The room fell into silence. After a moment of silence, Cheng Yuanjing said, "You're determined to do this?"
Cheng Yujin lowered her head and said, "Your Highness misunderstood. It wasn't that this subject's daughter wanted to offend you. It was just that this subject's daughter wanted to restore the proper etiquette. This subject's daughter acted inappropriately before. Relying on the fact that Your Highness was in the Cheng Family and temporarily needed the Cheng Family's cover, this subject's daughter really acted like a real uncle and disturbed Your Highness. Your Highness is a member of the royal family. Since this subject's daughter coincidentally knew of Your Highness' identity, it is only right for this subject to treat Your Highness with the etiquette of a monarch and a subject. Not to mention that Your Highness saved me yesterday. Your Highness the Crown Prince is the crown prince and also this subject's savior. This subject's daughter naturally has to be respectful. "
Father and son, monarch and subject, respectful. Cheng Yuanjing smiled. However, there was a burst of cold light in his eyes. There was no smile. "Oh? Then why didn't you think of keeping a respectful distance when you were in the Cheng Family? Why did you only realize it now? "
Cheng Yujin sighed in her heart. Sure enough, Cheng Yuanjing's power wasn't so easy to borrow. She was asking a tiger for its skin. Before she got the skin, she couldn't get away.
Cheng Yujin originally didn't think that Cheng Yuanjing would have such thoughts. Therefore, she was full of thoughts about brushing up the good impression of the future emperor and obtaining benefits for herself. In the end, she would choose someone who was appreciated by the crown prince and had boundless potential in the future to marry off. She would then realize three consecutive wins in life.
However, Cheng Yuanjing jumped into the water to save her yesterday. Without a doubt, this was a ruthless slap on Cheng Yujin's head, causing her to be a bit confused. In fact, there were many intimate actions that blurred the boundaries between them. If it were an ordinary man and woman, it would be a bit too close. However, that "Ninth Uncle" was really too confusing. Cheng Yujin heard it too many times and was gradually deceived. She felt that it was normal for relatives to be intimate. It was also normal for them to quarrel.
However, they were not real relatives. If neither of them mentioned it, no one would know about it after Cheng Yuanjing left. Who would know that Cheng Yuanjing did not intend to stop there? He tore apart the fragile window paper between them in front of her. Cheng Yujin had to face another serious fact.
She had tried to gain his favor.
Cheng Yujin did not expect that the Crown Prince would take a fancy to her. She seemed to have subconsciously ruled out this possibility. When Cheng Yujin was looking for a husband, she did not consider Cheng Yuanjing as a candidate. Therefore, she naturally felt that Cheng Yuanjing was the same.
After all, to him, Cheng Yujin was no different from Cheng Yujin. Zou Cheng and Lin Qingyuan had passed the Jinshi exam in the same year, but their family was poor and could only rely on their mother and sister to make a living.
They were all the same. Their individual abilities were outstanding, but their families were dragging them down in every aspect. Considering Cheng Yuanjing's special position, the Marquis of Yichun's household dragging them down was even more fatal than the Zou family.
Cheng Yujin admired Zou Cheng very much and was also very touched by their family's mutual support. However, Cheng Yujin definitely did not want to marry Zou Cheng and be the wife of a noble family that would help Zou Cheng cross the class gap. She could totally choose someone in the same class with an outstanding family and slightly inferior individual ability, such as Xu Zhixian. She could even take a gamble and choose Lin Qingyuan, who had a better family ability.
How big of a hole did she open in her brain to choose Zou Cheng and do such a high-risk, no-return business? From another point of view, the situation between her and Cheng Yuanjing was the same.
If it was said that there was a gap between commoners and scholars, and that there was a gap between ordinary officials and nobles, then there was a gap between the nobles and the imperial family.
The nobles' families inherited power and wealth. They did not need to take imperial examinations, nor did they need to find a way out. They were much better than those who took the imperial examinations. However, in the eyes of the princes and princesses, it was just a name. The difference was that some families' names were worth remembering, while others were not.
The Marquis of Yichun's Cheng Family, unfortunately, was in the unworthy category. There were dukes everywhere in the capital. A small, unaccomplished Marquis Family was nothing.
As for the Crown Prince, who was a distant existence that had to step on the heads of many princes and princesses, Cheng Yujin would never come into contact with them. The situation in the imperial court was getting more and more dangerous, and Old Lady Cheng did not even worry about the battle for the position of Crown Prince. It could be seen just how much weight the Cheng Family had.
