Chapter 67: Mother, Let’s Just Call Off the Engagement

Chapter 67: Mother, Let's Just Call Off the Engagement

Back then, she had been pale and thin. Now, her tiny face, nestled within the snowy white fox fur collar, appeared delicate and fair, no bigger than a palm.

Zheng Hongyan smiled at her.

Zheng Jinyu returned the smile politely.

Jinxiu was not present.

Zheng Hongyan sighed, guessing that, as his brothers' letters had mentioned, she had been sent away.

Xie Peiyu, walking ahead of Zheng Hongyan, was somewhat displeased. What was with that young lady? She only had eyes for her brother, not sparing him a single glance.

Upon their return, the group immediately entered the palace, where the Emperor hosted a banquet in their honor.

That evening, Zheng Hongyan accompanied Old Master Zheng back home, the latter having imbibed a little too much.

Observing his drunken state, Lady Zheng chided him gently while instructing her servants to prepare a sobering soup and assist him inside.

Most of the attention, however, was focused on their eldest son.

Seeing how much he had withered and tanned since leaving home, their hearts ached with concern.

"Yan'er, you've truly endured hardships this time," she said affectionately.

Zheng Hongyan smiled in response. "Mother, it's a son's duty to protect his family and country. It wasn't bitter."

"Ai, what a good child you are."

"By the way, where are my younger siblings?"

"It's too late now. Mother told them not to wait and sent them to bed. We'll see each other again tomorrow."

"Yes, Mother. Son will take his leave then."

"Go ahead, get some proper rest."

Zheng Jinyu was not one to eagerly seek out her brothers, but Zheng Hongqi and Zheng Hongxu had been holding their breaths, waiting for Zheng Hongyan to return so they could air their grievances.

The two of them stayed awake, awaiting Zheng Hongyan in his courtyard.

Upon his arrival, they approached him from either side.

"Big Brother."

"Big Brother, you're finally back. If you hadn't returned, this household would've belonged to that country lass."

Zheng Hongyan's face darkened. "Third Brother, how can you speak like that? She is our little sister. When she was switched at birth, we all shared the blame. It was because we failed to protect her that she had to endure so much hardship. How can you mock her as a country lass?"

Zheng Hongxu's expression froze. "Big Brother, I don't want to speak ill of her, but what she did was too much. I just can't find it in me to like her."

"I'm aware of the matter you two are referring to," Zheng Hongyan sighed deeply. "Some things cannot be forced. I've spoken with Prince Chen, and he doesn't have feelings for Jinxiu. Forcing a relationship is like picking an unripe melon; it won't be sweet. Even if we help Jinxiu marry into the Imperial Princess's residence, what good will it do if she doesn't gain Prince Chen's affection? It might even create a resentful couple, harming Jinxiu in the process."

However, Zheng Hongxu retorted angrily, "It's all Zheng Jinyu's fault! If she hadn't seduced Prince Chen, how would he have fallen out of love with Jinxiu?"

Zheng Hongyan paused, then asked sternly, "Who told you that?"

"Need I ask? Anyone with eyes can see it. Previously, Prince Chen adored Jinxiu so much that he even pushed her on the swing. Now, he's unwilling to marry her for Zheng Jinyu's sake."

Zheng Hongyan rubbed his forehead. "That was when she was six or seven, just kids playing around. It had nothing to do with romantic affection. Third Brother, drop this matter. I've said all there is to say and got scolded by Prince Chen because of it. He made it clear that he only wants to marry Jinyu. Besides, the engagement was meant for the child in our mother's womb, which was always Jinyu. It's fate, so let's not discuss it anymore."

Zheng Hongxu grew anxious and nudged Zheng Hongqi. "Second Brother, speak up too."

Only then did Zheng Hongqi voice his opinion. "Big Brother, even if Jinyu is marrying Prince Chen, there's no need to send Jinxiu away, right? Can you talk to Father and Mother about bringing her back? On the day Jinxiu left, she was heartbroken, her eyes swollen like peaches."

