Chapter 107: Zheng Jinxiu’s Self-Defeating Pursuit of Cui Yongnian

Chapter 107: Zheng Jinxiu's Self-Defeating Pursuit of Cui Yongnian

She knew that Xie Peiyu was joking, but she couldn't bring herself to laugh.

Because half of his nonsense turned out to be true.

If not for this unexpected turn of events, he would have only been able to bring back Miss Xiao's corpse.

"Jinyu? What's the matter?" Xie Peiyu noticed her odd expression.

Zheng Jinyu snapped back to reality. "Oh, it's nothing. You should go now, I still have things to attend to."

Wow, they were indeed siblings with the same mannerisms when it came to dismissing people.

"I'll be on my way then."

"Okay."

"Be careful when you're working on those small items, don't hurt yourself."

Zheng Jinyu felt a warm sensation in her heart. "I understand. Don't worry, everything will be fine."

As she watched Xie Peiyu's departing figure, a hint of sweetness emerged in her heart.

Having lived two lives, it seemed that she was experiencing the awakening of romantic feelings for the first time.

...

Recently, Zheng Jinxiu had been deliberately or inadvertently showing extra kindness to Cui Yongnian, claiming that it was to atone for her past mistakes and to seek forgiveness, hoping that Cousin Cui wouldn't hold a grudge against her.

It was evident to anyone that Cui Yongnian didn't care at all. She was merely using this excuse to try and win him back.

Poor Cui Yongnian, he still had to politely but distantly engage with her.

One day, to avoid Zheng Jinxiu, Cui Yongnian came to Zheng Jinyu's courtyard.

"Cousin Jinyu, what's going on with your older sister? I've already told her that I don't blame them, yet she insists on serving me as a maid to make amends. How can I, a guest in your home, allow your family's young lady to act as my maid?"

Zheng Jinyu chuckled. "Cousin, you're a clever person, so why are you beating around the bush with me? Aren't you well aware of her intentions?"

Cui Yongnian wore an expression of astonishment, which quickly turned into laughter.

"You're quite clever, too," he said, gazing at Zheng Jinyu. "Are the two of you really twins?"

Zheng Jinyu smiled slightly. "Cousin Cui, aren't you asking a question you already know the answer to?"

Their mutual understanding of the situation was unspoken.

Cui Yongnian sighed. "Aunt and Uncle are also being rather obtuse."

Zheng Jinyu smiled faintly but said nothing, instead picking up her paintbrush to continue sketching.

This set of jewelry was still in the design phase, and she had already wasted numerous sketches trying to create a piece for the upcoming season that would satisfy her.

Cui Yongnian picked up her discarded sketches and examined them for a while. "Are you designing jewelry inspired by autumn?"

"Yes, I've been working on chrysanthemums, maple leaves, all sorts of variations, but none of them have been satisfactory."

"Then try something different."

"What would you like to exchange?"

"Perhaps you should give laurel a try."

"Osmanthus?"

"Well then, let me give it a try."

He took up the brush and paper and began to sketch on the desk.

Zheng Jinyu, sensing the situation, tactfully moved aside to observe him concentrate on his drawing.

Before long, an elegant hairpin adorned with laurel leaves materialized on the paper.

"Look, what do you think of this?" he asked.

With a face beaming with delight, Zheng Jinyu clapped her hands.

"Cui cousin, you're incredible! This design is lovely. As for the materials, what would you recommend using?"

"Centered on jade and gold, with jade as the base and gold forming the flowers."

"I'll take care of it."

Why not make use of an existing talent? Zheng Jinyu simply handed him the entire design project.

Cui Yongnian shook his head in resignation but took on the task with a cheerful smile.

Zheng Jinyu sat aside, fanning herself while watching him work on the designs.

He had come to her place to avoid Zheng Jinxiu and ended up helping her with some tasks. It was a good arrangement.

In no time, another set of earrings was completed. Zheng Jinyu examined them and expressed her satisfaction.

