Hearing Madam Zhou’s refusal to help, the first to jump out was Madam Lu, spouting all manner of sharp and nasty words.
"Auntie Tan, take Lady Zhou down to calm her heart, and do not let her disturb Madam. Otherwise, both you and I will suffer the young lady’s displeasure," said Qiu Xiang, unable to bear it any longer, she shouted toward the doorway.
Auntie Tan immediately entered, accompanied by a robust old woman.
"Lady Zhou, follow this servant, please!"
Seeing this preparation, Madam Lu immediately panicked, her berating words caught in her throat as she looked at Madam Zhou with a face full of fear and sought refuge beside Old Lady Zhou.
The corner of Qiu Xiang’s mouth curled into a cold smile, and she then bowed to Madam Zhou, saying, "Madam, would you like to rest for a while?"
Madam Zhou gave her a grateful smile and patted the back of her hand.
Old Lady Zhou saw everything clearly, her gaze growing even more complex, and she thought of Wufu; then glared fiercely at Madam Lu and said to Madam Zhou, "Ying Mei, your sister-in-law, she is also worried about your elder brother. Forgive her just this once!"
"Yes, Ying Mei, I, I was just panicked. This foul mouth of mine deserves to be punished," said Madam Lu, lightly slapping her own mouth twice before quieting down.
Only then did Qiu Xiang make a subtle gesture to Auntie Tan, no longer holding onto Madam Lu.
Feeling uneasy, Madam Lu stole a glance at her and thought to herself that this girl was a tough one and wondered where on earth Wufu had found her.
"Mother, I truly haven’t seen that official; how can you ask me to help?" Madam Zhou said, "Wufu is merely helping out at that official’s store, that’s all."
Old Lady Zhou said, "I know you bear resentment in your heart, and I am here to apologize. Just promise me to speak to Wufu, to spare your older brother this one time."
As she spoke, she knelt straight down, "Consider this old body begging you!"
Madam Zhou, panicked, quickly stood up to avoid her, crying out in shock, "Mother! You..."
A mother kneeling to her daughter was an act that could incur divine punishment. Madam Zhou could not bear such a gesture; it was as if she was being cursed with a shorter life.
Madam Zhou was both shocked and annoyed, saying, "Mother, where are you putting your daughter in this situation?" For the sake of your son, you would let your daughter lose years of her life by kneeling to her!
"Help the Old Lady up!" Qiu Xiang was also angry, commanding Auntie Tan.
Old Lady Zhou shook off Auntie Tan’s hand and said, "Ying Mei, please save your elder brother! The whole family is counting on him!"
Madam Zhou felt a chill in her heart, "Mother, do you truly wish to press me so?"
She really wanted to ask why; she was her daughter too. She might not compare to a son, but she shouldn’t be pressured .
"Old Lady, please stand up. If our young lady finds out about this, I am afraid none of us will fare well," urged Qiu Xiang, invoking Wufu’s name once more.
Old Lady Zhou’s body trembled, and without anyone’s help, she shakily stood up, her eyes beseeching as they met Madam Zhou’s.
Madam Zhou, as if drained of all her energy, looked at her aged face and turned away, unable to bear it, saying, "Fine, I’ll speak to Wufu. But I will say it again, she’s just a minor figure. Whether or not she can help is not certain. Moreover, your elder brother’s reputation is undoubtedly beyond saving. You had better give up on that hope."
"Just get your elder brother out; that’ll be enough," said Old Lady Zhou, stopping the about-to-explode Madam Lu.
Madam Zhou’s head drooped in defeat, and Qiu Xiang deftly directed Auntie Tan to lead the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law away, then offering her a cup of tea and persuading, "Madam, do not trouble yourself over this. Leave the matter to the young lady!"
Madam Zhou revealed a bitter smile and said, "Qiu Xiang, what saddens me is, are daughters truly less valued than sons? She does not hesitate to kneel for her son, without fearing my life being shortened?"
Qiu Xiang remained silent.
This world is too unfair to women, with endless instances of preference for sons over daughters. In her own past, hadn’t she too been sold by her family to save her younger brother’s life?