HomeAfter I Bloom Hundred Flowers DieChapter 121: Not Manly at All

Chapter 121: Not Manly at All

The atmosphere was extremely tense. Xihe let Biyu help her stand up, and she walked to Cui Jinbai to give him a courtesy bow: “This matter was due to my lack of consideration. I hope Young Official Cui can be understanding.”

It wasn’t that she needed anything from Cui Jinbai. Shen Xihe was acting this way because she understood the proud and dignified nature of noble families. How Bu Shulin had previously abducted Cui Jinbai was their affair, but this time he was brought here forcefully for her sake, which was quite offensive.

Cui Jinbai was the Crown Prince’s man, and how could these confidants not know the Crown Prince’s feelings toward Princess Zhaoning?

He hadn’t been angry at Princess Zhaoning, what angered him was…

Princess Zhaoning’s face was pale, clearly not yet recovered from her serious illness. Cui Jinbai, considering himself a proper gentleman and seeing Shen Xihe’s sincere apology, returned the courtesy: “Princess need not apologize. My earlier words were inappropriate.”

“Quick, sit down. Why be so courteous with him?” Bu Shulin was deeply concerned and hurried over to support Shen Xihe, but was smoothly intercepted by the clever Biyu.

Bu Shulin could only give an awkward smile, having forgotten that in others’ eyes, she was a man.

Cui Jinbai gave her a cold glance, preferring not to look at what disturbed him, and said to Shen Xihe: “What instructions does the Princess have?”

Before the Crown Prince left the capital, he had instructed them that they must do their utmost to help with whatever Shen Xihe needed.

“I have a person here whom I suspect was switched with a death row prisoner from a prison in the capital. I’d like Young Official Cui to investigate,” Shen Xihe handed a portrait to Cui Jinbai. “The body has already been dissected and decomposed; I ordered the servants to dispose of it.”

Shen Xihe was a cleanliness freak; she absolutely wouldn’t tolerate a corpse remaining in her residence for too long.

The portrait was drawn by Xie Yunhuai. Cui Jinbai didn’t expose Xie Yunhuai’s identity but recognized his meticulous brushwork. After one glance, he thoughtfully looked at Xie Yunhuai, then asked: “Princess, if death row prisoners were being switched out in the capital, that should fall under this humble official’s duties. I still wish to know how this person came into the Princess’s possession, and why the Princess wishes to investigate.”

Since they had called Cui Jinbai here, Shen Xihe hadn’t planned to hide anything. However, as she was weak and exhausted, Xie Yunhuai took the initiative to explain the cause and effects, including his findings about Jiannanchun, though he omitted the matter concerning Ai Dai.

“Is the Princess seriously ill?” Cui Jinbai’s expression tightened upon hearing this, his voice urgent with concern.

He was too anxious, causing Shen Xihe, Bu Shulin, and Xie Yunhuai to all turn and stare at him simultaneously.

Cui Jinbai also realized he had shown some loss of composure, but having navigated official circles for many years, his expression remained unchanged. He maintained his concern without explaining as if trying to hide nothing: “Is the Princess seriously ill? Should we summon the Imperial Physician for consultation?”

“With Doctor Qi here, I am not seriously ill,” Shen Xihe smiled weakly. “Thank you for Young Official Cui’s concern. Another matter requires your attention.”

Cui Jinbai: “Please speak, Princess.”

Shen Xihe beckoned to Ai Dai, and when he came close, she said to Cui Jinbai: “This child is naturally gifted. The Cui family school, with its spring recitations and summer strings, resonating with refined voices, is an excellent place for learning. Young Official Cui, please take him there. In the future, the Cui family’s nurturing will not be wasted.”

She had planned this place for Ai Dai long ago but was waiting for the right opportunity.

“Princess, what did Ai Dai do wrong? Do you not want Ai Dai anymore?” Ai Dai panicked, thinking Shen Xihe was trying to send him away somewhere else.

