Chapter 45: Let the Slap in the Face Not Be Too Painful

Chapter 45: Let the Slap in the Face Not Be Too Painful

The steward also heaved a sigh of relief.

"Please escort them to the floral hall. This princess will be there shortly."

"As you wish."

The servants arranged for the Zheng family matriarch and her two daughters to wait in the princess's floral hall. Madam Zheng sat gracefully, sipping tea occasionally while glancing at her two laughing daughters from time to time.

It wasn't the first time for Zheng Jinxiu to be here. She pulled Zheng Jinyu to lean against the window of the flower hall and eagerly described the layout of the Princess's residence.

The Imperial Princess was the late Emperor's eldest daughter and his only child. She had been doted on since birth, and this princess residence, crafted especially for her, had begun construction when she was merely six years old, taking artisans a full decade to complete. From grand pavilions and towers to the smallest detail of each tree and blade of grass, even the artificial mountain stones, every element was meticulously arranged to create a unique scenic view at every turn.

She turned away from the window and gestured to Zheng Jinyu. "Come here, I'll show you around this area."

Lady Zheng was sipping tea nearby, observing the scene. Zheng Jinyu was fully cooperative with Zheng Jinxiu, allowing her to shine.

The greater the arrogance one displays now, the more painful the eventual humiliation will be.

"Look, doesn't the view seem different from this window?"

Zheng Jinyu nods appreciatively. "Indeed."

"The splendor of the Princess's residence surpasses even that of the imperial palace, with vistas to admire in every season."

"Is that so? I thought the grandest place on earth was the palace."

Zheng Jinxiu chuckles. "How could it be? The previous Emperor doted on the Imperial Princess above all else, and our current Emperor also holds her in great favor. He permits her residence to be more opulent than the palace itself."

She gazed at the courtyard with a pleased expression, as if it were already within her grasp.

"Little Sister Jinyu, do you want to see more? I can show you around."

What a joke, does she think the Princess's residence is her own home?

Zheng Jinyu hesitated and said, "Isn't that a bit inappropriate? We're guests here. The host has asked us to wait in the flower hall, so it wouldn't be proper for us to wander elsewhere, right?"

"Oh, come on, it's no big deal. When I used to visit the Princess's residence before, I could go wherever I pleased."

Pah, talking big without any preparation.

She had only gained entry to the Princess's residence a few times by riding on Zheng Hongyan's coattails.

Zheng Jinyu glanced at Lady Zheng, who was sipping her tea composedly, and thought to herself: Since Lady Zheng isn't bothered, what is there for me to worry about?

She would just have to endure the embarrassment alongside Zheng Jinxiu.

"Alright, I'll follow Elder Sister's advice."

Lady Zheng said kindly, "Just take a stroll around, don't wander too far."

"I understand, Mother."

Zheng Jinyu felt that Lady Zheng could be quite forgetful at times.

Or perhaps, she was still in denial.

If the Imperial Princess approved of Zheng Jinxiu, then there would be no issue with her taking a leisurely walk nearby.

Yet, it was clear that the Imperial Princess held no regard for her. Not only did she not extend an invitation, but she also made her wander around. Wouldn't that just irritate people?

Zheng Jinxiu brought Zheng Jinyu to a courtyard filled with exotic flowers and plants, artificial hills and peculiar stones—every step revealed a new scene, and the description was by no means exaggerated.

They finally reached a secluded spot where Zheng Jinxiu dropped her pretense.

"Zheng Jinyu, the lady of this residence can only be me. Do you understand?"

Zheng Jinyu smiled faintly. "I understand. My respects to Princess Chen."

Zheng Jinxiu's expression darkened as she retorted, "Who are you mocking? Do you look down on me?"

"How could that be? Should I cry and call you Princess Chen instead of laughing?"

"You..." She called herself Princess Chen with a smile, but why was there mockery all over her face?

"Hmph, Zheng Jinyu, I know you're not satisfied, but it doesn't matter. Not everyone can enter this Princess's residence, yet I've been here countless times since I was young. I come and go as I please, going wherever I wish. This is the treatment of the future Princess Chen, do you understand?"

