Madam Zhou, a grown woman by now, was always gentle and meek since childhood. She never raised her voice, let alone quarreled or acted forcefully. Otherwise, she would not have been oppressed and bullied by Madam Lu for so many years without daring to make a sound in resistance.
Yet, that same person had suddenly transformed, as if she were someone else entirely, speaking firmly and with a sharp tongue. Not even Madam Lu, but even Old Lady Zhou was witnessing this for the first time.
Was this still the woman who could only cry when faced with trouble?
Looking at the domineering demeanor of Madam Zhou, Old Lady Zhou felt somewhat dazed.
Madam Lu wondered, was it true that with wealth and status came confidence? Was that why her spine was now straight and she could speak loudly?
But they did not understand that after great sorrow and pain, a person’s state of mind can change considerably. The incident with Zhou Dajun and Zhou Xuennian’s expulsion had thoroughly chilled Madam Zhou’s heart. Now, hearing Madam Lu talk about relating with relatives, didn’t she find it all the more ironic?
"You..." Madam Lu opened her mouth but suddenly found herself at a loss for words.
Old Lady Zhou came back to her senses, pressed down on Madam Lu’s hand, stood up, and gave Madam Zhou a bow.
Madam Zhou was startled and felt a little panicked, almost about to stand up and move away.
"At first, it was the Zhou family who wronged you. But later on, Wufu avenged you. Dajun was punished, and our Zhou family lost all face. That should be enough!" Old Lady Zhou said.
Madam Zhou was stunned, "How did Wufu avenge me?"
"You don’t know?" Madam Lu leapt up again and said, "Your ’good’ daughter caused our downfall, she killed Dajun!"
Old Lady Zhou held Madam Lu back and glanced at Qiu Xiang next to Madam Zhou; after all, the dirty laundry was not to be aired in public, especially with a servant present.
Qiu Xiang knew how to read the room and hastily said, "Madam, I will go and change the tea." With that, she left the room.
Only then did Old Lady Zhou let go of Madam Lu, allowing her to recount all that Wufu had done.
Madam Zhou’s face turned pale as she said, "Impossible, Wufu would never do such a thing."
"How is it impossible? She could break my fingers, dislocate my jaw, so why couldn’t she harm Dajun?" Madam Lu shrieked, "Now, us of the Old Zhou family have become the laughingstock of the entire village, all thanks to your ’good’ daughter."
Madam Zhou felt a mess inside, her hands trembling as she reached for the teacup and took a big gulp to calm herself down. "If so, then he got what he deserved."
"You..." Madam Lu was so furious she felt like clawing at Madam Zhou’s face.
"If he had even a shred of conscience or understanding of human relations, he would never have harbored such intentions toward his own aunt," Madam Zhou said with hatred. "If you didn’t teach your son well, then someone else had to."
"Zhou Yingmei, I will beat you to death!" Madam Lu couldn’t hold back and charged forward.
"Enough!" Old Lady Zhou pulled her back. The two of them stumbled, almost falling to the ground.
"Mother, you’re still protecting her. She’s rich and noble now, and doesn’t regard us at all, doesn’t recognize people, she even dares to disrespect you, her own mother, and put on airs. Pah, this is unfilial. Let’s accuse her!"
Seeing her go crazy, Old Lady Zhou slapped her across the face, "Have you lost your mind?"
Madam Lu fell to the ground, started beating her thighs, and wailed, "Hit me, kill me if you want. It’s not like I have any hope left, no way out. My son has been ruined, my husband is half-dead in prison. I don’t want to live anymore, just kill me!"
"You, you vulgar woman!" Old Lady Zhou was so angry she stomped her feet.
The commotion made by these women caused Madam Zhou’s head to buzz. First, she heard about Wufu’s revenge, and now, Zhou Xuennian in prison?