Chapter 48: Xie Peiyu’s Private Meeting with Zheng Jinxiu, Declaring They Could Only Be Relatives in the Future

Chapter 48: Xie Peiyu's Private Meeting with Zheng Jinxiu, Declaring They Could Only Be Relatives in the Future

The image of bare-armed and bare-legged peasants flashed through Zheng Jinxiu's mind, turning her face pale with fright.

How could she willingly marry someone like that? How could she part with the luxurious life she was currently enjoying?

No, she refused to accept it. She couldn't lose her status as Miss Zheng, and she couldn't allow her true identity to be exposed.

Noticing her expression, Zheng Jinyu's smile deepened.

"Aren't you reluctant? I know you are. So, with the Imperial Princess calling off the engagement, you should embrace the embarrassment wholeheartedly. Make sure to keep this secret tightly sealed, or it will be far more than just a matter of losing face."

"You..." Zheng Jinxiu gritted her teeth. "Zheng Jinyu, you're so hypocritical. You help me in front of Mother, but when no one's looking, you bully me like this?"

"Huh?" Zheng Jinyu laughed again. "So you do know the term hypocrisy? I thought you were unaware of it."

Didn't you start this first?

If it weren't for my superior acting skills as Niohuru Zheng Jinyu, I would have been outplayed by you long ago.

"Hmph, with how wicked you are, karma will eventually catch up to you."

Zheng Jinyu glanced at her sideways, scrutinizing her from head to toe. "I was just about to say the same to you."

The two of them had openly severed ties in private, but still put on a facade when others were around.

If Zheng Jinxiu could act, Zheng Jinyu would play along.

Considering Lady Zheng had spent money to send someone to investigate Fang Village, it was no short journey. With the round trip and the time taken for inquiries, news might not return until close to the new year.

There would be plenty more opportunities for them to engage in a dramatic showdown.

...

For Zheng Jinxiu to have an excuse to meet Xie Peiyu alone, what reason could she give?

After much discussion with her father and mother, they came up with a pretext involving a letter.

"Yes, you write a letter, saying it's for your elder brother. Since Prince Chen is back on official business, it would be reasonable to ask him to deliver a letter to your brother after he finishes his duties."

Zheng Jinxiu's eyes lit up. "Alright, I'll listen to Mother and Father."

Mr. Zheng instructed, "Then hurry and write the letter. I'll inquire about Prince Chen's itinerary these few days."

With his abilities, Mr. Zheng swiftly obtained information on Prince Chen's schedule.

Calculating the time and place where Xie Peiyu would pass by, Zheng Jinxiu went early to wait with the letter in hand.

When he approached, she suddenly appeared, blocking Xie Peiyu's horse.

"Prince Chen, please stay a moment."

Xie Peiyu's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Zheng Jinxiu approached with a bashful and timid demeanor, clearly holding a letter in her hand but not rushing to present it. Instead, she engaged him in conversation.

"Brother Yu, both you and Elder Brother left for months to ensure the border's tranquility, causing Jinxiu much worry. Seeing you return safely fills me with immense joy. But, but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine..."

Her little face turned, and the joy on her face transformed into sorrow.

She intercepted him on the street, engaging in polite conversation – nothing out of the ordinary for outsiders to witness.

The alliance between the Zheng and Xie families was no secret. To the public eye, they were betrothed, so it was only natural for Miss Zheng to be concerned about Prince Chen's departure for war.

Xie Peiyu dismounted his horse and said coolly, "Miss Zheng, what brings you here to seek out Your Highness suddenly?"

Zheng Jinxiu was taken aback but quickly composed herself, presenting the letter she held. "Indeed, there is a matter at hand. I've heard that Brother Yu is soon to depart for the frontier again, so I've entrusted you with delivering a letter to my elder brother."

Xie Peiyu took the letter from her hand, acknowledging her with a cold 'mm.'

Having received the letter, she still didn't move, standing resolutely in front of his horse.

Xie Peiyu frowned. "Is there something else?"

Zheng Jinxiu nodded, and with a blink, tears welled up in her eyes.

