amaotonovel Chapter 369
Chapter 369
Although she had a premonition, Zhou Baozhu still felt a pang of pain at the thought. She had always held her biological mother in the highest regard, but she also held deep feelings for Zhuang. She had never imagined that Zhuang would collude with Zhuang Sheng to plot against her. In this light, how much of her past love was truly genuine?
This subtle shift in her emotions might be imperceptible to others, but Protector Zhou, always holding his daughter in his mouth for fear of melting, or in his palm for fear of dropping, naturally picked up on the sadness in his daughter's eyes. He sighed softly, but offered solace, "After all, she gave birth to your second sister for me. If it's as we expect, I'll spare her life and send her to a temple outside the city to cultivate. However, this will only further strain the relationship between you and your second sister, making it difficult for you to get along."
Zhou Baozhu's younger sister, Zhou Baoqin, and she had always been at odds, the root of their conflict stemming from their father's partiality. As the beneficiary of her father's favoritism, Zhou Baozhu, though annoyed by her childish and willful behavior, was nevertheless tolerant of Zhuang's care and concern.
If Zhuang Sheng was sent out of town to retreat because of this incident, Zhou Baoqin would undoubtedly resent her. Even knowing this, Zhou Baozhu wasn't a saint without moral principles. She couldn't forgive someone who was so intent on ruining her life. Although she hadn't told her father directly, she knew that Zhuang Sheng's words and actions at the time were not intended solely to destroy her innocence. The thought that Zhuang Sheng might want her life chilled Zhou Baozhu to the bone. But fearing that Protector Zhou would notice something was amiss, she could only lower her eyes and remain silent, feigning grief.
Seeing his daughter like this, Zhou Duhu was heartbroken. This was his and his first wife's only daughter, and he had cherished her for so many years, unwilling to let her suffer even the slightest injustice. How dare Zhuang collude with others to plot against Baozhu, even endangering her life! With this in mind, Zhou Duhu's eyes flashed with ruthlessness, and he clenched his fists, determined to get to the bottom of this matter and give his daughter an explanation.
Zhou Baozhu didn't feel lost for long, quickly forcing herself to suppress her thoughts. Pretending to be oblivious to the ruthless aura emanating from Protector Zhou, she spoke, "Dad, today in the market, I don't know what happened, but it suddenly became a mess. If the guards on duty hadn't arrived in time, I'm afraid something terrible would have happened. I originally thought it was just a coincidence, but now that I think about it, the chaos was clearly intentional, someone trying to separate me, Hongyun, and Baiwu. Dad, don't forget to investigate whether they were behind the chaos in the market."
As for watching the fireworks by the river, Zhou Baozhu didn't mention it. Initially, she'd assumed that Zhuang's connections, aided by his merchant connections, had procured those fireworks. But now, she realized, Zhuang Sheng and his men were intent on killing her, so why would they bother with fireworks? It was likely a chance encounter, and Zhuang Sheng was simply using it to claim credit for himself.
It has to be said that Zhou Baozhu's thinking was extremely sharp. After a little thought, she guessed the general idea of the matter.
After hearing this, Zhou Duhu nodded and said, "Alright, go back quickly. Dad has sent for a doctor. Let him take a good look at the wound on your face. You're a girl, and if this disfigures you, how will I explain it to your mother after I die?"
Zhou Baozhu always brought up her mother's behavior during her father's lectures. She had been accustomed to hearing it since childhood and had long since become accustomed to it. At this moment, she was exhausted and had no desire to argue, so she nodded. Then, surrounded by the palace guards, the father and daughter returned to the Protectorate.
As for Zhuang Sheng, he was unceremoniously thrown onto a horse and driven back on a bumpy ride. The palace guards knew that although they would make Zhuang Sheng suffer, they would also spare his life, and Zhou Baozhu was reassured.
.........
