Chapter 73: Everyone’s Saying Zheng Jinxiu Isn’t a Blood Relative

Chapter 73: Everyone's Saying Zheng Jinxiu Isn't a Blood Relative

Rumors spread around, taking on fantastical forms.

Madam Zheng fumed at home every day, complaining that these people had too much time on their hands and should mind their own business instead of spreading baseless gossip.

Three days after the New Year, the version that Zheng Jinyu had been eagerly anticipating finally arrived.

It was said that the Zheng family had always claimed that Zheng Jinyu and Zheng Jinxiu were twins, but they looked nothing alike. Could it be that the Zhengs were lying?

Why would the Zheng family lie? If they weren't conjoined twins, why would they claim that they were?

If they weren't their own daughters, why would they take them in as such?

Weren't both girls already part of the Zheng family?

These questions piqued everyone's curiosity, making for a juicy scandal that left everyone restless until they found answers.

In light of the princess's broken engagement, it was clear which girl wasn't a blood relative.

"The second young miss clearly resembles her parents; if they aren't twins, then the imposter must be Zheng Jinxiu."

"That makes sense. No wonder the princess's residence backed out of the engagement. No wonder the Zheng family found an excuse to send Zheng Jinxiu away."

"Goodness, Zheng Jinxiu isn't really their daughter? Then who is she?"

"Oh, do you all recall the great calamity that befell the Zheng family fifteen years ago? They were exiled to the south but were recalled by an imperial edict just as they were about to reach their destination. Lady Zheng gave birth during that journey. Could it be that the children were switched back then?"

The ladies of the noble households gasped in astonishment, convinced that this was likely the truth.

"It must be so. No wonder Zheng Jinxiu doesn't resemble them, while the second young miss clearly does."

The women were adept at gossip, and before long, this version of the story spread like wildfire throughout the capital.

Zheng Jinyu mused to herself, relieved that a plausible tale had finally emerged.

But who could have started this rumor?

She wouldn't have to wait long to find out.

Xie Peiyu paid another visit to the Zheng residence under the pretense of New Year's greetings. When they were alone, he brought up the matter with her.

"Have you heard the rumors going around?" he asked.

Zheng Jinyu was taken aback. "So it was you who spread the rumor that Zheng Jinxiu isn't actually a blood relative?"

Xie Peiyu's eyes wandered, and his answer was clear on his face.

"Why did you do that?" she inquired.

Xie Peiyu replied, "Didn't you say so yourself? You didn't want the gossip to be too harsh. Our engagement should be seen as legitimate, not some secret arrangement. Now, instead of whispering about us secretly pushing Zheng Jinxiu aside, they're talking about the truth behind the switch in the marriage arrangements – that Zheng Jinxiu isn't a true member of the family. Isn't that for the better? Besides, it's the truth."

Zheng Jinyu took a deep breath. "Next time you do something like this, could you at least discuss it with me first?"

"What? Are you angry? I did this for both our sakes. Do you feel sorry for her?"

"No, I have my own plans. The news had to come out, but I intended to wait until my mother's envoy returns from the south before spreading it, so it would have more... impact." She stumbled over the term "stacked buffs."

"Cough, cough, anyway, it would have a better effect that way, and my parents wouldn't be as stressed as they are now."

Now, Old Master Zheng and Lady Zheng were in quite a predicament, steadfastly denying that Zheng Jinxiu was not their biological daughter.

The couple seemed to have lost their minds, not caring about being proven wrong.

They insisted that Lady Zheng had given birth to twin daughters, even arguing with those who spread rumors.

Old Master Zheng sternly condemned those who meddled in other people's family affairs.

As for Zheng Hongqi and Zheng Hongxu, they denied among friends and classmates that Zheng Jinxiu was not a blood relative, while simultaneously slandering Zheng Jinyu. They subtly hinted that Xie Peiyu frequently visited her chambers, leading others to believe that their secret affair was the reason behind the switch in the arranged marriage.

They even deliberately insinuated that the rumor of Zheng Jinxiu not being a blood relative was created to cover up an indiscretion.

One was a scoundrel who fell in love with his sister-in-law, and the other was an evil woman who schemed against her elder sister. Neither of them was an upright person.

After several days of circulation, both narratives gained believers.

Those who believed the former mainly based their conviction on the obvious facts.

Zheng Jinxiu did not resemble any member of the Zheng family.

Zheng Jinyu was evidently the biological child.

The believers in the latter theory were mainly due to the Zheng family's collective effort to refute the rumors. They believed that if she wasn't their flesh and blood, there was no need for such fierce protection.

As for the resemblance issue, the world was vast and full of peculiarities; who could tell for sure?

Despite being speechless about the current situation, Zheng Jinyu didn't blame Xie Peiyu or the Imperial Princess for their interference. They had acted out of concern for her, but they hadn't anticipated the extent of the Zheng family's dedication to Zheng Jinxiu.

Even if it would tarnish her reputation as the biological daughter, they still chose to support Zheng Jinxiu.

It was just that the timing was off. Had they waited for Madam Zheng's investigative team from the south to return, revealing that while she was lavishing kindness on someone else's daughter, her own daughter was being treated like a dog, subjected to both physical and emotional abuse, and that the Fang family had intentionally switched the babies –

If they had known these facts before spreading the rumor about Zheng Jinxiu not being the biological child, would they still have defended her as fiercely as they did now?

For the past few days, Zheng Jinyu had stayed indoors, claiming illness. Her meals were directly delivered to the Yusheng Courtyard.

She didn't want to see anyone from the Zheng family.

Zheng Jinyu was rational, but hearts were made of flesh and could be wounded too.

Madam Zheng probably understood this, but she didn't know how to face the situation. She rushed around among the noblewomen, managing relationships in the hopes of protecting both her daughters.

On this day, Zheng Hongyan arrived.

Zheng Jinyu refused to see him. "Tell him I'm unwell and not receiving guests."

Chunmei whispered, "Only Eldest Young Master came. Prince Chen hasn't arrived."

Zheng Jinyu pondered for a moment before saying, "Let him in then."

She didn't want to meet any member of the Zheng family, and secondly, she was afraid that Xie Peiyu might use Zheng Hongyan to find her again.

Zheng Hongyan seldom met her alone, so his visit likely indicated some important matter.

"Big Brother."

"Since you're ill, sit comfortably. Chunmei, quickly fetch a blanket for Miss."

"Yes."

Was it for the sake of the blanket, or to dismiss the maid?

Zheng Hongyan gazed at her for a long while before remarking, "In less than a year, you've changed so much that I hardly dare believe the girl I see before me is the same one I met at the post station back then."

Zheng Jinyu smiled faintly. "Back then, I was always hungry and cold. Now that I have food and warmth, it's only natural that I've changed."

Zheng Hongyan was taken aback, then asked, "You must have suffered a lot in the past, haven't you?"

Zheng Jinyu maintained her calm demeanor. "It's acceptable."

"In comparison to now?" Zheng Hongyan's gaze held concealed reproach.

Zheng Jinyu gazed at him for a moment before she burst into laughter. Primarily, Zheng Hongyan's question was too amusing.

At the same time, her heart turned cold.

Do you think I'm living well now, so I shouldn't have treated Zheng Jinxiu that way? Is that it?

Zheng Jinyu took a deep breath and spoke calmly, "Big Brother, what I said was relatively acceptable, considering my status back then. A country girl like me wasn't worth much; a human life was less valuable than a donkey in the household. Plus, I was..." not a blood relative.

She didn't explicitly say that, choosing her words carefully, for it wasn't the right time yet.

Having learned from this experience, she wouldn't reveal her true feelings until she was fully prepared.