When Cheng Yujin saw Zhai Yanlin came from behind, complicated feelings flashed through her mind, and for a moment, she didnβt know what to do.
Old Madam Chengβ coincidentallyβ told her to visit the garden. Cheng Yumo left βcoincidentally.β And she βcoincidentallyβ met Zhai Yanlin here. No matter what, it certainly was not coincidental.
Old Madam Cheng actually reached a consensus with Old Madam Zhai in such a short time and arranged for their chance encounter in the garden. Truly hard work. Should she feel grateful?
However, the matter had happened. It was useless to insist on finding the cause and effect or venting her emotions now. When she turned around to face Zhai Yanlin, Cheng Yujin had calmed down. However, she had no intention to move from her place. Separated by half of the long corridor, she greeted Zhai Yanlin: βDuke Cai.β
Compared with Cheng Yujinβs polite alienation, Zhai Yanlin was enthusiastic. He didnβt care about the distance at all. Women were shy and reserved. If she didnβt come to him, he just needed to walk towards her.
Zhai Yanlin strode towards Cheng Yujin. As he approached, the details of Cheng Yujinβs appearance became apparent. Zhai Yanlin couldnβt help sighing in admiration. His initial view was correct. Cheng Yujin was very beautiful, like an excellent jade. Although she wore plain clothes, she was still beautiful. But her current attire was far from showing her true potential. A woman like her should use all the precious things in the world. All kinds of gold, silver, jade, and gems should adore her body. Her disposition was to be revered by many, and be admired like the sun and the moon.
Out of a manβs instinct, seeing a beauty made Zhai Yanlin happy. He had seen countless beauties, and his late wife and concubines were all of an outstanding look. But strangely enough, ever since he had seen Cheng Yujin, he always missed her. It was just a few months since he last saw her, but Zhai Yanlin couldnβt bear it. When he heard the news that the Empress Dowager was going to go out of the palace, his first reaction was not to analyze the implied meaning, but to feel joyful.
Cheng Yujin would definitely join the occasion, and he finally had a chance to see her again.
This random encounterβ was actually his instruction. Even if Old Madam Zhai wanted to see Cheng Yujin personally, she wouldnβt so brashly ask for Cheng Yujin and Zhai Yanlin to meet directly. This matter was secretly arranged by Zhai Yanlin himself.
On the one hand, Zhai Yanlin was aware that he was acting outside the decorum. On the other hand, he was immersed in the joy of seeing Cheng Yujin again. Zhai Yanlinβs eyes gleamed invasively while he got closer and closer to Cheng Yujin. Cheng Yujin frowned. Without even bothering to pretend, she took a few steps backward.
βDuke Cai, please donβt get closer.β Cheng Yujin stood straight and said coldly. βMen and women should keep their distance. Although this little girl accidentally meets Duke Cai, if others see us, they may misunderstand. Itβs better not to stand too close.β
Zhai Yanlin raised his eyebrows and smiled playfully: βWhat does eldest Miss Cheng mean?β
Cheng Yujin was annoyed by Zhai Yanlinβs slightly provocative tone and playful manner. It was as if he thought that he had completely seen through her and that they were exchanging a flirting banter. Cheng Yujin had a high double standard. She liked to appraise menβs worth to choose the best possible husband candidate. However, she couldnβt accept others did the same thing to her.
Cheng Yujinβs expression was frigid, and even her smile was sarcastic: βWhat do I mean? Exactly what Duke Cai just heard.β
Zhai Yanlin suddenly froze in place. The playfulness on his face disappeared. He originally thought that Cheng Yujin was merely playing hard to catch. Women were like this. In order to show their worth, they would pretend to be aloof to hang menβs appetite.
Zhai Yanlin had seen plenty of women who pretended to be reserved and distant, waiting for the men to chase them. Zhai Yanlin always felt impatient by this trick, but he didnβt feel averse when it came to Cheng Yujin and was willing to play along. However, Zhai Yanlin was not stupid. From Cheng Yujinβs last words, he heard only a total alienation.
She actually rejected him?
Zhai Yanlin couldnβt believe it. His face sank, and his voice turned cold: βEldest Miss Cheng, since you are coming here, you must already know everything you should know. Showing this kind of attitude at this juncture, what is your intention?β
Zhai Yanlin did not hide what he had done. Cheng Yujin did not evade either, and raised her head to meet Zhai Yanlinβs eyes: βSince Duke already knows, I might as well say it straight. When I go to greet my grandmother just now, I also met Old Madam Zhai.β Cheng Yujin paused only for a moment. βThen, what does Duke Cai want to do?β
Zhai Yanlin was a bit surprised. He knew that Cheng Yujin had mostly seen through the Zhai familyβs intention, or to be precise, his intention. However, due to a womanβs reserved nature, Zhai Yanlin thought that Cheng Yujin would be too embarrassed to inquire straightforwardly.
