jdhmnovel Chapter 265 Choi Ji-ho's Feelings
Chapter 265 Choi Ji-ho's Feelings
The gloomy sky pressed down, making it hard to breathe. The area around the ancestral hall was deathly silent, with only the chilling sound of the whip lashing against flesh, striking Shi Wanxia's heart again and again.
Her eyes were already blurred with tears as she stared intently at the tortured Choi Ji-ho, her nails digging deep into her palms, oblivious to the pain.
She seemed oblivious to the maidservants' attempts to pull and comfort her, her mind and eyes fixed solely on the resolute figure standing on the execution post.
Soon, the 50 lashes were finished, and the guards who had carried out the punishment respectfully stepped aside. The blood-splattered whip dragged on the ground like a ferocious venomous snake.
Shi Wanxia suddenly went crazy, forcefully breaking free of her restraints and staggering to Cui Zhihao's side.
Her trembling hands hung in mid-air, tears streaming down her face. Looking at Cui Zhihao's mangled and gruesome back, her heart felt as if it had been torn into countless pieces.
Every tear in the flesh seemed to be an accusation against this cruel world. She was too frightened to touch him, afraid that even the slightest touch of her finger would bring him excruciating pain.
Choi Ji-ho's face was ashen, his usually deep and bright eyes were now dull and lifeless, and his lips were bloodless. He had long lost his former composure.
Even so, seeing Shi Wanxia's tearful appearance, he still mustered his spirits, forced a weak smile, and gently comforted her.
“Miss Shi, don’t worry, I’m fine. These are all my own choices, and have nothing to do with my uncles.”
His voice was hoarse and dry, but he tried to convey a sense of determination, attempting to reassure her.
He paused, then spoke with difficulty, "I've caused you worry and even made you suffer the lash, but please don't worry about me, I'm fine!"
As he spoke, enduring the pain all over his body, he trembled and reached out his hand, the veins on the back of his hand bulging, covered with abrasions and bloodstains, and gently touched the top of her head.
Shi Wanxia felt a gentle touch on her head, like a warm current that instantly warmed her cold heart, but also caused her tears to flow even more.
"Brother Cui, please don't say anything more, save your energy." She choked back tears, her heart filled with heartache and reluctance.
Cui Zhihao raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over them indifferently before turning to Shi Wanxia, his eyes filled with tenderness and apology.
"Young lady, you should go back now, lest you be tainted by bad luck here."
He didn't want Miss Shi to see him in such a disheveled state, lest he ruin his image in her eyes.
Shi Wanxia shook her head desperately, her hair disheveled and scattered on both sides of her face. "No, Brother Cui, I won't leave. How can I abandon you and leave alone?"
Her eyes were resolute, revealing an unwavering determination.
Cui Yan coughed lightly and said, "Zhihao, you've been punished today, you should know your mistakes. Do you still insist on leaving your place of residence?" Cui Zhihao smiled bitterly and did not respond.
Cui Zhe was exasperated and snorted coldly, "Just for this vixen, you're willing to betray your family."
Upon hearing this, Shi Wanxia was filled with rage. She stood up abruptly and faced Cui Zhe directly, "Lord Cui, Patriarch Cui, what wrong have you done? Your indiscriminate accusations are truly unfair!"
Cui Zhe's face darkened, and he was about to lash out when Cui Yan quickly raised his hand to stop him.
Seeing this, Cui Zhihao quickly grabbed Shi Wanxia's sleeve and shook his head slightly, signaling her not to act impulsively.
Shi Wanxia bit her lower lip, feeling both grief and helplessness. She could only squat down again and stay by Cui Zhihao's side.
The wind blew gently, carrying the scent of blood, and stirred the hearts of the group.
Cui Zhihao knew that the road ahead was full of thorns, but as long as Shi Wanxia's feelings were there, he had the courage to overcome all obstacles, and he would never back down even if he was covered in wounds.
Shi Wanxia also vowed in her heart that no matter how difficult the future might be, she would protect Cui Zhihao and walk hand in hand with him through thick and thin.
With the help of the guards and servants, Cui Zhihao struggled to his feet, swaying a few times before finally managing to stand steadily.
He caught a glimpse of the girl eagerly reaching out to help him, and his heart warmed. He quickly turned away and refused.
At this moment, even though he was in front of a large crowd and every movement caused excruciating pain throughout his body, he felt a surge of joy when he saw her worried eyes.
However, he knew that etiquette and the young lady's reputation were of utmost importance, and he could not allow her to suffer even the slightest grievance because of his own selfish desires.
