Chapter 96: Love and Indifference Are Clear as Daylight

Chapter 96: Love and Indifference Are Clear as Daylight

Zheng Jinxiu was well aware of how she had lived her past fourteen years, so she was confident that she knew nothing. After all, she had only been back at the Zheng residence for a year. How skilled could she possibly be? Just being able to play would already be a miracle.

But even if she could merely play, it would still be an embarrassment.

Zheng Jinxiu was more than happy to witness her humiliation.

Wang Fuzhen believed every word Zheng Jinxiu and Zheng Hongxu said, and she was convinced that Zheng Jinyu would indeed make a fool of herself.

It was laughable.

Play if she dared. She would show them all.

Someone fetched a pipa for her, and she tested the strings. Beautiful and melodious sounds flowed from her slender fingertips.

The pleasure boat suddenly fell silent.

Unlike the short flute, the pipa's tune was melancholic and wistful, like a song of sorrow and joy, reflecting the trials and tribulations of life or the tumultuous journey towards tranquility.

The melancholy of sunset and the regret at the end of a play always evoke people's sorrowful thoughts.

This melody captured precisely such an emotion.

As the song concluded, a young lady was moved to tears, gently wiping her eyes with a handkerchief.

Zheng Jinyu took a deep breath, a faint smile curving her lips as she rose to return the pipa.

With the instrument no longer in her hands, sounds emerged in the tranquil boat.

Gasps, applause, cries of admiration...

"It was said that Miss Zheng, the eldest, was gifted and versatile. But now we see that Miss Zheng, the second, is equally remarkable. Her pipa performance was truly exceptional."

"Who was it that mocked Mister Ji for thinking Miss Zheng, the second, was too dull, hence his resignation?"

Wang Fuzhen's face alternated between pale and flushed.

Zheng Jinxiu appeared similarly affected.

At that moment, Zheng Jinyu smiled and said, "Miss Wang San mentioned it. She isn't from our Zheng family, so it's normal for her not to know about our situation. Mr. Ji did resign, but not because I'm slow-witted. She told my mother that there was nothing more she could teach me."

A collective gasp echoed.

If she recalled correctly, Miss Zheng Two had only returned to the Zheng family a year ago, right?

In just one year, the female tutor from the Ji family had run out of things to teach her?

While everyone was pondering this, they heard Zheng Jinyu continue, "Oh, yes. This lute was taught to me by Mr. Ji himself."

Someone exclaimed, "I've heard Mr. Ji Ning play the lute, but Miss Zheng Two's skills surpass his. Is this an instance of the student surpassing the master?"

Zheng Jinyu modestly replied, "Not at all. I dare not compare myself to Mr. Ji. There is still much room for improvement."

Her humility earned her more praise. But Wang Fuzhen wasn't convinced and accused Zheng Jinyu of putting on an act.

Zheng Jinxiu's face turned ashen. An insensitive person had blurted out that it was no wonder Prince Chen had chosen the second daughter over the first.

To master the pipa to such a level in just a year, it could only mean she possesses exceptional talent.

Zheng Jinyu had always been the peasant girl she looked down upon. In comparison to Zheng Jinyu, her only advantage was growing up with an extensive education, personally nurtured by Lady Zheng, proficient in calligraphy, chess, painting, and music.

If Zheng Jinyu surpassed her in both knowledge and upbringing, what else did she have to compete with Zheng Jinyu?

She couldn't accept this reality.

Calm down, calm down, Zheng Jinyu is merely better at playing the pipa than I am, she reassured herself.

She was also skilled in the guqin, but she never flaunted it.

Thinking of this, Zheng Jinxiu's expression improved slightly.

She had managed to comfort herself.

It seemed that Zheng Hongxu shared a telepathic connection with Zheng Jinxiu, for he seemed to sense her distress over Zheng Jinyu's excellence and seized the opportunity to mock her.

