Chapter 41: Turning Her Back on Wang Fuzhen

Chapter 41: Turning Her Back on Wang Fuzhen

Both sets of attire suited her well.

Madam Zheng was troubled again and complained to Master Zheng.

"Another two sets of clothes have been delivered. What do you think is going on with them?"

"Madam, didn't we agree to wait until Prince Chen returns? There's news from the border that he will be back shortly."

"Ahh? Prince Chen is almost back? Does that mean the battle is over? Will our Yan'er be returning soon as well?"

"No, only Prince Chen will be returning. Yan'er will have to stay there for a while longer."

Madam Zheng felt a twinge of disappointment. "I thought Yan'er would be coming home soon. Why is Prince Chen returning if the war isn't finished?"

She was torn between hoping that Prince Chen would return promptly to untangle this mess and clarify matters, and wishing he wouldn't, fearing that Jinxiu might not be able to bear the truth.

Madam Zheng was now a paradox of emotions.

Mr. Zheng remarked, "Prince Chen's return is twofold: one, for military provisions and supplies, and two, for the Imperial Princess. It's said that she misses her child dearly, which is why she requested an imperial edict to summon him. In any case, his stay won't be overly long."

Mrs. Zheng thought to herself, So it seems Prince Chen has returned for important matters. Perhaps he won't bring up the marriage alliance between our families.

That would be for the best. The mere thought of it gives me a headache.

Mr. Zheng inquired, "Did you give those two sets of clothing to Jinyu?"

"Yes, they weren't cheap. If she doesn't wear them now, she might not fit into them later if she gains weight, and that would be a waste."

Mr. Zheng was taken aback. "Madam would give Jinyu the dress just to avoid waste?"

"Why not?"

Lost in thought, Mr. Zheng asked, "Madam, have you, perhaps, already leaned towards Jinyu in your heart regarding this marriage?"

Mrs. Zheng jumped in surprise. Had the balance in her heart truly tilted towards Jinyu?

She hurriedly defended herself, "Don't be ridiculous, I've never thought of that."

If Jinxiu were to be given the marriage with Prince Chen, how pitiful would Jinyu become?

After all, it was a child he had personally raised, cherished like the apple of his eye for over a decade.

It wasn't her fault that she was given the wrong child, yet she was the one who had to bear the brunt of the devastating fall from grace.

Her guilt toward Zheng Jinxiu intensified in her heart.

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Mr. Little Ji had arranged a packed study schedule for Zheng Jinyu, leaving her with little time to play. Of course, she was also unwilling to constantly accompany Zheng Jinxiu in her pretense. If she wanted to showcase her knowledge openly and honestly, her efforts had to surpass those of ordinary people. An intelligent, diligent, and hardworking young beauty, shouldn't it be expected that she excel? When Lady Zheng saw Zheng Jinyu's progress and heard Jining's effusive praise, she felt a mix of joy and wistfulness.

Of course she was delighted that her own daughter was so outstanding.

What saddened her was that after only a few months, the gap between this daughter and Jinxiu, whom she had painstakingly nurtured for over a decade, was shrinking rapidly.

Come next year when they both reached maturity, it would be obvious whom the Imperial Princess would choose if the two were to be compared side by side.

After all, the Imperial Princess had never been impressed with Jinxiu's bloodline to begin with.

In the blink of an eye, another month passed. Zheng Jinyu hadn't stepped out of the house since their last visit to the theater.

Despite being confined indoors, she was well aware of the rumors circulating outside.

It was said that Prince Chen's return was imminent, and this had someone in a frenzy. The gossip mongers were spreading tales that the youngest daughter of the Zheng family was being raised in a peasant's home, supposedly an ignorant country bumpkin with no accomplishments.

Seemingly, they had forgotten her triumph at the Lotus Appreciation Feast.

Or perhaps, the narrative of a noble lady being a rustic yokel was simply more sensational?

To lend credibility to these rumors, they even fabricated a story involving a fortune-teller.

