Cheng Yujin turned around and froze when she saw the person who had come. Li Seung-kyung saw Cheng Yujin as soon as he came in. He was surprised at first, but then he frowned, "You haven't recovered yet, why are you out?"
Cheng Yujin did not think that she would suddenly see Li Seung-kyung. Although she had accepted the identity of the Crown Princess with great ambition, in her mind, the Crown Prince and Cheng Yuanjing were separated. The Crown Princess and someone's wife were also separated.
She could not imagine that she was about to get married and would have to spend the rest of her life with her former Ninth Uncle.
Cheng Yujin's face turned red. Fortunately, she was wrapped in three layers inside and outside, so it could not be seen from the outside. Cheng Yujin subconsciously wanted to call out "Ninth Uncle", but she quickly realized that it was wrong. She lowered her eyes and bent her knees, giving a proper blessed bow, "Greetings to Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Li Seung-kyung waved his hand and the others tactfully withdrew. He walked towards Cheng Yujin without stopping and reached out a hand to help her up, "It's windy outside, come in and talk."
"Yes."
Cheng Yujin did not want to be surrounded by people outside, so she followed Li Seung-kyung into the room. The fire in the room was still burning, so it was as warm as spring and the hot air came out. Cheng Yujin tugged at her white fox fur scarf. It was a bit hot.
Li Seung-kyung saw this and naturally reached out to take off her cloak, "Take off the cloak first. You've just recovered from a serious illness, so be careful that you don't get cold or hot, making your illness worse."
Cheng Yujin quickly took a step back and raised her head to glare at him in shock, embarrassment, and anger. Li Seung-kyung saw this and sighed, "Alright, do it yourself."
The maidservants that followed Cheng Yujin were all chased out, so Cheng Yujin could only do it herself. She had a furry scarf around her neck, a heater in her hand, and a large cloak on the outside. When she was putting on her clothes, there were many maidservants around her. Now that Cheng Yujin wanted to take it off by herself, it was particularly troublesome.
She first took off her sleeve and held the heater in her other hand. Both hands were suddenly full and she was at a loss. Li Seung-kyung saw this and calmly took her sleeve, indicating for her to give him the heater.
His Highness the Crown Prince to help her? Cheng Yujin was a little hesitant, but at this time, Li Chengjing had already taken the things very familiarly. Cheng Yujin could only brace herself and continue to take off the warm tools on her body.
The two had a tacit understanding with each other. Not long after, all of Cheng Yujin's belongings were in Li Chengjing's hands. He casually touched the furry collar of the cloak and even pulled out two strands of fur.
Cheng Yujin wanted to say something, but stopped. In the end, she remembered that the cloak was Li Seung-kyung's. If he wanted to take it, he could take it.
Li Seung-kyung didn't care about this. He indicated for Cheng Yujin to sit and then sat across from her. He asked, "Are you feeling better?"
"Thank you for your highness' concern. I'm much better today."
"When I left the palace today, I met Marquis Yichun. He specifically asked about you. I said that you were recovering and it wasn't convenient for outsiders to visit, so he didn't come with me."
Cheng Yujin's eyebrows twitched. Based on Li Seung-kyung's tone, he should be talking about Cheng Yuan-hsien. But Marquis Yichun?
As if seeing Cheng Yujin's confusion, Li Seung-kyung said, "Yes, the documents from the Imperial Clan Court have been completed. Your father is the new Marquis Yichun."
Cheng Yujin was inwardly speechless. Although the Cheng Family still had one generation of nobility, the Cheng Family had been neither promoted nor demoted in recent years. Marquis Jingyong's title had been suppressed for many years because of his young age. What about the Cheng Family? If he wanted to inherit the title, he would have to bribe people everywhere. Originally, Old Lady Cheng and Princess Qingfu thought that it would be too early to inherit the title after three years of mourning.
Who would have thought that it would be completed in just a few days?
Cheng Yujin couldn't describe her feelings. The bestowment of marriage was too sudden. Although Cheng Yujin knew logically, she didn't feel that it was real. It wasn't until she heard that Cheng Yuan-hsien was going to inherit the title that she realized that she was really going to become the Crown Princess.
How could the father of the Crown Princess be a half-baked heir? There was no need for the Crown Prince or the Emperor to say anything. The subordinates had already acted according to the wind and completed the task.
