Chapter 205: Lady Xiao’s Hint

Chapter 205: Lady Xiao's Hint

Zheng Jinyu seldom ventured out, only going as far as her shop.

But given its proximity, she usually walked there.

So, was it Zheng Jinxiu who needed to travel afar?

A glimmer of understanding sparked in Lu Shen's eyes as he turned his horse around, hastening to catch up.

"Jinxiu, please wait a moment, Sister Jinxiu."

Zheng Jinyu furrowed her brow and signaled the carriage driver to halt.

Lu Shen rushed forward, ready to speak, when he saw the curtain being lifted from inside.

The face that emerged was not Zheng Jinxiu's but Zheng Jinyu's, leaving Lu Shen frozen in place.

"Why is it you?"

Zheng Jinyu spoke coolly, "Why can't it be me?"

Lu Shen felt a wave of annoyance, especially when he saw her face that bore a resemblance to Lady Zheng's.

He disliked Lady Zheng for meddling, and that dislike extended to Zheng Jinyu as well.

He sneered mockingly, "A country lass, no matter how grand the carriage, you'll never sit in it with the grace of a noble lady. It's a waste for you to occupy this carriage."

The finest carriage designated for a noble lady in the Zheng household was the one she was sitting on. As Zheng Jinxiu had been the only miss in the family previously, it was essentially her personal vehicle.

Seeing that Zheng Jinyu was now occupying it, Lu Shen couldn't help but ridicule her.

Unfazed, Zheng Jinyu patted the carriage and smiled lightly, "You're right. It is indeed a waste for a country lass to ride such a fine carriage. But... ahem, pardon me, I am a genuine miss of the Zheng family, and my face is proof enough."

She even deliberately touched her face as if showing it off.

Her face, which served as undeniable evidence of her identity without the need for a DNA test.

Lu Shen's expression darkened, and he picked up on her subtle hint.

Perhaps… some answers didn't necessarily have to come from Zheng Jinxiu?

With his mind opened, everything seemed clearer.

But just as he was about to seek advice from Zheng Jinyu, she had already drawn the curtains and instructed the coachman to leave.

Lu Shen led the horse to the side, watching the departing carriage. He instructed his lackey, "Go, see where she's headed."

"Yes, sir."

The servant went to tail Zheng Jinyu while Lu Shen continued on his way to the Zheng residence.

To his dismay, he was once again met with a locked door. Today, Lady Zheng's words were even harsher than before, implying that she was ready to sever ties with them.

Lu Shen detested her, but as an elder, he couldn't afford to lose his temper. All he could do was endure it.

Leaving the Zheng residence, he coincidentally encountered the servant he had sent earlier, returning on horseback.

"Master, Miss Zheng, the second daughter, has gone to the Xiao estate. She might be visiting Madam Zheng?"

Lu Shen frequently visited the Zheng household, becoming intimately familiar with its affairs, and his minions followed suit.

After the young madam of the Zheng family suffered a miscarriage, she spent her postpartum month at her parents' home before returning for a short stay.

It had been some time since she was last there, so was Zheng Jinyu going to fetch her?

"Come on, let's head to the Xiao residence as well."

Of course, he didn't actually go to the Xiao family's home but instead waited nearby.

The Xiao family's ancestral estate was located outside the city, a spacious manor.

Xiao Xuan had returned to her parents' place to lift her spirits and recuperate; naturally, she would be staying at this countryside villa.

Zheng Jinyu carefully unpacked the items prepared by Lady Zheng and told Xiao Xuan, "Mother understands your feelings very well. She said that when she first married into the family, she too yearned to return home day and night, finding it difficult to adapt to her husband's household.

Especially during times of illness, when her body was weak, she would miss her natal home even more. She doesn't wish for you, her daughter-in-law, to endure the same hardships she did. Since Elder Brother isn't at home, Mother said you could stay longer with your parents."

Needless to say, these words were fabricated by Zheng Jinyu himself.