Only those who were noticed by those in power would worry about who to side with. The Cheng Family did not even have the qualifications to choose a side.
Although Cheng Yuanjing had been absent for more than ten years, the position of Crown Prince was still intact. It could be seen that the Emperor clearly favored him. Under such circumstances, when Cheng Yuanjing regained his status, there were many high-ranking officials and noble families who were willing to express their goodwill. He could easily marry a daughter of a noble family with good family background, character, appearance, and ability. Cheng Yujin did not believe that Cheng Yuanjing did not know how much it would benefit him to contend against the Yang Family with the help of a powerful wife's family.
What did Cheng Yujin have? She only had a beautiful family background that did not live up to its name. She had a bright and beautiful reputation that was actually useless, and a beautiful face.
Cheng Yujin placed benefits above all else. She was not trapped by feelings and did not have a balance in her heart. Therefore, she had always judged others like this. Cheng Yuanjing's rationality and coldness were far better than hers, but he never showed it. Cheng Yujin did not believe that such a person would give up the benefits that were readily available.
Since that was the case, his actions yesterday gradually pointed to another possibility that made people feel a chill down their backs.
There was no difference between Zou Cheng and Cheng Yujin. The only difference was that Cheng Yujin could not marry a second time, while men could have three wives and four concubines. If Cheng Yujin had the conditions, she also wanted to choose Lin Qingyuan as her legal wife and raise another Zou Cheng as her investment. However, she could not.
Cheng Yujin's throat gradually became dry. She had been in the ice water for a long time yesterday and her throat was now hoarse. Now, that familiar cold and powerless feeling came back.
Cheng Yujin's voice was hoarse as she tried her best to make her voice not sound sick, "Ninth Uncle, you have a noble background and are a heaven sent talent. You may not need to understand the difficulties of survival in your life. For you, it may be a novelty, but for me, it is fifteen years of hard work and the hope of the rest of my life. "
Perhaps the crown prince saw that she was pretty and wanted to raise her on a whim. For Cheng Yuanjing, it was a whim, but for Cheng Yujin, it was a lifetime.
The difference between a legal wife and a concubine was more than just a chasm. Even if the imperial concubines were called secondary concubines, they were still concubines.
Cheng Yuanjing looked at her deeply, not missing the slightest change on her face. She called him Ninth Uncle again, which was a disguised show of weakness. But this kind of begging was very grating in Cheng Yuanjing's ears.
"A novelty?" Cheng Yuanjing slowly said word by word, "In your heart, am I this kind of person? Or have I always been this kind of person? "
Cheng Yujin lowered her head, as if she was thinking of how to respond. Cheng Yuanjing was sitting and she was standing with her head down, revealing a slender and slender neck.
Cheng Yuanjing's eyes first fell on that neck and then slowly moved up, carefully lingering on her face. Cheng Yujin really did have a very good appearance. Her skin was white and delicate, and her neck couldn't be bent at all. When she silently stood there without speaking, she was beautiful like a beauty that had walked out of a painting. It made people sigh in admiration and also made people want to touch her.
Cheng Yuanjing thought of what she had just said and couldn't help smiling, "Since you want to draw the line, then let me ask you, what is the etiquette of a monarch? How do you repay the kindness of saving your life? "
Cheng Yujin seemed to be surprised. Her eyes widened and she quickly glanced at Cheng Yuanjing. Although she tried to hide it, her brows were still slightly wrinkled. These words were very explicit. Cheng Yuanjing had never shown his powerful and unscrupulous side in front of her before. Cheng Yujin subconsciously felt that Cheng Yuanjing had always been a gentleman, modest, and sensible crown prince.
Cheng Yujin had never thought that Cheng Yuanjing would say such words. Using power to coerce, using kindness to ask for repayment, could be said to be very impolite.
Cheng Yujin was suddenly speechless. She could summon up her courage to reason with the other, but this move was to guard against a gentleman and not a villain. If the other party was a gentleman, then it would work. But what if the other party didn't have any scruples?
Even Zhai Yanlin could force her to submit, let alone Cheng Yuanjing.
Cheng Yuanjing saw that her expression had changed. He reached out his hand and said, "Come here."
Cheng Yujin hesitated. She hesitated for a long time, but did not go forward. Cheng Yuanjing was also very patient. He had been waiting with his hand outstretched the whole time.
