Chapter 232 – Zheng Jinxiu’s Identity Exposed in Front of Everyone

Chapter 232 - Zheng Jinxiu's Identity Exposed in Front of Everyone

"You're truly being foolish. One must always prepare for the worst-case scenario. What if someone finds out? What if something unexpected happens? Are you trying to ruin yourself?"

"Mother, I didn't mean it that way. I just...just wanted to persuade them to leave."

In truth, she wasn't keen on the idea either. However, Fang Dachuan had pleaded with her, saying that he had come to the capital with great difficulty and would feel deeply regretful if he couldn't enjoy the city or watch a play before he left.

Zheng Jinxiu had gained the affection of Fang Dachuan and his wife these past few days. She was planning to suggest that they return home to enjoy their retirement, but Fang Dachuan's request threw a wrench into her plans. She had no choice but to agree, or else they might refuse to leave.

Zheng Jinxiu shared her plan with Lady Zheng. "I thought it wasn't an unreasonable request. After traveling such a long distance to the capital, it's only natural to want to watch a local performance without any regrets. To convince them to leave willingly, I had to do this."

Her explanation lifted the cloud of suspicion that had been hanging over Lady Zheng's heart for days.

So, her frequent visits to the Fang family had a purpose.

She hadn't been trying to please them because they were her biological parents.

After all, she still considered Lady Zheng as her only true mother.

"Jinxiu, my dear," she invited her to sit beside her, just as before, with her head resting on her lap.

"You must trust that everything Mother does is for your own good. You can doubt anyone, but not me, do you understand?"

Zheng Jinxiu obediently nodded. "Mother, I understand."

"Very well, go then. Be cautious and book a larger private room. Go later in the day, try to avoid running into acquaintances."

Zheng Jinxiu replied, "I'll wear a cloak so no one will recognize me."

"That's a good idea."

She trusted that Zheng Jinxiu would be careful and wouldn't do anything to sabotage her future.

But would Zheng Jinyu let them have their way?

Upon learning that Zheng Jinxiu planned to take the Fang family to the theater, Zheng Jinyu couldn't help but chuckle.

This fool, leaving such an excellent opportunity in her hands—how could she resist?

She sought out the secret agents left behind by Xie Peiyu and instructed them to arrange an encounter, causing Zheng Jinxiu's cloak to be accidentally knocked off.

She intended to make Zheng Jinxiu stand publicly alongside the Fang family.

With their family's distinctive appearance, their mere presence together would speak louder than words.

In the past, it was too great an honor for her to become Lu Shen's wife. Now, she wanted Zheng Jinxiu to become his concubine, with no room for refusal, allowing Wang Fuzhen to properly humble her.

This spectacle was bound to be fascinating, and she dearly wished to witness it herself.

But if she were to suddenly join the crowd as well, it would be too coincidental, and Lady Zheng might suspect that she was up to no good, plotting against Zheng Jinxiu.

After all, she wasn't someone who enjoyed watching plays.

Deciding against it, she instructed Chunmei to fetch her some pastries nearby, staging an accidental encounter with the theater's lively scene.

Chunmei took on the task, completely unaware of the significant role Zheng Jinyu had secretly assigned her.

Zheng Jinyu hadn't informed her beforehand, to make the scenario appear more genuine.

It was about time, so Zheng Jinyu instructed Chunmei to leave and wait patiently. It mattered little if it took a while, but she must ensure the pastries were freshly baked.

Chunmei stood in line at the pastry shop next to the theater, soon spotting some familiar faces.

Aren't those Miss Zheng's biological parents?

And is that Miss Zheng herself, veiled?

Oh, right, I heard yesterday that Miss Zheng was bringing her birth parents to see a play today. Huh, she's so well-covered, as if she's afraid someone might recognize her.

I wish someone would accidentally knock off her cloak.

As if on cue, a careless person dashed out of the theater, inadvertently bumping into Zheng Jinxiu and sending her tumbling to the ground. Her cloak fell off in the process.

Zheng Jinxiu was aghast, reaching for her cloak to cover her head, only to have another careless runner step on it, crushing the cloak and landing on her hand, causing her to scream in pain.

Her sharp cry immediately drew the attention of onlookers.

Fang Dachuan, who cherished this daughter who could secure his comfortable life, watched in horror as his daughter fell and had her delicate hand stepped on. How could he endure such a sight?

Feeling sympathy for Zheng Jinxiu, Zhao Zhaodi promptly went to help her up.

Spotting the clumsy runaway, she swiftly grabbed hold of him.

"You stepped on... my young lady, and you still think of fleeing?"

The man bowed apologetically. "My apologies, my apologies, it wasn't intentional. That person just stole my wallet, and I was in a rush to chase after him, that's how I accidentally stepped on your young lady. I sincerely regret it."

"I don't care. You stepped on my young lady's hand, so you must compensate her."

Seeing Zheng Jinxiu's swollen and reddened hand, Zhao Zhaodi was heartbroken.

She cried out, "Head of the family, our child's hand is hurt because of him. We can't let him go."

Upon realizing that she had been recognized with so many people around, Zheng Jinxiu felt panic-stricken.

Hastily covering her face, she whispered to Zhao Zhaodi, "Let's go quickly."

However, with the upper hand in the situation, Zhao Zhaodi was solely focused on seeking compensation and ignored her plea.

He held her tightly and reassured her, "Don't be afraid, we'll make him compensate us."

Zheng Jinxiu was furious. Was this the time to be concerned about a mere sum of silver?

Fang Dachuan turned around and was also deeply distressed. He sternly declared, "After causing such damage, you can't leave without paying twenty taels of silver."

"Right, twenty taels," Zhao Zhaodi chimed in, echoing his demand.

She had thought it would be much more than that, but only twenty taels were requested.

The man promptly took out a chunk of silver and handed it to Fang Dachuan.

"Is this enough? Twenty taels, not a tael less."

Fang Dachuan was surprised by how compliant the man was. It was twenty taels, and he actually agreed to pay up when asked to do so.

Fang Dachuan felt he should have asked for more. But when he considered asking for additional compensation, the man had already fled.

Amidst the eager onlookers, those who had attempted to seize her could no longer do so.

Zheng Jinxiu was desperately anxious, her voice strained as she hissed, "Hurry up, do you still want to watch the show or not?"

"What about your hand? Shouldn't we see a physician first?"

In truth, Zheng Jinxiu was in great pain, but she endured it. "No need, I'll just apply a warm towel when I get home. It'll be fine."

At this moment, she only wished to leave as swiftly as possible, to avoid being noticed by others.

"Wait," it was already too late.

Wang Fuzhen stepped forward from the crowd, her gaze fixed on Zheng Jinxiu with a smile that was not quite a smile.

Zheng Jinyu had secretly sent word to Wang Fuzhen, for her once prosperous life had been ruined by Zheng Jinxiu. She eagerly awaited any misfortune that might befall Zheng Jinxiu.

With such a perfect opportunity to add insult to injury, she would seize it without hesitation.

"Wang Fuzhen?" Zheng Jinxiu sensed impending danger.

Wang Fuzhen cast a glance at the woman beside Zheng Jinxiu and suddenly laughed. "Oh my, Zheng Jinxiu, this must be your birth mother, right? One can tell by her appearance that she's your biological parent."

Zhao Zhaodi panicked instantly and, with trembling hands, glanced at Fang Dachuan before turning to the pale-faced Zheng Jinxiu.

Fang Dachuan was aware that he couldn't acknowledge his daughter before her marriage into a prominent family, so he desperately denied it. "Don't talk nonsense. She's not our daughter; she's the eldest miss of the Zheng family."