Chapter 2: Two Sets of Clothes for Her

Chapter 2: Two Sets of Clothes for Her

Zheng Jinyu smiled bashfully, saying, "Sorry, I was just too hungry. I've never tasted anything this delicious in my entire life."

Zheng Hongyan replied with a gentle smile, "The tough times are behind us. From now on, we'll have delicious food at home every day."

"Thank you, big brother."

Xie Peiyu, sitting nearby, suddenly asked, "Why were you not able to eat properly before?"

Her elder brother was oblivious to the hidden meaning in her words, but Xie Peiyu picked up on it.

Only after hearing his remark did Zheng Hongyan put down his chopsticks, looking at Zheng Jinyu with astonishment.

Zheng Jinyu continued, "Nanny Xu only gives me two steamed buns or two cakes each day. I... I have a big appetite and need three buns to feel full."

By the end of her sentence, her voice had become barely audible.

One must display vulnerability when necessary and know when to advance and when to retreat – that was the key to winning.

She noticed Zheng Hongyan's face darken visibly as he slammed the bowl down on the table with a loud clatter.

The strength of a warrior was truly remarkable; the bowl didn't shatter, but the impact caused the table to shake violently, spilling the soup all over its surface.

Xie Peiyu swiftly rose to his feet, barely evading the splashing broth.

Unfortunately, Zheng Jinyu wasn't so fortunate. The soup splattered onto her, and against her already faded clothing, she appeared even more disheveled.

However, she didn't seem to mind. Even if she could have dodged it, she wouldn't have bothered to do so.

It seemed that Zheng Hongyan had just noticed her tattered attire, with shortened sleeves and trouser legs, paired with a pair of cloth shoes that had a hole from her oversized big toe protruding through.

Feeling embarrassed by his gaze, she tried to curl her toes discreetly.

Zheng Hongyan was pained by this sight and barked out an order, "Someone, fetch that old hag Xu Shi here."

"Yes, Young General."

At this moment, Zheng Hongyan's mind was buzzing. The sight of Xie Peiyu's icy expression only added to his headache. He could only wonder how Prince Chen would react if he were to witness this scene.

"Prince Chen, I sincerely apologize for the misconduct of my servants. They have caused an embarrassment for you."

"No need to worry, Brother Yan. If you have domestic affairs to attend to, I shall take my leave."

After Xie Peiyu's polite farewell, he departed, leaving Zheng Hongyan with an uneasy heart.

The marriage had been arranged by their elders when his younger sister was yet to be born. The Imperial Princess had only one son, and it was naturally intended for him to marry their family's legitimate daughter.

But in their family, there were three legitimate sons and only one legitimate daughter.

A matter as significant as the children being switched at birth, they couldn't keep it hidden from the Imperial Princess even if they didn't disclose it to the public. Ever since discovering the error, Mother had already informed the Imperial Princess of the situation.

The Imperial Princess had suggested bringing the younger sister back first to assess the situation, so he truly was unsure which of the two sisters they should choose.

In no time, Nurse Xu arrived and, upon seeing the chaos in the room and the First Young Master's fury, she promptly knelt on the ground.

Before Zheng Hongyan could inquire, she began to speak.

"First Young Master, when news reached us that Miss was wandering outside, Lord and Lady were distraught and immediately sent this servant on the journey to fetch her. Thus, we were not adequately prepared, and I did not bring any of Miss's clothes with me. Miss is of noble birth; it would have been improper for her to wear our servants' attire. So, I took the liberty to let her make do with her own clothes temporarily, planning to dress her anew once we returned home. We've been on the road for half a month, and I believe Lady must have prepared ample clothing for Miss by now."

Zheng Hongyan gritted his teeth. "Then what's with feeding her only half a steamed bun every day?"

Nanny Xu was utterly astonished. She never imagined that the incoherent Zheng Jinyu would actually report this matter.

"This... This is because... Because Miss has never ridden in a carriage before. She tends to vomit if she eats too much."

Zheng Hongyan immediately turned to ask, "Jinyu, do you vomit when you eat too much?"

Zheng Jinyu shook her head. "I don't know. I've never eaten too much before."

Each day, she barely managed to fill her belly with two steamed buns – how could this old woman possibly know that eating more would make her vomit?

Zheng Hongyan flew into a rage and kicked her away.

"Bold wretch! How dare you, an elderly servant, refute your master's words? This general will cripple you today..."

