All the time, Cheng Yujin kept smiling and let everyone observed her appearance. She clearly knew what was going on in these people’s mind, but her heart had no fluctuation. Everyone said that she really obtained a huge profit, but Cheng Yujin would rather have never been adopted.
These pieces of jewelry were indeed bestowed by Qingfu Junzhu, who had always been conscious about her reputation. If a biological mother prepared jewelry for her daughter, would she specially made a public presentation, letting the whole world know about this?
Of course not.
So Cheng Yujin had to be tactful. She wore the things Qingfu Junzhu gave her, then let others praise this nominal mother for being kind. And at the same time, having her own self-esteem bluntly cut out bit by bit.
Cheng Yujin self-mockingly thought, she had a lot of beautiful and precious hair ornaments, bracelets, and other jewelry. But for so many years, she had almost no actual money on hand. She was just a beautiful decoration, looked glamorous from outside, but had nothing on the inside.
Adults endlessly praised Cheng Yujin, but in the ears of their own inexperienced young daughters, its meaning was completely different.
Other young girls’ faces didn’t look pleasant. Xu Nianchun looked at Cheng Yujin and quietly pouted. Cheng Yujin simply didn’t react. Since she was very young, she already knew that her cousin sisters, and even cousin brothers, all disliked her.
Growing up from a young age until now, she had always been the ‘that child from another house’ praised many elders. After so many years, it wouldn’t be strange that she wasn’t popular with other children.
But why did that matter? Cheng Yujin silently thought. As long as the elders liked her, it was enough.
Cheng Min rarely went back to visit her natal family, so she had many things to converse with old Madam Cheng. Soon, the adults sent their children to the adjacent porch.
Without the elders’ supervision, the little kids immediately became lively. Older girls were sitting together in small groups. Cheng Yumo had just sat down when a young man in red clothes jumped in front of her: “Younger sister Mo, have your illness better?”
It was a handsome young man. His black eyes shined brightly. Even when he wasn’t smiling, he still made people feel at ease. The young man’s name was Xu Zhixian, the only son born between Cheng Min and Chang Duke Manor’s second master.
Xu Nianchun immediately laughed: “Second brother, there are so many people here. Why are you only care about your sister Mo?”
Xu Zhixian said: “Younger sister Mo is sick, of course it is different.”
Teased by Xu Nianchun, Cheng Yumo covered her mouth with a handkerchief and smiled: “I am much better. Thank you for second biao brother’s concern.”
Xu Nianchun still wasn’t satisfied and shouted: “Fortunately, elder sister Mo already got better. So my second brother isn’t asking in vain.”
The enclosed porch soon filled with young girls’ fresh laughter. All were relatives, so Xu Zhixian didn’t feel uncomfortable being surrounded by many girls, even happily making fun together.
In the middle of it, a group of servants came in. Cheng Yujin walked towards them, giving instructions: “Take out another brazier, the silver one. Then open up the windows on the eastern side. Make sure to let the room properly ventilated, but don’t forget to put a partition in front of it to keep the cold wind out.”
“Yes.”
One after another, the servants moved. Under Cheng Yujin’s command, the room was quickly re-arranged. She was giving orders in a calm and orderly fashion. Standing straight, it was as if she was clad in an imposing aura, completely distinguished herself from the group of playful girls.
The girls were a little uncomfortable. This kind of Cheng Yujin made them look like immature children. Xu Zhixian smiled and said, “Elder sister Jin is really awesome. You alone can command so many servants, and don’t even look flustered.”
Cheng Yujin nodded and smiled back lightly. Xu Nianchun let out a small cry and deliberately asked: “Eldest biao sister is the same age as second biao sister. Why does second brother call the second biao sister ‘ younger sister Mo’ but eldest biao sister ‘elder sister Jin’?”
Xu Zhixian scratched his head and answered truthfully: “I also don’t know. Elder sister Jin… can only be called ‘elder sister.'”
Could he call her ‘younger sister’? Xu Zhixian felt that this address wasn’t right.
Cheng Yujin smiled and said: “It’s okay, we are all brother and sister. Second young master may call me as you like.”
When she said this, Cheng Yujin’s eyes were fixated on Xu Zhixian.
Previously she didn’t particularly notice, but now it seemed that Xu Zhixian was a good husband potential.
Currently, no family members of Chang Duke Manor was holding a prominent position in the court. Their clan was in decline and filled with prodigal sons who only knew how to play and eat. However, what kind of family was Yichun marquis manor? Cheng family didn’t have a right to criticize nor to be picky. At least the Xu clan still held the duke title.
Moreover, Cheng Min was Cheng Yujin’s paternal aunt. The relationship between aunt and niece was still better than a stranger. She also heard that currently the authority inside the Chang Duke Manor was held by the legal wife of the first branch. She could safely assume that Cheng Min would be willing to have an additional ally to help her in the family. Besides, Xu Zhixian was growing up surrounded by a group of womenfolk. When he was a little, he was raised by an elder sister who was more than ten years older than himself. In the inner courtyard, there were also many sisters as his playmates. Inevitably, after he grew up, Xu Zhixian wasn’t like a typical man, somehow lacked masculinity. But his personality was very gentle, really an easy prey.
Cheng Yujin became more and more satisfied. She used to look down on the Chang Duke Manor. Furthermore, she never put a rich and hedonistic young master like Xu Zhixian into consideration. But now her engagement had failed once, it was time to redo her plan. Cheng Yujin loved power and money, and it was impossible for her to accompany a man in struggle and poverty. In this aspect, Xu Zhixian was just right.
Cheng Yujin made up her mind and smiled very warmly at Xu Zhixian.
Xu Zhixian felt an inexplicable coldness from behind. He turned back, thinking that the window may be opened too wide, letting a cold wind blew in.
After that, Cheng Yujin subtly made a move on Xu Zhixian. After noon meal, old Madam Cheng usually took a nap, and the juniors were left unattended. They went to play together. Cheng Yujin thought that it was an opportunity sent by heaven. She didn’t know when would she meet Xu Zhixian again, so she must fully take this advantage to firmly get hold of this warm and affectionate young man.
At that time, Cheng Yuanjing was back. Right when he entered the door, he saw Cheng Yujin looked at a young man with calculating eyes.
Cheng Yuanjing moved his eyebrows lightly. What a surprise, every time he saw Cheng Yujin, he always discovered a new side.
T/N:
Well…. we see Cheng Yujin in action. Xu Zhixian may be naive but he had a good instinct ?. Although to be fair, even with the scheming and political marriage, Cheng Yujin will always be a good wife, no matter who her husband is, as long he is still decent enough. So probably Xu Zhixian will be better off getting schemed by Cheng Yujin instead (no, don’t worry, ninth uncle is the ML, not this naive boy ?).