Patience, but also did not allow for discussion.
Cheng Yujin had no other choice. She sighed silently, took two steps forward, and tentatively put her hand in Cheng Yuanjing's palm.
Her fingers had just touched his palm when they were wrapped. Then a strong force came. Cheng Yujin was pulled to the front of the couch. Cheng Yuanjing very naturally put his arm around her shoulders and placed her beside him.
This was originally a seat for one person. Suddenly, there was another person. The space suddenly became very cramped. Cheng Yujin was almost pressed against Cheng Yuanjing as he sat down. Her whole body was stiff. Cheng Yuanjing did not seem to notice. He first tested the temperature of Cheng Yujin's forehead, then turned her wrist over and felt for a while. He said, "Much better. You just need to rest for a few more days."
Cheng Yujin did not dare to move, but she also did not dare to remain silent. Cheng Yuanjing had completely shed all pretense of cordiality. If she obediently let him do as he pleased, who knew what would happen in a while. Cheng Yujin's eyes drifted for a while. She asked, "Your Highness actually knows how to take a pulse?"
"A long illness becomes a doctor. When I was young, my body was not good. After seeing many things, I slowly learned."
These words involved the struggle between two generations of the palace. Cheng Yujin did not dare to casually answer. She paused and chose to flatter conservatively. "Your Highness is really smart. Your Highness is now well-versed in both the pen and the sword. I really can't tell that your body was not good when you were young. "
Presumably, he often heard similar words. Cheng Yuanjing did not answer. Instead, he looked at Cheng Yujin for a while and suddenly laughed. "Are you afraid of me?"
Cheng Yujin sighed. She put down the grudge and talked to him nicely. "Yes. Your Highness said so just now. I can't not be afraid. "
Cheng Yuanjing did not comment. After taking the pulse, he did not let go of Cheng Yujin's hand. Instead, he held it in his palm and slowly played with it. Cheng Yujin wanted to pull away, but did not dare to. She could only wait stiffly. He played with Cheng Yujin's fingers one by one. Suddenly, he said, "Did you see the Zhai family yesterday?"
Cheng Yujin did not know why he asked this. She replied truthfully, "Yes. Yesterday, mother, second aunt, and I went out to look at the lanterns. We happened to meet Madame Zhai halfway. Madame Zhai had something to say to mother alone. Mother let me look at the lanterns on both sides of the street. Then … then, Your Highness knows what happened. "
"So you didn't hear what they said." Cheng Yuanjing understood. "No wonder."
"What?" Cheng Yujin did not understand. She looked at Cheng Yuanjing in confusion.
Cheng Yujin was sitting in his arms. Her eyes were more beautiful and soul-stirring when they looked closer. Cheng Yuanjing looked at her for a while and suddenly wanted to do something closer. However, they were not married yet. They were not even engaged yet. These actions were too overboard.
Cheng Yuanjing resisted the urge to do something inappropriate. He had been educated by the Crown Prince for more than ten years. After all, he respected order more than wanton unscrupulousness. Moreover, this was a form of respect for Cheng Yujin.
Cheng Yujin only felt that Cheng Yuanjing looked at her silently for a while. That kind of gaze made her feel inexplicably alert. Then, he looked away and said calmly, "The Zhai family did not go there to negotiate. They went there to apologize."
Cheng Yujin frowned and replied subconsciously, "How is that possible? If they wanted to break off the engagement, why would their attitude …"
The rest of her voice stopped abruptly. Cheng Yuanjing seemed to have expected it. He looked at her with a smile. "That's why I said they went there to apologize."
This apology had two meanings. First, it was because they had let the woman down by breaking off the engagement. Cheng Yujin had seen it once. For example, the Huo family's insincere apology. Second, it was because they had offended someone they should not have offended. They were afraid that they would be punished in the future and hurriedly went forward to apologize.
Cheng Yujin originally thought that Madame Zhai went to look for Qingfu because of the first reason. But now, it seemed that it was the second reason?
The Duke House of Cai would not be afraid of the Cheng Family. It could only be because of Cheng Yuanjing.
Previously, the marriage was only a verbal agreement. There was no contract or evidence. Not many people even knew about it. The Zhai family had broken off the engagement nicely. Cheng Yujin did not suffer any damage to her reputation. She even received a bunch of apology gifts from the Duke House of Cai. This was the most ideal situation. Cheng Yujin's best plan was not as good as this.
