Chapter 74: Prince Chen, A Thief on the Beam, Only to See You

Chapter 74: Prince Chen, A Thief on the Beam, Only to See You

"I am the eldest daughter, responsible for looking after my younger siblings. If another girl had my fate, she would endure it too. No matter how much hardship, we still managed to survive, didn't we? That's why I say things could have been worse."

"But you know how many such daughters in the countryside don't make it. Some families, to save food, drown their newborns the same day they're born. Others sell their young daughters. Do you know where our youngest maidservants, those six or seven years old, come from?"

Zheng Hongyan opened his mouth, wanting to say something but finding himself speechless. His eyes remained fixed on Zheng Jinyu.

Zheng Jinyu continued, "There was a wealthy landowner in our area. He had a concubine who bore him a son when she was only thirteen. Her family sold her for just over ten taels of silver. That's not even enough for one of my brother's drinking sprees, is it? Yet, that's the worth of a country girl's life. Oh, by the way, that landowner was over sixty, while the girl was around my age. They once considered selling me to him, but eventually decided against it since I was needed for household chores and to care for my siblings. To avoid being sold, I had to work tirelessly. I was the most efficient maid in Fang Village, which allowed me to survive until now. How can you ask such a question, comparing my past to my current situation? How can the life of a country girl be compared to that of a legitimate daughter from the Zheng family?"

As she spoke, her expression was unusually calm, as if recounting someone else's story.

Of course, she was indeed telling someone else's tale.

Recalling the original owner's tragic fate, her nose tingled, and her eyes welled with tears. She was the true Zheng family heiress, yet had endured so much suffering.

Finally, she had looked forward to a change in her fortune, only to be entangled in a marriage scheme and ultimately beaten to death by her husband's family.

Lost in thought, the scene before her eyes became increasingly blurred.

She saw Zheng Hongyan approaching her hastily, and she quickly stepped back to avoid him.

"Brother must be amused by this sight," Zheng Jinyu said with a composed demeanor.

Zheng Hongyan's raised hand fell back down, hovering three feet away from her.

"Jinyu, we had no idea you've been through so much. I'm sorry, brother is a fool, brother was wrong."

Chunmei brought out a blanket.

Zheng Jinyu wrapped herself tightly in it and said, "You should leave. I'm ill and need rest."

"I... " Her distant expression and deliberate avoidance pricked at Zheng Hongyan's heart.

He let out a long sigh and said, "I'm sorry, brother is leaving now. Take good care and rest well."

Only after his footsteps faded did Zheng Jinyu coldly wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

Hmph, these people truly push their luck too far.

At first, she had no idea why Zheng Hongyan was there until he asked that question—how does it compare to now?

To hell with comparing to now?

What he actually meant was that she's returned from the depths of hell to the heavens above. She has won her parents' affection, gained Prince Chen as her betrothed, and secured a life of wealth and comfort for the rest of her days.

From nothing, she has gained so much already. Isn't it enough to refrain from pushing Zheng Jinxiu further into the dirt?

Ha, she had initially believed that Zheng Hongyan, Zheng Hongqi, and Zheng Hongxu were vastly different. Turns out, they were not so distinct at their core.

The first two were merely more open about it, whereas Zheng Hongyan... Zheng Hongyan... Forget it, he was indeed slightly better than the other two.

"Miss," Chunmei crouched beside her, looking up at her, "Perhaps Eldest Young Master didn't have ill intentions. He might think that you spread the rumor and is trying to get you to let go of Zheng Jinxiu."

Zheng Jinyu shook her head. "Showing kindness to Zheng Jinxiu in an attempt to make me yield to her—it's malice towards me."

In her perspective, that was precisely how it was defined.

"Chunmei, find a way to convey the news of my illness to the princess's residence," she instructed.

"Yes, Miss."

This time, it wasn't out of fear that she didn't wish to see Xie Peiyu; rather, she genuinely wanted to meet him.

The Zheng family was concerned about the rumors, so they forbade Xie Peiyu from visiting. In the past few days, he had attempted to come twice, only to be politely turned away by Madam Zheng.

Even when he tried to seek out Zheng Hongyan, Madam Zheng would devise excuses to send him to meet outside at a tavern.

However, Xie Peiyu had his own means. Under the cover of night, he became a stealthy figure, scaling the wall into the Zheng estate to visit Zheng Jinyu.

Zheng Jinyu teased him, "If you were caught, you'd have a hard time explaining yourself even with a mouth on every limb."

Xie Peiyu smiled faintly. "If you wanted to see me, I'd brave hellfire and brimstone to be here."

Zheng Jinyu felt a gentle warmth wash over her heart, leaving her slightly stunned.

Chunmei, understanding the situation, discreetly closed the door and stood guard outside.

Zheng Jinyu invited Xie Peiyu to take a seat. In the darkness, she could only discern his outline illuminated by the lamp's glow.

Seated by the lamp, the dim candlelight cast a hazy radiance upon half of her face, accentuating her unparalleled grace.

Her beautiful eyes fixated on the figure in the shadows, occasionally fluttering with emotion.

Xie Peiyu was the only one who remained unaffected by Zheng Jinxiu's influence, not showing any particular favoritism towards her.

"He noticed that you were crying today?" he inquired from the darkness.

Zheng Jinyu was slightly startled. How did he know?

But she quickly regained her composure.

"Did my older brother come looking for you?" she asked.

"Mm," he replied succinctly.

"Did he mention anything to you?"

"What?"

"The things about my past in the countryside."

"Mm-hmm."

Zheng Jinyu chuckled softly. "Don't believe me. I was just joking. He was trying to plead for mercy on Zheng Jinxiu's behalf, so I said that to shut him up and make him feel guilty."

"Is that so? It wouldn't be difficult to investigate your past."

Zheng Jinyu's expression froze, and she fell silent, lowering her head.

The figure in the darkness suddenly stood up and approached her step by step.

"Jinyu, I'm glad that you thought of me when you were upset."

He crouched down beside her and gently brushed a finger over the corner of her eye.

It was a gesture to wipe away tears, but she was perfectly fine now and had no tears to shed.

During the day, she longed to see him, inexplicably desiring his presence.

But after she calmed down, she didn't want to meet him. In fact, she didn't want to see him now.

"I apologize for my impulsiveness last time," Zheng Jinyu said, shaking her head. "Forget it, you probably didn't expect them to be so protective of Zheng Jinxiu."

"Mm, you surpass her in every way, and you're their biological child. Why do they favor Zheng Jinxiu over you?"

To whom should I ask this question?

Perhaps this is simply the effect of being the favored one in the family.

"They've raised her for over a decade, so their bond runs deep. I've only been back for less than a year. To outdo her, I must proceed with caution and plan carefully."

"Oh? You usually seem close as sisters, but it turns out to be an act."

"Mutual feelings, indeed."

...

Wang Fuzhen came to visit Zheng Jinyu, escorted by Zheng Hongxu.

Zheng Jinyu was puzzled. "Aren't my parents at home?"

Chunmei replied, "Master and Lady went to pay their respects to Elder Prince Rong today."

No wonder Zheng Hongxu dared to bring Wang Fuzhen along.

What a convoluted connection these two had.

Originally, their marriage would have been a natural progression, given their matching status and family backgrounds. In the original story, they were already betrothed.

But then, due to Zheng Jinxiu's betrayal against Wang Fuzhen, which inadvertently offended Lady Zheng, their engagement was halted by Lady Zheng, thus ending their prospects.

Yet, paradoxically, because of Zheng Jinxiu, the two of them grew increasingly close, to the point that rumors had it they had developed feelings for one another over time.