Zhou Fu reacted after learning about what happened yesterday.
She couldn't bear the thought that Zhou Xu was going to marry Wu Zhenhai.
Although Wu Zhenhai was a widower, he was highly regarded by his grandfather, and his backyard was very clean.
Zhou Xu is completely unworthy!
Zhou Fu felt that she wasn't married yet, so how could Zhou Xu, who was just an accessory, marry a wealthy man?
So she threw a tantrum and had Zhou Xu locked up in the woodshed.
The charge was to ruin the Zhou Family's reputation, but in reality, there was no charge at all.
It's enough that she's unhappy.
So Zhou Xu is still locked in the woodshed.
Amidst the gasps of the crowd, Ren Yingying kicked open the door to the woodshed.
This is where the advantage of having no men in the backyard becomes apparent.
Those maids and servants were all pampered and spoiled; none of them could rival Ren Yingying.
The door opened, Zhou Xu, unaccustomed to the sudden burst of bright light, instinctively raised her hand to shield her eyes.
She lay on the ground in a pile of grass, looking disheveled.
"Your Majesty!" She saw Tang Zhuyun and struggled to sit up.
When Tang Zhuyun saw the injuries on her face and neck, her already flaring anger flared up even more intensely.
She glared at Old Madam Zhou and sneered, "So the Zhou Family rules are this strict, resorting to locking their granddaughter in the woodshed and beating her at the drop of a hat. Today, I, the princess, have truly seen something new."
Old Madam Zhou was caught completely off guard.
Firstly, she genuinely didn't know about Zhou Xu's use of torture—it had happened before, but she turned a blind eye; this time, she truly didn't know.
Secondly, she found it hard to understand why Tang Zhuyun would stand up for Zhou Xu.
When did Zhou Xu manage to win over the princess?
Or was Tang Zhuyun not standing up for Zhou Xu, but simply trying to find fault with the Zhou Family?
She hurriedly said, "It's a misunderstanding, there must be some misunderstanding. It must be that Xu'er did something wrong..."
"So that means this is how the Zhou Family treats its girls?"
Old Madam Zhou was speechless.
Ren Yingying helped Zhou Xu up, then suddenly said, "She has a fever!"
Tang Zhuyun raised her hand to touch her, but Zhou Xu dodged, saying, "Your Majesty, please don't pass on your illness. I'm fine, I'm alright, I'm really fine."
She was unwilling to show her vulnerable side.
Tang Zhuyun touched the hand that was blocking her, and it was indeed burning hot.
"Madam," she said with a sneer, "I've certainly seen something new today. It turns out that the fate of a concubine's daughter doesn't count as fate."
Zhou Xu suddenly said, "Your Majesty, it was Wu Zhenhai who asked you to save me, wasn't it? I'm fine, tell him not to worry..."
Tang Zhuyun was surprised.
She mentioned Wu Zhenhai?
Tang Zhuyun quickly realized that Zhou Xu was deliberately setting a trap for Wu Zhenhai in front of the Zhou Family, making it seem as if Wu Zhenhai was close to the Prince of Jin.
How can one expect the Princess Consort to intervene without being close to her?
The Princess Consort must have received instructions from the Prince!
Tang Zhuyun felt both admiration and heartache.
When will this child finally have some peace and quiet?
She was always on edge, constantly calculating and trying to gain leverage for herself.
How could Tang Zhuyun bear to let her down?
So without hesitation, she pushed Wu Zhenhai to the bottom of the pit—he deserved it for daring to touch their daughter!
"Yes, Wu Zhenhai pleaded with the Prince, saying he heard you've been having a hard time at the Zhou Family, and after yesterday's incident, he's afraid you'll be punished, so he sent me to check on you."
Old Madam Zhou, "It's not that they're always bad; they're all daughters of the Zhou Family, how could there be favoritism? This matter must be a misunderstanding. I will definitely investigate it thoroughly..."
