Chapter 341: True Face Revealed

Zhao Liya had always been on Zhou Hansheng's side and wouldn't tolerate Madam Zhou Er. She immediately continued to argue bluntly, "I naturally respect my elders. My parents taught me to be polite since I was a child. They also taught me not to back down when someone tries to frame or slander me, or takes out their anger on me for no reason!"

Deng naturally supported her daughter and said bluntly, "Madam Zhou Er, I understand how you feel, but that doesn't give you a reason to make unreasonable demands on us. My Ya'er is just a girl. She's lucky to have escaped such a thing. What else can she do? Madam Zhou Er, could it be that you are angry with our Ya'er because of Miss Zhou Er's affairs? This is too much! Since I promised you something, I will naturally do it. I swear that I will never do that. Madam Zhou Er, if you are not convinced, then don't be convinced!"

Zhao Liya smiled and added, "It's none of our business if Madam Zhou Er is unhappy. But please don't do anything behind her back or spread any unpleasant rumors. Otherwise, it will get ugly if a scene breaks out."

Madam Zhou Er was furious when Zhao Liya pointed out her dark thoughts. She sneered, "Miss Zhao, a young woman, speaks so harshly. I didn't realize this was just the result of your family upbringing. Miss Zhao is truly well-educated! With such upbringing, how can she be worthy of our Crown Prince? How can she even enter the gates of our Duke's Mansion?"

Just as Zhao Liya was about to speak, Deng pulled her over and protected her behind her, saying calmly, "It's not Madam Zhou Er's turn to judge how well our Zhao family is educated. The Emperor hasn't even said anything bad about our master, so Madam Zhou Er, please don't bother. Otherwise, if it gets out, wouldn't it be a joke? Madam Zhou Er, don't worry about whether our Ya'er is worthy of being the Crown Prince or whether she's worthy of entering the Duke's Mansion. That's not Madam Zhou Er's business. The Duke and his wife will worry about that!"

"you--"

Mrs. Zhou Er was speechless after being confronted by Mrs. Deng. Her eyes widened, and she wanted to curse: Who said that Mrs. Zhao was soft-skinned and flimsy? Who said that? Isn't this Mrs. Zhao?

Even Mrs. Zhou San was frightened by Mrs. Deng.

Little did they know that Deng had always been gentle and kind, never easily engaging in arguments. However, after her journey through Lingnan, how could she possibly remain unchanged? Besides, she didn't see any harm in her change.

That's the only way to protect your children, right?

Could it be that she, as a mother, allowed outsiders to humiliate her child in front of her? What would that mean?

"Ahem," Mrs. Zhou San saw the situation was getting worse and quickly tried to smooth things over. "Our two families will soon be in-laws, so let's talk it out. Madam Zhao, please don't blame my second sister-in-law. Rui has gone missing, and my second sister-in-law is worried. In a hurry, I spoke without restraint. Please forgive me, Madam Zhao!"

Madam Zhou Er sneered and said coldly, "Why should Third Sister-in-law soften her tone? You can't do anything about it. She's very powerful! Anyway, I will never let this matter go! Absolutely not! I will have someone thoroughly investigate what exactly happened when my Rui'er was with Miss Zhao!"

Mrs. Deng snorted, "I also believe in my Ya'er. My Ya'er has never been ignorant or irrational. We are upright and have nothing to fear. Even if we report this to the Emperor, it won't matter. Madam Zhou Er, just investigate!"

"Well, we'll see!"

Seeing this, Zhao Liya gently tugged at her mother's sleeve and said softly, "Mom, let's go back."

Mrs. Deng nodded. "Well, let's go. We won't disturb the two Madam Zhous any more. Goodbye."

Mrs. Zhou Er snorted, and Mrs. Zhou San made two polite remarks with a forced smile, but neither of them stood up to see them off.

Of course, Deng and Zhao Liya didn't want it either.

But Mrs. Deng was still angry at Mrs. Zhou Er's criticism of her daughter. She sneered, "You don't know how to treat guests at all, and yet you have the nerve to criticize our family's upbringing. What a joke! If it weren't for the Duke and the Crown Prince's willingness, I really wouldn't want you to marry into such a family. Alas."

As Deng spoke, she couldn't help but feel a little sad.

The old lady in the Duke of Liguo's mansion and the second and third wives are not easy to deal with.

Since Zhao Liya had decided to be with Zhou Hansheng, she naturally didn't care about these issues. Hearing this, she smiled and comforted her mother, "Mother, you underestimate your daughter! No matter how powerful they are, do I think I would be afraid of them? Do they think they can plot against me? Even if they want to use filial piety to pressure me, it won't be that easy! Besides, don't we still have the Crown Prince and the Duke?"

If Zhou Hansheng dared not to help her, she would simply ignore him!

Deng couldn't help but laugh, "You!"

When the mother and daughter returned home, Zhao Liya did not return to her own yard, but followed her mother to the main yard and quickly dismissed the people around her.

On the way, she decided it would be best to tell her mother the truth. The two branches of the Zhou family had dared to plot against her, resorting to such devious tactics. If she kept it a secret from her parents, they would be completely unprepared and unsuspecting, and they might even fall prey to their schemes.

"Mom, I want to tell you something"

Zhao Liya sat next to Deng and told her everything that happened in the mountain behind the temple today. Deng was so shocked that her whole body turned cold and she was terrified!

After hearing this, Mrs. Deng was furious and kept scolding Zhao Liya: "You child, you child, you are so brave! How could you follow them to the back mountain when you knew they had bad intentions? God bless you, God bless you, it's a blessing that nothing happened. If something happened, what would you do to your father and mother!"

"You are so bold and reckless!"

While scolding her, Mrs. Deng was worried that Zhao Liya was frightened today, but she couldn't bear to say anything too harsh. She held her hand and said two words and three words of comfort.

Zhao Liya didn't expect her to react so strongly, and hurriedly said with a smile, "Mom, please don't be like this! Of course I'm going only when I'm sure. Don't worry, they can't do anything to me! Besides, I specifically told Brother Zhou about our incense burning today, and he told me to just go without worry, so I..."

Deng was stunned. "Really?"

Zhao Liya nodded repeatedly: "Really, really, of course it's true!"

"That's fine!" Deng sighed. She calmed down a bit when she heard Zhou Hansheng was there to back her up, but she still disagreed: "Don't take risks like this in the future."

Zhao Liya had no choice but to continue nodding, "Yes, mother."

(End of this chapter)