Chapter 38: Opinion (II)
Chapter 38: Opinion (II)
Cheng Yuanjing saw Cheng Yujin take out an embroidered pouch, and his eyes moved. He reached out to take the pouch and examined it closely. Although made from white cloth, its edges were embroidered with an auspicious cloud motif using silver thread. The embroideries in the middle were of pale blue and purple floral medallion motif. The embroidery wasn’t visible from afar, but looking up close, one could see how the light shone on every stitch. Dark and light intertwined, and each petal was embroidered extremely exquisite. Both sides of the ribbon used to tie the pouch were embedded with white jade, beautiful and elegant.
Cheng Yuanjing touched the pouch’s inner side with his fingers, and sure enough, it was a double-sided embroidery. The pouch was decorated in and out with lavish gold and silver thread, but the motif was cleverly toned down, and even the inner side that wasn’t visible from the outside was embroidered using a double-sided technique. It was a real luxury.
The real wealthy wouldn’t feel the need to show off their wealth. From a distance, it was just a very plain white pouch. Only by looking closely one could see its exquisiteness. Although this pouch was small, its degree of quality wasn’t lose to the embroidered screen being presented to the Emperor last time. As soon as he saw the pouch, Cheng Yuanjing liked it.
Cheng Yuanjing didn’t have any particular fondness of worldly objects, but beautiful things naturally attracted people’s attention, and he wasn’t an exclusion. Cheng Yuanjing also liked the double-sided embroidery Cheng Yujin made last time, but it was given away as the Emperor’s longevity gift. Now Cheng Yujin gave him another one, and even specially tailored it to his preference.
Cheng Yuanjing glanced at Cheng Yujin. This girl was young but already so capable of currying favor with others. However, Cheng Yuanjing was indeed pleased by this gift.
Cheng Yuanjing put down the pouch and asked, “Gifting this to me, what is your purpose?”
Cheng Yujin smiled, “Ninth Uncle worked hard for grandfather’s funeral. As Cheng family’s eldest daughter, I cannot share your burden, and is very sorry for it. Although I’m unable to help, I know a little about making pastries and embroidery, so I used my clumsy skill to help Ninth Uncle relax.”
Cheng Yujin did not say clearly, but both of them understood the implied meaning. Cheng Yuanxian and Cheng Yuanhan were both low-ranked officials and were careless and sloppy, so the majority of the funeral responsibility fell on Cheng Yuanjing. In fact, he wasn’t a real member of Cheng family, and it shouldn’t be his duty to take care of Old Master Cheng’s funeral.
Cheng Yujin knew this, but she couldn’t say it aloud and could only send things to express her gratitude in an implied manner. Cheng Yuanjing didn’t care. He said: “This is what I suppose to do. The Marquis had grace on me and had done a lot of things for my sake over the years. Taking care of his funeral is also my duty.”
Cheng Yujin understood that this kind of word was nothing to the crown prince. But if Cheng family took it seriously, who knew whether it would be a good or bad thing. Cheng Yujin nodded, praising Cheng Yuanjing again: “Ninth Uncle cherishes relationship and is truly kindhearted. This little girl admires you.”
Cheng Yuanjing suddenly guessed what Cheng Yujin was doing. He looked at the girl and suddenly remembered Lin Qingyuan’s words. Lin Qingyuan said that only girls who were pampered would have no fear. But Cheng Yujin has always been cautious. She obviously had to stand up by herself and bear the harsh wind and rain since she was very young. Now, had he become a problem that Cheng Yujin needed to solve?
Being regarded as a difficult problem by others, Cheng Yuanjing should feel unhappy. However, when he thought that this person was Cheng Yujin, he really couldn’t put on any temper. This girl had not it easy. Cheng Yuanjing secretly sighed and said: “This matter is between the Marquis and me. It has nothing to do with you, a little girl. You should live your life with peace of mind, and don’t need to worry about the outside affairs.”
Since Cheng Yuanjing has agreed to Old Master Cheng’s request, he wouldn’t sit idly by and would ensure that Cheng family could enjoy wealth and honor during his lifetime. As for the slight disrespect by Cheng family members, Cheng Yuanjing didn’t take it seriously. As a crown prince, he never put such insignificant things into his eyes.
And Cheng Yujin was just a little girl who had nothing to do with outside affairs. Even if the Cheng family angered him, he would never involve her. Cheng Yujin didn’t need to take responsibilities that supposed to be bear by the adults upon herself and secretly came to speak on the Cheng family’s behalf.