Once the wager was set, Zheng Hao spoke first.
"Everyone who's betting, go back and fetch your money. Let's have the Marquis act as witness and hold it."
Zheng Qian immediately objected.
"Third Brother, my father is betting too. Isn't it unfair for him to act as the witness?"
Nearly everyone with power in the household had joined the bet.
The Third and Seventh Masters were not home, and the Second Master—being concubine-born—didn't carry enough weight.
Zheng Hao rolled his eyes, considering who else could act as a middleman.
Zheng Qian spoke again.
"I do have someone in mind—Prince Ancheng, Xiao Mingyu. Third Brother, do you know him?"
Of course Zheng Hao knew him.
Xiao Mingyu was the emperor's nephew—noble by blood. However, he rarely involved himself in court affairs and kept a low profile, seldom socializing.
If Zheng Qian hadn't mentioned him, the Zheng family might have forgotten such a prince even existed.
"Invite Prince Ancheng?" Zheng Hao frowned. "Our household isn't close to him. Why would he agree?"
Whenever Xiao Mingyu visited Zheng Chi, he always entered through the side gate of the western courtyard. Aside from the recent visits, he only came once every few years.
Even the Marquis himself would never think to approach him.
"Send someone on Eldest Brother's behalf. He should come," Zheng Qian said with a smile.
"Nonsense!" the Marquis snapped. "A prince is not someone you invite on a whim."
Zheng Qian tilted her head slightly.
"Father, are you saying our Marquis residence isn't worthy of inviting a prince?"
"Even if we try, he won't come. Why humiliate ourselves?" the Marquis sneered. "We've never kept in touch—why would he bother with us?"
"If Eldest Brother's attendant goes, he'll come. He'll give Eldest Brother face," Zheng Qian replied calmly. "The prince holds power and is fair. Without him as witness, I won't participate in this bet."
How could they let such easy money slip away?
All eyes turned to the Marquis.
The Old Madam spoke decisively.
"Send someone. Back then, our Noble Consort once helped Prince An. His son should show some gratitude."
"If he doesn't come, then forget it," Zheng Qian added lightly. "We can have Nurse Cheng by Grandmother's side act as witness instead."
The Marquis suppressed his irritation.
It was already late—this would have to wait until the next day.
The meal that followed was distracted and half-hearted.
After dinner, the gathering dispersed.
——
Zheng Run caught up with Zheng Qian, furious.
"Are you stupid? They're going to take all your money! What are you going to do then?"
Zheng Qian smiled. "What if I win?"
Zheng Run spat lightly in frustration.
"Who are you trying to fool? They won't let you cheat your way through this. You have to actually make Eldest Brother stand up and walk!"
"Yes," Zheng Qian replied calmly. "That's exactly what I mean by winning."
Zheng Run: "..."
This woman had no idea how high the sky was.
She had finally earned some money, finally turned her life around—
And now she was about to ruin it all again.
Zheng Run felt utterly exhausted.
He had been enjoying daily meals at her place—now even that might come to an end.
He wished he could knock some sense into her.
Was it really so hard to be normal?
Before, she was shamelessly flattering others. Now, she was arrogantly overconfident.
Zheng Run felt like his lifespan was shortening.
——
Meanwhile, the second branch returned to their own courtyard.
The Second Madam sighed.
"Mei'er's money… it's going to be divided among them."
The Second Master shook his head.
"That may actually be a good thing for her. Her wealth is exposed—and it's a large sum. If she doesn't share it, she won't have peace. They might even kill her for it. Losing the money but keeping her life—that's not bad."
The Second Madam sighed again.
"What kind of home is this?"
The Second Master fell silent.
"She'll marry out eventually," she continued. "Her future may be better than ours. We're trapped here for life—that's our fate."
Silence lingered between them.
In this era, there were no imperial examinations. Military officials earned rank through battlefield merit, while civil positions relied on recommendation systems like the Nine-Rank system.
As a concubine-born son, Zheng Jingsheng depended on family endorsement to pursue an official career. But the current clan head—the Marquis—had no intention of helping him.
He would rather see his brother waste away at home.
The couple could only sigh in resignation.
——
Zheng Qian, meanwhile, headed to the western courtyard.
It was already midnight. Zheng Chi had gone to bed.
Her sudden arrival startled the servants.
Zheng Chi was awakened but didn't get up. He frowned at her.
"Back from the dead again?"
Zheng Qian smiled. "Eldest Brother, don't be annoyed. I really have something important this time."
She quickly explained the bet.
She had expected him to explode in anger.
Instead, he only cast her a cold glance.
"Understood. Now get out."
Zheng Qian blinked.
"Eldest Brother, do you agree to this bet? If you do, I'll give you half of what I win."
"You're about to lose everything," Zheng Chi said coldly. "Even with the broken engagement, you won't be able to repay the betrothal gifts. You'll be mocked at home and looked down upon after marriage. Seeing you like that—why wouldn't I agree?"
He clearly believed she would lose.
Zheng Qian scratched her nose awkwardly.
"We're siblings. No need to be so harsh."
Zheng Chi scoffed.
"You're using me as a wager. And you call that not cruel?"
"I can treat you," Zheng Qian said seriously. "You're already in this condition—how much worse can it get? Let me try. If it works, we'll both gain a lot."
Zheng Chi gave a cold snort.
He closed his eyes again, lying there motionless like a corpse. Only his lips moved slightly.
"Get out."
Zheng Qian left.
——
Back in her courtyard, chaos erupted.
The maids and Nurse Dai were practically in tears, convinced Zheng Qian had lost her mind.
"What are we going to do now?" Hongluan sobbed. "We finally had money, and now we're going to be poor and bullied again!"
Zheng Qian couldn't help but laugh.
"You're all so sure I'll lose? Relax—good days are still ahead."
Hongluan cried even harder.
Even Nurse Dai wiped her tears. Watching all that money slip away—it was heartbreaking.
——
The next morning, Zheng Qian looked refreshed and full of energy.
Her maids, however, had swollen eyes—either from crying all night or not sleeping at all.
They moved like wilted plants, too dispirited even to fetch breakfast. The kitchen had to send it over.
The cook, likely assuming Zheng Qian was about to lose everything, had clearly cut corners. There were even two fewer side dishes than usual.
How quickly people changed their attitudes.
Seeing this, Hongluan burst into tears again.
——
Meanwhile, the Marquis sent Yuzhong to the Prince Ancheng's residence.
He assumed the servant wouldn't even make it past the gates.
In fact, the household had already decided that if the prince refused, Nurse Cheng would serve as witness. After all, Zheng Qian herself had suggested it.
But to everyone's surprise—
Yuzhong returned quickly.
And with him…
Prince Ancheng himself.
The Marquis was stunned and hurried forward to greet him.
"Your Highness."
"I heard there's an interesting matter in your residence, and you wished for me to act as a witness," Xiao Mingyu said calmly. "Since the Marquis trusts me so much, I am honored. When shall we begin the wager?"
The Marquis felt a surge of pride.
Who would have thought—
That the name of the Marquis residence could actually summon a royal prince?