Old Madam Cheng also wondered why she suddenly had this idea. She threw out the messy thoughts and asked Cheng Yujin: "Eldest girl, what actually going out between you and Marquis Huo?"
The smile on Cheng Yujin's face dimmed. Shou'an hall, that just until a moment ago still bustling with warm conversation, suddenly became quiet. Everyone's eyes fell on Cheng Yujin. Cheng Yuanjing also glanced at her with a rare pity.
Although this niece had a deep mind and handled things crookedly, in this matter, she was indeed a complete victim. For example, now, it was clear that Huo Changyuan was the one who destroyed the engagement. Still, everyone interrogated her as if she did something wrong that made her fiance refused to marry her.
Cheng Yujin lowered her head. Covered by her long lashes, others couldn't clearly see her expression. After a while, she whispered: "This granddaughter doesn't know."
"You don't know?" Old Madam Cheng was full of doubt. "If you don't know, why did Marquis Huo cancel your engagement? If you really don't know, why did you run over and tear up your marriage contract in front of everyone?"
So Cheng Yujin personally tore up the marriage contract. Cheng Yuanjing raised his eyebrows, feeling surprised. His mind recalled the scene when he first saw Cheng Yujin and slowly filled in the cause and effect.
Early in the morning, Ruan-shi heard the news that the Huo family came to cancel the engagement. When Cheng Yujin and Huo Changyuan first became engaged, Ruan-shi was genuinely happy for this eldest daughter of hers. But soon, she began to feel distressed for her less fortunate younger daughter. Obviously, they were twin sisters, their destinies should be the same, but because Cheng Yujin was given to the first branch, her Mo'er was being suppressed everywhere. Even the newly-acquired brocades in the manor must be chosen by Cheng Yuanjing first before Cheng Yumo got her turn.
Old Madam Cheng was famous for being strictly adhered to order and seniority. But Ruan-shi was sourly thinking that her mother-in-law simply being biased towards the first branch. Just because the eldest master married a wife with a powerful backing, the entire Cheng clan had to allow their blood to be sucked by the first branch.
Her husband, the second master, was obviously more diligent and smarter than Cheng Yuanxian and also a better academic achievement. Still, old Madam Cheng gave all the resources to Cheng Yuanxian, buying an official post and social relations for him. While on the other hand, the second master had to stay in the lower post for five years. Obviously, with some opportunities, he could be promoted quickly. Yet the old Madam turned blind eyes and only focused on the first branch.
Eldest master was the eldest son after all, and he also had the shizi title. In the future, he would take over the whole Yichun marquis manor. So the old Madam being partial to him, Ruan-shi could still bear it. But what about Mo'er? What did her daughter lack, so that she should always be suppressed and had to wait until her sister finished choosing before she even had a chance?
This was the case with their clothing and jewelry, and now even with their marriage. Heaven knew how jealous Ruan-shi was when she heard about the marriage proposal from Jingyong marquis manor. She even thought, her Mo'er was so sensible and smart, never vie nor fight, always being considerate for her parents in anything she did. So many people loved her dearly. Huo Changyuan was a military man. Shouldn't a hot-blooded youth like him match more with the gentle and charming Mo'er? Cheng Yujin was taught by that kind of mother, too conforming with the rules and regularity, not a bit lively and cheerful like Mo'er. Even if she married in, could she please Marquis Jingyong?
No matter how sour she was, Ruan-shi couldn't say anything on the surface. She later heard that Huo Changyuan's proposal was due to the life-saving debt when they went to the estate. Thus a good marriage fell on Cheng Yujin's lap. Ruan-shi and her daughter were also there at that time, why was heaven had to be so partial? Why didn't such thing fell on Mo'er?
For two months, Ruan-shi was entangled with happiness and jealousy, until she was called out early this morning, and heard that Huo family came to cancel the engagement with Cheng Yujin.
Ruan-shi was shocked. What, it was canceled?
Both old Madam Cheng and Qingfu Junzhu rushed to the main hall, but Ruan-shi didn't have the right to join them. She could only wait impatiently, staring at the main hall. After old Madam Cheng finally returned to Shou'an hall, she immediately came to visit and wanted to inquire further. Now the old Madam finally talked about the matter of the engagement being canceled and even said that Cheng Yujin personally tore up her marriage contract.
For a while, Ruan-shi's mood was tense and bitter. She didn't know what to say. Finally, she turned to Cheng Yujin and said: "Eldest girl, you have such a good engagement, do you know how many girls envy you? Why do you tear up the marriage contract?"
Cheng Yujin still bowed his head. As an unmarried woman, it was embarrassing to be asked this kind of question in front of so many people. Qingfu Junzhu didn't have any affection towards Cheng Yujin, but Ruan-shi's action was stepping on the head of their first branch, so she sneered and mockingly said: "Why cannot she tear it up? Our eldest girl's identity was special. She can choose any husband she wants. Unlike some people. If they dare to do the same thing, they won't be able to find a good marriage."
