Have You Written Your Will Today?
Chapter 47 Cui Yun Has a Bit of Green on His Head

Chapter 47: Chapter 47 Cui Yun Has a Bit of Green on His Head

Who would curse themselves?

The Housekeeper, fearing these esteemed guests might come to blows, was now shaking in trepidation. How could he, a mere Housekeeper, offend the daughter of the Minister Mansion? And Shen Hua, a spender of gold like dirt, naturally couldn’t side with Miss Wei.

To advise anyone would be a mistake.

Unapproachable as they may be, he could still hide away.

With an awkward smile, he quickly retreated, daring not to interfere.

Shen Hua’s lips were red, her teeth white, showing no sign of wanting to die.

After calming Wei Yingying, Yan Mi looked at Shen Hua with a bit of surprise.

Shen Hua’s aura was fully unleashed. Clearly, no matter if Yan Mi was there, she was ready to scold just the same. Yet what she awaited was Yan Mi’s envious gaze.

Yangyang was clueless, but Yangyang remained silent.

The air, once fraught with tension as if swords were drawn and bows were ready, had now cleared, leaving Shen Hua lax but not quite satisfied, her gaze drifting to Yicui who was happily picking out clothes in the distance.

In her eyes swirled a complexity and sorrow unbefitting her age.

Yicui was a child saved by Mama from the hands of refugees during the severe drought.

Ms. Shen Chun arranged for Yicui to keep Shen Hua company.

In those years, the rivers dried up, the crops failed, and there were countless famine victims.

Yicui’s birth mother, skeletal from hunger, gnawed at tree bark, ate grass roots, mixed with a bit of sand - they devoured everything they could find. But when tree bark and grass roots were gone, all they could do was grit their teeth and exchange children with another family.

Who didn’t want to survive?

To kill and eat one’s own child, however heartless, was still too cruel to bear, so they exchanged with a family they had never met.

It wasn’t rare to see distances of a thousand miles littered with the starving dead, some resorting to the exchange of children just to eat.

Later on, Yicui remained with Shen Hua.

Yicui had been promised in marriage from infancy, but after such a severe drought, whether the other party was dead or alive was anyone’s guess. That marriage thus came to naught.

Yet Shen Hua knew, in her previous life, Yicui’s betrothed had overcome mountains and rivers to find her.

That man, orphaned, had wandered in search of Yicui for a whole ten years.

At that time, Shen Hua, despite knowing she would soon be sent by Shen Qu to attend to the Prefect, despaired yet spiritedly arranged their marriage, even preparing a dowry for Yicui so she could settle down to a good life.

But Yicui couldn’t leave Shen Hua, and didn’t go with him.

She got angry at Shen Hua for the first time: "Why should Mistress drive a servant away? I’ll shamelessly follow you! Don’t speak ill of your health and not living long; as long as you live, I’ll serve you, and if you really pass away, I’ll burn you the most beautiful and exquisite clothes and jewelry to accompany you down below."

Then to that deeply righteous man she callously said: "You’re nothing but a commoner, wearing threadbare clothes, which shows you’re destitute. I am Mistress’s most presentable servant girl, how could I fancy you? If you don’t want to lose face, you’d better leave quickly."

The man left in utter despair, not knowing that Yicui had stood there watching his receding figure for a very, very long time, until her eyes were red.

"Sister Yan, people from Prince Gong Mansion came to propose marriage to me yesterday."

Yan Mi was somewhat surprised as she handed her a cup of tea, and then said with a gentle smile, "No wonder Princess Consort Gong took a liking to you, every birthday of yours she sends gifts that makes so many girls envious."

"But Ji Huo is a philanderer, keeping a troop of concubines; even as the Princely Heir, how is that any better? No matter how kind Princess Consort Gong is to me, I do not wish to marry into that family."

As Wei Yingying spoke, she couldn’t help but sound sour: "Speaking of envy, who could compare to you, Sister. Being able to marry Marquis Cui."

