Chapter 81: Determined to Meet Xie Peiyu

Chapter 81: Determined to Meet Xie Peiyu

Madam Zheng spoke kindly, "If you want to watch the play, I'll have a servant accompany you. But if you're thinking of going to the princess's residence, I can't allow that."

Zheng Jinxiu's face froze. "Mother, I'm not."

Her voice softened significantly.

Madam Zheng's expression turned solemn. "That's good. Last time when you secretly went to the princess's residence, I didn't scold you. Mother knows you're not satisfied, but you must understand that the current situation cannot be reversed. It's not that Mother isn't on your side; the key is that this marriage was decided by the Imperial Princess and Prince Chen, and we have no power to change their decision."

Lowering her head, Zheng Jinxiu whispered, "Mother, I understand. I've heard about everything that happened before and after the New Year. I'm truly grateful that Father, Mother, and my brothers never gave up on me, always claiming I'm your biological daughter. Because of this, my sister has been misunderstood. I know all about it, and I feel so guilty, as if I've wronged my sister. If not for me, she wouldn't have suffered so much."

With that, she started sobbing.

Madam Zheng sighed deeply and patted her shoulder. "Jinxiu, it's not your fault, and Mother doesn't blame you. No one does. At this point, we can only look forward and plan for the future. Jinyu's marriage to the princess's residence is set in stone. You mustn't cause any more trouble. Don't worry, Father and Mother won't treat you unfairly. I've already written a letter to the Cui family, and their reply should come soon."

Zheng Jinxiu looked at Madam Zheng in astonishment. "Mother, are you planning to marry me off to the Cui family?"

Madam Zheng nodded and smiled. "Are you against it? The Cui family's status is even higher than the Zhengs' or the Xies'. Back then, Mother married your father into a lower-ranking family."

"No, not that. It's just... isn't Qinghe too far away? I can't bear to part from Father and Mother."

"Not at all, it's much closer than Xingyang. When you visit the Cui family, Mother can also come and see you when she returns to her natal home. The Cui family are Mother's kin; entrusting your care to them would give me great peace of mind."

Zheng Jinxiu bit her lip tightly.

She had intended to leverage her favor for a favor in return, using the life of the prince consort to secure a promise from Prince Chen and the Imperial Princess. Yet, despite her great efforts, they didn't utter a single word in response.

Could it be that she had toiled in vain, getting no rewards at all for presenting the news about the Prince Consort to the Imperial Princess?

How could she possibly accept this?

No, she needed to think of a way to meet the Imperial Princess,

or perhaps Prince Chen.

Prince Chen would be even better.

Yes, an opportunity has presented itself.

For a few days, Zheng Jinxiu found solace in her pursuits, personally preparing some delicacies at home with the intention of sending them to her elder brother. She even requested Third Brother to accompany her on this visit.

Recalling how distant his elder brother had been towards Zheng Jinxiu during his recent return, Zheng Hongxu attributed this change to Zheng Jinyu's influence. He believed that his brother was now neglecting Jinxiu because of Jinyu. Naturally, he was more than willing to play the role of mediator in this situation.

Siblings' affection grew through shared experiences. If his elder brother saw how well Jinxiu treated him but still chose to distance himself due to Jinyu, he would surely feel guilty.

"Alright, then let's go together in the afternoon."

"Great, just tell Mother."

"Sure."

Mrs. Zheng didn't object to Zheng Hongxu's plan, considering it a harmless activity for him to take Jinxiu out. She gave her permission without much thought.

However, in the afternoon, she overheard the servants discussing how they were packing the treats to be delivered to the military camp in the outskirts of the city for Elder Brother to enjoy.

Didn't Elder Brother plan to come back in the evening? Why send the food in the afternoon?

Oh, right, Prince Chen is there too. Elder Brother is with Prince Chen.

It seemed she had feigned the visit to her elder brother just to get close to Prince Chen.

