Cui Yaoning stopped in her tracks and raised her eyes to look at him.
Several flower-basket lanterns hung at staggered intervals beneath the corridor. Their glow was bright as day, illuminating her pair of phoenix eyes, bewitching and alluring. Even without speaking, she seemed to carry an unspoken, lingering sentiment in her gaze.
Zheng Qingling did not dare lift his head to meet her eyes. In a muffled voice, he merely reminded her, “It’s cold at night. Ninth Miss should wear something warmer to avoid catching a chill.”
He was tall and handsome to begin with, and in this obedient, almost gentle manner, he reminded Cui Yaoning of a large snow-white dog she had once seen at the Princess’s residence.
It belonged to the Grand Princess Anping and was named Tuan Tuan. Its fur was entirely white without a single stray color. Gentle-tempered, it would wag its fluffy tail and nuzzle affectionately whenever it saw someone.
Very well-behaved. Very adorable.
Cui Yaoning came back to herself and thanked him. “Thank you for your concern, Young Master Zheng. My senior maid has already gone ahead to fetch my cloak.”
Just as she spoke, Baoqin hurried over from the other end of the corridor, carrying a lychee-white cloud-brocade cloak embroidered with peony medallions. Approaching, she called softly, “Miss.”
Zheng Qingling flushed bright red.
Of course, someone as delicate and precious as Ninth Miss would naturally be carefully attended by her maids. It was he who had been presumptuous.
He couldn’t help wondering what she thought of him.
For a moment, he drifted into a daze.
Cui Xuan deliberately teased him, asking with pointed meaning, “Cousin Qingling, with so many of us brothers and sisters here, why do you only have eyes for Ninth Sister?”
The two younger young masters couldn’t hold back their laughter.
“Cousin, why don’t you ask if I’m cold?”
“Exactly! We may not be as delicate as Ninth Sister, but you can’t show such obvious favoritism!”
The two boys ribbed him for a while. Zheng Qingling’s face reddened all the way to his ears again. He wanted to explain himself, but any words would only make things worse, so he simply kept silent.
Cui Hao shot a glare at the sister who had started the teasing and stepped in to smooth things over. “If you all want to go, have the servants bring your cloaks and capes. Get ready, we’re setting off.”
Eighth Miss, Cui Wan, was something of an unnoticed presence in the household. Knowing the true purpose of the old madam sending them out to see the lantern festival, she did not wish to intrude and claimed she felt unwell, excusing herself to return and rest.
Among the girls, only Seventh Miss and Ninth Miss remained.
On the young masters’ side, Eldest Young Master Cui Zhan, Second Young Master Cui Wen, Third Young Master Cui Hao, Fourth Young Master Cui Hong, and Zheng Qingling all went along.
Only Fifth Young Master Cui Ming, being still quite young, was kept behind by Cui Hao on that pretext and sent back to concubine Pei’s quarters with a maid.
Aside from Zheng Qingling, everyone understood that Cui Hao was helping Madam Wei vent her grievances. They had heard some of the recent matters concerning the second branch, but as they involved elders, they dared not comment openly.
After a short wait, the maids brought over the cloaks and capes for each master and miss. Once everything was in order, the group set off.
Cui Yaoning and Cui Xuan shared one carriage.
The remaining young masters split into two, Zheng Qingling rode with Cui Zhan, while Cui Wen, Cui Hao, and Cui Hong shared another.
Inside the carriage, Cui Xuan picked up a candied fruit from the snack box and nibbled on it, making idle conversation. Cui Yaoning, however, seemed uninterested, responding only occasionally.
Cui Xuan leaned closer and asked, “Are you feeling unwell?”
Cui Yaoning reclined against the carriage wall, looking languid. “It’s nothing serious. I just feel a bit tight in the chest after eating and sitting so soon.”
She had been frail since childhood and never ate much. The physician had instructed her to take a walk after meals to aid digestion, and she had always followed that advice.