"Given her current physical condition," Tang Zhuyun said coldly, "Once the investigation is complete, she can be buried immediately."
Old Madam Zhou was speechless.
She glared fiercely at Lady Wang.
As the legal mother, Lady Wang certainly can't escape blame!
And Zhou Fu, don't think she won't know just because she's keeping her head down.
It's one thing for this mother and daughter to go too far in the past, but now that they clearly know Zhou Xu has already been betrothed to Wu Zhenhai, they still dare to act like this.
Wu Zhenhai acted so responsibly yesterday— Zhou Xu's injuries were clearly inflicted by bandits, yet Wu Zhenhai accepted them, much to the satisfaction of Governor-General Zhou.
And now these two idiots have done something like this.
Isn't this making Wu Zhenhai lose face?
Especially now, having been caught red-handed in front of the princess, the Zhou Family has lost all face.
If word gets out that the Zhou Family is being harsh on their illegitimate daughter, how will they ever be able to face anyone again!
Old Madam Zhou said with a forced smile, "I'll have someone fetch a doctor right away."
"I'm here, there's no need for a doctor," Tang Zhuyun said coldly. "Since Your Highness has come to the Northwest to govern it on behalf of the Emperor, then I think it's my place to address the injustices suffered by the women in the inner court!"
Xiu'er couldn't hold back any longer. "Your Majesty, you are the most powerful in the Northwest! You have the final say! Please help Zhou Xu! If you don't step forward, she'll die in this woodshed today!"
The Zhou Family family members: Shameless! When did the Emperor ever say that the Prince of Jin would be in charge of the Northwest?
The Prince of Jin was clearly not well-liked; he had been "exiled" here.
But who dares to challenge Tang Zhuyun?
Tang Zhuyun asked Zhou Xu, "Who hit you?"
"She," Zhou Xu pointed at Zhou Fu without hesitation, "Slapped me twice."
"Is that so?" Tang Zhuyun didn't ask any more questions. Suddenly, she walked up to Zhou Fu and slapped her four times.
Everyone was stunned.
No one expected that Tang Zhuyun would take action without asking any questions.
Xiu'er rolled up her sleeves. "Your Highness, be careful not to hurt your hands, let me do it."
Ren Yingying: "You two pregnant women, move aside, I'll do it!"
She's never slapped anyone before!
Has she finally had her fill of playing the villainous supporting character?
Qu Nian: That Poisonous Woman Ren is up to her old tricks again.
Zhou Fu realized what was happening and knelt down, weeping, "Your Highness, you can't just listen to Eighth Sister's side of the story. This matter..."
"Did I tell you to speak?" Ren Yingying slapped her.
Zhou Fu's face was knocked to the side.
Xiu'er said, "Does the Princess Consort need a reason to hit you? If there is a reason, correct it; if not, keep it up. Shut up!"
Ren Yingying: "As expected of Xiu'er, insightful! Do I need to pick a day to hit you? What's wrong with me not liking you today?"
Qu Nian felt that these two were like two lackeys who relied on their master's power.
Tang Zhuyun said, "Alright, the old lady is still here! Leave the matter of disciplining the children and grandchildren to the old lady. As for me, I'll just take care of the sick. Old lady, I'll take Zhou Xu away for two days first. You can also clean up the house and return her to you in a few days, intact."
Could Old Madam Zhou say no?
They've already said it themselves; she's a princess, she can be hit whenever she wants, without needing a reason.
That makes perfect sense!
Having completely broken off relations, she really couldn't do anything about Tang Zhuyun.
Most importantly, it's not worth speaking up for Zhou Xu.
If you want to take it, then take it.
"Yingying, help support Zhou Xu," Tang Zhuyun said through gritted teeth.
Zhou Xu gritted her teeth and said, "Your Majesty, I'm fine. I can walk by myself."
She knew that even if Tang Zhuyun hadn't come, she wouldn't have died; but she would never forget Tang Zhuyun's kindness in saving her from this predicament.