CHAPTER 64: CHAPTER 64 DON’T FORCE ME TO BEG YOU

The air was heavy with stagnation.

The shopkeeper’s eyelids twitched.

He had seen people give gifts before, but never seen anyone describe gifting a coffin with such refreshing elegance.

Cui Yun, too, was not overly surprised. He did not even show a hint of anger; instead, he scrutinized Shen Hua, trying to see something in her eyes.

But the girl’s eyes were pure and clear.

The man’s typically indifferent expression softened to reveal a faint, almost imperceptible smile; light, yet it shed the aloofness and added a touch of warmth and tenderness.

"Miss Shen, you’ve gone to great expense," he said.

Shen Hua: "Think nothing of it!"

She even displayed rare enthusiasm: "If there’s anything you wish to change, just discuss it with the craftsman."

Cui Yun’s deep gaze lingered, yet he cooperatively mused over the matter.

"There’s no need for the Luminous Pearl. Should I pass away, just have the craftsman retrieve the Vajra Bodhi Bracelet from my wrist and adorn it atop."

After years of abiding by formalities, for some reason, perhaps pleased by such a Shen Hua, he indulged the young lady’s whims and allowed himself a moment of indulgence before others.

Cui Yun’s voice remained calm.

The intrinsic nobility of the man always carried a sense of supremacy.

He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression serene. He looked every bit the part of someone attending to official duties, who would guess he was arranging posthumous affairs.

"As for the carvings, let’s engrave some scriptures," he said.

The craftsman, about to retire but excited at the prospect of landing a couple of big orders before doing so, was thrilled: "Yes!"

The shopkeeper just felt numb: "..."

Truly, here was one bold enough to offer, another to accept, and yet another...to actually do it.

Cui Rong stamped her foot in frustration: You all bully me!!!

Once the arrangements were made and the deposit paid, Shen Hua felt much lighter upon leaving the shop.

She was about to bid Cui Yun farewell.

When she heard Cui Yun glance at the sulking Cui Rong: "Shall we still go to the First-tier Sky Restaurant?"

How could Cui Rong be so easily appeased?

She held her chin up, pridefully: "I won’t go."

Cui Yun was in no hurry, his tone steady: "The restaurant has recently launched many new dishes, such as cream-filled pine nut pastries, swiftlet nest with sliced duck, roasted venison with lotus leaf, and your favorite stewed shark fin with yellow sauce."

"You know the restaurant rules too, that signature dishes are only served to fifty tables each day. If we’re late, they’ll be gone."

Whether Cui Rong swallowed saliva or not, Shen Hua did not know, but she certainly did.

Shen Hua...so hungry.

Yicui, who was always attentive to Shen Hua, was struck with concern and quickly held onto her, whispering into her ear.

"Miss, Nanny Cheng has already prepared food at home. Besides, you need to be careful about what you eat."

Shen Hua felt regret but she was too sensible to object. The frail and delicate girl just said: "I want it."

Yicui, left with no choice: "Off off off, I’ll tell Cheng Gui right away."

Shen Hua immediately beamed with joy.

Meanwhile, Cui Rong grew anxious.

"Uncle, let’s hurry, don’t let her take our spot."

Shen Hua: ???

She didn’t bother with goodbyes, quickly boarding the carriage. She showed no signs of being someone with a lingering serious illness, as she began giving orders.

"Cheng Gui, hurry up, let’s take the little ghost’s spot."

As Cui Yun watched the carriage wheels roll away, his heart, long settled into stillness and dryness, had not seen such vibrant life in a while.

Despite knowing her life was short, merely awaiting death, shouldn’t a delicate and affected girl be washing her face with tears daily? Why did Shen Hua live each day so extraordinarily?

Is there truly something in this gloomy world worth lingering for?

Cui Rong, who had just come to her senses, raged: ??? Are you even human, human, human?

"Uncle, let’s go."

His response was a man’s light, almost there, chuckle.

————

Having dispatched the two harbinger of doom, the shopkeeper berated the old craftsmen.

"What were you thinking, agreeing to such demands? I’ve never seen anyone request such a thing in all my years, and you don’t find it a hassle?"

The old man’s smile faded, he was no pushover either.

"The Marquis from Marquis Yangling Mansion, the favored Minister of Ministry of Justice, could you refuse him?"

"I’d gladly take on such work. What, are you firing me?" he said boldly, strutting back to his workshop to make drawings, leaving the defeated Housekeeper heaving sighs.

