Chapter 572: Zheng Hongxu and Wang Fuzhen Left

Chapter 572: Zheng Hongxu and Wang Fuzhen Left

The two of them could never act like a normal mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. They couldn’t even pretend. It was better not to make things difficult for each other.

After this meal, they left the next day.

To avoid complications, Wang Fuzhen left first and waited for him at the Ten Mile Pavilion outside the city.

Zheng Hongxu still needed to say goodbye to his family.

Zheng Hongqi wept bitterly, holding onto Zheng Hongxu and refusing to let go.

"Third brother, why do you have to go so far? We’ve never been separated this far before."

They were twins and had always been together all these years, eating and living together. They even fought, quarreled, bullied their younger sister, and knelt in the ancestral hall together. Suddenly, they had to part, and it would be hard to see each other again. Both found it hard to accept.

Zheng Ji said, "As a tree grows, its branches spread out. As people grow, they separate into their own families. You two have both married and started your own families. Eventually, you will have to part ways."

This was a fact that one had to accept in the process of growing up.

Zheng Hongxu wiped the corners of his eyes and bid farewell to each of these relatives one by one.

Madam Zheng, supported by Lady Luo, continued to cry incessantly.

"Why do you have to leave? Wasn’t it my fault?"

Last night, she could still act tough, but after sleeping, she couldn’t hold on to that toughness anymore.

Her children were truly leaving her, drifting farther away.

Zheng Hongxu bowed to her and said, "Mother, this is the Emperor’s order. As a subject, I must go."

"Don’t try to deceive me. Do you think I’m a fool? You just… just… want to be far away from me!" she cried.

Zheng Hongxu didn’t explain further. In fact, everyone understood. There was nothing left to say.

After his farewells, Zheng Hongxu had someone drive the carriage away.

On the high city wall, Zheng Jinyu watched the carriage grow smaller and smaller.

Silently, she wished, ‘Third Brother, take care.’

Chunmei sighed, "What a turn of events. I didn’t expect the Third Young Master to end up with Miss Wang after all."

Zheng Jinyu thought to herself, indeed, it was a regret in her past life, and after all these twists and turns, they were together again in this life.

"That’s a good thing," she said.

Then she turned and walked down the city wall, with Chunmei quickly following behind.

…

It was three days after Zheng Hongxu left that Fang Jinxiu heard the news, much to her surprise.

She couldn’t believe her ears.

She grabbed the person next to her in the pastry line and demanded, "What? Who was demoted and exiled to Ya Zhou?"

"Young Master Zheng, after being assigned to the Ministry of Punishments following his success in the imperial examinations, handled a major case and was reduced in rank. It seems the Emperor was displeased with how he handled the case."

Fang Jinxiu stumbled backward a step. "When did he leave?"

"He's been gone for three days, miss. Do you know Young Master Zheng?"

The rest of the words were lost to her as her mind buzzed with the thought: he left three days ago, Third Brother has been gone for three days.

With Third Brother gone, what will become of her?

Third Brother promised her that he would help her once the situation calmed down. How could he leave?

How could he leave without a word?

In a frenzy, Fang Jinxiu rushed to Cui Yongnian's house. Zheng Hongxu had been staying there recently. She insisted on seeing Zheng Hongxu.

The gatekeeper told her that Zheng Hongxu had left three days ago, but she refused to believe it and demanded to see Cui Yongnian.

Cui Yongnian, always known for his good temper, kindly allowed her to enter when he heard of her arrival.

Fang Jinxiu, her eyes red-rimmed, saw Cui Yongnian in such a state that he seemed like a celestial being, someone beyond reach.

She lowered her gaze uncomfortably and croaked, "I just want to see my Third Brother."

Cui Yongnian calmly replied, "He has already left. He departed for Ya Zhou three days ago to assume his new post."

Fang Jinxiu looked up. "I can't believe it. He told me to stay at a farmer's house and that he would come back for me once the situation calmed down. He hasn't come back for me yet. How could he leave without a word? How?"

"Oh, but he really did leave."

Fang Jinxiu said, "Could it be that Zheng Jinyu is trying to harm me? She knew Third Brother planned to help me, so she asked the Emperor to transfer him away? Ya Zhou, isn't that where they send convicted criminals? How could she be so heartless to her own brother?"

"You're thinking too much. Ya Zhou was Zheng Hongxu's chosen destination, a place he considered the end of the world. As early as last autumn's examinations, he had plans to leave the capital. He left of his own accord; it wasn't a demotion. He requested this assignment."

"What?" Fang Jinxiu couldn't believe it. "How is that possible? He had a bright future in the capital. What's so great about going to Ya Zhou? Besides, he promised to come back for me. He wouldn't leave on his own."

Cui Yongnian thought for a moment, then sighed. "He lied to you."

Fang Jinxiu was deeply shaken.

"No, that's not true. Third Brother wouldn't lie to me."

"If you don't believe me, that's fine. Others also knew of his plan to leave. If you don't trust me, ask a few of his acquaintances, and you'll find out."

Fang Jinxiu left in a daze, not knowing where to go, wandering aimlessly.

Without realizing it, she found herself at the Zheng Family's residence.

The gatekeeper, used to her visits by now, quickly notified Lady Ye.

This time, Madam Zheng was truly ill, her heart growing heavier with each day her son was away.

She knew why he left; she just didn't dare to acknowledge it.

Now, Lady Ye was handling the affairs of the household.

Rather than dismissing Fang Jinxiu immediately, Lady Ye came out to see her personally.

"I think you should understand that your connection with the Zheng Family has long ended. No one here wishes to see you anymore. One should know one's place."

Fang Jinxiu gave a bitter smile. "You've won. You must be very pleased, aren't you?"

"Your words are rather odd. There is no competitive relationship between us, so how can there be talk of winning or losing?"

"Oh, really? Didn't you vie for Mother's favor? Didn't you take my second brother away?"

What?

Lady Ye looked at her as if she was an idiot. "Are you insane? Let alone the fact that my husband isn't your real brother. As a married woman, how can you use the term 'take away'? How my husband treats me is none of your concern, is it?"

Fang Jinxiu felt a strong sense of possession over her brothers. Whenever her brothers were good to women other than her, she would feel uneasy, as though these women had taken her brothers away.

She would unconsciously feel hostile towards them.

This feeling might be difficult for others to comprehend, but this was how she felt.

"At this stage, there's no point in further discussion. My mother is ill, and now you control the Zheng Family. Anyway, you've won."

Lady Ye rolled her eyes, speechless.

Who does she think she is to—daring to consider herself my rival, does she even deserve it?

"The only question I have for you is why my Third Brother went to Ya Zhou."

"He wanted to go on his own."

He truly wanted to go?

"When did he decide to leave the capital?"

"He had planned to leave since last year. Your second brother was very upset about it for a long time."

Hearing this answer, Fang Jinxiu felt a mix of indescribable emotions.

So, he really did want to leave long ago.

As her cousin said, he had deceived her.

Liar.

Tears streamed down Fang Jinxiu's face.