Alarmed, Lady Zheng immediately instructed someone to summon Zheng Jinyu and have her accompany Zheng Hongxu and the others.

She also arranged for someone to keep Zheng Jinxiu occupied from joining Zheng Hongxu.

Zheng Jinyu was in the middle of researching a new creation when she heard Lady Zheng's order. She was speechless for a moment.

Chunmei urged, "Miss, hurry up! You can't let that vixen seduce Prince Chen."

Zheng Jinyu chuckled. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm not talking nonsense. Everyone knows what Lady Zheng is up to – it's as plain as day. Her haste to have you join Third Young Master and the others to find Eldest Young Master is surely for this purpose."

Chattering away, she continued her preparations, already selecting suitable attire for Zheng Jinyu to venture out.

"Miss, quickly change into this."

"Mm."

Zheng Jinyu, with the assistance of her maid Chunmei, was in the process of changing clothes. Chunmei, ever resourceful, not only helped her dress but also analyzed the situation as they went.

According to her, it was false that Zheng Jinxiu had sent pastries to the eldest son; her true intention was to try and ensnare Prince Chen, undoubtedly.

For a mere fourteen-year-old maid to deduce so much from Madam Zheng's actions, she indeed proved to be an intelligent one.

"Rest assured, she won't succeed. If Prince Chen were truly susceptible to Zheng Jinxiu's advances, there would have been no place for me long ago," Zheng Jinyu reassured.

Chunmei nodded in agreement. "Miss has a point, but we must still be wary. What if she manages to trip up Prince Chen?"

Speaking up to this point, she lowered her voice and whispered to Zheng Jinyu, "In this world of wealth and privilege, the waters run deep. I've heard that Mrs. Hu is an unattractive wife - plump, dark-skinned, with a crooked mouth and slanted eyes. Back then, when she set her sights on Magistrate Hu, he rejected the match. She then conspired with her family to force the marriage, and eventually, she became his wife."

Zheng Jinyu chuckled and asked, "Where did you, my girl, hear such gossip?"

Springmei chuckled in response, "There's plenty of gossip, Aunt Chun and Aunt Xu have been in the capital for decades, they know a thing or two about every family's secrets."

Well, these tales of high society seemed to serve as pastimes for the maidservants and matrons.

"Alright, fetch me my cloak, I must be leaving now."

"Yes, Miss."

Zheng Hongxu brought Zheng Jinxiu along, but without any servants.

However, Zheng Jinyu needed to be accompanied, so Chunmei came with her.

Worried that Zheng Jinyu might be bullied, Lady Zheng specifically warned Chunmei to remember whose maid she was.

Chunmei had already fallen out with Zheng Jinxiu and naturally knew whose side she was on.

Zheng Hongxu and Zheng Jinxiu rode horses, while Zheng Jinyu and her maid traveled in a carriage.

Throughout the journey, Zheng Hongxu, like a teddy bear, repeatedly teased Zheng Jinyu, mocking her for being overly delicate and insisting on riding in a carriage.

The trip, which would have taken only half an hour on horseback, took a full hour due to his delays.

Zheng Jinyu ignored him, enjoying herself in the carriage. She ate, admired the scenery through the window, and relished the attentions of her maid.

After two hours, they finally arrived at the military camp.

After Zheng Hongxu explained their purpose to the guards, they were allowed entry. He carried a large food chest, which was quite heavy, and he regretted not bringing a servant along to help.

Zheng Jinxiu grumbled at his muttering, while Zheng Jinyu, following behind them, made a sly remark.

"Lucky I insisted on taking the carriage, or else Third Brother would have had to carry this the whole way."

Zheng Hongxu: "…"

Frustrated, he was about to rebuke her when he noticed Zheng Jinyu, with empty hands, had already rushed ahead.

Zheng Jinxiu comforted him, "Don't be upset, Third Brother. Sister must be unhappy that you mentioned her choice of carriage earlier. This box is indeed heavy; let me take it for a while."