Chapter 1321: Chapter 1319: Will Not Acknowledge
Madam Zhou cried so much that her eyes were like peaches. Only when Wufu brought up the child in her belly did she gradually stop.
"I never expected it to be like this. I thought that even as a concubine-born daughter, youâre a proper Officialâs daughter; no one would dare call you illegitimate. I truly didnât expect this kind of scheming," Madam Zhou said, gripping Wufuâs hand. "Wufu, believe me, I never intended to demean you this way."
"I believe you!" Wufu softly patted her hand and said gently, "Donât cry anymore. Their schemes will ultimately fail. How could I let them so easily succeed in plotting against me?"
Madam Zhou shook her head. "I shouldnât have come; shouldnât have come to Changan. What do we do now?"
"Thereâs no such thing as should or shouldnât! Do you want us to live apart?" Wufu contemplated and said, "Mother, the Wu Familyâs intentions are obvious. I certainly wonât recognize my ancestral lineage. Even if they give me the status of a concubine-born daughter and properly include me in the family register, I wonât acknowledge it. But mother, what will you do?"
Madam Zhou was stunned, staring blankly at her.
Wufu met her gaze. "What I said earlier was not in any way meant to placate or deceive you. If you want to be with him, I will fulfill that for you and allow you to be his consort in the second household. As for this child..."
She looked towards her rounded belly and said, "This child will be born legitimately, eliminating your worries about illegitimacy. Remarkably, they can simply live elsewhere again."
Madam Zhouâs heart turned cold as she tightly held her hand, saying, "What about you? Wufu, with such arrangements, are you abandoning me?"
"Wherever you go, you are always my mother; we just wonât live together," Wufu smiled gently.
"So, youâre planning to leave me behind!" Madam Zhouâs hand drooped in despair, murmuring, "Indeed, your heart holds resentment towards me, perhaps even hatred!"
"Youâre mistaken. I neither resent nor hate you. I just respect your choice! I hope you can do the same for me," Wufu said. "If you truly wish to go to Wu Lihong, then consider me to have married far away early on."
"Wufu, do you really not care at all? Not care about carrying this reputation?"
"Mother, whether I care or not, donât you already know?" Wufu said, "I donât mind what others think. I only want to live according to my own will. I will live well, rest assured! But as for you, do think it through!"
Madam Zhou lowered her head, caressing her belly, and smiled bitterly. "What else can I do?" She pursed her lips for a moment, then resolutely said, "Wufu, Iâll return to Huayang."
"Return to Huayang?"
Madam Zhou nodded and said, "Out of sight, out of mind. Iâll return to Huayang and raise this child."
Wufu raised an eyebrow, "So, you wonât go to the Wu Residence with him? You should think clearly. If arranged properly, you can be his consort in the second household."
"He doesnât mean to do this; itâs my wishful thinking!" Madam Zhou scoffed self-mockingly, "Just a dream, thatâs all."
Wufu sighed softly, "Mother, donât worry. Everything will be taken care of by me. Your primary focus should be on nurturing the fetus." She paused and added, "By the way, do you know where the Marriage Certificate he gave you years ago is?"
Madam Zhou stood up, took out a yellowed purse from her luggage, and handed it over.
Wufu received it without rushing to take a look, saying, "Youâre also tired. Should I have Qiu Xiang assist you in resting for a while?"
Madam Zhou nodded, and Wufu called Qiu Xiang inside to attend to her, while she took the purse and left.