"Brother Yu, the Imperial Princess said that... she said that... we..."

"Hmm?" Xie Peiyu waited for her to continue.

But on the streets, how could she possibly utter those words?

She merely dabbed her tears with her handkerchief.

"Brother Yu, I want to hear it from you. Unless I hear those words from your own lips, I—I won't be at ease."

"Very well." Xie Peiyu agreed.

Zheng Jinxiu was taken aback, staring at him in a daze.

Xie Peiyu's face was adorned with a mocking smile. "Within an incense stick's time, come to the Princess's residence."

To the Princess's residence?

"Yes," she replied hastily, her heart aflutter.

She was both delighted and anxious. Indeed, he did have feelings for her.

Didn't the Imperial Princess forbid her from visiting the princess residence? Brother Yu called her over personally, which was a direct slap in the face to the Long Princess, making it clear that he wanted her for himself.

There wasn't even time for her to stop by home to give notice; she hurriedly boarded the carriage and instructed the driver to head straight for the princess residence.

Xie Peiyu rode his horse faster than her, so by the time Zheng Jinxiu arrived, he had already returned to the residence and changed into casual attire.

Zheng Jinxiu informed the gatekeeper that she was there at Xie Peiyu's request.

The gatekeeper went in to report, and Xie Peiyu simply said, "Ask her to wait in the main hall."

"Yes, Your Highness."

The Imperial Princess, with a visibly displeased expression, asked, "Why did you summon her? Didn't you say you don't fancy her?"

Xie Peiyu replied calmly, "Mother, she's persistent. I need to make things clear to her."

"Hmph, shameless indeed." The Imperial Princess huffed in anger. "I've made it abundantly clear that I have no interest in her."

"That may be your view, Mother, but she firmly believes that I do have feelings for her."

"Heh, where does she get her confidence? To be associated with such a person is sheer misfortune. Yu'er, you're always indecisive. Why were you even engaging in idle chatter with the Zhengs? If I were to handle this, I'd personally call off the engagement and announce to everyone that the marriage alliance between the Xie and Zheng families is null and void. What could they possibly do? Even the Emperor wouldn't dare meddle in my affairs, let alone a small family like the Zhengs."

"But outsiders would view you as unfaithful and dishonorable. This marriage was arranged by our late grandfather."

"So what if they do? Your grandfather has been gone for years. Even if he were alive, he would still have to listen to me."

Xie Peiyu: "...."

"It's different when Grandfather was alive. It's because he passed away that it becomes difficult for you, as his daughter-in-law, to take such action."

The Imperial Princess let out a soft sigh. "Your mother doesn't care what others say."

"But I do," Xie Peiyu replied.

The Imperial Princess was taken aback. Staring at Xie Peiyu for a moment, she suddenly asked, "Yu'er, tell me, do you not want to break off the engagement with the Zheng family?"

Xie Peiyu hesitated, coughing softly into his half-clenched fist. "We'll see. If the young miss of the Zheng family truly isn't suitable, we can always reconsider later."

The Imperial Princess pursed her lips. "I think they're both about the same, pretending."

Xie Peiyu nodded in agreement. "Yes, they both put on acts, but one does it out of cunning, while the other does it for self-preservation. They're not the same."

The Imperial Princess was taken aback by his remark. "My child, you really are..."

"Cough, cough, Mother, I need to meet with Zheng Jinxiu. We can continue this later."

Xie Peiyu hurriedly left, as if escaping.

The Imperial Princess called after him, "Hey, don't run off! Let her wait, there's no rush..."

...

Zheng Jinxiu waited quite some time before finally catching a glimpse of Xie Peiyu.

Upon seeing him attired in casual clothing, she assumed that he had taken the time to change out of his official robes earlier.

Just to see her, he had been so meticulous, revealing how highly he regarded her.

This caused Zheng Jinxiu's cheeks to flush once more.

"Brother Yu."

Xie Peiyu strode to the main seat and, with a casual wave of his hand, said coolly, "Have a seat. If we're not calling off the engagement, our two families will become in-laws. In the end, we'll be relatives."