Zheng Qian glanced at Wen Zhao.
If he weren't so ridiculously good-looking, with that stunning face, she would have smacked him ten times over in a day.
Prince Ancheng clearly didn't treat himself as an outsider; he picked up the "double envelopes" from the Wen and Zheng families and began examining them.
The gift list for betrothal, also called the "double envelope," is one from each family.
In the future, if Zheng Qian's dowry were less than the betrothal gifts, she would be mocked in her in-laws' household, accused of her family being stingy. A dowry can only match or exceed the betrothal gifts, never be less—this was the law of the court.
Raising a daughter was expensive; marrying up was really something few could afford.
However, Zheng Qian knew the Jing'an Marquis's household wouldn't care about appearances or her welfare; they would never return all the betrothal gifts, nor would they give more.
Prince Ancheng raised an eyebrow after inspecting them, smiling: "Not bad."
He glanced at Zheng Qian again.
Though he didn't speak, Zheng Qian read his expression clearly: for someone with her ordinary looks, mediocre talent, and fallen family status, the Wen family offering such a generous betrothal was truly elevating her.
"Yes, my family is sincere in marriage," Wen Zhao said, taking the gift list back. "See, which of these doesn't appeal to Second Miss?"
Zheng Qian smiled: "Second sister is like a fallen fairy; she hates gold, silver, and jewels. If you take a concubine, follow this gift list, but remove the gold jars, cash, and gold—don't sully my second sister."
Wen Zhao didn't even check this obvious, clumsy lie.
He nodded: "You're right. You truly know your family. I almost prepared 100,000 taels of cash for Second Miss as a betrothal gift."
Zheng Qian: "…"
You idiot! You're trying to infuriate me!
The difference in value between me and her is enormous, and you say this to my face!
Prince Ancheng struggled to contain his laughter—it was thoroughly entertaining to him.
Perhaps he didn't care if the eldest Miss Zheng was embarrassed; he just found it amusing to see her flustered.
Just as Zheng Qian's expression shifted slightly, the cat in her arms suddenly lunged at Wen Zhao.
Its paw struck Wen Zhao's beautiful face.
Blood appeared immediately.
Everyone gasped.
Wen Zhao felt the pain a moment too late and cried out, while the cat perched on his shoulder, raising its other paw toward his eyes.
Xiao Zhan was about to lose his mind.
This damned thing—he was furious! It had dared to insult Mei'er, giving her only 30,000 taels while praising Zheng Yutan with 100,000.
He wished he could stab Wen Zhao on the spot.
But now he was just a cat—no weapon. Still, his claws were sharp, and he swiped toward Wen Zhao's eyeballs, determined to gouge them out.
What use are eyes if you're blind?
Zheng Qian panicked: "Achou!"
Her shout was sharp and urgent. She rushed to Wen Zhao and snatched the cat off him.
Wen Zhao touched his face, his hands covered in blood; the sting of pain made him furious.
"You actually brought this beast here! Give it to me, I'll have it beaten and buried in the backyard!" Wen Zhao shouted, enduring the pain.
Prince Ancheng hadn't expected Zheng Qian's pet to be so violent—suddenly striking and drawing blood—and found it somewhat disappointing.
He stood quietly, watching.
He even wanted to see if the eldest Miss Zheng could manage to save her cat.
Zheng Qian held Achou tightly and said to the enraged Wen Zhao: "Young Master Wen, don't be angry! This wound is a symbol of your bravery."
Wen Zhao froze.
He knew many mocked his effeminate appearance. Being handsome didn't mean he lacked masculinity, but he had always been particular about cleanliness, never training until he was sweaty and dirty, and didn't enjoy polo.
So people ridiculed him, and he couldn't argue.
When Zheng Qian called him brave, he paused: "How so?"
"Just say it was from a sharp weapon during a fight with a thief. The thief had iron claws and injured you in combat. The scar is your most handsome accessory," Zheng Qian spun her story, easily fooling this fool without a complex plot.
Ordinary people would hardly believe this, but Wen Zhao wasn't ordinary—he was naturally clueless.
He drew a deep breath and forced down the pain: "Quickly take this beast away. Today, I'll spare it."
Zheng Qian thanked him.
Ignoring the fact that his fiancée was with a stranger, Wen Zhao saluted Prince Ancheng and cheerfully ran off with the double envelopes.
Prince Ancheng shook his head, watching his retreating figure.
Zheng Qian also saluted: "Your Highness, I take my leave."
"Go ahead," Prince Ancheng said, then added, "Miss Zheng…"
Zheng Qian paused.
"I know you intend to withdraw from the engagement," he said. "But perhaps you don't know the current social climate. Families offering such generous betrothal gifts as the Wen family—it's hard to find a second one like this."
Zheng Qian raised an eyebrow, smiling: "Your Highness isn't saying it's hard to find a second family, but that I can't find one, right?"
Prince Ancheng smiled, not denying it.
He genuinely advised her to be practical, to avoid future regret. There was no malice; he admired her and spoke sincerely.
Given her appearance and family, finding someone better than Wen Zhao would be difficult.
She was not like Zheng Yutan, with beauty to back her.
Whether Zheng Qian would heed this advice was another matter.
The cat in her arms suddenly arched its back again, seemingly intending to claw Prince Ancheng too.
Xiao Mingyu practiced martial arts; the cat wouldn't dare approach or would be struck down with a single palm.
Zheng Qian held Achou tightly, smiling: "Your Highness needn't worry. I feel optimistic about my future. Perhaps someday I'll find someone like you, who knows what fate holds."
Prince Ancheng couldn't help but be amused.
At eighteen, in the Liang Kingdom, she was considered an old maid by marriage standards. Finding a suitable groom after withdrawing from an engagement would be difficult.
This Miss Zheng didn't seem timid or weak; she was more like a blustering, boastful merchant.
Still… she was quite interesting.
"Then I wish Miss Zheng all the best," Prince Ancheng said with a smile.
Zheng Qian saluted again: "Thank you, Your Highness. I take my leave."
Watching her retreat, Prince Ancheng wondered how she had known he owned Zhai Yuxuan.
Even after much thought, he had no answer.
The competitive Prince Ancheng didn't plan to ask her directly; he would investigate and get the truth.
He smiled slightly.
Zheng Qian walked out of the back garden toward the banquet courtyard.
In a quiet spot, she said to Achou: "If you scratch his eyes, I'll have to fix him later—worthless trouble."
"They look down on me, I know," Zheng Qian said lightly, without self-pity. "Not their fault—it's me being too modest. Let's blind their eyes in the future, okay? Achou, don't hurt your claws; I'd be heartbroken."
The cat: "…"
At this moment, Xiao Zhan wanted nothing more than to hug her.
He wanted to tell her she was just as good as anyone. Some people in this world think she's wonderful, and that cannot be replaced.
Whether as the current Zheng Qian or the girl who cried by the river, she was truly remarkable.
She could find someone better than Wen Zhao, even better than Prince Ancheng—if only that man's soul could return to his own body.
He wanted to be her support, letting her walk proudly through the capital.