“Heaven-given talents, if not grasped, will incur heaven’s punishment,” Shen Xihe reached out to touch his clean but thin face. “If you wish to serve me, go with Young Official Cui to the Cui family and study well. In the future, when you achieve scholarly success, you can do great things for me.”

The thin face with extraordinarily large eyes lit up brilliantly: “If I succeed in my studies, I can do great things for the Princess?”

“Yes. If you don’t go with Young Official Cui now, you can only be my gatekeeper. When you grow up, I won’t need a gatekeeper, and you’ll become useless,” Shen Xihe said gently.

“I’ll go! I’ll go with Young Official Cui! I’ll study hard and learn to read and write! I’ll achieve scholarly success!” Ai Dai nodded repeatedly in excitement.

Young Official Cui looked at Ai Dai with some surprise. Given his background and origins, the phrase “achieve scholarly success” was probably something he had just heard for the first time, yet he could remember it instantly and vaguely understand its meaning – his talent was indeed exceptional.

“Princess, please rest assured, this official will take good care of him,” Cui Jinbai promised.

“Then I’ll trouble Young Official Cui with the matter of the criminal,” Shen Xihe nodded.

“Princess, please take care of yourself. Next time if you have any instructions, just have someone send word to this official,” Cui Jinbai added.

“I’ll remember that,” Shen Xihe smiled faintly.

“The Princess is still recovering from serious illness, we shall not disturb you further,” Cui Jinbai took his leave, while forcefully dragging Bu Shulin away by the arm.

“Hey hey hey, Cui Stone, you want to leave yourself, but this young master didn’t say I wanted to leave, let go…” Bu Shulin was forcefully dragged away.

She didn’t struggle hard to break free, but rather went along half-willingly, letting Cui Jinbai take her away. It wasn’t because she had suddenly developed a conscience and felt her earlier actions were somewhat excessive, but because she truly noticed Shen Xihe was in very poor health, so she stopped bothering her to let her rest more.

Once away from the Princess, Bu Shulin easily broke free from Cui Jinbai: “All this pulling and tugging, where are your manners?”

Cui Jinbai: …

She had the nerve to say that?

Taking a deep breath, Cui Jinbai said: “I know you have feelings for the Princess, but you should know that you cannot marry her. You should keep your distance from the Princess.”

Hearing Cui Jinbai’s words, Bu Shulin scratched her head, blinked thoughtfully, and circled him once.

“What kind of look is that?” Cui Jinbai felt uncomfortable being stared at.

“Why should I keep my distance from her?” Bu Shulin’s eyes rolled. “I was wondering, I’ve abducted you before too, but never saw you act so passive-aggressive as today. So it turns out you’re jealous!”

Cui Jinbai’s brow twitched as he scolded: “What nonsense are you spouting!”

“How am I spouting nonsense?” Bu Shulin wore a face that said ‘I see right through you’. “A beautiful lady naturally attracts noblemen. Though I have feelings for the Princess, I don’t mind that someone else does too. You’re right, I can’t marry her, but you don’t have a chance either.”

“Shut up!” Cui Jinbai shouted in angry embarrassment.

“Tsk tsk tsk, angry from embarrassment.” Bu Shulin clicked her tongue. “I’ve exposed your feelings, haven’t I? Alright, alright, I admit I was wrong today. I understand that, as a man, everyone wants to appear graceful and handsome before the woman they admire, to maintain dignity in every action. I shouldn’t have thrown you so disheveled before the Princess today. I apologize, I apologize, it won’t happen again.”

Cui Jinbai was so angry his chest heaved, wanting nothing more than to tear apart this ruffian before him who spoke such nonsense and false words.

The skill at turning things around and blaming others was truly unmatched!

Cui Jinbai angrily flicked his sleeve and walked off in another direction.

“Just because your feelings were exposed, did you need to get so angry?” Bu Shulin couldn’t help muttering, “Not manly at all.”

Now that’s what being manly should be like – like her, daring to love and acknowledge it!

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