Chapter 39: Two More Sets of Robes

Chapter 39: Two More Sets of Robes

To everyone's surprise, Zheng Jinyu nodded generously and said, "It's indeed my first time watching a play. As you all know, I was unwell in the past and had to focus on my recovery."

Wang Fuzhen's mocking expression froze on her face.

Zheng Jinxiu's previous attempt to cover up for her now appeared particularly fake, especially since Zheng Jinyu had just exposed her lie in front of everyone.

Feeling unsatisfied, Zheng Jinyu turned to Zheng Jinxiu and added, "Sister, it's not embarrassing to not understand the play. There was no need for you to lie for me."

The atmosphere was somewhat awkward.

It was clear to those with sharp eyes that Wang Fuzhen was targeting Zheng Jinyu. Perhaps this entire spectacle had been orchestrated for her, and they had been summoned by Wang Fuzhen merely to serve as supporting characters.

However, they couldn't fathom the reason behind Wang Fuzhen's animosity towards her.

"Weren't you told to stay out of it? Why are you here? Are you afraid of embarrassing yourself?" Wang Fuzhen asked with a cold gaze.

Zheng Jinyu replied, "My elder sister asked me to come along, saying it would be an opportunity for me to broaden my horizons. Miss Wang is also watching a play for the first time, so wouldn't she be just as inexperienced? Could that be considered embarrassing?"

"I..." Wang Fuzhen was left speechless, her face flushing with anger.

She abruptly rose to her feet and addressed the other young ladies, "Ladies, please excuse me for a moment."

Zheng Jinxiu also stood up and offered, "I'll accompany you. Ladies, pardon us."

Zheng Jinyu sipped her tea nonchalantly. What was this called again? In a thousand years, it would be referred to as an 'escape to urinate,' probably indicating that the two were about to discuss their strategy.

Upon their departure, Miss Zhou and the others approached Zheng Jinyu with inquiries.

"Miss Zheng Er, have you offended Lady Wang Fuzhen?"

Zheng Jinyu shook her head, looking innocent. "I have no idea. This is only my second outing since returning to the capital. The first was at the Wang residence to admire lotus flowers. Could it be... that I unintentionally offended her during that lotus viewing?"

They had all been there that day. Upon reflection, it seemed that Lady Wang Fuzhen had indeed shown some hostility towards her back then.

As for the reason, even the main party involved didn't know, let alone them.

After they left together, the two of them did indeed conspire in secret.

"Jinxiu, your younger sister is quite cunning. She clearly doesn't understand, yet she insists on interfering and causing trouble. And then she has the audacity to blame it on others," Zheng Jinxiu said with a deeply furrowed brow, followed by a sigh. "Yes, no wonder Third Brother keeps falling into her traps."

Wang Fuzhen was taken aback. "What? Your... Your Third Brother suffered again?"

Making sure no one was around, Zheng Jinxiu lowered her voice and recounted the incident that had occurred when Zheng Hongqi and Zheng Hongxu had returned home previously.

"I saw it with my own eyes. Third Brother only tapped her lightly, not enough force to even drop a sachet, but somehow the sachet fell, and her hand turned red. I noticed she hid her hand in her sleeve; she must have done it to herself. After making her hand red, she went to complain to our parents."

Wang Fuzhen's eyes widened in disbelief. "What? That's too much!"

Zheng Jinxiu sniffled and continued, "Poor Third Brother. Father really did slap him across the face; it was so forceful that his face swelled up after."

"Aah? Your Third Brother was slapped by your father?"

Zheng Jinxiu nodded, looking on the verge of tears.

"It wasn't just because her hands were red. Second Brother and Third Brother brought me presents when they returned but forgot about her. They didn't intentionally neglect her; it's just that they weren't used to having a new sister all of a sudden, so they simply forgot. But she got jealous and angry, causing Third Brother to be punished and beaten. When she came back, Father and Mother became hers alone, and Second Brother, Third Brother, and I... Waaaah..."

