Chapter 32: A Letter from Prince Chen to Zheng Jinyu

Chapter 32: A Letter from Prince Chen to Zheng Jinyu

"What's amiss?"

"You still feign ignorance. What's inappropriate about this? A brother-in-law, away at war, writes a letter to his sister-in-law. Does that seem proper?"

In Zheng Ji's mind, Prince Chen had always been betrothed to Zheng Jinxiu. Indeed, it was unconventional to calculate it this way.

"Should we give this letter to Jinyu?" Lady Zheng asked, clearly troubled.

Master Zheng replied, "Of course we'll give it. If we don't and Prince Chen asks about it later, what would we say?"

"Oh? Does that mean they've been corresponding?"

"Perhaps you're overthinking it. The letter might not contain anything significant," Master Zheng suggested. "How about this? You take the letter to Jin Yu and try to find out its contents before deciding how to proceed."

How could she be overthinking? Lady Zheng hadn't even informed Master Zheng about the clothing matter.

But there was no other option now. She nodded and said, "That sounds good. Let's keep this between us two. Don't let anyone else know to prevent Jinxiu from worrying unnecessarily."

"Alright, I understand. Also, remind Jinyu not to disclose this to anyone."

Lady Zheng carried the letter and made her way to Yusheng Courtyard in search of Zheng Jinyu. She dismissed all the maids and servants, leaving only mother and daughter in the room.

"Mother, what's the matter? Why do you look so serious?"

Lady Zheng took out the letter and placed it on the table.

"Your elder brother has written home, and he included a letter for you."

Zheng Jinyu's face lit up with delight. "My elder brother wrote to me personally. Let me see."

Upon holding the letter in her hand, her smile froze.

"Xie Peiyu... Prince Chen?"

Mrs. Zheng observed her reaction. The moment she saw it was from Prince Chen, she was surprised, and the expression didn't seem feigned.

Perhaps she was overthinking it. There shouldn't be anything going on between them.

They were strangers before, and Prince Chen saw her in rags back then. It's rather peculiar that he took a liking to her at first sight.

"Open it and see," Lady Zheng suggested.

Zheng Jinyu furrowed her brow slightly. "Is it proper for Prince Chen to send me a letter, Mother?"

Hearing this, Lady Zheng felt a pang of sympathy for her daughter.

This child was cautious and well-versed in etiquette. It was that Xie Peiyu who was odd, always up to something inexplicable and defying the norms.

"No worries, Mother is here. Mother will watch with you."

Zheng Jinyu curled the corner of her lips, thinking to herself: Why? Is it because of Zheng Jinxiu's interest in me?

"Alright, I'll read it with Mother."

She maintained her innocent appearance and carefully opened the letter sealed with wax.

The letter contained only a few simple words: 'Jinyu, I've made a kite with an owl's head and a swallow's tail. I'll give it to you when we return to the capital.'

Madam Zheng's already troubled expression became even more perplexed at these words.

How did their relationship progress to the point of exchanging kites?

In contrast, Zheng Jinyu felt a rush of blood surge through her veins.

An owl's head and a swallow's tail - wasn't that the very kite she had found that fateful evening?

Could it be that the black-clad figure from that night was none other than Xie Peiyu?

How... could this be? Wasn't he engaged in battle? Did he possess the art of cloning himself?

Why would he come to the capital unsummoned? What was his intention?

Of course, all that was not the most crucial point. The most important question was, what was going on in his mind?

Despite not having seen him that day, he still chose to return and even threatened her.

Even if he came back, she still wouldn't know the identity of the black-clad figure. Now, he sends a letter with veiled hints, no, almost a direct revelation.

He convinced himself that he was the mysterious figure in black.

Zheng Jinyu's mind was in a jumbled mess, replaying the novel's plot over and over.

The storyline involving the Imperial Princess and Prince Chen was actually quite straightforward. They were criticized by readers for their early breakup, and after their family moved away, they faded from the narrative.

The story mainly revolved around Zheng Jinxiu, detailing her life from her maiden home to her married life, with all its domestic intricacies.

She was certain that she had transmigrated into a novel where she was the cherished and pampered protagonist caught up in the intrigues of the household.

Gazing at the brief message, Zheng Jinyu's heart swelled with uncertainty.

"Jinyu," Lady Zheng was oblivious to her daughter's tangled thoughts and only gazed at her solemnly. "Be honest with Mother. What's going on between you and Prince Chen?"

Zheng Jinyu shook her head. "I'm not sure either. The last time I saw him was when we met at the inn."

"Then why did he send you clothes and mention sending you a kite?"

"I assumed he gave me clothes because I looked untidy, and Big Brother was preoccupied dealing with Nurse Xu and couldn't tend to me. He was essentially helping Big Brother out. As for the kite, I really have no idea. Perhaps you should write a letter to Big Brother and ask him about it?"

Madam Zheng still trusted Zheng Jinyu's words, as she was with her daughter every day, while Prince Chen was engaged in battles at the border. They had only met once, and their eldest son was present at that time.

Therefore, the issue did not lie with her daughter but with Prince Chen.

Madam Zheng didn't comment much and returned home.

Master Zheng had been waiting for her. "How was it? What did he write?"

"She mentioned sending her a kite," Madam Zheng recounted the entire incident in detail. As a mother who favored her daughter, she spoke kindly of Zheng Jinyu and ultimately concluded that the problem originated from Prince Chen.

"Sir, what do you suppose Prince Chen is up to? First he courts Jinxiu, and now he's after Jinyu. Does he intend to sow discord between the sisters, to disrupt our household peace?"

Mr. Zheng rolled his eyes. "Nonsense. The Xie family has ties with ours, and Prince Chen is also on good terms with Yan'er. Without any grudges or conflicts, why would he deliberately disturb our family's tranquility?"

"And what do you think he intends then?"

Mr. Zheng stroked his beard in contemplation. "From what I can gather at present, I believe he might be considering marrying Jinyu."

Mrs. Zheng was astonished. "How could that be? I've always thought he had his eye on Jinxiu."

"I believe he has his sights set on Jinyu."

"This..." Madam Zheng's eyes widened. "Could it be that he desires both of them, wishing to enjoy the blessings of two worlds?"

At this remark, both women fell silent, their moods turning sour.

"Phht, he can dream on."

"Stay calm. Don't go spreading rumors in front of the children. All of this is mere speculation on our part. Let's wait until they return before discussing further."

"Very well."

...

The matter concerning Prince Chen was temporarily set aside. Lady Zheng kept a close eye on her two daughters, allowing them to study only with a female tutor from the Ji family and forbidding them from interacting with anyone outside the estate.

Zheng Jinyu seized this opportunity to enrich herself. With her solid foundation and due to her familial background, she picked up ancient knowledge swiftly and soon grasped the essence of being a talented woman of the era.

Of course, given her relatively short time back at the Zheng residence, it was too soon for her remarkable talents to be fully displayed. She continued to conceal her true abilities while making swift progress.

In Jining's eyes, she was merely astoundingly intelligent.

Each time Jining reported to Madam Zheng about Zheng Jinyu's studies, Madam Zheng could not contain her joy.

Feeling both pride and deep concern, she worried that her daughter's excellence might invite trouble.

Thus, her genuine capabilities were kept under wraps, known only to Zheng Jinyu herself, Jining, and Madam Zheng.

Madam Zheng could never keep anything from Master Zheng, so he was well aware of this as well.