Without the support of her eldest cousin, what would she be in the Duke's Mansion?

She is still deceiving herself, not knowing how pitiful she is already to others!

The more Zhou Rui thought about it, the more proud she felt. The more she thought about it, the more she felt she was right. In an instant, she felt confident. "Since my eldest cousin's wife is so unreasonable and insists on waiting for my eldest cousin to come back, then fine, then let's wait! I want to see if my eldest cousin is unreasonable. Even if my eldest cousin's wife doesn't say anything, I should stay and explain it clearly to prevent others from confusing right and wrong."

Zhao Liya glanced at her and said, "That couldn't be better!"

Although she was somewhat puzzled as to why Zhou Rui had suddenly changed her mind, perhaps Mrs. Zhou Er had secretly communicated with her about something? What evil plans did the two of them have?

That's fine, it's better for her to stay here quietly.

After a while, a sedan chair was carried over. Chunfen and Chunxia carefully helped Zhao Liya sit on it. Lian Mama stared at Zhou Rui. Madam Zhou Er and Madam Zhou San naturally would not leave, so they went to Zhao Liya's yard together.

Old Madam Zhou and the Duke's wife soon sent people over to inquire.

The Duke's wife naturally comforted Zhao Liya and made her feel at ease.

The Duke's wife is not feeling well, otherwise she would have come here directly.

Old Madam Zhou was not so polite. The people she sent over kept saying that Zhao Liya, as her sister-in-law, was too excessive and too calculating, not caring at all about the dignity of being a family.

Zhao Liya was too lazy to pay attention.

Zhou Hansheng came back quickly and hurried to the mansion as soon as he received the news.

"My wife! My wife!"

The prince was as fast as the wind. Just as people could hear his footsteps and calls, he was already in front of them.

"Madam, are you seriously injured? Does it hurt?"

Everyone: “.”

It’s too shameful to watch! It’s really too shameful to watch!

Mrs. Zhou Er and the others had never seen the two of them together in private, and they found it extremely eye-catching! Zhou Rui secretly gritted her teeth, becoming increasingly jealous and resentful. She was in dire straits every day, fighting to the death with that bitch Qian, and no matter what she did, her husband would never bother to look at her. Why was Zhao Liya so content?

However, men's hearts are easily changed, and her good days are coming to an end.

Even though Zhao Liya was thick-skinned, she couldn't compare to the prince. Her face flushed slightly, and she secretly glared at the prince. She shook her head and said softly, "I sprained my ankle, and it still hurts a little."

"The doctor will be here soon, don't be afraid."

"Um"

Zhou Hansheng gently held her hand, signaling her to be at ease. When he looked up at everyone, his expression was not so good.

His eyes flashed with coldness as he glanced at her coldly, "When did the Duke of Liguo's Mansion become so unruly? The Crown Prince's wife was actually bullied in her own mansion. What a joke!"

Madam Zhou Er's face flushed. "Don't say that, my lord. Isn't Rui'er from the Duke's Mansion? We should always be reasonable, right?"

Zhou Hansheng sneered, "So Second Aunt is still reasonable! Well, since we're all here today, let's have a proper talk! Madam Lian, tell me, what exactly happened back then?"

Mrs. Zhou Er and countless others looked at Nanny Lian in unison. They weren't worried that Nanny Lian would lie, after all, so many people were there.

But you have to listen carefully and be careful not to try to change the subject.

"Yes, my Lord!" Nanny Lian knelt down and bowed, then told the whole story from the beginning.

No one expected that Nanny Lian's memory was so good. She could tell everything from the beginning without missing a single thing.

Even though Zhou Rui listened attentively and tried to find faults in her, she failed to do so.

However, Zhou Rui was not panicked.

After hearing this, Zhou Hansheng looked at her and said, "Zhou Rui, how did you know I wanted to take a concubine?"

Listen!

Zhou Rui was overjoyed when she heard this, and she was even more convinced that her inference was correct! Otherwise, why didn't he refute it?

How did she know? Of course she knew!

"Brother, it's not surprising that I know something that many people in the mansion know."

"Really?" Zhou Hansheng smiled and continued to dig a hole for her: "Then, do you know who I want to take as a concubine?"

Zhou Rui's spirits lifted, and she said without hesitation, "Of course it's Qingwan and Lanxin!"

"Who?" Zhou Hansheng glanced at Zhao Liya. "Madam, what is Zhou Rui talking about? I don't understand."

Zhou Rui's smile froze, and she was about to choke back the words that would accuse Zhao Liya of being unvirtuous, intolerant, and jealous.

She opened her eyes wide, feeling a little uneasy.

Zhao Liya just kept watching Zhou Hansheng pretending, so this one-man show couldn't go on any longer and she needed to cooperate?

She smiled with the gentle grace of a virtuous young wife and said sweetly, "My Lord, the Qingwan and Lanxin that my second sister mentioned are now living in our house. Qingwan is the zither teacher that taught my third sister, and Lanxin is said to be a distant niece from my second aunt's family. They both like to wander around the house and enjoy the scenery. I'm sure they've met my Lord several times."

"Really? I don't remember meeting any strangers!" Zhou Hansheng thought for a moment, shook his head, and sneered. He then stared at Zhou Rui, his tone shrouded in a dangerous chill: "Zhou Rui, you're so bold! I didn't even know I was going to take a concubine, but you arranged everything so clearly for me!"

"I—but—"

"But what? When did I ever say I wanted to take them as concubines? You've been spouting nonsense and slandering this prince, and even using this fabricated story to mock and stir up trouble in front of his wife. You're truly restless! Nanny Lian, tell the gatekeeper not to let Zhou Rui set foot in the Duke's Mansion again! Someone like her who stirs up trouble for no reason is truly a troublemaker and is not welcome in the Duke's Mansion!"

Nanny Lian knelt down and answered loudly, "Yes, my Lord!"

"Why?" Mrs. Zhou Er was furious. "Rui'er is also from the Duke's Mansion!"

Zhou Hansheng said coldly, "If Second Aunt is not convinced, then she can split up and live somewhere else. She won't be allowed to enter the Duke's Mansion again. Isn't it enough for Second Aunt to move out of the Duke's Mansion?"

"You——" Mrs. Zhou Er was furious.

Separate the family and live separately? How is that possible!

Although she felt aggrieved and resentful living in the Duke's Mansion, it also had its advantages. At least no one dared to look down on her when she was outside, and at least she didn't have to worry about food, clothing, or other expenses.

If the family were to split up, not only would their social status drop significantly, but they would also have to be responsible for their own daily expenses!

Zhou Rui was anxious and yelled, "I didn't say that! Why are you blaming me? It's clearly being spread throughout the house and outside as well. Why are you blaming me alone?"

Zhou Hansheng: "Everything is spreading? How come I don't know? Madam, do you know?"

Zhao Liya shook her head and smiled. "Of course I don't know. I have so many things to do every day. I also have to take care of my mother and take care of the prince. How can I have the time to listen to gossip?"