Chapter 70: He Stole My Pink Bunny

Chapter 70: He Stole My Pink Bunny

She had drawn a guzheng, not the ancient Qin Zheng from olden times, but a modern one with twenty-one strings. In contrast, the thirteen-stringed instrument in the princess's residence a few days ago was likely from the Sui or Tang dynasty, or even earlier by a few hundred years.

"Yes."

"Why did you add so many strings to this Qin Zheng?"

Zheng Jinyu replied, "I just drew it randomly."

With that, she rolled up the drawing.

Xie Peiyu said, "Give it to me. I know an excellent luthier who can certainly make it a reality."

After some hesitation, Zheng Jinyu handed it over to him.

She had initially planned to find a luthier to create this guzheng. However, with such significant modifications, she imagined that an ordinary craftsman would struggle to replicate it.

On this visit, neither of them brought up the topic of their families' arranged marriage.

Instead, they conversed about music, sheet tunes, hairstyles, and jewelry...

In the end, she ended up parting with a tiny golden rabbit trinket.

"I gave you an jade pendant last time. Consider this your return gift."

She was reminding him about the jade pendant?

"I almost forgot about it," Zheng Jinyu hurriedly retrieved the jade pendant from a drawer. "Here, I'm returning it to you."

"Once something is given, how can it be taken back?" He raised the small golden rabbit in his hand and said, "This is what you're returning."

"This little rabbit isn't suited for you, look at its pink bow..."

"Quite nice, I appreciate it."

Zheng Jinyu: "..."

"Very well, it's up to you. As long as you are pleased."

Initially, she intended to hang the small pink gold rabbit on a woman's scent pouch, but it ended up in Xie Peiyu's possession, becoming an adornment to his waist jade pendant.

A grown man with a pink rabbit?

...

As the new year approached, Zheng Jinyu's rabbit-themed accessories became a huge hit. She earned a substantial profit, generously rewarding the craftsmen who had worked overtime and granting them a holiday for the festivities.

Lady Zheng praised Zheng Jinyu, "I never expected Jinyu to have such talent. She can manage the household well; her future husband need not worry about poverty."

"Mother, the princess residence was never poor to begin with."

"Yes, yes, I was just saying that."

Zheng Hongqi and Zheng Hongxu rolled their eyes.

So what if she managed a jewelry shop?

They had heard that from sourcing materials to establishing a workshop and finding artisans to open the store, their mother had assisted her every step of the way.

If Mother had invested this effort in Jinxiu, she could have done even better.

As the New Year approached, Lady Zheng was at her busiest. Apart from meal times with the family, one barely caught sight of her.

Yet on this day, she got into an argument with someone over Zheng Jinyu, which eventually escalated to the point of attracting the Empress Dowager's attention.

A noble lady like her arguing with others? And it reached the Empress Dowager's ears?

Zheng Jinyu was astounded. "Do you know what it's about?"

Chunmei replied, "Second Miss, it's about you and Prince Chen. Somehow, news of your marriage to Prince Chen has leaked out. People outside say that the reason for sending away Miss Jinxiu is because the Zheng family plans to replace the future Princess Chen with you."

Zheng Jinyu frowned. How could something they'd kept tightly under wraps be exposed?

"Also, they're spreading rumors that Prince Chen has been visiting our residence frequently lately. Officially, he's here to see Eldest Young Master, but in reality, he's meeting you secretly. They say... They say..."

The maid hesitated to continue, so Zheng Jinyu coldly finished the sentence herself, "That I seduced Prince Chen and displaced my own sister?"

Chunmei nodded, then hurried to reassure Zheng Jinyu, "Don't worry, Miss. Lady Zheng knows the truth isn't as they say. She'll clarify with the Empress Dowager."

Zheng Jinyu couldn't help but smile bitterly.

How could she explain this? Unless she admitted that Zheng Jinxiu was not her biological sister, any other explanation would only sound like an excuse.

