Chapter 210: A Joint Excursion

Chapter 210: A Joint Excursion

Moreover, she felt that Cui Yongnian was not as weak and scholarly as he appeared. How could someone with high intelligence have such low emotional intelligence?

He must have had other motives for wanting to come along.

Without waiting for Xie Peiyu's response, Zheng Jinyu said to Cui Yongnian, "Cousin, hurry up and get in."

Cui Yongnian beamed with delight and answered before climbing up the carriage with his long robe lifted.

Feeling annoyed, Xie Peiyu said coldly, "There's no room. Cousin, you should ride the donkey instead."

Cui Yongnian's expression froze. Seeing his leg retract, he then said amicably, "Alright, I'll ride the donkey. Just don't complain that it's too slow for you."

Xie Peiyu drove the carriage ahead, while Cui Yongnian followed on his donkey.

Zheng Jinyu lifted the curtain at the back of the carriage and engaged in casual conversation with Cui Yongnian, who was riding the donkey.

Watching him ride the donkey so leisurely, she couldn't resist the urge to join in.

"Ah, Cousin, do you think learning to ride a donkey would be easier for me than riding a horse?"

"Certainly, donkeys are gentle and smaller in size, more suitable for ladies with a petite frame."

"Really? Then when we arrive, can you let me try riding your donkey?"

"No way, no way."

She had thought borrowing his donkey for a ride would be a simple request, but he shook his head vigorously.

"I've raised this donkey since it was young, it's only for me to ride. If anyone else tries, it might kick up a fuss."

"Oh? Didn't you say donkeys are gentle?"

"That's when they're not being stubborn. You've heard of a mule's stubbornness, haven't you?"

Zheng Jinyu: "...."

"Then you must be very knowledgeable about donkeys, right?"

"Not bad at all."

Zheng Jinyu chuckled. "When we get the chance, let's visit the donkey market, and you can help me pick one out."

Cui Yongnian smiled. "Your cousin wants to buy her own donkey?"

"Yes, horses are too big and fast. They can be quite intimidating. I'm quite timid, so I think a donkey would suit me better."

"Alright then, I'll inquire around for a good place to buy a donkey another day."

"Thank you, Cousin."

The two continued their pleasant conversation, much to Xie Peiyu's displeasure as he drove the carriage ahead.

Did they even consider him in their familial camaraderie?

He knew he shouldn't have brought Cui Yongnian along.

After a good half-hour journey, Xie Peiyu halted the carriage by the riverbank.

Zheng Jinyu lowered the curtain behind the carriage and hurried to the front. "What's wrong? Have we arrived?"

"No, there's a river here. I'm just giving the horse some water."

"Oh, I see."

"Would you like to get down? Or do you prefer to rest in the carriage?"

"I'll get down for a bit."

Zheng Jinyu lifted her skirt as she emerged from the carriage, and Xie Peiyu promptly extended his arm to gently help her down. As they stood in the closest proximity, he could feel his warm breath brushing against her face, causing her cheeks to flush crimson.

That intimate proximity made her blush, and she instinctively turned her head away.

Xie Peiyu couldn't resist the urge to lift his hand and gently cup her slightly flushed cheeks, desiring to admire her beauty more closely. However, remembering that there was an onlooker not far away, he held back his impulse.

Hmph, this 'cousin' with no sense of boundaries, he thought to himself.

Releasing his grip on Zheng Jinyu, he then proceeded to untether the horse from the carriage. "I'll lead the horse to get some water. You can stroll around here, but don't wander too far."

"Relax, I won't wander off."

At that moment, Cui Yongnian dismounted from the donkey and handed his modest luggage to Zheng Jinyu for safekeeping. "My donkey is thirsty too. I'll take it to drink, and could you kindly keep an eye on my belongings for a while, cousin?"

"Sure."

Observing the way his long robe dragged along, even more dramatically than her own skirt, she added, "Be careful, okay? That stream looks rather swift. Don't fall into the river."

Cui Yongnian smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, it won't come to that."

By the riverbank, one person led a donkey while the other led a horse.

Both gazed at the distant water surface with composed expressions.

Yet, their hearts were like the turbulent river, churning with emotion.

"Cui Yongnian, stop using me as a shield," she declared.

Cui Yongnian curved the corners of his lips. "What do you mean by that?"

Xie Peiyu replied calmly, "You know."

Cui Yongnian chuckled softly. "Why must Prince Chen always keep people at arm's length?"

"That's because you're not being sincere enough."

Cui Yongnian's expression froze for a moment before he smiled again. "Why must we draw such a clear line? The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Helping me would be helping yourself."

Xie Peiyu laughed mockingly. "That's not necessarily true. In the story of the mantis catching the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind, can the oriole and the cicada be friends? No, the oriole's intention is to have both the mantis and the cicada. I don't wish to work hard only to benefit someone else."

"Oh? So, in Prince Chen's mind, it's already yours to claim?"

A faint smile appeared on Xie Peiyu's face, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I didn't say anything of the sort."

As they were talking, they suddenly noticed unnatural rustling in the grass on the other side of the river. Both of them paused and exchanged glances.

"Trouble brought by you?"

"I see that it's because of you."

"Enough with the distinction between your troubles and mine. Let's deal with it first."

"How do you plan to resolve this?"

"I'll take Jinyu away, and you can handle the rest however you like."

Zheng Jinyu observed them conversing from a distance, but she was too far away to make out their words.

When they didn't return for quite some time, she decided to approach them.

Upon seeing her, both men ceased their conversation in unspoken agreement.

Xie Peiyu led his horse towards her, "Don't come any closer. The river currents are strong; it's dangerous."

"Have you taken care of the horse?"

"Yes, let's head back now."

Zheng Jinyu lifted her gaze to see Cui Yongnian struggling with his stubborn donkey by the riverbank not far away.

The donkey seemed to be in a rebellious mood, frantically munching on the green grass along the riverbank, refusing to budge.

She tugged on Xie Peiyu's sleeve, "Should you go help your cousin? It looks like his donkey isn't listening to him."

Xie Peiyu huffed lightly, "His donkey doesn't even listen to him, would it listen to me? I'm not going."

Zheng Jinyu: "...."

Jealous of Zheng Jinyu's concern for Cui Yongnian, Xie Peiyu grumbled, "You were just worried about Cui Yongnian and not me."

Zheng Jinyu snapped back to reality, "Huh? When?"

"Just now, you told Cui Yongnian to be careful but didn't tell me to be."

Zheng Jinyu: "...." Were men really so petty?

"You're different from him. In my eyes, a small river can't do anything to you. But my cousin is different, he's a delicate scholar. Look at how he's struggling with his donkey and walking unevenly. He might not even be able to beat me in a fight."

Xie Peiyu: "..."

"Oh dear, don't be jealous unnecessarily. Just treat him like a delicate maiden who needs looking after."

Haha, was he weak and frail?

He'd truly been wasting his talents if he hadn't taken to the stage as an actor.

"His donkey must be hungry. It won't budge until it's had its fill. Come, let's rest in the carriage first."

Zheng Jinyu noticed Cui Yongnian giving up on pulling the donkey and instead standing with his hands on his hips, seemingly engaged in a one-sided conversation with the animal.

Could he be lecturing it earnestly?

Well, it was best not to disturb them.

"All right," she agreed.