Chapter 239: Zheng Jinxiu, Marry an Honorable Man

Chapter 239: Zheng Jinxiu, Marry an Honorable Man

Despite feeling a twinge of guilt, Master Zheng's remorse was not as intense as before.

Instead, her weeping only fueled his irritation. "Enough with the crying. Initially, our family was trying to protect you, and the situation wasn't that terrible. But it's all because you insisted on bringing them out. Fine, you brought them out, but why weren't you more cautious? How did someone manage to knock off your cloak?"

Sniffling, Zheng Jinxiu protested, "How could such a coincidence happen in this world? My cloak was knocked off, and then I was targeted by Wang Fuzhen. It was as if she was deliberately waiting for me there. I even suspect that she orchestrated the whole thing, including the person who bumped into me."

Hmm?

Master Zheng glanced at Lady Zheng, who was also looking at him. Their eyes met, and they seemed to be on the verge of changing their minds.

Just as they were about to waver, Zheng Jinyu, who had been silent, spoke up. "Whose fault is this? Who provoked Wang Fuzhen in the first place?"

Zheng Jinxiu: "You... sister, how can you say that to me? I've been schemed against, yet you blame me for offending Wang Fuzhen."

"Isn't that the case? Both you and Wang Fuzhen are set to enter the Lu family, marrying the same man. That automatically puts you in competition with each other. If you can't marry, she won't have to suffer the humiliation of being a concubine. Who else would she target but you? Besides, you've offended her in the past."

Everyone present fell silent.

"You've known Wang Fuzhen for quite some time now. Don't you know what kind of person she is? It's not just about how you wronged her and caused her such misery. Even I became her enemy simply because she liked Third Brother, and Mother arranged for the courtyard initially meant for him to be given to me. Because of that, she nearly ruined me on the day of Eldest Brother's wedding. In comparison, she's actually been rather restrained with you."

Indeed, compared to that incident, Wang Fuzhen had been relatively lenient towards Zheng Jinxiu.

Master Zheng and Lady Zheng looked at Zheng Jinxiu with somber expressions.

Feeling wronged, Zheng Jinxiu wished to defend herself but found no words to do so.

Finally, Lady Zheng spoke up, "In the rivalry between wives and concubines, a single misstep can lead to defeat. If one lacks the skills, there's no one to blame but oneself."

"Mother," Zheng Jinxiu called out.

Lady Zheng replied coolly, "I warned you before that Wang Fuzhen entering the Lu family would pose a significant threat to you. Back then, you actually believed Lu Shen when he said taking her in would avenge you. Hmph, you're realizing her true intentions now? She's already scheming against you even before she's officially entered the family."

She had finally understood the gravity of the situation, but it was already too late.

"Jinxiu, if you truly consider me your mother, listen to my sincere advice one last time. If the Lus wish to break the engagement, let them. Don't step foot into the Lu household. If you do, harder times await you."

It was her final earnest attempt to persuade her.

With moist eyes, Zheng Jinxiu looked at Lady Zheng and said, "But who else can I marry besides Lu Shen? He's...sob, done such things to me."

Lady Zheng replied, "I'll send you to the countryside, somewhere nobody knows you. I'll ask a friend for help, pretending you're a distant relative seeking refuge. Find an honest man with a modest family to marry into. Though not wealthy, life there will surely be better than entering the Lu family."

Lady Zheng believed this was the best option. Sometimes, wealth wasn't everything.

A moderately prosperous family, with no lack of food or clothing, surrounded by children and grandchildren, leading a content life, was also quite desirable.

But Zheng Jinxiu didn't share the same sentiment.

Her mind was filled with images of the countryside. Would the 'honest countryman' she mentioned be like Fang Dachuan, finding plain steamed bread a luxurious feast?

That couldn't be acceptable.

Heaven had favored her, swapping her with Zheng Jinyu and making her the eldest daughter of the Zheng family – a chance to alter her destiny.

To return and marry an honest man after all that has transpired would be a waste of the heavens' favor, wouldn't it?

Besides, Fang Dachuan was merely a country bumpkin; he couldn't be equated with an honest man.

He wouldn't hesitate to beat his wife or children.

If she were to follow their arrangement and move far away from the capital, no one would know if she were to be beaten to death by this so-called 'honest countryman.'

She refused to accept this.

Zheng Jinxiu suddenly knelt before Lady Zheng and said, "Mother, I can't bear to leave you. Even if... even if they bully me, I want to stay in the capital, stay with you."

She had thought it through. As long as she remained in the capital, her parents and brothers from the Zheng family wouldn't abandon her. Neither the Wang nor the Lu family would dare make a spectacle of themselves. It would be better than marrying a supposed 'honest countryman' far away.

But her words alarmed Lady Zheng.

"Why won't you listen to reason? Mother is doing this for your own good. Do you really think Lady Lu wants to call off the marriage?"

Zheng Jinxiu was taken aback, then she exclaimed with delight, "Isn't it just what we want if they don't back out?"

"Sigh, you're still too young, my dear. Lady Lu is a cunning fox. She said that on purpose to force you into becoming a concubine."

Zheng Jinxiu's face froze. "What? Me, as a concubine? If I'm a concubine, who will be the wife? Wang Fuzhen?"

Madam Zheng fell silent, her expression grave.

Zheng Jinyu spoke calmly, "It's quite obvious. Wang Fuzhen isn't willing to be a concubine and be beneath you. Her attack on you couldn't have been mere playful rivalry. Given the situation now, the Lu family will surely take her as their legitimate wife."

Zheng Jinxiu clutched her lips tightly, filled with resentment.

Well done, Wang Fuzhen, I underestimated you.

She lowered her head, saying nothing.

Master Zheng, sitting across from them, spoke, "Your mother is right. They must be planning this. Since Lu Shen likes you, and Lady Lu has always doted on him, it's impossible for her to refuse you entry. More likely, she's trying to pressure us into accepting you as a concubine."

Madam Zheng nodded. "As a concubine, it wouldn't matter so much if you were born into our Zheng family. Jinxiu, if you don't want to leave the capital, you won't be able to marry into a decent family normally. Are you willing to become a concubine in the Lu household and live under Wang Fuzhen's authority?"

"I..."

"Take your time to respond, my dear. It's late, and you should return home first. Get a good night's rest and ponder over it thoroughly. Come find me when you've made up your mind."

Madam Zheng claimed she didn't wish to meddle in Jinxiu's affairs but ultimately couldn't bear to let her suffer.

Even now, she was still considering Jinxiu's well-being, striving to find a tolerable path for her.

But could Zheng Jinxiu comprehend this?

Zheng Jinyu looked at her indifferently.

Given how envious she'd been of their parents' attention being diverted to Jinyu since her return, how could she tolerate such a drastic fall from grace, going from paradise to hell?

Zheng Jinyu believed that Jinxiu wouldn't choose to marry an honest man in the countryside.

...

It was already late autumn, and after a heavy storm, snow suddenly began to fall.

This year's winter had come earlier than the previous one. With the first snowfall, the capital seemed to plunge directly into the depths of winter.

Zheng Jinyu sat by the hearth, brewing herself a cup of tea in a small earthen teapot.

Holding the teacup in her hands provided a soothing warmth.

Moments later, a maid approached to inform her that Cui Yongnian had arrived.

"Ask him to come in," Zheng Jinyu said calmly, setting down her teacup.

In no time, Cui Yongnian appeared, his long lower robe held up as he struggled through the snowy terrain.