Chapter 316: More Like Zheng Jinxiu Than Zheng Jinxiu

Chapter 316: More Like Zheng Jinxiu Than Zheng Jinxiu

Some of the rural curiosities that they, as noble ladies, had never encountered were described so cleverly that everyone listened with rapt attention, even considering trying them out themselves.

For example, the south was mountainous, and the mountains were rich in various wild delicacies.

The boys in the village hunted, while the girls, unable to outrun their prey or draw bows, had their own hunting methods.

They used ingenious tools to trap their quarry.

Someone who didn't know any better deliberately asked about Zheng Jinyu's hardships in the countryside.

"You make it sound so fun. You mean yourself, right? I heard your sister, Miss Erya, suffered a lot at home. She didn't have time to play. While you were catching birds in the mountains, wasn't she foraging for wild vegetables all over the hills?"

Erya of Fangjia Village replied agreeably, "Country girls have to work too; I had to forage for wild vegetables as well. My sister and I went together, picking mushrooms, digging bamboo shoots, and finding all sorts of mountain delicacies. When we got hungry, there were all kinds of fruits in the mountains, available year-round, more than we could eat."

"Tch, what nonsense? In winter, everything withers; where would you find fruit?"

"This is the north. The mountains are still lush and green in the south during winter."

"Hmph, I don't believe it."

Poor sheltered young ladies who had never left the capital city; they wouldn't believe anything they hadn't seen.

Some of the more knowledgeable noblewomen started giggling.

A girl next to her gently nudged her arm. "She's telling the truth. My brother serves in the military in the south, and he wrote home saying that the mountains there stay green in winter."

The girl felt embarrassed upon hearing this.

She said nothing more and lowered her head to sip her tea.

Zheng Jinyu had been secretly observing Lu Shen across from her and noticed that his eyes never left Erya. She knew the fish had taken the bait.

Since he had taken the bait, she would reel him in a little more before bringing him ashore.

She didn't know if today's tea party was a success for the Xie family, but it was certainly a success for her.

On the way back, Erya boarded Zheng Jinyu's carriage. She peeked through the curtain behind the carriage and told Zheng Jinyu, "He really followed us."

Everything was under Zheng Jinyu's control.

"Don't worry about him. Just follow me."

"He'll definitely come looking for me tonight. Should I really not go back?"

"No, things that come too easily, even if they're treasures, won't be cherished. Since he's interested in you now, you need to keep him on tenterhooks."

Erya nodded. "I'll listen to you."

Erya was relatively obedient; otherwise, Zheng Jinyu wouldn't have helped her.

There were other ways to seek revenge besides using Erya, but this opportunity presented itself, and it was convenient.

Plus, using a close relative against someone was just more satisfying.

What did Zheng Jinxiu do to her, after all?

Zheng Jinyu took Erya straight back to the Zheng residence.

Erya fidgeted nervously and worriedly asked Zheng Jinyu, "Is this really okay? Madam Zheng must hate me now."

Zheng Jinyu smiled. "It doesn't matter. If she doesn't let you stay here, I'll stay outside with you. She can't afford to lose face like that."

Erya was speechless. She truly felt that Zheng Jinyu had changed, like she was a different person compared to the Zheng Jinyu in Fangjia Village.

Could changing one's background and environment really change a person so much?

"What's wrong?"

Erya quickly lowered her head. "You've changed a lot."

Zheng Jinyu smiled faintly. "So have you. Compared to the Erya of Fangjia Village, you're like a different person."

Erya was taken aback.

She had just thought the same thing about Zheng Jinyu. It seemed they had both changed.

She still worried, "Now that I'm at the Zheng residence, will Lord Lu be angry? He said he likes obedient girls."

Zheng Jinyu was speechless, rolling her eyes inwardly.

"Do you know why he values Zheng Jinxiu?"

Erya shook her head.

"Zheng Jinxiu's biggest difference from you isn't that she grew up in the Zheng household, but that she has her pride. Lu Shen wasn't her first choice. When Lu Shen upset her, she could persuade Madam Zheng to break off their engagement. Do you think someone like that is obedient?"

Erya naturally didn't know these things. To her, Lu Shen was the best, with a halo of gold and silver around him. His average talent, lack of virtue, and ordinary appearance were irrelevant; he was simply the best.

So Erya only wanted to please him and never considered such things.

Breaking off an engagement with him was something she had never thought of.

"Did she really consider breaking off the engagement with the Lu family?"

"Of course. She actually did it. Otherwise, how would Lu Shen have come up with the idea of making her his wife by force?"

From her words, Erya understood that Zheng Jinxiu was someone Lu Shen schemed to obtain.

As for herself, she was within reach.

This was the fundamental difference between her and Zheng Jinxiu.

"I understand, I'll follow your lead."

"Hmm, you should stay here with me for now. If he's unhappy, let him be."

"Yes."

...

The news of Zheng Jinyu bringing Fang Erya back soon reached Lady Zheng's ears.

She was already preoccupied with the issue of the old man being lured away by a concubine in his old age, and now there was trouble with her daughter as well, which only added to her frustration.

She arrived at Zheng Jinyu's residence, the Yusheng Courtyard, in a hurry and indeed saw Fang Erya there.

At the sight of Fang Erya, she was momentarily stunned.

At first glance, she looked just like Jinxiu.

Despite the resemblance, she wasn't Jinxiu.

"Jinyu, why did you bring her back?" she asked bluntly.

Fang Erya was somewhat frightened and hid behind Zheng Jinyu.

Zheng Jinyu gave her a reassuring look before turning to Lady Zheng with a faint smile. "Mother, I invited her over as a guest. Do you have any objections?"

Lady Zheng was taken aback, her brows furrowed deeply.

"It's better not to bring unrelated people home."

Zheng Jinyu blinked and said, "She's not an unrelated person. She's my sister, the sister I grew up with."

Hearing this, Lady Zheng became visibly displeased.

"What do you mean 'your sister'? I don't recall giving birth to such a daughter. You don't have a sister."

Zheng Jinyu found this amusing. How double-standard.

"Mother, why do you allow officials to set fires but forbid commoners from lighting lamps? When it comes to Zheng Jinxiu, you believe that despite no blood ties, living together for over a decade makes her an inseparable part of the family.

Why is it different for me? I've also lived with Erya for over a decade. To me, she's just like Jinxiu is to my brothers. Could you convince my brothers to disown Jinxiu?"

Lady Zheng opened her mouth but was left speechless by her words.

"Hmph, regardless, you cannot let her stay here. I make the decisions in this household."

"Sigh!" Zheng Jinyu sighed regretfully. "Alright then, it just so happens that the County Princess has invited me to her country estate outside the city. I'll take Erya with me when I leave."