Zheng Hongxu hastily agreed. "Yes, yes. As soon as Zheng Hongyan came back, he stole all the attention from Father and Mother, excluding Jinxiu, snatching away her marriage prospects, and now causing her to be sent away. Big Brother, Jinxiu is too pitiful."

Having just returned, Zheng Hongyan wasn't aware of the family dynamics. Still, listening to their accounts was infuriating.

However, he was more mature than his younger siblings and understood the importance of hearing both sides of the story.

He simply waved them off. "We'll talk about this later. I've been traveling for days and need rest."

Zheng Hongxu felt that he was deliberately stalling and grumbled, "Big Brother, you don't care about Jinxiu either? You're also..."

Seeing Zheng Hongyan's sudden change in expression, Zheng Hongqi quickly silenced Zheng Hongxu. "Third Brother, stop. Let Big Brother rest first."

Zheng Hongxu held back his words, frustrated, and said, "Alright then."

...

The following day, an invitation arrived from the princess's residence, extending an invitation to Zheng Jinyu from the county princess. This time, it was no longer appropriate for Lady Zheng to accompany her.

Zheng Jinyu furrowed her brow slightly. She suspected that Xie Peiyu had likely used the county princess's name as a pretense to ask about her decision.

How could she respond? With Zheng Jinxiu already sent away, she was naturally unwilling to risk stepping into another trap.

She had thought it through. Whatever match Lady Zheng sought for her would surely be within the capital city. Her career had just started to take off in the capital, and with the protection of Old Master Zheng and Lady Zheng, she had no intention of betting on Xie Peiyu's character and risking it all by moving south. Only someone with a love-struck mind would consent to a distant marriage. As for her, she didn't have such feelings for Xie Peiyu at present.

Zheng Jinyu asked for Lady Zheng's opinion, who felt a mix of emotions. She let out a long sigh and said, "What's meant for you will always find its way back, even if fate plays a colossal prank. Eventually, what's yours will return to your hands. Go ahead, sooner or later, you'll become part of the princess's household anyway."

Zheng Jinyu felt an indescribable sensation.

After some contemplation, she said, "Mother, actually, we could also choose to cancel the engagement."

Madam Zheng was startled. "Break the engagement?"

"Yes. Since Sister is ill and has returned to Xingyang for recuperation, we can use this as an excuse to back out of the marriage."

"Ah? Don't you want to marry into the princess's household?"

Zheng Jinyu shook her head. "No, there are plenty of excellent men in the world. It doesn't have to be Prince Chen. If I were to replace Jinxiu, the rumors outside would surely be unflattering. There's no need for me to give others the chance to gossip about me."

Madam Zheng was astonished and continued observing Zheng Jinyu closely.

She realized that she knew far too little about her daughter. She had always assumed that the sisters were competing for Prince Chen's affection.

In her mind, even though the change from Jinxiu to Jinyu as the future Princess Chen was the decision of both the Imperial Princess and Prince Chen, it still counted as Jinyu snatching Jinxiu's marriage.

Now, she learned that Jinyu was not actually willing.

For a young woman, one's marriage was not in one's own hands, especially when it came to a union with the princess's household. Even their parents had no say in such matters.

"Jinyu, I'm sorry for putting you through this. It was my mistake. I was only thinking of how Jinxiu might be embarrassed and face difficulties finding another match in the future, but I never considered your feelings. You'll have to endure even more humiliation because of this switch in the engagement."

Zheng Jinyu smiled and shook her head. "It's alright, Mother. Can you help me call off this marriage?"

"This..."

Mrs. Zheng wore a troubled expression. She had never entertained the thought of canceling the engagement.

In her view, it was an arrangement made by their elders, and as younger generations, they should not casually back out without a valid reason – that would be considered disrespectful and unfilial.