Prince Ancheng had arrived.
The news spread quickly through the Marquis residence, leaving everyone just as astonished as the Marquis himself.
Who could have imagined that such a trivial matter in the Zheng household would actually draw the attention of a royal prince?
Everyone gathered in the front courtyard's reception hall.
At the sight of Xiao Mingyu, the Third and Fourth Misses flushed slightly—his striking looks were hard to ignore. Zheng Hao stepped forward enthusiastically, speaking to him as though they were old acquaintances.
Only Zheng Yutan remained aloof, her expression cold and proud.
No one acts without motive.
Xiao Mingyu was a prince—no matter how idle he might be, he wouldn't come all this way just to meddle in the Zheng family's petty wager. He must want something.
His consort had long passed away, and he had not remarried. It was said the emperor valued him greatly, yet he held no official position—what good was favor without power?
Zheng Yutan thought to herself:
He must be here for me.
After all, aside from the famed Second Miss, what else in the Zheng household could possibly attract a prince's attention?
Naturally, it had to be her.
But Zheng Yutan was unimpressed.
To marry him would mean becoming a second wife—something she would never accept. Besides, even if the emperor favored him, would he ever inherit the throne?
He was nothing.
Still… Xiao Mingyu was undeniably handsome.
The thought that such a man admired her brought a trace of satisfaction—much like Wen Zhao before.
Yet—
When Xiao Mingyu finally spoke, the person he addressed was not Zheng Yutan, but Zheng Qian.
"I've heard your eldest miss is a miracle doctor. Can she truly heal a severed leg?"
He had come… for Zheng Qian.
Zheng Yutan's brows furrowed, displeasure flashing across her face.
The Marquis quickly dismissed it. "She's just being foolish."
"But the abacus she created has become quite profitable. That doesn't seem foolish to me," Xiao Mingyu replied calmly.
The Marquis fell silent.
What was going on with this prince? Every word seemed to defend Zheng Qian. Could it be that he actually knew her?
Impossible.
His daughter was plain-looking, with a red mole on her brow that gave her a solemn, almost sacred appearance—like a bodhisattva.
Men preferred enchanting beauties, not dignified figures like statues.
Who would ever admire someone like her?
The Marquis glanced at Xiao Mingyu again, an uneasy feeling creeping into his heart.
"That abacus is making quite a profit," Xiao Mingyu continued with a smile. "Marquis, you've raised your daughter well. Miss Zheng truly brings honor to your family."
Zheng Yutan let out a quiet, disdainful laugh.
Yet Xiao Mingyu didn't spare her even a glance.
That only made her more convinced—
Playing hard to get.
"Seems this prince is quite skilled," she concluded inwardly.
Just as Zheng Yutan indulged in her own thoughts, Zheng Qian and Zheng Chi arrived.
Leaning on his crutches, Zheng Chi moved slowly, each step labored.
The Marquis, who valued appearances above all else, felt a pang of irritation at the sight. If not necessary, he would never want outsiders to see his eldest son in such a state.
Then he remembered—
Xiao Mingyu was Zheng Chi's friend. Perhaps he wouldn't mind.
Zheng Qian stepped forward and bowed.
"Your Highness."
"No need for formalities. I'm only here to enjoy the spectacle," Xiao Mingyu said lightly.
Zheng Qian then explained the details of the wager.
Altogether, the Zheng family had put up forty-two thousand taels. Zheng Qian presented her own share first, handing it to Xiao Mingyu.
He took the banknotes and counted them openly.
"The amount is correct. Marquis, you haven't changed your mind, have you?"
"Of course not. Just a bit of amusement between the children. I hope Your Highness finds it entertaining," the Marquis replied.
He then produced ten banknotes of one thousand taels each and handed them over.
Xiao Mingyu nodded appreciatively.
"I admire the Marquis's integrity—your word is as good as gold. To indulge your daughter like this… I truly envy such affection."
The Marquis was visibly pleased by the praise.
One by one, the others handed over their money.
When it was Zheng Hao's turn, he smiled at Xiao Mingyu.
"Your Highness, you must be fair. Otherwise, people might say we're bullying Big Sister."
"Rest assured," Xiao Mingyu replied calmly. "Though I may not hold influence before His Majesty, the Empress Dowager of the East is my grandmother. If Miss Zheng breaks her word, I will find someone even more impartial to judge the matter."
Zheng Yutan caught the meaning immediately.
So the rumors of the emperor's favor were exaggerated.
Her opinion of him dropped even further.
In the end, Xiao Mingyu collected a total of eighty-four thousand taels from both sides and officially became the witness.
Off to the side, Zheng Run fumed silently.
He felt both heartbroken over his sister's money and resentful that his brief days of good meals were about to end.
He glared at everyone.
One day, when I achieve something, none of you will take advantage of me. I'm not as easy to bully as Big Sister.
Hot-blooded and impulsive, the young boy despised injustice above all.
Xiao Mingyu spoke again.
"If Miss Zheng can fit a prosthetic for the Eldest Young Master that allows him to climb stairs, walk on flat ground, and move freely for the duration of one incense stick, she wins. Otherwise, she loses."
He paused.
"How much time do you need? One month?"
A month was already the maximum.
Zheng Qian smiled faintly.
"Why would I need that long? Three days will be enough."
Everyone: "..."
Zheng Run pressed a hand to his forehead in despair.
Fine. He admitted it—this time, his sister had brought this upon herself.
Even if the family was being unfair, she wasn't helping her own case.
When I earn military merit and gain rank, I'll take care of you, he thought bitterly. With your temperament, what kind of future can you possibly have?
Even Zheng Chi glanced at her.
Xiao Mingyu paused as well, a hint of concern crossing his face.
Was she being too reckless?
"Are three days truly enough?" he asked.
Zheng Hao quickly interjected, "My sister is a miracle doctor who can bring the dead back to life. If she says it's enough, then it must be, don't you agree, Your Highness?"
"I must ensure fairness," Xiao Mingyu replied. "That's my role as witness."
He hoped Zheng Qian would reconsider.
But she only smiled.
"Three days is enough. In fact, it's more than enough."
Whispers spread through the crowd.
Listen to her arrogance.
Has she lost her mind?
The Marquis thought coldly:
She really has gone mad. Perhaps it's better this way—if the money stays with her, she'll only waste it anyway. Taking it from her might actually be helping her.
A crippled son. A mad daughter.
The two children born to Lady Pan were both disappointments.
He regretted ever marrying her.
Back then, her family had been wealthy, her brother a county magistrate—but their decline had been swift.
She hadn't even been particularly beautiful. Compared to his own looks and talent, he had always felt she diminished him.
Now it seemed his judgment had been correct—
Even her children were flawed.
"The wager is set," Xiao Mingyu announced. "On the fourth day, at mid-morning, we will meet again to determine the outcome."
As he turned to leave, he glanced at Zheng Qian—and smiled.
Zheng Qian returned the smile.