Preferential treatment for the younger daughter, sending away the elder one, forcing her to give up Prince Chen – their family would be condemned.

As for Xie Peiyu, if he didn't speak up for her, it might be better. But if he did, people would think he had already fallen for Zheng Jinyu and thus defended her.

Then they would both be labeled as a heartless scoundrel and a vixen who seduced her sister's fiance. There would be no escape from these labels.

It seemed that Zheng Jinxiu had planned this trap before she left. Zheng Jinyu had originally thought that these revelations would only come out when the First Princess announced Xie Peiyu's marriage to her. She hadn't expected them to leak before the official announcement.

Who had revealed it?

Zheng Jinyu took a deep breath and asked Chunmei, "Has Third Young Master met with Third Miss Wang recently?"

Chunmei was startled and replied in surprise, "Miss, how did you know?"

"Have you seen her?"

Chunmei eagerly nodded.

"Yes, last time Madame Wang sent a matchmaker to propose marriage for Miss Wang San, but our lady politely declined, mentioning that a marriage has already been arranged for Third Young Master from their hometown. However, Miss Wang San didn't give up and secretly met with Third Young Master more than once. Because of this, Lady scolded Third Young Master."

She looked around before lowering her voice, "The people from the main courtyard whispered about it. Lady called Miss Wang San a troublemaker and forbade Third Young Master from marrying her."

Zheng Jinyu found the situation both amusing and frustrating. It seemed that the servants in wealthy families had quite the gossip circle.

"Does Third Young Master insist on marrying her?"

"He told Lady that, but from what I've heard through the grapevine, it's not true. Apparently, Third Young Master deliberately said that to provoke Lady. In reality, he met with Miss Wang at the request of Eldest Miss, who had written a letter to Miss Wang. He was trying to gather information about Eldest Miss by interacting with her."

Was there anything unclear about this?

The family's affairs were likely divulged by that idiot, Third Brother.

Recently, Xie Peiyu had been using the excuse of visiting his elder brother as a pretense to see her. They all lived in the same mansion; how could any secrets remain hidden?

Thus, Zheng Hongxu knew that the rumors outside were most likely spread by Wang Fuzhen. Hmph, with her attitude, she dreams of marrying into the Zheng family. Madame Zheng would tear her apart.

News quickly reached them that the person who had clashed with Madame Zheng was none other than Madame Wang, Wang Fuzhen's mother.

The Empress Dowager even sent someone to fetch Zheng Jinyu to the palace.

With a darkened face, Zheng Jinyu changed into a decent outfit and boarded the carriage sent by the palace.

Unbeknownst to her, as soon as she entered the palace, Xie Peiyu received news and began preparations to enter the palace as well.

Of course, the Imperial Princess couldn't sit idly by; she too needed to enter the palace.

Now, things were about to get interesting.

Zheng Jinyu was immediately led by the palace attendants straight to the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager appeared to be a kind and gentle old lady with a face that exuded prosperity.

It is said that she is not the emperor's biological mother, but rather his stepmother. Not only is the emperor not the son of the late emperor, but he is also of illegitimate birth.

Not being of royal blood, even a stepmother would not dare to be overly audacious. Thus, the Empress Dowager had always maintained a low profile and seldom interfered in matters of state.

It is a serious matter for noble ladies to engage in public disputes, disregarding their status. With no queen in the palace, the Empress Dowager is compelled to take charge.

When Zheng Jinyu arrived, both Madame Zheng and Madame Wang were kneeling on the ground, yet they continued to exchange heated glares with one another.

"Commoner Zheng Jinyu pays her respects to Empress Dowager."

"Rise."

"Thank you, Empress Dowager."

The Empress Dowager glanced at Madame Zheng and Madame Wang before sighing. "Never mind, you may also rise."

"Thank you, Empress Dowager."

"Thank you, Empress Dowager."

"Be seated."

She instructed for stools to be brought, allowing all three of them to take a seat.