Can a man say no?
Even if you could twist your head off, you can't say no to a pair of wet eyes.
Wu Zhenhai, this "old man," is no exception.
"Zhou Fu harmed you before, forcing you to spread rumors that you liked the Prince," Wu Zhenhai pondered, "You'll probably have a hard time getting into the Prince's residence now."
Zhou Xu sneered inwardly.
He wasn't unaware of her situation; he had always known.
But he could pretend not to know, simply because he was in a difficult situation and needed to rely on him.
So don't pretend to be sentimental; it never was.
"But you don't need to worry too much," Wu Zhenhai said. "The Princess Consort is a renowned physician; I've heard that the Emperor is still taking medicine prescribed by her..."
"You know exactly what the Emperor eats?" Zhou Xu asked, looking incredulous. "You're bragging."
Wu Zhenhai pinched her, "If I couldn't even find out this much information, would I be able to hold you while we sleep now?"
"I don't believe it!" Zhou Xu said. "How could anyone know what medicine the Emperor is taking? I don't believe you can find out."
Wu Zhenhai was taken aback.
The problem wasn't that he knew—if he had bothered to inquire, it wouldn't have been a big deal, but in reality, he didn't bother to inquire at all. After all, the difference in rank was too great, and inquiring about the emperor would have been pointless.
The fact that he knew this without even asking around seems to suggest that its veracity is questionable.
Damn it, that little vixen was right.
However, he wouldn't admit it, changing the subject. "You don't understand. Anyway, the princess is a divine physician, and she's not ruthless."
Zhou Xu thought to herself, "You know quite a lot."
Old Cabbage Stalk is actually very shrewd. He has an extraordinary sense of smell for many things and is good at scheming, which is why he has gotten to where he is today.
"It's one thing if you're just playing along," Wu Zhenhai stared intently at Zhou Xu, his eyes filled with warning, "But if you actually fall for Prince of Jin, you'll die a horrible death."
"I'm just getting by in life, why would I care what happens after I die? I'll just bury myself under the flowers and grass to be fertilizer, that'll be one of the good deeds I've done in my life."
Wu Zhenhai: "Bullshit! I'm not dead yet!"
"I can't compare to you; a scourge like you lives on for a thousand years. I'm so beautiful, perhaps it's my fate to have a short and tragic life."
Wu Zhenhai's eyes widened like saucers, and veins bulged on his neck. "Say that again, and I bet you'll slap me again!"
"That's no fun pretending," Zhou Xu said. "Even if I die in three years, it won't concern you or me anymore."
What they coveted was simply her youth and beauty, wasn't it?
Three years later, she too will be past her prime.
"I need your help to come up with an excuse," Zhou Xu steered the conversation back on track, "How should I get into the Prince's mansion to demand someone?"
After pondering for a moment, Wu Zhenhai said, "The Prince's Mansion has no reason to kidnap your aunt; she's of no value."
Zhou Xu sneered, "You're right, tying you up is the right thing to do. Or should I tie you up as a pledge of loyalty?"
Wu Zhenhai: "... Look at your temper. I didn't say anything bad about your aunt; that's just a fact."
What use is an old, crazy, and sick woman?
You're not allowed to say that!
Wu Zhenhai: "I won't say, I won't say. I think perhaps your aunt ran away and was taken in by someone from the Prince's Mansion? Another possibility is that your aunt possesses some value that we are unaware of."
Zhou Xu sneered repeatedly, "If it were truly valuable, you wouldn't have the chance to exploit it. That hypocrite Zhou Yushan would have already squeezed it dry."
When this woman gets ruthless, she won't even spare her own father.
Wu Zhenhai felt that he had already been treated preferentially.
"If you can't help, I'll figure it out myself," Zhou Xu said dismissively.
Wu Zhenhai: "..."
Is this how you beg someone?
This isn't his goddaughter, this is his great-aunt!
"Give me some time to think about it." Wu Zhenhai sat down on the edge of the bed.
Zhou Xu casually twirled his belt between her fingers and said nonchalantly, "I'll just tell them that I'm having an affair with you, and that I can get you to follow Prince of Jin and teach the Zhou Family a lesson."
Wu Zhenhai: "Don't be ridiculous. Who do you think I am? Do you think the Prince of Jin would even look at me?"
Zhou Xu: "So you've finally met your match? I thought you never had a moment of weakness."
"No need for veiled insults," Wu Zhenhai said, "I've never wronged you in bed."
"How would I know if I don't compare?" Zhou Xu seized every opportunity to show that she only followed him.
Men are strange.
On the one hand, they want their women to be the ones everyone desires but cannot have; on the other hand, they want to possess them exclusively.
This is an important part of their competitive spirit.
Zhou Xu was a genius in this regard, managing to make the older man jealous while simultaneously keeping him happy.
Wu Zhenhai cursed, "Get out of here and don't mess with me again."
He's trying to find a solution for her!
Zhou Xu retorted defiantly, "Why would the Prince of Jin look down on you? I think you're quite good."
Wu Zhenhai was overjoyed to hear this.
"The Prince of Jin has too many capable men under his command. I actually considered joining Prince of Jin back then, but I didn't have the connections... The Governor-General has never treated me unfairly."
"So you're helping the Zhou Family and challenging the Prince of Jin?"
"No," Wu Zhenhai refused to admit. "Don't believe everything you hear. Don't concern yourself with what's happening outside."
"I don't want to get involved, but now that my aunt has entered the Prince's mansion, what am I supposed to do?"
Zhou Xu thought to herself, given her identity and the cunning Old Cabbage Stalk, even if she had ulterior motives, she couldn't reveal them; she still had to help the Zhou Family.
If only she could get him onto the Prince of Jin's ship.
She was happy whenever the Zhou Family was in trouble, for no other reason than that.
However, she has the patience to take things slowly.
Wu Zhenhai was clearly also facing a dilemma.
Zhou Xu said, "I don't care, I just want to see my aunt. You better think of a way, or else I'll sleep with one of the guards in the Prince's mansion!"
Wu Zhenhai slapped her face, "Have you no shame!"
"Having any sense of shame won't save my aunt!"
"You think this trick will work on everyone? You're only fooling me," Wu Zhenhai roared. "Behave yourself, or I'll come up with a plan!"
After a long pause, he spoke up, "Here's what you'll do. Go tell Prince of Jin that Zhang Qian always wants the Governor-General and the Prince to go against each other."
"Zhang Qian? Isn't that your mortal enemy?"
That bastard, even now, still wants to take the opportunity to eliminate his rivals.
"Yes, but he really isn't a good person," Wu Zhenhai said. "I'll tell you a few things, and you should tell the Prince everything. The Prince will appreciate your help..."