The Wealthy Eldest Sister Rules Supreme

To Zhuang Qingning, she owed Chu Jinnian a lot, as he had come to her rescue many times. So when Jinnian finally made a request, she eagerly agreed.

Zhuang Qingning then went into the house and rummaged through her casket.

Since her arrival in this world, she had been destitute and had nothing of value. Then, she plunged straight into the pit of trying to make a fortune for her family.

Even though she had become gradually wealthier, Zhuang Qingning had not accumulated much personal jewelry or valuables because she was busy making money. Plus, whether in her past or present life, she has always emphasized comfort and simplicity in her attire. All she has now were some simple hair accessories to tie up her hair with.

After some thinking, Zhuang Qingning finally pulled out a wooden hairpin from her casket.

The wooden hairpin was a gift given to Zhuang Qingning when she first established her womanhood. This hairpin looked sturdy and glossy. It was not noticeable in her hair due to its slightly dark color, which is why Zhuang Qingning often used it to tie up her hair.

Even now, Zhuang Qingning still regularly used this familiar wooden hairpin, even though she had added some hairpins of other materials to her collection at the shop.

This hairpin which had been used frequently and whose quality was not evident at first glance, yet was of high quality due to its modern craftsmanship, could indeed be used as an item for a girl’s engagement.

Zhuang Qingning cleaned it, packaged it in a box, and gave it to Chu Jinnian.

“I wonder if this can suffice?”

Chu Jinnian looked at it and nodded with a smile, “Thank you, Miss Zhuang.”

“It’s my pleasure, Master Chu. You don’t have to be so courteous,” Zhuang Qingning responded with a smile.

“Little Sister Ning.” A voice interrupted their conversation. Almost immediately, Zhuang Wencheng walked in enthusiastically. Upon seeing Chu Jinnian, he paused for a moment, “Do we have a guest at home?”

“This is Jinzhou’s older brother, Master Chu,” Zhuang Qingning introduced, “Master Chu, this is my childhood friend, Brother Wencheng.”

Zhuang Wencheng had heard about Chu Jinnian from Fan Wenxuan when he frequented Zhuang Qingning’s house. He was told that Chu Jinnian was a government official in the capital and rarely visited the village.

Since Chu Jinnian is an officer…

Zhuang Wencheng promptly gave him a respectful salute, “It’s an honor to meet you, Master Chu.”

“Please, don’t stand on ceremony,” Chu Jinnian replied, stopping Wencheng in his tracks, “You can just call me Mr. Chu, as in the absence of Mr. Fan who is tied up with some affairs, I have been temporarily teaching Mingli and the others. There’s no need for formalities.”

“Greetings, Mr. Chu.” Upon seeing Chu Jinnian’s modest demeanor, Zhuang Wencheng relaxed and greeted him accordingly.

“Nice to meet you, Brother Wencheng,” Chu Jinnian responded, his eyebrows lifting slightly.

This must be the well-mannered Zhuang Wencheng, whose behavior had often been praised by Fan Wenxuan.

Indeed, Wencheng lived up to Fan Wenxuan’s praises. His eyes held a clear brightness uncommon amongst common folk, especially when he looked at Zhuang Qingning…

Before Chu Jinnian could ponder further, Zhuang Qingning smiled and said, “When did you come back, Brother Wencheng? Just yesterday, Fang Hou visited and told me everything has been settled and that Zhu Ankang had been apprehended. He said that you had no issues on your side and should be able to return home.”

“When Fang Hou visited, he brought many medicinal herbs. I thought I wouldn’t need them all the time so I told him to leave you some. However, when he went to your house yesterday, he said you hadn’t returned yet.”

“Master Ding invited me to stay over last night because it was late. I left to return home this morning.” Zhuang Wencheng replied with a smile, “I had just entered the village when I thought to come tell you that I’m safe.”

That is to say, he hadn’t even visited his home yet.

The only reason to make Zhuang Qingning a higher priority than his family could be…

He was very likely the “peach blossom” Zhuang Qingning had mentioned.

Chu Jinnian’s brows slightly furrowed, but he gave a smile, “It was essential to reassure you. If not, Ning would have been extremely concerned. Just now, she was still fretting about it.”

“Incidentally, I haven’t expressed my gratitude to you yet. Thank you for taking care of Ning.”

Chu Jinnian stood up and gave Zhuang Wencheng a formal bow.

Zhuang Wencheng was taken aback, “This…”

‘Ning’ was an intimate term that only those close to her would use.

Yet Chu Jinnian was expressing his thanks on Zhuang Qingning’s behalf… Also…

Zhuang Wencheng glanced at the embroidered box on the table next to Chu Jinnian. It held a hairpin he recognized, one that Zhuang Qingning used to wear often.

Was Zhuang Qingning going to give this hairpin to Chu Jinnian?

If that’s the case…

Before Zhuang Wencheng could voice the question in his heart, Chu Jinnian gave Zhuang Qingning a look, then turned to Wencheng and laughed, “Actually, I should have followed Ning’s example and called you Brother Wencheng.”

It seemed to be just as he assumed.

Zhuang Wencheng scrutinized Chu Jinnian once more.

He was noble and upright, a person of integrity. Given his siblings, Fan Wenxuan and Chu Jinzhou’s temperament, Chu Jinnian should be no different.

It seemed that Zhuang Qingning had found a worthy partner.

In that case, he could rest assured.

Zhuang Wencheng’s expression went from surprise to panic and finally to relief. “Little Sister Ning, this is the person you’ve mentioned before, right?”

“Yes.” Zhuang Qingning nodded, “I was considering introducing you two at some point. It’s a fortunate coincidence that we happened to meet today.”

“Yes, what a fortuitous coincidence,” Chu Jinnian agreed, a teasing smile on his lips where he watched Zhuang Qingning with an indulgent expression.

Zhuang Wencheng smiled warmly at the sight, his heart void of any bitterness. Instead, he felt as if a weight has been lifted, his lips curving into a radiant smile instinctively.

After chatting with Zhuang Qingning and Chu Jinnian for a while, Zhuang Wencheng prepared to go home.

Firstly, he had been away from home for a few days and his family, despite being unaware of the situation, must be worrying about him. He needed to reassure them.

Secondly, he needed to discuss his own affairs with Mrs. Wang, settling everything sooner rather than later would allow him to get his own affairs in order.

Zhuang Qingning brought out the medicinal herbs given by Fang Hou and told Zhuang Wencheng to take them home when he left.

The herbs were plentiful and high-quality. Zhuang Wencheng selected a few varieties that were commonly used, leaving Zhuang Qingning to store the rest for future need.

With the herbs in hand, Zhuang Wencheng left the courtyard and headed home.

Zhuang Qingning and Chu Jinnian saw him off.

“Master Chu, you were clever to change the subject earlier. If not, I wouldn’t have known how to bring it up.” Zhuang Qingning chuckled.