His throat was sore and hoarse, as if he had swallowed burning coals and been rubbed by sand and gravel. He endured the piercing pain and swallowed the excruciating pain all over his body, and bowed respectfully to the head of the family, Cui Yan.
His straight back, even with his tattered clothes and bloodstains, still exuded a stubbornness. He said in a hoarse voice, "My mind is made up. I beg the head of the family to grant my request."
He had been preparing for this incident of renunciation of citizenship for a long time, all for the sake of his future with Miss Shi.
He couldn't bring shame upon his family. Even if he were to become a commoner, he was confident that with his talent and strategy, he could protect her for the rest of her life.
Cui Yan trembled with rage, his beard shaking as he glared at him furiously: "Fine, since you've made up your mind, then I'll grant your wish."
Having said that, he waved his sleeve and said, "Tomorrow at noon, open the ancestral hall and invite the clan elders to remove you from the clan."
After saying this, Cui Yan angrily turned and left, his heart filled with utter disappointment in his "good-for-nothing" nephew.
Cui Zhe stood aside, looking at Cui Zhihao, and sighed with disappointment, "Huai'an, you'd better watch yourself!"
He then turned to the steward, Cui Fan, and instructed, "Cui Fan, take them back to their guest rooms to rest, and have the imperial physician come and apply medicine to Huai'an." With that, Cui Zhe also left.
Soon, only Shi Wanxia, Cui Zhihao, and a few maids and servants stood silently with their heads bowed in the ancestral hall.
Choi Ji-ho's eyes reddened; the pain in his heart was no less than the physical wounds on his body.
Despite being scorned by his family and having his future ruined, a man doesn't easily shed tears, especially not in front of the girl he had long admired. He bit his lower lip hard, forcing back the bitterness in his eyes.
Cui Zhihao forced a smile that looked more like a grimace, trying to reassure Miss Shi: "Miss Shi, it's getting late. You should go back and rest. I'm fine. These are just minor injuries, nothing to worry about."
Shi Wanxia didn't believe a word of it. She had just been whipped to save him, and her back was burning with pain, making her gasp for breath. How could he be alright after being whipped so many times?
Thinking of this, her eyes reddened, and she choked up, saying, "Brother Cui, don't lie to me. You don't need to leave the family for me. I'm not worth such a sacrifice from you."
As soon as she finished speaking, sadness overwhelmed her like a tidal wave. Tears streamed down her face, and she cried out in anguish, her heart filled with guilt towards Cui Zhihao. In her eyes, she was the one who had put him in such a desperate situation.
Seeing this, Choi Jiho endured the pain and raised his hand to gently touch the top of her head, as if to convey strength and comfort. But soon, he withdrew his hand as if he had been electrocuted.
"Silly girl, I did all this willingly, and it's worth sacrificing my life to save you." His voice was gentle, yet every word was firm.
Shi Wanxia was at a loss for words, but how could she not understand Cui Zhihao's feelings?
However, she came from the modern world and knew that marriage here was completely different from the modern monogamous system. She kept avoiding it, pretending to be stupid, and unwilling to get involved in this complicated ancient love affair.
But now, how could Choi Ji-ho's actions not deeply shake her heart?
In this heart-wrenching moment, she herself was well aware of her dependence on Brother Cui.
The more she thought about it, the more upset she became. In her confusion, she threw herself into his arms and cried bitterly.
Choi Ji-ho was flattered and momentarily at a loss, his hands frozen in mid-air, unsure of what to do with them.
Fortunately, the maids and servants around them were very perceptive and left the ancestral hall early, leaving this space to them.
Although Cui Zhihao was overjoyed that she trusted and relied on him so much, this was, after all, a solemn and dignified ancestral hall.
He composed himself and gently comforted her, "Don't cry, girl, everything will be alright..."
His voice was tired, yet it also conveyed a reassuring strength.
Shi Wanxia sobbed uncontrollably in his arms, her tears soaking his tattered clothes.
After a long while, she finally raised her head, sobbing, and looked straight at him: "Brother Cui, what are we going to do now..."
Looking at her tear-streaked face, Cui Zhihao said with a firm gaze, "With me here, you don't need to worry, girl. Even if the road ahead is thorny, I will protect you."
At this moment, light footsteps came from outside the ancestral hall, presumably the family physician had arrived with his medicine box.
Cui Zhihao gently released Shi Wanxia and steadied himself by holding onto a pillar: "Miss, let the imperial physician examine your back injury first."
Shi Wanxia shook her head: "No, I'll show you first."