Ji Ge and Ji Huo just happened to arrive at that moment.

Ji Huo’s heart was pounding, almost stumbling over his own steps, exuberantly saying: "That little girl, do you know her? I’ve seen countless women, but given time, she will surely become stunningly beautiful."

"Everyone says that Miss Yan is gentle and beautiful as jade. Alas, I can neither dream of her, nor is it fated. Just now, that delicate and naive girl, I don’t even know..."

The shopkeeper hurriedly came forward to greet them upon hearing the noise.

With a heavy heart, Ji Ge asked with difficulty: "The two people who left just now, what was their business here?"

"Naturally, they are patrons whom the nobles asked to support our business."

Ji Ge thought of Shen Hua’s frailty and couldn’t help frowning.

He had been busy as a bee these days, even managing to make time to dine with Ji Teng, and had punished negligent servants in his household, all to give Ji Teng a slightly better life.

He really couldn’t find the time to see Shen Hua.

Unexpectedly!

Her condition has deteriorated to such an extent!

He turned around, interrupting Ji Huo’s fantasy with annoyance: "My sister Shen is about to be laid to rest, and you speak of giving it time?"

"You playboy, you better not get near her!"

Ji Ge tossed a gold ingot: "Shopkeeper, thank you for your troubles."

Although the shopkeeper did not know Ji Ge’s identity, seeing his imposing manner, he knew he was no ordinary person; even with worry in his heart, he put on a smile.

"I must be diligent, not only for the Marquis but also for Miss Shen. I dare not skimp and tarnish the reputation of the establishment."

Just as Ji Ge was about to nod in recognition, he caught a particular phrase.

He almost collapsed in disbelief.

"What did you say?"

Cui Yun is also in for it?

Why is he getting involved in this mess?

Ji Huo became even more agitated.

"That guy Cui Yun, is he also going to die! Hahaha, serves him right!"

Shopkeeper: You’re not the only ones surprised, he was too.

"...Indeed."

Ji Ge slammed his fist onto the nearest coffin with a ’bam’ sound.

"My lord, please be gentler," the shopkeeper exclaimed.

Ji Ge, deeply moved and powerful in his conviction: "I was not aware! His heart truly belongs to sister Shen, such deep affection! Unable to share life, so he seeks a common death?"

————

The private rooms in the restaurant were already full, and Shen Hua could only sit down in the main hall, thankfully there was still space available. Shen Hua waved her hand generously: "Serve up all your signature vegetarian dishes."

The dishes were served quickly. When Cui Rong arrived, there were already three dishes on the table.

Cui Yun, low-key as he was, never troubled the restaurant to provide a private room due to his status. Cui Rong, used to this, took Cui Yun to sit down at the spot furthest from Shen Hua.

"Miss Shen, all the dishes you ordered are being prepared in the kitchen, they will cost a total of two hundred taels."

It was not the restaurant’s rule to settle the bill after the meal was finished.

Upon hearing the price, Yicui’s expression changed drastically.

She whispered to Shen Hua: "Miss, the dishes of First-tier Sky Restaurant are fifty percent more expensive than other restaurants, we don’t have enough silver."

She had only ninety taels on her.

Shen Hua paused mid-bite.

Yicui: "Miss, you eat with ease, I will have Cheng Gui go and fetch it."

Seeing that she was about to leave the table, the attendant would not have it.

"That won’t do, who’s to say you won’t run off midway? Everyone who comes to our place brings enough silver."

He looked Shen Hua up and down: "Judging by miss’s attire, you don’t look like you’ll eat without paying. The restaurant also accepts jewelry as collateral."

Shen Hua, who was not even wearing earrings: ...

As disdainful glances began to be cast from around, the normally noble and cold Shen Hua became upset.

She! Shen Yangyang must not lose face!

She looked around and her gaze fell on Cui Yun, who was sitting with his back to her.

Without further consideration, Shen Hua abruptly stood up and walked over. Then, she sat down opposite Cui Yun.

Cui Yun, puzzled: "Miss Shen."

Shen Hua: "Lend me a thousand taels."

Cui Rong: "Hah!"

This little rascal.

They were both going to buy coffins together, after all, and should be closer than before.

Moreover, if not for Cui Yun, she would not have paid an extra deposit and ended up in this predicament.

Shen Hua, with nothing left to cherish, held onto her pride and uttered each word clearly.

"Don’t force me to beg you."