Chapter 378: Because I Am the Zheng Family’s Legitimate Daughter

Chapter 378: Because I Am the Zheng Family's Legitimate Daughter

In order to help his great-grandson keep this property, he was almost losing all face.

Fang Jinxiu looked at Lord Zheng in shock. "Father, you mean... you want to take back my dowry?"

He had previously threatened to take back the dowry but then let it go. She thought he was just making threats and ultimately didn't want to make things difficult for her, so she hadn't worried about the dowry.

But now, he really came to claim it.

How could something given be taken back?

Lord Zheng said, "It wasn't your dowry. That dowry was prepared for the Zheng family's legitimate daughter, and you are not the Zheng family's legitimate daughter."

Fang Jinxiu swayed, staring at him in disbelief for a moment before shifting her gaze to Zheng Jinyu.

Zheng Jinyu looked at her with a faint smile.

Fang Jinxiu suddenly remembered when Zheng Jinyu had first returned.

She showed her the dowry that Father and Mother had prepared for her and told her that they had been preparing it since she was six years old.

What did Zheng Jinyu say then? She said it was the dowry for the Zheng family's legitimate daughter.

Was she the Zheng family's legitimate daughter?

Back then, she never doubted that she wasn't the Zheng family's legitimate daughter. Even knowing she wasn't their biological child, she felt loved by her parents, which made her feel like one.

Now, the head of the family, her father, repeatedly told her that he would take back the dowry meant for the Zheng family's legitimate daughter, saying she wasn't the Zheng family's legitimate daughter.

Fang Jinxiu burst into tears, looking at Lord Zheng pitifully.

If it were before, her father would have comforted her immediately.

But now, he didn't; he just looked away and took out a booklet to read.

The red booklet was exquisitely made, but to Fang Jinxiu, it was so glaring.

At this moment, Lu Shen arrived in a hurry, surprised to see the room full of people.

After a brief pause, he asked, "What day is it today? Why are my father-in-law and sister-in-law here, along with Master Cui?"

Cui Yongnian was around his age, but he was a master at the Imperial Academy and had taught him.

Cui Yongnian smiled elegantly and nodded slightly, acting like an elder.

Lord Zheng said indifferently, "Master Lu, don't call me father-in-law. I am not your father-in-law; Da Chuan is."

Lu Shen turned red with embarrassment.

Zheng Jinyu added sarcastically, "Master Lu, I am not your sister-in-law. Isn't your sister-in-law at your residence?"

Lu Shen was speechless.

"How dare you speak like that? Are you here to cause trouble?"

Grandmaster Lu's face turned green. "Enough, stop embarrassing yourself."

Lu Shen pouted and walked over to Grandmaster Lu.

"Grandfather, what happened?"

Grandmaster Lu replied, "They came to take back the dowry for the Zheng family's legitimate daughter. What do you think we should do?"

Such a large sum of money, once received, who would willingly give it back?

Lu Shen grinned and tried to flatter them. "Father-in-law, aren't you just angry? Jinxiu is the daughter you and Mother raised. You've called her daughter for over a decade. How can you just cut ties like that?"

"Why not? Do you want me to show you the document severing our relationship?"

Lu Shen was speechless.

"A document is lifeless, but people are alive. Relationships aren't decided by a piece of paper."

"Enough, all this talk is just about greed. Will you return the dowry or not?"

Lu Shen laughed. "That's even more unreasonable. There's no taking back a dowry once given."

"The dowry was for the Zheng family's legitimate daughter. It ended up with you because we were deceived. Everyone knows this. The official Yu from the Capital's government has already ruled in our favor according to the law. Do you still want to keep our family's property?"

"Oh, as if you only found out today that Jinxiu isn't your biological daughter. You knew before the marriage, so why did you give her the dowry?"

Lord Zheng said, "That's because we didn't know the child was intentionally switched. A mix-up is fate, and no one is to blame. But intentional switching is a human disaster. The Da Chuan family is our enemy."

He pointed at Fang Jinxiu. "She is the daughter of our enemy. Why should we give such a large sum of money to the daughter of our enemy?"

Lu Shen's smile faded, and he looked grim.

Fang Jinxiu looked at Lord Zheng sadly.

Lord Zheng remained unmoved.

Beside him, Cui Tai spoke up, "Old Grandmaster Lu, if this matter escalates, it won't look good for anyone. I suggest the two families resolve this privately. Return the Zheng family's property to avoid bringing it to the Emperor's attention. What do you think?"

Lu Shen was startled. "Who are you?"

Cui Tai smiled faintly. "I am Cui Tai."

A member of the Cui family?

Fang Jinxiu looked at Cui Tai in surprise.

The Cui family? They're helping Zheng Jinyu?

Then will they still allow me to be entered into the Cui family genealogy?

Lord Zheng said, "Sixth Brother, I don't think they will. Forget it, let's go back. I'll go to the palace and seek an audience with His Majesty."

As he spoke, he stood up, preparing to leave.

Zheng Jinyu also said, "Then I'll visit the Princess's Mansion and request the Princess Consort to take Father into the palace."

Upon hearing this from the Zheng family father and daughter, they became anxious.

If this escalates, they'll have to return everything and lose face. Is it worth it?

Grand Tutor Lu hurriedly said, "Don't worry, gentlemen. I didn't say we wouldn't return it. Since your Zheng family has severed ties with Jinxiu, she indeed shouldn't take the dowry of a Zheng family daughter. However, she has been in the Lu family for so long, and some of the dowry items have been used, so it might not all be there anymore."

Lord Zheng said, "I assume you've eaten the poultry, fish, and meat from the dowry. I'm not a petty person, so let's forget about those. But the other things should be returned, right?"

"But there's also the rice and flour..."

"Let's forget about the consumables," Lord Zheng said again.

"And the lacquer boxes, porcelain, jewelry, clothes, and other used items..."

"These things..." He wanted to say forget it, but before he could finish, Zheng Jinyu took over the conversation.

"Return whatever is left, and compensate us with silver for what's missing."

Everyone was speechless.

Zheng Jinyu sneered; she wasn't as generous as Lord Zheng.

There wasn't much ready cash in the dowry, plus some immovable properties, which together accounted for about half the value of the dowry.

Those lacquerware pieces were quite valuable.

Lacquerware, porcelain, gold and silver jewelry, pearls, clothes, and various consumables added up to another half of the value.

She wasn't willing to give half of her dowry to Fang Jinxiu for free.

Lord Zheng never managed these matters and probably didn't know the total value of these items.

Zheng Jinyu was currently arranging her own dowry, so she knew very well.

She could accept them consuming the poultry, fish, meat, and some other consumables, but if they couldn't be taken away, then so be it.

Fang Jinxiu couldn't pretend anymore and stared coldly at Zheng Jinyu, saying, "Don't push too far. The pillows, bedding, and clothes Lu Shen and I have are tailored to our sizes. You can't wear them even if you take them."

Zheng Jinyu replied calmly, "Then take them out and calculate their value. Compensate us with silver."

"Why should we?"

"Because I am the Zheng family's legitimate daughter, and because I've already told you that the dowry prepared by the Zheng family for its legitimate daughter is not for you, Fang Jinxiu."