Qingfu Junzhu faintly glanced at Ruan-shi, eyes full of sarcasm. Ruan-shi instantly got angry. She bit her lips for a while before finally let out a weak laugh: "Eldest sister-in-law is right. Eldest girl is your daughter, her identity is noble, of course she is different."
Qingfu Junzhu and Ruan-shi sharply opposing each other, neither side was willing to give an inch. Both were secretly clenching their teeth when suddenly a small and weak voice called from outside: "Grandmother, mother."
Everyone turned their heads. Cheng Yumo was standing at the door, wearing a light purple coat. Her chin was thin and sharp, almost as pale as the fabric she wore. Cheng Yumo lowered her head and coughed a little. Soon she raised her head again and smiled, "Is it a bad time for me to come?"
"Second girl is here." Old Madam Cheng glanced lightly. "Your illness hasn't recovered yet. Come in first and sit down."
The servant girls inside the hall quickly prepared a stool. But Cheng Yumo glanced at Cheng Yujin and hurriedly waved her hand: "This cannot do. Eldest sister is still standing, how can I sit? "
"Your body is weak, and still not recovered from the illness last winter. Quickly sit down." Old Madam Cheng said.
Cheng Yumo looked at Cheng Yujin again. Cheng Yujin smiled generously and said, "Grandmother has spoken. Second sister shouldn't mind me. Grandmother is worrying about you, so you should sit down."
Cheng Yumo held the hand of a servant girl and sat down. Another servant with good eyesight brought a wooden chair to Cheng Yuanjing. One of the mama smiled and said, "Ninth master shouldn't keep standing. Quickly pour a cup of tea for ninth master."
This was the food chain inside the manor of a high ranking family. One sentence from the old Madam could decide the treatment for her daughter-in-law and granddaughters. Cheng Yuanjing had just been returned from an outside post. Even if this shu son was disliked by old Madam Cheng, no one dared to keep him standing.
Qingfu Junzhu and Ruan-shi have been married into the Cheng family for more than ten years. They gave birth and raised Cheng family's children, but in front of the old Madam, they still had to stay standing. Whether it was a family or public banquet, there was no reason for the daughters-in-law to be seated. Old Madam Cheng pitied Cheng Yumo's sick body and thus allowed her to sit on a stool. Cheng Yuanjing was also standing, but the old Madam said nothing. Yet the servants took the initiative to bring him a wooden chair.
It was evident at a glance, the difference between the strong and the weak.
Cheng Yuanjing glanced a bit but kept standing. He said: "No. I just come to visit the Marchioness and won't stay long. No need for a seat, it will only be a hassle."
The young man was taller than average. Standing in a room full of women, he was even more imposing, like a tall and slender bamboo, elegant and lofty. He stayed unmoved next to Cheng Yujin, giving her an inexplicable sense of security.
Cheng Yuanjing refused to sit down. For a moment, the room was filled with awkwardness. Qingfu Junzhu and the others secretly glanced at the old Madam Cheng. Her expression wasn't pleasant, but she said nothing. Today everyone was gathering; it wouldn't be good to spoil the atmosphere even more.
None of the womenfolks dared to speak. After a while, Cheng Yumo clenched her fist and coughed twice. She relaxed her hands and smiled: "Before I entered the door, I heard mother said that someone was different or so. What is this about?"
Of course, this brought back the focus to Qingfu Junzhu and Ruan-shi. Old Madam Cheng glanced at the two daughters-in-law with displeasure, annoyed that they let young girls hear this kind of quarrel. Fortunately, old Madam Cheng still had to keep her daughters-in-law's face in front of other people: "It was nothing. Your eldest sister's engagement was canceled, so your mother and eldest aunt were lamenting a bit."
"Elder sister's engagement was canceled?" Cheng Yumo turned at Cheng Yujin, her eyes filled with guilt. She hurriedly stood up and said, "I'm sorry, eldest sister, I don't know..."
Inward, Cheng Yujin rolled her eyes coldly, but she kept a gentle and generous smile: "Why does second sister apologize? Did you do something sorry to me?"
Cheng Yumo stunned. It was because she told Huo Changyuan the truth that he canceled his engagement with Cheng Yujin. However, Cheng Yumo did not expect him to act so fast, so she reflexively apologized. Cheng Yujin's sudden inquiry made her stammered.
In front of so many elders... how could she talk about the thing between her and Huo Changyuan?
