Chapter 99: That’s All

Chapter 99: Chapter 99: That’s All

’If...’

Cui Lingyao thought, ’If this were the modern world, I’d probably be very happy to date a guy like Shen Tingyu.’

But this was Great Yue.

’This is my mission world, and he isn’t my target.’ 𝘧𝓇ℯℴ𝓂

’As long as Xie Jinbai is around, he’ll never allow any other man near me.’

’I have to quickly sever these budding feelings and draw a clear line with Shen Tingyu.’

’Whether for my own sake or for Shen Tingyu’s, I have to do this.’

In the empty courtyard, the two stood facing each other. There were not even any servants sweeping nearby.

Shen Tingyu lowered his gaze, staring intently at the young woman before him.

As if she had figured something out, her expression suddenly became much calmer.

The face that used to give him a headache was now inhabited by a new soul. Now, just a single glance at it sent his heart into disarray, leaving him flustered and helpless.

His gaze was too intense; Cui Lingyao didn’t dare meet his eyes.

She turned her face away, took a step back, and shrugged off the hand on her shoulder. Pursing her lips, she said, "Let’s go inside."

It was not good to leave the mourning hall empty for too long.

...

Naturally, everything that happened here was quickly reported by unseen eyes.

Prince Yu’s Mansion, the study.

Xie Jinbai’s advisors and household ministers were seated in order, currently discussing official matters.

He was leaving the Capital City tomorrow, so all necessary instructions had to be given.

When Li Yong entered with a bow, the discussion inside was in full swing. He skirted around the group, went to the head of the room, and leaned in to whisper a few words into his master’s ear.

Xie Jinbai’s expression faltered slightly. He turned his head. "She cried?"

Li Yong nodded.

’God knows how shocked I was when I heard the news.’

He knew that the Heir’s wife of Duke Zhao Mansion had been a close friend of his master’s late Princess Consort.

But it turned out she had a secret conversation with Miss Pei, and the two had even hugged and cried together.

’Before, I’d always thought this Miss Pei was just the object of my master’s transferred affections.’

’But now...’

Li Yong was starting to get lost in wild speculation.

’Could it be? Did my Prince’s love move the heavens, prompting them to send the Princess Consort back in another form?’

’Otherwise, the young mistress of the Zhao Family wouldn’t have acted like that.’

...

Perhaps her words from the previous night had an effect. When Cui Lingyao returned to her room that evening, she didn’t smell that familiar scent.

Her tense body slowly relaxed.

She was too tired.

For the past few days, she had spent her days crying and kneeling, only to come back at night and have to deal with that man.

She was utterly exhausted.

After her bath, she got into bed and fell asleep immediately.

It was a rare night of good sleep.

When she opened her eyes again, it was already early morning.

Having had enough sleep, she felt refreshed and much more energetic.

Zhiqiu came in to help her wash up and said in a low voice, "Shen Er, from the Young Master’s side, came before dawn. He said there’s no need for you to rush and that you should take your time getting ready. The Young Master is taking care of all the arrangements for the mistress’s coffin journey."

On the first day of a long journey, he wanted his fiancée to be well-rested before setting out, so he arranged everything else himself.

He was so considerate of every detail—truly, unbelievably thoughtful.

Zhiqiu was happy for her mistress and couldn’t help but smile. "The Young Master was just a bit dense before, but now that he’s come to his senses, he’s truly one of the gentlest men in the world. My Lady, you’ve finally seen the clouds part to reveal the moon."

Cui Lingyao’s expression faltered.

She swallowed the complex feelings rising in her heart and said flatly, "Help me with my hair and makeup."

Zhiqiu froze. Seeing her mistress’s lack of enthusiasm, she didn’t dare say more and quickly got busy.

She mentally scolded herself for being a chatterbox. ’Her Ladyship is in deep mourning; how could she be expected to be cheerful and smiling?’

......

At the main entrance of Duke Shen Mansion.

The summer sun rose early. By the time they were ready, the sky was already bright.

