Chapter 180: Xie Peiyu Returns

Chapter 180: Xie Peiyu Returns

Indeed, Master Zheng nodded in agreement.

"Sure, it's good. But how do we approach this? What kind of person is Xie Peichen? He might not even consider Jinxiu worthy."

Recalling today's events, Madam Zheng felt delighted.

Madam Yang hoped that the wife he remarries would come from the Zheng family.

She conveniently overlooked the fact that Madam Yang had her eyes on Zheng Jinyu and added a few twists, subtly hinting to Master Zheng that Madam Yang wished for Xie Peichen to remarry with Zheng Jinxiu.

Master Zheng wore an expression of astonishment after hearing this. "Madam Yang has taken a liking to Jinxiu?"

"Yes, she seems intent on matchmaking them."

"How could that be? When they were married back then, it was a union between the Xie and Yang families. Since she didn't leave any children behind before passing away, the Yangs would likely send one of her sisters over after her death."

"Exactly, that's where the conflict lies. Madam Yang is the daughter of her father's first wife, while her sisters are from her stepmother. She doesn't have a good relationship with her sisters, so she wouldn't want Xie Peichen to marry any of them. We saw it with our own eyes; she cried and pleaded with Xie Peiyu to promise that he wouldn't take another Yang woman as his wife after her passing."

"Is that so?"

"Mm-hm, Xie Peichen agreed to her request."

Upon hearing this, Master Zheng felt that there was a higher chance for Zheng Jinxiu's plan to succeed.

He then told Lady Zheng, "Let's observe for now, but we mustn't mention this to anyone. Not even Jinxiu, in case she accidentally leaks the information. After all, Yang Shi is still alive."

"Rest assured, my lord. I understand."

The two of them had already discussed their plan to matchmake Zheng Jinxiu with Xie Peichen.

Zheng Jinxiu shared the same intention and began to provoke Lu Shen after that day.

With her new plan in mind, she was no longer afraid of breaking off the engagement with the Lu family.

As for Lu Shen, he was a despicable character.

The more Zheng Jinxiu ignored him, the more he tried to please her, even going as far as making many compromises.

Indeed, men were fickle. The more unattainable something was, the more alluring it seemed.

Zheng Jinyu guessed their intentions and, after much contemplation, decided to involve the Fang family in the matter.

The entire Zheng family's attention was fixated on Zheng Jinxiu, leaving Zheng Jinyu unnoticed.

She used the pretext of visiting the shop to slip out easily.

Upon entering the store, she slipped out the back door and soon met Mother Qian.

"Where are they?"

"Miss, they've been chased to the western part of the city, mingling with a group of beggars."

"How useless. They still haven't found the Fang family after so long."

Mother Qian continued, "Their whole family speaks with a southern accent. Apart from knowing that they're surnamed Zheng, they can't provide any useful information. It takes ages for them to understand a simple question, let alone gather any useful intel."

"I'll go take a look at them myself."

"Very well, Miss, follow me. We'll change your attire before heading to the west of the city to see the Fang family."

Zheng Jinyu accompanied Auntie Qian to a small courtyard, where she donned a simple cotton outfit before proceeding to the west of the city to visit the Fangs.

Both she and Auntie Qian were bundled up tightly, with only their eyes visible, each carrying a basket filled with steamed buns.

This made them appear like servants from a wealthy household performing acts of charity among the beggars.

The beggars didn't suspect anything, their attention solely on the buns in their hands.

It seemed they were accustomed to this routine, as they even knew to form a queue.

The Fang family was also in that line, waiting for their share of buns.

Auntie Qian whispered to Zheng Jinyu, "It's common for affluent households to send servants to distribute steamed buns and porridge to the less fortunate."

No wonder, Zheng Jinyu thought.

When it was the Fang family's turn to receive the buns, Zheng Jinyu observed them. They were all filthy and disheveled, their hair clumped together in matted locks.

None of them recognized Zheng Jinyu; their eyes were fixated on the white steamed buns in her basket. This family had truly fallen into destitution.

After receiving their buns, they moved aside to eat, leaving Zheng Jinyu to continue distributing them. At that moment, she spotted someone familiar... Zhang Dezhi?

Zhang Dezhi, who used to serve in the Zheng household, had once attempted to force Chunmei, Zheng Jinyu's maid, out of the house. He was later framed by Madam Zhou for the murder of another maid, Qiu Ju.

The Zheng family reported the incident, but despite the officials chasing after him along his route back home, they failed to locate him, and the case eventually faded away.

After all, he wasn't a significant figure, just a maid's servant. It wasn't worth expending great effort and resources to apprehend him.

Zhang Dezhi, however, didn't return home. Instead, he feigned a departure and sneaked back, hiding within the city as a beggar to conceal his identity.

Zheng Jinyu made a mental note and whispered to Mother Qian, "That man used to work for the Zheng family. He's hiding here as a beggar after committing a crime. Try to establish a connection between him and the Fang family. He could help guide them to the Zheng family without arousing suspicion."

Mother Qian jotted down the information and replied, "Understood."

Zheng Jinyu returned home, only to venture out again the following day, for Xie Peiyu had come back.

Clad in a cloak, she blended into the crowd to watch him ride his majestic steed into the city.

The man on horseback also spotted her. His eyes followed her for a while until she disappeared from sight before he turned his head away.

Zheng Jinyu lowered her hat and returned to the Zheng residence.

Chunmei appeared puzzled. "Miss, you woke up early and dressed up just to catch a glimpse of him? I thought you would have a conversation with Prince Chen."

Zheng Jinyu smiled faintly but said nothing.

Chunmei was even more perplexed.

Why didn't she go up and greet him or chat with him when they were so close?

Zheng Jinyu carried on with her usual routine—eating when it was time to eat, drinking tea when it was time to drink. In the evening, she dismissed the servants early and retired to bed promptly.

In reality, she wasn't sleeping. After the maidservants and nursemaids had gone to bed, she sat quietly in her room, lit a few candles, and read a book.

Before long, there was a noise at the window by her desk.

She knew it was Xie Peiyu who had arrived.

Zheng Jinyu rose and unfastened the window latch.

With the window open, Xie Peiyu leaped inside.

"What's going on today?" He looked at her, his face puzzled. "You seem to be waiting for me, yet you've latched the window shut. Are you waiting for me, or for someone else?"

Zheng Jinyu replied calmly, "I don't want you to enter silently without a word."

"Oh, so you latched the window on purpose?"

Closing her book, Zheng Jinyu slid the window shut again.

"Alright then, I'll knock on the window in the future before entering."

Her response to him was a mere two words, spoken with detachment.

"Have a seat."

A stool had already been prepared for him.

Xie Peiyu sighed softly. "We haven't seen each other for half a month; I thought you'd miss me. I left the palace banquet early tonight just to come and see you."

Zheng Jinyu smiled faintly. "I wondered how you managed to come so quickly. Today's palace banquet was held in your honor; do you think the Emperor would have allowed you to leave?"

"Ha, do you think he wants to hold these banquets? He's only doing it out of respect for my mother. She's still in the palace. If she knows that I've come to see you, she'll smooth things over for me."

Zheng Jinyu wore a look of astonishment.

Xie Peiyu paused. "What's with your expression?"

Zheng Jinyu replied, "Does the Princess Consort know every time you come to see me?"

"Mm-hmm, yes."

Zheng Jinyu: "..."

"She's okay with it?"

Xie Peiyu: "Why not?"

And why not, indeed?