Chapter 296: Only Ugly Because It’s a Boy

Chapter 296: Only Ugly Because It's a Boy

Zheng Jinxiu tugged at her sleeve again and said, "Mother, I've already applied the medicine, but it didn't work. The doctor said not to worry, that it will be fine once I give birth."

Mrs. Lu continued, "A beautiful daughter makes her mother ugly. This means that Jinxiu's child in her belly is my grandson. Mother-in-law, this is good news. You mustn't speak ill of it here."

Zheng Jinxiu nodded, clearly agreeing with this explanation.

This was also the reason why the Lus treated her well.

Mrs. Zheng felt a lump in her throat, her heart feeling hollow.

She didn’t say anything more, put down what she had brought, and left.

She didn’t speak the entire way back. When she returned home, she talked about it with Lady Luo.

"I feel like Jinxiu doesn’t need me anymore, and now Jinyu has left too. They’ve grown up and don’t need me anymore. Now, it feels like someone has dug out a piece of my heart, leaving me empty and with an indescribable pain."

Lady Luo said, "Perhaps all mothers who marry off their daughters think this way. Madam should focus on other things and gradually get used to it."

Mrs. Zheng sighed again, trying her best not to think about it.

"By the way, how’s the matchmaking for the second and third sons going?"

"The second son hasn’t said much, but the third son says he’s still young and isn’t in a hurry."

Mrs. Zheng: "…"

"He’s only a little younger than his second brother. How can he be considered young? I think he’s just being stubborn. When he returns from the Imperial Academy later, call him over."

"Yes."

…

Zheng Jinyu and the others had already entered South City, having arrived last night.

Her eldest brother, Zheng Hongyan, had received word of their arrival in South City and had prepared a welcoming banquet for them early on. They feasted and drank until they were full.

The men were so lively that they partied until midnight. They got drunk and slept until late morning.

Neither Zheng Jinyu nor Xiao Xuan drank. After eating their fill, they went to bed early as usual and woke up early in the morning.

Zheng Jinyu accompanied Xiao Xuan for tea. Seeing her worried expression, she asked, "Are you worried about Eldest Brother? Don’t worry, there’s nothing wrong with these men getting drunk."

Xiao Xuan shook her head, sighed, and said wistfully, "He seems to have really forgotten about me."

Huh?

"Do you remember how he looked when he saw me last night? That unfamiliar gaze. He paused, nodded at me, then went to hug Prince Chen."

Zheng Jinyu was both amused and sympathetic. She found it a bit tragic yet funny.

"He even nodded at you. I’m his sister, and he didn’t even look at me."

"I tried to talk to him several times, but couldn’t get a word in edgewise. He kept drinking with Prince Chen, arm in arm. Why does he value his younger sister and wife less than Prince Chen?" Xiao Xuan pondered deeply, her brows furrowed together.

Zheng Jinyu thought for a moment and said, "I heard that my eldest brother has been learning martial arts with Prince Chen since he was six years old. They’re probably closer."

As for you, you’ve only known him for three days.

And me, forget about it.

Zheng Jinyu felt that if this younger sister were Zheng Jinxiu, the effect would definitely be different.

Jinyu comforted Xiao Xuan, "Don’t worry about it. The person who will spend the rest of his life with him is you, not Prince Chen. Time will tell. As you spend more time together, he’ll start seeing you."

Xiao Xuan felt that what she said made some sense, but she still felt uncomfortable.

It turned out that during those three days, only she had fallen in love. In these past few months, the one who had suffered from lovesickness was only her.

"He nodded at me but didn’t even call out my name. He probably forgot what I’m called."

"It’s not that bad. Didn’t he write you letters? Have you forgotten?"

Thinking of those letters, she became uncertain again.

Clearly, the person in the letters was full of affection. He even told her many interesting stories about South City in the letters.

Why did he become so distant upon meeting her?

At this moment, she heard Zheng Jinyu say, "Eldest Sister-in-Law, Eldest Brother definitely cares about you. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have written you letters. I guess last night, in front of so many brothers… he might have been shy?"

Xiao Xuan’s eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Yes, men can be more shy than young girls."

Xiao Xuan was half-convinced, her eyes flickering between brightness and dimness.

Her face was also unpredictable, alternating between joy and sorrow.

Zheng Jinyu rubbed her forehead, shaking her head and sighing.

This damn sour smell of love.

She found a servant girl and asked her to check when Eldest Brother would wake up.

Xiao Xuan stopped her. "Let me go."

"Aren’t you angry and want to wait for him to come find you?"

"Never mind, he's been drunk all night. I won't hold it against him."

Good, good, it saves me from being sour, "Go on then."

The houses in this town were built into the mountainside, their backs against the hill and faces towards the water.

Where she was staying now was at a high elevation. Sitting outside on the veranda, she could see the houses layered upon each other in the distance, stretching down to the lowest reaches by the riverbank.

Even by the river, there were houses, supported by massive wooden beams.

This ancient town had its own unique charm.

With nothing much to do, sitting around was rather boring.

The spring breeze felt warm on her face, making her drowsy.

For a moment, she seemed to have drifted off, as if for an instant, yet also as if for ages.

Suddenly, a figure approached, blocking the sunlight that had been shining on her face.

She was instantly roused from her slumber.

Zheng Jinyu opened her eyes and looked up.

It was Xie Peiyu who had come over. He slowly crouched down and sat beside her.

"Is it boring here?"

Zheng Jinyu shook her head.

"I saw you sitting here alone for a long time, almost falling asleep."

Zheng Jinyu gave a light laugh, "This is called comfort."

"Comfort?"

"Yes, when one is relaxed, they can fall asleep while sitting. Bored... a little bit, perhaps, but it's the same everywhere. Many people wish for boredom but don't get the chance. Being able to enjoy a moment of peace isn't called boredom."

Xie Peiyu watched her quietly for a moment, "You always speak strangely, going round and round."

Zheng Jinyu thought it was already clear enough, how could it still be considered going round and round?

It seemed to be around noon. She saw many houses in the ancient town with smoke rising from them; they were preparing lunch.

Xie Peiyu noticed too and asked Zheng Jinyu, "What would you like to eat for lunch?"

"What local specialties are there?"

Xie Peiyu thought for a moment and said, "Mushrooms?"

Mushrooms? Fungi?

"There are fresh mushrooms in these mountains, tender bamboo shoots, and abundant game."

"Oh, anything will do then."

Xie Peiyu nodded, "Pack up your things, let's go home."

Zheng Jinyu looked at him in confusion.

Xie Peiyu explained, "This is your eldest brother's house, Prince Chen's Mansion is over there."

He pointed in a direction.

The houses in the direction he pointed were ones Zheng Jinyu had seen earlier. Compared to the surrounding houses, they were indeed much grander and more imposing, and more akin to the architecture back in the capital. She had previously wondered what that place was, with houses built in such a manner.

Turned out, that was the home Xie Peiyu had prepared for himself.