But in the end, Zhou Xu decided to go back.
She said, "I'm not up to the task, and I won't force myself. But I still feel that I can help."
Tang Zhuyun sighed.
This child is so proud, stubborn, and sensible that it breaks your heart—no, it breaks your soul.
"Your Majesty," Zhou Xu said, her eyes filled with tears, yet her smile remained firm, "I will prioritize myself. I am no longer a piece of tile, but porcelain; I will not fight them to the death."
Her good fortune is yet to come.
But she was unwilling to give up; she didn't want to leave without causing trouble for the Zhou Family.
She was also apprehensive; her brother and sister-in-law treated her well, and she wanted to do her part to help them.
Whether she could achieve it or not, she tried her best, which reduces her regrets.
"As for what you said about face-changing and rebirth," Zhou Xu said with a smile, "I'm very interested. Let's wait and see. If the opportunity arises, I'll definitely ask you to arrange it again."
Tang Zhuyun knew she couldn't persuade her anymore; this girl was too stubborn.
She thought that if Yingying left later, she could simply have someone send Zhou Xu there.
"I didn't complete this task," Tang Zhuyun joked. "What am I going to do if the prince gives me the cold shoulder tonight?"
"Your Highness is joking," Zhou Xu said, having finally made her decision after a difficult struggle. She felt relieved and at peace, and her voice became lighter. "The Prince couldn't be better to you."
"What's good about it?"
"I have never seen any man remove fish bones for a woman," Zhou Xu said.
Old Cabbage Stalk would occasionally be kind to her, but she would be eternally grateful for even a bowl of noodles made by him.
But when it comes to eating fish, she's always the one who picks out the bones for him.
--In the brief moments spent in bed and around the bed, Wu Zhenhai might allow her to indulge herself, but at other times, he was the boss.
It is important to know that Wu Zhenhai came from a poor family, while Prince of Jin, even before becoming a prince, was the master of the Xiao Family.
Their social status and position are incomparable.
That noble man took care of his wife with meticulous care, seemingly with inexhaustible patience.
He was not only good to Tang Zhuyun, but also very tolerant of her maids... Zhou Xu didn't know how much love that required.
She will never have it in this lifetime.
But she was very happy because she loved the Princess Consort, and she felt that only such love was worthy of the Princess Consort's kindness and thoughtfulness.
"Then next time you come, have him remove the fish bones for you. That's settled then."
"I dare not," Zhou Xu said. "I'm afraid that once I swallow the fish, it will rebel, and I won't be able to handle it."
They've even started joking around.
Tang Zhuyun said, "I'm only agreeing to let you go back temporarily. If the prince doesn't agree and insists on taking you out, don't say I didn't help you."
Zhou Xu smiled and said, "I believe you."
Oh dear, they're even flattering her now.
This is a very good sign.
Intimacy always develops gradually.
"Then I have no choice but to endure this humiliation." Tang Zhuyun's serious expression amused Zhou Xu.
She wanted to say something, but felt that all words would be inadequate.
This is the best princess, and also the best sister-in-law.
"Can you tell me what you plan to do after you go back?" Tang Zhuyun chatted with her like a friend.
"The Zhou Family has already agreed to Wu Zhenhai's marriage proposal. Even if I'm not well-received, the Zhou Family still has their pride."
When Zhou Xu spoke of these things, her eyes held a mixture of understanding and disdain.
--It was the aura of a queen arriving.
Tang Zhuyun: I love it!
What kind of peculiar breed are the Prince of Jin and his sister?
This eccentricity is, absolutely, a compliment.
Many children grow up in harsh environments and become sensitive and timid—in fact, Concubine Yu's situation was typical of that kind of environment. But these two siblings became stronger with each setback and blossomed into extraordinary talents amidst hardship.
Perhaps it's because these two people inherited the rebellious spirit that was completely suppressed by servility from the former Concubine Yu, and now resides within the old lady?
In short, Tang Zhuyun both felt sorry for and loved the brother and sister.
Zhou Xu continued, "Our wedding should be set for next year. Before that, I need to at least make Lady Wang and Zhou Fu look bad before I can feel satisfied."
Furthermore, she wanted to help bring down the Zhou Family and also wanted to continue using Old Cabbage Stalk.
However, saying these things would seem like bragging, so she didn't mention them.
"Let me think about it," Tang Zhuyun said. "If you were at the Zhou Family and something like what happened yesterday, where you were locked in the woodshed, happened again, I wouldn't feel at ease."
We need to select a few capable people, preferably maids who can accompany us.
But where can we find one right now?
Zhou Xu said, "Don't worry about that, I have capable people around me."
Without a suitable maidservant to cover for her, could she freely go out at night?
And she can even move the guards... This is something we can't mention.
Old Cabbage Stalk, considering that the two of them had just been caught red-handed by the Prince of Jin, could not say anything.
Zhou Xu still blushes when she thinks about this.
At the time, she didn't care at all, and even thought that Old Cabbage Stalk might have to go to Prince of Jin because of this, which made her very happy.
But now, thinking about it again, I feel utterly ashamed to face the Prince of Jin.
"I believe you have capable people around you, but if it's about delivering a message to the Prince's mansion, how many people would dare? Your personal maid doesn't count."
If Zhou Xu is subdued, they will also be closely guarded.
Zhou Xu fell silent.
It wasn't because there was no one else, but because they realized they still had to rely on Wu Zhenhai.
"Wu Zhenhai... he will find out," Zhou Xu said with difficulty.
Tang Zhuyun felt terribly sorry for her, but she had to pretend to be nonchalant. "If you two are mutually in love..."
"No," Zhou Xu said immediately, "It was just mutual exploitation."
"Then forget it," Tang Zhuyun said. "Although I don't object to love between men and women, I don't want you to be forced."
Zhou Xu: "Your Majesty..."
She actually said she doesn't object to romantic relationships between men and women? This is...?
"When I took your pulse, I discovered you had an abortion," Tang Zhuyun said. "And the medication was very strong. Do you know that this could potentially affect you in the future?"
There were some things she, as the sister-in-law, had to say.
A look of pain crossed Zhou Xu's face, then she nodded. "I know."
"There was nothing we could do before, but from now on, we must take good care of ourselves."
Tang Zhuyun got up, found a box of medicine, and handed it to her. "I've written down how to take it. Go back and take it as I wrote. It'll prevent pregnancy."
Zhou Xu blushed with embarrassment, and even her fingertips turned red when she took the medicine.
"Your relationship with Wu Zhenhai is probably unclear even to yourself right now, so I won't offer any advice. Think it over carefully; protecting yourself is the most important thing."
No, she knew perfectly well that they were just using each other.
Zhou Xu felt that she had remained perfectly clear-headed throughout.
It's said that women have special feelings for the men who have slept with them, but she didn't.
"Let you rest for a few days first, then go back home for a few days, and then I'll find an excuse to pick you up again. You can stay in both places!"