Why would she make up such stories?

It was because she had noticed the change in Xiao Xuan and Lady Xiao's expressions when they saw the abundance of clothing she had brought.

She wanted to prevent them from misinterpreting her words as an indication that the Zheng family did not wish for Xiao Xuan to return.

Upon hearing her explanation, the mother and daughter relaxed.

Lady Xiao patted her daughter's hand gently, smiling warmly. "Your mother-in-law is indeed thoughtful. I told you, she wouldn't mind if you stay at home longer. Now that the clothes have been delivered, I can rest assured knowing you'll be staying."

Xiao Xuan nodded softly. "I'll listen to Mother."

Zheng Jinyu looked at her and said with a smile, "Sister-in-law, your complexion looks much rosier. I'll speak with my mother later and let her know that she needn't worry."

"Thank you," Xiao Xuan said warmly, grasping her hand. "Thanks to your intervention, I've been saved. Otherwise, I might have already met my demise."

Indeed, she had narrowly escaped a fatal calamity, and Zheng Jinyu was glad to see her fate altered.

"By the way, Sister-in-law, our store has released new hairpins. Would you mind wearing them and helping to promote them?"

Zheng Jinyu presented two boxes, each containing a hairpin - one made of gold, the other of jade, its emerald green hue indicating its great value.

Did her shop really need advertising for its jewelry? The moment new pieces were released, customers feared they wouldn't be able to purchase them. Some limited editions even appreciated in value when resold.

Xiao Xuan understood that Zheng Jinyu was saying this to ensure she wouldn't refuse such valuable gifts.

Exchanging glances with her mother, Xiao Xuan smiled and accepted the boxes. "Of course, thank you."

Then, Lady Xiao removed a ring and offered it to Zheng Jinyu.

Confused, Zheng Jinyu looked on.

Lady Xiao spoke softly, "Our Xiao family hails from an area known for its unique jade, Du Shan. If Second Miss has any needs, presenting this ring will guarantee you quality items at a fair price."

Holding the ring, Zheng Jinyu hastily replied, "Thank you very much, Lady Xiao."

Resources weren't something money could buy, especially those with regional exclusivity and controlled by prominent local families. To have access to such resources, gifting her elder sister a piece of every new design would be more than worth it.

Lady Xiao took quite a liking to Zheng Jinyu and said with a smile, "Don't be so formal. I'm your elder sister-in-law's mother. If it weren't for you, your sister-in-law would have been long gone. That's a debt of gratitude for saving her life."

Lady Xiao asked Zheng Jinyu to stay for lunch.

Since Xiao Xuan had lost her child, Lady Xiao was concerned that Zheng Hongyan might succumb to his desires and father an illegitimate son while away. She pondered about sending Xiao Xuan to the Southern Frontier but didn't know how to bring it up. Thus, during lunch, she indirectly broached the topic through a story.

Why a story? Because Zheng Jinyu wasn't sure if what she was saying was true.

It was roughly about a distant relative from her maiden family who was involved in business.

Not long after her husband married, he led a trading convoy to the Western Regions and was away for three years. Upon his return, he was accompanied by a beautiful concubine and a one-year-old son, causing his legally wedded wife, who had eagerly awaited his homecoming, to fall ill on the spot and eventually pass away within three months.

After her death, the man elevated his beloved concubine to the status of lady to make their son the legitimate heir, while the unfortunate woman, who had barely known her husband before their separation, was barely remembered. Her name was even mistakenly called out at her funeral.

The rest of the family was happy, but the only ones grieving were her parents.

Upon finishing, Lady Xiao sighed, "If that woman had left with her husband back then or managed to bear a child, she wouldn't have met such a tragic end."

Initially, Zheng Jinyu thought Lady Xiao was hinting for her help to send a message, hoping the family would keep an eye on Zheng Hongyan.

It was only upon hearing the latter part that she understood Lady Xiao's intention – she wished for Xiao Xuan to join the military campaign?