"Brother." Zheng Jinyu stepped in at the right moment, gently tugging on Zheng Hongyan's sleeve and shaking her head softly.

"What is it?" Zheng Hongyan, hearing her soft voice and seeing her pale, emaciated face, felt a pang of heartache.

This was his own sister, one who, like Jinxiu, needed her brother's protection.

Zheng Hongyan would be departing for the southern region the next day, leaving them separated for a considerable period before he could return to the capital.

Zheng Jinyu's next battlefield lay in the capital, within the Zheng family, and she still needed Nurse Xu to fight alongside her. She couldn't afford for him to kill the woman in a fit of rage.

Thus, Zheng Jinyu said, "Nurse Xu does have a point. Perhaps the situation caught them off guard, which is why they failed to make proper arrangements. Please forgive her, Brother."

Zheng Hongyan's heart ached even more. Gently caressing her faded yellow hair, he no longer saw her as a filthy peasant girl from the countryside.

"Jinyu is truly too kind-hearted, to plead for mercy on behalf of such a wayward servant."

"Old one, hurry up and thank Miss Jinxiu," Zheng Hongyan said.

The very utterance of 'Miss Jinxiu' surprised Zheng Hongyan himself.

Throughout the household, everyone addressed Jinxiu as Miss or Lady.

Frightened by Zheng Hongyan's fury, Nanny Xu turned pale. Forgetting her other concerns, she repeatedly bowed her head in gratitude to Zheng Jinyu.

"Be off with you."

Nanny Xu hurriedly retreated.

Zheng Hongyan spoke gently to Zheng Jinyu, "Brother will write a letter to Father and Mother, explaining the situation. Mother has always been in charge of our household servants; she will avenge you."

Zheng Jinyu's goal was accomplished, and a faint smile graced her lips. "Thank you, Brother."

A warm sensation welled up within Zheng Hongyan. Throughout it all, Jinyu had addressed him as 'brother,' unlike Jinxiu who called him 'eldest brother.'

This made him feel unique, as if he were the only one capable of protecting her as her elder brother.

Zheng Hongyan conversed extensively with Zheng Jinyu, discussing family matters. When introducing family members, half of his words were dedicated to extolling Jinxiu's virtues, urging her to get along harmoniously with Jinxiu.

Zheng Jinyu listened obediently, displaying no hint of jealousy. Instead, she occasionally expressed admiration and anticipation, with her expectations for Sister Jinxiu surpassing those for her parents and two elder brothers.

This was a strategy, a way to ingratiate herself beforehand.

Zheng Hongyan was exceedingly pleased with her attitude.

Initially, he had despised her for being an uncultured upstart who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere.

But now, Jinyu had found a place in his heart, making him realize that he has one more sister to protect in the future.

As they were chatting, Xie Peiyu returned, holding two sets of clothing in his arms.

"There wasn't much choice at this hour, but these are the best outfits I could find in the vicinity."

Both Zheng Jinyu and Zheng Hongyan were astonished.

So it turns out that Prince Chen left to buy clothes for her?

Zheng Jinyu turned her head to look at Zheng Hongyan.

Zheng Hongyan knew she was seeking his approval and gained even more respect for her.

Who said my sister, raised in the countryside, lacks manners? She even knows to ask her brother's opinion before accepting gifts from a male outsider.

"This is Prince Chen's intention, Jinyu. Accept it."

Zheng Jinyu then said, "Jinyu thanks Prince Chen."

She took the garment and went inside to change.

Only after Zheng Hongyan saw her enter the inner room did he lower his voice to ask Xie Peiyu, "Between our two families' betrothal, are you drawn to Jinxiu or Jinyu?"

Xie Peiyu replied coolly, "Matters of marriage are in the hands of one's parents. You should be asking my mother about that."

Well... that was something he couldn't inquire about.

Well, he supposed it wouldn't hurt to let Imperial Princess meet her two sisters first.

Indeed, while he found his own sisters quite amiable, when compared side by side, Jinxiu still outshone them in his eyes.

Jinxiu was well-versed in literature and etiquette, proficient in the arts of the qin, qi, shu, and hua, earning her the nickname Little Fortune Treasure.

In the years they had raised Jinxiu, his father's rank had consistently climbed, and his mother had gained considerable prestige among the noblewomen's circle.

Many attributed their family's prosperity to Jinxiu's blessings.

Yet Prince Chen himself went to buy clothes for Jinyu. Could it be... he has taken a fancy to her?

This doesn't seem right.