The carriage rolled out of the city.
It was the turn of late summer into early autumn—no signs of decay yet, only lush greenery everywhere. The crops in the fields were ripe, and when the breeze swept across them, waves of gold rippled under the sun.
Zheng Qian watched the scenery for a while before sitting upright again.
Zheng Chi remained silent. Meanwhile, Zheng Wu kept staring at his leg, fidgeting nonstop. Finally, Zheng Qian couldn't take it anymore.
"You want to see Big Brother's leg, don't you?"
Zheng Wu nodded vigorously.
"Big Brother, lift your pant leg and let this unfortunate child have a look. He's driving me crazy."
Zheng Chi didn't move. "If he's annoying you, throw him out of the carriage. Need help?"
Zheng Wu: "..."
Do I really have zero status here?
By the time they reached the estate, Zheng Chi still hadn't shown him the prosthetic. Zheng Wu was practically losing his mind with curiosity. If not for the pain, he might've cut off his own leg just to try one.
That was the kind of nonsense constantly running through his head—fortunately, Zheng Qian had no idea.
The Wen family estate was simple yet spotless, already prepared for guests.
Outside the gates, elegant carriages and fine horses filled the entrance. Well-dressed young ladies and noble sons stepped down one after another, heading inside.
Zheng Qian glanced around. "Looks like a lot of people came."
Zheng Wu explained, "There's a hot spring beneath this estate. Blood cherry blossoms bloom here all year round—it's famous."
"Cherry blossoms… don't they bloom in spring?"
"Exactly. That's why blooming now makes them rare—and people flock here for it."
Zheng Qian nodded in understanding.
As they walked forward, Zheng Chi spoke—rare for him.
"The Wen family is backed by the Ancheng Prince. They have status, and immense wealth. The nobles in the capital enjoy luxury these days—money buys indulgence. So wealthy families like the Wen aren't overlooked; they've built strong connections."
Zheng Qian: "..."
Her two brothers—one a shut-in, one a reckless hothead—somehow both knew more than she did.
"I see," she said.
Greeting guests at the entrance was Madam Wen, alongside her daughter, Wen Jin.
Zheng Qian felt her brothers had overlooked one thing:
The Wen family didn't just attract guests because of wealth and influence—but also because of their looks.
Wen Jin was just as breathtaking as her brother.
Madam Wen smiled warmly at Zheng Chi, though her eyes kept drifting to his leg. Wen Jin didn't even bother hiding it—she stared outright.
Zheng Qian had to suppress a laugh.
The Wen family was… adorably foolish. And because they were all so good-looking, Zheng Qian—an unapologetic admirer of beauty—found it hard to dislike them.
Their curiosity drew attention. Other guests began turning to look at Zheng Chi as well.
Unbothered, Zheng Chi said calmly, "Madam Wen, would you like me to lift my pant leg for you to see?"
"Yes, yes!" someone eagerly answered—
It was Zheng Wu.
Zheng Qian: "..."
With a single sentence, Zheng Wu lowered the average intelligence of the entire Marquis household.
Madam Wen looked awkward. "Not at all, Young Master. Please, come in."
Wen Jin took Zheng Qian's arm warmly. "Sister Mei, you're finally here. I've been waiting all day."
Just then, Wen Zhao returned after escorting another group of guests.
The moment he saw them, he blurted out, "Where's Second Miss?"
Madam Wen coughed sharply.
Today's banquet was meant to curry favor with Zheng Chi—and here he was, embarrassing the eldest miss in front of him.
Hopeless.
Yet Zheng Chi remained indifferent, showing no displeasure.
Wen Zhao blinked. "Mother, is your throat bothering you?"
Madam Wen: "..."
Before anyone could respond, more carriages arrived.
Zheng Yutan stepped out, surrounded by people like stars orbiting the moon. Beside her was Zheng Hao, and a whole entourage.
In contrast, Zheng Qian only had her "crippled" elder brother and her "idiot" younger brother. Her presence seemed far weaker.
In the past, she would've been reduced to tears by such treatment.
Wen Zhao immediately ran over to Zheng Yutan like an eager puppy.
Zheng Chi lowered his voice slightly. "When are you breaking off the engagement?"
"Not enough money yet," Zheng Qian replied.
"Eighty thousand taels isn't enough?"
"I need savings. Without money, I don't feel secure," she said lightly.
Zheng Chi frowned, not quite understanding what "security" meant.
From the corner of her eye, Zheng Yutan noticed Zheng Qian and Zheng Chi chatting and laughing.
The Zheng siblings were all attractive—except Zheng Qian.
And yet, Zheng Chi himself was strikingly handsome: tall, lean, with sharp features and a strong profile—arguably more handsome than Zheng Hao.
Now he had a working leg. A government position.
He should've been the center of attention.
In Zheng Yutan's imagination, he should've been orbiting her.
Instead, he stood by Zheng Qian's side, speaking to her with rare warmth.
Something twisted in her chest.
She had grown used to being the one everyone adored.
As she walked forward, noble ladies greeted her warmly, and young nobles stepped up to pay respects.
If Madam Wen showed Zheng Qian three parts politeness, she showed Zheng Yutan ten.
Wen Jin, though a bit simple-minded, still sensed the awkwardness—and disliked Zheng Yutan.
She clung to Zheng Qian's arm. "Sister Mei, I saved you a good spot. I'll give you some blood cherry tea to take home later."
"Alright," Zheng Qian agreed.
Wen Jin glanced at Zheng Chi again. Her lips parted as if to speak, but she hesitated. Her face flushed red first.
The banquet was set by the riverside.
The open space was surrounded by blooming blood cherry trees, carefully maintained and paved with blue bricks. Beneath it flowed hot spring water.
This place had once even hosted a spring banquet for the Empress.
At those grand events, all unmarried noble sons and daughters in the capital attended. It was also the moment Zheng Yutan first entered high society.
She had been introduced by Prince Yu, the emperor's second son.
His favor had elevated her status overnight.
Though the emperor would never allow her to become his principal wife—at best, she could be a secondary consort.
Given Zheng Yutan's illegitimate status and her family's decline, even that would be considered a climb.
But she had refused.
And Prince Yu… had actually broken his engagement for her.
At the beginning of the year, he was punished by the emperor and sent away to oversee river management. Only if no floods occurred next spring would he be allowed to return.
Everyone knew this.
Everyone—except Wen Zhao.
Now, whether Zheng Yutan could truly become Prince Yu's princess when he returned… remained to be seen.