Chapter 11: Why Have You Come Back?

Chapter 11: Why Have You Come Back?

Lady Zheng was startled and quickly pulled her daughter closer, tenderly wiping her face with a handkerchief.

"Yes, yes, you've been with Mr. Ji since you were six. That's precisely why your mother decided to have Jinyu switch places with you. Jinyu has only been studying with Mr. Ji for a few days; changing teachers now won't affect her progress. Jinyu, the new teacher is Mr. Ji's cousin, and both of them studied under their family's scholarly tradition. What do you think about that?"

With such an explanation, it would be improper for her to insist further.

She had originally thought that staying with the same female tutor would allow Ji Shu to witness the gap between her and Zheng Jinxiu, giving her a good dose of humiliation.

Well then, if that's the arrangement, it's for the best. Jinyu will study diligently with Ji Shu's cousin and wait for the day she can astonish everyone.

"Very well, I'll listen to Mother. Don't cry, Sister. I won't snatch your tutor from you."

How matured and understanding she was, which tugged at Madam Zheng's heartstrings.

"Jinyu, you're so sensible. You've been wronged. Come here, to Mother."

Madam Zheng embraced her two daughters on either side, her smile stretching wide with joy.

Thinking of her young daughter's gracious gesture in allowing the tutor to teach her sibling, she felt that Jinxiu had been wronged. She removed the bracelet from her wrist and slipped it onto Zheng Jinyu's hand.

"Here, this is your mother's compensation."

Zheng Jinyu replied gently, "Thank you, Mother."

Zheng Jinxiu was left speechless, seething with anger.

Despite having secured the tutor for herself, she was far from pleased.

Exiting Madam Zheng's courtyard, she waited until they were alone before abruptly halting, blocking Zheng Jinyu's path.

Fixing her gaze on the white jade bracelet adorning her wrist, its brilliance seemed to sting her eyes.

Why? Why was it given to her?

Mother had once said that as the only daughter in the Zheng household, all of Mother's precious belongings would eventually be hers. This bracelet should have been hers, yet now it adorned this country bumpkin's wrist.

How utterly ironic.

Why did she have to come back? It would have been so much better if she hadn't returned.

"Big Sister, what's wrong? Is there something on your mind?" Zheng Jinyu blinked her innocent eyes at Zheng Jinxiu.

Zheng Jinxiu huffed. "Still pretending, are you?"

Zheng Jinyu chuckled inwardly. It seemed she couldn't keep up the act for much longer.

How could this do? One couldn't put on a solo performance in a play, could they? You had to participate as well, especially since you were the one who initiated this drama.

"What are you talking about, Sister? I don't understand," Jinxiu said, feigning ignorance.

Zheng Jinxiu gritted her teeth in anger. "You don't understand?"

"Yes, if you have something to say, just speak directly, Sister," Zheng Jinyu whispered.

Zheng Jinxiu replied, "What do you mean by saying you didn't snatch my tutor away?"

Zheng Jinyu blinked her eyes. "Isn't that the case? I saw how much you liked Master, and when I heard that we were getting a new one, I was so upset that I cried. That's why I offered Master to you."

"You, you're talking nonsense! Master Ji has always been my teacher since I was six years old, solely mine, not given to me by you."

"Oh, I see. Then I wasn't mistaken after all. If I didn't offer willingly, both my master and mother would have been put in a difficult position. I care for them and wouldn't wish for them to be troubled."

Zheng Jinxiu: "..."

Seeing someone approaching in the distance, Zheng Jinyu added with a subtle smile, "I also care for Sister, and wouldn't wish to see you in tears."

She recognized the passing figure as the senior maid from Lady Elder's quarters. She must have overheard their conversation. After casting a swift glance at them, the maid hurried away on the other side.

Zheng Jinxiu was at a loss when it came to her sister, realizing that provoking her was futile. She held back her anger for the moment and issued a stern warning: "It's best you think that way. Remember this, not only is our master mine, but our parents, brothers, and grandmother are also mine. You're not allowed to compete with me for them, do you hear me?"

Zheng Jinyu curved her lips into a smile, drawing near to her sister and whispering in her ear, "I'm afraid that won't do."

