Chapter 38: Am I the One Being Mocked?

Chapter 38: Am I the One Being Mocked?

Although Madam Zheng knew that her son didn't treat his youngest daughter well, she was glad that Jinxiu had a clear understanding of situations.

It was excellent that she wanted to take her sister along to watch a play.

Madam Zheng smiled and said, "Of course it's good. It will broaden her horizons and lift her spirits. Your Third Brother is still quite childlike; those words he spoke and actions he took must have hurt Jinyu. But alas, that child has suffered so much that she might have grown accustomed to bearing her pain in silence. Ah! I don't even know how to begin comforting her."

Zheng Jinxiu's smile froze as her resentment towards Madam Zheng deepened upon hearing her words.

Zheng Jinyu has only been back for a few months, yet she has already become so significant in Mother's heart?

Lost in her own worries, Lady Zheng failed to notice the shift in Zheng Jinxiu's expression.

She patted Zheng Jinxiu's hand gently and said, "Thankfully, you're here. You two are of the same age; I believe you'll have much to talk about. Jinxiu, it's up to you to help Jinyu leave behind her past sorrows and return to a normal life as a young lady of noble birth."

"Yes, Jinxiu will take good care of my younger sister," Zheng Jinxiu replied obediently.

The moment she lowered her head, her gaze transformed.

Her gaze was as venomous as poison.

I will certainly take good care of her, turning her into the laughing stock of the capital. She will never fit into the elite circle of this city for the rest of her life.

Madam Zheng instructed her maid to summon Zheng Jinyu and inform her about attending the opera with Zheng Jinxiu the following day.

Initially, Zheng Jinyu had no intention of joining in the festivities. However, upon seeing Zheng Jinxiu's ingratiating smile as she fawned over Madam Zheng, Zheng Jinyu reluctantly agreed after some thought.

Her tactics remain unchanged, after all.

Compared to the ruthless tactics employed in school bullying a thousand years later, these antics were mere trifles.

Given that ladies of noble birth valued their reputations, they seldom engaged in open confrontations, refraining from excessive actions unless absolutely necessary.

"Really? I've never seen a play before. Sister, what kind of performances do they usually have on stage?" asked Jinxiu.

Zheng Jinxiu replied, "Well... the programs vary each day. I have no idea what will be performed tomorrow."

Mrs. Zheng smiled and said, "It doesn't matter what they're singing. Listening to the opera is secondary; the main purpose is to broaden your horizons and help you make more acquaintances."

"Yes, Mother."

In ancient times, people typically enjoyed storytelling or opera performances in the afternoons.

The following day, after lunch, she accompanied Zheng Jinxiu outside.

As they departed, Mrs. Zheng's smile was as bright as a blooming flower.

But the moment they were out of Mrs. Zheng's sight, she dropped the act.

Zheng Jinxiu's expression darkened as she said coolly, "I originally didn't intend to bring you along, but Mother insisted. You're from the countryside and probably haven't heard opera before, nor would you understand it. When we listen to the performance, just sit quietly by our side. It'd be best if you don't cause any trouble, do you understand?"

Zheng Jinyu curved her lips into a smile. "Mother said I'm not here to listen to the opera."

"Ha ha," Zheng Jinxiu sneered. "To broaden your horizons? Do you really think they'll take you seriously? They might not say anything to your face, but they're only being polite because of the Zheng family. Behind your back, they might be mocking you."

Zheng Jinyu wasn't angered. Instead, her smile deepened. "That's because they're unaware of the true situation with the young miss of the Zheng family. If they were to find out..."

She left her sentence unfinished, but the amusement on her face intensified.

Zheng Jinxiu's expression drastically changed as she asked in exasperation, "Do you plan on revealing the true reason?"

Zheng Jinyu simply smiled without responding.

Should it be revealed? Of course, but it certainly wouldn't be through her own doing. She wasn't that foolish.

As for who should spread the news and how, Zheng Jinyu hadn't decided just yet.

