Doted By The Regent King-Chapter 685 - 684: Don’t Want to Go Against Her Wishes

Zhou Xueli had a full meal, burped contently, and looked somewhat sheepishly at the gentle-faced woman opposite him.

"Sister, I’ve made a fool of myself." Zhou Xueli said awkwardly.

Madam Zhou spoke kindly, "As long as it suited your taste, that’s good."

The maids cleared away the food and served tea, then they tactfully withdrew, leaving an air of silence.

"Sister, you’ve really changed a lot, this grandeur, it’s almost beyond my recognition!" Zhou Xueli broke the silence.

Madam Zhou glanced at her own hand, aware of her significant transformation. Not to mention anything else, just her hands—they no longer did rough work and were nourished with fine fragrant cream, vastly fairer and tenderer than before.

Moreover, her complexion was better, and the supplements she regularly consumed certainly weren’t wasted—she was indeed well cared for.

"All thanks to Wufu’s blessings," said Madam Zhou. "These good days for us mother and daughter are all her doing."

As if afraid that Zhou Xueli might misunderstand, she added, "Don’t think that she isn’t here today because she’s avoiding you on purpose. The truth is, she’s currently busy carving a jade ornament for someone and can’t afford the delay, that’s why she didn’t come."

Zhou Xueli hastened to say, "It’s fine if she’s busy with her work."

Madam Zhou let out a sigh and asked, "Is everything well at home? Your wife is close to delivery, isn’t she? How is mother doing?"

Zhou Xueli shook his head, "How could mother be doing well?"

Madam Zhou remained silent.

"Since the end of last year, her health hasn’t been great, and after the mishap with my elder brother, she fell ill again. To this day, she hasn’t fully recovered. Mother is worried sick."

Zhou Xueli noted her silence and said, "Sister, I’m not blaming you. It’s not because of you that mother fell ill. It’s all because she’s upset with my elder brother and the others for not being dependable, for not listening to her—I know it’s her heartache, her sorrow."

Madam Zhou remained quiet, merely running her fingertip around the edge of the teacup, her gaze fixed on it.

Seeing this, Zhou Xueli started to feel a bit panicked.

"Sister, regarding what happened with elder brother, I also know how mother agreed to it, so she’s too ashamed to come and won’t let me visit either. It’s just... I’m a father myself now. I can’t bear to see those kids of elder brother without a proper home."

Only then did Madam Zhou look up at him and say, "Xueli, you should know that their situation is not for me to manage. When they can be released—it’s all up to Wufu. I allowed you to come today because we still have that fraternal bond. In those years past, apart from father, it was only you who treated my daughter and me fairly and even helped us. So that affection, sister remembers."

Zhou Xueli’s heart quivered, "Sister..."

"Not long ago, I sent our maid named Purple Jade with some silver for mother, which she refused. Do you know what she said?" Madam Zhou asked again.

Zhou Xueli remained silent, lowering his gaze.

"It seems you know as well." Madam Zhou gave a bitter smile, "I just can’t understand why she hates our mother and daughter so much. What exactly did we do wrong? Both in the past and now."

"Younger Brother Li, in this Old Zhou family, you’re probably the only relative I can recognize," Madam Zhou wiped the corner of her eye with a handkerchief and then smiled, "I’m delighted you came to see me; let’s not talk about their issues. Because Wufu is the one deciding on the matter, I don’t want to go against her wishes. But rest assured, in a few days, when the seals are opened and the case is reviewed, they will be released."

"Sister!"

"Younger Brother Li, it wasn’t easy for you to come here. Stay the night and leave tomorrow. I’ll have someone prepare a room," Madam Zhou stood up, her gaze deepening, "Younger Brother Li, let’s just treasure our sibling affection, alright?"

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