Chapter 198 – Betrayed by Zheng Hongxu Again?

Chapter 198 - Betrayed by Zheng Hongxu Again?

"No, what does this mean? Is her background so disgraceful? Can't we act as her parents?"

Mrs. Zheng was angered by the question. "If you truly want what's best for her, then don't acknowledge her. Hmph, do you know that to ensure Jinxiu marries into a good family, we've always claimed she is our biological daughter and the eldest legitimate child of the Zheng family? If she loses that status, how can she still marry into a prominent family? Surely, you understand the importance of social standing, don't you?"

Fang Dachuan was taken aback. To be honest, he was quite surprised.

He had thought that Zheng Jinxiu was raised in the Zheng family as an adopted daughter, but never would he have imagined that the Zhengs cherished her so much that they treated her as their legitimate eldest daughter.

Throughout the conversation, Mrs. Zheng held and comforted her daughter, while Zheng Jinxiu, the biological daughter, sat alone on the side.

Fang Dachuan wasn't foolish; he quickly understood the dynamics at play.

A child raised from birth would naturally have a deeper bond, and in the Zheng family, his biological daughter was undoubtedly more favored.

Well, that settled it.

"I see, I had no idea. I thought you presented Jinxiu as an adopted daughter to the public. In that case, I won't acknowledge her."

He spoke with a pretended look of sorrow.

"For Jinxiu's sake, we'll do anything. It doesn't matter if she doesn't acknowledge us. Remember, wife, this is Miss Zheng, the eldest daughter of the family. Don't say the wrong thing."

Zhao Zhaodi followed Fang Dachuan's lead and nodded repeatedly in agreement.

"You two youngsters, don't say anything out of turn either. She's not your sister; she's Miss Zheng, the eldest daughter of the Zheng family."

Fang Erya was already timid from being bullied, so she would always follow Fang Dachuan's lead.

Hearing his words, she nodded timidly.

Fang Sanbao was still young, and he was actually a bit of a troublemaker in Fang Village.

Being from a small village, he was initially a bit timid in unfamiliar surroundings, which was why he hadn't said a word.

Upon hearing his father's instructions, Fang Sanbao glanced at Zheng Jinyu and asked his father, "What about Big Sister? Can I call her that?"

His gaze was on Zheng Jinyu, so naturally, the 'Big Sister' he referred to was Zheng Jinyu herself.

Fang Dachuan chuckled. "That's something you should ask your elder sister."

Zheng Jinyu gave a cold laugh and fixed her gaze on Fang Sanbao. "Sure, but there's another aspect to my identity – I am Miss Zheng of the Zheng family. As for you two, you're servants of the Zheng household. A lady dealing with servants… well, I'm afraid you might not be able to handle it."

Her voice was laced with frost, and her smile sent shivers down their spines.

The Fang family was momentarily dazed.

In less than two years, Zheng Jinyu had changed so much that they barely recognized her.

Not only in appearance, but also in demeanor – there was an air of authority about her that made Fang Dachuan feel a subtle sense of fear.

He felt guilty facing Zheng Jinyu, knowing full well how his family had treated her.

Madam Zheng might have been deceived by him, but Zheng Jinyu surely knew about their deliberate harshness towards her.

He even suspected that Zheng Jinyu was aware of the secret they had kept all those years – the switch of the babies.

"Sanbao, don't speak nonsense. This is Second Miss Zheng."

Seeing the usually obstinate Fang Dachuan appearing somewhat fearful of Zheng Jinyu, Zheng Hongxu felt discontented.

Why? He could be arrogant towards them and even repay their favor with ingratitude, yet he was so submissive to Zheng Jinyu as if he owed her something.

But weren't they her adoptive parents? They had raised her and were entitled to her gratitude, right?

"Jinyu, how do you speak to people? They are your adoptive parents."

Zheng Jinyu sneered. "Would you want adoptive parents like them?"

Zheng Hongxu: "..."

"Huh, I had to work as soon as I could walk. Before leaving the Fang household, I slept on straw piles in the woodshed – I never even touched a real bed. Those who know might pity me, but those who don't would think I was just one of their livestock."

"Fang Dachuan, afraid that she might say something even more hurtful, hurriedly interrupted her.

"I feel guilty for the hardships Second Miss went through in our home. I sincerely apologize; back then, our family was genuinely impoverished, and we didn't have an extra bed. As the elder sister, if you didn't sleep on the straw pile, it would've fallen to the younger ones. It was a difficult choice, as we couldn't favor one over the other."

Zheng Jinyu mocked, "Enough, don't keep repeating it until you convince yourself."

Fang Dachuan was uncertain about Zheng Jinyu's current mood and, seeing her anger, immediately fell silent to avoid provoking more unpleasant remarks.

"Cough, cough," the matriarch interjected. "Enough, let bygones be bygones. That's settled then. Assign them some work and announce that we're assisting distant relatives."

"Yes, Mother," replied Lady Zheng, dismissing the servants to take the Fang family away and dispersing her children.

Zheng Jinxiu was still in distress, and both Zheng Hongqi and Zheng Hongxu went to console her.

Zheng Jinyu left alone, but soon Cui Yongnian caught up with her.

"Cousin, you've endured much hardship in the past, haven't you?"

Zheng Jinyu remained silent, maintaining her pace without slowing down.

No one desires to have their wounds reopened.

Cui Yongnian continued to follow, saying, "You must have felt upset watching your aunt dote on Zheng Jinxiu, right?"

She had fully embraced this body and identity; how could she not feel sad?

Observing her own mother comforting another woman's daughter while her own brother not only didn't support her but betrayed her, talking about the debt of upbringing, foster parents?

Ha, she would gladly give such foster parents a whole carriage load.

"Cousin, if you're upset, tell your cousin. I have no affection for Zheng Jinxiu, so I'll surely side with you."

Zheng Jinyu, who was initially quite distressed, was instantly amused by his words.

How wonderful; in this vast Zheng residence, everyone had grown up watching Zheng Jinxiu and held deep feelings for her. Fortunately, there was this cousin who hadn't been part of Zheng Jinxiu's upbringing. He had met both Zheng Jinxiu and Zheng Jinyu on the same day, remaining unaffected by Zheng Jinxiu's influence.

Moreover, he would still favor her.

Zheng Jinyu paused and looked at him, smiling as she asked, "Why would you favor me?"

Actually, she was already content that he didn't favor Zheng Jinxiu.

Cui Yongnian chuckled and said, "Because you're my cousin, after all."

Zheng Jinyu reminded him with a smile, "The kind where our fathers are cousins, to be precise."

Cui Yongnian laughed and added, "Apart from that, we also have business dealings. Plus, we can play music together. Your pipa skills are excellent. How about this – you play the pipa, and I'll accompany you on the guqin? We could create a duet."

Zheng Jinyu was feeling restless and unhappy that day. Seeking some joy, she replied to Cui Yongnian, "Sure, why not seize the moment? Let's do it today. Is Cousin Cui free?"

"Certainly, sounds good. Today it is."

...

The Fang family had already made arrangements, but Lady Fang still felt it was an omen of bad luck. She was also worried that the Fangs might cause more trouble, so she kept complaining to Lady Luo.

After listening to her for a while, Lady Luo grew increasingly suspicious.

"Madam, I don't think a native villager would behave in such a manner," she commented.

Lady Fang was taken aback. "What do you mean?"

Lady Luo replied, "Madam has forgotten that I, too, am a daughter from an impoverished family, sold into the Cui household as a maid."

"Hmm, do tell," she was prompted.