Chapter 87: Cousin Cui Wants to Attach Himself to Xie Peiyu

Chapter 87: Cousin Cui Wants to Attach Himself to Xie Peiyu

Many times, the relationships in the court were intertwined with those in the inner courtyards. It was not acceptable for a lady to stay at home all day without interacting with other noble maidens.

However, Zheng Jinyu said, "Mother, the princess said she's going to the temple to pray for blessings tomorrow. Since Prince Chen is on leave, she asked him to be her escort. She also mentioned that she'd like me to accompany her."

The princess goes to the temple to pray and invites Prince Chen as her guard?

Whether it was the princess who wanted Zheng Jinyu's company or if Prince Chen wished to see her through the princess, the answer was clear.

Mrs. Zheng was delighted, thinking that it seemed the matchmaker had made the right choice this time. Prince Chen truly cared about Jinyu.

"That's great. Then accompany the princess well."

On the other side, Zheng Jinxiu was bitterly envious. So this was what it meant to like someone, to find any excuse just to see them more.

It turned out that Prince Chen really didn't have feelings for her.

"Cousin Jinyu, I've been wanting to visit a nearby temple too. Would it be alright if I join you?"

Zheng Jinyu wore a look of astonishment. "This... isn't that appropriate. I'm accompanying the County Princess to burn incense and pray for blessings."

Cui Yongnian chuckled. "There's nothing wrong with it. I'll be your bodyguard, Cousin."

Zheng Jinyu: "..." You, a scholar who can't lift a shoulder or carry a hand, want to be a bodyguard?

Mrs. Zheng, on the other hand, was utterly shocked, glancing back and forth between Cui Yongnian and Zheng Jinyu.

No way, I found a husband for Jinxiu. Why doesn't he want to play with Jinxiu but wants to play with Jinyu instead?

Then, Cui Yongnian continued, "The County Princess has Prince Chen as her bodyguard, so you should have one too, Cousin. Don't worry, I won't disturb you and the County Princess. My main purpose is to meet with Prince Chen. I'd like to discuss music theory with him."

Seeing his sincerity, Zheng Jinyu couldn't find a reason to decline.

Mrs. Zheng, feeling relieved, recalled that a few days ago, Cui Yongnian mentioned overhearing Prince Chen playing a zither melody in Jinyu Courtyard, describing it as heavenly. He even asked for her help in introducing them.

Later, she sought out her eldest son to assist in the introduction, but he declined due to his recent military duties.

Mrs. Zheng smiled warmly. "That's good. Both Prince Chen and Yongnian are knowledgeable in music. Wealth can be easily acquired, but finding a true musical companion is rare. Perhaps you and Prince Chen could create a tale as beautiful as the friendship between Bo Ya and Ziqi."

Contemplating their future as in-laws with shared interests, she thought it would be nice for them to start as friends first.

After the meal, Zheng Jinxiu left with a long face, causing her distress once more. The two devoted brothers followed behind, comforting her by disparaging Zheng Jinyu.

"Jinxiu, never mind about Prince Chen. There are countless admirable men in this world; it's not like you can't find someone else."

"Exactly, plenty know how wonderful you are. It's just Prince Chen who has poor judgment, being attracted to a country girl."

"He's also outdated, believing that royalty and nobility are born into it. Does bloodline really matter that much? In my opinion, Jinxiu is far superior to Zheng Jinyu."

"Right, don't be sad. We won't have school tomorrow, so we'll take you out to have some fun."

Her two elder brothers were utterly devoted to her, while their eldest brother was currently indecisive. Their parents desired both daughters equally, not favoring either herself or Zheng Jinyu. Therefore, Zheng Jinxiu knew she had to cling onto her second and third brothers.

However, she was not content with the present situation. No matter how much her second and third brothers aided her, they couldn't inflict significant harm on Zheng Jinyu.

