Cui Yaoning smiled casually. “Let her be. Anything she could take from me isn’t worth bothering over.”
Her tone was both delicate and nonchalant, carrying a cruelty almost innocent in nature.
Just like that other woman from her previous life, if she had behaved properly, Cui Yaoning wouldn’t have touched her, she would have only caused trouble for Pei Yu. After all, matters like this needed to be handled at the source.
If Pei Yu truly cared about her, the other woman wouldn’t even have the chance to climb into bed with him.
Men, always unable to control their lower body, yet quick to blame women, how absurd.
Cui Xuan paused, feeling it made a lot of sense, but she also knew this couldn’t just be left alone.
She popped another candied fruit into her mouth and, with a bright smile, suggested, “If you don’t want to confront her, leave it to me. I’m not going to let her off that easily.”
Her conflict with Cui Xiuxiu was well-known in the household, so a little quarrel was nothing unusual.
Rumors could easily spread of “two women vying for one man,” and then, what would become of the reputation of the Cui family of Qinghe?
Cui Xuan, ever concerned with appearances, could not stand someone like Cui Xiuxiu, who seemed intent on undermining the family’s honor.
Cui Yaoning curved her lips in a smile at her. “Then I thank you, Seventh Sister.”
Cui Xuan was momentarily distracted, forcing down the candied fruit, unable to tell if the sweetness was from the candy or her voice.
That evening, Luoyang was not sparsely populated. After a short ride, the carriage arrived at their destination.
This time, Cui Xuan had only brought along her head maid, and Cui Yaoning only had Baoqin. Before stepping out, their maids handed over pre-prepared veils to their mistresses.
Though such precautions were not strictly necessary, both ladies were beautiful, and if they caught the attention of someone with ill intent, the risk could be grave.
Cui Yaoning put her veil and was assisted down from the carriage by Baoqin.
The streets of Luoyang were as bright as day, lined with all kinds of small stalls, jewelry, snacks, and vendors selling fresh flowers.
Cui Zhan approached his sister as she stepped down and softly asked, “Cold?”
Cui Yaoning drew her cloak tighter. Though she felt a little chilly, she didn’t want to make others come out in vain, so she shook her head. “Not cold.”
Cui Zhan nodded and gently reminded her, “If anything feels uncomfortable, tell me immediately.”
“Got it, Brother.” In front of him, Cui Yaoning couldn’t help but act a little coquettishly, letting out a soft hum. “I’m not that delicate, you know.”
Cui Zhan chuckled.
Indeed.
In his eyes, his sister was always obedient and sensible. Though physically a bit weak, she was not a spoiled or capricious girl.
His gaze flicked subtly toward Zheng Qingling. The thought that his sister might marry him made the man appear all the more unappealing, he could find fault with anything.
Seeing him stare at his sister absentmindedly, Cui Zhan’s brow furrowed slightly, then relaxed again.
Well, he hadn’t done anything disrespectful, so let him be.
His sister was so beautiful, it was only natural he would be distracted.
If he didn’t even glance at her, Cui Zhan would wonder if the man was blind or perhaps a hypocrite.
The group stood out on the street, ordinary townsfolk knew better than to approach, girls and young men of such poise and demeanor could only be wealthy or noble.
Cui Xuan, rare to be out, linked arms with Cui Yaoning as they strolled leisurely.
Eventually, they stopped at a jewelry stall.
Cui Xuan picked up a lily-of-the-valley hairpin and held it near Cui Yaoning’s cheek. Though not overly elaborate, it was clearly made with care. Little bells dangled beneath the blossoms, and when the wind blew, they jingled pleasantly.
Cui Xuan smiled. “This suits you. Shall I put it on you?”
Cui Yaoning liked it very much too. She smiled and thanked her, lifting a corner of her veil and bowing her head to let her put it on.
Zheng Qingling caught a glimpse of her, and in his mind, only the words “cloud-like hair, flower-like face, exquisite and radiant” remained. After shaking off his daze, he let out a deep breath and lowered his eyes, refusing to look again.
The vendor was stunned as well, only snapping out of it when Cui Xuan raised her voice to call him.
Being out for leisure meant the two young ladies didn’t have to pay, their elder brothers naturally followed behind them.
Second Young Master Cui Wen, Third Young Master Cui Hao, and Fourth Young Master Cui Hong were not particularly prudent. Seeing that the girls lingered at the jewelry stalls, they just shrugged to Cui Zhan and went off to have fun together.
Cui Xuan disapproved of her brothers’ behavior and whispered to Cui Yaoning, “Eldest Brother is far more sensible.”
Then, noticing that Zheng Qingling had refused to follow them, she added approvingly, “He’s not bad either. But why didn’t he go along? I think Ninth sister knows the reason well enough.”
Cui Yaoning blushed and gently nudged her.
Cui Xuan, guessing that her sister was embarrassed, felt that Zheng Qingling had potential, and for a moment looked at him as though sizing up a future brother-in-law.
They wandered along, stopping here and there, passing many small stalls.
Zheng Qingling stayed behind, his gaze naturally following Cui Yaoning.
As she walked, the silver bells pinned in her hair jingled lightly, producing a delightfully clear sound. The thin veil was sheer enough to reveal a hint of her ethereal beauty.
Passing a candied hawthorn stall, Zheng Qingling bought two skewers. He handed one to Cui Xuan and, just as he was about to give the other to Cui Yaoning, Cui Zhan intercepted him.
“Yaoyao has a weak stomach. She shouldn’t eat this.”
Zheng Qingling’s face instantly flushed red, caught between handing it over and taking it back.
“Give it to me.”
Zheng Qingling paused and looked up. Through the sheer veil, their eyes met.
Cui Zhan frowned slightly in warning. “Yaoyao—”
“Don’t worry, Brother. I won’t eat it.” Cui Yaoning lowered her head to sniff it, a faint smile curling her lips. “Since Young Master Zheng bought it, if I don’t accept it, wouldn’t that waste his kind intentions?”
With that, she turned and walked away, light and graceful like a butterfly among flowers, both lively and beautiful.
Zheng Qingling was momentarily stunned.
Whether he was imagining it or not, he felt that there was some hidden meaning in Ninth Miss’s words.
He had a vague suspicion, but didn’t dare to be certain.
Because she rarely ate candied hawthorn, she had glanced at it as they passed. She hadn’t expected Zheng Qingling to notice.
She thought casually to herself, if her previous fondness for him had been only a drop, now it could probably fill a cup.
Cui Xuan found a teahouse and sat down, smiling as she asked, “So, how do you feel about Cousin Qingling now?”
Cui Yaoning still maintained her indifferent expression. “Not bad.”
Cui Xuan pursed her lips without commenting and ordered some tea and snacks from the waiter.
Before long, Cui Zhan arrived.
Cui Xuan glanced behind him and asked, “Where’s Cousin Qingling?”
Cui Zhan roughly explained, “On the way here, he ran into a rich brat bullying someone. Qingling taught him a lesson and is now helping that elder man arrange his tables and chairs.”