Chapter 69: The Difference Between You and Zheng Jinxiu

Chapter 69: The Difference Between You and Zheng Jinxiu

This left Zheng Jinyu both infuriated and speechless, causing her to laugh out of spite.

"Who am I angry with? Anyway, I'm not happy about this. Let's discuss it properly between our two families and call off the marriage."

As soon as she finished speaking, the servant boy brought Qin Zheng over.

Xie Peiyu promptly instructed his men to lift Qin Zheng up, dismissed the servant, then turned to Zheng Jinyu and said, "Come here and try it out. If it doesn't work, you can leave."

Zheng Jinyu sighed. "I've already made myself clear. If Prince Chen persists, people will start to dislike you. Think about how Zheng Jinxiu used to cling onto you. Surely you don't want to be seen as the same kind of person, do you?"

Xie Peiyu replied coolly, "If you really don't want to, I won't force you. Just come over and play a song with me. Once we're done, you can leave."

Damn it... I really want to curse right now.

She thought to herself that the difference between him and Zheng Jinxiu was that he held more power.

"If Zheng Jinxiu had your authority, I doubt you'd be smiling while accompanying her for a song," she mused aloud.

Though she said that, she still moved to sit down.

After all, he was the Prince Chen, and this was the capital, the very heart of imperial power.

She played a tune Ji Ning had recently taught her. Qin Zheng's playing style at this time wasn't as intricate as it would become in later years; it was rather straightforward, posing no challenge for her.

It was surprising that Xie Peiyu could harmonize with her on his flute, despite her random selection.

When the piece ended, Zheng Jinyu stood up. "May I leave now?"

Xie Peiyu smiled and replied, "Although you played casually and just went through the motions, you did play. That'll do."

"Alright then, I'm off. Goodbye."

Xie Peiyu watched her leave, standing by the door with his short flute in hand. When he saw her already in the garden, he called out to her.

"Hey."

Zheng Jinyu turned to him. "Yes?"

Xie Peiyu chuckled. "You mentioned that if Zheng Jinxiu had my authority, she'd make me accompany her in a musical performance, and I wouldn't be able to laugh. But I would decline the offer."

Zheng Jinyu was rendered speechless.

Xie Peiyu continued, "Of course, Zheng Jinxiu and I are not the same. She has nothing to do with me, but we have an arranged marriage. Therefore, my interest in you doesn't count as harassment."

Zheng Jinyu rolled her eyes at him and stormed off.

Xie Peiyu smiled to himself and muttered, "Moreover, you do have some feelings for me, just not as intense."

As Zheng Jinyu left, the princess approached from another direction.

She had overheard Xie Peiyu's remark and glanced in the direction Zheng Jinyu had gone. "To reject a marriage proposal from the Princess Manor, she must be an extraordinary girl. Yu'er, if she's unwilling, I believe this marriage will be hard to arrange."

Xie Peiyu replied, "She likes me a little."

"She's very rational, and that little bit won't make a difference."

"No, Sister Jing, a spark can ignite a prairie fire. A little is enough."

The princess looked utterly perplexed. "Actually, with Mother's power, no one would dare to comment if you called off the engagement. Yu'er, why does it have to be her?"

Xie Peiyu stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on the direction where Zheng Jinyu's figure had vanished.

Her presence seemed to linger there still.

He did not respond to the princess's question. Was it because he didn't wish to speak, or... did he not know the answer himself?

...

The moment Zheng Jinyu returned, Lady Zheng rushed over. "Jinyu, did you go to the princess's residence and discuss the matter of calling off the engagement?"

Back when her daughter had come to her before leaving, she had yet to fully grasp the situation.

It was only after Jinyu left that she realized – could this silly child have gone to discuss the matter herself?

Zheng Jinyu shook her head. "No, I just chatted with the princess."

Since the conversation hadn't led anywhere, Zheng Jinyu simply said they hadn't talked about it, sparing her mother any unnecessary worry.

Lady Zheng heaved a sigh of relief.

