Chapter 15: They Are Plotting Against You

Chapter 15: They Are Plotting Against You

Zheng Hongqi regained his composure and patted his sister's shoulder soothingly. "Second Brother is fine, I was just deep in thought."

"Is Second Brother thinking about Third Brother? Sobs... It's all my fault, Jinxiu. If it weren't for me, Third Brother wouldn't have been scolded by our parents."

"Don't blame yourself, it's their favoritism."

"I... I came to plead for Third Brother, but I was afraid. Second Brother, it's really my fault. If I had been braver and spoken up for Third Brother, he wouldn't have been punished."

"Foolish girl, don't blame yourself. This isn't your fault."

She was just an adopted daughter, whereas Third Brother was a blood relative. If even the blood-born son was punished and sent to the ancestral hall, what use was it for an adopted daughter like her to plead for mercy?

Zheng Jinxiu wiped her tears and said, "Second Brother, Third Brother hasn't had his meal yet. I'll go check on the kitchen first."

"Mm, go ahead."

He also needed to consider how to handle this situation.

Shall I write to Elder Brother? No, he's engaged in battle. He mustn't be distracted. He'll have to handle this himself.

Carrying an array of dishes that Zheng Hongxu particularly enjoyed, Jinxiu returned from the kitchen. She then invited Zheng Hongqi to join her in visiting the ancestral hall to see Zheng Hongxu.

The solitary figures of the brother and sister were somewhat forlorn against the moonlit backdrop. Eluding the servants, they secretly made their way to the family temple.

"Third Brother, Third Brother," Zheng Jinxiu called softly.

In the ancestral hall, Zheng Hongxu turned around and, spotting the food basket she was carrying, hastily said, "Jinxiu is here! Quickly, I'm starving to death."

Zheng Jinxiu and Zheng Hongqi entered in succession, with Zheng Jinxiu promptly presenting the dishes from inside while she said with a smile, "These are all Third Brother's favorites. Knowing that you would return, I instructed the kitchen to prepare the ingredients a day ahead. Although Third Brother suffered punishment on my account, I haven't allowed anyone to touch the delicacies prepared for you."

"Jinxiu still treats me best. Third Brother hasn't spoiled you in vain."

Zheng Hongqi, standing nearby, chuckled. "Only Jinxiu treats you well? Doesn't Second Brother treat you well?"

Zheng Hongxu replied, "Second Brother is good too."

Pausing for a moment, he added, "But Jinxiu is the best."

"Enough, hurry and eat. I'll stand guard for you outside."

Zheng Hongxu angrily slammed down his chopsticks and said, "What's the meaning of this? Are they punishing me by making me kneel in the ancestral hall but not even giving me food?"

With teary eyes, Zheng Jinxiu softly pleaded, "Third Brother, please lower your voice. Isn't it always like this? When one enters the ancestral hall, they have to kneel and can't eat anything. You've been hungry all day, so please eat."

Zheng Hongqi, who was standing at the door, turned back and said, "Listen to Jinxiu, eat quickly. If the servants see you and report it, you'll still go hungry. Jinxiu and I secretly brought you food, and we might be punished too. If the three of us end up in the ancestral hall, who will bring us meals?"

Zheng Hongxu couldn't help but choke up as he looked at his weeping sister.

"Very well, Third Brother won't say more. I'll eat now."

After his meal, Zheng Hongxu couldn't help but feel indignant when he recalled the events of the day.

"Why are Father and Mother so biased?"

Zheng Jinxiu whispered, "It's not really bias, Third Brother. Our sister did endure much hardship. It's only natural for our parents to want to comfort and compensate her."

"How does her suffering concern us? It wasn't us who lost her in the first place."

"But...," Zheng Jinxiu's small face contorted with guilt, her appearance pitifully remorseful, "It's all because of me that she had to suffer. For these past dozen years, the one who should have endured hardship was me. She was the one who took my place and suffered for me."

Zheng Hongqi, standing by the door, spoke up once more, "What nonsense are you talking? You were just an infant back then, it wasn't your choice to be switched."

"Yes, Jinxiu, don't blame yourself. No one wished for this to happen. It's not your fault; blame her own frailty for not being able to bear the fortune of the Zheng family."