Cheng Yumo refused to speak, Cheng Yujin already expected this. Previously, she didn't know the entanglement between Cheng Yumo and Huo Changyuan. In the previous life, if Cheng Yumo told her the truth before she was getting married, she would not have to be a wicked woman who separated a pair of mandarin ducks, and the whole matter could be resolved perfectly. But Cheng Yumo kept her mouth tightly shut. She had to wait until Cheng Yujin got married and being pregnant before finally couldn't bear the heartbreaking torment, revealing her feeling towards her brother Huo. Then they started the 'you chase I run' scenario. Indeed a true sadomasochism love story.
In this life, Cheng Yumo was reborn. Early on, she told Huo Changyuan the truth. In an instant, Cheng Yujin became a vicious sister and fake savior. Now Cheng Yujin gave her a chance to tell everyone about her and Huo Changyuan. Still, she suddenly became timid and shy, refusing to say anything.
Cheng Yujin was too lazy to pay any attention. Cheng Yuanjing noticed her slight change and glanced at Cheng Yumo quietly. He suddenly recalled the event he saw today when Cheng Yujin said, "Your sister Mo" to Huo Changyuan.
—It turned out to be this 'Mo.'
Cheng Yujin's words made Cheng Yumo so embarrassed that she didn't dare to lift her head. The others didn't know what Cheng Yumo said to Cheng Yujin yesterday or why did she feel guilty of, so they thought that Cheng Yujin simply vented her anger on the innocent Cheng Yumo. Ruan-shi's face became sullen, but Cheng Yujin was nominally Qingfu Junzhu's daughter. She had no right to reprimand her. Old Madam Cheng glanced at everyone present and gloomily said: "It's alright. Just a few unintentional words."
Then she looked at Cheng Yujin: "Eldest girl, tell me the truth. Do you really not know what's going on with this engagement? You tearing up the marriage contract greatly offended Jingyong marquis manor. Later, Marquis Jingyong also chased after you outside, what did he say to you at that time?"
Cheng Yumo was shocked when she heard this. What, brother Changyuan chased after the eldest sister? No, wait, eldest sister even tore up her marriage contract? Wasn't it suppose to be Huo family coming to withdraw their marriage proposal? Why did it look like that eldest sister was the one who rejected Huo family instead....
Being interrogated by so many people was extremely uncomfortable. Everyone's eyes were staring at Cheng Yujin. Yet her expression remaining the same: "Nothing. Marquis Huo just wanted to apologize to me. He felt very honored to tie up the marriage with Yichun marquis manor. But that day, it was heavily snowing, so he made a mistake in recognizing his life-saving benefactor and thought that it was me. He personally compensated me and asked to convey his apology to grandmother. Marquis Huo also promised to visit again later to apologize."
"Really?" Cheng Yujin's rhetoric was perfect, but old Madam Cheng truly doubted whether Huo Changyuan really felt guilty. His conduct today didn't seem to be like that, and his expression when he chased Cheng Yujin out... also didn't seem to be amiable.
Old Madam Cheng frowned: "Eldest girl, you have been sensible since childhood. You should know what to do in this kind of situation, right?"
Today, Cheng Yujin was repeatedly pressured by her elders. She lowered her head and was about to shift the focus by showing some weak face. Suddenly Cheng Yuanjing spoke: "What eldest girl said is true."
Cheng Yujin looked at him in surprise. Cheng Yuanjing's expression was still faint, and no one could discern his emotion. But his voice was clear: "When I returned to the manor, I accidentally bumped into eldest girl and Marquis Jingyong. The situation was exactly like she said."
Cheng Yuanjing's voice was delightful to listen to. It didn't have a strong vigor, nor was it extremely eloquent. But it had a kind of calm and invisible coerciveness that made the listener unconsciously wanted to bow their heads and submit to him. He didn't say anything specific, simply let them know that Cheng Yujin's statement was true and that she didn't lie.
However, only one sentence was enough. Qingfu Junzhu smiled. Old Madam Cheng also didn't continue to pester and simply nodded lightly at Cheng Yujin: "Since nothing was wrong, let's put this matter aside. You also can't act like this in the future. You are a woman and shouldn't be alone with an outside man. "
Cheng Yujin bowed her head: "Yes."
Old Madam Cheng's words put the closing seal to this matter, and no one dared to disobey her. They quickly changed the topic. Cheng Yujin quietly sighed in relief.
Cheng Yuanjing only listened to one or two sentences and set off to take his leave. Before going out of the door, he suddenly Cheng Yujin: "Don't you still need to do the thing Marquis asked you?"
Cheng Yujin was utterly stunned. When did old Master Cheng tell her that? Cheng Yuanjing's voice wasn't small, and now the others were looking at her. Cheng Yujin could only pretend to just remember: "Many thanks for ninth uncle's reminder. I almost forgot. Grandmother, mother, I'll leave first."
The servant girls hurriedly moved. They helped Cheng Yujin to wear her outer coat and changed her boots. When she was doing this, Cheng Yuanjing stood at the door and waited. After she dressed neatly, he lightly glanced at her: "Let's go."