When Cui Lingyao arrived, she saw Shen Tingyu standing under the eaves with his back to her, dressed in blue-green robes.

He was very tall, his back as straight and steady as a pine tree. He wore a long, wide-sleeved robe, his spine erect. A gentle breeze rustled the wide cuffs of his sleeves, giving him a cool, distant air.

Having only recently come of age, his figure still retained a trace of youthful slimness.

Even without seeing his face, a single glance at his back was enough to make one pause in admiration.

Cui Lingyao was no exception; for a moment, she was mesmerized.

It was no wonder that a man like him captivated the noble ladies of the Capital City.

No wonder even Chen Minrou’s mother-in-law had her eye on him for her younger daughter.

As if sensing movement behind him, the man who had been waiting in silence turned his head, his calm eyes brightening slightly.

A young woman in an apricot-colored dress stood gracefully in the sunlight. She was dressed simply from head to toe; even her delicate, pale wrists were bare.

But she was glowing.

She was glowing.

At the corner of the street, a horse-drawn carriage had stopped at some unknown time.

A corner of the carriage curtain was lifted, and the gaze of the person inside was fixed in their direction.

Cui Lingyao felt a sudden, inexplicable jolt. Composing herself, she walked over.

"Have you been waiting long?"

"No," Shen Tingyu pursed his lips into a smile. "Let’s get in the carriage."

The procession was long.

Escorting a coffin back to one’s ancestral home required a large retinue of servants to look after it on the road.

The carriage was at the very front.

Cui Lingyao had just stepped into the carriage when Shen Tingyu followed her in.

She was slightly taken aback.

Seeing her reaction, Shen Tingyu chuckled. "It’s very hot outside. You don’t expect me to ride a horse, do you?"

Cui Lingyao: "..."

’You could take a separate carriage,’ she wanted to say.

But then she thought, ’After all, we’re on a journey. We should travel light and keep things simple.’

So, she said nothing.

In the silence, the wheels began to turn slowly, heading toward the city gate.

Inside the carriage.

The two sat facing each other. An ice basin slowly released cool air, making the compartment very pleasant.

But Cui Lingyao couldn’t settle her mind.

’Where is Xie Jinbai?’ she wondered.

’Didn’t that man say he would travel with me?’

She lifted the carriage curtain and peered outside, looking all around.

Shen Tingyu was pouring her tea. Seeing her actions, he asked, "What are you looking for?"

"..." Cui Lingyao hesitated for a moment before confessing, "Xie Jinbai said he would go to Pingzhou with me."

As she finished speaking, Shen Tingyu’s hand, which was pouring the tea, paused slightly.

"Is that so..."

The overwhelming joy he felt from being alone with her suddenly froze. He forced a smile and asked, "Have you already decided to rekindle your past relationship with him?"

If Xie Jinbai himself had asked this question, Cui Lingyao would have ignored him completely. But this was Shen Tingyu.

Shen Tingyu, the man she was engaged to, with whom an inexplicable affection was flowing.

She had to crush any hopes he might have.

So, without a second thought, Cui Lingyao nodded. "He’s a good person. Everything in the past was just a misunderstanding. When we get back from Pingzhou, we’ll go to our elders and tell them to cancel the engagement."

She had already thought of the reason.

"I’ll just say that on our trip to Pingzhou, after spending so much time together, I realized my feelings for you aren’t romantic. It’s more like a younger sister’s admiration for an older brother. So, the old engagement should be voided."

Shen Tingyu looked at her for a long time, then softly hummed in agreement. "Alright. I’ll do as you say."

The emotion in his eyes was very complex.

Cui Lingyao didn’t dare to examine it too closely. She quickly turned her face away. For some reason, she blurted out, "I’m sorry."

Shen Tingyu’s lips twitched into a stiff smile. "You have nothing to be sorry for."

He said, "It’s my problem. I originally thought the heavens had blessed me and given me a chance. Now, it’s taking that chance back. It had nothing to do with you from the start."