Zheng Hongqi continued, "Mistakes happen, and it's not anyone's fault. But she shouldn't blame you for her suffering. Neither should she come back and snatch things, stealing from you and even claiming Third Brother's courtyard."

"Second Brother is right. Our parents must have been momentarily confused. Of course, I was rash today as well. When I go out, I'll expose her true colors to our parents and show them what kind of person she really is."

The three of them spent a long while in the ancestral hall, candidly discussing matters before the spirits of the Zheng family's ancestors.

Essentially, they criticized their parents for their foolishness and deliberated on how to deal with Zheng Jinyu.

They all agreed on the plan to expose her shortcomings and embarrass her, given that she was perceived by outsiders as an uneducated country bumpkin.

It was far too easy to ostracize such a person within the noble society.

All they needed to do was let everyone know that she lacked any semblance of education, that she had never even touched a musical instrument or a brush for calligraphy. Their main objective was to make her look foolish.

Chunmei, in her effort to demonstrate loyalty to Zheng Jinyu, secretly followed Zheng Jinxiu and hid behind the ancestral hall to eavesdrop. The moment she heard something significant, she rushed to inform Zheng Jinyu.

"Look, Miss Second, as I said, Second Young Master and Third Young Master truly dislike you," Chunmei reported.

Zheng Jinyu felt unjustly accused; she had done nothing to provoke Zheng Laosan's two sons. Yet, they were plotting against her, attempting to humiliate her as an empty-headed girl.

Nonetheless, the true heiress and pretended peasant girl, Zheng Jinyu, was not perturbed. She was a capable individual.

Born into a family with a centuries-old legacy of scholarly pursuits, her grandfather was a renowned modern calligrapher and painter, her grandmother a physician, her father an entrepreneur with a passion for antiquities, and her home was filled with ancient books. Her mother was a musician.

Bred in such an ambiance from a young age, despite having lived in the modern world before her transmigration, Zheng Jinyu's personal capabilities were by no means inferior to any well-cultivated young lady of noble birth in this era.

"Your thoughtfulness is appreciated, take this as a token of gratitude."

Zheng Jinyu handed her a small silver piece, which she had received as pocket money from Lady Zheng a few days prior.

A pouch of broken silver, a token of reward typically used by wealthy households to acknowledge the efforts of their servants who have demonstrated exceptional service or accomplishment.

Chunmei received it with delight, "Miss Second, it's my duty to serve you."

"Well then, why did you suddenly decide to tail Miss Zheng Jinxiu?"

Chunmei replied, "This servant used to serve Lady Eldest before and understands her well. Young Master Third being punished to kneel in the family shrine, she would definitely visit."

Indeed, this maid was quite clever. However, her allegiance had shifted due to Madam Zheng's treatment of her.

Such a person would be content if they were thriving, but if not, they were highly likely to switch loyalties again.

Zheng Jinyu employed her services but didn't entirely trust her.

Observing the other maid, Qiu Ju, she lacked the astuteness of Chunmei and often appeared hesitant, on the verge of speaking but holding back.

It seemed that the balance in her heart was still swaying, and she had yet to decide upon whom to place her allegiance.

Initially, Lady Zheng had suggested assigning a few more servants to Zheng Jinyu, at least a head nurse to manage the household. However, Zheng Jinyu declined, claiming she was not accustomed to being served by too many people.

In reality, there were few in this courtyard whom she could trust. With limited energy, she was unwilling to invest effort in guarding against more individuals.

...

Aside from festive occasions, Zheng Hongqi and Zheng Hongxu were granted only three days of leave. Upon their return, Zheng Hongxu was immediately confined and wasn't released until the third day.

Feeling that two days of isolation should have taught him a lesson, Master Zheng arranged for the entire family to dine together on the final day before they were to return to school.

Zheng Hongxu wasn't as confrontational as before, but his expression remained far from amiable.

Zheng Jinyu was indifferent; she had done her part, and whoever failed to do theirs would bear the consequences.

Upon seeing her brother, she approached him in accordance with the etiquette, greeting and paying her respects.

Then, Zheng Hongxu found her demeanor insincere and theatrical. With a darkened face, he gave Zheng Jinyu a cold stare as she remained in her semi-kneeling position.

One second, two seconds, three seconds...