Luo Shuiyao was completely unaware of the conversation between the father and daughter at the Zhou residence. She boarded the carriage with Ye Yunzhou, and once inside, she insisted on sitting next to him. Ye Yunzhou was delighted with this and, without questioning the reason, drove off towards the Right Prime Minister's residence.
From a distance, Luo Shuiyao spotted the lanterns at the gate of the Right Prime Minister's residence, with several shadowy figures faintly visible beneath them. She gestured for Ye Yunzhou to go faster. He glanced at her, nodded, and said nothing, but sped up as he was told. Only when the carriage stopped at the gate did Ye Yunzhou tighten the reins.
As soon as Luo Shuiyao jumped out of the car, several figures at the gate of the prime minister's residence surrounded her, "Miss, you are finally back, we were worried to death!" It turned out to be Chuntao and Chunxing.
Luo Shuiyao patted Chuntao and Chunxing gently to comfort them, then glanced doubtfully at Ye Yunzhou, who had followed her out of the car. It was already late, and although the lanterns at the entrance to the Right Prime Minister's Mansion were lit, the light was still dim. However, with Ye Yunzhou's keen eyesight, he could still clearly see the confusion in Luo Shuiyao's eyes. After a moment's thought, he understood what Luo Shuiyao was thinking, and explained, "I did send someone to inform them that I had found you, and to reassure them."
Upon hearing this, Chun Tao hurriedly explained on Ye Yunzhou's behalf, "Yes, Miss. The eldest master did send someone to tell us that he had found you and that he would send you back soon. But the young master refused to enter the mansion and insisted on seeing you with his own eyes. So we accompanied him and waited here."
Luo Shuiyao's eyes swept over Chuntao and the others, and when she looked back, she saw Du Lingfeng standing silently at the door of the Right Prime Minister's Mansion, staring at her, not knowing what he was thinking.
The Right Prime Minister and his wife were also beside him. At this moment, they looked into Luo Shuiyao's eyes. The Right Prime Minister's wife pursed her lips and smiled, without any blame in her eyes.
Luo Shuiyao hurried forward and apologized, "Dad, Mom, Brother, I'm sorry. I made you worry so late at night."
Luo Shuiyao walked forward, and the Right Prime Minister's wife came forward to meet her. Hearing her words, the Right Prime Minister's wife stretched out her finger, gently tapped her nose, and said angrily, "Look at you, what are you saying? You're being polite to your parents? As long as you're all safe and sound, this little thing is not worth mentioning at all. Don't take it to heart."
"Yes, we are free, so we came out to get some fresh air." Upon hearing this, the Right Prime Minister also agreed, but his eyes swept towards Ye Yunzhou vigilantly, fearing that this man would do something bad to his daughter.
Ye Yunzhou seemed to be unaware of it, and his eyes did not pause for a moment as he looked at Luo Shuiyao.
Luo Shuiyao felt a surge of warmth in her heart upon hearing this, and it grew stronger. Previously, she had always thought that if she had the chance, she would definitely return to her original time. But now, she inexplicably felt that even if such an opportunity truly came her way, she might not be willing to leave.
The mother and daughter chatted for a while, and Luo Shuiyao briefly mentioned what happened on the way, saying only that Ye Yunzhou had finished his business and sent her back. The Right Prime Minister's wife didn't think much of it and didn't doubt these words.
Instead, the Right Prime Minister narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharp as a torch, and looked at Ye Yunzhou with scrutiny. These words could only deceive Madam Ru; someone as simple-minded as Yaoyao couldn't fool him. The wolfish ambition of this Ye Dusi was obvious.
Ye Yunzhou remained composed, without a trace of guilt, and showed no embarrassment at having his lies exposed.
Seeing this, the Right Prime Minister, though he hadn't expected any reaction, couldn't help but sigh: "Young people these days are truly formidable." Then, calmly withdrawing his gaze, he silently added: "I need to remind Yaoyao to stay away from this person."