The distance from the Zheng residence to the opera house wasn't far, and the carriage arrived shortly after setting off.

Alighting from the carriage, Zheng Jinxiu hastened toward the private room.

Zheng Jinyu, holding her skirt, followed at a leisurely pace.

Zheng Jinxiu had arranged with Wang Fuzhen that she would be the hostess, thus Wang Fuzhen arrived first and was already waiting in the room.

Upon seeing Zheng Jinxiu, she greeted her warmly, "Jinxiu, quickly take a seat here."

But when she caught sight of Zheng Jinyu entering behind, her expression darkened.

"Why are you here?"

Zheng Jinxiu hastily said with a hint of elegance, "Don't blame my sister, it was I who wanted to bring her along."

Wang Fuzhen curled her lips, shooting a look of extreme disdain at Zheng Jinyu.

Zheng Jinyu smiled faintly and seated herself by pulling out a chair without much ado.

Just then, more ladies from prominent families arrived, their attention drawn to the newly arrived Miss Zhou.

"Miss Thursday, please take a seat."

Several more young misses arrived, and with them, the small private box was filled to capacity.

Wang Fuzhen ordered fruits, pastries, and tea, raising her teacup to invite them to enjoy the performance.

"I'll be treating you all today. Ladies, if there's any particular play you'd like to see, just let me know, and I'll make the arrangements."

"Sister Wang is truly generous. You were the one who treated us to the opera last time as well."

Wang Fuzhen chuckled and said, "It's no problem. As long as my sisters are happy, spending a little money is nothing."

Zheng Jinxiu smiled and replied, "Zhen Zhen, you can treat us to the tea and snacks. Let's pay for the opera performances ourselves. There are six of us, so how about each choosing one act?"

Miss Thursday promptly agreed, "Miss Zheng has a good idea. I'll choose the first act then."

"Very well, go ahead."

Zheng Jinyu sat quietly by the side, thinking that each act would take at least twenty minutes. There were only two periods of two hours in an afternoon, amounting to four hours in total. If each person picked one act, they'd be occupying the entire afternoon's performance schedule.

Yet, just as the third opera was drawing to a close, Zheng Jinxiu placed the opera selection book in front of Zheng Jinyu with a bright smile on her face, and Zheng Jinyu finally understood the situation.

Each person had been choosing short operas, limiting each performance to no more than thirty minutes; the second one had even concluded within the time it takes to brew a pot of tea.

Now, only half an hour had passed since the start of the third opera.

If Zheng Jinyu were to blindly pick an opera that could last for an hour or more, she would undoubtedly be ridiculed by the others.

She would be taking up too much time, and there were still two people waiting their turn after her.

Unfortunately, she was truly unaware of the duration of the plays listed in the scriptbook. But that was not an issue; if she didn't know, she could simply ask. She wasn't devoid of a voice.

Thus, Zheng Jinyu took the book and inquired of the waiter, "It's getting late, so I'll opt for a shorter play. Could you tell me which among your offerings has the shortest runtime?"

The waiter pointed, "Miss Zheng, both of these plays are quite similar, lasting roughly the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. Which one would you prefer?"

"Let's go with this one," she chose one at random.

"Very well, ladies, please enjoy the performance at your leisure." The waiter closed the book and retreated.

With a grave expression, Zheng Jinxiu could tell that Zheng Jinyu was unfamiliar with these operatic performances, but her wit had saved her from embarrassment.

Wang Fuzhen huffed, "Don't you understand a thing? Why are you randomly choosing?"

Zheng Jinyu blinked innocently and openly admitted, "Yes, I don't."

Wang Fuzhen was taken aback for a moment before bursting into laughter, "Are you serious, Jinxiu? Is your sister really that unsophisticated? She doesn't even know about opera. Could it be that this is her first time watching one, despite her age?"

Zheng Jinxiu felt pleased, but she concealed it well, appearing outwardly concerned as she hurried to defend her sister, "No, my sister does understand opera."

Her flustered appearance only serves to amplify the very thing she's trying to conceal.