Zhai Yanlin was unhappy. He knew he was in no position, but every time he thought of this possibility, he felt anger rising from the bottom of his heart.
The attendant of the Duke House of Cai saw that Zhai Yanlin's expression was not good. Just as he was about to speak, he was stopped by Zhai Yanlin. His eyes were full of fire, indicating that they should not go forward.
At this time, Cheng Yujin was stunned and widened her eyes. She was surprised and surprised. She thought that Xu Zhixian was just joking last time.
Cheng Yujin was stunned. She originally thought that Xu Zhixian liked Cheng Yumo. In fact, until just now, she still thought so. However, today was Cheng Yumo's wedding. Xu Zhixian did not act strangely and even excitedly went up to join in the fun. Cheng Yujin knew that she was probably wrong. It seemed that Xu Zhixian and Cheng Yumo were really just cousins who got along well.
The relationship between Xu Zhixian and Cheng Yumo might have been a mistake in Cheng Yujin's judgment, but she never thought that Xu Zhixian really wanted to marry her. A man may sympathize with the first time because of his mother's request, but he would never propose a second time after the woman rejected him. Cheng Yujin did not have much experience in the relationship between men and women, but she still understood these basic principles.
So, Xu Zhixian was not joking. He really wanted to marry her.
But, why? Cheng Yujin always felt that she was not very popular with men. Her well-behaved appearance was most liked by female elders. However, in the eyes of men, she was somewhat rigid and boring. Cheng Yujin knew that compared to Cheng Yumo, she was not very good at getting along with people of the same age. She was not like Cheng Yumo who naturally acted coquettishly, and it was difficult to find common topics to talk about. On the contrary, she was very good at treating them like younger siblings.
In a different place, if Cheng Yujin was a man, she wouldn't like her personality, let alone count on others. However, this was not important because the right to decide the marriage was in the hands of her mother-in-law. Even if she got married, she would still need to spend a lot of time with her mother-in-law, sisters-in-law, and other women. Therefore, after weighing the pros and cons, Cheng Yujin completely gave up on the men's market, which she was not good at, and focused on the circle of noble ladies. She knew what kind of daughter-in-law her mother-in-law looked forward to. Her goal for many years was to turn herself into such a standard model.
But now, Cheng Yujin doubted her eyes. Not only did she misjudge the relationship between Cheng Yumo and Xu Zhixian, but she even misjudged Xu Zhixian's thoughts? How could this be?
Cheng Yujin was silent for a while before she said in a low voice, "Second Cousin, what do you mean?"
"That's what you heard." Xu Zhixian unconsciously became nervous. He stared at Cheng Yujin and said, "When Mother suggested that I marry you, I was too surprised and didn't react. You came at the wrong time and didn't hear the rest, so you misunderstood. Actually, I'm very willing to marry you. When I think about how I'll live with Sister Jin in the future, I'm looking forward to it. Sister Jin doesn't like to joke. She's been busy with her homework all these years, but I know a lot of fun things. In the future, we can do them together. "
Xu Zhixian thought about it for two months after he returned home, to the point where he almost couldn't eat or drink. As long as he was free, Cheng Yujin's appearance and the words Cheng Yujin said to him that day would appear in his mind. Xu Zhixian was secretly distressed for a long time. Finally, he made up his mind to clarify things with Sister Jin face to face on the day of his second cousin's wedding.
Xu Zhixian mustered up a lot of courage to say these words. After he finished speaking, he immediately heaved a sigh of relief. His eyes were like ink as he looked at Cheng Yujin expectantly.
Cheng Yujin's gaze became even more confused. She simply began to doubt her many years of understanding. She never thought that Xu Zhixian liked her. She never even thought in this direction. Could it be that many of the things she thought in the past were wrong?
However, even if Cheng Yujin's understanding collapsed, she was still a person who was more rational than emotional. Cheng Yujin quickly reacted. It didn't matter whether Xu Zhixian liked her or when he developed feelings for her. She and Xu Zhixian wouldn't be together. Then, was the ins and outs of this relationship important?
It wasn't important at all. There was no need to do something that was bound to have no result. Cheng Yujin immediately calmed down. She smiled and said, "Second Cousin, I thank you for your kindness, but this matter concerns a woman's reputation. I've already been rejected once. I can't experience it a second time."
"Sister Jin?"
