Chapter 226 – Zheng Jinxiu’s Breakdown

Chapter 226 - Zheng Jinxiu's Breakdown

How crucial was one's reputation for young ladies? Lu Shen found her explanation plausible and felt a twinge of guilt – his actions were not exactly honorable.

"Alright, I'll visit her another day," he said before leaving, adding, "I hope she comes to her senses soon."

His words were both comforting and a veiled warning, which Madam Zheng picked up on.

"Ai!" She let out a helpless sigh and turned to Lady Luo. "This is all Jinxiu can hope for in this life, don't you think?"

After a moment's thought, Lady Luo replied, "Actually, it's not too bad. If it weren't for the mix-up back then..."

She abruptly stopped, knowing that Madam Zheng disliked such reminders that Zheng Jinxiu was not her biological daughter – a truth that constantly haunted her.

Surprisingly, Madam Zheng did not flare up this time but instead shed silent tears.

"I should have realized it long ago. She isn't my flesh and blood. Raising an adopted daughter is fine; there's no need to insist she's mine. Everyone knows, but they just keep quiet, treating me like a fool. Luo, those people over there must be laughing at me behind my back."

Lady Luo remained silent.

Madam Zheng continued, "In truth, I know everything, but I just can't accept it. I've raised my daughter for so many years, nurturing her with my own hands, yet she's not my biological child. Luo, I can't bear it, do you understand this feeling?"

Lady Luo replied, "Although I don't fully comprehend, I can empathize with you, Madam. If someone were to suddenly claim that Xing wasn't mine, I wouldn't be able to tolerate it either."

"Yes, we're both mothers, and I knew you'd understand me."

"However…" Lady Luo hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Madam, even if a daughter is one's own flesh and blood, excessive favoritism can still harm the other children."

Madam Zheng was taken aback. "Do you also think I'm being too biased?"

Lady Luo lowered her head, remaining silent, which implied her agreement.

Madam Zheng acknowledged, "I admit I have a soft spot for Jinxiu because she's our only daughter and my youngest child. From a young age, I've showered her with more affection than her brothers, and they haven't complained."

"Madam, your youngest child is Miss Jinyu. Boys and girls are different; boys don't mind because their sisters will eventually marry out, and their rivals aren't their sisters at home. But for girls, especially in the case of Jinxiu and Jinyu's relationship, it's different. If you don't handle it properly, neither of them will be content."

"I... I'm doing my best to balance it. I know Jinyu isn't happy, and I'll provide her with more dowry so she won't suffer any loss."

"But financial compensation cannot replace the bond between a mother and daughter."

Madam Zheng fell silent for a moment, and then she wept again.

After a long while, she finally said, "Since things have come this far, there's no turning back even if it's wrong. After sending Jinxiu off to marriage, only Jinyu will be left at home. It won't be too late for me to make it up to her then."

Lady Luo, upon witnessing her unwavering stubbornness, decided against further persuasion.

Has she forgotten that Miss Jinyu is also nearing her wedding day?

Moreover, she had returned for such a brief period, leaving very little room for them to spend time together.

...

Madam Zheng ceased her resistance. After much contemplation, she realized that at present, the best path for Zheng Jinxiu was to marry Lu Shen. Thus, she devoted herself to persuading Zheng Jinxiu, extolling the virtues of the Lu family, and urging her not to ignore them. She insisted that they should still meet, and that Zheng Jinxiu should await her marriage with tranquility.

Not only did she come to persuade on her own, but she also incited other family members to do so.

Master Zheng, Zheng Hongqi, and Zheng Hongxu... even her attendants took turns to reason with her, extolling the virtues of the Lu family and acknowledging that there was indeed something amiss with Lu Shen. They explained that his scheme against her was a result of his excessive affection for her, thus fueling her vanity significantly.

When Lu Shen paid her another visit, Zheng Jinxiu received him, and the two seemed to have reverted to their previous rapport, engaging in laughter and pleasant conversation for half an hour.

Just as Zheng Jinxiu was being persuaded by Lady Zheng and others, Zheng Jinyu arranged for a grand gift to be delivered.

Lady Zheng secretly investigated Lu Shen and discovered his licentious nature, even having a child from an affair.

They all knew about it, but they kept it from Zheng Jinxiu, actively matchmaking her with Lu Shen and extolling his virtues in front of her.

Upon learning this truth, Zheng Jinxiu fell apart.

She rushed to confront Lady Zheng, demanding, "You all knew, didn't you?"

Lady Zheng was momentarily at a loss for words, only able to look at her with concern.

To Zheng Jinxiu, this silence was an admission. She couldn't bear it, sobbing, "Why? Why did you urge me to marry him, knowing he's such a good-for-nothing?"

"Jinxiu, it's common for men to have multiple wives and concubines. Don't let such a trivial matter...

"A trivial matter? Is this trivial? It was already humiliating enough that the Lu family wanted to marry both his wife and concubine. Now, I'm supposed to become a stepmother right after the wedding. People will laugh at me!"

"No, they've kept this matter very secretive. They... "

"Silence! It's all because of you that I'm in this mess. If you hadn't agreed to the marriage with the Lu family, how could I end up like this?"

Madam Zheng was momentarily stunned.

She had worked tirelessly for her, even neglecting her own biological daughter, only to receive no gratitude and now blamed for her plight.

In her emotional state, Zheng Jinxiu didn't notice Madam Zheng's changing expression. With tears streaming down her face, she continued to shout, "You kept the Fang family and even had someone teach them manners. Weren't you just waiting for the right moment to reveal my true identity? Why did you say that even if your biological daughter returned, you wouldn't change towards me? All of you said I would always be a daughter of the Zheng family. If that's true, then why lie to me?"

Madam Zheng was shocked. "Where did you hear these words? I never thought that way. I told you, I kept them and had them taught manners as an excuse to confine them, so they wouldn't affect you."

"Really? Mother, is it really true?"

"Of course, after your wedding, I'll arrange for them to be sent away, ensuring they won't influence you."

Zheng Jinxiu shook her head while crying. "I don't believe you."

Madam Zheng was taken aback. "What do you mean?"

"I won't believe you unless you send them away right now."

"Now?"

"Yes, right now. I can't wait another day. Send them away immediately."

Staring at the distraught Zheng Jinxiu, Lady Zheng was at a loss for words for a moment before she said, "But they're your birth parents, your family."

Deep down, Lady Zheng still felt grateful to the Fang Family for saving her life years ago and didn't wish to overstep the line.

Back then, when their entire family was exiled, she went into labor halfway through the journey. In that village, several households were present, but everyone thought it was unlucky to take in a pregnant woman and genuinely feared that she might die in their home during childbirth. No one was willing to offer them shelter.

Although the Fang Family initially hesitated, they eventually softened their hearts after some negotiation and took them in.