Cheng Yuanjing said that she did not need to worry and that he would solve it for her. It was actually true.
Cheng Yujin was speechless. Because of the lack of information, she did not know what Madame Zhai had said to her last night. So, she took the risk and bet on Lin Qingyuan's character. If Lin Qingyuan came down to save her, she would have a legitimate reason to marry Lin Qingyuan. If Lin Qingyuan did not come down to save her … then she would have a clear understanding of a person. She would not lose out if she did not meet a bad man for the rest of her life.
If Cheng Yujin had known that the Huo family's crisis had been resolved one day later, she would never have done such a risky thing. But she did not know at that time that the opportunity was fleeting. At that moment, Cheng Yujin had to make a decision.
Cheng Yujin did not speak for a long time. Finally, she let out a long sigh. "Forget it. What's done is done. I have no regrets. There's nothing to say."
Cheng Yuanjing chuckled. He pinched her index finger from top to bottom. His voice was neither fast nor slow. "You don't trust me."
"Because you don't trust me, you jumped into the water in the middle of winter to force me to save you. If you had even the slightest bit of trust in me, you wouldn't have done this. "
Cheng Yujin was silent. It was true that she had saved him, but when she saw the ice crack, she had other ideas. She had jumped into the water partly to save him, and partly to take advantage of the situation.
She had fooled everyone. Even the Dugeaux, who had been with her for the longest time, thought that she had jumped in because she was in a hurry to save him. In fact, if Lin Qingyuan had not been there at the time, Cheng Yujin would have turned back and returned to the shore. Her reputation was important, but her life was more important. The Marquis Household had many strong and experienced servants guarding the courtyard. Why would she take such a risk?
But Cheng Yuanjing had seen through her at a glance. Perhaps when he had jumped into the water to save her, he had already understood what she wanted to do.
Cheng Yujin sighed and asked, "Since you already knew, why did you still come down to save me? The river water in winter is no joke after all. "
"If I didn't come to save you, what should I do? Should I watch you exhaust yourself, or watch another man come to save you? " Cheng Yuanjing's voice was neither fast nor slow. His tone was not tough, but when it fell into her ears, it was indescribably frightening. "You actually disregarded your own life for a man. Do you like him that much? In order to marry him, you don't even want your life? "
Cheng Yuanjing was angry. Unlike before, he had deliberately put on a face to scare her. This time, it was real.
The angrier he was, the calmer he became.
Cheng Yujin did not reply for a long time. Her hand was still in Cheng Yuanjing's palm. Without any warning, Cheng Yujin suddenly clenched her hand into a fist and held Cheng Yuanjing's hand.
Her eyes were also wide open. She did not dodge or avoid, and did not have any consciousness of offending her superiors. She directly looked into Cheng Yuanjing's eyes. "Ninth Uncle was born as the eldest legitimate prince. When he was five years old, he became the crown prince. Since young, he took whatever he wanted. His actions were open and aboveboard. Do you look down on someone like me, who is scheming and wholeheartedly trying to climb up the social ladder?"
Cheng Yujin did not wait for Cheng Yuanjing to reply. She continued, "If I were a man, I wouldn't look down on you either. If you want to live a superior life, then you have to become strong yourself. What's the point of always thinking about marrying a strong man? "
"Do you think I don't want to?" Cheng Yujin's eyes were as clear as colored glass. The lines of her eyes were beautiful, as if they were carefully outlined. At such a close distance, she stared at Cheng Yuanjing. Cheng Yuanjing could see his own shrunken figure in her eyes.
"If I were a man, if I had any other choice, would I do this kind of thing? Do you think that practicing one's bearing is easier than taking the imperial examinations? Practicing the same movement over and over again, placing each step in the right position, would it be easier than reading under the light, memorizing and writing? "
"I can memorize poems faster than all my brothers, and my writing is not inferior. If I could take the imperial examinations, I would also concentrate on seclusion, wholeheartedly studying the books of the sages. I would also spend every day thinking about how to make myself better. But I don't have the chance. "
Cheng Yuanjing looked at her without saying a word. He saw a teardrop swirling in that pair of beautiful eyes and suddenly slide down.
Cheng Yuanjing's fingers trembled slightly, as if they had been scalded by that teardrop. After a while, he raised his hand and placed it on Cheng Yujin's cheek. It was as if he had touched a precious treasure that would shatter at the touch. He gently wiped away her tears. "Don't cry."
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