"Don't... don't send me away... Sister, please let me stay. I'll be your and Master's beast of burden, I beg you..."
Sun Wanzhu kowtowed, begging for mercy.
"Take her away." This time, Madam Zhou spoke without a hint of mercy. She had been too soft-hearted before, almost causing disaster. She would not repeat that mistake.
The next day, Madam Zhou ordered her servants to send Sun Wanzhu back.
Upon hearing this, Madam Shi hurried over to see Madam Zhou and couldn't help but say, "You've finally opened your eyes."
Madam Zhou replied, "It's all thanks to Sister's enlightening words."
Madam Shi smiled and said, "I didn't do much. It's you, Sister, who finally understood."
"If Sister hadn't persuaded me so persistently, I might still be lost. Sister, thank you."
Madam Zhou was genuinely grateful to the young Madam Min. Otherwise, she might have followed her mother's advice and ended up regretting it.
Judging from Master's tone and expression last night, he truly had no intention of taking a concubine. If she had listened to her mother and arranged for a concubine, she might have become someone Master disliked.
"Sister, I've been through it before. Although I don't know much, I can still judge people. Your Master is devoted and not a lecherous man, so you can rest assured. Focus on nurturing your relationship with your Master; the child will come in time," said the young Madam Min.
Madam Zhou nodded, "Sister, please rest assured. I understand now."
After seeing off the young Madam Min, Madam Zhou felt as if a dark cloud had lifted, leaving her immensely relieved. However, this comfort lasted less than half a day. That night, bad news arrived from the Zhou family.
Sun Wanzhu had attempted suicide by hanging, but fortunately, she was discovered by a Zhou family servant in time, averting a major crisis.
Madam Zhou was also summoned back to the Zhou family overnight. Rubbing her forehead, she knew that this visit would involve dealing with several family members, which would be exhausting both physically and mentally.
Shen Yunxuan had not yet returned. She asked a servant to keep an eye out and inform him when he returned that she had gone to the Zhou family. She didn't dare hope he would go to the Zhou family; she only hoped he wouldn't learn the truth from others.
Upon her return to the Zhou family, as soon as Madam Zhou entered the manor, Hong Yan was stopped. "Why are you blocking me?" Hong Yan said angrily.
"The Master and Mistress have instructed that only Madam is allowed to enter the manor. No one else is permitted," a Zhou family servant stated coldly.
Hong Yan was about to argue angrily, but Madam Zhou patted her hand. "Wait for me outside for a moment. I'll be out soon."
"Madam..."
"I'm fine," Madam Zhou said. They were her family, what could they do to her?
Hong Yan was still worried, but the Zhou family servants wouldn't let her in. She could only wait anxiously outside.
Madam Zhou was led into the manor by the servants and went to the backyard, where she saw Madam Fan's personal maid. She walked up and said, "Sister Bai Shao."
"Eldest Miss," Bai Shao curtsied to Madam Zhou.
"Sister Bai Shao, there's no need for formalities. Please rise quickly." Madam Zhou quickly helped Bai Shao up.
During her years in the manor, her mother had shown favoritism to her elder brother, so she had not had an easy time. The servants in the manor were all sycophantic, favoring her brother in everything, while she often lacked this or that.
At that time, she had cried to her mother several times, but her mother always said she was disobedient.
While everyone else was showing favoritism, only Bai Shao had secretly sent her things a few times.
Therefore, she had a special affection for Bai Shao.
"Eldest Miss, be careful..." Bai Shao whispered a sentence as Madam Zhou helped her up.
Madam Zhou froze and looked up at Bai Shao. She knew Bai Shao wouldn't say such a thing without reason. It was clear that those waiting in the room had ill intentions.
At this moment, her heart was cold, and it ached.
"Sister Bai Shao, my maid is still at the door. Could you let her return home? Tell Master when he returns that I've gone to my maiden home," Madam Zhou said.
Bai Shao nodded. She knew well what Eldest Miss would encounter upon entering and understood the intention behind Madam Zhou's request.
Madam Zhou walked in. Seated in the main seat was her father, Zhou Fukang, who was currently serving in the Jingzhao Prefecture.
Although his official rank was very low, he was at least stationed in the capital.
Beside him was her mother, Madam Fan, whose expression was not pleasant. Below them was her elder brother, who had passed the age of adulthood but was idle and often played with the dandies in the capital. Beside him was her sister-in-law, the legitimate daughter of a wealthy merchant.
"Father, Mother." Madam Zhou first bowed to her father and mother, then greeted her brother and sister-in-law.
"You still have the face to come back?" Zhou Fukang spoke first, attacking her.
Hearing this, Madam Zhou smiled and said, "Father, I've only just returned, and I don't know what has happened. Could Father inform me?"
Madam Fan sighed and said, "You forcibly sent Wanzhu back today, and Wanzhu felt too ashamed to face anyone and attempted suicide by hanging."
"My poor sister." Madam Sun covered her mouth and nose with her sleeve, feigning sadness and grief.
"Look at what you've done. How can I explain this to the Sun family?" Zhou Fukang said angrily.
"Explain? Why should I explain?" Madam Zhou asked Zhou Fukang, confused.
Zhou Fukang was furious. "You drove a perfectly good young lady to shame, to the point of suicide by hanging. Don't you owe the Sun family an explanation?"
"Father, how can this be blamed on me? I'm still completely bewildered. I didn't want the person, so what does this have to do with me? Moreover, whether my Master takes a concubine is probably not decided by me, nor by you, Father."
"You..."
"Li'er, how can you speak to your father like that?" Madam Fan reprimanded.
"I haven't said anything wrong. Whether Master takes a concubine indeed has nothing to do with me."
"You... you wretched creature." Zhou Fukang said in exasperation.
Madam Zhou frowned and said lightly, "Just because I didn't agree, Father calls me a wretched creature. Father, don't forget that your current official position was obtained for you by this wretched daughter."
"Presumptuous..." Zhou Fukang was utterly enraged.
Madam Zhou smiled, "Father, no matter how angry you are, you cannot change this fact."
Zhou Fukang, in his anger, threw the teacup on the table. "Wretched creature, you're doing this on purpose."
"Father's words make me like a啞巴吃黄连, with bitterness I cannot speak. Shouldn't I be the most heartbroken? To ask me to arrange a concubine for my own husband, this is probably the biggest joke in the world."
"How is Wanzhu not good? She's smart and obedient. If Wanzhu gains favor in the future, won't it be your credit, Sister?"
"Sister-in-law, if you say that, perhaps I should arrange someone for my brother? When my brother takes a concubine, won't you also have assistance?"
"You..." Madam Sun was so angry she couldn't speak.