Chapter 134 - What Does a Daughter Count For?
The two of them left Zuo Yunwen's bedroom and went into the study at the side. Discarding both sides, they sat down face to face.
Zuo Shaoqing retracted his previous look and sat obediently as usual. This time, Zuo Shaoyan would no longer treat him as a harmless little white rabbit.
After mulling over his thoughts for a moment, he sincerely proposed, “Third brother, you're a dignified first year contestant. As long as you perform well in the Hall Competition, the title of top scorer will be within reach.”
Zuo Shaoqing's mouth revealed a mocking smile. “Big Brother's news was too lagging behind. The Emperor has already cancelled this Conference Test ranking.” And just a moment ago, your brother was throwing dirty water on his younger brother!
Zuo Shaoyan automatically ignored the deep meaning in his eyes, “Even if we use Academic Institution once more, third brother is talented and has a bright future.”
His words were heartfelt and sad. Ever since he saw the box of manuscripts that Zuo Shaoqing wrote, he knew that his little brother's talent was definitely not inferior to his.
“Then…” Zuo Shaoqing rolled his eyes as a suitable hesitation appeared on his face. He then sighed and said: “Do you think I am willing? Master Lu is so high up, how could this little brother reject him?”
Zuo Shaoyan didn't doubt Zuo Shaoqing's words at all. As far as he was concerned, no man would willingly bow down to another man, let alone Zuo Shaoqing, who was still a scholar.
He took it for granted that this matter was forced by Master Lu, and Zuo Shaoqing could only obey. Perhaps he had a little good impression of Lu Zheng, but no one would abandon their future for the sake of their feelings.
“This is what Big Bro is going to say. I believe you should know that a relationship like this will not last long, and will even be despised by the world. Do you think that the Emperor will order one…? To be a top scholar?”
Zuo Shaoqing knew what the two words he deliberately skipped were nothing more than the words “male pet” or “catamite”. He sneered in his heart and continued to pretend to be worried as he asked: “Then, what is your suggestion?”
Zuo Shaoyan didn't answer him immediately. Instead, he continued, “Even if you don't care about the opinions of the people, when Master Lu marries, Wife of Duke Zhen might be the first one that he can't tolerate.”
“That's right…” Zuo Shaoqing lengthened his tone gloomily.
Zuo Shaoyan said so much just to let him understand how unreliable it was for him to be together with Lu Zheng. The downside was that when the benefits were average, he had to give up the title.
Zuo Shaoqing knew that these weren't the main point, the main point was what kind of path would he point out for himself.
“Rather than destroying the Great Wall, it's better to take advantage of everyone's guesses to reverse the situation. As long as everyone believes that you and Master Lu are alright, you can enter the country and carry out your ambitions.”
“But Master Lu…” Zuo Shaoqing felt that he could already see Zuo Shaoyan's heart.
Zuo Shaoyan paused for a moment before helplessly saying, “With Master Lu's status, it's impossible for us to do anything. It's just that… You and he propose that you find someone who knows what you're doing and put it on the table so that you can keep it private.”
Seeing Zuo Shaoqing frown and was deep in thought, he said, “I don't think Master Lu wants everyone to know about this matter, right?”
He really wanted to do this! Zuo Shaoqing thought to himself, with Lu Zheng's character, are they still worried about how the people of this world think of him?
Zuo Shaoyan really had a good plan. He seemed to sincerely think for Zuo Shaoqing and thought of a way to protect his reputation without offending Lu Zheng.
He raised his head and glanced at Zuo Shaoyan. He had to admit that this brother was smart. If he wasn't reborn and if he didn't sincerely want to live with Lu Zheng, then he would have accepted this offer.
He found a woman who knew everything and married Lu Zheng, then he and Lu Zheng would develop an affair in secret. Of course, this woman, who knew everything, would have to go to Zuo Family.
Who better than Zuo Shuhui?
At that time, in the whole of Duke Zhen Manor, Zuo Shuhuiwei would be accepting the honor of being a First Pin Lady in public, and in the dark, there would even be a person like him who got a Wu Steel Pet to blow his head off. Why would they need to worry about the rise of Zuo Family?
The corner of Zuo Shaoqing's mouth slightly raised, “Brother, you think too highly of me. How can Wife of Duke Zhen be someone who I decide so easily?”
