Li Tingyuan shuddered in fright, instinctively shaking off his hand.
Cui Zhuo gave a light cough and placed his hands behind his back.
"Where is the coachman?"
The coachmen of Cuifu were usually skilled in martial arts, serving to protect the womenfolk when they went out.
"The Prince is occupied with countless affairs, admired by all. How could he still spare the mind to care about where my coachman has gone?"
Cui Zhuo frowned slightly.
Li Tingyuan knew full well she had no right to be angry with him, but she felt stifled and aggrieved. Forgetting for the moment the matter of the handkerchief that Cui Yueyao had mentioned, she glared at him with reddened eyes and demanded:
"With such a commotion just now, did the Prince truly not hear me calling you at all? Or did the Prince find me a disgrace to your bright wind and clear moon reputation, unwilling to step forward and help me…"
At the thought of Guo Fan's excessive actions earlier, the tears in Li Tingyuan's eyes could no longer be contained.
But she didn't want to show weakness in front of him, so she turned her back and quietly wiped her eyes.
The man behind her remained silent for a moment:
"How do you know I didn't help you?"
Li Tingyuan was taken aback. She lowered the hand from the corner of her eye, turned to look at Cui Zhuo, blinked, and suddenly understood.
It was Cui Zhuo who had sent Xue Fangyu to help her out of the situation.
Li Tingyuan looked at the man's slightly displeased expression, feeling a complex mix of emotions she couldn't quite name. She pursed her lips and said nothing.
Seeing her silence, Cui Zhuo glanced at her.
"The temple has been cleared now."
He said slowly:
"There won't be any more of your old acquaintances."
Li Tingyuan knew he must have witnessed Guo Fan's pulling and tugging at her earlier. She couldn't help but blush, secretly pressing her lips together, and bowed her head in a curtsey:
"Thank you, Prince."
Cui Zhuo nodded and called Cui Ji'an over. "Put on the cloak."
His tone brooked no argument.
Li Tingyuan glanced at the plain white women's cloak, feeling a strange sensation in her heart as she reached out to take it from Cui Ji'an's hands.
Just as she was about to drape it over herself, she heard Cui Zhuo speak again:
"I believe I told you before that when going out, your attire should be proper."
"…"
Li Tingyuan's hands tightened on the cloak. Without a word, she put it on properly, then turned and walked away without looking back.
This time, Li Tingyuan's errand went exceptionally smoothly, with the abbot personally receiving her.
After she had made offerings for the Sea Lantern and added oil money before leaving the temple, she finally noticed that the carriage waiting at the temple gate was no longer the one she had arrived in that morning.
The carriage before her had a body made of black nanmu wood, its design more simple and elegant. Spacious and adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, it exuded refinement and meticulousness in every detail.
Beside the carriage, Cui Ji'an was smiling as he looked her way.
Li Tingyuan's steps faltered slightly.
She had thought Cui Zhuo had left long ago. Was he waiting here specifically for her?
Li Tingyuan slowly walked forward, standing outside the carriage door and quietly tugging at her sleeve.
She very much wanted to say she could just take the carriage she had come in that morning.
But with the words on the tip of her tongue, Li Tingyuan thought again: since he was already waiting for her, refusing now would only make her seem overly affected.
After hesitating for a moment in front of the carriage, Li Tingyuan slowly raised her foot.
Unexpectedly, just as her foot touched the first step of the carriage stool, Cui Ji'an stopped her with an awkward expression.
"Miss…"
Cui Ji'an scratched his head. "Miss should wait for your own carriage."
He gestured with his eyes toward behind Li Tingyuan and lowered his voice. "The Prince's carriage has never carried any other woman."
"?"
Wasn't he waiting here for her?
Li Tingyuan followed Cui Ji'an's gaze and looked behind her.
Cui Zhuo, imposing in his purple robe, stood expressionless at the temple entrance, his eyelids half-lowered as he watched her. It was unclear how long he had been standing there.
Though he said nothing, she could sense his displeasure from the tight line of his lips.
Behind him followed four accompanying officials and a group of novice monks. Xue Fangyu and the abbot she had seen earlier were also among them.
The group had clearly noticed her as well.
Apart from Xue Fangyu, the other two exchanged glances before turning curious eyes toward her.
The fourth among them was younger, not wearing an official robe but dressed in a blue garment that gave him a scholarly air.
While the others looked at her inquisitively, he offered a slight nod with a faint smile.
Cui Zhuo's gaze darkened a shade.
Li Tingyuan stiffened, awkwardly withdrawing her foot from the carriage step, realizing she had misunderstood the situation.
Across from her, Cui Zhuo averted his gaze and turned slightly to nod at the abbot, his tone calm:
"My apologies for the disturbance today."
