Chapter 80: News of Zheng Jinxiu Bringing Back the Prince Consort

Chapter 80: News of Zheng Jinxiu Bringing Back the Prince Consort

The very next day after Zheng Jinxiu's return, she went to visit the Imperial Princess without informing Madam Zheng of her intentions.

The Imperial Princess was rather puzzled and intrigued.

"Hehe, she refused the lifeline I offered, yet now she returns to court death and dares to come looking for me? Let her in. I wish to see what tricks she has up her sleeve."

"Yes, Your Highness."

The Imperial Princess allowed her entrance, and Zheng Jinxiu knelt to pay her respects.

Instead of immediately gesturing for her to rise, the princess sipped her tea, pretended to doze off for a while, before leisurely inviting her to stand.

"Rise. What brings you to see me?"

To the Imperial Princess's surprise, Zheng Jinxiu displayed remarkable composure, remaining silent even after kneeling for some time.

Zheng Jinxiu spoke, "This matter cannot be discussed in the presence of others. Imperial Princess, please dismiss your attendants."

"Ah?" The Imperial Princess sneered and waved her sleeves. "Very well, all of you may withdraw."

She wanted to see what on earth Zheng Jinxiu had come back for this time.

"Madam Zheng has paved a good path for you; she truly cares about you. Not only Madam Zheng, but the entire Zheng family dotes on you. Don't disappoint them by bringing disaster upon yourself," Zheng Jinxiu said.

"I naturally remember the kindness of my parents and brothers, and I don't wish to defy their wishes by returning to the capital. However, the matter concerns the Prince's life, so I have no choice but to come back," she continued.

At the mention of 'Prince', the Imperial Princess lost her composure.

"What did you say? Prince?"

Zheng Jinxiu took out the strange sphere and presented it. "Please have a look, Imperial Princess."

Staring at the small orb, the Imperial Princess was struck with horror.

She hastily descended from her high seat and snatched it from Zheng Jinxiu's hand.

With wide eyes, she gazed at the ball in her palm, her eyeballs seemingly ready to pop out.

"From where did you come?"

"Princess, Jinxiu dare not conceal anything. This pearl..."

She recounted the encounter with the strange, one-armed man to the Imperial Princess. The Princess fell silent for a long while after hearing the story.

Zheng Jinxiu waited eagerly for her to continue, but as she said nothing, the princess simply waved her hand and said, "Go now. Remember, don't tell anyone about this. Otherwise, you might not even know how you met your end. Don't blame this Princess for not having warned you."

This was not the outcome Zheng Jinxiu had hoped for.

"Imperial Princess, that elder gentleman insisted that you hurry to save Prince Consort. It seems like... "

"Enough, leave."

Zheng Jinxiu hesitated to speak more, but seeing the genuine anger on the Long Princess's face, she eventually held her tongue and left reluctantly.

The moment Zheng Jinxiu departed, the Long Princess summoned a servant, instructing them to fetch Xie Peiyu back.

Xie Peiyu was typically occupied with military affairs, with a stack of official memorials for submission laid out before him on his desk.

He intended to take his mother and elder sister with him to guard the frontier, but Jinyu was not too keen on the idea. Thus, the letter that should have been delivered to the palace long ago had been kept on his desk.

"Your Highness, the Imperial Princess has requested your return to the Princess Residence."

"Oh, is there something specific?"

"I am unsure, my lord. This morning, Miss Zheng Jinxiu visited the Princess Residence to request an audience with the Imperial Princess."

Zheng Jinxiu?

"Mm, this prince understands. Keep it in mind."

Stuffing the letter into his robe, he rode back to the Princess Residence.

"Mother, what brings you to summon me?"

The Long Princess wore a grave expression as she placed the delicate orb on the table.

"Zheng Jinxiu returned with this jade trinket. She said her sudden return to the capital was solely to deliver it into my hands."

She recounted to Xie Peiyu the encounter Zheng Jinxiu had with the one-armed man.