Wang Fuzhen clenched her teeth, her chest heaving with anger. "How dare that country bumpkin behave so arrogantly? Your parents must be blind. Jinxiu, don't cry. Your Third Brother loves you, and so do I. Don't worry, I'll help you."

Zheng Jinxiu's face lit up with a smile. "Zhen Zhen, if only you could become my sister-in-law."

Wang Fuzhen was taken aback, her cheeks flushing all the way to her ears.

Unbeknownst to Zheng Jinyu, these two original rivals were now growing closer due to her presence, uniting against her in their scheming.

As they left to plot secretly, an unexpected guest arrived in the private room.

Princess Xie Jingrou gave a subtle signal to her maid, who promptly presented two sets of clothing.

With a gentle smile, she addressed Zheng Jinyu, "After two months of hurried work, the seamstress has finally completed these outfits. Miss Zheng Er, please don't refuse."

The corner of Zheng Jinyu's mouth twitched, and the words of refusal that were on the tip of her tongue seemed to vanish.

"I'm merely acting on someone else's behalf. If you decline, it would put me in a very difficult position."

Zheng Jinyu didn't respond directly, instead changing the subject, "What a coincidence. How did the Princess know we were here?"

Xie Jingrou commented, "I saw you two enter just now, so I asked my maid to retrieve them from the princess residence. The garments were finished yesterday; had we not crossed paths, I would have had to send a letter to inconvenience your esteemed household."

Her subtle suggestion was that if she were to refuse, she would personally visit tomorrow to deliver them.

Zheng Jinyu found it even more perplexing what Xie Peiyu's intentions could be.

In the original story, he had shown no interest in either Zheng Jinxiu or Zheng Jinyu.

With no other choice, Zheng Jinyu instructed her maid to accept them, "Princess, please convey my gratitude to him."

Xie Jingrou's smile deepened. "You're too kind."

After exchanging a few casual remarks, she got up to leave.

Just then, Zheng Jinxiu and Wang Fuzhen returned.

Upon seeing Xie Jingrou, the two hurriedly bowed.

"We pay our respects to the princess," they said.

"Has anyone seen the Countess?"

"You may be excused, I have other matters to attend to. Enjoy the performance, everyone."

Without further ado, she made her exit.

Confused, Zheng Jinxiu and Wang Fuzhen exchanged glances. Once the Countess had left, they inquired of those present,

"Why did the Countess suddenly visit?"

All eyes turned to Zheng Jinyu, who had no choice but to admit, "The Duchess came to see me. She was delivering something on behalf of a friend."

Wang Fuzhen scoffed mockingly, "What could a friend of the Duchess possibly give you?"

Chunmei, the maid, was standing just outside, holding a package that contained two sets of clothing. They had already seen its contents, leaving Zheng Jinyu with no reason to hide the truth.

"Two sets of clothing," she disclosed openly.

Zheng Jinxiu's expression drastically changed.

Another dress?

Wang Fuzhen chuckled and inquired, "Oh? Who's the friend from the county princess's circle who sent you this dress?"

"I'm not sure. She didn't mention it."

"You dared to accept it without knowing?"

"How could I dare not accept it when the Princess herself is presenting it?" Zheng Jinyu's expression darkened as she turned to Wang Fuzhen and said, "Moreover, this matter concerns our Zheng Family and the Xie Family. May I ask what business it is of your Lady Wang?"

"You... Hmph, can't I just casually inquire?" Wang Fuzhen no longer saw the need to maintain her composure and her face darkened.

Zheng Jinxiu, standing by the side, hurriedly tried to mediate. "Jinyu, don't be like this. Quickly apologize to Zhen Zhen."

Zheng Jinyu: "...” Why do I have to apologize to her? What's wrong with these people?

"Sis, what did I do wrong or say amiss?"

Zheng Jinxiu: "You shouldn't speak to Zhen Zhen like that."

"How else should I say it? I'm merely stating the truth. A young lady from the Wang family has no business interfering with the affairs of the Xie and Zheng households."

"Perhaps Zhen Zhen…" She paused mid-sentence, casting a glance at Wang Fuzhen. The two exchanged subtle expressions.