Chapter 71 It can be seen that my cousin made arrangements early
When Su Ying heard Jinniang say that she had finished reading "Leadings for Women" and "Inner Training" when she was young, she still had some good feelings towards Jinniang.
Her grandparents didn't specifically train her to master the Four Books and Five Classics or become a talented woman. It was only because she had been exposed to the academy since she was a child and showed a desire to study hard that her grandparents allowed her to attend classes outside the academy window.
Although she scoffed at "Instructions for Women" and "Nei Xun", she still knew that if a girl was familiar with such books at a young age, it was clear that her family education was very strict.
In the past, the only women who could discuss scriptures with her were her grandmother and her aunt. Therefore, when she heard Jinniang's words, she couldn't help but feel a little surprised.
However, this surprise was somewhat hesitant after Jinniang's second sentence.
The Spring and Autumn Annals is the history book of the State of Lu, and the Zuo Zhuan is a commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals. People often refer to the two books together as the Spring and Autumn Annals and the Zuo Zhuan, but Jinniang said, "Take a look at this classic."
This mistake was somewhat unexpected, just like a person who claims to often swim in the sea, but says that the sea water is bland and tasteless. It is unbelievable.
Su Ying paused, but didn't say anything. She was thinking of Jinniang, thinking it might just be a mistake. Hadn't she just said something wrong without thinking?
She would certainly not correct Jinniang's mistakes in person, but she was unwilling to be hypocritical and praise her "Sister, you are so talented" after knowing that Jinniang was wrong.
While hesitating, Wanyi returned in time and solved the dilemma: "I came back a little late and kept my brothers and sisters waiting for a long time."
Jinniang also felt that Wanyi came at the right time because her goal had been achieved.
Jinniang saw that Su Ying seemed to be hesitant to speak, and she must have not expected that she could even know "Zuo Zhuan". She must have felt inferior to her at this moment, but was unwilling to admit defeat, right?
Jinniang was delighted, thinking that Su Ying was nothing special. Her mother was right. Her aunt was too simple-minded. Otherwise, how could she have lost the housekeeper so easily?
She then took Wanyi's arm and said comfortingly, "It's not too late, it's not too late, you've come just in time."
After a while, everyone arrived at the Chuihua Gate, where carriages and horses had been waiting for a long time.
The Lantern Festival was packed with people, so a light carriage was preferred. Rong Shi didn't arrange a carriage for each person, but instead assigned the three girls to one carriage, with Du Heng riding a horse. With the exception of Li Mao, who also rode behind, the rest of the entourage rode in separate carriages.
Jinniang thought that in front of her cousin Heng, it was not enough to just show her talent, she also had to be generous and thoughtful.
So, she said to Wanyi, "Sister, please get in the car first. I'll hold your cloak close for you so it doesn't touch the ground."
When Wanyi heard this, she said, "Sister Jinniang, you are very kind, but it would be better if Qiaoshu could take care of the cloak."
Wanyi had no intention, but Jinniang blushed. She said nothing, but stepped back and let Qiaoshu wait. At this time, Du Heng stepped forward and helped his sister into the carriage without saying a word.
Jinniang thought that Du Heng was helping her out, and her already red face became even hotter.
Su Ying, who was very smart, also noticed that Jinniang was hesitant because of Wanyi's words. She wanted to ask Jinniang to get in the car first, but she never expected that after Du Heng helped Wanyi, he turned to her.
She dared not look directly into the pair of eyes, and was about to shake her head to refuse, but unexpectedly, Jinniang behind her said, "Sister, get in the car first, I, your elder sister, will follow behind."
After hearing this, Du Heng's mouth curled up, and his brows lifted, as if to say, "I know you're humble. Did you hear that? This time, I'll give you the right."
Su Ying's face turned red, and she said nothing more. She just felt her arms warm and her body lighten, and then he helped her into the carriage.
Just as she sat down next to Wanyi, she heard Jinniang say from outside the car: "My sisters are still young, but I have already reached the age of marriage. I understand your kindness, cousin."
When Jinniang saw Du Heng turn around after helping Su Ying, she thought Du Heng was going to help her, so she pretended to be dignified and said some polite words.
In reality, Du Heng had no such thoughts. Wanyi was his younger sister, and she was usually reckless, so helping her get into the car was his habit as an older brother. Su Ying was the one he loved, and her ankle was injured, so while maintaining proper etiquette, helping her into the car was natural and something he was willing to do.
However, Jinniang was already of age, and unless it was urgent, Du Heng would not easily approach her. The reason he turned to her was simply to tell Chunnuan behind her, "Help the young lady get in the carriage."
But before she could say anything, she politely declined.
Du Heng paused and walked towards the horse.
Su Ying in the car was also stunned. Why did Sister Jinniang's words sound a little strange?
Before she had time to think about it, Jinniang got on the bus by herself. There were two seats facing each other in the bus. Since Su Ying and Wanyi were sitting together, Jinniang sat opposite them.
Jinniang thought it was fine to sit like this, just as she had suggested to her cousin earlier. As a grown-up girl, she couldn't sit with the younger girls.
I don’t know if my cousin could hear the other meaning of what I said - she is now someone who can talk about marriage.
Thinking of this, she felt a mixture of sweetness and shyness. When she said that, she clearly saw her cousin pause before he stopped moving forward.
He should understand the implication of his words, right?
The car stopped at a place not long after it started driving. Strangely, no one asked them to get off.
Wanyi was curious, so she lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and saw that they had stopped in front of a restaurant. She didn't see her brother, but saw Li Mao go in. Not long after, he came out with a few boxes of food that looked like cakes.
Sure enough, the boxes of cakes were delivered to their carriage. Du Heng was heard saying outside the carriage, "We ordered cakes for the New Year's Eve from this store. Since you like them, we ordered some more. You can eat them on the way. There will be a lot of people at the Lantern Festival, so we can only walk. Don't get tired."
Unexpectedly, after hearing this, Wanyi pouted. When had her brother ever seen that she liked to eat it?
Since cousin Heng had given the order, Jinniang naturally had to show that she was taking care of her sisters like her cousin, so she took the initiative to open the pastry boxes. She saw that there was a box of three-color flower-shaped pastries, a box of glutinous rice balls, and a box of crystal clear pastries. Each box contained exquisite desserts.
She didn't understand why Wanyi was unhappy, and said, "Sister, these snacks are really exquisite. Why do you still look unhappy? I don't want to let my cousin down!"
Wanyi said, "I like candies made from nuts and peanuts. These boxes of cakes are too soft and sticky. I don't like sticky things."
Su Ying felt a little guilty when Wanyi said this, because these were obviously her favorite foods. Last time in the library, Taoxi even presented the three-color pastries to her.
Seeing Wanyi's displeasure, Jinniang thought to herself that Wanyi had been truly spoiled by her cousin. She also lifted the curtains and glanced toward the restaurant, saying, "Sister, you truly don't understand how protective Cousin Heng is of her. This restaurant is called Jiangnanjing, and it's one of the most prestigious in the capital. Not only are their dishes excellent, but their pastries are top-notch. Even the palace frequently orders dim sum from here. These dim sum aren't something you can buy whenever you want; you have to place an order at least seven days in advance. Clearly, Cousin Heng made all the necessary arrangements."
After hearing these words, Wanyi and Su Ying were both stunned.
Wanyi was startled by surprise. She asked in confusion, "Sister, this is your second time in the capital, but how come you know so much more than me, who has lived here for a long time?"
Su Ying was stunned, with a sweet and slightly sour feeling in her surprise. Du Heng's intentions were obvious to her, and she was afraid that she could no longer pretend to ignore it.
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