"You think you're so great?" Wu Zhenhai cursed.
"I've long since lost all sense of shame," Zhou Xu said lazily. "I wouldn't take it even if it were free. So, if I eat your noodles, I'll do you a favor."
"It's about Chanjuan." Wu Zhenhai's voice lowered.
Which Chanjuan? Your lover?
"Bullshit! My daughter!"
"Goddaughter"
"My dear, my own daughter!"
"Oh, so it's Madam Wu."
Wu Zhenhai now enjoys a respectable position, so even though his daughter married into the Che Family, others still address her as Madam Wu, showing respect for her family.
What's wrong with her?
Wu Zhenhai said, "She's been married for over a year, but there's been no news, Che Family is somewhat dissatisfied."
"Dissatisfied? What kind of destitute family is the Che Family? They're dissatisfied because they haven't gotten pregnant in a year?" Zhou Xu said dismissively.
Her appearance pleased Wu Zhenhai.
That's what he thought too!
Unfortunately, his daughter Wu Chanjuan, was not a strong-willed person.
When pushed too far, she'll only bring up her biological father to scare people, even though everyone knows she's soft-hearted and easy to manipulate.
If she were half as tough as Zhou Xu —no, even half as tough— Wu Zhenhai wouldn't have anything to worry about.
"Keep an eye on her for me. I have a feeling she's been wronged," Wu Zhenhai said. "As her father, I can't ask too many questions."
At this point, the disadvantage of having no women in the household became apparent.
If he had married Zhou Xu, who was about the same age as his daughter, perhaps things would have been easier to discuss.
Furthermore, Zhou Xu is a very genuine person; she expresses her grievances on the spot and doesn't resort to underhanded tactics.
He liked her genuine personality.
So after much thought, Wu Zhenhai felt more and more that although marrying Zhou Xu would be troublesome, he could foresee happiness in the future.
These little firecrackers are actually quite useful.
Let her teach her daughter a lesson, and she probably won't suffer mistreatment at her in-laws' house anymore.
Zhou Xu pouted and said, "What a waste. If you were my real father, do you believe I could fly to the heavens?"
Wu Zhenhai: "... You're going to go into business too! Anyway, you just keep an eye on things for me. You have a sharp eye, help me see who's bullying her."
Even if you know who it is, like her mother-in-law or her sister-in-law, what can you do?
"I... I can handle their men!"
"Then go and beat them all up now, Che Family will naturally behave."
Wu Zhenhai: "... She has a bad temper, she'll only worry more. Never mind, let's not talk about it anymore. Anyway, I appreciate you remembering this."
"I understand," Zhou Xu said lazily. "But if it's about infertility, Her Highness the Princess is skilled in this area. Perhaps you could take her to see a doctor?"
Wu Zhenhai was genuinely tempted, but quickly waved his hand and said, "No need yet, I'm not suited to get close to the Prince's Mansion."
Zhou Xu stopped there, closed her eyes, and said, "Alright, time to sleep."
Wu Zhenhai shook his head helplessly, remembering to take away the bowls and chopsticks he had brought.
After he left, Zhou Xu opened her eyes.
If Wu Chanjuan could never get pregnant, that would be great. Wu Zhenhai only has one daughter, and he might have to ask the Princess Consort for help.
Zhou Xu even considered whether she should get close to Wu Chanjuan and do something shady.
No rush, no rush, let's observe and see.
If Wu Chanjuan really can't lift it up, this matter might just crush her.
If he dies, Old Cabbage Stalk won't let himself off the hook.
Therefore, Zhou Xu decided to wait and see.
Wu Zhenhai is quite an oddball; he actually entrusted his daughter's affairs to her.
Why didn't he entrust his eldest son's marriage to her?
Thinking of this, Zhou Xu suddenly laughed.
Wu Zhenhai just said he would help her with her marriage, but why didn't she mention marrying his son?
What a blunder! What a blunder!
