Adam’s apple bobbing rapidly.
Cui Yunchu curled her lips, her voice dropping very low. "Even if I’m a dog, I’m a vicious one. I’ll turn and bite, kill my master, and become king myself."
Her eyes fell on the tooth mark on Shen Xiabib’s tiger’s mouth, and she smiled lightly before turning to leave.
Shen Xiabai touched the tooth mark, unable to articulate the feeling in his chest. It was burning, restless—he could hardly stand still.
Yu Feng said, "Master, your soul, your soul."
"..."
Shen Xiabai steadied himself. His face wore its usual unyielding blankness as he glanced at Yu Feng.
"..." Yu Feng felt a chill run down his neck and quickly added, "My lord, I meant that Miss Cui has probably gone off to torment some other gentleman. Should we follow?"
Shen Xiabai frowned. "What business is that of yours?"
Yu Feng bowed his head and kept his expression low-key.
The whole capital knew that Miss Cui was currently negotiating a marriage. The way those gentlemen had just avoided her like the plague made it clear: the Cui family intended to use this wedding to pick out a promising young man.
It wasn’t his business, but it was his master’s. Clearly, some people were still struggling, unwilling to admit it or face reality.
…
Cui Yunchu weaved through the Prince of An’s estate with Xing’er.
Xing’er said, "Just now, we really have to thank the Crown Prince and Minister Shen for sticking up for you."
Cui Yunchu hummed in response. "There are many people here today. The Crown Prince did this to plug everyone’s mouths, to make those gossips hold back a bit. If I lose face, it’s no different from my cousin losing face."
Xing’er nodded, then asked, "And Minister Shen? Isn’t he usually at odds with you? Why did he help?"
Cui Yunchu stopped in her tracks and turned to look at Xing’er.
"Miss, what’s wrong?"
"Nothing. No matter what happens today, you must follow my instructions, remember?"
Seeing the rare seriousness in Cui Yunchu’s eyes, Xing’er immediately nodded.
The mistress and maid walked on. After about half an hour, Xing’er couldn’t help but speak again. "Miss, the guests are all in front. Are you looking for someone?"
"No, just wandering."
Timing the return of the bridal sedan chair, Cui Yunchu turned back to head there.
But at a corner, a man suddenly appeared. He was waving an out-of-season fan, pretending to be suave, but his face showed the sallow exhaustion of a life given to wine and women, and his gaze was naked and lecherous.
"Miss Cui, why is someone as beautiful as you here all alone? Could it be, after hearing what those young gentlemen said, you’ve come here to nurse your wounded pride?"
As soon as this man appeared, Cui Yunchu’s eyes turned icy.
She said nothing and tried to brush past him.
Gu Xuan blocked her path. "How about you kneel and beg me? Tomorrow, I’ll have my family send a betrothal gift and take you as a concubine. Better than letting such beauty wither away unwed, never knowing life’s pleasures."
Cui Yunchu turned her head, her look at the man full of disgust. "Young Master Gu, you started playing with women in your teens. I’d say your stamina is pretty much worn out. If I married you, I’d be afraid of being widowed young."
"You bitch, you dare curse me?"
Gu Xuan grabbed her wrist, his narrowed eyes filled with malice.
Cui Yunchu’s face was calm. "Just speaking the truth. If you were capable, why would you be so agitated?"
"You believe I won’t take you right here in the Prince of An’s estate? Let me tell you, even if your father is the chancellor, he can’t do a thing to me. You’re a ruined, unwanted piece of trash. Maybe your father would even thank me for taking you off his hands."
Cui Yunchu knew he spoke the truth.
Even if something happened, the Cui family might not be willing to offend the Gu family to death over her, destabilizing the situation further.
But the icy mockery in her eyes only grew brighter. "Try it. See if you succeed or if I kill you."
Gu Xuan laughed as if he’d heard the funniest joke. "You kill me? Hahahaha. With you? Cui Yunchu, you just wait. I’m going to make you kneel and beg for mercy today, to pay for that kick you gave me."
"Let go of me." Cui Yunchu suddenly started struggling, a sob creeping into her voice.
Gu Xuan watched her tear-streaked face, licked the corner of his mouth, and couldn't resist leaning in to kiss her.
But suddenly, his body was struck by a heavy blow, sending him flying backward. He crashed hard onto the ground, tumbling over twice.
He tried to get up but failed; his body, drained by wine and women, could barely muster the strength even to speak.
