"Speak quickly, so I can return as soon as possible, lest your Uncle Lou finds out about this and gives me a hard time again."

Although Zheng Huaiyu was furious, she remembered the purpose of her trip. So she suppressed her anger and waited for Zou Shi to finish venting before slowly speaking, trying to negotiate: "Mother, could you please help me take her to the Lou family for a short stay?"

She had already made up her mind. She knew it was unlikely that her mother would take her directly to the Lou family, since the Zheng family couldn't just stand by and watch their bloodline flow out. She planned to stay at the Lou family temporarily, waiting for Zheng Huiyi's incident to escalate further. At that point, she would naturally ask to live with her mother, and the Zheng family would certainly be too embarrassed to stop her.

However, Zou's reaction was unusually firm. Without a moment's hesitation, she resolutely rejected Zheng Huaiyu's seemingly "unreasonable" request.

“Huaiyu, you’re not a child anymore. You should understand things by now. My life in the Lou family is already difficult enough. Can’t you just stop causing me so much trouble?”

Before she could finish speaking, she seemed to suddenly remember something, a hint of suspicion flashing in her eyes. She squinted and looked Zheng Huaiyu up and down: "Why do you suddenly want to go to the Lou family? Have you fallen for Zhejie? Zheng Huaiyu, how old are you? How can you be so shameless?"

Zheng Huaiyu stomped his feet in anger at his mother's words: "Mother!"

How could she possibly be attracted to that arrogant Lou Zhejie! Besides, last time Lou Zhejie was beaten black and blue by Zheng Fenghui, she hadn't even seen what Lou Zhejie looked like!

In Zou's heart, though others might find it hard to believe, she firmly believed her guess was correct. In her eyes, Lou Yongwei surpassed her deceased ex-husband in every way. If there was one area where Lou Yongwei was inferior to Zheng Huaiyu's father, it could only be the difference in their backgrounds.

Lou Zhejie inherited his father's looks, and his handsome appearance was astonishing. From a young age, Zou was captivated by Lou Yongwei's charm, so much so that after her husband's death, she almost immediately considered remarrying him.

Based on her own feelings, she deduced Zheng Huaiyu's thoughts and concluded that her daughter must have fallen for Lou Zhejie.

This is absolutely unacceptable!

On one hand, there is her biological daughter, and on the other hand, there is her stepson. If Zheng Huaiyu is really involved with Lou Zhejie, then her position in the Lou family will be in jeopardy, and the ridicule of others will surely follow her like a shadow.

So, Madam Zou patiently advised Zheng Huaiyu: "You must be clear-headed. The Zheng family is the prestigious Prince Duan's Mansion. Your father and grandfather have made great achievements in battle. Even if your third uncle, General, bravely sacrifices himself on the battlefield, you don't need to worry about marriage. Although the Lou family is a merchant family, no matter how hard they try, they can't compare to the Zheng family."

"Besides, you and Zhejie are like siblings; there's absolutely no possibility between you. Get rid of those absurd thoughts immediately. You may not care about saving face, but I must uphold the family's dignity!"

Zheng Huaiyu trembled with anger. She never imagined that her own mother would have such absurd thoughts, and she never imagined that she was so worthless in her mother's eyes.

"Enough! If you behave so badly, don't assume others are as despicable as you! What is Lou Zhejie anyway! Does he even deserve my attention? If you consider him a treasure, that's your choice, but don't tarnish my eyes!"

Zou angrily raised her hand and slapped Zheng Huaiyu hard across the face: "Shut up!"

Zheng Huaiyu was stunned by the blow, clutching his burning cheek, unable to come to his senses for a moment.

After she made the move, Ms. Zou was stunned; she couldn't believe she had actually laid a hand on her daughter.

“Huaiyu, let your mother see if it hurts. I didn’t mean to, it was all because of the awful things you said. I can tolerate what others say about me, but you can’t talk to me like that, because I am your mother…”

As she explained, she tried to check Zheng Huaiyu's cheek, but Zheng Huaiyu cleverly avoided her by turning to the side.

"Huaiyu, don't do this, Mother really didn't mean to hurt you, Mother..."

Zheng Huaiyu spoke coldly: "Madam Lou, you don't need to pretend anymore. Lou Zhejie insulted you, yet you brought him to your door to force Feng Hui to apologize to him. And for your two criticisms, you attacked me. It seems that Feng Hui and I are far less important to you than the son of your beloved."

Upon hearing the words "Madam Lou," Madam Zou's face paled instantly, and she stammered in protest, "No, I..."

Zheng Huaiyu, however, did not allow her to say more, interrupting her: "There is no need to argue. You and I know the truth of the matter. Let's pretend that I never set foot here. From now on, you do not need to send anyone to my Zheng family. After all, you are now Madam Lou and have no connection with my Zheng family. From the day you remarried, the descendants of the main branch of my Zheng family have lost their mother."

As soon as she finished speaking, Zheng Huaiyu turned and left with her maid, without showing the slightest emotion throughout.

Only after stepping through the gates of Prince Duan's mansion did her tears fall like pearls from a broken string.

Gu Qinlan had no intention of interfering in Zheng Huaiyu's affairs, but after listening to Ziyan's account, she felt a little sympathy for her.

Although the girl was cunning, she had never committed any evil deeds.

After suffering abuse at the hands of Zou, she resolutely severed ties with Zou, preserving the reputation of the Duan Prince's Mansion. Gu Qinlan thought to herself that if she didn't care for her, she might develop evil intentions.

Therefore, Gu Qinlan decided to go to Zheng Huaiyu's residence.

As soon as they stepped into the courtyard, they heard Zheng Huaiyu crying from inside the house, while her maids paced anxiously outside.

Upon seeing Gu Qinlan arrive, the maids hurriedly stepped forward to pay their respects.

Gu Qinlan waved her hand gently, signaling them to step aside, and then knocked lightly on the door.

"Go away, don't bother me!" Zheng Huiyi's voice came through the door.

Zi Yan quickly moved closer to the crack in the door and softly pleaded, "Miss, it's Madam. Please open the door."

"I won't see you! Get out of here! Nobody's going to laugh at me right now!"

She absolutely cannot see Gu Qinlan!

Zi Yan wanted to continue knocking on the door, but Gu Qinlan stopped her.

"If she doesn't want to see me right now, don't force her. By the way, has your daughter eaten yet?"

Zi Yan shook her head worriedly.

Gu Qinlan turned to Fuyu and instructed, "Go to the kitchen and prepare a few dishes that Huaiyu likes. Keep them warm on the stove and send them over when she wants to eat. Also, prepare hot water; she's been out all day and will definitely need a bath."

She then turned to Ziyan and instructed, "Don't crowd around here and bother her. She's feeling down right now, so let her vent. Once she calms down, she'll naturally return to normal."

After instructing the servants, Gu Qinlan turned to face the house and said in a firm yet gentle tone, "If you do not wish to see me, then I will leave. However, before I depart, I must make clear to you an ironclad principle—the Zheng family will always steadfastly protect the women in the family, whether it is your aunt or you."