Xie Peiyu held the small globe and asked, "She said she saved my father?"

"Mm-hmm."

"But didn't my father pass away a long time ago?"

"Yes. Can you open this exquisite globe?"

Xie Peiyu nodded. "I can, but it will take some time."

"Alright, take it then." The Imperial Princess looked utterly exhausted.

Xie Peiyu hesitated but didn't leave.

"Mother."

The Imperial Princess gently shook her head, propping her head up with one hand as she said wearily, "Go on. Talk to me after you've opened it."

"Yes."

Zheng Jinxiu assumed it was merely an ordinary ball, a token of affection.

In reality, it was a mechanical orb, appearing seamless and whole from the outside.

But with specialized treatment, one could discern the joints where it was pieced together.

Following a specific sequence, it could be opened.

Xie Peiyu immersed it in a special solution for three days. The outer layer peeled away, revealing the interconnected seams.

Pushing along these lines, he dislodged a section of the sphere in a few maneuvers.

Soon, the second and third pieces were removed.

At this point, a thin silk scroll became visible within.

Xie Peiyu unfolded the scroll and was astonished by its contents. He promptly seized it to show the Imperial Princess.

"Mother, look, this is what was hidden inside the small ball."

The Imperial Princess quickly finished reading, her face ashen, and she stumbled a few steps.

"How could this be, how could this be..."

"Mother," Xie Peiyu supported her.

The Imperial Princess found it hard to accept, and it took her a while to regain her composure.

She bit her lip tightly and clenched her fists.

"We cannot let this matter rest. We must... " She glanced at the silk scroll and said, "Burn it. Only you and I, as mother and son, will know of this. Don't tell a third person."

Xie Peiyu nodded gravely and then asked, "What about that memorial...?"

He took out the request letter he had prepared earlier, expressing his desire to serve at the border.

The Imperial Princess stared at the memorial with a fierce glint in her eye.

"Burn it all."

"As you wish."

The mother and son used the fire in the brazier to turn the letter and silk scroll into ashes.

After a long while, the Imperial Princess asked again, "Did you send someone to Xingyang?"

"Yes, I have. A swift rider has been dispatched, and they should arrive within a few days."

"Mm-hmm."

"Mother, who is that person?"

"He's a general serving by your father's side."

"But Zheng Jinxiu said he's already dead. We probably won't find anything significant."

"He lived there for a long time; there must be some trace left behind." The Long Princess suddenly had an idea and added, "Contact his family to retrieve his remains, but make sure to do so discreetly."

"Very well."

...

Back at her family's residence, Zheng Jinxiu waited for several days, but there was no news or action from the princess's estate regarding the rescue of her husband. Impatient, she dressed up once more and prepared to leave.

Unexpectedly, the gatekeepers stopped her, "Miss, unless you have Madam's permission, you cannot leave."

Zheng Jinxiu was taken aback, "Do I now need to seek your approval just to step out of this house?"

"I apologize, Miss, but this is Madam's instruction. If you wish to go out, just inform Madam, and if she consents, we will certainly let you pass."

Understanding that arguing would be futile, Zheng Jinxiu had no choice but to retreat.

If she couldn't leave on her own, she could ask her Second Brother or Third Brother to take her out.

However, before she could reach Zheng Hongqi and Zheng Hongxu's quarters, she was intercepted by one of Madam Zheng's maidservants.

"Miss, Madam requests your presence."

Zheng Jinxiu's previous excursion to visit the Imperial Princess had left Madam Zheng highly displeased.

That was why she specifically instructed the gatekeepers not to let her leave again.

This time, as soon as Zheng Jinxiu attempted to exit, a servant promptly informed Madam Zheng.

In the main courtyard, Zheng Jinxiu met with Madam Zheng and immediately aired her grievance.

"Mother, I had intended to go out and watch a performance, but to my surprise, the gatekeepers barred my way and refused to let me leave."