"I understand." Zheng Jinyu maintained her smiling countenance.

Yet, she wore a mocking smile that infuriated Zheng Jinxiu. "Do you think that just because the Imperial Princess doesn't like me, I won't be able to enter the princess's residence? No, the Imperial Princess listens to Prince Chen. As long as Brother Yu wants to marry me, she has no choice but to comply. Look, the last time the Imperial Princess visited the Zheng family and criticized my lowly birth, what happened then? The moment Brother Yu returned, she obediently sent an invitation to the Zheng family asking for my presence. And you…" She sized up Zheng Jinyu with disdain. "You were just an afterthought, benefiting from my shine."

Zheng Jinyu smiled faintly, not saying a word. If she knew that her name wasn't even on the invitation and that it was Mrs. Zheng who had shamelessly brought her along, what would she think?

If this were her, she would be so embarrassed that her toes could dig out a three-bedroom apartment.

As they were conversing, they suddenly caught a glimpse of someone darting behind the artificial mountain.

Zheng Jinxiu froze, her complexion paling slightly. "Who's there?"

There was no response.

Panicked, Zheng Jinxiu wondered what would happen if someone overheard her previous words.

She abandoned Zheng Jinyu and hurriedly ran towards the artificial mountain.

But it was deserted; not a soul in sight.

Zheng Jinyu looked at her with a smile, and in her eyes, it appeared as if he was gloating over her misfortune.

Feeling uneasy about the difference between them, Zheng Jinxiu lost her desire to show off and decided to take Zheng Jinyu back home.

Following closely behind her, Zheng Jinyu was stopped by a middle-aged nanny just as they were approaching the flower hall.

"Miss Zhengs, where are you two headed?"

Already feeling guilty, Zheng Jinxiu stumbled over her words. She turned to Zheng Jinyu and explained, "It's my sister's first time at the Princess's residence, and she wants to explore. I'm showing her around."

Zheng Jinyu was taken aback. Weren't you the one who insisted on bringing me along? Now you want to explore without me?

She smiled and replied, "Sister mentioned that she's very familiar with the princess' residence, so she wanted to show me around. Nanny Zhang, I apologize, but we won't be wandering further."

At that moment, another middle-aged nanny emerged.

It was none other than Nanny Zhang, who had previously taught Zheng Jinyu manners.

"Nanny Zhang, if Miss Second would like to go anywhere, I'll accompany her," she offered.

Zheng Jinyu executed a respectful bow and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Ama. My sister and I have been out for quite some time, and we're afraid our mother might worry. We should head back soon. Could you kindly lead the way for us?"

"Please follow me, Miss Zhengs."

In truth, the flower hall was just ahead, and they arrived in no time.

Madam Zheng was engaged in laughter with the Imperial Princess, who had a princess standing behind her. Upon seeing the sisters enter, the smile on the Imperial Princess's face vanished.

"Why are you running about like that?"

Zheng Jinxiu's expression froze.

Quickly, Zheng Jinyu replied, "Replying Imperial Princess, Jinyu was captivated by the beauty of your estate and asked Elder Sister to show me around. Forgive me for my impertinence; please grant me pardon, Your Highness."

The Imperial Princess scoffed, her eyes rolling up to the heavens.

She then turned to Lady Zheng and said, "As for this daughter of yours, you still have much work to do in guiding her. Since she is here as a guest, she should conduct herself accordingly. How can she wander about without informing the host? If something were to go missing, would I, the Imperial Princess, not investigate? Let's avoid causing embarrassment for everyone involved."

Madam Zheng's face flushed red, as if she had just been slapped in public.

She humbly apologized to the Imperial Princess and then glanced at her two daughters, feeling immensely pleased with Zheng Jinyu.

It was clear that Jinxiu had mentioned that it was fine for her to frequently visit the Princess's residence and wander around. It was also Jinxiu who had accompanied her outside.