"Question?" Zhai Yanlin froze and raised his eyebrows, "I was just speaking to Miss Cheng. That doesn't count as questioning, does it?"
"The Duke Of Cai assumed the posture of interrogating a criminal. Facing a young lady, you still think it's just a casual conversation?" Cheng Yuanjing didn't have much of an expression on his face, but every word he spoke weighed a thousand pounds. It was much more powerful than Zhai Yanlin's deliberately sullen face, "She's not your subordinate, nor is she your relative. The Duke Of Cai doesn't have the right to speak to her in such a tone."
Zhai Yanlin's expression also turned ugly. He stared at Cheng Yuanjing and said, "When I spoke to Miss Cheng, I scrupulously abided by etiquette and followed the rules. Miss Cheng didn't even say anything, but doctor Cheng came out to criticize me first. What right does doctor Cheng have to make decisions for Miss Cheng? Aren't you being a little too nosy? "
"What right does it have to do with you?"
Zhai Yanlin was speechless. Cheng Yuanjing's gaze was also cold and contained a hint of danger. Cheng Yujin felt that Cheng Yuanjing was really angry this time. She hurriedly tugged on Cheng Yuanjing's sleeve and said, "Ninth Uncle, today is Second Sister's wedding. We are the hosts and the Duke Of Cai is the guest. We should prioritize harmony."
We are the hosts and the Duke Of Cai is the guest. Cheng Yuanjing's heart stirred. He knew that Cheng Yujin meant that they were both surnamed Cheng and represented the Marquis of Yichun. However, the word "we" sounded so much like husband and wife.
Cheng Yuanjing couldn't help but lower his head to look at Cheng Yujin. The iciness around him seemed to melt into a crack in an instant.
When Zhai Yanlin heard Cheng Yujin say "we" to Cheng Yuanjing while treating him as a guest, he was immediately displeased. Cheng Yujin comforted Cheng Yuanjing, then looked at Zhai Yanlin. "Duke Of Cai, this is the inner residence. It's inconvenient for outsiders to walk around. The Duke Of Cai has mistakenly entered the territory of the Inner Residence. As the host, we have been disrespectful. I will have the servant girls lead the Duke out. "
After Cheng Yujin finished speaking, she paused for a moment before continuing in a very casual tone, "Duke, my cousin and I were just playing around with our own siblings. This was originally our family's matter, but we didn't expect to bump into Duke. Logically speaking, there was nothing that couldn't be known. However, this matter was related to the reputation of the two manors. If gossip were to spread, it would be very difficult for his aunt. My cousin and I grew up together. We have a deep relationship and are not much different from blood related siblings. I don't want to be separated from my future cousin-in-law because of some groundless rumors. Therefore, I ask that the Duke Of Cai not mention today's matter to outsiders. My daughter would be very grateful. "
The matter between Cheng Yujin and Xu Zhixian? Cheng Yuanjing's eyebrows twitched when he heard this. He glanced at Cheng Yujin without batting an eyelid. What did Xu Zhixian say just now? What did this brat want to do now?
When Zhai Yanlin heard Cheng Yujin's words, his brows furrowed even tighter. He seemed to be holding back his anger as he said, "Miss Cheng, you actually think that I would tell anyone about today's matter? In your heart, am I that kind of person? "
Cheng Yujin thought to herself, who cares what kind of person you are? However, she smiled politely and said, "It's best that the Duke Of Cai won't. Thank you very much, Duke. "
Zhai Yanlin was still very angry. He wanted to go forward and argue, but as soon as he moved, Cheng Yuanjing's gaze immediately swept over in warning. Cheng Yujin was also like a frightened deer. She instinctively pulled on Cheng Yuanjing's sleeve and hid behind him.
Zhai Yanlin stopped in his tracks. His heart was filled with anger and jealousy. He was angry at Cheng Yuanjing for crossing the line just now. He was also angry at Cheng Yujin for not trusting him. However, at this moment, Cheng Yujin subconsciously hid behind Cheng Yuanjing.
The anger in Zhai Yanlin's heart was about to burst out of the sky.
Cheng Yuanjing patted Cheng Yujin's shoulder comfortingly. He lowered his head and said, "There's nothing for you to do here. You can go back and rest first."
Cheng Yujin couldn't wait to leave. However, she raised her head and looked at the two people. Her footsteps were hesitant. Cheng Yuanjing gently patted her hair and said, "You don't have to worry about anything. Go back and rest."
Cheng Yujin knew that Cheng Yuanjing wasn't someone who didn't know what was important. She even trusted Cheng Yuanjing more than herself. After Cheng Yuanjing said this, Cheng Yujin indeed felt a lot more at ease. She smiled brightly at Cheng Yuanjing and said, "Okay. Ninth Uncle, I'll take my leave first. "
Cheng Yujin's smile was bright and gentle. However, when she turned to look at Zhai Yanlin, the smile on her face faded almost instantly. Cheng Yujin politely nodded at Zhai Yanlin across the corridor and then turned to leave.
