Chapter 83: Zheng Jinxiu Seeking Gratitude for a Favor

Chapter 83: Zheng Jinxiu Seeking Gratitude for a Favor

The two of them returned together, and Zheng Hongyan and Zheng Jinxiu were also back, both in the military tent.

Upon seeing the two enter one after the other, various expressions appeared on everyone's faces.

Zheng Jinxiu's eyes were filled with hurt as she stared at Xie Peiyu.

Xie Peiyu said, "Come with me."

"Me?"

"Mm-hmm."

Zheng Jinxiu was surprised by the favor, her ears turning red as she hurriedly followed him.

Zheng Hongxu huffed at Zheng Jinyu, seemingly bragging about Xie Peiyu meeting Zheng Jinxiu alone.

Zheng Jinyu said calmly, "Third Brother, it was I who asked Prince Chen to meet with Sister."

Zheng Hongxu's expression froze, looking at Zheng Jinyu with confusion.

Zheng Jinyu chuckled. "Sister has gone to great lengths just to meet him. If it doesn't work out this time, there will be a next time. It's meaningless to keep going through this trouble. Why not let them meet? After they do, everyone will feel relieved, don't you think?"

Zheng Hongxu's expression was quite a spectacle, like a palette of colors.

Zheng Hongyan was surprised. "They're already on high alert. You're suggesting that the Prince Chen should meet her alone? Aren't you afraid something might go wrong?"

"No, it won't," Zheng Jinyu said confidently. "If there was a chance for a change, the incident of the Princess Chen being replaced wouldn't have happened."

Zheng Hongyan nodded. "That's true."

Upon hearing her words, Zheng Hongxu felt deeply concerned for Zheng Jinxiu.

In every aspect, she surpassed Zheng Jinyu, but she lost out due to their bloodline.

This damned girl, having gained an advantage, still had the audacity to gloat.

"It's just that she was fortunate in her birth. What's there to be so smug about?"

Zheng Jinyu was taken aback before promptly throwing the remark back at Zheng Hongxu, "Yes, Third Brother is just good at being born into the right family. What's so impressive about that?"

"Ai, you..."

"Enough, how can siblings argue like this?" Zheng Hongyan scolded him.

Zheng Hongxu glared fiercely at Zheng Jinyu in resentment.

This damn girl had such a sharp tongue.

...

"Now that you've seen Your Highness, say what you need to," Xie Peiyu said, his face brimming with impatience and indifference.

Without waiting for Zheng Jinxiu to speak, he added, "Try to be quick; it's getting late."

Zheng Jinxiu hesitated, a wave of injustice washing over her.

Seeing this, Xie Peiyu grew even more impatient. "Since you're not going to speak, then you may leave. Don't find excuses to meet with Your Highness alone in the future; I don't have that much time."

Zheng Jinxiu hastily intercepted him. "Let me speak."

Xie Peiyu stopped, seemingly exerting great patience just to stand there.

He looked out into the distance with impatience, but not at her.

His demeanor spelled out irritation from head to toe.

Frustrated, Zheng Jinxiu had many things she wanted to say to him, but seeing his attitude, she dared not utter a single complaint.

"I encountered someone when I was in Xingyang last time. He…."

"Your Highness knows, I brought back a token. I'm grateful for that, so name your price for how much silver you want."

Silver?

Zheng Jinxiu replied, "Do you think I brought back that token just to ask for silver from you? No, it was to inform you to save your father. Has General Xie been found, Prince Chen?"

Xie Peiyu took a deep breath and said, "He's long dead."

"Ahh? Didn't they say back then that... they didn't find his body? That uncle also asked me to pass a message to you, to hurry and save him."

"No, we found the body. It was over a month after the incident. I don't know where you heard that rumor from, but I hope you won't spread it anymore in the future."

"Then, why did that uncle..."

"Zheng Jinxiu," Xie Peiyu reprimanded her sternly, "you yourself said that he was disoriented after giving you the item. To be honest, I recently sent people to inquire about him. He was my father's deputy general. After being severely injured back then, he went mad and has been wandering around as a beggar all these years. Given his confused state, what he says might not be true. You don't have to take it to heart."

Zheng Jinxiu was utterly stunned, shaking her head blankly.

No, this was the bargaining chip she left behind. How could she not take it to heart?

"He was lucid back then, I remember."

"Huh, if he were truly of sound mind, why didn't he return? Even if he became disabled, he would still be considered a hero. The court would ensure his comfortable livelihood for the rest of his life."

"This..." Zheng Jinxiu found herself speechless.

Xie Peiyu continued, "Don't dwell on it. If he wasn't mad, he would have returned long ago. Why would he have spent so many years begging on the streets?"

Indeed, he was right.

But why did she feel that it shouldn't be like this?

"That... That token of affection I brought back..." She still attempted to leverage her favor for a reward.

Xie Peiyu spoke again, "Your Highness has said it. I'm very grateful for you bringing back that token. If you want me to repay you, you can make your request. In the future, the Xie and Zheng families will become in-laws. As long as your request isn't excessive, I'll fulfill it."

"I..." Zheng Jinxiu gritted her teeth and said, "I want to marry into the Princess's residence."

"No," Xie Peiyu immediately refused. "My marriage with Jinyu has already been discussed before the Empress Dowager. The whole city knows about it, and the Emperor has even issued an imperial edict to bestow our marriage. It's just not been publicly announced yet. You have no chance."

Zheng Jinxiu's face was on the verge of tears, her big eyes filled with tears.

"Then I don't need to be the Princess Consort. I can be a concubine. A concubine wouldn't require royal bloodline, would she?"

"No," Xie Peiyu also grew angry. "Zheng Jinxiu, if you continue to use this marriage proposal to seek favors, I won't hesitate to use some means to ensure you leave the capital forever."

Leave the capital?

The very thought of Lady Zheng communicating with the Cui family of Qing River, arranging for her to be married off there, sent shivers down Zheng Jinxiu's spine.

She had a faint sense that she couldn't leave the capital city.

With the protection of her parents and brothers in the capital, it was there that she truly held sway.

Departing from the capital, she would become ordinary, her days evolving into a stagnant pool of mediocrity.

She didn't desire such a life.

Therefore, she couldn't leave the capital.

"Fine," Zheng Jinxiu conceded. She continued, "I can stay out of your way, but then, could you help me stay in the capital permanently?"

Xie Peiyu frowned.

Seeing his reaction, Zheng Jinxiu grew anxious. "Not even that? I've already promised not to bother you. All I want is to stay in the capital, near my parents and siblings, my friends. If I can't even do that, does Prince Chen truly have any intention of showing gratitude?"

Xie Peiyu recalled how Zheng Jinyu had asked him to find a way to bring Zheng Jinxiu's biological parents to the capital.

Lady Zheng truly treated her kindly, arranging every path for her to follow, all of them being excellent choices.

Unfortunately... she wasn't willing to live a peaceful life.

Very well, if she didn't wish to leave, then she could just stay.

"The most I can promise is not to hinder your departure. But it seems Lady Zheng has intentions of marrying you off elsewhere. Whether or not you can remain in the capital will depend on your own abilities."

Zheng Jinxiu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as he didn't stand in her way, she would find a means to stay. As long as she stayed, anything was possible.

...

Zheng Jinxiu returned with reddened eyes.

Seeing this, Zheng Hongxu hurriedly stepped forward to comfort her, always shooting glares at Xie Peiyu.

Unfortunately, he dared not challenge Xie Peiyu, so he could only glare at him with his eyes and speak in veiled barbs.