"How can you help me?" Tang Zhuyun showed no excitement whatsoever, her expression remained calm, but her heart was already in turmoil.
I really hope Zhou Xu can be a breakthrough, even if it only uncovers the tip of the iceberg, it might be the spark that ignites a prairie fire.
"The one who wants to marry the prince is Zhou Fu. But she doesn't just want to be a concubine; she covets the position of princess."
"This is nothing new."
Zhou Xu was briefly surprised, then said, "Your Majesty's reaction makes me even more certain that I made the right decision to come to you. You are the kind of person who can bring misfortune to that mother and daughter!"
"Thank you for the compliment. Tell me, what do you have in your possession?"
"I have evidence of the misdeeds committed by that mother and daughter over the years, but my aunt is still in their hands... And now it seems that Her Majesty is not so interested in these matters in the inner quarters."
Tang Zhuyun: "I just enjoy talking to smart people, continue--"
Zhou Xu was not only intelligent, but also knew how to assess the situation and understand people's hearts.
"I'm actually also trapped in the inner quarters and out of favor," Zhou Xu said honestly, "But whatever Your Majesty needs, just tell me, and I will do it, at any cost!"
If you're useless, seeking sympathy won't help.
Only those who are useful can be helped by others.
Tang Zhuyun: "What if I said there's nothing I need you to do?"
"Your Highness, there will be." Zhou Xu said, "Although I don't understand the affairs of the front courtyard, I have a feeling that the old master and the prince are not on good terms... Think about it, leaving me as a spy in the Zhou Family, at most I won't be of any use, but what if I am needed?"
She even described herself as a petty thief, enthusiastically promoting herself.
Tang Zhuyun didn't reply. After bandaging the wound, she washed her hands and looked at her, saying, "Next time, try a different spot. If it's any deeper, it'll easily leave a scar."
Unexpectedly, Zhou Xu stared at her in shock, while simultaneously reaching up to touch her forehead.
Tang Zhuyun was amused by her appearance.
Xiu'er couldn't help but say, "When I first heard you speak, I thought you were a smart person! How come you didn't think about being disfigured when you were hitting yourself with a brick?"
"I've thought about it..." Zhou Xu said, "I was thinking, Your Majesty, won't this leave a scar?"
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
Xiu'er: "What, do you want to have a scar?"
Zhou Xu said, "Of course I wanted to! If I had a scar, I could stay in the Zhou Family for a long time, work for the Empress, and protect my aunt. I... I should have been more ruthless just now, but I still couldn't bring myself to do it..."
Looking at her dejected expression, Tang Zhuyun actually found her somewhat Lovely.
Xiu'er said, "If you don't want to get married, think of another way! How will you get married if you keep going like this? You can't ruin your life for those rotten people."
"If they suffer misfortune, what's wrong with me risking my entire life?"
Xiu'er: "What a ruthless person."
A woman who isn't ruthless won't have a stable position.
But for some women, they can't survive without being ruthless.
"You think of a way first," Tang Zhuyun said, "Arrange for me to see your aunt, and I'll help her get medical treatment."
Zhou Xu looked surprised and incredulous.
Every Noble Lady she encountered, including her stepmother, was someone who had meticulously planned her own schemes.
Unexpectedly, the Princess Consort believed her simply by expressing her feelings.
No, it's not just that.
Zhou Xu quickly realized that this was Tang Zhuyun's test for her.
Arranging a meeting between the princess and his aunt, two people from vastly different backgrounds, was inherently difficult.
Now that the concubine has contracted tuberculosis and is being closely watched by the stepmother and Zhou Fu, who are planning to extract the last bit of value from her and send Zhou Fu to her death... arranging for the two to meet is now even more difficult.
Zhou Xu nodded. "Alright, Your Majesty, I'll make the arrangements! Thank you! I certainly won't let you regret it!"
Tang Zhuyun said calmly, "I also hope for a pleasant cooperation."
After they went outside together, Old Madam Zhou led the women of the Zhou Family to step forward and express their gratitude.
Zhou Fu's eyes were slightly red, but she was trying her best to suppress her worry, which softened Tang Zhuyun's heart!
Zhou Fu thanked the Empress on behalf of Eighth Sister. "We are so grateful for the Empress's miraculous healing today; otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable."
Zhou Xu snorted coldly, "How come I fell down for no reason today? I think there are clearly people in this Prince's mansion who don't want me to be happy!"
"Eighth Sister!" Zhou Fu said anxiously, "Don't talk nonsense, Her Highness the Princess and Grandmother are still here..."
Tang Zhuyun: "???"
So you mean it's okay to talk about it behind someone's back?
Does this solidify her guilt in harming Zhou Xu?
The onlookers might be thinking, "Zhou Xu boasted before that she wanted to be a concubine, so I couldn't resist and taught Zhou Xu a lesson today?"
Alright, Zhou Xu is arrogant and petty; now only Zhou Fu is left who's good?
Xiu'er said coolly, "Since you know that the Princess Consort and Old Madam Zhou are both here, Ninth Miss Zhou, you'd better watch your mouth. There's a 'speech-related' ground among the seven grounds for divorce. I suggest you go back and study it some more."
Zhou Fu's face flushed crimson instantly. "I... I meant no harm."
"Fu'er, step back," Old Madam Zhou. "We are very grateful to Your Highness for today's events. We will certainly visit again another day to express our gratitude."
Tang Zhuyun said, "It was nothing, I'm glad you're alright. Let's go watch the show."
After the play, the banquet began. Tang Zhuyun led her many female relatives to their seats, and also prepared songs and dances.
Suddenly, a tiger leaped in.
The women were terrified and fled in all directions, looking utterly disheveled.
Tang Zhuyun: "... Yanran!"
Yanran she'd made a mistake, laughed it off, "Jiaojiao, get out of here! Don't frighten our important guest!"
She swore she really didn't mean it.
She had just been sitting there listening to these people flattering each other, and had whistled out of boredom.
Who would have thought Jiaojiao had such good hearing? She actually thought it was being called!
Yanran hugged Jiaojiao and said ingratiatingly, "Mother, I was wrong, I was really wrong. I'll go back and reflect on my mistakes behind closed doors right away."
Everyone stared at her, their eyes wide with astonishment.
This little girl is holding a tiger?
The Second Madam of the Zhou Family lost her shoes, the Madam Zhao's hair came undone, and the Madam Li was covered in vegetables... It would be really unreasonable not to scold the little brat a few times after all this.
Tang Zhuyun glared at Yanran fiercely. "Go back and reflect on your actions. You're not allowed to eat tonight!"
Yanran pretended to look aggrieved, but she was secretly overjoyed.
--Finally, I don't have to keep up with these boring people anymore.
"Yes." She pouted, on the verge of tears, bowed, and then leaned against Jiaojiao.
Then everyone watched as she rode away on the tiger.
Oh my god!
The young lady of the royal palace is riding a tiger?!
This is truly something I've never seen before.
Xiu'er said, "Please don't take offense, everyone. Our Prince is a bit different from others; he insists on raising a fierce tiger, and even the Princess Consort can't dissuade him..."
They always try to shift the blame onto the man.
These women would criticize another woman for years if they saw her wearing last year's old clothes; but if they heard that a man in a family was taking a concubine or keeping a mistress, they would just say it was normal.
--If you're so capable, why don't you compare your princes!
Zhou Fu, however, seemed to be deep in thought.