Zhai Yanlin's expression was extremely ugly. She trusted Cheng Yuanjing and smiled at Cheng Yuanjing. When Cheng Yuanjing asked her to go over, she would walk over without hesitation. However, when he moved a little too much, she would run away like a frightened deer. What was especially infuriating was that she even subconsciously ran behind Cheng Yuanjing.
Zhai Yanlin didn't know when he started to pay attention to Cheng Yujin. At first, Zhai Yanlin thought that Cheng Yujin would be a good wife and a good mother. She was suitable to be his stepwife. However, as Zhai Yanlin heard more and more about the Cheng Family's eldest daughter, the label of Cheng Yujin in his heart gradually faded. On the contrary, all that was left was her every frown, every smile, every action. It was the real her.
Now, Zhai Yanlin knew that he wanted to marry Cheng Yujin, not because Cheng Yujin would be a good wife and mother, but because of who she was. Zhai Yanlin didn't think that anyone would refuse the marriage proposal from the Duke House of Cai. In his heart, he already saw Cheng Yujin as his new wife. There was only a formality between them. As long as he said a word to Old Lady Cheng, it would be solved.
The Cheng Family's Old Lady was snobbish. Zhai Yanlin couldn't be more familiar with it. Old Lady Cheng wouldn't disagree. Zhai Yanlin thought with some contempt. Even if the Cheng Family pretended to be difficult, it was just to ask for more betrothal gifts. Zhai Yanlin couldn't stand this kind of posturing, but who asked them to be Cheng Yujin's family? They were just worldly possessions. There was no harm in giving them more.
Therefore, Zhai Yanlin couldn't stand his future wife being intimate with another man in front of him. In fact, Zhai Yanlin was also a little surprised. It was just a woman. Why did he have such a big reaction?
When Zhai Yanlin was young, he had also been to brothels. Very few of the naturally arrogant children of the nobility didn't go to these places. In order to tie down the guests, some brothel girls would deliberately lead two male guests to fight over a woman's favor. Zhai Yanlin had seen a lot of this kind of drama. However, even when he was at the peak of his youth, he had never had such a big emotional fluctuation because of a woman.
Zhai Yanlin was secretly alert. However, no matter how much he thought in his heart, when he raised his head and saw Cheng Yuanjing, the fire of jealousy immediately soared to the sky. All the psychological preparation he had just prepared was completely burned away. Cheng Yujin walked away with her servant girl. Cheng Yuanjing also stopped pretending. The disguise on his body suddenly disintegrated. It was as if a dusty sword had been stripped of its outer layer of cotton, revealing its true blade.
The Cheng Yuanjing at this time was completely different from the Cheng Yujin who had seen him before.
Zhai Yanlin saw the change in Cheng Yuanjing. The corner of his mouth revealed a cold smile. He also released his murderous aura with all his strength. Tit for tat, he said, "Cheng Yuanjing, you deliberately sent her away. What do you want to say?"
"Nothing. I'm just reminding you." Cheng Yuanjing's eyes were cold. He said, "The Duke House of Cai and the Huo family are not on the same side in the army. They rarely have any contact with each other. You and Huo Changyuan can't be said to be familiar with each other. Today, you suddenly went to escort his bride. I'm afraid that you have another purpose."
Zhai Yanlin was not angry at being exposed. Instead, he openly admitted, "That's right. I don't have any friendship with Huo Changyuan. I just wanted to take the opportunity to see someone."
At this point, he had basically said everything. The atmosphere between the two was extremely tense. The hostility between the two was almost tangible. Cheng Yuanjing and Zhai Yanlin looked at each other. Neither of them spoke.
Opposites attract, while the same sex repel. Two men who had the same idea were the most sensitive to each other. Zhai Yanlin had a good impression of Cheng Yujin when he first met her. At that time, when he looked at Cheng Yuanjing, he felt that there was something wrong with this uncle and nephew pair. Or it could be said that there was something wrong with Cheng Yuanjing.
As an uncle, Cheng Yuanjing's gaze, actions, and tone were too overbearing. This was not the way he should look at a junior.
Today, when Zhai Yanlin showed up, Cheng Yuanjing immediately sensed that Zhai Yanlin's intentions were not pure. He did not have good intentions.
Just now, they were apprehensive of Cheng Yujin. Now that Cheng Yujin was not here, the two of them no longer concealed their hostility towards each other.
Zhai Yanlin said, "Miss Cheng has already annulled the engagement. She is now in her boudoir. Why can't I ask to marry her?"
