"Insolent!" Madam Hua Si was displeased. Calling Zhou Shiyin uncivilized and shameless was tantamount to saying her own Zhou family lacked upbringing.
"Presumptuous." Xue Yan grew even more angered. Since when did a mere commoner dare to speak to the Empress in such a manner?
"Elder, do you think someone like this is suitable to live with the eldest young master?" Madam Hua Si knew that the only one who could make decisions here was the Hua family elder, Hua Rong.
Hua Rong narrowed his eyes, remaining silent.
"If I am not suitable, is Miss Zhou suitable?" Xue Zining said slowly, her gaze falling upon Madam Hua Si.
Despite appearing to be just a young girl, Madam Hua Si felt an oppressive force that prevented her from even lifting her head.
The maiden stood there, looking down at these ants. Her exceptionally beautiful face was like that of a goddess, untouchable.
At this moment, Hua family elder Hua Rong coughed lightly and said, "Zheng Yi, this is your family matter. I cannot interfere."
Hua Zheng Yi bowed and replied, "Uncle, Zheng Yi understands."
He rose and said coldly, "Are you not going back yet? Have you not embarrassed yourself enough here?"
Madam Hua Si bit her lower lip. She knew Hua Zheng Yi's temper. If this continued, Hua Zheng Yi would likely not give her a pleasant look upon their return.
"Shiyin, let's go back!" Madam Hua Si, seeing no hope, urged Zhou Shiyin to return.
Zhou Shiyin bit her lip. She knew her aunt would not help her. Even if she begged here until dawn, no one would help her. She was so unwilling, so resentful.
She raised her head and looked at the maiden's profile, a shadow of gloom crossing her eyes.
Just then, a servant rushed in. "Elder, the eldest young master has vomited blood."
Hua Rong stood up, and the other Hua family members also rose from their seats.
Before Hua Rong could speak, he saw the maiden grab the servant's collar and ask coldly, "Where is Hua Yunjin?"
The servant initially thought, "Who is this crazy person?" But when he looked up and saw the maiden's clear eyes, he shivered all over.
They were too clear, and also too cold, like ice in winter, freezing him solid.
He involuntarily blurted out, "At… at the right turn outside…"
Before he finished speaking, he felt a sense of relief, and the maiden had already vanished.
Xue Zining arrived at Hua Yunjin's room and looked at the door. For a moment, she hesitated to push it open. It had been ten days since she had last seen Hua Yunjin.
Was he alright?
"Miss…" Xue Yan, who was beside her, called out softly.
Xue Zining took a deep breath, pushed the door open with one hand, and stepped inside. A smell of blood hit her nostrils.
She saw a person lying on the bed and quickened her pace.
On the bed lay a pale, bloodless youth, his eyes closed. Beside him, a handkerchief was stained with a shocking amount of blood, still fresh, clearly indicating he had just vomited.
It was him, Hua Yunjin.
She gazed quietly at the sleeping youth, her eyes becoming slightly blurred. The youth she had traveled great distances to see was now before her.
However, she could not rush into his arms; she could only stand there and watch him.
"Miss… what is it with the Prime Minister…" Xue Yan by her side looked astonished, truly not expecting to see Hua Yunjin like this at first glance.
"He is asleep," Xue Zining said softly, but she could not ignore the handkerchief stained with his blood.
Hearing footsteps behind her, she turned around and asked coldly, "What happened to him?"
Everyone saw the maiden's icy expression, her eyes as clear as water, yet as cold as frost.
For a moment, the air thinned. Hua Rong was stunned, narrowing his eyes slightly. This maiden had such a powerful aura.
Seeing that no one answered, the maiden's gaze grew colder, even tinged with a hint of allure. "Answer me."
These simple words, just three words, carried absolute authority.
Even Hua Rong, who had lived for a long time, had to admit that this maiden possessed an oppressive force that made him want to bow his head.
"This is why we need the 'Chongxi'," Hua Zheng Yi suddenly spoke.
"Then what are we waiting for?" the maiden asked coldly, raising an eyebrow.
Everyone was startled.
Hua Zheng Yi was taken aback. "Miss Feng, this…" Isn't it a bit too hasty?
Xue Zining did not care what the others thought; she only wanted to be with Hua Yunjin and speak with him properly.
"Isn't it necessary for our miss to perform the 'Chongxi'? What difference is there between early and late? Aren't you preparing?" Xue Yan said coldly.
Hua Zheng Yi looked at the maid beside the maiden, who could issue commands to them, and felt a bit displeased. However, he thought the maid's words were not wrong and turned to Hua family elder Hua Rong, whispering, "Uncle, what do you think?"
Hua Rong's narrowed eyelids opened. "Proceed as Miss Feng suggests."
Since the decision for the 'Chongxi' had been made, there was indeed no difference between early and late.
However, Hua Rong looked at the maiden with her back to them, a glint in his eyes. This Miss Feng seemed to be no simple person.
The maiden wore a bright red wedding dress, her eyebrows like distant mountains, her lips as vivid as fresh blood, alluring and tender.
Her exceptionally beautiful face was now cold and stunning.
She stood at the doorway, and Xue Yan beside her whispered, "Miss, Xue Yan will guard the door, no one will enter."
"Good." She walked in.
The youth still lay there. If not for the slight breath at his nostrils, she would have thought he was already gone.
"Yunjin, today is our day of great joy. Do I look beautiful?"
She turned slightly, but the youth remained unresponsive.
She walked forward and sat on the bed. The youth's face was as handsome as ever, only now it was pale and devoid of color.
Reaching out, she gently caressed his cheek and whispered, "Yunjin, I have come."
The youth lay there quietly. She picked up a washed handkerchief and gently wiped his face. "Yunjin, from today onwards, we are husband and wife. Although it is for your 'Chongxi', I am willing. Are you?"
Are you willing?
"The Hua family has a rule: unless divorced, one shall be buried with their spouse, and no concubines shall be taken."
She chuckled softly. "This means you are at a disadvantage, Yunjin, but…"
She put away her smile, her gaze solemn. "I will not have anyone else. Shall we depend on each other for this life and the next?"
Suddenly, a pair of hands grasped hers. She was startled and looked at the youth's face. The youth's closed eyes opened.
She rejoiced. "Yunjin, are you awake?"
But she soon realized something was wrong. The youth's gaze gradually turned red.
Finally, it became blood-red eyes.
Her whole body trembled. This was not right. While she was in a daze, the youth suddenly sat up, his blood-red eyes staring intently at her.
Suddenly, the youth's hands clamped around her neck.
"Yun… Yunjin…"
She saw Hua Yunjin looking at her with bloodshot eyes, devoid of their former brightness.
The person before her now seemed possessed by a demon.