"It can wait. Let's discuss this after the New Year. Sigh! I was planning on hosting a family recognition ceremony for you during the celebrations since your elder brother would also be home. But who could have predicted all these incidents? Jinxiu went to Xingyang, and if we hold the ceremony after she returns, others might start speculating. Jinyu, what do you think about postponing the recognition ceremony even further?"

"That's fine with me. I'll follow Mother's decision."

A family recognition ceremony for Zheng Jinxiu, without revealing her adoptive status, would be meaningless, and she had no intention of holding one.

...

Snow blanketed the northern region, making travel treacherous.

Lady Zheng had previously spent a fortune to send envoys to the Fang family in the south for information. However, despite the passage of time, the news she sought still had not returned, causing her growing impatience.

She dispatched someone to the city's task posting area to inquire, only to be informed that the heavy snow had blocked the roads, and her messengers might not return until after the New Year.

Resigned, she grumbled in dissatisfaction.

"For such a trivial matter, it has dragged on for months. From what I see, their capabilities aren't impressive at all."

"The snowfall has been heavier with each passing day, truly blocking the roads," she observed.

"Aiyo!" Madam Zheng sighed. "I hope Miss Jinxiu has enough charcoal for heating?"

"Rest assured, Madam. Miss Jinxiu's supply of charcoal is ample. Yesterday, Prince Chen even sent quite a bit of silver-veined charcoal for her use."

Madam Zheng was taken aback, then marveled at the unpredictability of life.

Both her and Jinxiu's fates had been so tumultuous, yet they had managed to find their way back on track.

"Prince Chen seems genuinely concerned about Jinyu," she remarked.

As she spoke, she caught sight of Prince Chen walking alongside her eldest son in the adjacent corridor through the window.

Startled, Madam Zheng asked, "Prince Chen is here?"

The maid turned to look. "Seems like he just arrived. Should I inform you, Madam, if you wish to greet him?"

Madam Zheng shook her head. "No need. Just tell the servants to attend to him well."

"Yes."

Xie Peiyu had come to chat with Zheng Hongyan, but after a few words, he mentioned wanting to visit Zheng Jinyu.

Zheng Hongyan understood and chuckled. "So it seems Prince Chen's visit to my place was merely an excuse; your real intention was to see my younger sister."

Xie Peiyu replied with a faint smile. "You jest. Of course, I came to see you, but my mother asked me to inquire about a matter concerning head ornaments. It wouldn't be proper for me to refuse."

Zheng Hongyan thought to himself that Xie Peiyu was being stubborn like a dead duck, but he didn't expose him. Instead, he honestly led the way to find Zheng Jinyu.

Zheng Jinyu, who disliked the cold, was hiding in her room sketching designs.

Her maid, Chunmei, informed her that the eldest young master had arrived. Without much thought, she instructed Chun Tao to invite him in.

Only after they entered did Zheng Jinyu realize there were two guests - Xie Peiyu was also present.

She furrowed her brow. If she had known Xie Peiyu would be here, she would have found an excuse to decline the visit.

"Big Brother,"

"Your Highness Prince Chen."

Xie Peiyu gazed at her with a smile. "Jinyu, you seem unhappy to see me?"

Zheng Jinyu thought to herself, you do have some self-awareness.

Maintaining a respectful and obedient demeanor, she replied, "Your Highness jests. I was merely surprised that you were also here since the maid didn't mention it."

Zheng Hongyan, having fulfilled his role, tactfully excused himself, "Take your time chatting. I'll go instruct the kitchen to add more dishes."

As Zheng Hongyan left promptly, Zheng Jinyu was even more speechless.

Left alone in the room with Xie Peiyu, she wondered, was this proper? Was it allowed?

Looking at the warm stove in the room, Xie Peiyu asked, "Is the charcoal I gave you proving useful?"

"That was from you? I wouldn't know, the maids handle such matters."

Xie Peiyu: "..."

He noticed the painting on the table and, filled with curiosity, inquired, "Did you paint this?"