Cui Xuan was stunned for a moment.
To her, Zheng Qingling’s actions were so novel they were almost out of line.
The young nobles of Luoyang City were mostly proud and aloof. Even the most gentle and courteous among them would never be like Zheng Qingling, saving a commoner was one thing, but to personally stay behind and help tidy up afterward?
It was practically unheard of.
How did that resemble a noble young master at all?
Cui Xuan couldn’t understand it. Though she was not the sort of mistress who abused servants, she certainly wouldn’t feel such compassion for common folk as he did.
Perhaps someone like Zheng Qingling could only be found in storybooks?
Cui Xuan cast a teasing glance at Cui Yaoning. “I never expected Cousin Qingling to be such a chivalrous hero.”
Originally, she had thought Zheng Qingling was fairly decent. Now, however, she felt he must not be quite right in the head. If Ninth Sister truly married him, wouldn’t the noble ladies of Luoyang laugh themselves to death?
Even they would be too embarrassed to show their faces afterward.
Cui Yaoning took a sip of hot tea to dispel the chill from her body and smiled faintly. “Kind-hearted people are always better than cold-blooded ones.”
She had no intention of judging his actions. Everyone had their own way of doing things, since he had chosen to act, as long as he didn’t regret it, that was enough.
After thinking it over, Cui Xuan felt that made sense and stopped dwelling on it.
In any case, Ninth Sister hadn’t settled on him yet. If she truly became engaged to Zheng Qingling, she could always try to persuade her later.
Cui Zhan smiled calmly and gently. “He’s still just a young man.”
Zheng Qingling wasn’t very old, and having trained in martial arts for years, he had a frank and spirited temperament. It was perfectly normal for him to step in when he saw injustice.
Cui Zhan did not judge him harshly.
Holding her teacup for warmth, Cui Yaoning looked up at her brother. “I’ll trouble you to make another trip.”
Cui Zhan raised a brow. “Hmm?”
Cui Yaoning reminded him, “Young Master Zheng can help him for a moment, but not for a lifetime. Brother, you’d better have someone warn that wastrel again, so he won’t come back out of spite to cause trouble.”
The wastrel had left for now, but who could say he wouldn’t return tomorrow?
If Zheng Qingling wasn’t there, the one who would suffer would be that commoner.
When Cui Yaoning was young, she had once possessed such simple kindness as well.
When she was eight, on the way to Chang’an, she encountered a beggar grandfather and grandson, both gaunt with hunger.
Feeling pity, she had her maid give them food. They left after profusely thanking her. Later, when she prepared to bring them more, what she saw instead were their corpses.
At the time, she couldn’t understand it. She had meant well, so why had they died?
She had been deeply saddened for a long while.
After arriving in Chang’an, her elder sister heard about it and came looking for her.
Her sister was an exceptionally gentle person. She first praised her kindness, then held her and explained things patiently.
She said, “In such circumstances, they couldn’t protect the food. You could help them for a time, but not for a lifetime. In the end, their days had to be lived by themselves.”
She also said, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day, teach him to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.”
From then on, Cui Yaoning understood something.
Do not lightly interfere with others’ fates.
If you truly wish to help, then make sure you see it through.
Today, that wastrel may have simply been picking a quarrel. But with Zheng Qingling stepping in like this, it might instead put the commoner’s life in danger.
Cui Zhan looked at his sister and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
His younger sister had truly grown into a young lady. She thought things through so carefully, even he hadn’t considered that angle.
Thinking of how this clever and obedient sister would soon come of age and marry, a trace of reluctance welled up in his heart. Yet he showed none of it, only gently instructing them not to wander about before heading downstairs.
Cui Xuan looked displeased. “He plays the hero, and you’re the one cleaning up after him?”
Cui Yaoning knew she was being petulant and cast her a faint glance. “If it were you, I’d ask Brother to help as well.”
What hardship could there be in doing such a small favor for them?
Maybe even a tiny kindness like this could help someone.
Cui Xuan brightened at the thought, but soon she puffed up her cheeks and muttered, “I’d never trouble you the way he does.”
Cui Yaoning let out a soft laugh, resting her chin on her hand as she gazed out at the moonlight beyond the window.
After entering the teahouse’s private room, the two had already removed their veils and set them aside. The quiet silver glow of the moon streamed in, brushing across her face is a sheer layer of fabric, making her calm expression seem even more distant and refined.
When Zheng Qingling returned, he was greeted by the sight of a beauty quietly admiring the moon.
He paused briefly before offering a greeting. “Seventh Miss, Ninth Miss.”
Still a little disgruntled, Cui Xuan seized the chance to tease him. “I’ve been calling you cousin for so long, yet you still address so formally. Don’t you think of us as family?”
Her tone carried clear displeasure, her brows knit together.
Zheng Qingling hurriedly apologized. Producing two lanterns from behind him, he cast a quick glance at Cui Yaoning, whose ears had already turned pink and said, “I saw these on the way here. If my cousin and Ninth Miss don’t mind, please take them and enjoy.”
The lanterns were exquisitely crafted, one shaped like a red carp leaping over the dragon gate, the other a jade rabbit cradling the moon, both delicate and charming.
Without even looking closely, Cui Xuan knew the jade rabbit was meant for her ninth sister. Her irritation melted away. Taking the carp lantern, she tactfully excused herself, stepping outside to leave them alone.
Silence immediately settled over the room.
“Ninth Miss,” Zheng Qingling began, stepping forward and offering her the jade rabbit lantern. He scratched the back of his head nervously. “This is yours”
Cui Yaoning gave a faint smile.
Joy flashed across his face. Staring at her luminous, jade-like features, the question he had been holding in all day finally pressed forward. “Grandmother arranged for us to meet… I wanted to ask…”
His courage faltered.
The young woman before him seemed to see straight through him. “What is it that Young Master Zheng wishes to ask?”
His throat tightened. Gathering his resolve, he forced the words out. “I want to ask what you think. If you’re unwilling… if you don’t wish to…”
He repeated himself helplessly, bitterness rising in his chest.
If she refused, he had no idea what he would do. He only knew he had never cared for anyone like this before.
Just seeing her set his heart racing. When she smiled, the world seemed to fade into dullness, no one could rival her brilliance.
He even felt…
If he could marry the ninth Miss, he would willingly lay down his sword forever.
Cui Yaoning did not answer directly. Instead, she smiled and asked in return, “And what does Young Master Zheng think?”
Her phoenix eyes were mesmerizing. When she smiled now, she resembled the bright moon hanging high in the sky, so radiant that one longed to gather all the treasures of the world and lay them at her feet.
Zheng Qingling was struck speechless by the sudden hope. It took him a moment to steady himself before asking cautiously, “Does Ninth Miss mean… what I think you mean?”
He suspected, yet hardly dared believe.
Could someone as exceptional as her truly be willing to choose him?
Cui Yaoning said nothing further, lowering her gaze to study the lantern in her hands.
He noticed the faint flush along the curve of her ear and forced himself to stay composed.
After all, she was a young lady. Even if she favored him, she would not say so outright, lest gossip arise and cause misunderstanding.
He realized how flustered he had been.
Before coming, his family had reminded him that the Ninth Miss of the Cui family in Qinghe was the cherished treasure of Old Madam Cui, raised with boundless affection.
If she truly objected, no one would force her.
A warmth spread through Zheng Qingling’s chest, steady and bright.
Very good.
He had never felt such happiness in his life.