Li Seung-kyung only mentioned Cheng Yuan-hsien as an excuse. What he really wanted to say was at the end. Li Seung-kyung said, "Today, the imperial edict is officially announced to the world. Although the six rites have not yet been carried out, you are already recognized as the Crown Princess. In the past few days, when others heard that you were sick, they sent many invitations to Marquis of Yichun. When you were still sick, I didn't let them disturb you. I also didn't let anyone from the Cheng Family come in. Today, Marquis Yichun came to say that he wants to take you back to recuperate. "
Cheng Yujin was puzzled at first, but then she understood. No wonder she said that it was quiet these few days. It wasn't that no one came to find her, but that they were all stopped by Li Seung-kyung. Cheng Yujin immediately nodded and said, "My illness is no longer a problem. I should go back to visit my parents and grandmother so that the elders can rest assured."
Li Seung-kyung seemed to pause for a moment before saying, "Okay."
After he finished speaking, he added, "If you're not feeling well, you don't have to force yourself. Although this place is small, it's safe. You can take your time to pack your luggage. There's no need to rush. "
"It's okay. My illness is basically cured. It won't affect me. When I came here, I only brought a set of clothes. I don't need to pack my luggage. I can leave this afternoon. "Cheng Yujin's reply was very smooth. She didn't want to cause any trouble for her host.
Li Seung-kyung glanced at Cheng Yujin again. In the end, he didn't say anything. He said lightly, "You can arrange it yourself."
After they finished talking about business, the two of them fell into silence. Cheng Yujin was a little embarrassed. It was as if her hands and feet were uncomfortable everywhere. In the past, the two of them often didn't speak to each other and did their own things. However, they didn't feel awkward. Today, for some reason, Cheng Yujin was extremely uncomfortable.
Li Seung-kyung didn't stay overnight here except for the first day when he looked after Cheng Yujin, who had a fever. Cheng Yujin didn't see Li Seung-kyung again except for that one time when she just woke up. After all, they weren't real relatives. Men and women had to be careful. Moreover, if Li Seung-kyung really wanted to marry Cheng Yujin as his wife, he had to respect her reputation even more.
Therefore, although he was reluctant, he still had to let Cheng Yujin return to the Cheng Family as soon as possible. After all, the Marquis Household had elders in charge. With elders watching over her, whether it was her reputation or her actions, it was much safer than staying outside.
Once she left this time, he was afraid that he wouldn't be able to see her again before the wedding.
At this time, Li Seung-kyung was rejoicing. Fortunately, he was old. The Emperor and the Ministry of Rites both wanted him to get married early. Under his urging, the wedding date was set for July this year. If it really took a year or two, he was afraid that he wouldn't be able to bear it.
The two of them were relatively silent. Only the sound of the wind outside could be heard in the room. Cheng Yujin glanced at him again and again. Finally, she couldn't help but reach out and press down on her cloak. "Your Highness, don't pull it anymore. It'll be ugly if all the hair falls off."
… …
Cheng Yujin's every move was in the teeth of the storm. The Crown Princess was already in a difficult situation. She clearly didn't have the power of the Empress, but her demands were higher than the Empress'. For Cheng Yujin, this pressure was even greater than for other people.
Her future mother-in-law obviously wouldn't side with her. Moreover, she had previously broken off an engagement. Her reputation had been damaged because of that idiot Huo Changyuan. Therefore, Cheng Yujin had to be even more cautious. She couldn't make the slightest mistake. After she saw Li Seung-kyung, she immediately had her servant girls pack her luggage. At the same time, she sent a eunuch to inform the Cheng Family to set up a carriage to pick her up.
In reality, Cheng Yujin was under a lot of pressure. Li Seung-kyung wasn't to be outdone. He was the Crown Prince who came out of nowhere. The doubts he faced were much sharper and more severe than those of the womenfolk. Today was the official announcement of the imperial edict, so one could imagine how busy Li Seung-kyung was. Even so, he still made a special trip out of the palace to see Cheng Yujin.
She only found out about the betrothal today. Li Seung-kyung had an obligation to explain it to her. However, it seemed that Cheng Yujin had gotten into her role very quickly. Li Seung-kyung's worries were completely unnecessary.
Although he was surprised, he wasn't surprised at all. As expected, this was Cheng Yujin. She knew when to yield and when to stand tall. She was extremely adaptable.
If it was any other time, Li Seung-kyung would have personally sent Cheng Yujin back. However, it wasn't good for an engaged couple to meet before the wedding. Li Seung-kyung wanted to avoid arousing suspicion, so he could only leave a lot of imperial bodyguards to escort her home. After walking outside, Li Seung-kyung was still worried. He had Liu Yi make a trip to the Cheng Family and "suggest" that Cheng Yuan-hsien personally come to pick up Cheng Yujin.
