Chapter 186: Parents' Concerns
At the entrance of the Cheng residence.
The carriage came to a steady stop in the night. Cheng Jiaojiao, supported by her maid, got out of the carriage and bowed respectfully to Zhao Jingxing in front of her.
"Thank you, Brother Zhao, for bringing me back."
Zhao Jingxing, seated on horseback, nodded slightly. "It's late, so I won't go in and disturb you. I'll take my leave now."
Cheng Jiaojiao waved goodbye, "Take care, Brother Zhao."
Inside the Cheng residence, night had fallen, but the main courtyard was still lit.
Lord Cheng and his wife were seated at the head of the table when the steward came to report that their young lady had returned.
Madam Cheng looked up upon hearing this, "The young master didn't come back with you?"
Steward Qian bowed and said, "The guards reported that the young master was delayed by Young Master Ji and will not return until later."
Lord Cheng and Madam Cheng exchanged a glance.
Madam Cheng said, "Go and invite Miss over."
"Yes," Butler Qian replied and left.
They knew from the beginning that Jiang Ling was the goddess Jiang who had donated countless elixirs to the crown prince and saved thousands of flood victims several months ago.
Later, on Madam Cheng's birthday, Cheng Fang brought back the music box that could sing and dance, saying it was a gift from Miss Jiang. The clear melody and ingenious mechanism amazed all the guests.
The music box is still locked in the treasure pavilion by Madam Cheng, and is only taken out to be enjoyed during festivals.
Recently, there has been a disaster outside the city. Cheng Fang mentioned that Jiang Ling donated more than ten tons of grain and cloth, saving countless lives.
Cheng's parents had always wanted to find an opportunity to meet this extraordinary person and express their gratitude.
But Cheng Fang always said that Jiang Ling preferred quiet and didn't want them to disturb her.
They had no choice but to suppress their thoughts.
Now that the rumored Miss Jiang has arrived in the capital, their two children are playing with her, and their curiosity can no longer be suppressed.
After waiting all night, Cheng Jiaojiao finally returned.
It's better that Cheng Fang isn't here; it's a good opportunity to find out about this Miss Jiang.
Cheng Jiaojiao had been playing all day and was exhausted. She just wanted to lie down and sleep.
She had just returned to her own courtyard and hadn't even had time to change her clothes when the steward came to report that her parents wanted to see her.
She walked into the main hall while yawning, muttering, "Father, Mother, why aren't you asleep yet? Didn't we tell you not to wait for us?"
They had informed her before they went out, and her parents had given their consent; otherwise, a young woman like her wouldn't be allowed to come back so late.
Cheng's parents always believed that it was a blessing for their family to have met someone like Miss Jiang.
Therefore, they are not prevented from coming and going.
Madam Cheng rose, affectionately took her daughter's hand, and made her sit beside her, not forgetting to have a maid bring hot tea.
"Isn't it because I was worried about you? Come on, have some hot tea to warm yourself up. Did you have a good time today? And that Miss Jiang... is she happy?"
She deliberately softened her tone and steered the conversation toward Jiang Ling.
Cheng Jiaojiao took the teacup, took a big gulp, and finally recovered. Her eyes brightened.
"We had a great time! Sister Jiang was amazing! This morning at Xishan, Liu Wan'er deliberately picked a fight, saying that Sister Jiang was a country girl who didn't understand poetry. But Sister Jiang recited a poem, which made Liu Wan'er so angry that her face turned red and she turned around and left! Later, we also went to eat hot pot, and Brother Zhao came along too. We had a great time! We even made a promise to continue tomorrow!"
Madam Cheng listened with a smile. She was somewhat surprised to hear that Jiang Ling could write poetry. "Oh, Miss Jiang can write poetry? She is truly talented and beautiful."
Cheng Jiaojiao exclaimed excitedly, "Sister Jiang's poem is so beautiful! It's simple and melodious, even better than the poems written by all the scholars and students here!"
Mr. Cheng asked, "What poem did Miss Jiang write? Did you write it down?"
Cheng Jiaojiao was momentarily speechless, feeling as if she had been caught testing her knowledge, and tried hard to recall:
"Hmm...it seems to be about distant mountains, white clouds, parking lots, frost flowers and such. Anyway, many old scholars are praising it, and a young master from the Su family even said he wants to invite Sister Jiang to the poetry gathering."
Distant mountains, white clouds, parked car, frost flowers...
Cheng's father racked his brains but couldn't figure out what kind of poem it was.
He looked at Cheng Jiaojiao with a look of disappointment and frustration. How come she couldn't even remember a poem?
Never mind, that's not the point today.
After Mrs. Cheng and her daughters' excitement subsided slightly, she asked, seemingly casually:
"I heard... you spend all your time with Miss Jiang? How are things going between your brother and this Miss Jiang?"
Without thinking, Cheng Jiaojiao blurted out, "Brother and Miss Jiang get along very well. They treat each other with respect and have a very pleasant conversation!"
She didn't know many idioms, but she felt that Sister Jiang was a guest, so using this word was very appropriate.
"...That's it?" Madam Cheng frowned slightly, clearly not satisfied with the answer.
Cheng Jiaojiao was puzzled.
Mr. Cheng was so anxious that he almost spoke up.
Madam Cheng continued, "Jiaojiao, you've been with them all day, didn't you notice anything... anything... special about your brother and Miss Jiang?"
She couldn't be too direct, so she could only hint at it indirectly.
Cheng Jiaojiao was even more puzzled. She tilted her head and thought for a moment: "No, they got along quite naturally, there was nothing awkward about it."
Mr. Cheng couldn't hold back any longer: "What your mother wants to ask is, do they... ever spend time alone together? Or have they ever had a private conversation?"
Cheng Jiaojiao tried hard to recall, then shook her head firmly:
"No, we've always been together. I even rode in the same carriage as Sister Jiang. When we had hot pot this afternoon, we sat around the same table; when we took Sister Jiang home, I went with her, and Brother Zhao was there too. We've never been alone together."
Upon hearing this, Mr. Cheng's heart sank.
I should have known better than to let that girl come along! She was just a third wheel the whole time; what could she possibly learn from that?
Seeing that she looked like she had never experienced love, Madam Cheng knew that she wouldn't get any more information by asking her any further.
She smiled helplessly and patted Jiaojiao's head: "Alright, alright, Mom knows. You must be tired after playing all day, go back to your room and go to sleep."
Cheng Jiaojiao felt as if she had been granted a pardon. She immediately stood up and bowed. Remembering the arrangements for tomorrow, she asked with a smile:
"Dad, Mom, can I still play with Sister Jiang tomorrow? We've already made plans."
Madam Cheng glanced at Marquis Cheng.
Lord Cheng waved his hand: "Alright, let her go. I hope she can learn a lot from Miss Jiang."
Jiang Ling not only possesses extraordinary skills, but also understands poetry and literature, and practices medicine to save lives. It would naturally be a good thing for Cheng Jiaojiao to have more contact with such a person.
Cheng Jiaojiao was overjoyed. "Thank you, Father and Mother. I'll go back to sleep now. You should also get some rest."
After saying that, he ran off in a flash.
Only Lord Cheng and his wife remained in the hall.
Madam Cheng sighed, a hint of sorrow creeping into her eyes:
"Master, now that I've met Miss Jiang, who is like a fairy, which other girl could I possibly fancy in the future?"
Lord Cheng also frowned deeply, remained silent for a long while, and then sighed heavily:
"Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. Miss Jiang... is ultimately not meant to be, and cannot be forced."
The candlelight flickered, and the couple sat facing each other in silence.
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