Volume 1 In the Countryside Chapter 6: Don’t Consider Yourself an Outsider
After watching Zhu Ying kidnap Zhang Shou and leave, Wu finally couldn't help but struggle to break free from Zhu Gongquan's hand on her shoulder, but she found two burly guards suddenly blocking the main door. At this moment, she was immediately furious.
"For so many years, Duke Zhao has ignored us, mother and son. Today you brought the eldest daughter here, and I respect you as guests from afar, but you talked nonsense to Shou and let the eldest daughter hold Shou hostage. What on earth do you want to do?"
The ignorant woman knew nothing about the affairs of the court. Even the common people in the capital knew that the situation of Duke Zhao and his son was not good!
Zhu Gongquan thought so in his heart, but his face still appeared gentle and polite, but the words he said were extremely harsh.
"Don't forget, Auntie. Even if Mr. Shou gets married in the future, you are not a proper mother-in-law."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Wu's face turned pale, then she stepped back dejectedly and fell into the chair.
Zhu Gongquan had only bribed the lady's attendants with a large sum of money and got a few pieces of information. His words worked and pressed on: "The eldest lady is of such a noble status, and is well-known in the palace. The queen mother loves her and she is even more favored than the princess. You blame the Duke of Zhao for not caring about you and your son, but think about it yourself. Is there any future father-in-law in the world who treats his future son-in-law like this?"
"If it weren't for Duke Zhao, would you and your son be so peaceful and happy? What else do you want? Are you still not satisfied?"
Every word was like a hammer, hitting Wu's heart and making it bleed. It was as if all the strength in her body had been drained away. She bit her lips tightly, trying desperately to find a reason to retort, but sadly found that her mind was blank.
Zhu Gongquan knew very well that he could order the two guards guarding the door, but the other two guards behind him were sent by the Madam Tai, so he could never say the word "broken engagement" to her face. Otherwise, if the old ancestor of the Zhu family got angry, even the second young master would not be able to protect him. Therefore, he only hoped that these two people would go back and report that the mother and son of the Zhang family were not presentable.
At this time, seeing that Wu had been hit so hard that she was in a state of confusion, he took the opportunity to add fuel to the fire: "As for what you said about the eldest lady holding Mr. Shou hostage, haha, the eldest lady just heard about this marriage proposal for the first time and couldn't accept it for a while, so she took Mr. Shou out to ask a few questions. How come you turned it into a hostage?"
"Even if she did something wrong, Mr. Shou is a man and a future husband, so isn't it his duty to be tolerant and forgiving?"
Any man who is held hostage by a woman will definitely feel humiliated, and it would be strange if the two of them didn't make a big fuss!
In this way, Zhu Ying would not, in her anger, accept such a strange engagement just because of that face!
At this point, Zhu Gongquan winked at the two guards, signaling them to open the gate they had just guarded. Seeing that Wu really stood up and stumbled to the door, he was expecting her to chase him out like a shrew in the countryside and make a big fuss, but he didn't expect her to stand by the door, her face full of confusion and bewilderment.
He was immediately secretly annoyed. She couldn't even make a fuss. She was indeed a useless village woman!
Wu leaned against the door and looked out, waiting for who knows how long, before she finally saw Zhang Shou calmly walk into the front door. She felt her empty heart suddenly settle down, and hurriedly ran out, picking up her skirt.
"A Shou!"
Seeing the familiar figure running over in a hurry and hearing the familiar voice, Zhang Shou knew that Wu was probably really frightened and anxious, so he rushed forward. Seeing her eyes were red, he pressed her shoulders and whispered, "Don't worry, I'm fine, mother, don't worry, I'll take care of everything!"
In the past two years, Wu had gotten used to her son growing up. At first, he often ran out of the village, and after being stopped, he acted on his own in the village, so she turned a blind eye. But when she heard the calm tone, she felt her heart settle down unconsciously, until she saw Zhu Ying followed him in.
Thinking of the young lady's arrogance when she had just held someone hostage, and because of Zhu Gongquan's harsh words, she couldn't help feeling uneasy.
Zhu Ying could easily see Wu's fear of her. She certainly did not regret holding Zhang Shou hostage. If not for this, how could she have found out that Zhang Shou did not know about the so-called engagement?
Therefore, when she saw Zhu Gongquan coming out of the hall with a big smile on his face and calling her "Miss", she ignored him and walked directly to Wu and knelt slightly: "I'm sorry , I shouldn't have acted impulsively just now, I apologize!"
