Girl, There's Something Wrong With You - Chapter 20

If I wasn’t so talented, would they treat me better?

A series of chaotic, inexplicable, and abnormal thoughts began to gather in Cheng Jinyang’s mind as time passed in the dream state.

Although he wanted to complain, it was clear that Zheng Qiupei was being overly stubborn.

But since he was currently in a possession state and couldn’t speak, he had to endure it with extreme discomfort.

At the same time, he also noticed Zheng Qiupei’s peculiar trait: she was too humble.

This girl was very sensitive to others’ emotional states and highly valued her relationship with her cousin and his wife.

Her cousin, Zheng Wengong, had a relatively good opinion of her. After all, she was his cousin and had a nice personality.

His wife, Liu Shi, however, was the type who smiled to your face but cursed you behind your back.

She not only harbored strong hostility towards Zheng Qiupei but also often stirred trouble in front of Zheng Wengong, exaggerating her words.

For instance, she would say that if the old patriarch adopted Zheng Qiupei, and she became the clan leader in the future, wouldn’t she need to get married? If she married someone within the Zheng clan, the power of the clan leader would inevitably shift to her husband’s line.

Zheng Qiupei had no parents or siblings, and her only relative was her cousin Zheng Wengong. Wouldn’t her future husband try every possible way to push Zheng Wengong’s family out of the power center to secure control?

Even if you don’t think about our future, consider our children. We absolutely cannot let Zheng Qiupei be adopted by the old patriarch!

Zheng Wengong’s attitude was also wavering.

Each time Liu Shi said something in his ear, his attitude towards Zheng Qiupei became somewhat distant.

Then, when Zheng Qiupei worked hard to mend their relationship, he felt guilty and changed his attitude again.

Perhaps because of this, Zheng Qiupei kept trying to please her cousin’s family, to the point where even Cheng Jinyang couldn’t bear to watch.

For example, Zheng Qiupei liked to compete with the maids for chores, washing clothes, cooking, cleaning up trash, and tidying the house, which made Liu Shi privately complain that she “doesn’t act like a proper lady.”

Zheng Wengong, on the other hand, was very pleased, thinking, “She has the right mindset and is very sensible,” which made Liu Shi so angry that she just rolled her eyes.

Of course, no matter how capable a person is, they can’t do all the maids’ work. So, Zheng Qiupei voluntarily became the head maid, often explaining to the maids the living habits of Master Zheng and Madam Zheng and how to take care of their family.

This made Liu Shi dislike her even more.

When Zheng Wengong’s fourth son had his full month celebration and relatives came to visit for the feast, Liu Shi slowly came to the kitchen door and saw Zheng Qiupei talking to the maids about dinner: “… Sister-in-law is just recovering from childbirth, so the diet should be light, with more fruits and fewer meats, to avoid burdening her stomach…”

“Xiao Pei!” Liu Shi exaggeratedly called out from the door frame, trembling as she tried to pull her away, smiling, “What are you busy with in the kitchen, directing the maids again? Don’t worry about these trivial matters; the relatives are waiting outside to talk to you!”

This drew the attention of the relatives outside.

After all, a young lady obsessed with household management tends to leave a stereotypical impression of being “unfocused on proper matters,” which is considered a negative evaluation in aristocratic families—only those lacking talent are enthusiastic about household and clan affairs (for example, Sister Yuexian).

“Sister-in-law.” Zheng Qiupei bit her lip.

Through the possession perception, Cheng Jinyang knew that she fully understood Liu Shi’s intention with these words, but at this moment, Xiao Pei only felt a deep sense of grievance and sadness without any anger or resentment.

She wanted to explain but didn’t want to anger her sister-in-law, so she silently nodded, covered her face, and walked out with tears.

Leaving the house, Zheng Qiupei walked alone in the clan grounds, unconsciously arriving at the clan leader’s office.

Her uncle, Zheng Junming, usually worked there and only occasionally stayed at his son and daughter-in-law’s place.

