Chapter 373: Softening the Blows

Chapter 373: Softening the Blows

Cui Huai: "…"

"Eighth Sister, I'm not taking sides with outsiders, but you can't just think from your own perspective. You also need to consider things from your brother-in-law's point of view. Besides, he's not an outsider, so you shouldn't say such things; it hurts feelings."

Cui Tai added, "Fifth Brother is right. Since you know that hiding the death of Old Lady Zheng was wrong, you should properly apologize and show some humility to your brother-in-law. You can't be so righteous after making a mistake."

Lady Zheng said, "I had my reasons."

"I know you had your reasons, but using them to cover up your mistakes is just being argumentative, which only adds fuel to the fire."

Lady Zheng’s face turned grim. She had called her brothers to support her, but instead, they kept criticizing her.

She did have her reasons—how could that be considered argumentative?

"Look at the Zheng family now. He divided the house with a wall, and I’m being laughed at by everyone in the capital. I’ve become a laughingstock. You are my family; if you don’t help me, who will?"

Seeing her expression, the two decided not to press further.

Cui Tai said, "We just arrived and haven’t fully understood the situation. Perhaps your brother-in-law overreacted."

He winked at Cui Huai.

Cui Huai responded, "Sixth Brother makes sense. Even if something like this happened, it doesn’t warrant divorce or dividing the household."

Lady Zheng’s expression improved slightly.

"Eighth Sister, we’re quite tired from the journey. Could you arrange a place for us to rest?"

Lady Zheng quickly replied, "Oh, how thoughtless of me. I was too busy talking and forgot you were tired. Xiao Luo, quickly arrange a place for my Fifth Brother and Sixth Brother to rest."

"Yes, please follow me, gentlemen."

"That’s Xiao Luo, hasn’t changed much over the years."

Xiao Luo was a maid Lady Zheng brought from the Cui family, and she knew their preferences well.

She arranged accommodations for them next to Cui Yongnian’s courtyard, ensuring everything suited their tastes.

Their purpose in coming to the capital wasn’t really to help Lady Zheng settle her disputes or resolve family conflicts.

They were merely using this as a cover.

After settling in, they asked Xiao Luo, "When does Yongnian usually return?"

Xiao Luo replied, "Master teaches at the Imperial Academy and usually returns around the hour of Shen. But recently, because of Madam’s issues, he has been returning late, and the exact time is uncertain. If the gentlemen need to see him urgently, I can send someone to inform him at the Imperial Academy, and he can come back earlier."

"No need, no need to tell him specifically. We’re quite tired from the journey and want to rest first."

"Yes, please rest well. If you need anything, just let the maidservants know, and they’ll inform me."

"Alright, you may go."

"Yes, I’ll take my leave."

No one informed Cui Yongnian that the Cui family had arrived, or perhaps he knew but pretended otherwise.

Today, to avoid Lady Zheng’s complaints, he chose to return late.

He went to the neighboring house to chat with Zheng Jinyu for a while and then visited the old courtyard to drink with Zheng Ji.

Though Cui Yongnian was a junior, his status in the literary world was high, earning Zheng Ji’s admiration.

Zheng Ji admired and envied him.

How wonderful it would be if one of his many sons were like Cui Yongnian!

His eldest son was promising, but he pursued martial arts.

The younger ones lacked the temperament and might not inherit his legacy.

His daughter, Zheng Jinyu, was a prodigy. In just a year, she achieved remarkable success, which truly amazed him.

If she had been raised by his side, her achievements would have been even greater, surpassing those of Cui Yongnian.

Unfortunately, she was a girl.

"Yongnian, our family matters are none of your concern. Your aunt is stubborn and only knows one way."

Cui Yongnian took a sip of the wine Zheng Ji offered, "Uncle is right, but if I don’t help her, she’ll scold me. After all, I live under her roof, and as the saying goes, 'those who eat others’ food must speak softly.'"

Zheng Ji’s lips twitched as he refilled his cup, "You should have told me earlier. If you had, I would have moved the wall to include you on my side."

"That wouldn’t be right; I bear the surname Cui."

Zheng Ji: "…"

"So what do you mean? Are you really going to meddle in our family affairs?"

Cui Yongnian shook his head, "I won’t meddle. Why would I meddle in your family affairs?"

"Then why did you write home to complain?"

"Oh, I was forced to. If I hadn’t written, I couldn’t stay here."

Zheng Ji was speechless, thinking that the young man was good at distancing himself.

"Fifth Brother and Sixth Brother arrived today. Did you call them?"

"It wasn't me; it was Aunt who invited them."

Zheng Ji: "…"

"Come, come, have some wine." Zheng Ji poured him another cup.

After he drank it, Zheng Ji said, "Earlier you said that those who eat from someone's hand can't speak against them. Now that you've had my wine, your tongue should be softer, so don't speak recklessly."

Cui Yongnian, holding an empty wine cup: "..."

"I don't ask you to speak on my behalf, just to be fair and not speak recklessly. I trust Mr. Qinghe's character," Zheng Ji said with a half-smile.

Cui Yongnian belched and said, "Uncle's wine is truly delicious."

Zheng Ji laughed and said, "Then come by often. I've been collecting wine for over a decade, and there's plenty of it."

Cui Yongnian clasped his hands, indicating that he had drunk too much and was feeling tired, so he bid farewell to go rest.

It was too difficult.

The 'North Courtyard' of the Zheng family was no longer a place to stay, and in the future, he would have to visit the 'South Courtyard' less as well.

...

Zheng Jinyu heard that the Cui family had relatives visiting today, but since it was late, it wasn't convenient to meet them.

Lord Zheng came to inform her that they would be hosting the Cui family's relatives tomorrow, so she should prepare herself.

Food and drinks were to be arranged by Concubine He, so all she needed to do was show up.

Zheng Jinyu agreed without saying much more.

Afterward, Lord Zheng did not leave immediately. Seeing several large red chests piled up in her room, he asked, "Are these the gifts sent by the Princess's residence?"

"Yes," Zheng Jinyu replied calmly.

Lord Zheng opened and closed his mouth several times before speaking, "Which round of gifts is this?"

Zheng Jinyu answered calmly, "This is the formal engagement, and the date has already been set."

Lord Zheng seemed dazed.

A child's marriage should be handled by their parents, yet as parents, they didn't even know how far along the process had progressed.

"He only needs to welcome her now."

"Yes," Zheng Jinyu replied indifferently.

Lord Zheng awkwardly turned his face away, almost afraid to look at her, "Tell me what you need, and I'll prepare it for you."

"Alright."

She agreed so readily, but Lord Zheng knew that she was merely agreeing out of formality and probably wouldn't seek his help.