"Second Cousin, I'm very grateful that you treat me with sincerity. However, it's impossible between us. Auntie and you are my family and are willing to think for me. However, the Old Madame of the Duke House of Chang is not. I can't put you in a disadvantageous position for myself. In any case, I have to observe mourning for my grandfather. I don't have to worry about these troublesome matters this year. After a year, if I can get married, then I'll get married. If no one proposes marriage, then it's fine for me to grow old alone in the Cheng Family. I know that second cousin is doing this for my own good. I also thank second cousin for his good intentions. However, in the end, it's impossible between us. "
Cheng Yujin paused and then said in a calm, rational, and almost cold voice, "Cousin, just forget about what Auntie said."
Forget? How could he forget? Xu Zhixian was anxious and couldn't help but take a step forward. "Cousin, I'm not doing this out of pity. I'm serious."
"I know." Cheng Yujin motioned to Lian Qiao and calmly stopped Xu Zhixian. She looked at Xu Zhixian and finally cruelly said the truth. "A woman's reputation is the most fragile. If cousin doesn't want to force me to death, then don't say these words again in the future."
Xu Zhixian's footsteps stopped. The originally bright and resplendent eyes were like a mirror that fell to the ground. The light suddenly shattered.
Cheng Yujin saw that Xu Zhixian had calmed down. She clasped her hands in front of her and smiled gently. "Second Cousin, we'll still be cousins in the future, right?"
"… … Yes."
"That's good. Second Cousin, you see how lively Second Sister's wedding is today. When Second Cousin-in-law gets married in the future, you can't forget me. In any case, let me see what the other half of the wedding is like, okay? "
Xu Zhixian understood Cheng Yujin's meaning. He couldn't tell whether his heart was sour or bitter. He wanted to try hard to smile at Cheng Yujin, but the smile he squeezed out was uglier than crying. "Okay."
"Thank you, Cousin." Cheng Yujin blessed Xu Zhixian from a distance and then left. Both sides of the corridor were decorated with lanterns and colored banners. Cheng Yujin stood on the stone floor in a white dress. She was out of place with the other two sides. She was like an exquisite painting of a lady. The next moment, she would transcend. She only had a maid with her. Her figure was thin and lonely in the corridor, but she walked without looking back. Soon, she disappeared.
Xu Zhixian looked at the scene in front of him in a daze. He was almost bewitched. This was his Sister Jin. She was always firm and clear. She never needed other people's pity for her Sister Jin.
He was also one of them.
Cheng Yujin said goodbye to Xu Zhixian. She had a lot of things on her mind along the way. Lian Qiao treated herself as an invisible person. She didn't say anything along the way. She didn't want to disturb Cheng Yujin's thinking.
Today's events had a great impact on Cheng Yujin. She was thinking about things and didn't pay attention to the surroundings. When she turned the corner, she almost bumped into the person in front of her.
Cheng Yujin almost fell. Fortunately, Lian Qiao saw the opportunity and supported Cheng Yujin from behind.
Zhai Yanlin also didn't expect her to bump into him. He quickly reached out to catch her. However, Cheng Yujin's maid had already helped Cheng Yujin to stand up. After Cheng Yujin stood up, she immediately took a few steps back to increase the distance between them.
Zhai Yanlin regretfully took back his hand. He looked at Cheng Yujin with a meaningful smile on his face, "Miss Cheng, what happened? You actually walked in such a hurry that you didn't even notice that there was someone in front of you?"
Cheng Yujin composed herself. When she spoke again, she was calm, "My daughter was rash. Duke Of Cai, please forgive her. However, the Duke Of Cai should be accompanying Marquis Huo to escort the bride. Why are you here? "
Zhai Yanlin was very angry when he first found out that Cheng Yujin and Xu Zhixian had met in private. However, after listening to her conversation with Xu Zhixian, Zhai Yanlin was greatly surprised. On one hand, he was unhappy that Xu Zhixian had thoughts about Cheng Yujin. On the other hand, he couldn't help but feel proud as a man. Cheng Yujin didn't hesitate to reject Xu Zhixian. This made Zhai Yanlin very satisfied.
Zhai Yanlin thought that although Cheng Yujin attracted bees and butterflies, at least she knew etiquette, justice, integrity, and shame. She abided by the rules and didn't get involved with other men. Overall, she was still worthy of being the second wife of the Duke Of Cai.
Zhai Yanlin had a different kind of smile on his face as he said, "Miss Cheng, why are you so nervous? Are you afraid that I'll hear something I shouldn't hear?"
Cheng Yujin's expression changed. She didn't even want to pretend to be polite. This Duke thought too highly of himself. Who did he think he was? What right did he have to ask about her private matters?
