The mourning in County Magistrate Ruifu’s Mansion was quickly reported to the relevant households, and soon those with interest learned of Madam Zhou’s demise due to exhaustion from childbirth.
"Dead?" Madam Wang’s hand holding the teacup trembled, repeatedly questioning Nanny Wei: "Did I hear wrong? Is she truly dead?"
Nanny Wei nodded.
Madam Wang burst into laughter: "Good, dead is good, dead is good indeed. That wench shouldn’t have lived, shouldn’t have appeared, dead is good!"
Nanny Wei’s mouth twisted slightly, but she said nothing.
When she heard the news of Madam Zhou’s death, she didn’t feel joy but instead felt fear. No, ever since the lady made that decision, she’s been having nightmares every night, dreaming of County Lord Ruifu coming for revenge.
Now, upon hearing that Madam Zhou is truly dead, she felt a deep-seated alarm and unease, an ominous premonition lingering in her heart.
"Nanny Wei, what’s got you dazed?" Madam Wang called out to Nanny Wei a few tis, looking at her displeased: "I’m asking you, is that bastard also dead?"
Nanny Wei snapped back to reality and said: "Madam, she suffered difficult labor, and passed away after giving birth to the child. I’ve heard no news about both being dead!"
"So that bastard is alive then." Madam Wang’s face hardened.
Nanny Wei didn’t reply.
Madam Wang snorted coldly and then relaxed her brows, saying: "No matter, a premature baby and also resulting from difficult labor, might not survive well!"
She took a sip of tea and said: "Wet nurse, go to Prince Wei’s Manor this instant, report this news to the Princess Consort and let her be pleased!"
"Madam, wouldn’t this be inappropriate?" Nanny Wei hesitated.
Madam Wang glared: "What’s inappropriate about it? The Princess Consort Wei has been bedridden, perhaps hearing such gossip might lift her spirits. Wet nurse, tell her I’ll co by tomorrow with Yining to pay respects."
Nanny Wei felt bitterness in her mouth and responded, listening to the laughter coming from the inner room filled with malice, she couldn’t help but feel a chill.
...
anwhile, at Wufu’s ho, there was another person causing a stir — Wu Lihong.
He had encountered Wufu and Ah Jiu right at the entrance, eagerly trying to please them, but was ignored. Yet, he insisted on following through into the mansion by claiming he had an important matter to notify Madam Zhou of.
This excuse wasn’t just an excuse, he indeed had a matter, having learned of Zhou Xuennian’s situation, but what about her...
However, getting into the mansion was one thing, but upon hearing of Madam Zhou’s premature and difficult labor, he wanted to see for himself but was stopped by soone, and no matter how much he jumped or fussed, he couldn’t get out of the room.
Wu Lihong was frustrated, seething with anger, yet helpless, and could only sit there stewing, eventually falling asleep. But as he awoke, what news did he hear?
Madam Zhou died? That woman whom he pledged to in their youth had died? Died giving birth to his child?
Wu Lihong rushed all the way to the mourning hall, seeing a sea of white, and Wufu kneeling in front of the altar, burning paper money in the fire basin.
Wu Lihong’s throat rolled as Wufu looked up, giving him a hate-filled, angry glance.
She stood up, walked up to him: "My mother is dead, you never need to co again, if you wish to seek her, go to the Underworld!"
Wu Lihong looked at her and asked: "The child?"
"You can assu the child is dead too!" Wufu said coldly: "Soone, drag him out, and from now on nobody let him in, anyone who dares ignore my words, imdiately expel them from the mansion!"
"No...mmph." Wu Lihong barely opened his mouth before soone covered him and dragged him out.
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