In the capital's high society, the ladies were increasingly accepting Zheng Jinyu, the young miss of the Zheng family. They would gradually forget about the uniqueness of Zheng Jinxiu as the Zheng family's legitimate daughter. As Zheng Jinyu became Prince Chen's wife, they would shower her with more praise and admiration.

Zheng Jinyu would snatch away everything she possesses piece by piece – how could that be acceptable?

Zheng Jinxiu pondered in her chamber for a long while before slamming her hand on the table and standing up. "Nanny, I want Zheng Jinyu to fail in marrying Prince Chen."

Zhou, who was helping her fold clothes, asked, "What did you say?"

With hatred gleaming in her eyes, Zheng Jinxiu gritted her teeth. "I'll make sure Zheng Jinyu can't marry Prince Chen, no matter what it takes. I'll ruin her. Nanny, help me."

Zhou took a deep breath and, after a moment's pause, said, "Considering the current situation, it's almost impossible to destroy her through legitimate means."

"Then we'll use illegitimate means."

"This... Using such underhanded methods might lead you down a path of no return."

Zheng Jinxiu clenched her jaw and barked fiercely, "I don't care. I can't let Zheng Jinyu continue to bask in glory; otherwise, she'll take everything from me. Don't forget, Nanny, you're my nanny. Your success is intertwined with mine, and so is your downfall.

Zhou still hesitated.

Zheng Jinxiu pleaded urgently, "What does it matter if it's dishonorable? It's not the time to worry about such things. Didn't you once say that there are plenty of dirty dealings in this grand estate? Although our family's backyard may seem clean, it's because Mother is skilled in her ways. The Cui family has a higher social standing than ours, and she married into our family. She holds Father in her grasp. He's served by his two concubines less than three times a year, and their two bastard sons have been driven far away, not even returning for the New Year. Do you think she didn't resort to cunning tactics? She raised me, and I should possess similar skills. If I use some strategies to protect what's mine, what's wrong with that?"

Madam Zhou saw the madness in her face and nodded fiercely. "Alright, for Miss, what am I not willing to sacrifice? But to prevent her from marrying Prince Chen, we need to carefully plan and strategize."

Zheng Jinxiu smiled. "Very well, I'll await your good news."

What she didn't know was that Zheng Jinyu wasn't afraid of her schemes; she was afraid that she wouldn't use them at all.

If she didn't resort to underhanded tactics to harm Zheng Jinxiu and only relied on being cute to gain favor, Zheng Jinyu would find it difficult to act against her.

As long as Zheng Jinxiu herself didn't make any major mistakes, even if Zheng Jinyu exposed the Fang family's child-swapping incident to the Zheng couple, they wouldn't abandon Zheng Jinxiu.

In the Zheng couple's eyes, it wasn't the child who had climbed into the wrong cradle. No matter what the parents did, the child remained innocent.

The next day, they set off in two groups. Zheng Jinxiu went horseback riding and playing polo with her two elder brothers.

Zheng Jinyu waited for the princess's carriage to pick her up.

When the carriage arrived, the princess invited Zheng Jinyu to join her. Behind her followed a young scholar on a donkey.

Cui Yongnian approached and bowed, expressing his intention to go along with them.

The princess, on the other hand, remained composed and politely returned the greeting.

However, Xie Peiyu, who sat majestically on his tall steed in front, had a face as dark as the bottom of a pot.

Why did he have to come along?

And on a donkey, no less?

With its slow pace, the journey that would typically take half an hour could stretch to an hour under his mount's hooves.

However, at the Zheng family's gate with Madam Zheng's cheerful greeting behind him, he ultimately held his tongue. He maintained a sullen expression until they reached the outskirts of the city.

Watching the donkey stop to graze on grass, he could no longer contain his frustration.

"Cui Young Master," he said, "your donkey is far too slow. Would you prefer if I had a carriage prepared for you?"

Cui Yongnian chuckled and shook his head. "While our journey to the temple is indeed for prayer, it also serves as an opportunity for spring appreciation. How can one enjoy the scenery leisurely from inside a carriage compared to riding atop a donkey?"