However, since she asked so directly, Zhai Yanlin didnβt hold back either: βYou are right. Eldest Miss Chengβs performance in the garden that day is still fresh in my memory. At your sisterβs wedding, eldest Miss Cheng also performed very well, not being humble or arrogant. Both my mother and I think that eldest Miss Cheng will be a good wife and mother. Therefore, we want to propose to Yichun Marquis Manor and marry eldest Miss Cheng as Duke Caiβs legitimate wife.β
Cheng Yujin laughed. She finally shed off her usual dignified and amicable facade, leaving only the icy coldness and total indifference that seemed to alienated people thousands of miles away.
Zhai Yanlin was stunned. At this time, Cheng Yujin spoke.
βOf course I will be a good wife and mother.β Cheng Yujin said with a smile, βBut why should it be yours?β
Zhai Yanlin was stunned again. He had heard the exact same words from Cheng Yuanjing before. For a moment, Zhai Yanlin had a mixed feeling and even questioned his own conjecture. Could it be that Cheng Yujin and Cheng Yuanjing was a real uncle and niece? Otherwise, how could it be that their reasoning and speech so similar?
Out of indescribable feeling, Zhai Yanlin didnβt respond immediately, but asked back instead: βWhy does eldest Miss Cheng say that?β
Zhai Yanlin was really curious. When helping Huo family welcoming their bride, Zhai Yanlin met Cheng Yuanjing in Yichun Marquis Manor, who also said the same thing to him, and even warned him to stop thinking about Cheng Yujin.
Even if Cheng Yuanjing had a bright prospect and limitless future, in Zhai Yanlinβs eyes, he was no more than a young man who had just entered the court. Zhai Yanlin never took Cheng Yuanjingβs warning to heart.
Chasing power and beautiful woman was a manβs natural instinct. Cheng Yujin was young and beautiful, but she had nothing to do with Cheng Yuanjing. What right Cheng Yuanjing had to forbid other men from chasing her?
But Zhai Yanlin wanted to hear Cheng Yujinβs own words, and even more, her own feelings.
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Thank you for the chappy.
Ninth Uncle where are you π₯Ί Look your white rabbit will be stolen.
lol can he handle the truth? lol.
I donβt think so, instead he will condamn her as a greedy womanπ
I love that the characters in this story arenβt thoughtless. They can be arrogant (Zhai Yanlin thinking our MC wants him to chase), but they can also read other people. Except for Yumo but her inability to read the room and reflect on her own actions is one of her biggest faults. It adds variation to the people our FL and ML meet and deal with and adds so much to the story.
I also love that the hypocritical parts of our MCβs personality are acknowledged. Sheβs not perfect, but sheβs worked hard to achieve what she wants and is such an admirable character.
As always your translation is great! Thank you for the update!
Lol heβs audacity to believe heβs her best choice pfthahah
Many thanks
Yeah, I mean, I can even understand that Huo bastardβs arrogance than Duke Zhai. I mean, her ex-fiancΓ© is still a bachelor, and he has a lot of merit behind his name. Marrying him is a catch. Now, why the frack would Yujin want to go from that to someone like him?? Being the second wife of a much older manβ¦and canβt even get her firstborn son to inherit?? It doesnβt even make sense on paper. and heβs now pushing it in real life!
ZYβs pride is about to crumble. Crush him Yujin-a.
Thank you fpr the chapter π
Put him in his place Yujin! Hahaha. Thanks for the update!
He really wanna hear it?
Ignorance is a bliss, and truth hurts ya know?
poor dude better walk away π
In the modern day, Zhai Yanlin is a creepy stalker middle-aged dude
Crush him! He needs it, otherwise he will never walk away from these delusions.
Someone needs to spray that Zhai man with some insect repellent because heβs like a cockroach. Creepy stalker man just leave the beautiful girl alone she donβt want you.
Jinβer, slice him!!!!
I canβt wait!!!!
Thanks for the chapter!!!!
So, this douchebag will not give it a rest until Yujin tells him in no uncertain terms to scram? And then heβll feel all offended that she has no intention to kneel in gratitude and accept him? Ha!
Thank you for the translation <3
thanks for the update!
Hahahahaha somebodyβs bubble of arrogance and entitlement is gonna get burst π But of course heβs probably too petty to change and will see her as unwomanly, not virtuous etc so he can save his pride and act like heβs rejecting her π―
Thanks for the chapter & dying to hear her retort π³
Say that out loud!! Say that until everyone at that temple hear it then maybe your ninth uncle would sprint to you while holding imperial decree LMAO what am i thinkin?
Canβt wait for the face slap π€£π€£π€£π€£
I need every day updates π
Aww I like Cheng Yujin so much, what a wonderful character!
Thank you for bringing us such great novel.
Is your kofi still closed for donations? QAQ
It is. Iβm busy these few months. Sorry!
Time to roast a pig.
My first thought was Isnβt that mc too cheap lol not gonna lie ur the one who provoked all of these men or analyze them now ur unhappy they r provoking you thatβs too low right but then I thought I will accept her even if she is low and cheap lol bcz we both belong to same category and she is just making her future bright not hurting anyone