Chapter 47: Three Mothers and Daughters Expelled

Chapter 47: Three Mothers and Daughters Expelled

"How dare you, utter nonsense! It's clearly your blindness to blame for not recognizing your own child."

Madam Zheng's anger shook her to her core, leaving her defeated.

"You dared to mix up your own child," the statement pinned Madam Zheng down with no room for retaliation.

"Imperial Princess, this..."

"Enough, it seems that your wits are not yet restored. You should go back and regain your clarity. Attendants, see the guest out."

The three of them, mother and daughters, had come as guests, yet they were hastily dismissed without even having the chance to partake in the meal.

All three felt embarrassed, but Zheng Jinyu deemed Zheng Jinxiu to be the most ashamed.

Aware that in the original story, the Imperial Princess's family would relocate to the border, and the Zheng family would eventually dissolve their engagement, she harbored no expectations for this betrothal.

But it was different for Zheng Jinxiu. To outsiders, it was Zheng Jinxiu who was betrothed to Xie Peiyu, and it had nothing to do with her, Zheng Jinyu.

The Imperial Princess intended to call off the engagement, and it was a slap in the face for her alone.

The Marquise saw them off at the entrance.

Madam Zheng's face was ashen, while Zheng Jinxiu's was pale. Only Zheng Jinyu maintained her composure.

The Marquise said, "Madam Zheng, I do apologize. My mother is not in a good mood."

Madam Zheng wasn't foolish; who would entertain guests when they were in a foul mood?

Why did the conversation suddenly turn sour? The Imperial Princess was indeed unpredictable in her emotions.

"The marriage between our two families..." The Duchess hesitated, unable to continue.

Madam Zheng turned to her, eagerly awaiting the rest of her words.

The Duchess expressed her distress: "Ah! Madam Zheng, you must brace yourself. I fear that the betrothal between our two families may not come to fruition."

"Ah? You mean the engagement is truly to be called off?"

"Hush, Mother hasn't confirmed it yet. This is merely my personal speculation. Please lower your voice, Lady Zheng," said the Duchess with a whisper.

Lady Zheng inferred that since the Duchess had mentioned it, the rumor was likely true. The Imperial Princess must have brought it up to her more than once for her to voice such concerns. Now, what should she do?

"Mother," Zheng Jinxiu clung to Lady Zheng's arm in fear.

Zheng Jinyu remained composed, as if the matter held no relevance to her.

The Duchess shifted her gaze towards Zheng Jinyu, amusement stirring within her heart, though her expression remained troubled and distressed.

"Madam Zheng, my mother truly wouldn't accept Jinxiu from your family. My mother is the only daughter of the late Emperor and Empress, no one's lineage surpasses hers."

Madam Zheng nodded in agreement. "Of course, Imperial Princess's bloodline is indeed most exalted."

"In her eyes, one can learn manners over time, and deficiencies in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting can also be improved gradually." As she spoke, she deliberately kept her gaze on Zheng Jinyu, making the young lady feel self-conscious.

Both Madam Zheng and Zheng Jinxiu noticed the princess's subtle expression; the implication was hardly subtle.

Zheng Jinxiu clenched her teeth in anger.

Madam Zheng seemed lost in thought.

The princess continued, "I understand that you wish Miss Jinxiu to become part of our family through marriage, but my mother values lineage above all else. She would never consent to it. If Madam Zheng wishes to avoid displeasing my mother, I advise you not to involve Miss Jinxiu in the matrimonial affairs between our two families."

The princess made her stance clear: the Imperial Princess's anger was due to Zheng Jinxiu's unauthorized presence, brought about by Madam Zheng.

Zheng Jinxiu felt as if her world was crumbling.

Madam Zheng let out a helpless sigh.

"We understand, thank you, Princess, for informing us."

Lady Zheng accompanied her two daughters into the carriage, and all three of them remained silent throughout the journey.

Back at home, Zheng Jinxiu collapsed to the ground with a sob, weeping uncontrollably.

