Chapter 856: Chapter 855: Bittersweet Reunion?
Madam Zhou had a good cry, and when she looked at Wu Lihong again, she was a bit embarrassed and turned aside to wipe the corners of her eyes.
"Why is that? Meiniang was crying so intensely just now, and now youāre shy?" Wu Lihong teased her.
Madam Zhou gave him a reproachful glance, then gazed at him with a foolish look, reaching out to touch his face, her eyes filled with greed and reluctance, as if she wanted to etch this person into her heart.
"Mr. Wu, you, youāve aged." She called tremblingly, tears falling again.
The infatuation and love in Madam Zhouās eyes were unmasked, allowing anyone to see through and understand them at a glance.
Wu Lihongās heart stirred, and he gently rubbed her hand. This woman truly admired him from the heart; the feelings in her eyes were so evident and undisguised, greatly satisfying and pleasing Wu Lihongās vanity.
After years in the officialdom, he was not unable to distinguish between genuine and false intentions. He had several women around him, but none were like Madam Zhou, who genuinely admired him without a hint of calculation.
"Such a foolish Meiniang, itās been so many years, Iām not young either, how could I not age?" Wu Lihong said with a laugh.
Madam Zhou said, "I, Iāve aged too."
"Not at all, Meiniang has become even more beautiful over the years," Wu Lihong complimented.
Madam Zhou blushed and lowered her head.
Wu Lihong drew her into his arms.
"Mr. Wu, why did you only come back now? Iāve waited so painfully for you all these years," Madam Zhou voiced her feelings quietly.
Wu Lihongās heart trembled, and he held her tighter, saying, "Itās my fault. I thought, thought you had already married someone else."
"How could that be? I am already Mr. Wuās woman, your wife; how could I marry someone else?" Madam Zhou looked up at him.
Upon hearing this, Wu Lihongās smile froze awkwardly for a moment and he changed the subject, saying, "Look, your eyes are swollen from crying. Why not have someone help you freshen up?"
Madam Zhou also felt a little embarrassed and nodded.
"Whoās outside?" Wu Lihong called out.
Qiu Xiang walked in with her head lowered and said, "Iām here, my lady."
"Bring water and help your mistress freshen up."
Qiu Xiang responded, bowed, retreated two steps, then turned to leave. At that moment of turning, she took in the sight of Madam Zhou being held in Wu Lihongās embrace, her heart involuntarily stirred.
Wu Lihong temporarily stepped outside and sat sipping tea.
Qiu Xiang had a young maid fetch warm water, wrung a handkerchief to cleanse her face, and prepared a hard-boiled egg wrapped in a clean handkerchief, gently rubbing it around her eyes.
Seeing the uplifted corners of Madam Zhouās lips, Qiu Xiang hesitated for a moment before speaking: "Madam, just now that gentleman..."
Madam Zhou, eyes closed, said, "That is Wufuās father, he has come back."
"Congratulations, Madam, after suffering comes happiness." After a while, Qiu Xiang forced out a reluctant smile, offering hollow congratulations.
Madam Zhou was indeed delighted, only delighted, and somewhat shocked, but beyond that, nothing else.
Her infatuation, her bitter waiting, all were answered. Heaven hadnāt allowed her suffering to continue but finally put an end to it.
Heaven had not forgotten her.
Seeing Madam Zhouās face full of joy, all the words Qiu Xiang had wished to say got swallowed back down. She really couldnāt bear to strike her at her happiest after waiting so bitterly for such a long time!
Forget it, let her be happy for a few days; a day will come when she must face reality!