Chapter 18: A Country Bumpkin Stole My Courtyard?

Chapter 18: A Country Bumpkin Stole My Courtyard?

Zheng Jinxiu explained, "The courtyard she used to live in was arranged by me. At that time, there were no other empty courtyards available, so I didn't think much and settled her there. But then... No, it's my mother who thought the courtyard was too small for her, and felt that it would be an injustice for her to stay there. That's why she moved into my Third Brother's courtyard."

"What?" Wang Fuzhen was astounded, her words stumbling. "Move, move into your Third Brother's courtyard? This... How is this appropriate? Your Third Brother is already sixteen, and your sister must be fourteen, right?"

"No, no, Zhen Zhen, don't misunderstand. My Second and Third Brothers are twins; they've always lived together. Our parents plan to separate them only when they marry. The courtyard I mentioned was initially reserved for my Third Brother's future marriage. Mother said that Third Brother still has a few years before he marries, so it's better for his sister to use it temporarily, ensuring she's not wronged."

The maid chimed in at the opportune moment, "Third Young Master was unwilling, and as a result, he was scolded repeatedly by Lord and Lady. He was then confined to the family temple to kneel as punishment. He returned three days ago and has been kneeling for two days..."

"Hush," Zheng Jinxiu reprimanded artfully, cutting off the maid's words right at the climax.

At that moment, Wang Fuzhen's face turned ashen.

Last year, during a boating excursion, she had nearly fallen into the lake. It was Third Master Zheng, who was attending to Zheng Jinxiu, who had pulled her to safety, saving her life.

Ever since then, she had secretly harbored feelings for him, planning to wait another year until she came of age before confiding in her mother and arranging for someone to discuss the possibility of their union.

Born into the royal Wang family, she was certain to succeed.

Thus, in Wang Fuzhen's mind, Zheng Hongxu belonged to her, and the courtyard he resided in would be her future abode.

If Zheng Jinyu seized Zheng Hongxu's courtyard, she was essentially stealing what should have been Wang Fuzhen's.

How dare that country bumpkin snatch away her courtyard?

Wang Fuzhen fumed with rage, her breaths coming out in heavy gasps.

Zheng Jinxiu pretended ignorance and whispered, "Zhen Zhen, what's the matter with you?"

"How shameless! To actually dare..." The voice suddenly trailed off.

She suddenly remembered that she and Zheng Hongxu weren't officially together yet, so it wouldn't be appropriate to accuse Zheng Jinyu of stealing her courtyard.

Wang Fuzhen changed the subject, saying, "I meant that your younger sister is difficult to get along with. How could she snatch her brother's courtyard right after arriving?"

"Try not to say that. My sister has endured much hardship living with relatives in the countryside."

"Suffering?

"Oh, no, I meant that she's in poor health, quite pitiful really. Her parents dote on her, so it's understandable if they favor her a bit more."

"But surely they wouldn't give the courtyard meant for their son's marriage to her, right? No matter how important a daughter is, she can never be as significant as a son."

"Well..." Zheng Jinxiu looked at her with an awkward expression.

Wang Fuzhen continued, "Although we're both daughters, you need to face reality. Daughters are just not as valuable as sons. I've never dared to compete with my brothers for anything, even my father's concubine-born sons had to consider their favor with him. But in our family, I only yield to my eldest sister."

Wang Fuzhen and her eldest sister were both born of their parents' legitimate line, while the other sisters were from concubines. Naturally, she only respected her eldest sister.

Zheng Jinxiu deliberately put on an unapproachable demeanor and whispered, "Don't say anything more. My sister doesn't have any taboos, and you've already gotten the information you wanted. Let me see you out first."

"Hey, what's with you? Aren't you your parents and elder brother's favorite little sister? Why are you afraid of a country girl?"

"Shh, don't mention the country girl. My mother forbids anyone from bringing it up. Zhen Zhen, please don't make things difficult for me. Let's go quickly."

Wang Fuzhen grasped an important piece of information—the term "country girl."

