Chapter 63: Zheng Jinxiu Leaves Unwillingly

Chapter 63: Zheng Jinxiu Leaves Unwillingly

"Rest assured, we won't acknowledge her. In our hearts, you will always be the only sister we have."

Zheng Jinxiu had endured enough taunts from her two elder brothers. That wasn't enough for her. She wanted to settle everything before she left.

She asked Zheng Hongxu to invite Wang Fuzhen over. As Wang Fuzhen saw herself as part of the Zheng family and was on the same side as Zheng Hongxu against their common enemy, she could be put to good use.

Since Madam Zheng announced to the outside world that Zheng Jinxiu was ill, they needed to keep up the act. Thus, Zheng Jinxiu stayed in bed.

Wang Fuzhen came with gifts to visit her. Seeing Zheng Jinxiu lying in bed with a pale face, she offered much comfort.

"I heard from Third Brother that you were unwell, so I hurried to see you. How did you fall sick just as autumn has started? And why are they sending you away despite your illness? What's going on?"

Zheng Jinxiu shook her head. "I don't know. It's Father and Mother's decision. Zhen Zhen, in a few days, I'll be returning with Grandmother to our hometown in Xingyang. I don't know when we'll meet again, or the other young misses."

Wang Fuzhen replied, "I've asked Third Brother, and he said he'll bring you back within three years at most."

Zheng Jinxiu nodded gently. "When I'm in Xingyang, can I write to you?"

"Of course, I'll write to you as well."

Wang Fuzhen sighed. "We're such good friends. Can you tell me why your parents decided to send you away?"

"It's because of my sister... No, it's because I was ill."

Wang Fuzhen seized on those two words.

Because of Zheng Jinyu?

Why would they send Zheng Jinxiu away because of Zheng Jinyu?

Intentionally leaving the story unfinished, Zheng Jinxiu knew that the full effect wouldn't come until the news of Prince Chen's betrothal to Zheng Jinyu broke. Wang Fuzhen would understand then.

With her abilities, Zheng Jinxiu could already anticipate how the tale would spread.

...

Several days later, Xie Peiyu departed, but not before sending a message for Zheng Jinyu to see him off.

Zheng Jinyu didn't go; instead, she had the messenger convey a few more words back.

She said that she was considering things and would give him an answer after their battles were over.

Xie Peiyu left with regret, not having seen her, and before he went, he took off a jade pendant from his person and instructed someone to deliver it to her.

Zheng Jinyu felt a mix of emotions, while Chunmei was quite delighted.

"Second Miss, Prince Chen truly has feelings for you. This jade pendant is something very close to him. He's given it to you, which shows how much he values you."

Zheng Jinyu sighed helplessly. She wasn't in the mood to discuss this now.

"Is the workshop repaired yet?"

"Yes, it's already finished. They're just doing some cleaning up."

"Alright, tell them to make it spotless."

"Yes."

The day after Xie Peiyu's departure, Lady Zheng also prepared to leave with Zheng Jinxiu.

The entire family came out to bid them farewell, including Zheng Jinyu.

Zheng Jinxiu kept her gaze fixed on Zheng Jinyu. Just as they were about to get into the carriage, she suddenly said to Lady Zheng, "Mother, may I have a private word with my sister?"

Since she was leaving, Lady Zheng had indulged her in everything these past few days.

"Very well, Jinyu. Have a private conversation with your elder sister," Lady Zheng agreed.

"Yes, Mother," Zheng Jinyu replied obediently.

Wary of any tricks Zheng Jinxiu might have up her sleeve, Zheng Jinyu firmly refused to go somewhere isolated with her.

They only moved to a spot slightly farther away from the crowd where they could still be seen.

Lowering her voice, Zheng Jinxiu sneered. "Why are you being so cautious? We're about to depart—what more could possibly change?"

Zheng Jinyu said nonchalantly, "Of course. What if you accidentally stab yourself with something and then blame me? Not to mention whether I can explain myself clearly or not, even if I do, it would delay your departure time, giving you an opportunity to stay, wouldn't it?"

"You..." Zheng Jinxiu clenched her teeth, seething with anger.

She silently put the item back into her sleeve.

Zheng Jinyu watched her small gestures in silence, smiling faintly without saying a word.

"I know you're not satisfied. Actually, I'm quite surprised too. I thought our rivalry would last much longer, but it ended quicker than expected," she chuckled.

Not only was Zheng Jinxiu dissatisfied, but Zheng Jinyu was as well.

The ending she had planned for Zheng Jinxiu wasn't supposed to be this favorable – a fate that even she herself envied.

Her family, the Fangs, had deliberately switched the children years ago. How could she simply let go of the injustice and torment inflicted upon the original host for over a decade?

Madam Zheng had dispatched people to investigate the place where the criminals were exiled, a rather remote area. Hence, they had yet to return.

To let Zheng Jinxiu off so easily would be too lenient.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Zheng Jinxiu asked. "You've caused me so much misery, snatched away my parents, and even given away Yu-ge to you. Now they're sending me away, yet you're still not satisfied? What more do you want?"

Zheng Jinyu gave a cold laugh. "You should understand, our parents were mine to begin with. I was the one engaged to Prince Chen. How can you say you're giving them to me? As for satisfaction... ha, I suffered for over a decade, while you enjoyed the life of a young lady. Do you think I could possibly be content? How could I be?"

"What do you want, then?" Zheng Jinxiu watched her warily.

Zheng Jinyu replied calmly, "I don't want anything. Have a good journey, no need to see me off."

With that, she strolled back into the crowd with a leisurely pace.

Seeing them return, Lady Zheng smiled. "What secret whispers were you two sharing? Such a long conversation."

Zheng Jinxiu interrupted, "After I leave, Sister will be the only daughter left by Mother and Father's side. I beg Sister to fulfill filial duties on my behalf, to make up for what I cannot do."

"Oh, is that so?" Lady Zheng turned to Zheng Jinyu.

Zheng Jinyu smiled. "Yes, I promised Sister. While I was away, she has been fulfilling filial duties for both of us. Now that Sister faces difficulties and must depart, it's time for me to step in and fulfill those duties for our parents."

"Such good children, both of you," Madam Zheng wept with emotion.

The matriarch called out, "It's getting late. Jinxiu, get into the carriage."

"Yes, Grandmother."

The entire family watched as Zheng Jinxiu boarded the carriage, which soon disappeared from sight.

Had their rivalry truly come to an end like this?

Three years later, each had their own families, and their interactions were either non-existent or scarce.

Was it all truly over?

Why did it feel too easy?

...

Zheng Jinyu's accessories workshop opened, specializing in crafting bracelets and beads.

Crafting gold and silver trinkets, weaving floral cords.

She oversaw the designs while artisans took care of the crafting, engrossed to the point of being oblivious to the world outside.

Only on the day her two brothers' exam results were announced did she join in the celebration. Of course, Zheng Hongqi and Zheng Hongxu didn't exactly greet her with warmth. She attended solely out of respect for Old Master Zheng and Lady Zheng, then promptly returned to her own courtyard.

Now, Ji Ning gave her two lessons per week. Even so, she felt there was increasingly little she could teach Zheng Jinyu.

"Madam Zheng, your second daughter is so gifted. Her skills in calligraphy and painting have reached commendable levels. I can only impart so much; the rest depends mainly on her own practice. From now on, I'll visit once every seven days."