Marrying The Imperial Elder Chapter 22

Zhen Yiyun smiled slightly and bowed in greeting, her posture elegant and respectful.

Because her waist was so slender, when she bent forward in salute, it curved gracefully, seeming delicate enough to be encircled with one hand, almost like a willow branch swaying in the wind. Even her voice was as crisp and pleasant as jade beads falling onto a tray. “Grandmother.”

Old Lady Zhen did not particularly like Zhen Yiyun’s mannerisms, but it would hardly be appropriate to start finding fault with her granddaughter the moment they met, so she merely nodded.

Zhen Yiyun then stepped forward and took Zhen Tingyun’s hand, holding it affectionately. A faint shimmer seemed to ripple through her bright eyes as though she were overjoyed. Even her voice trembled slightly with emotion as she spoke: “Second Sister has finally arrived. All these years Father and Mother have often spoken of you. I’ve always longed to meet you as well. Now the two of us sisters can finally meet. Truly, truly, nothing could be better than this…”

Standing so close, Zhen Tingyun could almost smell the faint fragrance lingering around Zhen Yiyun. It was the scent of expensive incense that had permeated her clothing and accessories, lingering for a long time without fading, just like the line from a poem: Her garments brush past, carrying a beauty’s fragrance.

It was enough to stir one’s heart.

Looking up slightly, Zhen Tingyun could see her face even more clearly.

Although Zhen Yiyun’s attire was particularly plain and understated, her face had obviously been carefully made up. Her eyebrows had been trimmed and drawn, sweeping elegantly toward her temples. Her face had been dusted with cream or pearl powder, making her skin appear so fair and delicate that it seemed to glow. The faint rosy blush on her cheeks was clearly rouge. The color on her lips was light and natural, revealing pink lips and pearly teeth, fresh and glossy.

With her appearance and styling, anyone inattentive might believe she wore no makeup at all, a lotus emerging from clear water, naturally beautiful without artifice.

If Zhen Tingyun were to comment, she would say that in order to firmly overshadow her, the “original heroine,” Zhen Yiyun had probably put a great deal of thought into this first meeting.

Of course, it was also possible that pretending had become part of her very bones, so that whether in public or private she always had to present herself as gentle and kind.

Still, hearing Zhen Yiyun say such things now was truly laughable.

Zhen Tingyun remembered every word that Zhen Yiyun had spoken in the dream while wearing the robes of a Crown Princess.

Wasn’t it Zhen Yiyun who had envied other people’s good fortune, persuaded Madam Pei to leave her younger daughter behind, and later, making use of her “heroine’s golden finger,” repeatedly brought up Old Lady Zhen in front of Madam Pei until Madam Pei’s longing for her daughter gradually faded, resulting in Zhen Tingyun being left in the countryside for over ten years?

Zhen Yiyun knew perfectly well everything she had done.

How could she possibly have the nerve to say, “I’ve always longed to meet my younger sister”?

It was downright disgusting.

Feeling sickened by the hypocrisy, Zhen Tingyun nearly could not stop herself from shaking off Zhen Yiyun’s hand.

However, since Zhen Yiyun was currently playing the role of the good elder sister, she could only play the role of the good younger sister in return.

Blinking her eyes, she called softly: “Elder Sister.”

For the moment, the sisters appeared remarkably harmonious and affectionate.

Not long afterward, Zhen Hengzhe, who had been following behind, also came forward.

He was younger, and there was still some baby fat on his face, giving him a round and adorable appearance. He had long brows, a delicately shaped nose, and slightly rosy lips. At a glance, he was an exceptionally handsome and lovable boy.

Following his sister’s example, he stepped forward and greeted them:

“Grandmother.”

“Second Sister.”

He appeared obedient and well-mannered.

Old Lady Zhen had longed so desperately for a grandson that her heart ached from it. Now that she had finally met her precious grandson, her eyes immediately reddened and tears began to fall.

Naturally, she pulled him into her arms and cried over him, calling him her precious darling and doting on him endlessly.

By contrast, Zhen Hengzhe was clearly uncomfortable with such intimacy. He looked helplessly toward Father Zhen and Madam Pei for assistance.

When he saw that neither parent spoke up, he could only endure being hugged by Old Lady Zhen.

