Chapter 41: What Would Cousin Think of Her?

Chapter 41: Chapter 41: What Would Cousin Think of Her?

"Aunt, Aunt Wei."

"Madam Lu, Madam Wei."

Zhi Wan and Ouyang Zhenzhu greeted the two elders together.

Seeing Zhi Wan, Lady Xu paused for a moment before smiling. "It’s been half a year, and Miss Wan’er has blossomed into such a beauty."

After having Zhi Wan and Ouyang Zhenzhu sit down, Lady Wei said with a smile, "Our Wanwan takes after her mother. She’s been a natural beauty since she was a little girl."

Hearing this, Lady Xu glanced at her own daughter sitting beside her, then at Zhi Wan’s face, as radiant as a lotus blossom. The smile on her face faded slightly as she said, "Considering her age, Miss Wan’er has already had her coming-of-age ceremony. It’s time to start looking for a husband’s family, isn’t it? She can’t just..."

She didn’t finish her sentence.

Lady Wei caught her unspoken meaning, and her own smile diminished. "Sister-in-law, as if you aren’t busy enough worrying about Jinyi’s marriage, now you’re worrying about my Wan’er’s as well? You certainly have your hands full."

Detecting the displeasure in her sister-in-law’s voice, Lady Xu snorted inwardly. Outwardly, however, she said, "Now, now, I was just making a casual remark." With a sideways glance at Zhi Wan, she added with a small smile, "But for Miss Wan’er to have an aunt like you is truly her good fortune."

Lady Wei grew increasingly impatient, worried that Zhi Wan would hear this and overthink things. Just as she was about to retort, she heard Zhi Wan say in a clear, crisp voice, "Aunt Wei is right. To have my aunt’s support and care is indeed my good fortune."

"Such a sensible girl," Lady Xu praised, then said to her daughter, "Jinyi, you should learn a thing or two from Miss Wan’er."

At this, Wei Jinyi looked up at Zhi Wan.

Seeing that excessively beautiful face, her brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. She suddenly stood up and said, "Wan’er, I haven’t been to the Duke Mansion in a long time. Could you show me around?"

Zhi Wan looked to Lady Wei.

Lady Wei nodded. "Wan’er, take Zhenzhu and Jinyi for a walk. Come back here for dinner this evening."

"Yes, Aunt," Zhi Wan replied, then rose and led Ouyang Zhenzhu and Wei Jinyi out.

Watching the three girls leave, Lady Xu picked up her cup, took a sip of tea, and then said casually, "Jinyi and I have been here for a while. How is it that I haven’t seen Jinzhi come to greet his aunt?"

Lady Wei suppressed her impatience and said, "Jinzhi is busy with official duties and isn’t in the mansion. I already sent someone to fetch him just now, but he wasn’t there. Otherwise, he would have come long ago."

"Then Jinyi and I have come at a rather inconvenient time." Lady Xu was a little disappointed.

"It can’t be helped. Next time you come, Sister-in-law, have someone send word in advance, and I’ll have Jinzhi wait for you at the mansion," Lady Wei said.

’She’s blaming me for not sending word before I came today.’

Lady Xu’s eyes flickered. She sighed, "Alas, there are a mountain of things at my own residence waiting for me to handle. How can I run over here every day? If Jinzhi has time, you should have him visit the Wei Family. His maternal grandparents miss him dearly."

"Then how did you find the time to come today, Sister-in-law?" Lady Wei asked with feigned surprise.

"I just happened to have some free time today, didn’t I? Plus, Jinyi was missing you, her aunt, so I brought her over for a visit." Lady Xu lifted her gaze to glance at her. "By the way, when the Duke Dingguo Mansion held that flower-viewing banquet last time, why didn’t you invite Jinyi to join the fun? The girl has already had her coming-of-age ceremony, but she just mopes around the house all day like a block of wood. If you had invited her, she would have been delighted to come."

"The last flower-viewing banquet was held for Wan’er, so she could make some friends. It was my oversight. Next time the mansion holds a banquet, I will certainly have someone invite Jinyi to join the festivities," Lady Wei said.

