Chapter 633: Chapter 632: Time Drags On

Wufu’s guess had struck right at the heart of Madam Zhou’s thoughts. Indeed, as she had pondered, Madam Zhou held a unique fondness for scholars, always believing that they were naturally graceful and elegant, owing to their learnedness. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have delivered her heart and soul so readily in the past, only to end up abandoned.

Now, having met Wen Congrui, she felt that the young man had a good temperament and was gentle. Given his age, she naturally thought him a good match for her daughter.

But upon learning of Wen Congrui’s family background, Madam Zhou’s enthusiasm wilted. She had enough self-awareness to recognize that her daughter’s origins would not befit the son of an illustrious family, especially those from established households. It was not just about her being a child born out of wedlock; even if she were a legitimate daughter of a peasant with a clean background, she would still likely not suffice, even with land and property to her name.

What a pity, she thought. If it weren’t for their circumstances, she might have fought for it.

Madam Zhou’s interest waned, and she no longer spoke of the matter, instead, she shifted the conversation to the topic of Wufu’s coming-of-age ceremony.

Wufu knew that the coming-of-age ceremony in ancient times signified adulthood and the readiness for marriage and childbirth. It was typically given great importance, but since they weren’t from a distinguished family, she thought it best to keep it simple.

“Before, when we couldn’t afford it, it was one thing, but now things have changed. Moreover, Madam Ping has said she’s willing to be the Guest of Honor, and since you and Miss Ping get along, inviting her to be the Praise Giver is possible as well. We will hold a proper coming-of-age ceremony for you,” Madam Zhou insisted. No matter how simple, they would still invite the neighbors to witness the event.

Seeing her mother’s high spirits, Wufu didn’t want to dampen her enthusiasm and replied, “Then we’ll do as you wish.”

Madam Zhou smiled with joy.

Seeing Wufu happy, she bit her lip and cautiously asked, “Wufu, it’s been several days now, when will you release them?”

Wufu thought that it was only a matter of time before this question came up, so she replied with a smile, “Mother, don’t worry, I’ve already taken care of it. They won’t face any danger to their lives, no rush. Once the official seal is broken and the case is reviewed, they can be released!”

Madam Zhou opened her mouth and, in the end, did not say anything, just let out a small sigh.

Wufu sipped her tea slowly, a chill flashing in her eyes. Release them after just a few days? In her dreams! She wanted them to remember this for a lifetime!

In the prison, Zhou Xueli and his spouse indeed felt as though each day were a year, and life seemed worse than death.

“Dear husband, how many days has it been? When can we leave this place?” Madam Lu asked, her hair a mess like a bird’s nest and her face filthy, her eyes dull as she addressed the man beside her.

Zhou Xuennian wasn’t much better off than she was; his hair was disheveled, his clothes tattered, his eyes sunken. In just a few short days, he had lost so much weight, he had no strength left.

He coughed a few times and said, “You ask me, but whom should I ask?”

Madam Lu responded, “So many days have passed, and not a single person from home has come to see us. Dear husband, has your mother abandoned us? Hasn’t she pleaded on our behalf?”

Zhou Xuennian’s expression froze.

“I always knew it, she’s biased, favoring your younger brother the most. Never even glancing at our main household since entering the door, I knew her partiality ran deep!” Madam Lu fumed with anger, “If it were your brother, she would have begged everyone for help by now!”

Zhou Xuennian said, “Enough! How do you know she hasn’t gone?”

“If she had gone, would we still be here?” Madam Lu snorted, “If she had, we would’ve been out by now, why suffer like this? She clearly wants to watch us die! That cold-hearted old woman!”

“You dare to curse again!”

“How about that? Old hypocrite… ow!”

The couple once again got into a scuffle.

Not far away, the Yamen Runner, hearing the commotion, clicked his tongue and muttered, “They’re at it again!”