Oh. Cui Yunfeng dragged out her tone. So that's how it is.
Her eyes held a meaningful look, even as her shock had yet to fully fade.
Elder Sister, Cui Yunfeng blinked at her. Do you think I look blind to you?
Did she take her for a three-year-old child?
His mouth was practically stretched to his ears just now, his brows and eyes all full of springtime joy.
Especially when he looked down at you just now, his gaze so... deep and obscure.
We're just friends, don't misunderstand.
Cui Yunfeng let out two haughty laughs, both dripping with mockery. Elder Sister, don't you dare taint the word innocent.
Only now did Cui Yunfeng's shock slowly subside. She had a thousand things she wanted to ask Cui Yunchu, but Cui Yunchu was flustered and only wanted to leave quickly.
Cui Yunchu hid her hand behind her back and crooked a finger at Shen Xiabai.
Shen Xiabai raised an eyebrow, taking his time as he lazily stepped down the stairs.
Cui Yunfeng grabbed hold of Cui Yunchu, craning her neck to see what was behind her back. What are you hiding from me? Let me see.
Cui Yunchu said, You'd better hurry up and take care of your own household matters. If you can't give me a proper explanation, I won't be coming again.
Cui Yunchu tried to break free from Cui Yunfeng and run, but Cui Yunfeng caught her again. I haven't finished speaking yet.
She glanced at Shen Xiabai and lowered her voice. Elder Sister, he's still a member of the Shen family after all. Our families have a feud.
Don't let him use you or trick you. Also, his mother—have you met her? If she gives you trouble, you must tell me. I'll put on my Princess Consort's court robes and go give her a piece of my mind. I'll make her regret it.
Cui Yunchu quickly covered Cui Yunfeng's mouth.
Cui Yunfeng frowned in urgency, still mumbling incessantly through the hand over her lips.
Elder Sister, you absolutely have to be smarter than me. Don't just marry anyone. If you don't want to marry, that's fine too—I'll take care of you, and later your nephew will take care of you too.
Stop talking, Cui Yunchu hissed through gritted teeth, leaning close to her ear.
Cui Yunfeng continued, Don't forget what I told you before. If he truly treats you well, then marrying him is fine. But make sure he treats you better than Father did—no hitting, no scolding, no making you kneel in the ancestral hall. He has to entrust his very life and fortune to you.
Let you run wild on his turf, and let your word be law.
Cui Yunchu was speechless. That's not marriage—that's becoming a tyrant.
As Cui Yunfeng spoke, her eyes turned red.
Cui Yunchu's head started to buzz from the chatter.
Look, Cui Yunchu pointed behind her. Prince An is looking for you.
Cui Yunfeng didn't believe it at all. Elder Sister, you must listen to me. If you're wronged, promise you'll tell me.
Cui Yunchu yanked her arm free with difficulty and fled as if her life depended on it.
Elder Sister! Cui Yunfeng took a few steps after her, but suddenly her waist was caught, and the next moment she was lifted off the ground.
Where is my Princess Consort off to? Xiao Yi pressed his forehead to hers, his voice tender and lingering.
Put me down! Cui Yunfeng suddenly raised her voice, startling Xiao Yi.
Like a startled rabbit, Cui Yunfeng struggled violently. Xiao Yi held her firm and kissed her soundly a few times.
Cui Yunfeng hit and scolded him, You bastard! Tonight you're sleeping in the study! You and your butler—you can both sleep in the study together!
The butler nearby broke out in a cold sweat.
Watching the Princess Consort who was hitting and kicking, he spoke up very loyally, Your Highness, please forgive me. It was this old servant who forgot to deliver Eldest Miss Cui's invitation. This old servant failed in his duty. It has nothing to do with the Prince. If you must punish someone, punish this old servant alone.
Xiao Yi shot him a look of approval.
Even if I hadn't sent the invitation, Cui Yunchu wouldn't have missed your birthday. He knew this very well in his heart.
That's because my Elder Sister is good to me—she cares about me. But you? You only make me unhappy. You can't compare to my Elder Sister at all.
Xiao Yi was furious at that. He held her waist and carried her straight back to the main courtyard, tossing her onto the bed.
You say she's better to you than I am?
Cui Yunfeng nodded. Yes. She glared at him fiercely. Xiao Yi, you even dare to scheme against my Elder Sister.
Xiao Yi pressed his lips together, looking both angry and helpless. Isn't it possible that your Elder Sister comes so often because of all those big bags and bundles you let her take away?
Had Cui Yunchu ever come away empty-handed?
She's after your money and treasure. I'm the only one who would hand over everything I own to you, asking only that you stay by my side and be happy. I'm the one who's truly best to you.
My Elder Sister is still better than you, Cui Yunfeng frowned. My Elder Sister only wants a few material things. But what you want is my entire life.
Even though she did have feelings for him, if she really compared, her Elder Sister had the smallest demands.
Otherwise, what else should he want? He loved her—if he wasn't after her person, what was he supposed to go after?
Xiao Yi braced himself on his arms over the bed, his head drooping in defeat, feeling the same exhaustion as if arguing with Cui Yunchu himself.
Yunfeng, be good. Don't play with her anymore.
She's completely corrupted you.
He bent down, about to kiss her lips, his eyes full of burning desire.
Cui Yunfeng raised her hand and slapped him lightly but clearly across the face. You still schemed against my Elder Sister.
What did I scheme against her? Did I scheme against Cui Yunchu today?
Xiao Yi looked wronged, but the words he asked were oddly calm. By now, he was used to taking the blame and was no longer surprised by it.
These days, the moment he heard the words Elder Sister from Cui Yunfeng's mouth, his head started to ache.
You didn't? Cui Yunfeng stared at him. Then what about Lord Shen? Doesn't Prince An's manor have any servants? And Eunuch Liu coming to talk about the sachet—those were all excuses you made, weren't they? Just so you could leave my Elder Sister alone with Lord Shen.
At this, Cui Yunfeng's eyes widened. Xiao Yi, you... you... you don't mean to use my Elder Sister to win over Lord Shen, do you? You're going to sell my Elder Sister off to Lord Shen!
Convinced her reasoning was sound, Cui Yunfeng began hitting and kicking Xiao Yi again. I'm telling you, don't even think about it! If you dare use my Elder Sister for your own gain, I'll kill you.
The last words strangely struck a nerve in a certain someone's old wound. Xiao Yi's gaze darkened.
Yunfeng, his voice was full of resignation. I didn't scheme against her. Shen Xiabai was drunk, and I sent Eunuch Liu to escort him. Whatever happened afterward, I truly don't know.
After all, right under Cui Yunfeng's nose, he was careful enough not to stir up trouble for himself.
Besides, if the two of them had nothing between them—given Cui Yunchu's reputation—even if he wanted to make a match, would Shen Xiabai have been willing?