"My little sister here has always been frail since childhood. So much so that she couldn't even hold a writing brush steadily. Hence, she never learned how to read or write, nor does she possess any skills in calligraphy, chess, painting, or music. Fortunately, she has a natural gift for playing the pipa; otherwise, with no notable talents, my mother would be worried about her suitability for Prince Chen."

"Is that so?" Xie Peiyu's voice rang from behind the screen. "But I recall her skills in calligraphy and painting were quite remarkable."

Someone in the crowd chimed in, "Yes, Miss Zheng Number Two is an excellent painter. I still remember vividly the lotus she painted at last year's Lotus Appreciation Banquet."

Zheng Hongxu's face froze with embarrassment. "Oh, yes, almost forgot. She does have some talent in calligraphy and painting."

Wang Fuzhen, displeased, interjected, "She can paint, but what about calligraphy? We've all seen her writing – it's limited to signing her name. Miss Yu, you only remember the well-executed lotus painting, didn't you forget that the princess helped her with the calligraphy?"

The Miss Yu who had previously defended Zheng Jinyu quickly responded, "Oh, right, the calligraphy was done by the princess."

Xie Peiyu spoke calmly, "At last year's Lotus Appreciation Banquet, Miss Number Two had just returned home for a month. A month is not enough time to refine one's skills. Indeed, her handwriting back then was average. However, a year has passed, and her calligraphy has greatly improved."

Zheng Jinyu's beautiful eyes darted around as she looked at Xie Peiyu through the screen.

Their gazes met through the sheer veil, each studying the other.

Did Xie Peiyu want her to make a name for herself in this moment? It was a little earlier than she had planned.

Nonetheless, it was a good opportunity to put Zheng Jinxiu and Wang Fuzhen in their place.

They often play the roles of the stern and the lenient within the circle of noble ladies, portraying themselves as incompetent and devoid of any skills.

After today, let us see how their fellow maidens will mock and taunt them.

A frog at the bottom of a well.

Lu Shen suddenly broke into a smile, slapping his thigh as he rose. "Very well, let's see how much Miss Second's calligraphy has improved. Fetch a writing brush and ink, young master wishes to grind the ink for Miss Second myself."

He bypassed the screen directly and approached the woman, fixing his gaze on Zheng Jinyu with an oily smile.

Is it this sister who has been bullying Jinxiu? Hmph, let's see how he will avenge little Sister Jinxiu.

He had long heard about why she was skilled in painting.

It's said that she only sketches lotus flowers with twigs, nothing more.

However, calligraphy is not the same as painting. Without years of dedication, I find it hard to believe that one could master exquisite penmanship.

If that were truly possible, it would only prove that you are an otherworldly being. In that case, I would admit defeat with complete conviction.

Swiftly, attendants brought ink and brushes, setting up a jade table for Zheng Jinyu to paint on the spot.

Lu Shen rolled up his sleeves, attempting to grind the ink for her, but was promptly pulled away by Xie Peiyu.

"The future bride of this prince doesn't need your help grinding ink."

Xie Peiyu flicked his wide sleeves, revealing his slender fingers with distinct joints.

Against the backdrop of the black ink, his hands appeared exceptionally fair.

How enviable – last year, he had been so tanned from fighting in the south, yet only a few months had passed, and his complexion had returned to its former fairness.

Xie Peiyu chuckled softly. "Why are you staring at my hands? Focus on writing well. If I say you're good, don't disgrace me."

Zheng Jinyu shot him a glare before dipping her brush into the ink.

Behind them, Zheng Jinxiu's face twisted with envy.

Love and indifference were crystal clear; Xie Peiyu's attitude towards Zheng Jinyu was vastly different from how he had treated her back then.

If before she still held onto a sliver of hope, believing that Xie Peiyu had feelings for her deep down.

Now, her hopes were utterly dashed.

Zheng Jinyu, Zheng Jinyu, I refuse to believe that you can come back and snatch away everything that belongs to me. I refuse to accept that you can trample on me for the rest of our lives.