Chapter 736: Chapter 735: Persuading Mother to Remarry
Madam Zhou had not expected Wufuâs plans to be this way, and such calculations were all because of her, of course. If Wufu were to marry off, she would be left all alone.
At this thought, Madam Zhouâs eyes began to redden.
"Wufu, itâs all because your mother has been holding you back!" Madam Zhou, with tears in her eyes, took her daughterâs hand and said.
"Mother, I donât like to hear you say that. If it werenât for your persistence through hardship to raise me, where would Wufu be today?" Wufu smiled as she comforted, "So, donât talk about holding me back. If we really want to talk about it, Iâm afraid that itâs Wufu who has been holding you back!"
"Nonsense! What mother would ever resent her own flesh and blood?" Madam Zhou chided tenderly, "But to talk about matrilocal marriage, do you really think so?"
"I have thought about it. If I am really to get married, matrilocal marriage would be best, of course, there are no absolutes in life. For example, if someone touches my heart in a way that would make me willing to marry into their family, there would be no need for matrilocal marriage!" Wufu laughed heartily.
"You wish!" Madam Zhou said affectionately, playfully flicking her daughterâs nose.
"Mother, how about we wait until I come back to see if thereâs a suitable family willing to accept matrilocal marriage? Look, with our tremendous family wealth, should we bring it to someone elseâs home, benefiting outsiders?" Wufu cajoled with a little trick, "Given our family fortune now, Iâm afraid those who wish to marry in would have to line up for us to choose."
Madam Zhouâs thoughts stirred; what Wufu said indeed spoke to her mind.
After all, itâs all about marriage. Marrying into someone elseâs family, one has to play by their rules, but finding a man to marry in would mean reversing that situation; the ones playing by the rules would be the others. She also wouldnât have to worry about Wufu being mistreated or tormented by her in-laws. She could be in charge and later have a few children to carry on the family legacy, living a similarly harmonious and beautiful life.
Seeing a hint of encouragement on Madam Zhouâs face, Wufu added fuel to the fire, smiling, "Thereâs also another way that doesnât involve marrying into the husbandâs family."
"What is it?"
"Mother, you could remarry!"
Madam Zhouâs face flushed red with heat, and she slapped her daughterâs hand, scolding, "You girl, what nonsense are you talking about!"
"Iâm serious!" Wufu looked into her eyes and said, "Mother, youâre only thirty-two this year, in your prime. Wouldnât it be possible to find someone who suits your heart?"
Madam Zhou glared at her.
Sitting her mother down in front of a bronze mirror, Wufu pointed at the reflection and said, "Mother, look at yourself. Such a woman, still full of charm, gentle and understanding of the bigger picture, in what way is she lacking? If you stepped out now, who would know youâre thirty-two? You look so young; weâre like sisters."
Madam Zhou bit her lip, looking at the woman in the mirror. Her life had been good; she ate nourishing foods every day, and her face had regained its vibrancy. Without worries for livelihood, she had become much brighter. The person in the mirror indeed looked well cared for with soft and gentle features.
But to remarry? It was something she had never considered.
"Wufu, you cannot speak of this again. Your mother has never thought about remarrying," Madam Zhou said as she slightly turned away.
Wufu frowned slightly and tested the waters, "Mother, are you still thinking about him?"
Madam Zhouâs complexion turned pale. She pressed her lips together, forcing a smile, "Think about what? No, Iâm not thinking anymore. We have been each otherâs support for so many years; it can stay this way. In the future, you find someone who is caring and understanding, have a few children, and Iâll help you raise them. That will be my life!"
Despite her words, her eyes betrayed her bitterness and reluctance. They obviously contradicted her heart.
Wufu sighed inwardly but kept a smile on her face, "Then, Mother, we have an agreement. Weâll discuss my marriage after I return."
"With you not here, would I dare arrange it?" Madam Zhou rebuked playfully.
Only then did Wufu feel reassured. After some playful banter, she left.
Watching her daughter disappear, Madam Zhou glanced back at her own reflection in the bronze mirror and sighed deeply. Mr. Wu, your daughter has grown up; do you know?