Chapter 179 – A Clever Scheme Indeed

Chapter 179 - A Clever Scheme Indeed

Indeed, why would she cry if Prince Chen didn't go to the frontier?

Madam Yang covered her chest and pounded it gently, shedding tears without a word.

She couldn't voice these thoughts out loud. If he hadn't withdrawn the marriage proposal, how would it look if she complained?

This put Madam Xie in a panic.

"What's wrong? What's happening? My child, why are you hitting yourself? Stop that at once. Tell Mother what's on your mind."

Madam Zheng chimed in, "Yes, tell us what's bothering you. You're not in good health; don't mistreat yourself like this."

After a while of crying, Madam Yang was finally calmed down.

"Mother, I have to leave. But what about Brother Chen?"

"Don't talk nonsense. Take care of yourself, and you won't have to leave."

"Mother, please don't try to comfort me. I understand my situation well. This time, I truly cannot make it. Before I go, I just want to ensure that Brother Chen's marriage is settled. Originally, I intended for him to marry one of the Zheng family's girls, but I didn't expect..." She glanced at Zheng Jinyu and Zheng Jinxiu. "I didn't expect both Zheng family girls to already have their marriages arranged."

Madam Xie didn't think much of these words, but Madam Zheng heard them with great interest.

Xie Peichen, the eldest legitimate son of the Xie family. He was handsome, had an excellent character, and outstanding abilities. Even as his second wife, it would be far better than marrying Lu Shen.

After all, he still didn't have any children. Yang Shi had miscarried twice.

Zheng Jinyu observed that while Madam Xie was comforting Yang Shi, not only did Madam Zheng's heart stir, but even Zheng Jinxiu seemed tempted.

Her expression clearly showed she was weighing the merits of Xie Peichen against those of Lu Shen.

Hmph, how could she allow Zheng Jinxiu to marry Xie Peichen again? If she remarried him, wouldn't her previous life's sacrifice have been in vain?

"Sister-in-law, regardless of your current good health, even if something were to happen, how could you worry about Elder Brother's marriage? If he found out, he'd be deeply saddened."

"I... I..." She was too agitated to speak.

If she were arranging her husband's marriage while still alive, who else besides her husband would feel sorrow?

Indeed, she had overstepped her bounds with this matter.

The marriage of the eldest legitimate son of the Xie family was a significant affair for the entire clan. How could it be left to arrangements by a dying woman like her?

She had only ventured this suggestion due to her husband and in-laws' affection for her.

Her husband would likely not refuse her advice.

With this thought, she wept once more.

Zheng Jinyu understood her concerns and devised a tactful approach.

"Sister-in-law, does your maiden family have a legitimate younger sister?"

Upon hearing this, she grew anxious and promptly replied, "No, no, my sister is not suitable. Where's Brother Pei Chen? Mother, tell Brother Pei Chen that he mustn't consider my maiden family's sister."

Madam Xie was momentarily taken aback but still instructed the servants to fetch Xie Peichen.

"Relax, I've already asked someone to find Chen'er. He'll be back soon."

She seemed rather disoriented at the moment, pulling Madam Xie into a jumbled conversation with nonsensical remarks, always jumping from one subject to another.

This greatly startled Madam Xie.

Seeing that Zheng Jinxiu couldn't free herself, Lady Zheng arranged for servants to fetch a physician.

The chamber suddenly bustled with activity.

Zheng Jinxiu and Zheng Jinxiu were unable to lend much assistance on the side. Zheng Jinxiu, in her anxiety, tried to give orders to the maidservants, but they paid no attention to her.

Her attempts to interject several times failed, leaving her no choice but to step back and stand with Zheng Jinxiu.

Taking advantage of the chaos, Zheng Jinxiu asked her sister, "Why did you say that just now?"

"What?"

"You mentioned that Sister-in-law Xie shouldn't meddle in Brother Xie's marriage."

"Oh, I just mentioned it casually."

"But by mentioning it, you worsened Madam Xie's condition. Are you trying to harm her?"

Zheng Jinyu: "..." This accusation didn't fit her at all.

She raised an eyebrow at Zheng Jinxiu. "What? Do you think it would be better if Sister-in-law had already arranged a new wife for Elder Brother before she passed away?"

Zheng Jinxiu was taken aback, and the image of Xie Peichen flashed through her mind.

She had seen him a few times from afar, but never closely enough to study his features.

She vaguely recalled that he resembled Xie Peiyu, but was older and appeared more mature and composed.

Putting aside their appearances, in terms of family background and reputation for virtue, Xie Peichen was indeed superior to Lu Shen.

The more Zheng Jinxiu thought about it, the more intrigued she became.

Just as she was lost in thought, the door was pushed open, and a tall man entered from outside.

Zheng Jinyu looked up. The man seemed to be in his twenties and bore a resemblance to Xie Peiyu, but with a more refined and stable demeanor.

He must be Xie Peichen, Xie Peiyu's cousin.

Upon entering, Xie Peichen made a beeline for the bedside.

Madam Xie and Madam Zheng both stepped aside, sensing the situation.

Seeing him soothe the person in bed, the latter gradually calmed down.

Lady Yang's pale hand clung tightly to Xie Peichen's arm, exerting effort to speak to him, "My husband, after I'm gone, don't marry any woman from the Yang Family, especially my stepmother's daughter. Promise me, promise me."

Xie Peichen held her hand back, soothing her softly, "Don't say such foolish things, you'll be fine. Don't think too much, just focus on getting better. We will have more children."

Lady Yang shook her head frantically, persistently urging him, "Promise me, promise me."

Seeing her becoming agitated again, Xie Peichen had no choice but to agree.

"Alright, I promise you."

Lady Yang was finally reassured and settled down.

Everyone heaved a sigh of relief.

Lady Zheng exchanged some pleasantries before taking her two daughters away.

None of the three spoke during the journey, but Lady Zheng glanced at Zheng Jinxiu several times in between.

Zheng Jinyu knew what was on her mind. Since Madam Yang was still alive, certain matters couldn't be discussed yet.

Once Madam Yang passed away, she would probably try to marry Jinxiu off to the Xie family.

Upon returning home, the trio retreated to their respective quarters.

When Master Zheng came back in the evening, Lady Zheng eagerly told him, "Madam Yang suffered a miscarriage yesterday and gave birth to a stillborn. I took Jinxiu and Jinyu to visit her today."

"Which Madam Yang?"

"The one from the Xie family, the wife of their eldest legitimate grandson."

"Oh? Her? The wife of Pei Chen?"

"Yes."

"Why did she miscarry again? Didn't she just recover from a previous miscarriage a few years ago? Will her body still be able to carry a child after this?"

"Ai!" Lady Zheng sighed and shook her head. "Forget about having another child; I'm afraid that Yang woman won't even survive these next few days."

"Ah?" Master Zheng's face was filled with shock. After a long pause, he said slowly, "If she passes away without leaving any children behind, Pei Chen will remarry eventually. Without the pressure of an official son or daughter from his first wife, his second wife might not be any worse off than the first."

"Yes, Xie Peichen is indeed a good man. Although Yang didn't bear him any children, he has always been deeply devoted to her. Can you imagine if our Jinxiu were in her place..."

Master Zheng was startled and quickly covered her mouth.

"Oh dear, my lady, you shouldn't say such things."

"What are you afraid of? I've sent all the servants away. It's just us two, talking privately. My lord, what do you think about our Jinxiu marrying into the Xie family? Xie Peichen and Xie Peiyu are cousins, and it's quite common for a sister to marry the elder brother while the younger sister marries the younger brother. It doesn't sound like a bad arrangement, does it?"