GBP Chapter 388 Choi Ji-ho publicly expresses his feelings
Chapter 388 Choi Ji-ho publicly expresses his feelings
Cui Zhihao refused to get up, stubbornly staring at him: "Your Highness, everything I have said is true. I beg Your Highness to do justice for me and Wanxia."
"You kid."
Shen Yanzhou shook his head helplessly, turning his gaze to Lin Chuying as if seeking approval.
Lin Chuying suppressed a laugh and said softly, "Young Master Cui is so sincere, Your Highness, please don't tease him anymore."
She then took Shi Wanxia's hand, gently patted the back of her hand, and spoke in a tender tone.
“Sister Wanxia, we can all see how much Young Master Cui cares for you.”
"If he dares to bully you in the future, just come to the East Palace and tell your sister, and your sister will teach him a lesson for you."
Shi Wanxia felt a shiver run through her heart from the heat of Lin Chuying's palm. She looked up and saw the sincere smile in Lin Chuying's eyes. Her nose tingled slightly, and she whispered, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Shen Yanzhou then said seriously, "Huai'an, get up. I will remember your kindness."
“How could I not know my sister Wanxia’s aspirations? When the world is at peace, the people can live and work in peace and contentment, and our great cause is about to be accomplished, if you two are still in love at that time, I will personally act as your matchmaker.”
Cui Zhihao breathed a sigh of relief and kowtowed deeply: "Thank you, Your Highness!"
When she got up, her ears had turned slightly red.
Chen Ping'an watched with amusement, then turned and hurried to the kitchen, thinking that he should ask Shuyun to add a couple more auspicious dishes, such as the "Mandarin Ducks Playing in the Water" stuffed tofu, which would surely bring good luck.
A moment later, Shuyun had prepared the meal, and everyone moved to the dining room.
The dining room was small but elegantly decorated. Several antique porcelain pieces were displayed on the display shelf against the wall, and a plain linen tablecloth was laid on the table. Eight dishes were neatly arranged on celadon plates. Although there was no extravagance, it exuded a warm and cozy atmosphere.
The crystal pork knuckle is bright red, the jade shrimp dumplings are as white as jade, and there is also a cold lotus root salad, which is crisp and refreshing. In the middle is a pot of steaming old duck soup, with a thin layer of oil floating on the surface, and the aroma spreads with the steam.
Lin Chuying picked up her jade chopsticks and first took a shrimp dumpling. Upon tasting it, she felt the shrimp meat was fresh and tender, with a faint aroma of scallions and ginger. She couldn't help but praise, "These shrimp dumplings are indeed refreshing, with a fresher taste than those from the imperial kitchen."
Shuyun, who was serving her, smiled shyly upon hearing this: "I'm glad Your Highness likes them. These shrimp were just caught from the river this morning, they're still lively and jumping around."
Shen Yanzhou scooped up a spoonful of old duck soup, tasted it, and said, "There are astragalus and goji berries in the soup? It's warming and nourishing without being too hot, which is suitable for this time of year."
Shi Wanxia smiled and said, "Your Highness has a good eye. Brother Cui said that the Empress has been feeling tired lately, so he asked Shuyun to add some warming and nourishing herbs."
Upon hearing this, Lin Chuying glanced at Cui Zhihao, her eyes filled with gratitude: "It's kind of you, Young Master Cui, to be so thoughtful."
Cui Zhihao scratched his head and smiled sheepishly, "I just mentioned it casually, but Shuyun's cooking is still the best."
The atmosphere at the table gradually warmed up.
Shen Yanzhou stopped mentioning matters of the court and instead asked about Shi Wanxia's childhood anecdotes.
Shi Wanxia was initially a little reserved, but she gradually relaxed after being influenced by the Crown Prince's friendly tone.
Cui Zhihao sat next to Shi Wanxia, occasionally putting a piece of food on her plate. When he saw that she had almost finished the lotus root tips in her bowl, he quietly pushed the whole plate of cold lotus root tips towards her.