Zhang Shou raised his head and saw Zhu Gongquan's stiff expression, as if he had never expected this beautiful young lady to apologize. He couldn't help but smile at her meaningfully.
Mrs. Wu was caught off guard. She subconsciously let go of Zhang Shou and reached out to support Zhu Ying, but she retracted her hand halfway. When she was hesitant and was about to kneel down to return the greeting, she didn't expect Zhang Shou to take the lead.
Zhang Shou smiled at Zhu Ying in a very natural manner and said, "It's just a small matter. Don't worry, mother is not the kind of person who cares about things."
Seeing Wu hurriedly wiped away her tears and nodded, Zhu Ying felt relieved. Then she didn't even look at Zhu Gongquan, and walked into the hall with her head held high as if no one was around. Zhang Shou was not in a hurry, and slowly supported Wu and walked in.
Seeing Zhang Shou passing by him without saying anything, Zhu Gongquan waited for an hour in vain. The hungry Zhu Gongquan's face became more and more ugly.
After entering the hall, Zhang Shou helped Wu to sit down, and then he sat down too. When Zhu Ying was already seated, Zhu Gongquan came in with a sullen face and kept looking at himself and Zhu Ying, and he smiled calmly.
Just when Zhu Gongquan thought that this country boy who only relied on his good looks to deceive people was going to mock him again, unexpectedly Zhu Ying spoke first. With just a few simple words, he was really shocking.
"I'm not going back."
Before Zhu Gongquan could stop her, Zhu Ying said in an unquestionable tone: "Didn't Mr. Zhu just say that this area belongs to our Zhaoguo Mansion? In that case, I will take the opportunity to inspect here for a few days on behalf of my father. Zhu Hong, Zhu Yu, go back and tell grandmother that I have made up my mind."
The two guards were no less surprised than Zhu Gongquan. However, seeing the eldest lady's determined expression, they exchanged glances and actually said yes, but then both looked at Zhang Shou who acted as if nothing had happened.
The eldest lady was stubborn again! If the lady hadn't told them beforehand, they wouldn't have believed it! But what did the lady and the master think? Although Zhang Shou was born good, he lived in the countryside for a long time and was really not worthy of her!
Zhang Shou was helpless when faced with the strange looks from the two guards.
I've already said that the engagement can be annulled. It's your daughter who wants to stay here! Besides, if you have the guts, just stop your daughter. Why are you looking at me? If she doesn't want to go back, you can just tie her up and take her back!
When he heard what Zhu Ying said next, he felt even more headache. Even if he could sit down casually on the thatched straw, she was a rich lady after all!
"When you two go back, pack all the books on the third, fourth, and fifth rows of the bookshelf on the east side of my study and send them here. Also, send my horse, Xiaohong, which I often ride. I remember there are two docile horses in the stable that my father gave me. Bring them along as well."
"Also, the two older maids in my room, Zhanjin and Liuyin, ask them to pack my bedding, summer clothes, autumn clothes, and winter clothes that I often use into boxes and baskets. You don't need to send all the jewelry boxes. Just pick out a dozen simple daily items and have them bring them all. Also, the sword and bow and arrows that my father gave me..."
Autumn and winter clothes... Miss, how long are you going to stay here?
Zhang Shou couldn't help but sigh in his heart after hearing the long list of demands. It was true that a young lady from a prominent family and a small country landlord were not compatible at all... What's more, this small landlord of his was fake, and he was actually a pauper!
When Zhu Gongquan heard that Zhu Ying only gave instructions to Zhu Hong and Zhu Yu, and completely ignored him, he was naturally shocked and angry. However, when he heard a name at the end, his heart was in suspense.
"Also, please ask grandma to tell Uncle Hua to come here."
Zhu Gongquan cried out, "Miss, are you crazy? Hua Qi is a lunatic..."
"Since you said I was crazy, then isn't it just right for Uncle Hua to come over?" Zhu Ying raised her eyebrows coldly, and then she actually took the initiative to order him to leave, "Well, it's getting late, Mr. Zhu, you can leave now. This place is too small to accommodate a great Bodhisattva!"
Zhang Shou was so dumbfounded that he didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Miss, you really don't consider yourself an outsider! This is my home! Besides, if we talk about great Bodhisattvas, aren't you the greatest?
