After the meeting, Cui Yaoning returned to Jinxiu Hall with her mother.
A short while later, her elder brother Cui Zhan also arrived. After working tirelessly for dozens of days, his handsome face showed clear signs of fatigue.
Madam Wang felt a pang of heartache and patted his shoulder. “You’ll eat here for the next two days. I’ll have the kitchen prepare something nourishing to help you recover.”
Cui Zhan smiled helplessly.
He had indeed grown thinner, though he felt he had actually put on some weight from eating well while away. Still, he appreciated his mother’s concern and obediently listened to her gentle scolding.
Cui Yaoning chimed in seriously, “You’ve lost weight.”
Before her brother could respond, she added with a grin, “But I think you look even more handsome like this. I wonder how many noble ladies you’ll captivate at next month’s Spring Banquet.”
Her brother was so good-looking that you can’t tell if he’s thin or not, he just looks dashing and handsome.
Madam Wang smiled. “If only that were the case. I truly worry about your brother’s marriage. Look around Luoyang, where else can you find a young master from a great family at this age who is still unmarried?”
Toward the end, her tone couldn’t help but carry a hint of complaint.
The daughter of the Su family had disregarded her reputation and eloped with someone, ruining the engagement and dragging Cui Zhan’s reputation into idle gossip.
Cui Zhan possessed both excellent character and fine looks. If not for the Su family’s scandal, why would he still be unmarried?
But that engagement had been arranged while her father-in-law was still alive. What could she do now?
No matter how gentle and magnanimous Madam Wang usually was, she could not remain calm when it came to her son. She would not complain about her father-in-law in front of her husband, but she had no such reservations before her children.
Cui Zhan knew his mother felt wronged on his behalf. Yet since the matter involved his late grandfather, he could not speak freely and could only cast a look toward his sister for help.
Cui Yaoning immediately took her mother’s arm and said coquettishly, “Don’t worry, Mother. At this year’s Spring Banquet, I’ll definitely keep a careful eye out for suitable young ladies for Brother.”
Madam Wang’s attention shifted at once. She patted her daughter’s hand and said, “Very well. When the time comes, if you find someone promising, come back and tell me. I’ll send someone to inquire about her reputation.”
Cui Yaoning readily agreed and secretly winked at her brother.
When she smiled, her eyes sparkled with mischief and liveliness.
It was a side of her she never revealed to outsiders, only to those closest to her.
Cui Zhan chuckled and reached out to ruffle her hair. “Then I’ll have to trouble you, Sister.”
Madam Wang shot him a reproachful glance. “Why speak so formally among family? Oh, by the way, I think Zheng Qingling seems quite decent. Have you made inquiries about what he’s like in private, for your Sister’s sake?”
Some young masters from prominent families were skilled at disguising themselves, upright and refined in public, yet violent and cruel in private.
Madam Wang despised such men. No matter how noble their status or illustrious their lineage, she would never push her daughter into such a pit of misery.
Cui Zhan relayed what he had learned over the past few days. After a brief pause, he added his own assessment. “There’s nothing particularly amiss, except that he’s said to be something of a martial arts fanatic.”
Madam Wang’s heart skipped a beat. “He doesn’t have a habit of striking people, does he?”
“Not at all,” Cui Zhan replied with a wry smile. “I’m only concerned that he might lack romance. If sister marries him, her life may turn dull and monotonous.”
Madam Wang relaxed and laughed. “You startled me for nothing. Have you noticed him behaving like a blockhead these past few days?”
Cui Zhan shook his head.
Madam Wang felt reassured. “Then it’s fine. When I saw him today, he was quite courteous, not the sort who only knows how to wield a sword. Besides, it ultimately depends on Yaoyao wishes.”
Though Cui Yaoning had been mentally prepared for such talk, she still flushed and gently shook her mother’s arm. “Mother!”
Madam Wang smiled and lightly tapped the tip of her daughter’s nose. “You’re nearly a grown woman, yet still acting spoiled.”
Cui Zhan guessed that his mother would want to speak privately with his sister afterward, so he did not linger and returned to his room to rest.
After he left, Madam Wang teased her daughter, “Now that your brother isn’t here, tell me, what do you think of Qingling?”
“He’s alright.” Cui Yaoning did not hide anything from her mother. She lazily twirled a strand of hair around her finger. “It’s only our first meeting. We’ll have to see how things develop over time.”
Madam Wang nodded. “We must indeed be cautious. You’re not yet of full marriageable age. If this one doesn’t suit you, we’ll simply look at the next.”
A good daughter would never lack suitors.
Though she believed Zheng Qingling was a suitable match, if her Yaoyao did not like him, the arrangement would naturally be dropped.
The banquet was held in the main hall of the front courtyard. The two families arranged three tables, one for the elders, one for the young ladies, and one for the young masters of the residence.
Zheng Qingling, as the guest, was seated at the head table. Fearing he might feel out of place, Old Madam Cui also summoned Cui Zhan and Cui Hao to keep him company.
Madam Wei felt a flicker of displeasure, convinced that the old madam had originally meant to invite only Dalang, and had included Sanlang merely to avoid offending her.
Cui Li immediately saw what his wife was thinking. Afraid she might stir up trouble and embarrass herself before Zheng Qingling, he shot her a warning look and muttered in a low voice, “Stop causing a scene.”
Madam Wei was so angry that she gritted her teeth.
He had stayed at Pei’s residence for over ten consecutive days, humiliating her, the mistress of the household and now he still dared accuse her of making trouble?
Wasn’t she doing this for the sake of his son?
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, nearly confronting him on the spot.
Old Madam Cui took a sip of tea and cast her an indifferent glance, her expression carrying a trace of warning.
Madam Wei was her own niece. In ordinary matters she might show favoritism, but in important affairs she would never allow her to act recklessly.
Startled by the look, Madam Wei hesitated but ultimately said nothing.
Seated beside Cui Zhan, Zheng Qingling remained unaware of the undercurrents flowing across the table. He lowered his head to drink tea, his expression somewhat stiff.
Whether by coincidence or careful arrangement, his seat allowed him a clear view of Cui Yaoning.
She had changed into a bright yellow jacket embroidered with begonia blossoms in gold thread. In her hair was a peony cloisonné agate hairpin, its delicate tassels falling against her fair cheeks, it was impossible to tell whether the ornament or her complexion was more precious.
Zheng Qingling glanced at her once before quickly lowering his head again, afraid of offending the beauty.
He finished the meal in a daze.
After dinner, Old Madam Cui invited her two daughters-in-law to play cards with her. Seeing the younger generation still lingering, she deliberately put on a stern expression and said, “What are you all standing there for? Qingling has come such a long way, take him out for a stroll. Don’t keep him cooped up in the mansion all day.”
The young men and women all understood the old lady’s intention. Smiling, they readily agreed.
Cui Xuan gathered her courage and knowingly asked, “Grandmother, may we go as well?”
Old Madam Cui smiled. “Go, go. Dress warmly so you don’t catch a chill, it’s quite cold outside.”
Cui Xuan agreed happily.
Old Madam Cui then turned to Cui Xiuxiu with a gentle smile. “Liuniang has only just recovered from illness and shouldn’t be exposed to the wind. I happen to be short a player for my mahjong game, why not stay and play a few rounds with us?”
Cui Xiuxiu paused, then smiled politely. “As long as Grandmother doesn’t mind my poor skills.”
Old Madam Cui chuckled. “I don’t mind at all.”
Cui Xuan pursed her lips but said nothing more, instead pulling Cui Yaoning out of the hall.
Zheng Qingling quickly followed after them.
“Ninth Miss, please wait.”