The abbot clasped his hands together. "You are too kind, my lord. Your connection with the Dharma is profound. It is our fortune at White Horse Temple to have you visit."
Cui Zhuo gave a slight nod and walked toward the carriage.
The man's features were already stern, and the purple official robe only accentuated his imposing and austere presence.
"Young…"
Cui Zhuo's steps halted at a distance neither too close nor too far from her. His gaze, carrying a certain weight, slowly descended upon her.
His eyes held a cold indifference.
Li Tingyuan felt her voice catch under his stare and instinctively took a step back, clearing the space before the carriage step.
Without the slightest hesitation, black official boots stepped onto the stool. Cui Zhuo lifted the curtain and entered the carriage.
The man did not utter a single word, as if he deemed her utterly beneath his notice.
The falling curtain stirred a cold breeze carrying the scent of pine, tousling the hair at her temples.
Li Tingyuan bit her lip, silently smoothing her disheveled hair, her cheeks warming slightly under the scrutiny of the onlookers.
She would have preferred Cui Zhuo to say something, even if it were to reprimand her for impropriety.
But his complete and utter disregard in front of everyone, leaving her stranded here, felt more humiliating than any scolding.
Li Tingyuan glanced at the fallen curtain, easily imagining the man's unyielding face behind it.
She let out a soft, self-mocking laugh in her heart and was about to turn and leave to find her own carriage when a cold voice suddenly came from inside:
"Get in."
Li Tingyuan's hand clenched abruptly.
Embarrassment gave way to a simmering anger.
Cui Zhuo always seemed to hold himself so high, always dispensing commands as if granting favors.
Even these two words, "get in," carried an imperious tone that brooked no argument.
But what had she done to deserve being ordered about like this?
Merely for being an "unsuitable match," for tarnishing Cuifu's century-old reputation with her status and family background? Was that reason enough for him to humiliate her again and again?
Li Tingyuan wanted to laugh.
What had she done to deserve this?
Instead of stepping forward, she clenched her fist and replied:
"Your Excellency Cui is of noble status. I am but a common woman. How dare I share a carriage with you?"
Her tone was gentle, not sounding like defiance, yet the words she spoke were clearly a soft rebuff.
The few people outside the temple gate, who had begun to disperse, turned back in astonishment at her words.
Only the man in white, who had glanced her way earlier, spoke gently:
"Young lady is a commoner, and I, Song, am also a commoner. If you do not mind, I can give you a ride—"
Before he could finish his sentence, a "clang" sound came from Cui Zhuo's carriage.
The sound, neither loud nor soft, would not have been so noticeable under normal circumstances, but the surroundings suddenly fell into silence.
A moment later, the official behind the man in white wiped the sweat from his brow and exchanged a glance with the man's servant. The two of them, one on each side, lifted the man and half-pushed, half-dragged him toward the carriage behind.
The others, as if waking from a dream, quickly scattered in all directions.
Xue Fangyu nodded to her before heading toward his own carriage.
In no time, the vast temple gate was left with only the Cui Family's carriage.
A cold wind blew, causing the sandalwood plaque engraved with the character "Cui" beneath the carriage eaves to sway gently.
Nowadays, it is fashionable for carriages in the capital to hang golden or jade bells inscribed with their family names beneath the eaves, producing pleasant chimes wherever they go—a symbol of status.
Yet, Cui Zhuo's carriage still bore a wooden surname plaque.
Silence fell around them.
After a long while, Cui Zhuo spoke again:
"If you wish to walk back to Cuifu, that is fine. However, I must remind you that Cuifu locks its gates at the hour of Hai."
His tone was calm.
Li Tingyuan knew he was merely stating a fact, but she could not help but ponder the meaning behind his words.
Cuifu had strict rules. If others violated them, they would simply be punished. But if she, having just arrived at Cuifu, broke the rules, she might no longer be qualified to call him "Adopted Brother" in the future.
Li Tingyuan glanced up at the gilded character "Cui" on the wooden plaque.
Under the glaring sunlight, the character appeared vigorous and powerful, each stroke sharp and angular, rigidly embodying the strict rules and unattainable status of the Cui Family.
A sense of self-abandoning sorrow suddenly welled up in Li Tingyuan's heart.
Her throat tightened, and she whispered softly:
"I did not intentionally board the Prince's carriage today, nor have I ever harbored any intention of currying favor. If I had not been driven to desperation upon returning to the capital, I would not have become an unwelcome 'Adopted Daughter' in Cuifu…"
At this point, she tugged at the corner of her lips, forcing a weak smile.
The person in the carriage remained silent.
