Reborn Lady - Chapter 438
He recalled the times when he had seen the Third Princess assisting Empress Xu in compiling the book, and he recognized her distinctive handwriting.
Opening the letter once more, he found only a few words: I am outside the door.
Setting down the letter, Cui Yu took a moment to compose himself. He then instructed the servant next to him, “Please escort the person to the study.”
He couldn’t go out to greet her in person; doing so would draw attention to her unusual identity.
So, Cui Yu went straight to the study and waited for her. The steward respectfully led the “white-faced scholar” out of the study, pushed open the door, and the “white-faced scholar” entered, having been brought in from outside.
With the sound of approaching footsteps, Cui Yu turned around abruptly.
Wei Ying drew open the curtain from the outer hall, looked up, and met his perturbed expression.
At thirty-five, Cui Yu was still tall and commanding, his features largely unchanged from before, save for the addition of a beard, which added a sense of stability and elegance to him.
Meeting his gaze, Wei Ying smiled and walked in fully, allowing the curtain behind her to fall, effectively isolating them from the outside world.
Cui Yu’s study was spacious and elegant, but with all the windows closed, the room was dimly lit. Despite this, the Third Princess seemed to emanate a radiant glow in Cui Yu’s eyes. At twenty-six, she appeared even more radiant than she had a decade ago, far from the notion of “aging”.
Seeing her in this state, Cui Yu felt a mix of happiness, pity, and shame.
After a prolonged silence, Cui Yu lowered his eyes and bowed respectfully, speaking in a low voice, “I am honored by your presence, Princess. How may I be of service?”
With an air of nonchalance, Wei Ying snorted and moved directly to the desk, taking a seat with a relaxed and contented posture, as if she were the mistress of the mansion and Cui Yu merely a guest.
“I will be departing Jinling in a few days. Before I leave, I wish to bid farewell to all my old acquaintances,” Wei Ying announced, casually picking up a pen from the table and playing with it.
Cui Yu’s expression shifted, his concern evident as he asked, “Does the Princess truly intend to observe the sentiments of the people?”
Wei Ying met his gaze with a smile and replied, “Of course. Otherwise, what would become of an unmarried, idle Princess like me? Life would be dreadfully dull.”
Ignoring her self-deprecating tone, Cui Yu furrowed his brow and remarked, “The hearts of people can be treacherous. Even with guards to protect you, you may still encounter danger, Princess.”
Wei Ying had heard such warnings before and didn’t take them too seriously. “One can choke to death while eating, but we can’t stop eating because of the fear of choking,” she retorted. “You, as a literati, didn’t you accompany my father to the battlefield in the past?”
Cui Yu pursed his lips in response to Wei Ying’s words.
She continued to gaze at him intently, adding, “You still retain some charm now. If you marry in due time, you may still find favor with your wife. But if you delay too long, you might become a bad old man. Even if you were to marry someone beautiful, people might still hold you in disdain.”
Cui Yu finally smiled, his gaze dropping as he replied, “Why would the Princess tease her subject like this?”
Wei Ying snorted in response, “I’m not teasing. I simply want to advise you. If you’re hesitant to marry someone else because you’re worried about offending me, then there’s no need. We’re both adults now, and I should have let go long ago. But as I prepare to leave Jinling, I’ve realized that I still want to see you. Cui Yu, marry when the time is right, or else Concubine Shu will always be sad because of you.”
Cui Yu glanced at her, noting the Princess’s indifferent expression. With a smile, he explained, “I have reservations about marrying. I’ve remained single for many years because I simply don’t wish to cause harm to others. It has nothing to do with the Princess. There’s no need for you to blame yourself.”
Wei Ying listened, nodded, and rose from her seat. “Very well, then I shall take my leave. Mr. Ge, you may remain. There’s no need for you to see me out,” she stated.
With that, she made her way toward the door.
Cui Yu lifted one foot slightly, hesitated for a moment, and then decided to let it fall back down, allowing her to depart without further interference.
He froze in place, his gaze lowered, lost in thought. Meanwhile, Wei Ying, who had already reached the door, glanced back and noticed that he had made no move to see her off. An inexplicable annoyance welled up within her.
The unhappy Third Princess suddenly turned back and stood in front of Cui Yu in an instant. They were so close that Cui Yu could clearly see the lines of her lips.
Instinctively, he took a step back, but before he could move, Wei Ying raised her head and wrapped her arms around his neck. Rising onto her tiptoes, she planted a kiss on his cheek.
Cui Yu was stunned by the unexpected gesture, but instinctively, he placed his hands on her waist.
His eyes shifted nervously, avoiding direct contact with hers.
Wei Ying observed as his fair complexion quickly flushed red, and as the usually composed Old Ge of the court appeared flustered, almost like a teenager.
“Princess, I…”
Wei Ying interrupted him with a soft smile and spoke gently, “Don’t overthink it. This Princess simply loves you, my sweet old man. And before I leave, I want to leave you with something sweet.”
Old man…
Though knowing the Princess was joking, Cui Yu couldn’t help but purse his lips. After all, thirty-five wasn’t that old, right?
Before he could dwell on it further, the Princess’s face drew close once more, this time planting a kiss on his lips.
Closing his eyes, Cui Yu hesitated for a moment, then, thinking that she might not return from her journey, he tightened his grip on her waist, about to deepen the kiss, when suddenly, the imposing visage of Emperor Yongping flashed before his eyes.
A cold sweat broke out on his back as Cui Yu swiftly pushed her away.
Observing this, Wei Ying snorted, “No prospects!”
Cui Yu could only shamefully concede, waiting until the sound of her footsteps had faded away before he shook his head and offered a wry smile.
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Anyhow_Mittipao
not even one good kiss Mr Court genius?