Yan Mi felt a bit helpless and didn’t like hearing this sort of talk.

Besides, there were others present. If she really was to be married, that would be one thing, but if not, wouldn’t she become the laughingstock in Shen Hua’s eyes?

The Governor Mansion couldn’t afford such embarrassment, and much less could she.

Thus, unless Marquis Yangling Mansion officially sent a matchmaker, she would not believe that she was to marry Cui Yun, no matter how close Madam Cui Xuan was to her.

But what was there to celebrate about marrying a man like Cui Yun?

"Don’t talk nonsense."

"Where is the nonsense? At the last banquet, the Madam of Marquis Yangling Mansion deliberately pulled you aside to chat."

Shen Hua, unmoved, her shiny black eyes rolling eagerly, wished she could stick her ear closer to listen.

So, this is the future bride of our benefactor? Although not as beautiful as her, she is still charming.

Her voice is soft and gentle like a spring breeze, yet she’s nothing like Zhou Zhizhi’s white lotus demeanor. Not to mention men being moved, even Shen Hua found it hard to resist after listening for a while.

With such a lady, wouldn’t she have to be cherished upon marriage?

Wei Yingying: "I suppose it won’t be long before I should address you as Marchioness."

Shen Hua’s little face remained calm as she shifted her chair slightly.

"Half of the girls in Shengjing harbor secret affections for the Marquis. Just the other day, my concubine sister downstairs caught a glimpse of the Marquis riding by, and her eyes nearly stuck to him. Hmph! Showing no restraint at all, completely embarrassing our Minister Mansion."

She would absolutely never admit that her heart raced too, that day.

Yan Mi is truly blessed.

Shen Hua shifted her chair again,

Yan Mi pursed her lips and remained silent, but Wei Yingying went on without holding back: "The only one who could match the Marquis would be the Heir of Duke, Xie Xun. His military achievements are illustrious, and he is also quite handsome."

Yan Mi’s hand trembled slightly as she held her teacup, a momentary look of loss flashed in her eyes, and even the sweet and mellow tea tasted bitter.

Xie Xun, ah.

He was the gentlest man she had ever met.

Not like Cui Yun’s distant and cold demeanor, Xie Xun radiated a natural warmth from his bones. Yet this young man, when he wielded his sword in armor, was also full of youthful vigor. He was not to be outdone in the slightest.

So excellent that she looked up to him.

As if recalling something, Wei Yingying’s tone became excited again.

"Right, he is also not yet married. On the day he returned to the capital, his body was bombarded by the wallets and handkerchiefs of numerous adoring girls."

She was about to say something more with her coy voice when she caught sight of a fluffy head out of the corner of her eye. She was startled.

Shen Hua moved her chair over and sat down, her eyes glistening as she looked at her.

"Shall we continue?"

What’s there to continue! She is not a storyteller!

"Why have you come over?" Wei Yingying was clearly unwelcoming.

Shen Hua: "The pastries by this tea table are delicious."

"How are they any different from those on your table?"

Shen Hua gave her a deep look.

"Oh, is that so?"

Wei Yingying was infuriated.

Shen Hua asked again: "Has Marquis Cui ever been bombarded with wallets?"

Wei Yingying naturally ignored Shen Hua.

With no reply from Wei Yingying, Shen Hua felt an itch in her heart that sprouted like a seed. She dejectedly hung her head, a complete contrast to her previously overbearing demeanor.

Seeing her like this, Yan Mi couldn’t help but feel both amused and sympathetic. She spoke softly, "Once."

Shen Hua blinked in disbelief: "Once?"

Why would our benefactor only have it happen once!

"Indeed, Marquis Cui, on the grounds of disrupting public duties, sent those girls to the government office. Since then, who would dare to act recklessly again?"

"..."

Shen Hua: "Did Heir Xie accept them?"

Yan Mi’s voice became even softer as she spoke very lightly.

"Being the modest gentleman he is, of course he didn’t accept."

Shen Hua felt that there was a bit of green on Cui Yun’s head.