Shen Yanzhou saw all of this, a smile playing on his lips. He exchanged a glance with Lin Chuying, and they both saw relief in each other's eyes.
Halfway through the meal, Shuyun brought out a jar of peach blossom wine and poured a cup for everyone.
The wine has a light amber color, a sweet taste, and a fragrance of peach blossoms.
"This wine was brewed from the peach trees in the old house courtyard two years ago, and it was stored for two years before being opened."
Shi Wanxia raised her wine glass and toasted Shen Yanzhou and Lin Chuying, "Thank you Your Highness and Her Majesty for coming today, and thank you Your Highness for taking care of the disaster victims on East Street."
Shen Yanzhou clinked glasses with her and took a small sip: "The affairs of the people are my responsibility. I must thank you and Huai'an for thinking things through so thoroughly."
He paused, then looked at Choi Ji-ho, "By the way, you mentioned last time that you wanted to be transferred to the Ministry of Works. Now it seems that the time is just right."
Choi Ji-ho's eyes lit up: "Your Highness has agreed?"
"Once the matter on East Street is settled, you can submit your report."
Shen Yanzhou said, "The Ministry of Works needs a reliable person like you. With Wanxia by your side to help you, you will surely avoid many detours."
These words were both an acknowledgment of Cui Zhihao and a tacit approval of his relationship with Wanxia. Cui Zhihao was so excited that he quickly raised his glass: "Thank you for your trust, Your Highness! I will do my best!"
Looking at his spirited appearance, Shi Wanxia smiled gently and quietly replaced half of the wine in her cup with tea.
She knew that Choi Ji-ho couldn't hold his liquor, and since they still had to deal with the resettlement of disaster victims later, someone had to be sober to help him.
After the meal, a palace attendant came to report that the Crown Prince's carriage was waiting outside the gate.
Shen Yanzhou and Lin Chuying got up to say goodbye, and Shi Wanxia and Cui Zhihao saw them off to the door.
Just before Shen Yanzhou boarded the carriage, he suddenly grasped Cui Zhihao's hand and whispered, "Huai'an, Wanxia is a good girl. You must treat her well from now on."
Choi Ji-ho nodded vigorously: "I will never let her down in this lifetime."
Lin Chuying pulled Shi Wanxia's hand and placed a warm jade bracelet into her palm: "This bracelet is part of my dowry. Although it is not valuable, it can calm the mind."
"Don't worry, with His Highness the Crown Prince and I here, we won't let anyone bully you."
Holding the warm jade bracelet, Shi Wanxia felt a warm current spread from her palm to her heart. She knelt down and bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The carriage slowly drove away. Cui Zhihao watched the carriage disappear around the street corner before turning to look at Shi Wanxia, his face still flushed: "Just now... was I too impulsive?"
Shi Wanxia carefully put the jade bracelet on her wrist, looked up at him, and said with a smile in her eyes, "It's alright."
Sunlight filtered through the locust trees at the alley entrance, casting dappled shadows on the two people.
Choi Ji-ho looked at the jade bracelet on her wrist, then at her slightly flushed cheeks, and suddenly mustered up his courage to gently take her hand.
Shi Wanxia's hand trembled slightly, but she did not pull it back.
Their fingertips touched, carrying each other's warmth, and in this noisy afternoon, their tenderness flowed quietly.
In the distance, faint sounds of commotion drifted from the direction of the City God Temple—the joyful cries of disaster victims receiving their food. Meanwhile, in the courtyard of the Shi Mansion, the chirping of cicadas mingled with the whispering of the wind, carrying a sentiment warmer than the sunshine.
Lin Yiyu reined in his horse and, with several attendants behind him, turned the corner and saw the familiar vermilion gate in the distance—it was the residence of his sister, Shi Wanxia.
He returned from the horse farm outside the city today, his dark riding attire still bearing the marks of his journey. A smile played on his lips as he thought he should return early so he might be able to have dinner with Sister Shi.
However, the smile froze on his face the next moment, like a kite soaked by a sudden rain.