“As long as Master Lu sincerely favors you, he will naturally agree.” Zuo Shaoyan stared at Zuo Shaoqing. He was not sure about Zuo Shaoqing's words. He was just trying to test Zuo Shaoqing's position in Lu Zheng's heart.
How could Zuo Shaoqing let him go? He lowered his head with a sad face, “Brother, you're thinking too much. How can you not be sincere?”
“If you want, we can at least give it a try.”
Zuo Shaoqing sneered in his heart and asked with anticipation: “How do I test it?”
Wu Tie paused for a moment. His pair of eyes, which were filled with gloom, stared at Zuo Shaoqing without moving. It was as if he wanted to read Zuo Shaoqing's mind through his good-natured face.
Zuo Shaoqing blinked, “Big Bro, why are you looking at me like that? But it's not convenient to say?”
“Big brother hasn't thought over this matter yet. There has to be a suitable opportunity for him to do so. When the time comes, I'll need third brother's cooperation.”
Zuo Shaoqing wasn't surprised that he didn't get the answer. It would be foolish if Zuo Shaoyan told him his plan in such a muddled manner. At the same time, he was sure that Zuo Shaoyan had set up a trap for him and Lu Zheng.
But is it really that easy to plot against Lu Zheng? Zuo Shaoqing slightly raised his brows and quickly glanced at Zuo Shaoyan.
In the midst of their silence, a cry of alarm came from the neighboring room, followed by the frantic cries of the servants.
The two brothers looked at each other, got up and rushed out of the study at the same time. When they entered the bedroom, they saw Zuo Shuhui standing in the middle of the room with bloodshot eyes and a pair of scissors in her hand.
Oh, so you want to cut your hair into a nickel? Zuo Shaoqing thought in a good mood.
“Nonsense!” Zuo Shaoyan rushed forward to take away the sharp weapon in her hand, “What are you doing?”
Zuo Shuhui clenched her hands tightly around Zuo Shaoyan's arm and gritted her teeth, “Brother, is what they said true? Really Outside… Wuu wuu, what should I do?”
If a girl like her, who had yet to leave the pavilion, were to spread news of this matter, then even if it wasn't real, her reputation would be completely ruined. What was she to do?
“Enough! Do you think the house is not messy enough? Who told you that?” Zuo Shaoyan was infuriated and felt a little helpless in his heart.
“Regardless of who said it, I only ask, outside… Does everyone know?” There was a bit of expectation in Zuo Shuhui's eyes as she waited for Zuo Shaoyan's answer.
Zuo Shaoyan didn't want to offend his sister after all, he just turned his face and ordered: “Don't worry about this matter, go back to your room and rest. Don't cause any more trouble!”
At this time, Zuo Shaoqing walked up and greeted Zuo Shuhui with a smile, “Big Sis, are you asking about the rumors outside? I've just returned from outside and I've heard quite a bit about it. Don't be angry, it's just that someone is jealous of you intentionally getting hurt…”
“Although elder sister was indeed kidnapped and disappeared for an entire day, we all believe that her innocence is still there. Outsiders can do as they wish, but it won't stop them from talking.”
Zuo Shaoqing's words seemed to comfort Zuo Shuhui, but in reality, it cut her fragile heart. Seeing her face turning paler and paler, tears also silently flowed down her cheeks.
“Ya, Big Sis, don't cry ah… Isn't this just what that person wanted?” Zuo Shaoqing happily thought: To be able to see Zuo Shuhui cry so sorrowfully also did not waste his consolation.
Zuo Shuhui stared at Zuo Shaoqing with tears in his eyes. If it was a normal person, this look would be very flirtatious. Unfortunately, there was no beauty to it now.
“Cough, cough…” Zuo Yunwen, who was on the bed, suddenly coughed and spat out a mouthful of blood. He finally regained his consciousness.
“Shao Yan…” He cried out with difficulty.
“Father.” Zuo Shaoyan quickly walked forward and sat on the bed, “How does father feel?”
Zuo Yunwen raised an arm shakily and placed his cold palm on Zuo Shaoyan's hand, trying to grip it hard, but not having the strength to do so. “Shao Yan, send someone out to find out if the rumor is still around… There's nothing you can do about your brother and sister, but the rumors about you can still be clarified. our Zuo Family still needs to rely on you…”
Zuo Shaoqing glanced at Zuo Shuhui provocatively, his eyes seemed to say: Look, in my father's eyes, only the eldest son is the most important, so what is a daughter? What was a crippled son?