Cheng Yujin stopped smiling. She always had a perfect smile on her face. Her temperament was gentle and kind. Once she stopped smiling, she immediately became cold and elegant. She was awe-inspiring and inviolable.
"Duke Of Cai, be careful with your words. Firstly, you're an outsider. You should avoid arousing suspicion when it comes to matters concerning your wife. Secondly, although you're the Duke, you're not my elder. I'm afraid you don't have the right to discipline me."
The smile on Zhai Yanlin's face suddenly froze. He had heard a wonderful play just now, so he deliberately came over to tease Cheng Yujin. When he spoke, he naturally spoke in a tone like a cat teasing a mouse. Zhai Yanlin had thought that Cheng Yujin would be shy or even angry. But he didn't think that Cheng Yujin would dare to criticize him in front of his face.
Zhai Yanlin was stunned. He didn't say anything. "You …"
How dare you? Very few people dared to talk to him like this, let alone a woman.
Cheng Yujin kept telling herself that this was the Duke Of Cai. She couldn't offend him. Only then did she manage to resist the urge to scold him. Cheng Yujin continued to scold him politely and elegantly. "I don't know why the Duke Of Cai turned into the inner residence. Although our Cheng Family isn't as powerful as the Duke House of Cai, there are still boundaries between the inner and outer residence. Speaking of which, it's really our fault. We didn't have anyone to lead the way and let the Duke Of Cai accidentally walk into the inner residence. He also accidentally heard me and Second Cousin's gossip. This is really our negligence. I don't know how long the Duke has been listening, but I didn't know at all. Duke, don't worry. In a while, I'll punish the maids and servants in the courtyard. I'll make sure they learn how to treat guests. "
How could Zhai Yanlin not understand that Cheng Yujin was scolding him with sarcasm? He choked. For the first time, he realized that Cheng Yujin's tongue was so sharp. He was the respected Duke of the imperial court. At this moment, he actually couldn't refute her words. He was angry. The aura of a high-ranking Duke immediately suppressed her. "Miss Cheng, outsiders say that you're virtuous and sensible. Is this how you talk?"
Zhai Yanlin was the Duke after all. He was in charge of the military. His aura was trained in the military camp. When he deliberately used his aura to suppress people, it was really quite scary. No matter how powerful Cheng Yujin was, she was still a young lady. In terms of age and experience, she was still very young. Her face turned pale. Lian Qiao was drenched in cold sweat. She held Cheng Yujin's arm and took a step back.
Zhai Yanlin originally didn't want to make things difficult for women, especially young and beautiful women. However, if he didn't show Cheng Yujin his power, she wouldn't know her place.
He was just curious about Cheng Yujin, so he gave her a few more privileges. However, it didn't mean that she could rely on his favor to become arrogant and even put on airs with him.
Women couldn't be indulged. Once indulged, they would reach for a yard after taking an inch. Relying on his favor, they would try to order men around. Women were only accessories in the backyard. Their most important duty was to give birth to children for him to play with. If they thought that they could control and interfere with him, then they were gravely mistaken.
Zhai Yanlin saw that Cheng Yujin's face was pale and quietly lowered her head. He finally felt some satisfaction. He was just about to speak when a voice suddenly came from the side. A figure went around the screen wall and walked straight towards them.
"Duke Of Cai, if you have something to say, just say it to me. Why are you scaring a young lady?" Cheng Yuanjing walked out from behind the screen wall. She first looked at Zhai Yanlin with a heavy gaze. Then she turned to Cheng Yujin and stretched out her hand. "Come here."
Cheng Yujin breathed a sigh of relief and immediately walked towards Cheng Yuanjing. When she approached, Cheng Yuanjing reached out and grabbed her wrist. Then he directly placed her beside him.
Cheng Yujin stood behind Cheng Yuanjing. The pressure she felt just now was immediately relieved. At this time, she was no longer afraid of Zhai Yanlin. She even wanted to raise her head and fiercely glare at this person.
Zhai Yanlin saw with his own eyes that Cheng Yujin was in a stalemate with him. However, when she saw Cheng Yuanjing, she breathed a sigh of relief. As if she had found her home, she flew towards Cheng Yuanjing without any resistance. Zhai Yanlin narrowed his eyes and coldly looked at Cheng Yuanjing. "Jing Xing didn't go to send her off. Why are you here?"
"What about the Duke?" Cheng Yujin was afraid of Zhai Yanlin. However, Cheng Yuanjing wasn't. He calmly and powerfully looked back and slowly asked, "Duke Of Cai didn't go to fetch the bride. Why is he privately questioning my niece?"
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
