Have You Written Your Will Today?
Chapter 151: Since you call me cousin, naturally, I have to protect you.

Chapter 151: Chapter 151: Since you call me cousin, naturally, I have to protect you.

The room was neatly tidied up, but she was in a bit of disarray, following Shen Hua’s feigned composure as she got up, inadvertently pulling on the canopy, tugging on the bell, bringing a burst of crisp ringing.

Cui Yun withdrew his gaze and stepped outside the screen.

Shen Hua awkwardly straightened her clothes, aware that Cui Yun’s presence was against the rules, yet she felt nothing improper about it.

Only when she had tidied herself up sufficiently did she emerge from the inner room, looking radiant and beautiful.

The room was well-heated with ample silver charcoal; she was lightly dressed, her attractive, shapely feminine figure exquisitely curved.

She stepped on her embroidered shoes, leaving lotus blossoms with every step.

"Cousin, what brings you here so late at night?"

She made clear distinctions; when outside the Marquis Mansion she would call Cui Yun fearlessly, in his presence, she would call him Marquis, and once back at the mansion, she would call him cousin.

Cui Yun turned around, a few yards away from her. His gaze settled firmly on the slightly swollen corner of Shen Hua’s eye.

"You’ve been crying?"

He asked too directly.

He was unlike brother Shen Zhi. In the past, when Shen Zhi sensed something was off and knew well Shen Hua was very concerned about her image, he was always gentle with his smiles.

——Who has again dared to upset my esteemed ancestor?

Shen Hua was about to deny it, but she met Cui Yun’s dark, deep eyes. Under the faint light, they seemed a bit more approachable.

Cui Yun’s gaze wasn’t sharp, yet it seemed to effortlessly dissect her awkward and stubborn thoughts with absolute clarity.

"...Yes."

She uttered a single word in a soft nasal tone.

Cui Yun: "I am already aware of what happened today."

"Not long after your embroidery was sold, Manager Cheng went to look for the Juchao Pavilion Shopkeeper, clearly stating that the Yulan Painting should not be sold, being the finale piece."

To speak of finale pieces, even if Juchao Pavilion kept it as the treasure of their shop, it would be no exaggeration.

Manager Cheng mentioned this before, but the Juchao Pavilion Shopkeeper, fixated on making money, quickly forgot.

Unfortunately, in that lapse, amongst many embroideries, Xue Shuyue snatched up a bargain.

Shen Hua was a bit stunned. Hearing this lifted her spirits somewhat.

She lifted her flawless, blemish-free chin. Her face, thinned from illness, seemed even smaller, as if it couldn’t even fill his palm.

"I’ve been able to do embroidery since I was five. I’ve practiced for seven years. Many old embroiderers can’t compare to me."

"Where is that piece of embroidery?"

Shen Hua: "Ah?"

The man’s eyes were indifferent, as he patiently spoke, causing Shen Hua to tremble.

"If you’re willing, you might as well hand it over to me."

"Yifeng Hall is currently in need of Su Embroidery."

He stood with his hands behind his back: "For Juchao Pavilion not to recognize the value and to sell the embroidery at a low price, it’s indeed taboo for a merchant. If this embroidery promptly appears in the most prominent display area in Yifeng Hall, marked as not for sale, the news will be quite a nice story."

This wasn’t a nice story, it was clearly a slap in the face!

Juchao Pavilion has made enough money and gained a reputation, but to stir up such an incident, it’s bound to be a joke in the entire industry, and a humorous topic for others’ leisure time talks. Even their reputation would be tarnished.

If the Yifeng Hall Shopkeeper isn’t foolish, naturally, he wouldn’t refuse.

Especially when Cui Yun himself steps forward.

Shen Hua, shaking off her earlier gloom, joyfully brought out the embroidery. She glanced at Cui Yun and asked in a whisper.

"Did Cousin come here especially for this matter?"

Cui Yun unfolded the embroidery, a flash of amazement in his eyes. He could hardly imagine Shen Hua, such a delicate girl, being able to quietly handle a needle.

Still as a maiden, swift as a rabbit when she moves.