It's such a shame to only remember this now.
She was really looking forward to seeing the Old Cabbage Stalk turn into stir-fried cabbage with vinegar.
Before we knew it, the day of the spring outing arrived.
The Prince of Jin arrived with his entire family.
He helped Tang Zhuyun all the way to the female guests, gave her a few more instructions, and then took Linlin to the male guests.
Old Madam Zhou led everyone forward, smiling, "The Prince cherishes the Princess Consort so much; the Princess Consort is truly blessed."
Tang Zhuyun exchanged some insincere pleasantries with her, then subtly glanced at Zhou Xu at the back of the crowd.
She stood next to Zhou Fu, still with exaggerated makeup, and the style and color of her clothes were indescribable, making her look exactly like Sister Pomegranate.
Looking at Zhou Fu again, her makeup was light, she wore a newly made spring dress, and she stood there leaning against a willow branch, smiling gently. She was truly a beautiful sight.
Everyone took their seats.
Old Madam Zhou smiled and said, "Your Majesty looks so good during your pregnancy. You're only five months along, but you look like you're seven or eight months pregnant. Could it be twins?"
Tang Zhuyun said, "I don't know yet, single or twin pregnancies are both fine."
Zhou Xu suddenly interjected, "If it's twins, a boy and a girl, or two daughters, that's fine. But what if we have two identical sons? One will inherit the family business, and the other won't. Wouldn't that cause chaos in the family?"
"How dare you!" Old Madam Zhou roared, "Who gave you the right to interrupt? Get out of here!"
Tang Zhuyun sneered inwardly.
It turns out that Old Madam Zhou had to use Zhou Xu to say the things she couldn't say herself.
Zhou Xu is truly pitiful.
She said calmly, "The key to this question lies in the family's traditions. What does the old lady say?"
Having achieved her goal of disgusting her, Old Madam Zhou smiled and said, "Yes."
Xiu'er sat behind Tang Zhuyun and glanced at Zhou Xu: "We probably can't compare to the Zhou Family's family traditions."
The atmosphere immediately became tense again.
The women from other families didn't dare to speak.
These are people we can't afford to offend.
When gods fight, be careful not to get hurt.
Zhou Fu stepped forward, bowed to Tang Zhuyun and Xiu'er, and said with a smile, "I apologize for the misunderstanding with Your Highness and Madam Song. Eighth Sister is straightforward and meant no harm; I had her apologize."
Zhou Xu said, "You know I'm your older sister, who gives you the right to order me around?"
"Guards!" Old Madam Zhou roared, "Eighth Miss is having a fit of hysteria today. Take her away and calm her down."
Tang Zhuyun sneered inwardly. Stirring up trouble and then pretending to be a peacemaker—who did the Zhou Family think they were fools?
Oh, right. Given her previous reputation, the Zhou Family probably found out about it too.
Hehe, let's give it a try.
Zhou Xu was taken away, and the matter was considered closed.
Yanran whispered to Xiu'er, "Wait, I'll teach them a lesson for daring to bully my mother!"
Xiu'er pouted. "You better behave yourself. All the other young ladies are going on stage to compete in their talents; if you go on stage, you'll only embarrass yourself."
Yanran: "... Where's my Jiaojiao!"
Scare them, see if they get scared!
Xiu'er: "You should at least try to prove yourself."
"My brother's there! Just wait and see, when they're practicing archery over there, my brother will make them look like trash!"
Xiu'er: "You're just saying others are more energetic."
"I'm good at archery on horseback too!" Yanran retorted, "The main problem is I have no opponents!"
She looked proud, as if she Dugu Qiubai.
Her mother was truly prescient in letting her learn riding and archery; now she can proudly say that no girl can rival her.
"Alright, stop bragging," Xiu'er said. "Don't forget our task for today. You go first, I'll go later."
"Don't worry!" Yanran patted the candy in her pouch. "Wait for my good news!"