Even women who travel through time can become prime ministers and nobles.

Chapter 384 The Power of Bookish Charm

Chen Ping'an was standing by the car waiting when he saw Cui Zhihao's actions. He was stunned for a moment, and his eyes widened slightly.

Our young master is usually aloof and rarely makes such a delicate gesture, let alone use his own clothes to cover a young lady's face.

If someone sees this, who knows what kind of gossip will spread.

Seeing Cui Zhihao's serious expression, he didn't dare to ask any more questions. He simply lowered his head and said respectfully, "Young master, I will drive the carriage to the backyard right away."

"Um,"

Cui Zhihao responded calmly, glancing at the servants approaching the gate.

"Keep it down."

"Yes."

Chen Ping'an quickly agreed and drove the carriage quietly to the backyard.

Cui Zhihao carried Shi Wanxia and strode towards the gate of the Shi residence.

There are too many eyes in this capital city. For Shi Wanxia, ​​an unmarried young woman, a woman's reputation is more important than anything else.

He had already decided on his mind while in the carriage that he absolutely could not let anyone see her like this. If some busybody saw her and spread the word with exaggerated claims that she was riding with another man late at night and was even sleeping in his arms, it would be a huge blow to her reputation.

The gatekeeper servants, seeing it was Choi Ji-ho, were about to step forward to pay their respects, but were stopped by a single look from him.

The servants were all quick-witted. When they saw that Young Master Cui was carrying someone and covering him with his clothes, they immediately understood what was going on. They all lowered their heads, pretended not to see, and let him stride into the mansion.

Passing through the front courtyard's corridor, one could see several maids standing by the hanging flower gate, looking around; it was Shuyun and the others.

They had just heard that their daughter was coming back, and had been waiting here since early morning. They were all surprised to see Cui Zhihao carrying their daughter over.

Just as they were about to step forward, Cui Zhihao glanced at them, and they all obediently stopped, took a step back, lowered their heads, and didn't even dare to breathe.

Cui Zhihao was already familiar with the layout of the Shi residence. Carrying Shi Wanxia, ​​he walked briskly through several courtyards and headed straight for her boudoir, "Wanqing Residence".

Pushing open the slightly ajar door, a faint fragrance of orchids wafted out.

The room was clean and elegant. On the dressing table by the window was an unfinished handkerchief with fine stitches, which must have been Shuyun's embroidery.

Choi Ji-ho stepped in gently, carried her to the bedside, and carefully laid her down.

Just as he was about to withdraw his hand, Shi Wanxia seemed to be startled. She moved slightly on the couch and unconsciously hummed softly, as if she were talking in her sleep. Her voice was soft and sweet, with a strong nasal tone.

Choi Ji-ho stopped moving abruptly, looked down at her face hidden by her outer garment, and his gaze softened.

He waited a moment, and when he saw that she was no longer moving, he slowly withdrew his hand, gently adjusted his outer garment, turned around and walked to the window, pushed open half of the window, and let in some of the cool morning breeze.

The sunlight outside the window was just right, shining through the window frame onto the edge of the couch, making her exposed chin glow with a faint luster.

Choi Ji-ho stood by the window, watched quietly for a while, then turned and quietly left the room, closing the door behind him.

Inside the door, Shi Wanxia turned over, her brows slightly relaxed, as if she had found a safe corner in her dream, and her breathing gradually became more even and long.

Under the blazing sun, Choi Ji-ho walked through the covered walkway, bathed in its intense sunlight.

As soon as you enter the front hall, a warm yellow glow shines through the window lattice onto the blue brick floor, illuminating the room with a sense of tranquility.

Shuyun stood in the hall, the hem of her plain-colored ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) swaying gently with her movements.

She was facing away from the doorway, holding an account book in one hand and pointing at the maid in the corridor with the other: "The candlesticks in the west wing need to be replaced. Go to the storeroom and get the pair of newly made glass cups. Be careful not to knock them over."

He then turned to the servant on the other side and said, "The white fungus soup that the kitchen is stewing should be ready soon. Serve two bowls to the study, and distribute the rest to everyone. Remember to keep it warm."

Her voice was clear and gentle, yet it carried an undeniable logic; every word she spoke was grounded in reality, and the servants responded with a degree of respect.

Without speaking harshly or issuing orders in a loud voice, he simply explained things in a gentle and methodical manner, managing the trivial affairs of the large mansion in an orderly manner.

Cui Zhihao stood by the door for a moment, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly—this skill and appropriateness was even more thorough than that of many noble ladies in the capital.

Shuyun noticed the movement, turned around, and saw it was him. She curtsied and smiled gently, saying, "Young Master Cui is back."

Choi Ji-ho nodded and slowly walked into the front hall.

My gaze fell on Shuyun. She had gentle features and a quiet demeanor, but there was a calm and resilient spirit hidden between her brows.

Such a good girl should have been cherished and protected, but due to bad luck, she ended up here.

A thought stirred within him, and he secretly pondered: In the future, I must find her a family that truly knows how to cherish her. I don't ask for immense wealth, but at least one that can protect her for a lifetime and spare her from the suffering of hardship.

What if... what if she, like a young woman, did not wish to be bound by conventional marriage?

Choi Ji-ho changed his mind and realized it wouldn't hurt.

He was on very good terms with Prince Lin, and had also received a lot of advice from Miss Shi. If they wanted to live in this house in the future, he would take care of them together with Prince Lin and Miss Shi, and would never let them be looked down upon or mistreated again.

These girls have pure hearts, like a clear spring, and possess a clarity rarely seen in ordinary women. They really shouldn't be tainted by the filth of this world.

"Young Master Cui, please sit down."

Seeing him standing there, Shuyun led him to the chair next to the main seat.

As soon as I sat down, a clever little maid with her hair in two buns brought me a cup of hot tea. The celadon teacup emitted a faint aroma of Longjing tea, and the water was just the right temperature, neither too hot nor too cold.

Cui Zhihao took the teacup, his fingertips touching the warm cup, looked up at Shuyun, and gestured for her to sit down: "You sit down too."

As soon as he said it, he was stunned for a moment.

Growing up in the Cui family of Qinghe, I was taught by my mother and my teacher, who emphasized etiquette and hierarchy.

Women and men are on equal footing? Even the wives and concubines of the elders in the clan must bow their heads and stand before him, let alone a woman like Shuyun who has no official status.

But the "You sit down too" he just said was so natural, as if it were the only thing that should be said.

He looked at Shuyun and saw that she did not refuse, but sat down on the chair opposite him as instructed, her posture was calm and composed, neither obsequious nor awkward.

This composure reminded him of Miss Shi.

Miss Shi is truly an amazing person.

At first glance, I only felt that she was unconventional and uninhibited in her words and actions. But after spending more time with her, I discovered that she had her own set of principles that were different from those of ordinary people.

She never said that "a woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent." On the contrary, she often said that "both men and women should be literate." She said that women earn a living with their own hands, which is no different from men making achievements. She even joked that "women can also serve the country and are not necessarily inferior to men."

In her eyes, people seemed to be only different in gender, with no distinction between high and low.