Yanran pretended to be angry, pouting, and said, "I only let people touch me because they're good to me! Would I let just anyone touch me?"
Concubine Yu glanced at Jiaojiao, still a little scared.
After all, it was a tiger.
But not wanting to disappoint Yanran, she forced a smile and said, "I really want to try..."
Yanran immediately exclaimed triumphantly, "I knew it! Come here, Jiaojiao!"
Concubine Yu cautiously reached out and touched Jiaojiao's bottom, then quickly withdrew her hand.
Yanran said smugly, "From now on, people will say you've touched a tiger's butt, how awesome is that!"
Concubine Yu smiled, and it was clear that she was genuinely happy.
Yanran became even more smug.
Tang Zhuyun: What to do if you have a simple-minded older sister in your family?
Start saving up for your dowry now.
If I don't provide a generous dowry, I'm afraid it will become a burden.
Tang Zhuyun stood up to go to the toilet—her pregnancy was later than Xiu'er 'Xiu'er, but her belly was bigger, so she might really be carrying twins, and she was starting to feel the urge to go to the toilet frequently.
Xiu'er helped her out.
"I just sent someone to deliver a message to Zhou Xu Zhou Xu, telling her to think carefully on her way and how to persuade Concubine Yu when she arrives."
Tang Zhuyun nodded.
"Your Majesty, is something wrong?"
Tang Zhuyun lowered her voice. "Don't you think that Concubine Yu's expression sometimes looks a lot like Yanran's?"
Xiu'er: "Her face is full of wrinkles, I really didn't notice."
"Then take a closer look, I'm afraid I might have misjudged it."
"Oh, okay... Ah!" Xiu'er suddenly realized, "You, you suspect that she is Bai Lu?"
Tang Zhuyun nodded.
"That can't be right." Xiu'er's mind worked quickly. "Didn't the Zhou Family used to be dependent on the Xiao Family? Haven't the old folks in the Zhou Family ever seen Bai Lu?"
Especially Xiao Wu, who loves to show off so much, doesn't that mean her maids also have to appear frequently?
The Zhou Family are lackeys; how could they not constantly flatter Xiao Wu?
Has the Bai Lu hidden itself away?
Tang Zhuyun said, "You're right. But if Bai Lu really does look like Xiao Wu, then Xiao Wu might really hide her away."
That woman wouldn't allow anyone to steal even the slightest bit of her limelight.
"No matter what, if she ends up in the Zhou Family, I think it's too much of a coincidence," Xiu'er muttered.
"Yes, I think so too, so I'm not sure," Tang Zhuyun said. "Let someone find out when Concubine Yu entered the Zhou Family. Later, have Nanny Jing ask Concubine Yu age..."
"Good."
The master and servant returned to their quarters, and Zhou Xu ran in with the maid as soon as they sat down.
Concubine Yu was terrified of this daughter. She shrank back and instinctively pulled at her clothes, trying to cover the scars on her neck.
Zhou Xu had already guessed it on the way; it was probably because her aunt was frightened by her words and didn't want to implicate her.
Zhou Xu felt somewhat annoyed, but even more so, she was furious.
Tang Zhuyun originally thought that the mother and daughter would hug and cry when they met, but unexpectedly Zhou Xu walked over and pulled out a dagger from her sleeve without saying a word.
She pulled out the dagger, shoved it into Concubine Yu's hand, and pressed herself against the blade. "Do it! Don't you want to die? Kill me first, then we'll die together!"
Concubine Yu was so frightened that she burst into tears.
Xiu'er: "... I really should let my mother come and see."
"I'm telling you, if you die, I die!" Zhou Xu said fiercely.
Linlin silently stepped forward to stop her, saying, "You've frightened the old lady. Let's talk this out."
Zhou Xu knew Linlin's identity, so she didn't dare to act rashly.
She put the dagger away, sat down next to Concubine Yu, and gasped for breath.
She was both angry and anxious after that outburst, and she was exhausted.
But she didn't say a word of comfort, not a single one.
Concubine Yu covered her face and wept bitterly.
"If crying worked, I could cry down the Great Wall," Zhou Xu said coldly. "Your tears only work on me. I'm exhausted. I've tried so hard to make our lives better, and what have you been doing?"
"You think that if you die, you won't be a burden to me anymore?"
"But haven't you considered that if you die, what meaning would my life have?"
"In this world, you are the only person who loves me!"
Xiu'er sighed.
Seriously, thank goodness her mother wasn't that upset.
During the most difficult time, it was her mother who held her hand and told her that there is no hurdle that no one can't overcome.
They made it through, and now they have the good life they never dared to dream of.
Tang Zhuyun remained silent.
Some words, though harsh, strike right at the heart.
Only Zhou Xu truly understood Concubine Yu and was able to dissuade her from taking her own life.
Concubine Yu felt much better and promised Zhou Xu that she would not attempt suicide again.
Tang Zhuyun prescribed her some tranquilizers.
After taking her medicine, Concubine Yu finally fell asleep.
Zhou Xu reached out and touched her face, her expression complicated.
She knew perfectly well that death would bring relief.
But she couldn't accept it; the bad guys hadn't been punished yet, and she wasn't willing to give up.
She couldn't bear to part with her aunt, who had never had a single Zidu.
A person's life shouldn't be all suffering.
"Your Majesty," Zhou Xu rose and knelt down, "Thank you for saving my aunt's life."
Tang Zhuyun said, "Get up, let's go outside to talk."
Knowing that Zhou Xu might be the Prince of Prince of Jin's sister, she had mixed feelings.
Even if it's just a possibility, a different kind of emotion wells up inside me, making me feel even more sorry for her.
Zhou Xu volunteered, "Your Majesty, I'll need your help taking care of my aunt these days. I need to figure out a way to turn Wu Zhenhai and the Zhou Family against each other..."
"I'll have someone take care of your aunt," Tang Zhuyun said. "It's just out of sympathy; I don't expect you to give anything in return."
Zhou Xu was taken aback.
Tang Zhuyun added, "The Prince already has his own plans. He might be able to persuade Wu Zhenhai, which might be helpful, or he might not. So he's not necessary."
That's the truth.
Although the Prince of Jin felt that Wu Zhenhai was worth winning over, he was not indispensable.
Moreover, the woman factor was only one aspect of trying to win over Wu Zhenhai.
Even without Zhou Xu, there must be other options.
Unexpectedly, Zhou Xu said, "Then please enlighten me, Your Highness, who else could be of use to the Prince? I can go and give them a try."
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
This girl is too fierce.
It's truly pitiful.
Tang Zhuyun said, "No need. Your aunt and Nanny Jing get along quite well. Nanny Jing pleaded with the Prince, and he agreed to take care of her. So you don't need to do anything now, just take good care of yourself."
Zhou Xu felt that something was not quite right.
However, she knew she had no right to object in front of the Princess.
So after thinking for a moment, she said, "Your Majesty, my strength is weak, but I will do my best in whatever way I can. I will continue to try to reach Wu Zhenhai. I will do what I can."
But what she really thought was that people can't live on pity.
One cannot be ungrateful for kindness shown to one; the grace the princess bestowed was due to her benevolence. However, to ensure this lasting relationship, one must save oneself.
She has to be useful.
She had to eat the Old Cabbage Stalk before she could knock on the door.