When the calendar entered the third month, the weather gradually became gentle, new greens sprouted in the garden, and colorful flowers started to bloom everywhere. The womenfolks in the inner courtyard also started to put on light spring clothes.
In the Jinning courtyard, Cheng Yujin was wearing a white top shirt, with a line of golden begonias embroidered at its edge. As if the flowers were growing until they spread into her skirt, the skirt was made from the same color, with dark golden lines decoration. Cheng Yujin sat in her embroidery room, puncturing a needle vertically without damaging the thread on the opposite side. Each of her stitches was well-proportioned, carefully taking into account the pattern of both sides. She embroidered another character, making several short stitches in a row to hide the thread ends without showing it on either side.
Lian Qiao was watching from the side, holding her breath in astonishment. Cheng Yujin’s embroideries were scarce, but each of them was so exquisite that they instantly stole everyone’s attention. It was significantly different from ordinary embroidery. Especially the double-sided embroidery, it was absolutely amazing. Lian Qiao admired it very much. Eldest miss has never done anything less than perfect. As long as she made her mind to do something, she must do the best. Even the movement of her needle was smooth and beautiful.
Lian Qiao saw Cheng Yujin put down the needle, and quickly came up to massage her shoulders: “Miss, you have embroidered for a while, rest your eyes.”
“Mm.” Cheng Yujin responded. She asked suddenly, “Is ninth uncle entertaining guests today?”
“Yes, in the outer courtyard’s banquet hall. I heard that second young master Xu is also coming.”
Cheng Yujin thought for a while and asked: “When did it start?”
Lian Qiao frowned and recalled. She had an agile mouth, and among Cheng Yujin’s personal servants, she was usually in charge of inquiring news. After a while, Lian Qiao answered, “It should have been started for some time now. Probably an hour ago.”
Cheng Yujin nodded. She stood up and said: “Let’s go. There is a character that I’m not sure about. I should go to the ninth uncle’s study to see if he is there and ask for some guidance.”
Lian Qiao froze for a moment: “Miss, there is no one in ninth master’s courtyard now, are you still going?”
“Of course.” Cheng Yujin’s expression was solemn. “How important is the Emperor’s birthday gift? I shouldn’t delay it. If I didn’t see ninth uncle, then I have to figure it out myself. Alright, go and prepare some snacks, maybe ninth uncle drank some wine, it will help him sober up.”
Lian Qiao was a little puzzled, but Du Ruo lightly hit her with one elbow. She immediately gathered her mind and went to prepare the snacks. Du Ruo could see clearly that the eldest miss had other intentions. Although her heart was clear, Du Ruo didn’t say anything. She swiftly collected the needles on the table and asked: “Miss, do you want to change clothes?”
“No, I’m going to visit ninth uncle. “Cheng Yujin adjusted her skirt and said with satisfaction: “Let’s go.”
As expected, Cheng Yuanjing’s yard was empty. Cheng Yujin came to the study every day around this hour, so Chen Yuanjing’s people were familiar with her. One servant boy asked if he should go to ask Cheng Yuanjing to come back. Cheng Yujin refused. She sat in the east room, took a brush and paper, then started to copied Cheng Yuanjing’s handwriting.
After a while, a sound of footsteps came from outside. Cheng Yuanjing has returned. But from the sound, he clearly brought other people.
The servant boy ran over and reported to Cheng Yuanjing: “Ninth master, the eldest miss is inside. She has been waiting for a while.”
Right after, Cheng Yujin appeared from beside the many treasure shelves, and greeted Cheng Yuanjing with a smile: “Ninth Uncle, you are back.”
For a while, Cheng Yuanjing was a bit stunned, as if Cheng Yujin was originally belonged to this room, and had been waiting for his return. Cheng Yuanjing quickly calmed down and asked, “Why are you here? Why are you sitting alone?”
“There is a word that I have some difficulty with, so I came to ask ninth uncle some guidance. But you weren’t here, so I sit down and wait.” Cheng Yujin spoke as she walked out of the room. When she saw the people behind, she froze for a moment and glanced at Cheng Yuanjing hesitantly: “Ninth uncle, they are…”
Cheng Yuanjing’s confused brain cleared instantly. He took a glance at the people behind him. They were the young talents he took a liking. After the banquet at the front yard ended, he brought several acquaintances to his courtyard for further gathering. Those who could enter Cheng Yuanjing’s eyes were all promising and talented youths.
The original purpose was actually here. Just now, he had a momentary confusion, and even thought that she was waiting for him.
Cheng Yujin finally got her goal and turned her eyes to the guests behind Cheng Yuanjing. He got the title of jinshi at a young age of sixteen. Every year, there was only a handful of jinshi. As long they were on the same batch, there would be a closeness among the jinshi that was unique to their circle. Cheng Yuanjing had been stationed in the outside post for so many years. But now he had come back and was getting a promotion, there should be many jinshi of his batch who come to visit him today. After the banquet, they might want to find another place to talk. With this anticipation, Cheng Yujin came to Cheng Yuanjing’s yard.
Cheng Yujin saw the two young men on the lead. One was smiling brightly, and the other was reticent. Even more behind, there was Xu Zhixian, and finally, Huo Changyuan. Seeing this man made her bright mood dimmed.
Xu Zhixian saw Cheng Yujin and asked: “Elder sister Jin, why are you here?”
Cheng Yujin’s eyes moved from Huo Changyuan. She was too lazy even to give some fake smile. Cheng Yujin turned at Xu Zhixian, smiling with a perfect courtesy: “Second biao elder brother.”
The elegant and bright young man smiled: “Hey, your family is so interesting. Why is one called ‘elder sister’ and the other ‘elder brother’? Who is the elder one?”
Cheng Yujin just waited for this sentence. She looked at Cheng Yuanjing and asked, “Ninth Uncle, this person is?”
Cheng Yuanjing stared at Cheng Yujin quietly. Did she treat him like a fool? She wanted to weigh the pork but made him brought the load?