Zheng Jinxiu's expression changed dramatically. "What did you say?"

Zheng Jinyu chuckled. "Our Master Ji can be yours since you've been with her since you were six. But our parents, grandmother, and brother are mine. It's my blood that runs through the veins of the Zheng family. They were my kin first, and only then did they become yours. Do you understand?"

With that, she ignored Zheng Jinxiu's shock and fury, strolling away leisurely.

Zheng Jinxiu stood frozen in place for a long while before she left with a pale face.

Upon returning to her residence, the Jinxiu Residence, she threw a plate in anger.

Her nurse, Lady Zhou, quickly dismissed the servants and approached to console her.

"What's wrong with you, my lady?"

Zheng Jinxiu replied, "That little vixen, Zheng Jinyu, is too good at pretending. She's wicked through and through."

"Yes, yes, she's wicked. What did she do?"

Zheng Jinxiu recounted the events of the day, ending with a terrified expression. "She did it on purpose, didn't she? Today it was Teacher Ji, but who will it be tomorrow? She'll snatch away everyone around me, won't she?"

Madam Zhou furrowed her brows deeply.

After a moment, she said, "It seems it's true; I really underestimated her. I thought she was just a naive country bumpkin with no schemes, but I never expected this little vixen to have so many tricks up her sleeve. How dare she try to take what belongs to Miss Jinxiu?"

Zheng Jinxiu held her hand tightly. "Nanny, you have to help me. You're different from them; you're my nanny alone."

Mrs. Zhou nodded, smiling warmly. "Of course. No matter what, I am Lady Eldest's wet nurse and belong solely to her."

Regardless of who Lady Eldest was, she had been nurtured by Mrs. Zhou's milk, and in the future, she would remain by Lady Eldest's side.

When Lady Eldest married, Mrs. Zhou would accompany her as a governess. Her son's future depended on Lady Eldest; thus, it was natural for her to plan accordingly.

If Lady Eldest fell from grace, Second Miss wouldn't consider her as a wet nurse.

Mrs. Zhou was well aware of these dynamics.

"Miss, we missed our chance to act when she returned home. We must carefully strategize if we're to deal with her."

"Very well, Nurse, think of a plan quickly."

...

The following day, after Lady Zheng met Miss Jining, Ji Shu's cousin, she immediately decided to hire Jining as Zheng Jinyu's tutor.

Motivated by her curiosity about the astute Second Miss Zheng, whom her elder cousin had spoken highly of, Jining agreed to teach at the Zheng residence.

Yet, Zheng Jinyu did not have her own study; even her courtyard had been hastily arranged, without a decent study room to be found.

Therefore, Lady Zheng arranged for her to study in the study of her eldest brother, who was away at war.

She personally led the way to her youngest daughter's courtyard, planning to set up a suitable study room for her.

Upon arriving at the courtyard, Lady Zheng wore a look of astonishment, thinking she had wandered into the wrong place. She quickly retreated.

Upon seeing the plaque on the courtyard gate, she confirmed that she hadn't made a mistake.

"How can Jinyu live in such a courtyard?"

Housekeeper Zheng looked utterly confused. "Madam, this is the courtyard you pointed out."

She recalled now that it was indeed her choice.

Back then, due to the lack of time, she had instructed to quickly prepare any available courtyard, with the promise to change it later if she was not satisfied.

In the bustle, she had completely forgotten about it.

Gazing at the weed-free, barren courtyard, Madam Zheng's heart ached with regret, feeling that she had failed as a mother, neglecting her youngest daughter.

"I want you to find two skilled gardeners to revamp this place properly."

"As you wish, Madam."

"Wait." Noticing the cramped space, Madam Zheng added, "Ignore this for now. It's so small; outsiders might mistake Jinyu for a concubine's daughter."

Housekeeper Zheng inquired, "Does Madam intend to relocate Miss Second to another courtyard?"

"Yes," Madam Zheng pondered before suggesting, "Let's change it to Bamboo Elegance Pavilion."

"Ahh?" The steward exclaimed, "Madam, isn't the Bamboo Elegance Pavilion meant to be inherited by Third Master in the future?"