Chapter 151: That Matter Has Something to Do with Zheng Jinxiu

Chapter 151: That Matter Has Something to Do with Zheng Jinxiu

The evening banquet was held in celebration of the return of the fourth son of the Zheng family, Zheng Hongqiu.

Lady Zheng had specially permitted his biological mother, Lady He, to join the feast.

To avoid showing favoritism, Lady Luo was also excused from standing behind Lady Zheng to serve and was allowed to sit at the table for the meal.

Upon her arrival, Zheng Jinyu learned that her elder sister, Xiao Xuan, and Zheng Jinxiu were both absent.

Lady Zheng explained that they had gone to a temple to burn incense but encountered bandits on the way, which frightened them so much that they needed to rest in bed and thus couldn't attend the dinner.

It was understandable that Xiao Xuan didn't come since she had miscarried. However, Zheng Jinyu hadn't expected Zheng Jinxiu to be absent due to fright as well. If she had known, she wouldn't have come either.

After all, she had never liked Zheng Hongqiu from the first meeting.

Unlike when she first arrived and had to please everyone to survive, she now only associated with those she found pleasing.

Upon hearing Mrs. Zheng's explanation, Zheng Hongqiu looked at Zheng Jinyu sitting below him with a faint smile. "I've heard that Younger Sister was even taken hostage by the bandits on a boat, yet you weren't frightened. You seem quite courageous."

Zheng Jinyu smiled lightly. "Fourth Brother is mistaken. I was indeed scared. Initially, I planned to rest in my room. But when I heard Fourth Brother had returned, I didn't want to disappoint you, so I forced myself to come."

The sister you like didn't even bother to attend your welcome banquet.

Zheng Hongqiu's smile froze.

Auntie He watched them both nervously, then glanced at Mrs. Zheng.

Mrs. Zheng wasn't foolish; she could tell that the siblings were engaging in a verbal sparring match. But they seemed unfamiliar with each other. Why were they already at odds during their first meeting?

"Ahem." The elderly matriarch coughed twice, breaking the tension.

She turned to the group and said, "Today is a joyous occasion. Why keep talking about bandits? Hongqiu, life must have been tough for you in that harsh frontier region, with poor food and little warmth. Eat more, all your favorites are here."

"Thank you, Grandmother."

Zheng Jinyu finished her meal and was about to leave, as they still had a play to watch. She let them proceed.

However, she was soon stopped by Lady Zheng just as she exited the dining hall.

"Jinyu."

Zheng Jinyu halted, "Mother, what can Jinyu do for you?"

Lady Zheng gazed at her daughter, noticing how much more beautiful and matured she had become under the candlelight on the veranda. The difference from when they first met last year was like night and day.

It wasn't just her appearance and figure; her demeanor carried an unwavering confidence and grace, exuding the elegance of a noble lady from a prominent family.

Truly, she is my daughter.

"Jinyu, do you not have affection for your Fourth Brother?"

Zheng Jinyu's lips curled into a gentle smile, "Why would that be? Fourth Brother is just the same as Second Brother and Third Brother to me."

Lady Zheng understood.

Her relationship with Second and Third wasn't amiable; she supposed that Fourth Brother was similar to them in this regard.

Fourth Brother was about the same age as they were. He had spent more time with Jinxiu during their childhood, so did he think that Jinyu's return would snatch away Jinxiu's affection?

She really couldn't fathom what these children were thinking. She had always treated her two daughters equally well.

"Go back and rest. Your Fourth Brother won't be staying for more than two days."

"Yes, daughter takes her leave."

Zheng Jinyu returned and entered Yusheng Courtyard, letting out a long sigh of relief.

It was still more comfortable on her own turf.

"Hmm?"

A voice from the ceiling startled her.

Zheng Jinyu hastily shut the door and turned around.

"Why are you here again?" Zheng Jinyu looked around and added, "Why didn't you come through the main entrance?"