Zuo Shuhui looked at Zuo Yunwen with his eyes wide open in disbelief. He couldn't believe that he would hear such words from him.
She rushed up to Zuo Shaoyan and pulled him away. Shaking Zuo Yunwen, she angrily asked, “Dad, what about our daughter?”
“Cough, cough…” Zuo Yunwen's body was still weak. How could he withstand such a shaking? “Shuhui, it's the truth that you were kidnapped. Your husband naturally knows about the reputation of being innocent. The more you defend yourself against this kind of rumor, the more people suspect you.”
“Even so, I can't…” Without a reputation, which man would marry her?
Zuo Yunwen, however, couldn't care so much. With the current situation, Zuo Family couldn't stop those rumors at all.
“Butler, get Young Madame here.” Zuo Yunwen shot a disgusted glance at Mrs. Xue, who was lying beside him. He helped Zuo Shaoyan off the bed and slowly moved to the table to sit down.
“Right now, the most important thing is to prove that you don't have the heart to divorce Shao Yan. Mrs. Hoe will be the only wife of my Zuo Family.”
Zuo Shaoyan pursed his lips and agreed without any change in his expression.
Zuo Shaoqing thought, now even if Mrs. Hoe died, Zuo Shaoyan would not dare to remarry. Otherwise, regardless of whether Mrs. Hoe was killed by Zuo Family or not, outsiders would still pin her death on Zuo Family.
At that time, Zuo Shaoyan would be speechless.
Mrs. Hoe came very quickly. Her stomach was already big. She was supporting two maids on her left and right. Their steps were hurried and their expressions were dejected.
Zuo Shaoyan walked up to her quickly and personally helped her enter the door. He even said gently, “Walk slowly. Be careful not to fall.”
If it was in the past, Mrs. Hoe would definitely be elated by his words. But now, she knew that this kind of care might not come from the bottom of her heart.
Mrs. Hoe's heart had already hardened when she had drugged Zuo Shaoyan. What she wanted now was to safely give birth to her child and let him grow up safely. As for whether or not Zuo Family would be glorious, it made no difference to her.
“Father, did you call your daughter-in-law here for something?” Mrs. Hoe walked step by step to Zuo Yunwen's side. She was delighted to see Zuo Yunwen in such a weak state.
At least he didn't say anything bad to her. At most, he just didn't care. However, she knew that as long as Zuo Shaoyan could marry a higher class woman, he would be willing to sacrifice himself for her.
“Cough cough, daughter-in-law. Your mother's health isn't good, so I'll leave this home to you. If you find it difficult, you can ask Senior Servant Zhu to help you.” Zuo Yunwen did not intentionally explain whether the rumors outside were true or false, and only used this tactic to convince Mrs. Hoe that Zuo Family would not harm her.
After all, she had the authority to manage the entire Zuo Family, so she was the owner of the Zuo Family.
The corner of Mrs. Hoe's mouth twitched as she lowered her head and said, “Father, please forgive me. Your daughter-in-law is pregnant. I'm afraid she won't have much energy in case she gets tired… A daughter-in-law would be ashamed to face the ancestors of the Zuo Family.”
However, he knew that he couldn't lose his temper with Mrs. Hoe at this time. He could only continue to speak kindly, “You saw it too, your mother can't even get up from her bed. You are the first wife in the family, who else can I hand over to?”
Mrs. Hoe rubbed her belly as she replied with a false answer, “Isn't there still Lady Yue? My wife thinks that her butler is quite good.”
Zuo Yunwen was so angry that his beard trembled. He never thought that his usually docile daughter-in-law would dare to mock him. How dare she?
“Just accept her if she asks you to pick her up. How can a mere concubine possibly be a butler?” Zuo Yunwen coughed twice and said in a low voice, “Dad also saw that you weren't feeling well and was afraid to trouble you, but this family will be handed to you in the end, so you can take over as soon as possible.”
She knew that in this family, she was not the one who decided what to do or not to do. Instead, it would be better to fight for her position, at least she had to find a proper place for the unborn child.
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