"I'm just telling you my truest thoughts face-to-face," Old Madam Hu knew her worries. Seemingly the matriarch of the Hu family, with everything under her control, she knew how difficult this position was to hold; those who haven't sat in it cannot understand.
"This servant received word that the person has arrived in Yuzheng," Now elderly, this wet nurse, Huixia, did not usually serve Madam Hu. Madam Hu, feeling indebted to her for a lifetime of service without marriage, had granted her a small courtyard within the manor, attended by two maids.
Her visit to Old Madam Hu today was because the task entrusted to her by Madam Hu had shown promise, and she had come specifically to report it. She hadn't expected to see Madam Hu in such a state of rage upon arrival. Realizing something had happened, she stayed by her side to comfort her.
"Is that so? Proceed as planned." This was the first piece of good news Old Madam Hu had received in many days, and her heart involuntarily relaxed.
After the confrontation with Hu Lianyu on the street that day, rumors about the Hu family spread like wildfire through every street and alley. Some of the speculations were so outrageous that they nearly drove Old Madam Hu to her death.
Then, another incident occurred yesterday. Not knowing what people were speculating now, it was the perfect time to divert everyone's attention and help the Hu family's matters be forgotten.
"Heavens, this is Yuzheng? I've always heard how prosperous Yuzheng is and have never had the chance to visit. This is so much better than the countryside. Can you all remind me who our daughter married, and what kind of family they are?"
At this moment, Mother Zhou, dressed in her finest attire, walked along the bustling street, deliberately raising her voice to ask the final question for all to hear, her boastfulness evident to anyone.
"I heard my sister married into the renowned Hu family in Yuzheng. You all know the Hu family, right? It's that family with someone serving as an official in the capital. I never expected we'd also become relatives of a prominent family," Zhou Xueshan knew what his mother loved to hear and quickly chimed in, lest she continue her solo performance.
"Oh, so the Hu family is that impressive? My daughter is becoming the young madam of the Hu family, and I'll be able to enjoy a life of comfort," Mother Zhou deliberately repeated loudly. Seeing everyone's gaze fixed upon her, she assumed they were envious and felt a surge of pride.
If one looked closely, they would notice the peculiar looks from the crowd. If their guesses were correct, these must be the parents and brother of Madam Zhou. Wasn't Madam Zhou known for her lavish spending and wealth? How could she have such unrefined parents and a brother?
She had recently stirred up trouble in Yuzheng, and everyone was eager to see her drama unfold. These people were either swindlers or had legitimate business. Their reason for staying in Hu Lianyu's small courtyard was now clear.
However, the maids and servants accompanying Madam Zhou when she went out seemed genuine, and her demeanor was vastly different from this family's. What was really going on? It was likely they would find out soon enough. It seemed the city wouldn't be quiet anytime soon.
Originally, the Zhou family didn't have much money. To save expenses, as soon as they arrived in Yuzheng, they came to the imposing gate of the Hu family's courtyard. Looking at the grand entrance, they faltered slightly. Then, remembering their daughter was the young madam of the Hu family, they immediately held their heads high and arrogantly looked at the gatekeepers. "Hurry and announce us. I want to see your young madam. Tell her her maternal family has arrived."
"You are surnamed Zhou?" The gatekeeper, having received instructions long ago, was not surprised to see them. He asked a seemingly irrelevant question, trying to confirm their identity.
"Yes, yes, we are the in-laws of the Hu family. Hurry and have your young madam come out to greet us!" Mother Zhou nodded happily. She assumed Wu Caiwei had already informed them and was pleased, thinking her daughter hadn't been raised in vain.
When she first heard of her daughter's success, she had been indignant, thinking her daughter was unfilial for forgetting her parents in the countryside. Seeing this, perhaps she had been waiting for them to come in person.
"They don't live here. Two alleys away, there is a lane called Yincai Alley. You can see a wall shaped like a coin from afar. Go in, and it's the third house." The gatekeeper, uncharacteristically kind, pointed the way for them.
Mother Zhou repeatedly thanked him. She had heard that gatekeepers of wealthy families were usually arrogant and looked down upon people from the countryside. She hadn't expected him to be so accommodating, realizing her daughter's status in the Hu family must be extraordinary.
With joy, she and the rest of the Zhou family headed towards the location indicated.
As soon as they left, the gatekeeper spat on the ground in disdain. "Just country bumpkins. Hmph, dared to speak to me like that. If they knew Hu Lianyu was penniless, I wonder what their expressions would be like. A pity I won't be there to witness such a splendid scene."
When the Zhou family stood before the dilapidated doorway, they doubted their eyes. Wasn't it said that the other party was the young master of the Hu family? How could he live in such a humble place? They quickly found a passerby to inquire. To their surprise, the passerby confidently stated that this was indeed the courtyard of the Hu family's young master, and he had lived there for many years.
A bad premonition immediately dawned on them. Zhou Xuee's two younger brothers immediately dropped their fawning expressions and looked at the place with disdain. He had thought his silly sister was doing well and that there would be profit to be made. To think that it was this kind of place. It was a waste of his journey.
Zhou Fu and Mother Zhou exchanged glances and saw disappointment on each other's faces. They had thought they could live in a grand mansion with servants attending to them. To think that such a small, broken gate could lead to anything good? To put it bluntly, it wasn't even as spacious as their courtyard in the countryside.
However, they still held onto a sliver of hope and stepped forward to knock on the door. After stating their identities, they were immediately ushered in. The expressions on their faces upon entering were priceless. Three rooms with so many people, where would they possibly stay?
Yet, having traveled so far, they were unwilling to leave without gaining something.
Upon receiving the news, Wu Caiwei knew without guessing what was happening. They hadn't affected Old Madam Hu, so they resorted to this tactic. However, their plan to find a breakthrough through the Zhou family members was destined to be met with disappointment.
"You silly girl, the Hu family's courtyard is so grand, why didn't you go live there? You insist on being cooped up here, thinking you can hide away and it will be the end of it? Won't all that vast wealth just fall into someone else's hands?" As soon as she saw her, Mother Zhou looked at her with an expression of disappointment mixed with anger, feeling her daughter was too foolish, not as cunning as herself. If she had half her wits, she wouldn't be living such a miserable life, with such a dilapidated house.