Xie Peiyu leaped down from the roof beam, landing right in front of her.

"I'd have to send a notice and chat with your parents for a while before I could even meet you. It's troublesome and time-consuming. Besides, I can only come during the day, not at night. I'm busy during the day; how could I find the time?"

As he spoke, he took off the cloak draped over Zheng Jinyu's shoulders and hung it on a rack.

Zheng Jinyu rolled her eyes at him. "Then, don't you know it's not proper for you to climb over the wall at night?"

"I do."

"You still did it?"

Xie Peiyu gazed steadily at her. "I heard about what happened to you, and I was worried."

Zheng Jinyu was taken aback. "What happened?"

"Someone deliberately made things difficult for you this afternoon."

"Oh, how is that difficult? It's quite normal in the business world."

"You were frightened this morning."

"I wasn't."

"Are you saying you weren't scared when you were caught on the ship?"

Zheng Jinyu was taken aback for a moment before she replied, "Didn't you comfort me in the carriage?"

Xie Peiyu: "..."

"You're that easy to appease?"

Zheng Jinyu: "Hm...?"

"If it were someone else, they'd milk this situation for all its worth, shedding tears before anyone they meet, eliciting sympathy and comfort from the whole family. You'd have to cry repeatedly in front of me before I could adequately console you."

Zheng Jinyu: "..."

"You're talking about Zheng Jinxiu, right?" It was said that she had been weeping to everyone she met. Zheng Hongqi and Zheng Hongxu tried to comfort her for half a day, but they couldn't soothe her. The whole family had taken turns to console her, even the elderly matriarch with her cane had visited her courtyard.

As a result, the two brothers looked at her with peculiar expressions during dinner.

Xie Peiyu sat down and looked at her composedly. "You know about it? You should learn from her. After such a scare, you didn't stay home to rest, but instead went to the shop to show off your strength?"

Zheng Jinyu replied, "It's a good thing I went, or else someone would have taken advantage of my store."

Xie Peiyu chuckled lightly. "How could you not realize that it was precisely because you were there today that someone attempted to swindle you?"

Zheng Jinyu was taken aback. "You know who it was?"

Xie Peiyu nodded gently.

Her eyes shimmered as Zheng Jinyu asked, "Tell me, who was it?"

"What's in it for me if I tell you?"

Zheng Jinyu: "..."

She thought to herself, If it weren't for your face, you'd be drenched in oil.

Zheng Jinyu turned away angrily.

The voice behind her immediately followed, "Alright, alright, I'll tell you. It was Lu Shen who ordered it."

"Lu Shen?" Zheng Jinyu spun around.

"Mm-hmm. Last time, when you asked me to have someone keep an eye on Lu Shen, I thought you were overthinking. But after observing him these days, I realized he indeed has a strong animosity towards you."

Zheng Jinyu sneered. "For the sake of winning Zheng Jinxiu's favor, right?"

Xie Peiyu nodded gravely. "Zheng Jinxiu deliberately lured Lu Shen into targeting you. You must be cautious."

"Rest assured, I'm aware. I won't fall for their tricks."

Xie Peiyu took a deep breath. "I originally thought Zheng Jinxiu was just being overly delicate and dramatic. Little did I know she had such a strong jealousy and acted so maliciously, without any trace of gratitude. She..."

He lifted his gaze to look at Zheng Jinyu, noticing her ashen expression, and his voice trailed off.

Zheng Jinyu, hearing his silence, probed further, "What's wrong with her?"

Xie Peiyu continued, "In her mind, it was you who suddenly emerged to snatch away her familial ties. She should despise you to the core."

"I'm aware," Zheng Jinyu replied calmly.

"You two living under the same roof, then..."

Zheng Jinyu scoffed, "This is only temporary. Eventually, I'll transform her into Fang Jinxiu."

"Oh, right, have Fang Jinxiu's parents arrived?"