Only then did everyone realize they had forgotten the most important matter.
“Forget it. Since she said she would come, she likely won’t go back on her word. It wouldn’t be appropriate to ask Imperial Physician Zang about it now.”
After speaking, Zhou Zhili sighed again.
He glanced at Wen Zimei but ultimately said nothing.
“It seems Mother-in-law should be fine now, so I’ll take my leave.”
Wen Zimei truly felt uncomfortable staying here. Over the years, she had grown accustomed to living a secluded life.
“Sister-in-law, if Mother-in-law wakes up, I will definitely tell her you came.”
Ye Lanxin offered no attempt to persuade her to stay and spoke directly.
“It doesn’t matter. Mother-in-law wouldn’t care anyway…”
With that, Wen Zimei ignored Zhou Zhili’s displeased expression and left directly.
“Why is Aunt still like this…” Zhou Yu muttered.
He had been spoiled by Laofuren and was the least disciplined among them.
“At least she came, didn’t she?” Ye Lanxin’s tone sounded somewhat helpless, yet it made the Zhou Family view Wen Zimei even more unfavorably.
Not long after, Laofuren woke up.
“Mother-in-law, you’re finally awake. The Marquis was mocked in the palace and rushed back upon hearing you were critically ill. Fortunately, he brought Imperial Physician Zang with him.”
Ye Lanxin got straight to the point without any preamble.
“Yuxiu immediately requested leave from the Chengfang Junying. Even though Imperial Physician Zang said you were fine, he refused to return to duty and insisted on seeing you wake up. Yuzhi practically begged Imperial Physician Zang on his knees to teach him how to perform emergency acupuncture. Yuqi was quite upset because Sister-in-law left first… These children, you truly haven’t doted on them in vain…”
Her exaggerated account made the four men of the Zhou Family feel their sincerity had been acknowledged.
Laofuren seized the key point: “Has the eldest daughter-in-law been here?”
“Yes, Sister-in-law only left after hearing you were fine. It still counts as a gesture of goodwill. There’s no need for you to be upset, Mother-in-law.”
After Ye Lanxin finished speaking, Laofuren indeed sighed.
“It all stems from what happened back then. She’s held a grudge ever since. Enough of that. Zhili, what exactly happened in the palace?”
Zhou Zhili was somewhat worried that telling the truth might cause Laofuren to faint again.
At that moment, Zhou Qinzhu, who had earlier failed in her attempt to take her own life, stepped forward, her eyes red, and said, “Grandmother, it’s all Qinzhu and Mother’s fault that Sister refuses to return and has even acknowledged the Duke of Shou and his wife as her parents. I heard she’s already been entered into the Gu family’s registry, and to spite Father, she even said some harsh words in front of the Emperor… Father has truly suffered.”
Fearing Laofuren might become agitated, Zhou Zhili quickly explained, “Mother, it was Lady Ye who did this…”
Laofuren finally sighed. “I originally thought that, regarding what happened back then, we owed Lady Ye to some extent. She left so resolutely, and over the years, I’ve often thought of her, hoping she would one day come to understand. After all, when Qingran grows up and it’s time to discuss marriage, without a proper background, she won’t find a good match. Now it seems I was being overly sentimental. What status does the Guo Gong mansion hold? It’s far above our Houfu.”
Zhou Yuxiu looked disdainful and remarked, “What does acknowledging the Guo Gong family matter? No one is a fool; everyone knows her true identity. Do you really think they’ll treat her as the legitimate daughter of the Guo Gong mansion? She’ll likely become a laughingstock among the noble families.”
Ye Lanxin spoke again, “Yuzhi, after all, she is your own sister. She has suffered a lot over the years.”
Zhou Yuzhi responded, “I actually think Eldest Brother is right. She was the one who insisted on clinging to the Guo Gong’s estate, competing and striving for superiority, and being disobedient and unfilial. With such character, what difference does it make even with the status of being an adopted daughter of Shouguo Gongfu?”
“Exactly. If she runs into trouble in the future and wants to come back, we won’t acknowledge her. I only have Qinzhu as my sister.”
Zhou Yuqi’s words made Ye Lanxin and her daughter even more pleased with themselves.
“Third Brother, perhaps I should personally go and invite my sister back. As long as the family can be reunited, I’m willing to apologize to her. All the love Father and my brothers have given me over the years should have been hers…”
Zhou Qinzhu began her performance at just the right moment.
Zhou Yuqi immediately said, “She doesn’t deserve it. Even if she had stayed back then, she still couldn’t compare to you. She has been corrupted by Lady Ye and doesn’t know gratitude.”
Zhou Qinzhu was satisfied with his attitude, though her face was filled with regret.
“Sigh, without Father, there would be no sister. How can she not understand this…”
“Now she has changed her surname to Gu Ruanci, determined to cut ties with our Jing’an Houfu. Shouguo Gongfu even plans to hold some Renqin Yan for her on the same day as Qinzhu’s Ji-ji ceremony. What use do I have for such an unfilial daughter? Do I want to shorten my own life?” Zhou Zhili’s words made Ye Lanxin somewhat worried.
“Renqin Yan? And on the same day as Qinzhu’s Ji-ji ceremony?”
Zhou Yuzhi’s tone was particularly sarcastic as he said, “She really goes to all lengths to get our attention, but it’s just so low-class. I’d like to see what tricks she can pull off with the status of being an adopted daughter of Shouguo Gongfu.”
The news of the Gu family’s Renqin Yan quickly spread throughout Dizhou Cheng. Information among the nobility and high officials always travels fast.
Regarding Gu Ruanci’s background, the Gu family made no effort to conceal it, making their intentions toward Jing’an Houfu even more apparent.
Due to the incident involving Ye Hesheng, the two households had never been on good terms over the years, and now the conflict was brought out into the open. Many who prioritized interests felt that Shouguo Gongfu’s actions were unnecessary, while those who valued emotions were deeply moved.
Just as everyone was watching and waiting, a significant piece of news emerged from Imperial Physician Zang: the Little Medical Immortal, who had just descended from the mountain, would present Jing’an Houfu with a grand gift on the day of Zhou Qinzhu’s Ji-ji ceremony.
“Not only can the Little Medical Immortal come to treat Mother’s illness this time, but she can also give Qinzhu some face. She truly is a benefactor to our Jing’an Houfu.”
This news made Zhou Zhili even more expectant. By then, Jing’an Houfu would have three reasons to celebrate.
Zhou Yuzhi even cautiously shared his thoughts with Zhou Zhili.
“You want to give up on Imperial Physician Zang and become a disciple of the Little Medical Immortal?”
Zhou Yuzhi nodded. “Father, since there is a better option, with my talent and the goodwill the Little Medical Immortal currently holds toward Jing’an Houfu, it shouldn’t be too difficult…”
“Naturally…” Zhou Zhili did not deny it at all. “However, you must also consider Imperial Physician Zang’s feelings. After all, your grandmother’s health has relied on his care all these years…”
“Don’t worry, Father. I understand these matters…”
Just as they were envisioning how to turn the situation around through the Little Medical Immortal, a servant entered.
“What is it?” Zhou Zhili asked sternly.
“Lord Hou, I have learned that Lady Ye’s daughter went to Xuandi Guan today.”