Happy Spring Every Year

When these words came out, even Jiang Xun held his breath.

It was silent outside, and in the dark and gloomy dry well, the only sound that echoed was the heartbeat that seemed to ring in the ears.

"Master Cui."

Shen Jiasui's voice finally rang out.

She lowered her eyes slightly, avoiding Cui Mingjue's eager gaze, but in a flash, she raised her head again and looked directly at Cui Mingjue's face, with a hint of apology and determination in her eyes.

"I can't accept your feelings."

She said it so straightforwardly, without any hesitation, not even a hint of courtesy or euphemism.

Cui Mingjue maintained a slightly leaning posture, and the hope in his eyes gradually shattered when he heard the words. For a moment, he didn't know how to react.

He was proud. Since Miss Shen had rejected him, he naturally would not do anything to pester her or turn love into hate.

But for the first time in his life, he fell in love with a woman, kept her in his heart, thought about her day and night, and even imagined their future in detail.

Now, it's a mess, a complete failure.

His thin lips moved, as if he had a thousand words to say, but in the end, he could only call out with difficulty and powerlessness: "Miss Shen..."

Shen Jiasui slowly turned his head, the shock on his face had not yet dissipated, but there was more determination.

When she was silent just now, she had carefully questioned her feelings.

She knew very well that she did not have any special feelings for Cui Mingjue. Since that was the case, she could not give him any illusions or hopes because of momentary hesitation and weighing.

She thought that this was the best response to Cui Mingjue's sincerity.

Hearing the words, Jiang Xun slowly lowered his head, his face completely hidden in the darkness. Only he could be heard exhaling very slowly.

rustling—

The snow on the branches of the wintersweet tree fell to the ground, startling the three silent people.

Shen Jiasui turned around and was about to resign.

But at this moment, Cui Mingjue asked softly, "Miss Shen, do I really... have no chance at all?"

He stepped closer to Shen Jiasui again, a hint of trembling in his voice.

Sure enough, he was still unwilling to give up and wanted to get things clear.

"If Miss Shen thinks there's something wrong with me, I can change. I did make a mistake in the Imperial College incident, and I won't do it again."

"I will soon be able to graduate from the Imperial College and enter the court as an official, Miss Shen. Perhaps my position is not high, and my qualifications are still short, but I am confident that one day I will be able to bring honor and dignity to Miss Shen."

"Or, Miss Shen already has someone else in her heart..."

When he asked the last question, Cui Mingjue could feel jealousy and envy growing wildly in his heart.

He could not forget the look Miss Shen gave Jiang Xun on the court today.

Shen Jiasui frowned and took two steps back to distance himself from Cui Mingjue.

She knew Cui Mingjue's abilities and how he would rise to prominence, but she did not live past the end of the two years and did not see the two princes and the emperor's grandson, nor did she know who would inherit the throne in the end.

If it were Prince Rui, there would be no doubt that Cui Mingjue would be the most proud upstart and popular person in the entire Sheng Dynasty.

Therefore, she did not want to make things too awkward at this time and provoke a powerful enemy out of thin air.

Seeing Cui Mingjue approaching step by step, Shen Jiasui raised his hand to stop him from getting any closer.

She straightened her expression and couldn't help but sigh.

"Master Cui, I don't know where your feelings for me come from. We have only met a few times."

"If you bring up the past and talk about the day we first met, then I have no choice but to tell you the truth. Master Cui's actions that day were unforgivable."

Cui Mingjue's face changed drastically when he heard this.

Shen Jiasui said in a deep voice, "Master Cui, you pretend to be a dandy, whether it's for fun or to hide your talents, but you really shouldn't involve others in this."

"Reputation is as important to a woman as life itself. I know you may not have meant it, but you're just following the crowd and playing around."

"But given your status and position, you should be even more careful with your words and actions, because countless people will fling even more filthy words at me just to please you and curry your favor."

"Mr. Cui, you should be thankful that I was the one at the center of the storm that time. I no longer care about reputation. My father and mother love me deeply, and I no longer take Lu Yunzheng seriously."

"But what if it's someone else who's being framed and ridiculed? What if they don't have family to support them, what if they're careful about their reputation, what if they're chaste and unyielding?"

"That means hanging yourself with a white silk scarf to preserve the family's reputation and defend your dignity!"

"Master Cui, don't think I'm exaggerating. The difficulties women face... you just can't see them."

"I can forgive Master Cui because I don't want to be at odds with him. Those rumors don't really bother me, but Master Cui, please don't think that this is just a small matter."

If Cui Mingjue really becomes a powerful person in the future, then his every move will affect the safety and happiness of more people.

Shen Jiasui thought that there were some things she had to say.

Cui Mingjue took a step back under Shen Jiasui's stern words, his face gradually turning pale.

"I...I really didn't mean to..."

He opened his mouth and gave a somewhat pale explanation.

He really didn't think too much about it at the time, but since everyone was spreading it, he just laughed along.

Shen Jiasui nodded, but his expression was serious.

"I believe you didn't mean it, but Mr. Cui, look at the world these days. When rumors start, people just follow them without any discernment."

"Everyone meant it innocently and said it as a joke, but why did the victim of the rumor end up being forced to death?"

"Mr. Cui really didn't mean to hurt others, he just never put himself in their shoes and considered their feelings."

"From today on, Master Cui, you might as well look outward and see how many ordinary people there are living under the lap of luxury, and how much injustice and injustice there is."

Cui Mingjue's face changed again, and he wanted to explain, but he couldn't utter a word.

Because he knew in his heart that what Shen Jiasui said hit the nail on the head.

At that time, he just agreed with what was said, and he really never thought about Miss Shen's situation, nor did he think about the consequences of his words.

He just thought with peace of mind that if everyone could say it, why couldn't he say it?

Shen Jiasui stared at Cui Mingjue, and seeing his expression change several times, he knew that he had probably listened to some of what he had just said.

Thinking of this, Shen Jiasui's expression relaxed a little, knowing that it was time to end today's meeting.

"Master Cui, you just said that you will be serving as an official in the imperial court soon—"

Shen Jiasui said, took a step back, then knelt and saluted, saying in a gentle voice:

"Shen Jiasui dares to offer his congratulations to Master Cui:

"May you, upon your first ascent to the throne, display lofty ambitions and leap forth with the swiftness of a steed. May you uphold integrity and uprightness, and with loyalty and wisdom assist His Majesty and the people. May you enjoy a prosperous career, achieve outstanding achievements, and enjoy a long and lasting blessing."

After Youyou finished speaking, Shen Jiasui knelt again.

Cui Mingjue looked at Shen Jiasui in front of him, his eyes brightened at this moment, but soon his face showed a complicated expression.

He had imagined over and over again that if he could marry Miss Shen, he would protect her well and ensure that she would live a carefree life.

But after listening to her words tonight, I finally realized that I was not only ignorant, but also did not understand her at all.

She talked about women, the people, and justice. Her vision and mind were much longer-term and broader than he had imagined.

Thinking of this, Cui Mingjue's heart was in turmoil. Surprise, shame, loss, admiration, all mixed together, forming an unsolvable tangled mess.

He wanted to go forward and help Shen Jiasui up, but he was worried that she would be annoyed by his proximity.

He was so unwilling to accept this woman. The more he understood how good she was, the more he could not be with her.

Cui Mingjue struggled again and again, but finally withdrew his hand obediently.

"I have taken note of everything Miss Shen said..."

Cui Mingjue felt dejected when faced with Shen Jiasui's firm and well-reasoned rejection.

He had no choice but to bow and salute Shen Jiasui solemnly.