He carefully took the piece, not intending to stay longer. He looked down: "Since you call me Cousin, of course, I am here to protect you."

Shen Hua was touched.

"My Mama also said she would protect me, only that her life was cut short."

"You really resemble her."

The night was like ink, thick and dense.

Cui Yun returned to his study and took off his cloak.

"Leave this matter to you."

Ji Qing respectfully accepted the embroidery: "Yes."

Just as he left, a shadow flashed by. Cui Yun, focused on writing his official documents, did not give the newcomer another glance.

"Any clues yet?"

Ying Yi’s voice was hoarse, as if a sharp tool had ruined his throat: "In a secret visit to the Ministry of Revenue, the security was extremely strict, and indeed as you anticipated, nearly a third of the weapons meant for the border were missing."

The room was cloaked in silence.

Cui Yun still had handsome features, but a fierce glint flashed across his eyes. He sneered, "It’s not the first or second time that the Ministry of Revenue ’lost’ weapons."

"They cover up every time, and in the end, they replace the weapons sent to the border with scrap metal."

What’s more interesting is that these checks at inspection points always pass.

"In a real battle, how long could they hold up?"

When they can’t hold up, and the borders are breached, then it’s the soldiers’ souls that become the city’s defense layer by layer.

Ying Yi: "Shall we continue the investigation?"

"No need."

How it ’disappeared,’ who the inner traitor is, the complex web of interests—Cui Yun has no interest in any of it.

"Should we inform the Eastern Palace about this matter?"

These days, the life of the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace has not been easy. He is eager to stand out, and if he learns of this matter, he will definitely take it to heart.

Cui Yun leaned back in his seat.

He chuckled softly, as though he were another loyal servant of the state, yet his words were chilling enough to send shivers down the spine.

"The Crown Prince has the talent to govern the nation, he could certainly spot the signs by himself. Why should I make any unnecessary moves?"

"The lives of the soldiers are cheap; they are destined to die, I suppose."

He has no desire to protect the kingdom of the Ji Family.

————

Early the next day.

A carriage bearing the emblem of the Minister of Ministry of Industry was parked outside the Marquis Mansion.

Wei Yingying had been waiting for quite some time. With her was Yan Mi, who hadn’t left her home recently.

Shen Hua swayed out of the West Garden and stepped onto the footstool to board the carriage.

Seeing Yan Mi, Shen Hua moved over to her side immediately.

Wei Yingying couldn’t help but make a sarcastic remark, "I saved a spot for you here, aren’t you afraid it’s too cramped?"

Shen Hua glanced at her slowly.

"In Fengzhou customs, dignified girls should sit together."

Wei Yingying: ???

Why doesn’t Shen Hua have a profound understanding of me?

"Then tell me, why did you make Sister Yan and me wait for so long? You’re putting on quite the airs."

Shen Hua looked over, not amused.

"Don’t I dress up when I go out?"

"And there’s no complaint about the cramped carriage either."

Just as they were about to start arguing, Yan Mi hurriedly intervened with a helpless tone.

"Enough."

Shen Hua felt comfortable listening to her gentle voice, "I’ll listen to you."

Then, leaning towards Yan Mi, she spoke affectionately, "I haven’t seen you for days."

Yan Mi masked her sadness, forcing a tone of indifference.

"My family has been considering a marriage for me. That’s why I haven’t left the house."

Shen Hua paused.

Before she could say more, Yan Mi softly continued, "It’s been decided; he’s the Eldest Young Master from the Duke Wei Mansion. Our families have exchanged tokens privately."

Wei Yingying was completely taken aback.

"That sickly boy?"

"The Eldest Young Master is just a little frail."

"Tch! In all of Shengjing, so many residences desperately want to take you as their bride, anyone would be better than him."

Hearing this, Shen Hua saw Yan Mi bashfully lowering her eyes, "The command of my parents, the matchmaking words."

She had no say in this.

Wei Yingying couldn’t really say anything more.

"You’re settled with a marriage, and so am I."

She looked at Shen Hua, "And you?"

Shen Hua was puzzled, "It’s not like it’s something good, I don’t want to be lumped in with you guys."