Cui Yaoning had known from a young age that she was beautiful, so Zheng Qingling’s flustered reaction didn’t strike her as unusual.
Resting her chin on her hand, she glanced toward the door and gently reminded him, “If Young Master Zheng doesn’t call Seventh Sister in soon, she might get annoyed.”
Zheng Qingling immediately recognized his lapse in manners. He ought to be grateful that his cousin was willing to indulge him, there was no reason to keep her waiting outside.
“I’ll do it right away—”
Before he could finish, Cui Xuan leaned in, frowning, and interrupted, “Are you done yet?”
Patience had never been her virtue. If it weren’t for her ninth sister, no one would have been allowed to make her wait this long.
Blushing with embarrassment, Zheng Qingling quickly stood and apologized, “It was rude of me, please come in, Seventh Miss.”
Cui Xuan glared. “Seventh Miss?”
He hurriedly corrected himself, addressing her as “cousin” instead.
Snorting, Cui Xuan stepped in confidently, explaining, “I didn’t mean to interrupt, I just thought my brother would be back soon.” She waved the red carp lantern in her hand and pouted, adding, “Just a heads-up about the lantern, eldest brother dotes on Ninth Sister. If he sees you alone with her—”
She giggled, leaving the threat implied.
Zheng Qingling, a perceptive man, understood her meaning even before she finished. While society had become more relaxed, being caught alone with the young lady could still upset the eldest young master and leave a poor impression.
He knew Cui Zhan as his future brother-in-law and naturally didn’t want to anger him. After all, if he had a younger sister as remarkable as the ninth miss, he wouldn’t want her so easily exposed either.
Zheng Qingling stood and poured a cup of hot tea for Cui Xuan, thanking her sincerely.
Cui Xuan accepted it, lifting her chin and clarifying, “I’m not doing this for you, it’s for Ninth Sister”
Rather than feeling offended, Zheng Qingling was pleased.
Cui Xuan eyed his sheepish expression, pursed her lips slightly, then smiled. “I heard Cousin Qingling saved a commoner today?”
He nodded, not surprised that she knew.
Clapping her hands, Cui Xuan exclaimed, “Wow! Punishing evil and promoting good, truly befitting the Zheng family of Xingyang!”
Unfamiliar with her tone, Zheng Qingling took her praise at face value. He blushed, scratched his head modestly, yet couldn’t help glancing at Cui Yaoning.
What would she think? Would she, like cousin, see him as punishing the wrong and promoting the right?
A young man in front of the woman he likes always wants to show his best self.
Noticing his nervousness, Cui Yaoning smiled and reassured him, “Young Master Zheng is naturally a hero.”
Zheng Qingling felt his heart soar, light and dizzy, forgetting even what Cui Zhan and the others had said upon returning.
On the way back, Cui Xuan couldn’t resist asking what had been discussed in the private room.
Cui Yaoning, wishing to avoid the topic, casually said they had only talked about the lanterns.
Cui Xuan didn’t believe her and continued pressing for an answer.
Cui Yaoning pulled her cloak tighter, burying her face in the soft white rabbit fur, and asked casually, “Didn’t you hear me? Why are you asking me?”
“No!” Cui Xuan snapped at the mention of it, indignant. “It’s all Zheng Qingling’s fault for speaking too softly.”
She had listened carefully, but whether because the door was so well-made or for some other reason, not a single sound had been heard.
Cui Yaoning looked up at her with a faint smile.
Realizing she had been tricked, Cui Xuan blushed and stammered, “I was just curious, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. And anyway, I didn’t hear anything, did I?”
She had always been strong-willed and fearless, except in front of her grandmother.
At first, she had felt a little embarrassed speaking, but gradually she grew more confident and assertive.
Cui Yaoning glanced at her coolly.
When her elegant, beautiful face turned cold, it radiated a chilling and solemn aura, making anyone dare not even think of arguing.
Cui Xuan pouted, sounding slightly aggrieved. “I won’t ask.”
After saying this, she looked at Cui Yaoning expectantly, hoping to see some guilt in her eyes, perhaps prompting her to explain. But Cui Yaoning merely nodded and said nothing further.
Cui Xuan deflated immediately, sitting quietly, though she couldn’t help sneaking glances at her.
Cui Yaoning leaned back, eyes closed in what seemed like a nap, making it impossible to read her expression.
Cui Xuan felt uneasy, sensing that her ninth sister might be upset. She wanted to say something to make amends, but seeing her resting, she held back, not wanting to disturb her.
There were few pedestrians on the road, and the carriage returned to the Cui residence without incident.
After stepping out, Cui Xuan finally called out, “Ninth Sister.”
Cui Yaoning paused, meeting her gaze through the veil of her hat. “Hmm?”
Cui Xuan wrung her handkerchief nervously, stammering before finally asking, “Are you still going to play with me?”
At this point, the only unmarried daughters in the manor were herself, Sixth Sister, Eighth Sister, and Ninth Sister. She disliked illegitimate daughters, especially Sixth Sister, who was born to Concubine Pei. She also felt lukewarm toward the cautious Eighth Sister. Only Ninth Sister, a legitimate daughter, commanded her genuine attention.
She knew her own personality wasn’t endearing, she had no close friends, no one she could confide in.
Now that she finally had a chance to be close to her ninth sister, she would regret it terribly if her ninth sister distanced herself over those words.
Cui Xuan gripped her handkerchief tightly, holding her breath as she waited.
Cui Yaoning nodded.
Cui Xuan felt relieved but also a little wronged. “I thought… I thought you weren’t going to play with me anymore.”
Cui Yaoning smiled, letting it go, and reminded her, “Seventh Sister, you should be more careful in the future. I won’t hold it against you, but what if it had been someone else?”
Cui Xuan remained silent.
Cui Yaoning explained, “Your questioning made it seem like young master and I did something in the private room. If someone overheard, wouldn’t it ruin my reputation?”
Cui Xuan finally understood her mistake and quickly apologized. “Ninth Sister, you know me—I… I’m not a bad person. I was just curious.”
She rambled, worried that her actions might be misunderstood as malicious.
Cui Yaoning patted her hand gently in reassurance. “I know Seventh Sister’s temperament. There’s no misunderstanding.”
A glimmer of emotion appeared in Cui Xuan’s eyes. She responded softly, biting her lip.
The matter was settled.
Just as they were about to part, a maid from the main hall approached, bowed, and said, “Seventh Miss, Ninth Miss, Young Master Zheng asked me to come see if you have time tomorrow to go to the countryside to admire the flowers together.”