Madam Lu didn’t need to remind her, how could Old Lady Zhou not know the situation her branch of the family was about to face?
Zhou Xuennian had been studying all these years, working in the fields? It was something you could count on one hand, he had no idea how to tend to fields!
They had once hoped he would make something of himself, but now, not to mention stopping at the level of a scholar, even the title of Child Student would be unattainable. What kind of future could he have?
Farming was out of the question, passing the imperial examinations was hopeless, and for trade, there was no capital. The only path left was perhaps to be an accountant or to copy books for someone, and even that required someone to want his services.
As for becoming a teacher, after what had happened, who would dare to employ him? Not to mention the past scandal of Dajun was still there, so teaching was likely impossible too.
Therefore, the first wife’s branch had no future, and it was an imminent reality.
"You’ve seen Wufu’s attitude already. After having been taken advantage of so many times under her hand, have you still not learned your lesson? Do you still think she could forgive you and the Zhou family like a Bodhisattva?" Old Lady Zhou scoffed.
Madam Lu’s expression changed slightly, "That’s why we can’t sever ties with Ying Mei. Wufu, she has to listen to her mother, right?"
"In the past, perhaps, but after Dajun’s incident, Ying Mei is no longer the same Ying Mei." Old Lady Zhou’s face was tired, "Just calm down and wait for the eldest to be released. We’ll find some work for him afterward."
"Mother..." Madam Lu was a bit frightened. Was she giving up?
Old Lady Zhou closed her eyes, "I’ll say it again, if you’re bent on hitting the south wall, you won’t crack your head and bleed, you’ll lose your life. Can you really scheme against Wufu? Think it over carefully."
Madam Lu pursed her lips, her heart trembling. Was this really the end of it?
She looked around, at such a house, such an estate. She truly could not accept it!
The conversation between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was completely unheard by someone under the window behind the room, who ran away with thumping steps.
Madam Zhou stood up when Wufu arrived.
"I’ve put them in the guest room," Wufu said before she could be asked, taking the initiative to speak first.
Madam Zhou forced a smile.
"I will go visit the Lord County Magistrate in a while and see about getting Zhou Xuennian released," Wufu continued, "But mother, I have made it clear to Old Madam Zhou and the others, this comes with conditions."
"What?" Madam Zhou asked.
"It means that after I get that person out, they can no longer come to our door and disturb our mother and daughter’s life," Wufu looked into her eyes and said, "It’s as if we are traveling on separate bridges and walking different paths."
Madam Zhou’s face turned pale—it meant cutting off relations with her family!
"Mother, you can’t possibly still have hopes for this so-called family of yours?" Wufu spoke plainly, "The Zhou family members, other than shaming you, other than clinging to you like bloodsucking leeches, have no ability to protect you. In this world, apart from me, there is no one else to shelter you. So, mother, heed that saying—once a daughter is married, she’s like water thrown out. It’s better for us to keep our distance. Aren’t there many aunties who have no dealings with their birth families?"
Madam Zhou’s eyes reddened, and she lowered her head.
Wufu said nothing, slowly sipping her tea, waiting for her to absorb what was said.
Madam Zhou was different from her; she was an outsider with no emotional ties to the Zhou family, whereas Madam Zhou was a daughter of the Zhou family. For her to sever ties with such a family required time and mental fortitude, especially since her mother was still there with them.
Traditional as she was, it would be extremely difficult for Madam Zhou to disown her mother, no matter how much disdain she felt for her, because in her heart, there was always the grace of having been brought up.
Hence, Wufu didn’t pressure her, only waiting for her to come to terms with it.