Chapter 190: The Horrifying Nature of the Plot

Chapter 190: The Horrifying Nature of the Plot

"You can't say that. Jinxiu is engaged to Young Master Lu's family."

"Yes, yes, I know I shouldn't say it, but... it's strange, don't you think?"

"Oh, dreams can't be trusted."

Madam Xie was highly embarrassed.

Yet, Madam Zheng was inwardly delighted.

She thought to herself: Could it be that the late Yang woman, in an effort to help Xie Peichen free himself from her sister, appeared in Madam Xie's dream?

Or perhaps, as they say, 'What one thinks in the day, one dreams of at night.' Madam Xie, recalling her daughter-in-law's words before she passed, created this dream in her mind?

Regardless, Madam Xie's expression seemed to indicate that she believed in the dream.

As they spoke, they both seemed to remember Zheng Jinyu's existence.

Madam Xie suddenly said, "Oh, right, Second Miss had an urgent matter to discuss with you, didn't she?"

Zheng Jinyu promptly replied, "Mother, I couldn't find the materials needed, so I came to consult you."

With that, Zheng Jinyu took out a piece of paper from her sleeve and handed it to Madam Zheng. "There's a delivery date agreed upon with a client. If we're delayed due to the lack of materials, we might have to compensate them."

Madam Zheng furrowed her brows slightly. "Who is this client? Even if Mother were to arrange for someone to purchase them now, we wouldn't be able to obtain them this year. If it comes to that, Mother can try to speak on behalf of your client and request a postponement of the deadline."

Zheng Jinyu: "..."

"It is... Cousin Cui."

Madam Zheng: "..."

"Yongnian, it's just a small matter, simply inform him about it."

"It wouldn't be proper to take advantage of him just because he's my cousin, would it?"

"Child, what is family? When it comes to kinship, one shouldn't dwell on trivial matters of who gains more or loses less. If you've benefited from him here, you can simply repay it elsewhere in the future. To make a big issue out of it, unless you're willing to sever ties altogether."

In affluent households, there were their own unique ways of maintaining relationships, Zheng Jinyu understood this well. She had merely pulled Cui Yongnian into the situation to find an excuse for the incident.

With Madam Zheng's words, Zheng Jinyu promptly replied, "Yes, daughter has learned my lesson."

Madam Xie smiled and said, "Madam Zheng, you truly know how to teach your daughter. Such a fine child, I'm envious."

Madam Zheng modestly responded, "She's still young and has much to learn. It will take time to guide her properly."

"Oh, it's your patience that deserves credit. I lack such patience; I leave all the upbringing to the wet nurse. No wonder your daughters are one by one, obedient and sensible. In my dreams, oh..."

Once again reaching an awkward topic, Madam Xie found it difficult to continue. After all, both of Zheng's daughters were already betrothed; she wouldn't want to be seen as trying to snatch someone else's fiancé.

In fact, Zheng Jinyu was also quite worried. She had thought a few words would spoil the matter, but never imagined the plot would become so terrifying, directly influencing Madam Xie's dreams about future events.

Ancient people believed in these things. What should she do now?

Zheng Jinyu quickly thought and spoke to Madam Xie, "Madam Xie, your dream is indeed peculiar and surreal. Could it be that your elder sister-in-law came to you in a dream? It seems she is indeed concerned about her sister's persistence towards my brother."

Madam Xie's mind buzzed, finding reason in Zheng Jinyu's words.

To have such an unusual dream, it might be a message from my daughter-in-law-to-be.

Zheng Jinyu continued, "But my sister is already betrothed to the young master of the Lu family, and the wedding date has been set. If Madam Xie's strange dream were to spread, I wonder what the Lu family would think."

Madam Zheng immediately scolded Zheng Jinyu with a stern face, "Jinyu, don't talk nonsense. It was just a dream, how can you take it seriously?"

