The Zhou Family was bustling with activity early the next morning.
Zhou Xu came out very late, as usual.
--It doesn't matter whether she's there or not.
No, in the past, she was always the one who complemented Zhou Fu, so she had to go out with Zhou Fu.
However, this time, Zhou Fu had not yet recovered from the "great damage" of being scolded, and did not contact her for the time being.
Madam Zhou's courtyard was crowded with people.
Zhou Xu simply stood outside the courtyard with the maids and servants from various households, pretending to look up at the leaves, but actually plotting her own affairs.
After a while, the maid asked the young ladies to make way, saying that the young masters of each family were coming to offer their birthday wishes to the lady.
After all, Madam Wang was nearly fifty years old, and Zhou Yushan was Governor-General Zhou's most capable son, so Madam Wang was very respectable and could earn the respect of these younger men.
The young wives and girls from each household came out of their houses and went to the rooms next to the main house to take refuge temporarily.
"This way, everyone." Zhou Fu Fuyan led the group out with a smile, her demeanor both poised and elegant.
Who wouldn't praise her extraordinary elegance upon seeing her?
Zhou Xu sneered.
Zhou Fu happened to catch her sarcastic sneer, and his expression changed slightly.
However, she couldn't afford to lose her temper in front of so many guests.
"Eighth Sister, why don't you step aside too?" She pretended to be magnanimous and took Zhou Xu's arm.
Zhou Xu shook her off.
Zhou Fu took two steps back with an exaggerated movement, exclaimed in surprise, and said with great grievance, "Eighth Sister, you... you should probably avoid this area."
Zhou Xu said with undisguised disdain, "I can watch openly and honestly if I want to, unlike some people who are hypocritical in front of others and behind their backs!"
Zhou Fu was so angry she almost cried.
A woman beside her stepped forward to advise her, "Ninth Miss, don't be angry. It's important to avoid suspicion; it wouldn't be good if you were bumped into by the young men coming in from outside."
This one looks unfamiliar.
Zhou Xu squinted and sized up the woman.
The woman was about the same age as her, with an oval face, fair skin, and delicate features; she was a beauty.
I've never seen her flatter Zhou Fu before.
Zhou Fu was a "heartthrob," and she was never short of girls from various families who fawned over her.
Who wouldn't want to please her?
However, Zhou Fu was arrogant and didn't have many people who were "granted" permission to stay by her side, but Zhou Xu knew them all.
This one looks unfamiliar.
Just then, Zhou Fu said, "Eighth Sister, hurry up and leave, otherwise Grandmother will be angry and punish you."
Zhou Xu overheard the people around her praising Zhou Fu for being sensible and their disdain for her.
It's the same familiar recipe, the same familiar taste.
Zhou Xu scoffed and went into the room next door, standing in the doorway, brazenly waiting to "peek."
Zhou Fu led everyone into the house.
As they passed by Zhou Xu, they instinctively stepped aside to avoid her, as if she were shunning a plague.
Zhou Xu remained expressionless.
Soon, the maid led a group of young noblemen into the courtyard.
The unmarried girls inside were both shy and expectant—who wouldn't want to see?
But with the rules and regulations in place, no one dared to look openly and honestly.
Except for Zhou Xu.
Zhou Xu said that they were either ugly, weak, spoiled brats, or bookworms... she couldn't find a single one who was even remotely decent.
If Old Cabbage Stalk were among them, it would probably stand out like a crane among chickens.
"Wu Shao, hurry up!"
Upon hearing the sound, she instinctively looked in the direction of the sound.
Then a young man in green was seen waving at the people at the door.
That must be Wu Shao.
Wu Shao looked to be about sixteen or seventeen years old, with a thin build. He was wearing a lake-blue robe that looked like it was stolen from an adult and he couldn't quite fill it out.
The key thing was that his eyes were lifeless and his brows were furrowed, as if he had something on his mind.
Zhou Xu: I was wrong!
She had previously jokingly thought that she could follow Wu Shao.
Now it seems like we wouldn't even take it for free.
Of Wu Zhenhai's three children, she had met two of them, and both were complicated matters.
Either he's cowardly or unsociable; as for the remaining junior, we suggest Wu Zhenhai quickly resign and go home to try and save him.
Otherwise, no matter how much he schemes and plots, a hundred years from now, when he thinks of these wretched children, he probably won't be able to close his eyes in peace.
Wow, she's so kind.
Wu Shao hurried inside, his eyes seemingly glancing in their direction twice.
However, when his gaze fell upon Zhou Xu, his eyes revealed obvious disdain.
Oh my, I actually know her?
Too much fame is definitely not a good thing.
Zhou Xu was sneering when she suddenly felt a strong force push her waist, then she tripped over the threshold and fell uncontrollably.
Wu Shao could have reached out to help her, but instead, he took two steps back in disgust.
Zhou Xu fell to the ground, unable to help but groan.
The women hiding in the room gasped in surprise.
The young noblemen all turned to look.
Zhou Xu blushed.
This kind of shyness after dying in social situations is rare for her.
She thought that after being pierced by a thousand arrows, she was invulnerable.
But things are different now; she has a family.
If word of today's events gets back to the Prince's residence... her sisters-in-law will definitely laugh at her, and Ren Yingying might even make her reenact the whole thing... it seems like it would be quite amusing.
Zhou Xu smiled as she thought about those things.
She slowly stood up, dusted herself off, and said gracefully, "Please excuse my poor appearance."
Everyone was quite surprised.
Those who didn't know her identity whispered among themselves and asked her questions, and then they all looked surprised.
This infatuation doesn't seem as outrageous as the rumors suggest?
Zhou Fu said, "Eighth Sister, come back quickly! It's so impolite to go out like this."
Zhou Xu sneered, and was about to speak when she heard a familiar, crisp voice.
"Sister Xu'er, did you know I was coming? Did you come to welcome me?"
It was Yanran, smiling at her.
Zhou Xu hurriedly stepped forward, "Why are you here? Where is Her Majesty?"
"I came by myself!" Yanran said. "It's just that Jiaojiao was stopped earlier, which delayed me a bit."
Sigh, these people are really ignorant.
Are they allowed to ride horses, but she's not allowed to ride a tiger?
Was it her fault that the commotion at the door was caused?
Blame their horses; they're just as ignorant as they are.
But good times call for no talk of those things.
Zhou Xu pulled her along, saying, "Come on, let's go to my room to talk."
Yanran was taken aback for a moment.
I never expected my aunt to be even more amazing than her!
With so many men and women, including her stepmother, she doesn't care at all?
Wow, Auntie is amazing!
Yanran happily let her hold her hand, and the two of them walked away in full view of everyone.
"Wait!" Zhou Fu spoke up.
Zhou Xu said impatiently, "What's it to you now?"
"Miss Yanran is here to celebrate Mother's birthday. It's not appropriate for you to take her away like this, Eighth Sister," Zhou Fu said, biting her lip.
This is the daughter of the Prince of Jin. How can she build a closer relationship with her?
Yanran tilted her head and looked at her. "Who are you? Who is your mother? I'm looking for Sister Xu'er, what does she have to do with your mother?"