Madam Lu rubbed her swollen belly and let out a long sigh. It had been a while since she had such a full meal. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

For the past six months, her life had truly been a rollercoaster, experiencing both the best and the worst moments, just like now.

Thinking of Zhou Xuennian and her eldest son still waiting in prison for rescue made her heart clench like a tangled ball of yarn.

It’s said that when men have money, they turn bad; Zhou Xuennian was no exception. That man, long ago, had taken a vixen as a mistress in Huaan behind her back, creating trouble both at home and outside.

She had warned Zhou Xuennian, that man, long ago that he’d eventually be ruined by women. And what happened? He was harmed because of that little slut, and when trouble arose, that wicked woman ran off with the family’s valuables.

In order to save that man, things had been sold and pawned, yet she still hadn’t managed to get him out.

It was Zhou Xuennian who advised her to seek out Madam Zhou for Wu Lihong, leading her and the two children on this bumpy road where they almost lost their lives before arriving in Changan.

"Mother, something’s not quite right. Doesn’t Aunt know we’re here? She’s not coming to see us." Zhou Xiuer said after peering out the door for a while before returning to sit beside Madam Lu.

Madam Lu pursed her lips and said, "It’s nothing strange. Being a concubine, how many are truly free? They’re not Madams with the liberty to move around."

Zhou Xiuer wanted to say more.

Madam Wang came over again, and the two quickly stood up.

"I’m really sorry, something just came up. Did the meal suit your taste?" Madam Wang glanced at the pile of bones on the table and couldn’t help but smile.

"The Madam is considerate. The meal was excellent." Madam Lu smiled and asked, "By the way, Madam, could we possibly see my little sister-in-law?"

Madam Wang sighed and sat down nearby.

Madam Lu’s heart skipped a beat, sensing something ominous.

"Let’s sit and talk." Madam Wang pointed to a chair nearby and said, "I won’t hide the truth from you, Eldest Sister-in-law Zhou. Actually, Sister Zhou isn’t residing with us."

"What?" Madam Lu exclaimed sharply. "How could this be? I heard from my husband that Lord Wu agreed to bring her and her daughter back to the Wu family. What’s going on here?"

Without Madam Zhou at the Wu family, who would she turn to for help?

"Eldest Sister-in-law Zhou, don’t worry, listen to me explain slowly." Madam Wang sighed deliberately and said, "It’s not that we don’t want to bring them back. Both my husband and I want them back, but there was a misunderstanding; they didn’t want to be part of the Wu family."

Madam Lu and Zhou Xiuer exchanged glances.

Zhou Xiuer asked, "Then where is my aunt now?"

"She was in Changan earlier, and I heard recently that the girl called Wufu went somewhere else. I don’t know if her mother went along," Madam Wang said. "You are Sister Zhou’s family, and Wufu also carries the Wu family’s blood. In a way, we’re also relatives, so it’s only right to host you."

Zhou Xiuer frowned lightly.

"How about this, since you’ve come from afar and must be tired, you should rest first. I’ll send someone to find out if Sister Zhou is still in the city. If she is, I’ll let her know you’re here so she can come to meet you?" Madam Wang suggested with a smile.

"Wouldn’t that be too much trouble for Madam?" Zhou Xiuer asked cautiously, thinking it strange for a Madam to be so warm and accommodating to the family of a concubine.

"No trouble at all, no trouble at all. I just hope you can speak well of us and resolve any misunderstandings soon!" Madam Wang pretended to laugh heartily.