Even so, Li Seung-kyung was still worried. He paid attention to the situation outside the palace the entire afternoon. When he heard Liu Yi report that Miss Cheng's carriage had smoothly entered the Marquis of Yichun, Li Seung-kyung was finally able to calm down.
Liu Yi couldn't help but curse in his heart. It was only a short journey, how could there be any accidents? There were so many women in the capital, could it be that they didn't go out?
At the same time, the servant removed the threshold and Cheng Yujin's carriage slowly entered the Marquis of Yichun and stopped in front of the second gate.
Other than Cheng Yujin, who was picking up Cheng Yuan-hsien, everyone in the Cheng Family was standing in front of the second gate. When they saw that Cheng Yujin had returned, they all became restless. Old Lady Cheng forcefully knocked her walking stick against the ground. Only then did they reluctantly stop.
However, although their feet didn't move, their eyes were burning as they stared in the direction of the carriage door. Cheng Yujin tied her cloak and walked out of the carriage with the help of the Dugeaux. She saw this grand scene.
The Nguyễn Clan couldn't hold back anymore and immediately came forward to greet Cheng Yujin. She affectionately held her hand. "Eldest Miss is back! Poor thing. You're sick. Are you feeling better now? Does your head still hurt? Does it still have a fever? "
The Nguyễn Clan used a handkerchief to wipe her tears as she spoke. She earnestly said, "On the day of the Lantern Festival, I was looking for you the entire time. I waited until the crowd dispersed, but I still didn't see you. I was very worried. Later, when I returned home, I found out that you had fallen into the water and had been picked up by the Ninth Masters to recuperate. Of course, I shouldn't call him the Ninth Masters right now, but Your Highness the Crown Prince. My heart hurts so much that I wish I could be in your place. I originally wanted to personally take care of you, but when you were sick, the maidservants were careless and couldn't take care of the details. How could you not have an elder by your side to take care of you? But the Crown Prince said that it wasn't convenient to disturb you, so I could only endure. Now that you've finally returned, it wasn't easy! "
When Princess Qingfu saw the Nguyễn Clan run out first, she cursed in her heart. When she heard the Nguyễn Clan's disgusting words, she became even angrier. Since the Nguyễn Clan took the lead, Princess Qingfu wasn't willing to be outdone. She didn't pay any attention to the Old Lady Cheng, who was putting on the airs of an elder. She also greeted her with the attitude of a real mother.
"Eldest Miss, you're finally back. You've made me, your mother, wait for you these past few days." Princess Qingfu especially emphasized the word "mother". The Nguyễn Clan's face stiffened. Princess Qingfu took the opportunity to push her aside and stood beside Cheng Yujin. "Let mother see how you are. Where do you feel uncomfortable? Mother personally made some chicken soup for you. It's still warm on the stove. In a while, come home with mother to drink it. "
The Nguyễn Clan hated hearing the word "home" the most. She was very angry at Princess Qingfu. This evil woman was actually so shameless and only knew how to use flowery words to deceive her daughter. The Nguyễn Clan was anxious and angry. She wanted to quickly go forward and remind Cheng Yujin not to be deceived by Qingfu, but Princess Qingfu's maidservants tightly surrounded the Nguyễn Clan, intentionally or otherwise.
The Nguyễn Clan didn't manage to break out of the encirclement several times. She was so angry that tears welled up in her eyes. She raised her hand and was about to cry. "Eldest Sister-in-law, what do you mean by this? Eldest Miss is a piece of flesh that fell from my body. Who knows how much she suffered from this illness. This is more painful than cutting my flesh. I want to take a good look at her. Eldest Sister-in-law, why are you blocking us? "
"Pei!" Princess Qingfu couldn't bear it anymore and spat. Her willowy eyebrows rose as she glared at her and scolded, "What do you mean by 'piece of flesh that fell from your body'? It's fine if Second Sister-in-law isn't smart normally, but you should think before speaking to Eldest Miss. Eldest Miss is clearly my daughter. I raised her from the size of a palm to the slender and elegant woman she is today. No matter if it's in the genealogy or in reality, she is my daughter. Why is Second Sister-in-law coming over to dance? When you were raising the child, you hid further away than anyone else. Now that Eldest Miss has good fortune, you come over to acknowledge her? Where did you get the face to do this? "
Cheng Yujin had just gotten off the carriage. Before she could say a word, she was surrounded by these two people crying and making a fuss. She laughed softly in her heart. Poor people lived in the city and no one cared. Rich people had distant relatives in the mountains. She had just been conferred the title of imperial concubine, and Princess Qingfu and the Nguyễn Clan were fighting over the identity of "mother". But when she was young and helpless, powerless to protect herself, where were these two people?
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