Chapter 246: Xie Peiyu

Chapter 246: Xie Peiyu

"This..." Zheng Jinyu hesitated for a moment before saying, "If he could maintain the facade for a lifetime, it would be a good thing for the people."

Xie Peiyu sneered, "Since it's an act, how could it possibly last a lifetime? It's just that the noble families are restraining him. Weighing the pros and cons, he doesn't dare to easily break this balance."

Zheng Jinyu recalled that in the original story, this calm was never broken. The timeline extended to the grand finale of the story, which remained peaceful for at least ten years.

What would happen after the grand finale ten years later is unknown.

Zheng Jinyu tentatively asked, "Perhaps... it could remain peaceful for another ten years?"

As soon as she spoke, Xie Peiyu looked at her in shock.

Seeing his strange expression, Zheng Jinyu touched her nose, "What's wrong?"

Xie Peiyu asked in surprise, "Why did you say it would remain peaceful for ten years?"

This... "I just made it up."

Did she really make it up?

Could making it up be so coincidental?

Xie Peiyu was astonished.

Because ten years was the agreed-upon time they had planned to lay low. Within these ten years, no one would make a move.

But now the situation has changed. Zheng Jinxiu sent that item, preventing him from leaving the capital.

The Cui family sent Cui Yongnian, and the major clans were growing restless.

"Ten years?" Xie Peiyu chuckled, "Given the current situation, I'm afraid no one can wait ten years."

Zheng Jinyu slightly parted her lips, looking at his weak appearance, "Are you saying... your injury this time is because someone couldn't wait any longer."

Xie Peiyu calmly said, "It's not his fault. I violated the agreement first by not leaving the capital."

Zheng Jinyu didn't say anything further.

After a moment, Xie Peiyu asked her again, "Are you scared?"

Zheng Jinyu asked indifferently, "What if I am scared? And what if I'm not?"

Xie Peiyu said, "Your eldest sister-in-law isn't going to the south after the New Year, right? If you're scared, you can go with her..."

"I'm not scared." Before he could finish, Zheng Jinyu refused, "I've already entered the game, what use is being scared?"

Xie Peiyu silently looked at her for a while before gently nodding, "Well then, Jinyu, remember, you know nothing. You're just an ordinary noble lady."

"Mm-hmm." Zheng Jinyu stood up and said, "Take care of your injuries. I'll be on my way."

"You're leaving already?" Xie Peiyu was unhappy.

Zheng Jinyu smiled and said, "I'm accompanying the princess to enjoy the snow. We can't let anyone notice anything, can we?"

"Oh?" Xie Peiyu looked at her with a smile and asked, "Why do you say that?"

Zheng Jinyu said, "As the master of the princess's residence, you even hide in this remote courtyard when you're injured. Your princess's residence must not be very safe either, right?"

Xie Peiyu suddenly laughed, nodding with a bitter smile.

He didn't stop her this time.

When Zheng Jinyu left the room, the medicine boy who had left earlier and the princess were outside.

Seeing her come out, the medicine boy went back into the house.

The princess came forward, took her arm, and said, "Come, let's go enjoy the snow together."

"Mm-hmm."

The two walked away together.

The princess whispered to her, "Did you see him?"

"Mm-hmm, badly injured but still stubborn."

The princess chuckled and said, "That's just how he is. Ever since he was young. One time, he broke his leg while riding a horse. Afraid that my mother and I would worry, he insisted on walking. Unfortunately, his mouth can deceive people, but his legs can't. A cripple is still a cripple."

As she spoke, Zheng Jinyu also laughed.

But the princess couldn't laugh anymore, sighing instead, "Our family only has him as a man. When he was very young, he pretended to be an adult, saying he would protect us."

The two walked further away.

At this moment, a figure darted over, lifting their robe to enter the quiet courtyard.

...

The princess led Zheng Jinyu around the princess's residence for sightseeing. At noon, she invited her to stay for lunch, eating together with the princess dowager.

The princess dowager sat in the main seat, with a small table in front of her displaying several exquisite dishes.

The princess and Zheng Jinyu sat on either side, each with a small table in front of them, also displaying several exquisite dishes.

In their household, they usually ate at separate tables, not too far apart, so chatting wasn't affected, and it was clean and hygienic.

The Zheng family preferred large round tables, one for men and one for women. They weren't as particular as the princess's residence, but they won in terms of liveliness.

"Jinyu."

When Zheng Jinyu heard the Empress Dowager call her name, she lifted her head and responded.

The Empress Dowager asked with a smile, "I wonder if this food suits your taste?"

Zheng Jinyu replied, "The food in the manor is very delicious; Jinyu likes it very much."

The Empress Dowager's smile grew warmer. "If you like it, come often. I'll have the chef change the menu for you every day."

Well...

"Alright." Taking it as a polite gesture, she reciprocated politely.

During the meal, whenever the Princess asked something, she answered in a formal manner, which made her seem somewhat restrained.

After the meal, the Princess took her to the warm pavilion to sit and chat idly, mainly waiting for Cui Yongnian.

When he didn't show up until mid-afternoon, she seemed rather agitated.

"Princess, why don't we send someone to ask about my cousin?"

The Princess laughed. "Are you so eager to leave already?"

Zheng Jinyu said, "It's getting late, besides, my cousin..."

Cough cough, high IQ, low EQ.

"I'm worried that he might offend the Empress Dowager."

The Princess smiled. "It's no problem; Mother isn't easily offended. Soon, we will be family, and you don't have to be so reserved in front of Mother."

Zheng Jinyu thought of Xie Peiyu, her face slightly flushed.

The Princess suddenly asked, "By the way, has your marriage to the Lu family been settled?"

"It has, on the 26th of this month."

"Oh, that's not far away."

"Yes, it's quite rushed."

"Well, after she gets married, your mother can focus on preparing for your wedding."

This body was only sixteen years old, and yet she had to get married.

There was nothing to be done about it; when in Rome, do as the Romans do. She couldn't very well sing out that she was underage and wouldn't accept marriage until she was twenty, could she?

Twenty was considered an old maid here.

Apparently, in this era, if one was over twenty, they wouldn't even be considered for the palace selection.

As they spoke, Cui Yongnian hurried over under the guidance of a servant.

As soon as he arrived, he kept apologizing. "Sorry, this courtyard is really huge, I got lost wandering around."

Zheng Jinyu pursed her lips.

The Princess didn't say anything, smiling instead. "It's alright, as long as you're safe. Mr. Cui, have you had lunch?"

"I have, this young man led me to eat earlier."

"That's good, I was afraid we were neglecting Mr. Cui."

"Not at all, Princess, your hospitality has been impeccable. I thank you, Princess."

"You're welcome."

Seeing them go on and on, Zheng Jinyu spoke up. "Cousin, have you seen enough?"

Cui Yongnian was taken aback, then smiled. "Yes, I've seen enough."

"Since you've seen enough, let's go back. If we return too late, my parents will nag again."

"Alright, Princess, we'll be leaving now."

"I'll see you out."

"Thank you, Princess, we've truly disturbed you today."

"It's no trouble."

Zheng Jinyu watched as Cui Yongnian bowed and scraped, his demeanor sour and pedantic, reminding her of Cui Yongnian when he first arrived at the Zheng family.