When Cheng Yuanjing heard the word "ask to marry her," his eyes were so sharp that they almost frosted over. "You? Based on what? "
"Based on the fact that I am the Duke Of Cai, a third rank military general. As long as she marries me, she will become the Duke's wife. She will live a life of luxury and will not have to worry about food and clothing." Zhai Yanlin was very confident in himself. As the Duke, he was tall and handsome. Over the years, there were many women throwing themselves at him. Therefore, Zhai Yanlin never felt that there would be any woman who would reject him. He wanted Cheng Yujin to be his first wife. If Cheng Yujin knew about this, she would definitely happily agree.
Zhai Yanlin smiled confidently and said, "She is smart and virtuous. She has her own way of doing things. She also gets along well with Zhai Qing. She will become a good wife and mother in the future. As long as she marries me, she will live a life of stability and wealth. She will never have to worry about her livelihood. Once she marries me, she will be the Duke's wife. She will not have to look at other people's eyes. "
Cheng Yuanjing chuckled, obviously looking down on him. Zhai Yanlin was provoked by Cheng Yuanjing's expression. He narrowed his eyes and said, "What do you mean by that?"
Cheng Yuanjing's smile disappeared in a flash. It was like ice under the sun. From afar, it only looked cold. "Of course she will be a good wife. But she will not be yours."
"What did you say?" Zhai Yanlin asked in a low voice.
"Your so-called wealth and power are not even worth mentioning. What can you give her? A six year old son, concubines with ulterior motives, and a complicated family environment. You have nothing. What right do you have to steal her? "
Zhai Yanlin was furious. If these words came from anyone else's mouth, Zhai Yanlin would not hesitate to scold them for not knowing what was good for them. However, these words came from Cheng Yuanjing. Although Cheng Yuanjing was not high-profile, everyone who met him secretly said that this person should not be underestimated and that his future was limitless. The wealth and status that Zhai Yanlin was proud of was indeed nothing in front of Cheng Yuanjing and the huge potential that he represented.
And the shortcomings that Cheng Yuanjing mentioned were like steel and iron bones. They could not be faked at all.
Zhai Yanlin was angry. He narrowed his eyes and suddenly said, "Cheng Yuanjing, you are only her uncle. You are not her father. A grown girl should be avoided, let alone an uncle. What does it have to do with you who Miss Cheng marries in the future? You seem to be meddling too much. "
The previous generation of the Zhai family and Marquis Cheng were old friends. Zhai Yanlin had also vaguely heard of Marquis Cheng's entanglement. Cheng Yuanjing was adopted from outside when he was six years old. Although he was listed in the Cheng Family's genealogy, he might not be the real blood of the Cheng Family. Looking at Cheng Yuanjing's attitude toward Cheng Yujin, Zhai Yanlin's intuition as a man told him that Cheng Yuanjing might not be a member of the Cheng Family.
But so what? It was already not easy for a mistress of an unknown bloodline to climb up the big tree that was the Marquis of Yichun's household. Could Cheng Yuanjing change his surname? Since Cheng Yuanjing would not leave the Cheng Family, regardless of whether he was the son of Marquis Cheng or not, he was still Cheng Yujin's uncle and nephew. No matter who Cheng Yujin married, she would not marry him.
Cheng Yuanjing's aura suddenly became sharp. He looked at Zhai Yanlin and said, "You don't need to care about my affairs. She doesn't like to discipline children at all, and she doesn't like to be controlled by others. Your family is not suitable for her. In the future, don't disturb her. "
Zhai Yanlin was shocked. He wanted to continue speaking, but Cheng Yuanjing had already turned around and left without looking back.
This was only a warning. Cheng Yuanjing did not intend to discuss it with him.
Cheng Yujin returned to her courtyard and asked the Dugeaux to make a cup of hot tea. She held the teacup, and her thoughts gradually drifted to what had happened just now.
Ninth Uncle, oh no, His Highness the Crown Prince, was talking to the Duke Of Cai alone. There shouldn't be any problems, right?
Cheng Yujin was thinking when a maid's greeting came from outside. Cheng Yujin was startled. She immediately put down the teacup and stood up. "Ninth Uncle?"
Lian Qiao had already welcomed Cheng Yuanjing in. When Cheng Yuanjing entered, his body was still cold. When he came in and saw her, the coldness in his eyes became better.
Cheng Yuanjing was a rare guest. Cheng Yujin hurriedly came forward to greet him. She asked the maid to change the tea and rearrange the seats. Then she sat across from her previous seat and personally poured a cup of hot tea for Cheng Yuanjing. "Ninth Uncle, why are you here? Did the Duke Of Cai say something? "
Cheng Yuanjing's gaze fell on Cheng Yujin's fingers. The porcelain cup was heated with a cyan glaze. It was transparent and delicate to the touch. Cheng Yujin's slender and white fingers were imprinted on the lake-blue cup. It shined slightly.
Cheng Yuanjing vaguely withdrew his gaze. He took the teacup and lowered his head to take a sip. His tone was light. "Nothing."
After he finished speaking, he paused. Then he asked very casually, as if he was just casually mentioning something. "What do you think of Zhai Yanlin?"
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