Several young noblewomen followed his gaze, turning to look.
The first thing that caught their eyes was a young girl stepping off the carriage. She wore a pink cloak patterned with lotuses, her figure slender and elegant. Even behind a veil, her beauty was apparent.
One of the onlookers recognized the insignia on the carriage, nudged a friend, and whispered, “That’s someone from the Cui family.”
There were four Cui daughters of marriageable age in Qinghe, and none often left the mansion, so the noblewomen couldn’t immediately tell which one it was.
The first speaker added, “Don’t bother guessing. Whether she’s a legitimate or illegitimate daughter, they’re all people we can’t afford to offend.”
That made sense. Any rivalry or desire to compete among them vanished immediately.
Everyone knew that the Cui girls of Qinghe were exceptionally beautiful, no one would risk embarrassing themselves by trying to compare.
Hearing the whispering, Cui Xuan, who had just gotten off the carriage, leaned close to Cui Yaoning with a teasing smile. “Better hurry, cousin is in high demand. If you don’t stake your claim, someone else will.”
Although Cui Wan had chatted pleasantly along the way, she remained cautious and listened quietly.
Cui Yaoning looked up and met Zheng Qingling’s gaze.
The boy’s eyes sparkled, full of excitement, like a loyal dog seeing its master, tail wagging with joy.
She curved her lips into a confident smile. “What’s mine can’t be taken by anyone.”
Even though she knew he might have refused others out of politeness, seeing him focused on her, with her in his heart, still stirred something warm inside her.
She had told her grandmother she admired spirited young generals. At the time, it was just a passing comment, but now, she realized she genuinely liked that.
The pure and innocent affection of a young martial man was undeniably moving.
Cui Xuan noticed the change in her tone and teased with a grin, “So, you’re finally certain cousin is yours?”
Cui Yaoning said nothing.
Cui Xuan didn’t mind, in fact, she felt confident for him.
If Ninth Sister didn’t like him, she would have refused outright. Her silence suggested there was indeed some affection.
But also, it would have been disappointing if he married ninth sister too easily.
With that in mind, Cui Xuan deliberately avoided giving Zheng Qingling any friendly looks along the way, leaving him confused and wondering what he had done to upset the his cousin.
The peach blossoms at the mountain’s base were already in full bloom, and the view became even more stunning as they climbed higher.
Remembering she was accompanying Cui Wan to the White Horse Temple, Cui Yaoning spoke up to her two older brothers. “We’re here, let’s walk a little further and offer incense at the White Horse Temple.”
Cui Zhan frowned silently, glancing at his younger sister’s thin and delicate frame.
Cui Hao, hands behind his head, chuckled and teased, “Going to the White Horse Temple is fine, but Ninth Sister… can your body handle it?”
Even with bluestone steps that weren’t very steep, the climb was physically demanding. Ordinary girls might struggle, delicate Cui Yaoning could easily falter. If something went wrong, the old lady would scold them mercilessly.
Cui Hao, unwilling to take that risk, deliberately tried to scare her into backing down.
Cui Wan, reminded of her ninth sister’s frailty, tugged her arm and whispered, “Ninth Sister, I can go by myself.”
She would feel guilty if her ninth sister strained herself trying to help.
Cui Yaoning glanced at her. “And what excuse would you give for going alone?”
Cui Wan hesitated for a moment. She had intended to ask her brother for permission to visit Baima Temple and offer incense while they admired the flowers, but now she wasn’t so sure he would agree.
Cui Yaoning patted the back of her hand reassuringly. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you get to see him.”
Cui Wan blushed instantly and wanted to persuade her again, but saw that Cui Yaoning had already quickened her pace toward their eldest brother.
“Brother.” Cui Yaoning knew he was the one who really made the decisions for the group, so she shook his arm playfully. “I haven’t been out to play in so long, can you really bear to stop me, brother?”
Cui Zhan remained expressionless, his voice deep. “What Brother Hao said makes sense. You know your body better than anyone.”
Cui Yaoning sighed silently in her heart.
She would never joke about her health. In her previous life, she wouldn’t have even agreed to come out to admire the flowers. But now, perhaps because she had been given a second chance at life, she felt more at ease and free from the cycle of falling ill every few days.
In her past life, just a few steps would leave her breathless, but now, she felt nothing at all.
She told him this.
Cui Zhan glanced at his sister’s delicate frame and finally softened. “If you’re not feeling well, rest in the pavilion. Or I’ll have someone take you down the mountain immediately.”
Cui Yaoning nodded obediently. “Thank you, brother.”
Cui Zhan patted her head, gave a soft “hmm,” and stepped forward.
It was rare for Zheng Qingling to see her act coquettishly, and even through the thin veil of her hat, just hearing her voice made him feel weak.
Cui Yaoning shot him a dismissive glance. “You’re spineless.”
Even her scolding sounded sweet and playful. It was the first time Zheng Qingling had seen her so openly express her emotions, and he chuckled to himself, touching his nose.
He realized that Cui Yaoning had finally stopped treating him like a stranger.
This lively, warm side of her captivated him even more than her usual aloofness.
Cui Xuan glanced at him, curling her lip. “Look at him, acting all self-important. Anyone who didn’t know better would think Ninth Sister had already favored him.”
Cui Wan smiled and pursed her lips.
Cui Xuan tugged her along, thinking, “Look at him! He’s already this happy before even marrying Ninth sister. If he actually does, he’ll probably die of excitement!”
Cui Wan laughed. “Seventh Sister looks just like Eldest Brother now.”
Cui Xuan froze, then touched her face. “Does it really?”
Cui Wan nodded. “Yes, that worried look of you , it’s just like him.”
Cui Xuan blushed a little, glanced at her half-sister, and hesitated. “Not just ninth sister… I’m also worried about your marriage.”
Cui Wan smiled and nodded, not pressing the topic further.
She was already satisfied with her Seventh Sister’s attitude. She didn’t question the truth, nor did she compare herself to Ninth Sister.
She felt content with her marriage prospects and with the way she got along with her sisters.
Presumably, even after she married, her life in the mansion would remain pleasant given these relationships.
Cui Xuan, worried she might not believe her, emphasized, “Don’t worry. Even if you don’t meet him today, I’ll make sure you get the chance.”
Cui Wan, was amused and could only agree.
Cui Yaoning chuckled and teased her. “Seventh Sister, we haven’t even arrived yet, and you’re already thinking about Eighth Sister’s backup plan?”