Chapter 94: Xie Peiyu, Don’t Be So Double-Standard

Chapter 94: Xie Peiyu, Don't Be So Double-Standard

Zheng Jinyu held her forehead. "What brings you here? Didn't I tell you to wait at the entrance? When it's over, I'll come find you."

Chunmei replied, "But Prince Chen asked this servant where Miss is. He told me to come and find you."

Prince Chen?

"In which direction?"

Chunmei pointed, and Zheng Jinyu followed her gesture. She saw Xie Peiyu standing under a willow tree by the river, gazing at her with a smile.

Zheng Jinyu tugged at the corners of her mouth. Addressing Chunmei, she said, "Alright, got it. Go back to the entrance and wait for me."

"Yes, Miss."

Zheng Jinyu walked towards Xie Peiyu. "When did you arrive?"

"A while ago."

"Weren't you supposed to be busy with important matters and arrive later?"

"Mm-hmm, I hurried to finish my tasks so I could see you sooner."

"Oh, I see."

"Where did you go just now? It took me quite a while to find you."

Zheng Jinyu glanced at the distant pavilion. "I was upstairs there."

"Why did you go there? It seems rather deserted."

"Yes, it's quiet. That's why I like it."

"But if you prefer peace and quiet, why come to such a bustling place?"

Zheng Jinyu smiled. She had her reasons for being here, of course.

But she didn't reveal them to Xie Peiyu directly. Instead, she said, "My mother asked me to come. She said it would be beneficial for me to socialize more within the circle of refined young ladies, as it will help me in managing the household when I become the head of the family one day."

Xie Peiyu chuckled. "If you want to socialize, then do so. If not, there's no need to pretend with them. Look, my mother has never bothered with such things."

Zheng Jinyu thought to herself, Your mother is the Imperial Princess, of course she doesn't have to entertain.

Besides, the Imperial Princess didn't enjoy the insincere networking that occurred among noble ladies.

Ah, so as the daughter-in-law of the Imperial Princess, it seemed unnecessary for her to gather a group of ladies back at home to maintain relationships. Perhaps the Imperial Princess wouldn't even allow it.

In that case, did she really need to engage in such socializing?

"Are you into poetry?" Zheng Jinyu changed the subject.

Xie Peiyu glanced at the bustling crowd and said, "No, I'm skilled in martial arts. Why would I compete with scholars for attention? Come, let's find a quiet spot to spend our time."

He intended to take her back to the pavilion where she had been earlier, but Zheng Jinyu declined his offer.

"I don't think so."

"Why not?"

Zheng Jinyu remarked, "That pavilion isn't exactly a tranquil spot. Your elder sister-in-law is upstairs."

"Eldest sister-in-law?"

"Mm-hmm, your cousin Xie Peichen's wife."

"Oh, it's her." Xie Peiyu found it odd. She was often unwell and seldom ventured out, preferring peace and quiet. Why would she attend such a banquet?

"How about we take a stroll by the river instead?"

"Alright, but..." Zheng Jinyu pondered before suggesting, "Isn't it better like that? Over there, everyone is clearly separated by gender."

Xie Peiyu chuckled. "Are you embarrassed to be seen with me?"

Zheng Jinyu: "..."

"Wouldn't it be inappropriate according to social norms?"

"How could it be inappropriate for me to take you on a boat ride around the lake?"

Uh...

Xie Peiyu gazed at her, narrowing his eyes slightly. "Jinyu, it's peculiar. I always feel that you're not the kind of person who adheres rigidly to conventions and is bound by propriety, yet why do you always seem so..."

He abruptly fell silent.

Zheng Jinyu smiled bitterly, wondering to herself, Was this what she wanted? No, it wasn't.

She yearned to be like a free bird soaring through the heavens, but the revolution had yet to triumph, and the charade needed to continue.

She was merely competing with Zheng Jinxiu, trying to be the daughter that Old Master Zheng and Lady Zheng adored.