A lady raised in a gentry family cannot be deemed a country lass. Hence, it was truly hard to determine the situation with this newfound sister of hers.

On the way Zheng Jinxiu accompanied Wang Fuzhen, the latter kept asking, "Tell me, what's the deal with your sister? Why haven't I heard of her before?"

"She fell ill and was recuperating outside."

"Surely, being ill wouldn't mean she would be completely unknown to us."

"It's complicated. Don't ask anymore."

The more she insisted on not inquiring, the more curious Wang Fuzhen became.

Determined, she resolved to have someone investigate the matter thoroughly later.

...

The next day, Zheng Jinyu woke up early and accompanied Zheng Jinxiu to attend a lotus-viewing banquet for the young ladies of the capital.

Lady Zheng bustled about, arranging the carriage and gifts, happily sending them off.

"Enjoy yourself, Jinxiu. As the elder sister, you should look after your younger sibling more," her mother said affectionately.

Zheng Jinxiu forced a smile and replied, "Yes, Mother."

Back then, she was the beloved youngest sister, with her mother constantly reminding her brothers to take care of her and yield to her. After being the youngest for fourteen years, she was suddenly thrust into the role of an older sister?

She should have fought with Zheng Jinyu for the title of the younger sister back then.

Now, she was the one expected to be the caring older sister, with her mother continually instructing her on how to tend to her younger sibling.

Hmph, a sister a day younger than herself?

The moment the carriage curtains fell, concealing Madam Zheng's face from view, the smile on Zheng Jinxiu's face vanished instantly.

Zheng Jinyu gave her a fleeting glance. Just as Zheng Jinxiu turned to say something, she abruptly shut her eyes.

The words that were on Zheng Jinxiu's tongue were swallowed back.

"Jinyu." Zheng Jinxiu called out to her nonetheless.

A simmering frustration resided within her.

Zheng Jinyu slowly opened her eyes and yawned.

"Is there something you need, Sister? I'm still feeling drowsy. Could you wait until I wake up to talk about it?"

"You…" Zheng Jinxiu huffed. "I just want to remind you not to wander off when we're at the Wang residence later. Stay close to me. I promised Mother that I would look after you. If anything were to happen to you or if you got lost, I wouldn't be able to bear the responsibility."

"Alright, I'll stick with you," Zheng Jinyu replied with a casual smile.

It seemed like an illusion, but Zheng Jinxiu sensed that her smile appeared somewhat insincere and peculiar.

"In addition, since you know so little, refrain from making hasty remarks. The more you speak, the more likely you are to err, whereas silence is golden when unsure if a statement is appropriate."

This reminded Zheng Jinyu of wet nurse Xu. Her words echoed those used by Xu to manipulate her in the past.

She was tempted to retort that the last person to utter such words no longer lived.

However, considering she had yet to fully sever ties with Zheng Jinxiu, she held her tongue for the time being.

She replied, "I understand. Matron Xu said something similar to me last time."

The impact of these words was comparable to the previous statement. Zheng Jinxiu's face froze, turning slightly pale.

In her ears, she could almost hear the pitiful cries of Matron Xu being beaten with a board.

She awkwardly turned away, swallowing any scolding she had intended for Zheng Jinyu.

After all, Matron Xu had served her for many years and had only encountered trouble while carrying out tasks on her behalf.

On that fateful day, she wouldn't have died from the punishment, but she had still asked her wet nurse to find a way to end her life.

The carriage finally fell silent. After all, Zheng Jinxiu was just a fourteen-year-old girl; even after committing a misdeed, she couldn't help but feel guilty.

Zheng Jinyu closed her eyes for a brief rest. Not long after the carriage started rocking, they exited the city gates. She had previously inquired that the Wang family's estate was known for its blooming lotuses at this time of year, and it was located outside the city.

After leaving the city, the carriage continued on for some time before stopping in front of an imposing mansion.

"Misses, we have arrived at the Wang family's grand estate."