Zheng Jinyu lowered her head and said, "Yes, what happens in dreams cannot be taken as truth."

Madam Xie patted her mouth, "My fault, my fault, I didn't think this through. Indeed, this matter must not be made public. If the Lu family were to misunderstand and it affected their marriage with our Zheng family, it wouldn't bode well for our Miss Zheng."

Madam Zheng was eager for something to go wrong with the marriage to the Lu family but was also afraid of losing the connection with the Xie family. In her anxiety, she began to criticize the Lu family, revealing her dissatisfaction with the match.

"Oh dear, that Lu family... sigh!" She let out a long sigh and said, "Madam Xie, our Zheng and Xie families will soon become relatives. Since you're here today, I won't hold back. I am one hundred percent dissatisfied with this marriage to the Lu family; I regret it deeply."

Zheng Jinyu's expression darkened, and she looked at Madam Zheng with pursed lips.

Madam Xie exclaimed in surprise, "Why? Could it be because of the Wang family...?"

"Yes, yes, yes," Madam Zheng agreed, "That's exactly it. I'm unhappy with their attitude of having one bowl in hand while eyeing another, treating the concubine poorly even before the wife enters the door. Whom are they bullying?"

Madam Xie exclaimed, "Oh, indeed, the Lu family has gone too far."

"I truly wish to withdraw from this marriage, but I'm afraid that if we do, my poor Jinxiu might not find another suitable match."

Madam Xie couldn't help but feel restless upon hearing this.

It was as if someone had brought her a pillow right when she was about to sleep.

Her face clearly conveyed, 'Look at us, we're the perfect match.'

Observing Madam Xie's subtle expressions, Madam Zheng continued, "Regarding the Prince Chen incident, that Princess Consort... Well, it's not proper for me to comment. In any case, we'll just follow their lead, and it wasn't Jinxiu's fault, right? As for the Lu family, Lu Shen is already eyeing another while still having his current one. He's contemplating concubines before his wife even enters the door. Can you blame Jinxiu for that? But in all of Beijing, how many noble ladies have had two marriage arrangements canceled in a row? What would become of Jinxiu if it happened again? We know very well the Lu family isn't ideal, yet we can only endure silently."

She subtly revealed to Madam Xie that they were being bullied by the Lu family, yet lacked the strength to back out of the engagement. Unintentionally, she also took a jab at Zheng Jinyu.

How could the cancellation of the engagement with Prince Chen not be blamed on Zheng Jinxiu? Was she suggesting that it was her fault for seducing Prince Chen?

Zheng Jinyu sat quietly, her fist unconsciously tightening within her sleeve.

Lacking the courage to break off the engagement, Madam Xie, who had intentions of undermining the match, promptly boosted her spirits.

"Back out, you must. How dare they treat people this way? A family like that would only bring suffering to your Jinxiu. If I had a daughter, I'd never let her endure such humiliation."

Mrs. Zheng hesitated, "But... how can we find another match after breaking it off?"

Madam Xie assured her, pounding her chest, "Leave it to me. I'll surely find an even better family for your eldest daughter than the Lus."

"Are you serious?"

"Believe me, dear in-law." It was appropriate for her to call Zheng Jinyu's mother-in-law, as the marriage to the Xie family was set in stone. As the current head of the Xie household, Madam Xie would eventually become Zheng Jinyu's aunt when she married in.

However, since the engagement hadn't been officially dissolved yet, Madam Xie couldn't directly express her desire for Zheng Jinyu as her son's bride. Still, the hint was clear, and both women understood each other's intentions.

Mrs. Zheng sighed in relief, "Then thank you very much."

A mutual understanding was established between them. "Well, I have some matters at home to attend to. I'll take my leave first."

"I'll see you out."

"No, no need. You rest. Young Miss Two still has important matters to discuss." She was worried that if she saw him off at the main gate, others might gossip.

In the end, Madam Zheng instructed one of her servants, a maid, to accompany him instead.