Seeing Zheng Qiupei knocking and coming in with a sorrowful expression, he felt a bit puzzled and concerned.

“What’s wrong, Xiao Pei?” Zheng Junming motioned for her to sit down first.

However, Zheng Qiupei refused to say anything, just shaking her head.

After about ten minutes, she finally spoke in a low voice, “Uncle.”

“Yes?”

“I don’t want to compete with my cousin for the position of clan leader,” Zheng Qiupei said softly.

Zheng Junming’s brow furrowed.

He did have the idea of having Zheng Qiupei adopted under his name, but it was just an initial thought.

Who went and stirred up trouble in front of Zheng Qiupei?

“Xiao Pei,” Zheng Junming said slowly, picking up a document, “Take a look at this first.”

Zheng Qiupei silently took it and carefully read through it, showing a bit of surprise.

The document showed that Zheng Wengong’s second son had significantly improved his talent assessment results. His guaranteed level was now Grade Four, with a 35% chance of reaching Grade Three, only 20% lower than her own probability.

“Uncle, what do you mean?” Zheng Qiupei asked quietly.

“I’m still considering,” Zheng Junming said solemnly, clasping his hands on the desk, “My grandson, Dehui… He, like you, has the potential to reach Grade Three, making him qualified to be the heir.”

“But your probability of reaching Grade Three is 20% higher than his, which is a significant difference. Although the lineage assessments are not always accurate, and the actual results won’t be clear until you are both over forty, we can’t wait thirty years to decide on the heir. Do you understand what I mean?”

“I understand.” Zheng Qiupei bit her lip. “If you’re still considering choosing between me and him, then I’m willing to withdraw.”

“You…” Zheng Junming was at a loss for words. After a moment, he asked, “You don’t want to be adopted by me?”

“No,” Zheng Qiupei shook her head, “You’ve treated me very well, like a second father, and I’m very grateful to you.”

“Then are you worried about Wengong’s attitude towards you?” Zheng Junming frowned again.

“I don’t want this matter to create a rift with my cousin’s family,” Zheng Qiupei said bitterly, “And I don’t want to be the clan leader.”

“You need to understand what you’re giving up,” Zheng Junming sighed, “If I establish Dehui as the heir, you cannot have a higher bloodline talent than him, especially with a 20% higher probability. This will stir unnecessary thoughts and ambitions among some clan members.”

“If you choose to give up the heir position, then your external lineage assessment results must be modified, at least downgraded by a whole grade to ‘Guaranteed Five, Striving for Four,’ without reaching Grade Three… This will undoubtedly severely affect your reputation, status, and treatment within the clan, unless you truly reach Grade Three after forty. Are you really willing to give up what is rightfully yours?”

“Uncle,” Zheng Qiupei said seriously, “Can reputation, status, and treatment compare to family?”

Zheng Junming was momentarily speechless.

After a while, he weakly held his forehead and gestured for her to leave with his other hand.

Zheng Qiupei silently walked out of the clan leader’s office, stood by the window in the corridor, and looked at the gradually setting sun in the distance.

“I did the right thing,” she muttered to herself.

“I don’t have many relatives to begin with, and I don’t want them to hate me.”

“What do you think?” she suddenly asked, looking at the half-open window beside her.

The reflection in the windowpane showed Cheng Jinyang’s face.

—————

Briefly explain: The lineage assessment results for Zheng Dehui and Zheng Qiupei are both falsified (a common practice for noble families). Zheng Dehui actually has a 35% chance of reaching Grade Three, while Zheng Qiupei has a 55% chance. However, Zheng Qiupei’s external assessment is falsely reported as ‘Guaranteed Five, Striving for Four,’ so that it won’t affect Zheng Dehui’s position as the heir before she turns forty.

After forty, the impact on the clan leader position will be relatively minor. Additionally, the age discrepancy has been corrected. In this chapter, it is Zheng Wengong’s fourth son who is having the full moon celebration. The future clan leader, his second son Zheng Dehui, is only a few years older than Zheng Qiupei.