Chapter 417: Chapter 417: The Idea is Very Plump
Upon hearing Zhou Xuennianâs questioning, Madam Lu had yet to respond, but Lu Ping by her side furrowed his brows slightly yet said nothing.
"After your incident, Mother had a stroke, and just then, Lady Liang claimed she was suffering from distress of pregnancy. Your dear brother, concerned for his wife, said Mother also couldnât be left unattended, so he stayed at home!" Madam Luâs tone was somewhat sour.
Zhou Xuennianâs face darkened, "I suspect heâs just guarding his share of the property, afraid of being dragged down by me."
"Isnât that the truth? Others stand together like brothers facing a tiger, but yours, seems as if he canât wait to distance himself from us as far as possible!" Madam Lu was also dissatisfied.
Unable to listen anymore, Lu Ping said in a deep voice, "You canât talk like that. If it wasnât for the help of your brother and sister-in-lawâs family, we wouldnât even have learned about this. Besides, when trouble arises, the family still needs a man at the helm. Thereâs no need for so many people just to visit."
Zhou Xuennian was taken aback, his heart discontent but not daring to speak out, given that now he could only rely on his wifeâs family. He said in a subdued tone, "Big brother, Iâm counting on you. You canât just let Zhen Zhu become a widow!"
Madam Lu began to cry softly again.
Lu Ping, displeased in his heart, barked, "Nonsense. Havenât they said, as long as you admit your guilt and submit to the law, youâll be released soon. But as for the title, forget about attainining it again!"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Xuennian felt chilled to the bone.
The title of a Young Scholar was of utmost importance to him. Once stripped of it and with a record of crime, he could forget about a future or continuing to sit for exams. What else could he do?
Without even the name of a Young Scholar, how could he support his family?
Zhou Xuennianâs mind then raced back to what he had said to the Yamen Runner and urgently said to Madam Lu, "Zhen Zhu, quick, go find Ying Mei, go find Wufu."
Madam Lu, still crying, heard this and her mind buzzed, "Husband, what are you saying?"
Could it be that the conditions of this prison were so unbearable that she was hallucinating?
Zhou Xuennian asked her to find Wufu? But Wufu was their enemy, why seek her out?
"Husband, have you gone mad in here!" Madam Lu couldnât help but ask.
Zhou Xuennian, infuriated, replied, "Youâre the one whoâs mad. Wufu seems to be acquainted with The County Magistrate of the moment, and has some connection with him. As long as we find her, find The Magistrate to plead for mercy, I can be saved. Maybe I could even retain my title!"
The more he thought about it, the more it seemed possible to him.
To them, a mere Young Scholarâs titleâfor those high-ranking individualsâwould likely be as simple as mouthing a few words to keep.
Thatâs why he remembered what Wufu had said that day, about having a bit of a connection with the Lord County Magistrate. Even though her words were meant as a threat then, it was still a piece of information!
Zhou Xuennian was desperate, taking a shot in the dark, completely forgetting how he had treated the mother and daughter Wufu, whether they would even pay him any heed, all of this was outside of his current considerations.
All he could think of was that with a mere word from Wufu, he might emerge unscathed, yet unbeknownst to him, ideals are often full, but reality can be very stark.
Madam Lu laughed derisively, "Husband, how could that wretched girl know the Lord County Magistrate? Have you lost your senses, or has she beguiled you?"
On what basis would Wufu be acquainted with such a powerful and influential figure? Sheâs nothing but a wretch.
"What do you know? Didnât she say she helped carve for the Silver House? Maybe she really did come across an opportunity. Just go find her," urged Zhou Xuennian, also recalling Wufuâs temperament, he added, "Once found, tell Ying Mei to persuade her at all cost."
At that moment, the Yamen Runner came to dismiss them, as the visiting Shichen had ended, and Madam Lu and the others had to leave.