After looking her grandson over thoroughly, Old Lady Zhen felt greatly comforted. Even the way she looked at Madam Pei improved considerably. She repeatedly exclaimed: “This is wonderful! Our Zhen family finally has roots now, finally has an heir! Truly, our ancestors have blessed us…”

Then she turned to Father Zhen. “It’s a pity your father passed away so early. Otherwise, seeing such a good grandson, who knows how happy he’d have been?”

Grandfather Zhen had died early, and Father Zhen had been raised solely by his widowed mother, leaving him with few memories of his father.

Still, hearing his mother mention him now inevitably stirred some sadness in him.

Yet he comforted her: “What’s there to be sad about? In another few years, perhaps Mother will be holding a great-grandson.”

Those words immediately delighted Old Lady Zhen. Laughing happily, she patted Father Zhen’s arm. “Yes, yes! I’ll be waiting for that day.”

The family chatted and laughed for a while.

Once Old Lady Zhen’s excitement had settled somewhat, she suddenly remembered the robes she had hurriedly made during the journey. She immediately had someone bring them out, explaining that they were gifts for her son and grandson.

Along with the robes came several pairs of cotton socks.

Seeing that her little granddaughter stood there blankly without saying a single clever word, Old Lady Zhen had no choice but to speak on her behalf: “These socks were made by Tingyun for all of you. This pair is yours, and this pair is for Brother Zhe… This girl has always been shy and never knows how to say nice things, but she has a very good heart. All along the journey she kept busy making things for you. Just look at these stitches, they were all made with great care! You’re not allowed to dislike them!”

The moment these words were spoken, even Zhen Tingyun was startled.

She had always hated needlework.

Moreover, after having that dream, although Old Lady Zhen had repeatedly encouraged her during the journey to make something for her father and brother as a meeting gift, she had only pretended to do so and never actually made anything.

These socks had all been sewn by Old Lady Zhen herself during the trip.

Yet now they had been credited to her, along with all these words of praise.

Of course, Zhen Tingyun understood Old Lady Zhen’s intentions.

Although the method was somewhat crude, she was trying to use this opportunity to strengthen the bonds between Zhen Tingyun and her father and brother.

It was, after all, an act born of genuine concern.

After a moment’s hesitation, Zhen Tingyun ultimately chose not to expose the truth. A mother’s and daughter’s handiwork made little difference to Father Zhen. Not only did he not mind, he was deeply moved. He praised his mother’s hard work while also commending Zhen Tingyun’s filial piety and her affection for her younger brother.

Unexpectedly, however, Zhen Yiyun blinked and suddenly asked: “Second Sister, are there only gifts for Father and Little Brother? What about Mother and me?”

As soon as the words left her mouth, she seemed to realize she had spoken out of turn. She quickly raised a hand to cover her lips and lowered her eyes.

Madam Pei reacted the fastest. Her delicate brows lifted slightly, and she immediately shot her eldest daughter a look before reprimanding her: “As the elder sister, how can you be asking your younger sister for gifts? You are becoming more and more lacking in manners!”

Then she turned to Zhen Tingyun and helped her out of the situation. “Ting Jie’er must have been in a hurry on the journey. She probably only had time to make a few pairs of socks. It’s only natural that she couldn’t take care of everything at once…”

Madam Pei’s explanation was indeed reasonable, but Father Zhen and Zhen Hengzhe, the only two people who had received socks, still felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Especially Father Zhen.

Only moments ago, he had been praising Zhen Tingyun’s filial piety and affection for her younger brother. Yet after Zhen Yiyun’s casual remark, he suddenly saw the matter differently. Old Lady Zhen had always favored boys over girls. The old woman was stubborn and prejudiced, and as an elder it was not particularly excessive for her to make robes only for her son and grandson.

But Zhen Tingyun was a junior.

If, upon meeting her family for the first time, she gave socks only to her father and younger brother while leaving out her mother and elder sister…

The more one thought about it, the more it seemed that this child was remarkably skilled at currying favor with the right people.

At such a young age, wasn’t she a little too snobbish?

With that thought, Father Zhen’s gaze toward Zhen Tingyun darkened slightly.

Zhen Tingyun pressed her lips together. She had always known that her elder sister, Zhen Yiyun, harbored ill will toward her. What she had not expected was that the malice ran so deep that the moment they met, Zhen Yiyun would already be trying to trip her up.

Fortunately, because of the dream she had experienced, Zhen Tingyun had come prepared. She was not someone who could be trapped by a few casual words.