It was said that the Zheng family decided to raise her in the countryside because she was born with a frail constitution, and according to fortune-tellers, she didn't have the fate to enjoy the immense wealth and prestige of the Zheng family.

She had to conceal her identity and be sent to live with an ordinary farming family, where she would be treated as a common peasant girl, in order to survive longer.

Goodness, if she was weak from birth, shouldn't she be protected and cared for meticulously?

The logic that living with farmers and working every day would ensure a longer life was perplexing. Yet, surprisingly, the neighbors actually believed it.

Indeed, the more extraordinary the tale, the more eagerly it was shared. This statement couldn't be more accurate.

This particular version has already spread like wildfire throughout the capital.

Madam Zheng was furious and went about investigating who could be the source of the rumor.

It would have been one thing if it had merely circulated, but the story had been distorted beyond recognition.

Eventually, the trail led back to Wang Fuzhen.

Zheng Jinxiu was good friends with Wang Fuzhen, which aroused Madam Zheng's suspicion. She asked her husband, "Husband, do you think Jinxiu might have been the one who leaked it?"

Master Zheng was also puzzled. But when he thought of how Jinxiu, whom he had raised since she was young, was such an obedient and lovable girl, he found it hard to believe.

"Could there be some misunderstanding? Are you sure it was Jinxiu who spread the news?"

"I'm not entirely certain, but the investigation led to Wang Fuzhen. She's known to be close to Jinxiu."

"Perhaps she spoke up on Jinxiu's behalf out of a sense of injustice?"

"Well... that's hard to determine."

Mr. Zheng sighed in relief. "Jinxiu is a good girl. I can see that she treats Jinyu well. There must be some misunderstanding. Here's what you do: invite Jinxiu for a chat tomorrow. Don't confront her directly; try to infer the situation through subtle questions."

Mrs. Zheng agreed. "That sounds like a plan."

The next day, Mrs. Zheng arranged a private meeting with Zheng Jinxiu. Jinxiu, seemingly anticipating this, approached her mother calmly.

"Mother, you wanted to see me?"

"Yes, Jinxiu, come sit by me."

Lady Zheng gazed at her with affectionate eyes, gently caressing her face as she sighed, "It seems you've lost some weight lately."

She assumed it was related to Jinyu's return, which had somehow affected her.

To her surprise, Zheng Jinxiu smiled obediently and said, "Mother, it's just the bitter summer. People often lose their appetite during this season. Once autumn comes, I'll make sure to nourish myself properly. Please don't scold me for gaining too much weight then."

Zheng Jinxiu knew how to please her mother, and indeed, Lady Zheng's face lit up with joy upon hearing her words, praising her for her maturity.

Such a considerate and lovable child could hardly have any ill intentions, she thought. There must be some misunderstanding.

"Jinxiu, you seem to have a good rapport with Miss Wang, don't you?"

"Yes, why does Mother mention her all of a sudden?"

"I wonder... how does she feel towards Jinyu? Could there be any animosity between them?"

Zheng Jinxiu understood what was on her mind now.

With a serious expression, Zheng Jinxiu analyzed, "There isn't any particular animosity between her and Jinyu, but..." She hesitated, her face suggesting that the matter was difficult to articulate.

"What's the matter? Just what?" Lady Zheng was taken aback.

Zheng Jinxiu's face was contorted with distress. "Mother, it concerns Zhen Zhen's reputation. I'm unsure if I should bring it up."

"Speak, it's just you and me in this room. Don't worry, what you tell me will stay with me."

"Alright, I trust you, Mother. Then I'll say it."

Lady Zheng nodded, ready to listen attentively.

Madam Zheng's eyes widened in surprise. "Huh?"

Zheng Jinxiu continued, "She has taken a fancy to Third Brother. She learned that he was punished because of Jinyu and has been deliberately making things difficult for Younger Sister Jinyu."

Madam Zheng was stunned for a long moment.

After a while, she murmured, "So that's how it is."

Zheng Jinxiu inquired, "Mother, did she do something harmful to Sister Jinyu?"