In the room, Madam Zhou’s sobs could be heard, though it was uncertain whether she wept for someone else or for her own fate.
Wufu sat calmly drinking tea, and after a while, she passed over a damp handkerchief.
Madam Zhou took it and wiped her face, then accepted the tea Wufu handed to her, sipped it, and asked, "Has your grandmother... has Old Madam Zhou agreed?"
Wufu smiled faintly, "Zhou Xuennian is her eldest son, how could she not agree?"
Madam Zhou felt a pang in her heart and laughed at herself sarcastically, "So, it was only me who held vain hopes, after all, daughters are not as valued as sons."
Despite harboring resentment and hatred in her heart, she still cared for that bond of flesh and blood, which was an emotional instinct, but ultimately it was no match for the preference for sons over daughters, no, perhaps in Old Madam Zhou’s eyes, her own daughter was dispensable.
"I also understand the importance of a son, but in the Zhou family, I am the only daughter, yet she despises me so, truly, are daughters so worthless in her eyes?" said Madam Zhou with a bitter smile.
"It’s just narrow-mindedness," Wufu said, "In such times, a well-raised daughter can also bring benefits to the family, otherwise, why would there be so many arranged marriages? It’s just that her vision is too limited."
"Mother, I know you can’t get over this hurdle in your heart, always thinking that she’s your mother, and you can’t bear it. If you want to provide for her, it isn’t impossible, you’re just spending silver to buy your own peace of mind!"
"Wufu..." Madam Zhou looked at her in astonishment.
"But by buying this peace of mind, how do you know whether it might just embolden the other party, turning them into a leech that clings to your bones and cannot be tossed aside? Let’s just say Old Madam Zhou is a reasonable person with pride, but that cannot outweigh her sons and daughters-in-law. Even that pride would be broken for them. What will you do then, mother?" Wufu continued.
Madam Zhou muttered, "I am not as perceptive as you."
Wufu did not respond to that; she was an observer, an outsider without emotional attachment, naturally seeing things more clearly.
For a moment, neither of the mother and daughter spoke. Outside the door, someone shuffled, and Wufu, catching sight of it, beckoned.
The one who entered was Hongyu, the maid, her face filled with righteous indignation. Madam Zhou looked at her, not understanding why she had come.
"Speak!" though Wufu already knew what she was going to say.
Hongyu then indignantly relayed the scheming she had overheard through the back window of the guest room.
It was so despicable, their own niece was willing to help, and yet Lu Zhenzhu still had the audacity to plot against the family assets.
Madam Zhou’s face turned ashen, her hand gripping the handkerchief tightly as she looked at the composed Wufu, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
Her own relatives were calculating in such a way, as unreliable as mud that fails to stick to the wall, chilling to the core.
"Go down and make me some chrysanthemum, goji berry, and lean pork soup," Wufu ordered Hongyu.
Hongyu curtsied and withdrew.
Wufu then looked back at Madam Zhou, who was already overwhelmed with embarrassment, and said, "Out of respect for your maternal grandfather, help her this one time. When he gets out, let them leave. You’re right, a married daughter is like spilled water. We, mother and daughter alone, also have our own lives to lead."
Wufu rose to her feet, for she needed to make a trip to the Yamen.
Madam Zhou called out to her as she approached the door, hesitated, and then said, "Wufu, don’t overextend yourself and anger the officials, lest we lose their favor. If the official refuses, it will be Zhou Xuennian’s own fault."
Wufu, upon hearing this, finally showed a sincere smile, "Alright!"
Madam Zhou watched her leave, her head drooping. People are selfish; now without any other support, they must prioritize their own home before helping others.