Chapter 13: Third Brother Returns, Mentioning Fang Jinyu?

Chapter 13: Third Brother Returns, Mentioning Fang Jinyu?

Zheng Jinxiu woke up early that morning and asked her servants to help her with a meticulous grooming session, making herself look lovely and charming.

Dressed in a dress as delicate as a peach blossom, with a playful double chignon adorned with golden hoops on either side of her hair, and a necklace with tinkling pendants around her neck, she jingled with each step she took.

At fourteen, she was a delightful blend of innocence and charm.

After she was done, she twirled around and asked her wet nurse, Madam Zhou, "Nanny, do you think I look nice?"

Madam Zhou looked at her affectionately. "Beautiful, Miss, you're the loveliest young lady I've ever seen."

Xia He, the maid beside her who was aware of her preferences, chimed in with a compliment while subtly putting down Zheng Jinyu.

"Miss, your lips are rosy, your teeth are white, and your face resembles a blooming peach blossom. You're much more attractive than Second Miss."

These words pleased Zheng Jinxiu, who threw a small silver coin to the maid. "Here, take this as a reward."

"Thank you, Miss."

Another maid, Xia Lian, observing the situation, hastily added, "Second Miss's complexion is sallow and she's so thin. If not for knowing she's from the Zheng family, one might mistake her for a village girl from the countryside. Oh, I almost forgot that she originally is from a village."

These words delighted Zheng Jinxiu even more, and she tossed a small piece of silver to the maid.

"You have a sweet tongue. Here's a reward for you."

"Thank you, Lady Eldest Miss."

Lady Zhou chuckled and said, "Enough with your banter, you two. Miss, Young Master Second and Young Master Third should be arriving soon. Let's go out."

"Indeed, I'm going to meet them outside the city."

Lady Zhou instructed, "Xia Lian, hurry and have the carriage prepared."

"Yes, Madam."

"Xia He, attend to Miss's belongings that she'll need to bring."

"Yes, Miss."

By the time Zheng Jinyu joined Lady Zheng in the dining hall for their meal, she learned that Zheng Jinxiu had already left the residence.

Zheng Jinyu's face was filled with astonishment.

But Lady Zheng took it in stride, smiling at her daughter. "Since childhood, Jinxiu has always been fond of tagging along with your Second Brother and Third Brother. Whenever they return home, she insists on going to the city gates to greet them."

Zheng Jinyu appeared uneasy. "Mother, should I go too?"

Lady Zheng chuckled. "No need, my dear. Just wait here."

"Would Second Brother and Third Brother be upset that I didn't go to greet them?"

Madam Zheng, sensing her youngest daughter's anxiety, reassured her, "Don't worry, they won't. And you don't need to be so nervous. They adore their younger sister, so they'll surely take a liking to you."

Observing Madam Zheng's joyous expression, Zheng Jinyu inwardly prayed that things wouldn't turn out otherwise, though the chances of that were slim.

"After we finish our meal, go and pay your respects to your grandmother. She usually doesn't come out, but she will make an appearance for your Second Brother and Third Brother's return."

"Alright."

Madam Zheng, in her old age, usually spent her time worshipping Buddha in her courtyard. It was a common practice among elderly widowed aristocratic women to establish a Buddhist altar in their own quarters, much like the popularity of square dancing in a millennium to come.

Madam Zheng believed that Buddha appreciated tranquility, thus she did not insist on daily visits from her family members.

She seldom ventured out, except on significant occasions within the family. These included times when Zheng Jinyu returned home, or when the second and third young masters of the Zheng household paid a visit.

"Grandmother, let Jinyu assist you outside."

"Indeed," the Elder Lady Zheng acknowledged softly, allowing Zheng Jinyu to support her.

Though her younger granddaughter was not as endearing and lovable as her elder one, she displayed a greater sense of maturity.

They had not spent much time together, so her affection for Zheng Jinyu was not as deep as for her elder granddaughter. Still, she did not dislike her.

Halfway through their walk, the Elder Lady Zheng suddenly said, "You seem much more composed now than the last time. When you first returned, you were rather timid."

Zheng Jinyu chuckled. "Back then, I was unsure if Grandmother and my parents would like me, so naturally, I was cautious with my words and actions."

Madam Zheng was startled. "You're indeed clever. Jinxiu wouldn't be a match for you."

Zheng Jinyu's smile froze.

She suddenly recalled the argument she had with Zheng Jinxiu in the courtyard. She had seen the old madam's chief maid then.

Could it be… that wasn't a coincidence?

Zheng Jinyu found it laughable. This old madam couldn't tell the difference between relatives and outsiders.

Of course, Zheng Jinxiu was her beloved granddaughter whom she had pampered for over a decade. She didn't believe that blood ties necessarily outweighed the bond formed from years of companionship.

Time would tell who was truly kind and who was not.

"Grandmother, when I come to the Zheng family, it's like coming home, and I genuinely want to be a part of this family. You and Mother and Father must have wanted me to integrate into this family when you took me back, right?"

The elderly matriarch was taken aback and paused in her steps.

She turned to face Zheng Jinyu's smiling countenance.

"Are you truly sincere?"

Zheng Jinyu nodded. "Of course, I'm sincere. I'm fourteen now. If I were to put it bluntly, I won't be staying in the Zheng family for much longer, right? Why would I make enemies for myself within the limited time I have with my family?"

The elderly woman narrowed her eyes slightly.

Zheng Jinyu continued, "Didn't you just say that I'm clever?"

The elder studied her for a while before nodding gently.

"Very well, Grandmother understands. You've endured much hardship."

The old matriarch wasn't foolish; she could discern the hidden meaning in her words.

Did she wish to make enemies? Wasn't it that Zheng Jinxiu who always sought trouble?

To be truthful, the concept of true and false heiresses... In her heart, the most ideal scenario would be for them to become genuine sisters.

The true heiress shouldn't bear grudges against the false heiress for occupying her rightful place.

Even if they were switched by the impostor's parents deliberately, the impostor herself was not at fault at that time. She was just an innocent infant, unaware of the truth. When she discovered she wasn't the real daughter, she also suffered greatly.

However, the impostor ought to have a sense of propriety. Having enjoyed the benefits, she shouldn't merely feel guilty towards the true daughter but should take action to make amends.

At the very least, if she chose not to return to her own family, she should genuinely strive for harmony with the real daughter, right?

But Zheng Jinxiu didn't.

She felt no guilt and had no intention of returning to her birth parents' side. Instead, she regarded Zheng Jinyu as an outsider, an intruder.

She had no intention of getting along with her peacefully, and in the original story, she was even indirectly responsible for her being beaten to death by her husband's family.

Thus, everything Zheng Jinyu did was merely to enjoy the privileges she deserved, reclaim what was rightfully hers, and ensure her own safety.

...

Second Young Master and Third Young Master Zheng were escorted in by Zheng Jinxiu on either arm, their positions firmly occupied by her. She looked at Zheng Jinyu with a smile, behaving like the host as she introduced them with a grin.

"Little sister Jinyu, this is Second Brother Zheng Hongqi and Third Brother Zheng Hongxu."

Zheng Jinyu observed them with a faint, detached look, noting the peculiar intimacy of their linked hands.

In modern times, siblings holding hands like this would be entirely normal.

Yet, in this era, boys and girls were separated from each other at the age of seven, and they were not blood-related siblings to begin with.

Strangely, the Zheng family seemed entirely accustomed to this sight. Both the elderly Matriarch and the Zheng couple watched them with warm smiles, interpreting their close display as sibling harmony. They perceived no impropriety in it.

Zheng Jinyu felt that there was something off about this portrayal of familial affection. It didn't quite adhere to the rigors of its historical setting.

"Second Brother, Third Brother, it's me, Jinyu." Zheng Jinyu greeted them with a gentle smile.

Both of them had already been influenced by Zheng Jinxiu's impression, making her appear somewhat thin and lacking the rosy complexion that Zheng Jinxiu possessed, a vitality as vibrant as a blooming peach blossom.

After all, she had only returned recently. In truth, she was already much better than when she first came back.

"You're Fang Jinyu?"

Zheng Jinyu: "Fang Jinyu?"