"Cousin Cui, can I credit the design to you in my promotional brochure?"

Cui Yongnian chuckled. "So how much silver does my dear cousin plan to compensate me?"

The corner of Zheng Jinyu's mouth twitched. She thought to herself, Can you really be short of such a small amount?

His reputation, his designs – this set of jewelry would likely sell like hotcakes.

"I'll give you a thousand taels for the entire set," including the buyout of his design and promotional fees.

"Deal," Cui Yongnian agreed promptly.

One of Zheng Jinxiu's servants informed her that Cui Yongnian had gone to Zheng Jinyu's Yusheng Courtyard and hadn't come out for almost two hours, causing her to panic.

Frustrated, she threw a set of cups and raged, "What a shameless wench! She seduced Xie Peiyu, and now she's after my cousin. Nurse, didn't I tell you to find a way to ruin her? Why haven't you acted yet?"

Lady Zhou replied, "That dead girl seldom leaves her room, not even venturing out of the Yusheng Courtyard. It's hard to find an opportunity to deal with her."

"Hmph, useless," Zheng Jinxiu grumbled in dissatisfaction. "I think we should hold off on giving your son that money he wants."

"Don't do that," Lady Zhou panicked, but then a thought struck her. "I know how to handle her now."

"How so?"

"In a few days, when the First Young Master gets married, it will be the perfect chance."

Lady Zhou whispered something into Zheng Jinxiu's ear, gradually revealing a smile.

"Alright, let's do it your way. Wet Nurse, I hope you won't disappoint me this time. Our three lives' prospects depend on this."

Zheng Jinxiu had come to a realization now. Anyone in the family could be taken away by Zheng Jinyu, but not Lady Zhou and her son.

She was her wet nurse, the one who had breastfed her. She could only rely on Zheng Jinxiu.

If Zheng Jinxiu faltered, Lady Zhou's days of prosperity would come to an end.

Zheng Jinxiu set her sights on Cui Yongnian now. She couldn't let him stay in Zheng Jinyu's courtyard for too long.

Thus, she brought some pastries and headed for the rarely-visited Yusheng Courtyard.

The maid softly informed Zheng Jinyu about Zheng Jinxiu's arrival. Zheng Jinyu smiled faintly, glanced at Cui Yongnian, who was diligently sketching design drawings for her, and whispered, "Ask her in."

"As you wish."

In no time, the maid led Zheng Jinxiu to their presence.

Zheng Jinxiu spotted the figure in the octagonal pavilion from afar. Her nemesis, Zheng Jinyu, was lounging nonchalantly against the railing, sipping tea while her gaze fixated on the person seated at the table.

At the desk, Cui Yongnian was engrossed in his writing and sketching, his aloof demeanor sending pulses racing with its allure.

Perhaps due to the romanticized image of a talented scholar, Zheng Jinxiu found Cui Yongnian exceptionally attractive now, even to the point of being irresistible.

Reflecting on her past actions, Zheng Jinxiu wished she could slap herself. Why had she coerced Cui Yongnian into rejecting their arranged marriage just because she didn't want to leave the Capital City?

Now that he was a teacher at the Imperial Academy, he could indeed temporarily settle in the Capital City. After many years, when both her parents had passed away, she could return to River Qing with their children to spend their twilight years together. It would have been a reasonable choice, so why had she been so foolish as to sabotage their union back then?

No, their fate was still intertwined, and it wasn't too late to strive for it.

Zheng Jinxiu took a deep breath and put on a demure, charming smile. "Sis, Cousin Cui, Jinxiu made some pastries myself. Would you like to try and see if they're delicious?"

Zheng Jinyu gave a casual glance. "I'm not fond of overly sweet treats. Cousin Cui, you should have them."

Zheng Jinxiu had no intention of actually giving Zheng Jinyu any food; she was merely going through the motions. It was to Zheng Jinyu's credit that she knew when to back down.