Upon hearing that she was about to be thrown out, Madam Lu panicked. If they were indeed evicted, then not only would rescuing others be impossible, but survival for herself would also be questionable!

"Aunt, aunt, don’t be angry. Mother spoke nonsense out of momentary confusion. She truly didn’t intend to curse anyone." Zhou Xiuer kneeled forward, grabbing Madam Zhou’s arms, and pleaded through tears, "If you send us out, in this unfamiliar place and such cold weather, we’ll surely perish outside!"

Madam Zhou, feeling her arm being shaken and catching a whiff of a light fragrance, inadvertently took a deep breath and said, "Stop shaking. Whether your mother meant it or not, she knows well herself." Then she glanced at Madam Lu and said, "You’ve been married into the Zhou family for so many years; has your temperament changed?"

"I won’t speak of the past, but clearly, you came to ask for help, yet is this the attitude to have in doing so? I said I couldn’t help, and you maliciously curse my child, claiming retribution? How have I deserved retribution? I’ve never done anything against heaven and reason, never cheated in exams, never fought over any attendants, and I never behaved like that brute Dajun..."

Madam Zhou, extremely angry, took a deep breath and gritted her teeth, "In a word, I, Zhou Meiniang, owe you nothing!"

Madam Lu moved a few steps forward on her knees, slapping her own face alternately, "Meiniang, I was wrong. I spoke out of turn and my judgment was clouded by pig’s oil. I didn’t mean it, didn’t intend to curse you and your child; I was just driven mad by urgency. Please, have a large heart and forgive me this once."

"I’m neither frightening you nor anything else, but they are incorrigible, repeatedly making the same mistakes, not worth my help. Their nature is set, and there won’t be a time for remorse. If saved this time, should they repeat their mistakes, might they drag you into the mire too?"

Purple Jade, standing aside, glanced at Madam Zhou upon hearing this.

It’s rare for madam to be clear-headed for once!

Madam Lu stammered, "Then, do we just watch them in prison, helpless and unrescued?"

Madam Zhou fell silent, saying nothing.

"Acting and regretting, or not acting and regretting even more, they are no less than closest kin; how can I bear it?" Madam Lu collapsed to the ground, wailing.

Purple Jade watched coldly.

"Take them away and find a guest room to settle them for now." Madam Zhou felt a headache coming on.

Purple Jade ordered someone to lead them away and then summoned Nanny Shen, quietly instructing, "Nanny, they came from the Wu Family, so carefully check everything they brought over, to avoid letting any troublesome things come in."

Nanny Shen, being skilled in medicinal cuisine and knowledgeable about certain medicinal principles, was indeed a suitable choice.

Following Purple Jade’s words, Nanny Shen nodded.

Returning to Madam Zhou’s side, noticing her gently stroking her belly, she stood by quietly.

"Purple Jade, how do you think this should be handled?" Madam Zhou, full of worry, asked, "Now that I know, I can’t pretend I don’t know, even if I wanted to."

Purple Jade replied, "Madam, you were right about one thing just now. It’s really hard to say whether people are really well even after all this time."

Madam Zhou sighed but stopped short before speaking.

"If madam trusts me, may I handle this matter? I will have someone investigate first?" said Purple Jade.

Madam Zhou nodded, "That’s fine as well. Let’s see how things develop first, and plan when Wufu returns. Their fate will depend on their own fortune."