"Mother, everyone in the capital knows about my betrothal to Prince Chen. Now that the Princess Manor has suddenly reneged on it, how can I ever hold my head up high? It wasn't my fault that the child was switched at birth."

Lady Zheng pulled her daughter into an embrace and tenderly wiped away her tears with a handkerchief.

"Mother is aware of this, which is why she has been striving to preserve this marriage for you. Yet, who could have foreseen that the Imperial Princess would act in such an... utterly unreasonable manner?"

Zheng Jinyu observed the two weeping in each other's arms in silence.

Madam Zheng was usually quite level-headed. However, when it came to matters involving Zheng Jinxiu, she seemed to lose all rationality, blindly supporting her daughter regardless of right or wrong. Afterwards, she would even accuse others of being unreasonable.

From a different perspective, Zheng Jinyu suddenly realized that everyone's affection for the story's beloved female protagonist didn't hold up under closer scrutiny.

Of course, this didn't detract from the thrill of reading as an audience member.

As a reader, she had always enjoyed the unconditional affection showered upon the protagonist by those around her.

"Big Sister, perhaps we should consider targeting Prince Chen. The Imperial Princess only has him as a son. No matter how reluctant she is, she must prioritize her son's interests," she suggested, trying to lift Zheng Jinxiu's spirits.

Mrs. Zheng hastily agreed, "Yes, yes, your sister speaks wisely. Jinxiu, don't lose hope. Let's focus on Prince Chen."

Zheng Jinxiu pouted and looked at Zheng Jinyu, who returned a smile that was neither here nor there.

This pretentious display infuriated Zheng Jinxiu, but she couldn't lash out at her.

"Yet Prince Chen didn't say a word. He must be listening to the Imperial Princess."

Zheng Jinyu replied, "That's not quite right. In front of guests, what could Prince Chen possibly say? If he were to openly contradict the Imperial Princess and disregard his own birth mother, it would raise questions about his character."

Upon hearing Zheng Jinyu's words, Lady Zheng had an epiphany. "Yes, that's exactly it. His silence was to avoid undermining the Imperial Princess's dignity, not because he doesn't value you. Your sister speaks wisely."

Empowered by this realization, Lady Zheng nudged Zheng Jinxiu. "Prince Chen must have special feelings for you. Trust your mother on this. You should find a chance to meet with him alone."

Zheng Jinxiu sniffled a few times before her face lit up with a smile again. "I'll listen to Mother."

Zheng Jinyu rolled her eyes in exasperation. Were they truly foolish, or were they just deluding themselves?

Wasn't the humiliation already enough?

Well, if they were willing to embarrass themselves, there was nothing anyone could do to stop them.

The two left the main courtyard together. Halfway along an empty stretch of road, Zheng Jinxiu stopped Zheng Jinyu once more.

She had more or less figured out Zheng Jinyu's tactics. Leading her to a secluded spot was a ploy to discuss matters that were suitable only for their ears.

"Speak," Zheng Jinyu said coolly.

Zheng Jinxiu harrumphed. "Don't get too smug. The Imperial Princess has no regard for me, and she doesn't hold you in any higher esteem. When the Imperial Princess calls off the marriage, we'll both be disgraced. So for the sake of the Zheng family's reputation, you'd better help me sincerely."

Zheng Jinyu chuckled. "So what if I do? As a daughter of the Zheng family, I might indeed be implicated in your disgrace, but my loss of face would amount to no more than the size of a fingernail. It's different for you; you stand to lose a palm-sized chunk of your reputation."

In other words, she would lose all face.

Zheng Jinxiu gritted her teeth and said, "Don't forget, you're the daughter of the Zheng family, and it was you who were betrothed to him. If the engagement is broken, it'll be you who's being jilted."

"Oh, so if I understand correctly, you're considering revealing your true identity, are you?"

Zheng Jinyu maintained a smile on her face but lowered her voice to whisper in her sister's ear, "Are you willing to give it all up? The status of a young lady of the Zheng family, the life of luxury and fine clothes. Without that title, your only option would be to marry Wang Erwa, the village idiot from Fang Village."