HomeAfter I Bloom Hundred Flowers DieChapter 580: Is This Making a Marriage Agreement With Me?

Chapter 580: Is This Making a Marriage Agreement With Me?

“What are you sitting here for?” Bu Shulin shouted angrily.

Cui Jinbai stared ahead, still sitting steadily: “Waiting for you to calm down.”

Calm down?

Bu Shulin raised her voice: “Seeing you, I can’t calm down!”

“Then don’t look,” Cui Jinbai replied.

Bu Shulin: …

She remembered when she had clung to Cui Jinbai to avoid marrying the princess, constantly hovering around the Court of Justice. Back then, Cui Jinbai had said something similar – that seeing her made it impossible to focus on work. She had teased him then, saying he was infatuated with her and that’s why she affected him so much. Under his death glare, she had changed her words to suggest he simply not look at her.

Karma had come so quickly. Now she regretted it, deeply regretted it!

If she could turn back time, she definitely wouldn’t have provoked this clingy person!

Having brought this on herself, Bu Shulin could only lie lifelessly on the bed, staring vacantly at the ceiling.

After sitting quietly for a quarter hour, Cui Jinbai seemed to think Bu Shulin should have calmed down. He lightly coughed to announce himself before speaking: “Alin, can we stop fighting?”

“Who’s fighting with you?” Bu Shulin rolled her eyes again.

“Between us, you pursued me first. I rejected, avoided, and advised against it. Yet you persisted. How can you stir my once-peaceful heart into turbulent waves and then try to withdraw without a drop of water on you?” Cui Jinbai said softly. “From childhood, I was taught not to dare call myself a gentleman, but I still followed the Three Cardinal Guides and Five Constant Virtues. I wouldn’t dare be discourteous to ladies, let alone harbor feelings for men.

These improper thoughts I have for you all started because of you. If not for your bold and blatant flirtations, how would I have developed these feelings?

You’ve made me like this, so don’t think you can escape unscathed.”

He knew Bu Shulin might not truly like men – she had just used him as an escape from marrying the princess. But now, he couldn’t turn back. If Bu Shulin wanted to withdraw, what should he do?

Bu Shulin closed her eyes heavily. She couldn’t refute a single word of Cui Jinbai’s – everything was her own doing.

Moreover, she felt very guilty for turning a model young master from a noble family into a pitiful person who openly accepted his same-sex desires. But she couldn’t give Cui Jinbai the response he wanted.

Speaking honestly, was she truly without any feelings for Cui Jinbai?

Not quite. He was such an outstanding person – how many young ladies in the capital secretly admired him? Yet he had no bad habits, kept himself pure, was courteous, and was completely devoted to her.

“Regarding our matter, let’s wait until my Bu family can reach a good conclusion before making any decisions,” she didn’t bother with empty words about them both being men – Cui Jinbai didn’t care whether she was male or female. “If before then, you find someone you like, or realize we can’t have a good ending and want to leave, I won’t blame you.”

Cui Jinbai excitedly stood up, and rushed to Bu Shulin’s bed, his eyes bright: “Are you… are you suggesting making a marriage agreement with me?”

Bu Shulin: …

Bu Shulin patiently explained: “That’s not what I meant. I’m saying before the Bu family is secure, I won’t discuss marriage. In my heart, the Bu family takes precedence over personal relationships. I absolutely won’t let personal feelings entangle me and my father.

Moreover, you and I… society won’t tolerate it, His Majesty won’t tolerate it, only the Crown Prince… might make it possible. I don’t know how long until that day comes, nor do I know if you can wait until then…”

“I can wait! No matter how long, I’m willing and will wait for you,” Cui Jinbai said urgently.

Bu Shulin looked at him: “Then let’s agree on that.”

“Since you want me to wait, you must treat me differently. I have only one condition,” Cui Jinbai seized the opportunity.

“Tell me first,” Bu Shulin didn’t immediately agree.

“From now on, no more drinking and womanizing,” Cui Jinbai said solemnly.

“I’m already a wastrel – if I don’t drink and womanize, but become diligent like you, would His Majesty still tolerate me?” Bu Shulin quickly made excuses. This was her life, unchanged for over ten years, deeply ingrained in her bones. She loved these things – how could she give them up?

Pursing his lips, Cui Jinbai could only compromise: “You can go to these places, but you can’t let anyone get close to you.”

Going to brothels without embracing delicate young ladies – what fun would that be? Just going to those places purely to drink?

But facing Cui Jinbai’s deathly serious gaze, Bu Shulin could only perfunctorily say: “Alright, alright, I’ll try my best, I’ll try my best.”

“Not try your best – you must!” Cui Jinbai wouldn’t yield on this point.

Bu Shulin fell silent.

Cui Jinbai felt quite wronged: “Before meeting you, I had never been intimate with anyone. I had no serving maids near me, even male servants couldn’t approach me, let alone stepping foot in the Imperial Music Bureau or brothels. But you…”

As he spoke, Cui Jinbai’s clear eyes stared straight at Bu Shulin, his gaze practically forming two solid words: Promiscuous!

Bu Shulin felt very guilty under his gaze. Hearing Cui Jinbai’s words, she felt like a playboy, and an experienced one at that, while Cui Jinbai was pure as ice and jade, untouched by a speck of dust.

“Fine, fine, I won’t go anymore, won’t go,” Bu Shulin waved impatiently.

Only then did Cui Jinbai show a smile, sitting on the edge of the bed, gazing at her intently: “Are you not feeling unwell anywhere?”

“My heart’s been dug out – how else could I feel unwell?” Bu Shulin said sullenly.

“If you truly enjoy singing and dancing, I can invite professionals to entertain you, but I must accompany you,” Cui Jinbai conceded slightly.

Bu Shulin gave him a fake smile: “Thank you for your generosity.”

Seemingly missing her sarcasm, Cui Jinbai smiled back: “It’s good that you recognize my generosity.”

This conversation…

Bu Shulin felt like their gender roles had reversed – it sounded just like a man praising his proper wife…

At least the atmosphere between them had finally improved.

The next day, when Shen Xihe went to see Xue Jinqiao, she was surprised to see Bu Shulin there, wondering why Bu Shulin would voluntarily come.

Meeting Shen Xihe’s gaze, Bu Shulin smiled weakly – she had been forced to come.

“Sister, did you come to help me try on my wedding clothes?” Xue Jinqiao’s eyes curved happily seeing Shen Xihe.

Bu Shulin pursed her lips. This girl was fierce toward others – those who hadn’t seen her vicious side would think she was pure and kind.

“Yes, to see if your wedding clothes fit properly,” Shen Xihe nodded.

She had come to keep Xue Jinqiao company and check if anything was lacking, as Xue Jinqiao and Shen Yun’an’s wedding was in two days.

Xue Jinqiao wasn’t skilled at needlework, so the wedding clothes were made by the Xue family’s seamstresses, and naturally, there were no problems.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest Chapters