Li Tingyuan lowered her head and took a deep breath, suppressing the tremor in her voice caused by her grievances:
"I know the Prince despises me and looks down upon my humble Li Family. Since the Prince never allows other women in his carriage, I will walk back today. Whether I can return before Cuifu locks its gates depends entirely on my fate. There is no need for the Prince to trouble himself."
She no longer cared whether he truly knew about the incident three years ago, nor how he speculated about her that night.
She also did not want to guess why he disliked her.
She had done nothing wrong.
If Cuifu could not tolerate her, she would simply find another way.
After saying this, Li Tingyuan refused to look up, as if afraid someone might notice her reddened eyes. She silently bowed and turned to leave.
"I do not despise you."
Li Tingyuan's footsteps suddenly halted.
From the carriage behind her, Cui Zhuo seemed to let out a very soft sigh.
The man's tone softened:
"Li Tingyuan, get in the carriage. It is time to return to the mansion."
Li Tingyuan stood still.
For some reason, in that sigh from the man, the grievances she had endured for so many days seemed to have reached their limit, bursting forth uncontrollably.
Plop, plop—tears rolled down from her eyes.
She clenched her teeth, holding back any sound that might reach the ears of the person inside the carriage.
Standing there for a moment, the cold wind gradually dried her tears. Li Tingyuan looked up once more at the gilded character "Cui."
—If she truly walked away now, how would she ever explain herself to Mother Cui and Cui Yueyao in the future?
Though resentment simmered within her, and she knew she shouldn’t humble herself so, reason told her this was not the time for impulsive actions.
Once she finished organizing the account ledger and secured Cui Zhuo’s promise to let her younger brother Li Huaishan study under Great Scholar Xue, she would make things clear with Cui Yueyao. Then, she would leave Cuifu for good, never again having to endure Cui Zhuo’s disdain.
With this thought, Li Tingyuan calmed herself.
She hastily wiped away her tears, took a deep breath, and turned to face the carriage, asking:
"Does the promise you made earlier—that you would grant me a condition once I finish organizing the ledger—still stand?"
Cui Zhuo inside the carriage seemed to detect the tremor in her voice and paused briefly:
"I never go back on my word."
Li Tingyuan’s clenched fist relaxed. Once her emotions settled completely, she boarded the carriage.
The interior was spacious, with a warm stove burning in the center. As soon as she stepped inside, a wave of warmth enveloped her.
Li Tingyuan glanced at the man seated opposite.
Coincidentally, he was looking back at her, his gaze lingering ambiguously on the redness at the corners of her eyes.
Feeling uneasy, Li Tingyuan averted her eyes and took a seat as far from him as possible.
Cui Zhuo glanced at her but said nothing, instructing Cui Ji'an to drive the carriage. Silence settled between them.
Despite her efforts to keep her distance, the man’s presence grew increasingly palpable in the confined space.
Even the sound of his breathing seemed to thunder in Li Tingyuan’s ears.
Without turning her head, she could still glimpse his hands resting on his knees—their bones distinct, with faint blue veins tracing across the back of his hands.
Cui Zhuo still wore that thumb ring, its warm white jade glowing softly under the light of the charcoal fire, its patterns clearly visible.
Li Tingyuan suddenly remembered that handkerchief again.
The charcoal fire inside the carriage seemed to burn too fiercely.
Li Tingyuan lowered her head, staring at her own palms, growing increasingly restless as the temperature inside rose.
Fortunately, Cui Zhuo’s carriage was both fast and steady, and they soon descended the mountain and entered the city.
The bustling sounds of the marketplace outside gradually grew louder, easing the tense atmosphere inside the carriage.
"Have you eaten?"
Li Tingyuan was taken aback, looking up at him in surprise.
Cui Zhuo’s expression remained calm and indifferent, devoid of any other emotion.
When she didn’t answer, Cui Zhuo tapped the carriage and said to Cui Ji'an:
"Go and get a box of lotus seed cakes from Yuxian Tower."
Cui Ji'an acknowledged the order, parked the carriage in a secluded spot nearby, and hurried off.
Silence returned once more, and the earlier tension crept back in.
Cui Zhuo looked at her:
"From Guo Fan to Song Yuchi today, do you know where your problem lies?"
Li Tingyuan looked bewildered, shaking her head, though her tone was slightly softer than before. "No, I don’t."
Cui Zhuo’s finger tapped lightly on the table. His inscrutable gaze first fixed on her eyes, then slowly drifted downward, settling on her lips.
Li Tingyuan pursed her lips uncomfortably.
Cui Zhuo’s gaze deepened, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly:
"Starting tomorrow, don’t wear lipstick in this color anymore."
Li Tingyuan suddenly looked up at Cui Zhuo, her heart feeling as if it had been abruptly tugged, pounding wildly. Author's Note: