Chapter 14: Shattered Dreams of a Harmonious Family

Chapter 14: Shattered Dreams of a Harmonious Family

"Isn't that so? I've heard from Elder Brother that even your name was given by Father," said Second Master Zheng with disdain as he looked at Zheng Jinyu. "Back then, the Fang family's daughter had just been born, and they hadn't named her yet. Moved by their kindness in taking us in, Father named their child Fang Jinyu."

Zheng Jinyu's smile froze on her face.

Meanwhile, Lord Zheng and Lady Zheng's expressions had shifted.

Lord Zheng suppressed his anger and scolded, "Hongxu, you're rarely home. Sit down first."

A servant brought a stool for Zheng Hongxu, but he didn't sit down, seemingly oblivious to the displeasure in his parents' eyes. He continued, "Fang Jinyu, we probably met when we were two, but I've forgotten. It's unexpected that we would meet again."

Lady Zheng and the Zheng couple glared fiercely at their third son, Zheng Hongxu, who had disrupted the atmosphere.

However, Zheng Jinyu's gaze was fixed on Zheng Jinxiu.

Zheng Jinxiu sent her a challenging smile, which she saw clearly.

But Zheng Jinyu couldn't understand—what could there be for her to be so pleased about?

Zheng Laosan mentioned Jinyu, but he wasn't referring to me. Have you forgotten that you are, in fact, Jinyu?

"So it turns out that Father gave me the name Jinyu. I never expected such a coincidence," Zheng Jinyu said with a gentle smile to Zheng Ji. "Father, I'm glad you helped name me; otherwise, I wouldn't have known what to be called. They later had another daughter, named Er Ya. If the older daughter was named Daya, then the name Fang Daya is even less appealing than Fang Er Ya."

The atmosphere on the scene became increasingly surreal and inexplicable.

Angered, Master Zheng glared, while Madam Zheng looked at Zheng Jinyu with tearful eyes.

Zheng Laosan and Zheng Laoer wore no amiable expressions toward Zheng Jinyu, and Zheng Jinxiu's smile had lost its earlier ease, appearing somewhat peculiar.

Zheng Jinyu understood the source of the awkwardness. She finally realized that the unappealing name Fang Daya was likely meant for her, assuming they hadn't switched lives.

Madam Zheng gazed around with an enigmatic expression, intermittently twirling her Buddhist rosary beads.

It was eventually the irate Master Zheng who broke the uncomfortable silence.

"Country folk believe that giving a child a lowly name makes them hardier to survive. Jinxiu, don't take it to heart."

He addressed Jinxiu, not Jinyu, indicating that he was asking her not to be offended.

This instantly turned Zheng Jinxiu's eyes red with anger.

Zheng Jinyu was delighted, but she concealed her emotions well, only secretly rejoicing while maintaining a calm demeanor.

At this moment, the unreliable Zheng Hongxu also sensed something amiss and hurriedly tried to soothe Zheng Jinxiu.

" Sister, Third Brother didn't mean it that way. I meant... I meant Fang Jinyu... oh no, anyway, it wasn't you. No matter what happened in the past, you are now the legitimate daughter of our Zheng family, you are Zheng Jinxiu."

"Out of line," Zheng Ji finally lost his temper, slapping the table and saying loudly, "I called you back to reunite as a family, not for you to stir up trouble."

Zheng Laosan still felt indignant. "Father, she's only been back for a few days, and your favoritism has become so blatant. You've never spoken to me like this before."

"Third Brother, don't say anymore." The more they explained, the murkier the situation became.

But Zheng Laosan, fueled by her provocations, was in no mood to heed her advice.

"Second Brother, keep an eye on Jinxiu. Move aside."

This was their prearranged strategy: give them an opening. The first battle would be fought by the third brother, while the second brother would remain silent.

If they were punished because their parents favored Zheng Laosan, there would still be Second Brother to shield their 'sister', lest both of them be reprimanded and leave their sister with no protector.

At this moment, Lady Zheng also looked at him in disappointment. "Xu'er, you've gone too far. Do you know how much Jinyu has been looking forward to your return? How could you treat her like this?"

Upon seeing that Lady Zheng was also speaking up for Zheng Jinyu, Zheng Laosan became even angrier.

"Mother, you still have the nerve to scold me? Look at what you've done! I've only been away studying for a month, and you've given my courtyard to her. She's just a wild country girl; why are you all being so kind to her? Does that slight blood relation outweigh over a decade of living together?"

Zheng Jinyu staggered a few steps, her expression a mix of shock and hurt.

The scene unfolded before Madam Zheng's eyes, tugging fiercely at her heartstrings.

She simply couldn't understand why Third Brother would react this way.

They had just met for the first time, and Jinyu hadn't said anything out of line. She had respectfully addressed him as Third Brother and bowed to him. To Madam Zheng, there seemed to be nothing inappropriate about her behavior.

"Jinyu, sit down here," she instructed, seating Zheng Jinyu beside her, then soothingly added, "Don't be afraid, your mother is here."

Zheng Jinyu wasn't actually scared, but she needed to put on a convincing act.

However, Madam Zheng, whose face had been slapped, was furious. She had guaranteed that both Second and Third Brothers would adore her, and Third Brother would willingly offer his courtyard for her to reside in.

Now, look at the mess!

"Third Brother, I—I didn't occupy your courtyard," Zheng Jinyu said meekly.

Zheng Laosan replied, "You didn't, but Mother said she would give it to you."

"I..." Tears welled up in Zheng Jinyu's eyes as she pleaded with Madam Zheng, "Mother, please don't give it to me."

How could Madam Zheng, who had been infuriated by Zheng Laosan, refuse?

Due to the current situation, she had already decided to give this courtyard to her younger daughter.

She glared at Zheng Laosan and said, "Yes, I'll give it to you right away. Jinyu, you will move there today."

Zheng Laosan was utterly shocked. "Mother, why? Why are you so biased?"

Madam Zheng was too lazy to reason with him or even offer him any compensation as she had originally planned. She merely said in anger, "How dare you! Am I the head of this household or are you?"

"Mother, you..." Lady Zheng remained unmoved.

Zheng Laosan turned to his father, "Father, are you really going to let Mother be so biased?"

Mr. Zheng was deeply disappointed in him, "I don't understand why you have such disdain for your own sister. Even if you don't like her, you shouldn't have hurt her the moment you returned. You've gone too far."

"You're on her side too? All because of this village girl, you're treating me like this?"

"Enough." Lady Zheng, who had been silent until now, entered the fray, "Xu'er, what's gotten into you? The village girl you speak of is your own flesh and blood. Due to an oversight years ago, she was mistakenly taken away, causing her so much suffering. Instead of feeling compassion for her, you continue to humiliate her. Why is that?"

"I..." Zheng Laosan found himself speechless, his mouth hanging open.

Master Zheng was always filial, and seeing his mother criticize Third Brother, he became even more convinced that there was something off about him today.

With a stern expression, he reprimanded Zheng Laosan, "Scram to the ancestral hall for reflection. You're not allowed to step out of there without my permission."

This meant he would be punished by kneeling in the ancestral hall.

Zheng Laosan stared in disbelief at his parents and grandmother.

Throughout their lives, although they had been punished, they had never been reprimanded like this before.

All because of that uncouth country girl?

"Dad, Mom, you two..."

"Third Brother," Zheng Hongqi intervened, sensing the tension. "Listen to Father. Go to the ancestral hall. Second Brother will come to see you later."

Zheng Laosan gritted his teeth, angrily brushing off his sleeves as he stormed towards the ancestral hall.

His antics spoiled the first meeting between brother and sister, leaving both in an unhappy mood.

Madame Zheng retreated to her meditation chamber, while Zheng Ji and his wife, upset by Zheng Hongxu's behavior, had no heart to console their daughter. They simply dismissed her.

Zheng Jinyu returned to Yusheng Courtyard, but Zheng Jinxiu did not go back to Jinxiu Residence. Instead, she went to Xiaoxiang Courtyard where her younger siblings, Zheng Hongqi and Zheng Hongxu, resided.

Zheng Hongqi's face was dark with frustration; he hadn't anticipated that the situation would prove even more complicated than he'd imagined.

That country bumpkin had been back for less than a month and already managed to win the favor of their parents and grandmother. She truly had some skill.

No wonder Jinxiu was weeping. Judging from what he had witnessed today, one could only imagine how difficult life must be for her in this household.

Now that they have found their biological daughter, there seems to be no place left for Jinxiu in the Zheng family.

"Second Brother, please say something. Don't be like this, Jinxiu is very frightened," she pleaded.