Lady Xu sneered inwardly.

’This sister-in-law of mine is truly clueless. To think she’d hold a special flower-viewing banquet just for an orphan girl. Anyone who didn’t know better would think Zhi Wan was her own daughter.’

She suppressed her dissatisfaction and rose to her feet. "It’s a rare occasion for Jinyi to visit, and she’s the same age as Miss Wan’er. With company, the two girls will surely have plenty to talk about. Let Jinyi stay here with you for a few days, so she doesn’t go back to moping around the house like a block of wood. I still have matters to attend to at my residence, so I won’t stay any longer. No need to see me out." With that, she hurried out.

Lady Wei’s brow furrowed tightly. She said to Nanny Fang, "What does she mean by this? Running off on her own but leaving her daughter here."

Nanny Fang guessed, "Just now, the Eldest Madam mentioned that the Fifth Miss mopes in the mansion all day. Perhaps she wants the Fifth Miss to interact with people more. She’s close in age to our Miss Wan’er, and girls can get along well together."

Lady Wei shook her head. "I’m afraid it’s not that simple. Besides, Jinyi isn’t the only girl in the Wei Family. Second Brother’s daughter, Jinxiu, is thirteen this year. They aren’t far apart in age and could get along just fine. But since she’s staying, have someone keep a close eye on her. Jinyi has already had her coming-of-age ceremony. We absolutely cannot let her have any contact with the Princely Heir, lest it lead to complicated rumors later."

Hearing this, Nanny Fang’s expression faltered. She hesitated, "My Lady, surely the Eldest Madam isn’t thinking of matching the Fifth Miss with the Princely Heir..."

Lady Wei’s expression changed, but she quickly shook her head again. "It shouldn’t come to that. Jinyi is only fifteen this year, a full ten years younger than Jinzhi. Besides, they aren’t a suitable match."

She had never considered having her son marry a girl from her own maiden family.

She had no desire to forge closer family ties through marriage, so the thought had naturally never crossed her mind.

Meanwhile, Wei Jinyi, who had left Lan Courtyard, began walking toward Qingyun Residence—whether because she didn’t know the way or because she was doing it intentionally, it was hard to say.

Zhi Wan didn’t think much of it at first, only realizing where they were headed when Qingyun Residence came into view. She quickly tried to stop Wei Jinyi.

"Miss Jinyi, my cousin’s living quarters are just ahead. We should go around."

Wei Jinyi looked surprised. "That’s my cousin’s residence?"

"Yes." Zhi Wan nodded, her eyes studying her for a moment.

Ouyang Zhenzhu scoffed. "Wei Jinyi, is this your first time at the Duke Dingguo Mansion? How could you not know that’s Mr. Lu’s residence?"

Wei Jinyi’s face flushed. "Sorry, I really didn’t know. Let’s go, quickly." With that, she turned to walk back, but just then, someone appeared from a side path.

Just as she was about to collide with him, the person sidestepped to avoid her.

Wei Jinyi was walking too fast and couldn’t stop in time. With a cry of alarm, she tumbled into a flowerbed.

Zhi Wan and Ouyang Zhenzhu were both stunned.

The latter, being less tactful, burst out laughing once she recovered. "Wei Jinyi, how do you manage to fall over just by walking?"

Zhi Wan snapped back to her senses and immediately looked at the newcomer. When she saw it was Lu Zhan, her heart sank.

’This afternoon, I was misunderstood by him, and now I’ve led people right to his residence.’

’What will my cousin think of me?’

"Cousin." Steeling herself, she stepped forward and curtsied.

By now, Wei Jinyi had been helped up by her maid.

Her hair and dress were dotted with leaves and flower petals, and her hair had been snagged and disheveled by the branches. She looked rather dishevelled.

She shot a quick glance at Lu Zhan, shrugged off her maid’s supporting arm, and stepped forward with a blush to greet him. "Jinyi greets you, Cousin."