"You don't want me to abide by rules?"

"I want you to be yourself."

Speaking of which, Zheng Jinyu suddenly recalled something.

Xie Peiyu had once mentioned his dislike for Zheng Jinxiu's pretentious and overly delicate behavior in the past.

Wasn't she the same?

Thus, Zheng Jinyu paused her steps, turned around, and looked at Xie Peiyu, saying, "Prince Chen, don't be too hypocritical."

Xie Peiyu: "…" Hypocritical?

"You said you disliked Zheng Jinxiu because she was pretentious and acted. I can act too, don't you see how well I'm pretending to be well-behaved? I might even be better at it than Zheng Jinxiu, wouldn't you say?"

The corners of Xie Peiyu's mouth twitched. He gently smacked her forehead.

"Who acts like you, deliberately undermining yourself? Come on, let's go for a boat ride on the lake."

Zheng Jinyu: "…" Clearly, I was using self-deprecating humor to expose your double standards, yet you're the one being hypocritical.

Xie Peiyu found a boat by the lakeside. After securing it, he invited her aboard.

In the midst of this, a man with a rosy complexion hurried over.

It was truly a rosy complexion.

For as he ran, powder fell from his face in a gentle flurry.

"Ah, I finally found you."

Zheng Jinyu was stunned and tentatively asked, "Cousin Cui?"

The man grinned, causing even more powder to fall off.

"It's me."

Zheng Jinyu raised her hand, pointing at him in horror. "Your face?"

Cui Yongnian chuckled. "Oh, I just applied some powder to cover my scars. Did it work?"

Was that just a bit of powder? It was more like an immense amount, wouldn't you say?

Zheng Jinyu couldn't help but chuckle. "Cover it up."

Was it really covered? Upon closer inspection, there were still shades of purple, blue, and yellow beneath the white.

Perhaps it was initially well-covered, but it had probably fallen off during their journey.

Heavens, Cousin Cui was undeniably a stunningly handsome man, yet he could be so clueless – it was hard to put into words.

"You're going boating, right? Can I join you?"

"Well..." Zheng Jinyu glanced at Xie Peiyu.

Xie Peiyu's face was dark as he coldly replied, "It wouldn't be appropriate."

Cui Yongnian spoke up, "Only Prince Chen and Little Cousin would find it inconvenient. With me, it'll be convenient for all of us to discuss music together."

Xie Peiyu's expression darkened even more, and he gritted his teeth. "Our small boat can't accommodate three people."

Cui Yongnian smiled. "No problem, we can take a larger boat."

As he spoke, he pointed at the large vessel approaching them. "Look, how wonderful it would be to cruise on this painted boat, playing music, brewing tea. Perhaps inspiration might strike, and we could compose a poem."

Xie Peiyu sneered. "Then go ahead if you wish. We won't need it. Jinyu, I'll hold onto the boat for you, hurry up and get on."

Zheng Jinyu's purpose today was related to Cui Yongnian. How could she leave him behind and go boating with Xie Peiyu?

She declined the offer.

"That wouldn't be appropriate. Cousin Cui traveled a great distance to the capital, and Mother said we should entertain him well. Prince Chen, why don't you join me in accompanying Cousin Cui on the painted boat?"

Xie Peiyu stared at her, seemingly asking if she was serious.

Zheng Jinyu answered him with a bright smile, conveying that she was indeed sincere.

Cui Yongnian happily signaled for the boat to come over. Xie Peiyu remained silent, clearly upset.

Zheng Jinyu knew he was angry, so to soothe him, she deliberately walked over to his side. Under the cover of his broad sleeves, she discreetly hooked her little finger around his.

Xie Peiyu's eyes darkened instantly. Taking control of the situation, he rubbed the soft flesh of her palm with his finger.

His body temperature was high, and his fingers were rough, sending an itch deep into her heart with their gentle friction.