Doted By The Regent King
Chapter 294: Pride

Chapter 294: Chapter 294: Pride

On the day the Old Zhou family hosted their guests, Wufu did not follow Madam Zhou to the feast, growing impatient with that family’s facade, especially when one of them had risen high; wouldn’t the whole lot of them become arrogant like fowls and dogs?

Since Wufu was not going, Hongyu followed Madam Zhou instead, bringing along some stationery as a gift.

Zhou Xiuer frowned upon not seeing Wufu and asked Hongyu, "Why hasn’t my cousin come?"

"My young lady is busy with important matters," Hongyu replied indifferently.

Zhou Xiuer snorted, "What important matters could be more urgent than my father becoming a scholar? Truly ungrateful."

How could she show off if she didn’t come?

The corner of Hongyu’s mouth curled coldly, wanting to mimic her young lady and say, "You really do have a big face, don’t you? What you deem important is nothing but disdain in our young lady’s eyes."

But she wouldn’t say such things, simply because the other party had too high of an opinion of herself. In the words of her young lady, talking to such a person was just a waste of breath and there was no need to tire one’s mouth.

Hongyu couldn’t be bothered with Zhou Xiuer any longer and attended to Madam Zhou to prevent Madam from being duped again.

Zhou Xiuer’s mouth twisted in anger. That insolent girl!

With Wufu not present, Zhou Xiuer’s mood deflated. She quickly sized up the village head’s granddaughter with eagle eyes and warmly greeted her, puffing out her chest with pride and satisfaction written all over her face.

In the main hall, Madam Lu, dressed up like a colorful chicken, shook with laughter as she reveled in the compliments from people around her, standing with a prideful posture and a face full of success.

From now on, she was to be known as the scholar’s mother, and perhaps in a year or two, she could even become the Juren’s wife, a Madam in her own right.

Imagining that scene, Madam Lu’s smile became even more radiant as she heard people address her as Scholar’s Mother, thinking that the three hundred taels of silver were well spent.

Heaven knows how many years she had waited for this day, and at last, it had arrived.

Madam Lu’s smile paused for a moment when she saw Madam Zhou and Hongyu by her side, a flicker of displeasure and jealousy crossing her eyes.

What was Madam Zhou compared to her, with a reputation not so pleasing, and yet she always dressed as if she were a Madam from a distinguished family, with a maid to serve her, setting the standard for the entire Wozi Village.

And then there was herself, the scholar’s mother, who didn’t have many impressive items to show for.

Madam Lu gazed enviously at the jade hairpin, silver hairpin, and silver bracelets adorning Madam Zhou, her eyes reddening.

"Congratulations, elder sister-in-law." Madam Zhou smiled and greeted Madam Lu with a bow.

Madam Lu tilted her chin up slightly and haughtily hummed in acknowledgment.

Madam Zhou did not linger on the conversation, lowering her eyelids and moving past Madam Lu to greet Old Lady Zhou in a similar manner with congratulations.

Old Lady Zhou frowned at the sight of her and said indifferently to take any seat.

The attitude was still as dismissive and cold as ever, and a flicker of sorrow passed through Madam Zhou’s eyes.

Lady Liang approached with a smile, leading Madam Zhou to a seat and engaging in conversation. Seeing this from not far away, Old Lady Zhou’s frown deepened and a quick flash of displeasure crossed her face.

Ever since she learned that her eldest son had taken all the family wealth with him, this younger daughter-in-law had not been as obedient as before. And now, despite knowing her disapproval of Madam Zhou, she acted so affectionately toward her.

Old Lady Zhou detested having her authority challenged and did not appreciate insincerity. Although Lady Liang was behaving this way, Old Lady Zhou restrained herself from making a scene.

Firstly, today was a day of celebration for the eldest son, and secondly, she had heard about the recent tiff between Wufu and the Zhang family. That girl was becoming increasingly troublesome and fearsome.

For the sake of peace at home, she decided to bear it, to avoid another public spat and loss of face.

With that thought, Old Lady Zhou turned her attention away from Madam Zhou and focused on conversing and sharing laughter with the guests.