Tonight, however, because her grandmother worried that Zheng Qingling might not be used to Luoyang cuisine, several Xingyang dishes had been added to the banquet. Finding them novel, she had eaten a little more than usual.
Eating too much without walking afterward, it was only natural she would feel uncomfortable.
Cui Xuan’s gaze drifted naturally to her face.
Cui Yaoning was already a stunning beauty, vivid and alluring by nature. With her brows slightly furrowed like this, she looked so captivating it seemed as though she could steal a person’s very soul.
Cui Xuan stared at her blankly for a moment before snapping back to her senses. She curled her lips and muttered, “You really are delicate.”
“Let’s get some air and see if you feel better,” she said, lifting the carriage curtain as she spoke. In an exaggeratedly world-weary tone, she added, “Good thing our family can afford all this gold and jewelry to keep you well. If you were born into an ordinary household, what would they do with you?”
The cold night wind swept in, carrying a sharp chill.
Cui Xuan suddenly shivered and frowned. “Can you handle such cold air?”
She looked doubtfully at Cui Yaoning’s slender frame, worried that they might come out for fun only for her to catch a chill instead.
Cui Yaoning shook her head and switched seats with her, lifting the curtain herself to let in some air.
Just then, the curtain of the carriage opposite was also lifted, revealing a spirited young face.
It was Zheng Qingling.
From this angle, she could vaguely see her brother Cui Zhan seated across from him as well.
Cui Yaoning paused.
Zheng Qingling also froze briefly, then quickly recovered and smiled at her. His smile was bold and unrestrained, brimming with youthful vigor.
It was the kind of spirit Cui Yaoning rarely encountered, yet secretly admired.
She returned the smile before lowering the curtain.
Noticing the subtle change in her expression, Cui Xuan asked about it.
Cui Yaoning replied that she had seen Zheng Qingling and then leaned back against the carriage wall.
Cui Xuan’s curiosity was piqued. She leaned closer and asked, “What do you think of Zheng Qingling?”
She herself thought their grandmother had excellent taste. However, since he had already been chosen for Ninth Sister, she had not paid him special attention, she would never let others think she was competing with her own sister for a man.
“He’s alright,” Cui Yaoning answered calmly, her tone steady and without much fluctuation.
Cui Xuan clicked her tongue. “I thought you would like him very much.”
By now, the tightness in Cui Yaoning’s chest had eased somewhat. She replied casually, “It’s only our first meeting. What is there to like or dislike? He’s simply a rather handsome young man.”
Cui Xuan was instantly convinced.
Thinking it over, it made sense. With Ninth Sister’s beauty, what young man wouldn’t fall head over heels for her?
She had looks and status. A young man like Zheng Qingling, who might seem unattainable to others, was for her merely one outstanding candidate among many.
Cui Xuan cupped her face in envy.
Ninth Sister could freely choose whom she liked. She herself did not have that luxury.
Then something occurred to her. With a cold smile, she said, “Guess why Grandmother didn’t let her come along?”
Though she didn’t name anyone, Cui Yaoning knew exactly who she meant.
Without waiting for a response, Cui Xuan continued heatedly, “Just look at her. Everyone in the residence knows Zheng Qingling is the man Grandmother picked for you, who was she dressing up so seductively for?”
What normal young lady would put so much effort into her appearance just to meet a guest?
Eighth Sister had been sensible and tactful, understanding Grandmother’s intentions and not trying to steal attention.
Sixth Sister might not outshine Ninth Sister, but anyone with eyes could see that her makeup and clothing had been carefully chosen, full of a young girl’s hidden thoughts.
Fortunately, Grandmother had sharp eyes and noticed her ill intent, keeping her behind in time.
At this point, seeing Cui Yaoning still so calm, Cui Xuan grew irritated.
“She’s trying to steal Zheng Qingling from you, and you’re still so unconcerned?”