Doted By The Regent King-Chapter 557: Ungrateful

Old Lady Zhou had no patience for her eldest son and daughter-in-law, waving her hand for them to leave, as she feared she might infuriate herself to death if she kept looking at them.

Only when Zhou Xuennian stepped past the threshold of the main house did Old Lady Zhou begin to speak, "Eldest, my old bones can’t take much more torment. If you risk your life for mere possessions, I won’t be able to protect you either. You of the main branch, take heed. Tomorrow, I shall dine at Xueli’s place."

Zhou Xuennian’s body stiffened, and he walked away with numb footsteps.

Old Lady Zhou watched until they were out of sight, then her old tears began to slide down her wrinkled cheeks.

"Mother, don’t cry. Take care of your health. If something happened to you, what would I do? I am still counting on you to help me rear my children!" Zhou Xueli said, aching with heartache, as he hurriedly took out his handkerchief to wipe her tears away.

Unexpectedly, his hand was grabbed by Old Lady Zhou. The frail, bony hand erupted with surprising strength and heaviness.

"Xueli, your elder brother, he’s such a fool! Tell me, how am I to face your father and the ancestors of the Zhou family?" Old Lady Zhou cried openly, heartbroken. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

Zhou Xueli coldly said, "If he wants to bring ruin upon himself, no one can stop him. Mother, you’ve said all there is to say. If they still won’t heed your words, then let them be. If a nasty fall is not enough, only the threat of losing his life will make him learn."

Old Lady Zhou felt a pang of panic, gripping his hand tightly, and said, "You tell me, Wufu, she... "

Zhou Xueli sighed deeply, pulled over a footstool, and sat down beside her bed, saying, "Mother, don’t overthink it. Wufu, that child, though she has a violent temper that is not to be trifled with, she also knows gratitude and seeks revenge where it is due. As long as she is not provoked, she is unlikely to act rashly."

"How could I not know? I am afraid of her, but your elder brother... such a fool, he is!" Old Lady Zhou wiped the corner of her eye with the back of her hand, "These past years, all his studying has made him foolish and useless, how can he not see the truth?"

"Mother, rest assured, as long as I live, you will not lack for food!" Zhou Xueli reassured her. He opened his mouth to speak, but ultimately did not mention the silver that Madam Zhou had offered, so as not to needlessly complicate matters.

Old Lady Zhou nodded, "I know you’re filial, but I’m just afraid your brother won’t be able to sort himself out and will just blindly charge ahead."

Zhou Xueli’s heart was heavy with gloom; he gave a few words of comfort and felt a surge of resentment toward Zhou Xuennian and his wife.

Meanwhile, Zhou Xuennian, kicking off his shoes, sat cross-legged on the bed with a somber expression.

"What is she trying to imply? Now that she sees I’m useless, she can’t bear to see me well, can she? All this talk of death? I refuse to believe that a mere girl would dare commit such murder against her own uncle," Zhou Xuennian complained angrily.

Madam Lu chimed in with a murmur, "Exactly. In my view, Husband, it’s Mother’s old age that makes her fear death, and on top of that, she’s afraid of losing face!"

As she plopped down her plump backside, she took a handkerchief from her bosom, wiped her nose, sniffed, and then stuffed it back again.

Zhou Xuennian caught the action head-on, thinking how repulsive his wife was; turning away from her greasy face, he couldn’t bear to look any longer.

"Husband." Madam Lu, oblivious to Zhou Xuennian’s inner thoughts, said, "Wufu is Wufu, and the second sister is the second sister. She’s ultimately soft-hearted because of the kinship. Look, didn’t she give us five taels of silver this time? I really don’t understand what mother-in-law is thinking, can face be eaten as food? Our family is already in such a state, what’s the use of face? If I were served with delicacies from land and sea, surrounded by servants, I would willingly humble myself before them!"

Listenting to his wife, Zhou Xuennian’s face darkened; her vulgarity really knew no bounds!