Chapter 223 Coercion
A person’s virtue lies in knowing his own limitations. Old Madam Zhuang knew that if she didn’t back down, she would be threatened by the imperial power.
Yu Zheng’s words were a reminder and a warning.
After thinking it over again and again, Old Madam Zhuang ordered outside: “Come on, there are many people in the mansion today, ask the kitchen to add two more dishes.”
“Yes.” The servant took the order and left.
Jiang Shu and others breathed a sigh of relief.
Old Madam Zhuang was asking Zhou Boxu to stay for dinner, which was a disguised agreement.
“Thank you, old madam, for your help.” Zhou Boxu stood up and bowed deeply to express his gratitude.
Yu Lan's eyes were red, and she choked up and said, "Thank you, mother, for your help."
Madam Zhuang sighed, looked at Zhuang Yin and said sympathetically, "I have no other requests, as long as you treat Yin'er well."
Zhuang Yin is the hope of the Zhuang family and the only force that supports her to survive.
"I will never break my promise." Zhou Boxu promised again.
Madam Zhuang looked at Zhou Boxu, who was so imposing, and thought of the harm done to him by the Zhuang family ten years ago, and his repentance today, and she finally felt a little guilty.
In detail, Zhou Boxu did not owe the Zhuang family, but the Zhuang family owed him. But he was magnanimous and willing to accept Zhuang Yin, which was rare.
The past cannot be retrieved, and people must always look forward. Instead of worrying every day, it is better to let go.
Once the hurdle in her heart was overcome, Mrs. Zhuang was relieved.
The dark clouds in the sky dispersed, and the golden warm sun shone on the earth, melting the cold snow that had accumulated for several days.
At lunch, there were so many people sitting at the Zhuang family's dining table for the first time, and it was the first time to celebrate the New Year so lively.
Looking at Zhou Boxu picking up dishes and serving soup for Zhuang Yan, Mrs. Zhuang couldn't help but burst into tears.
Zhuang Yan lost his biological father before he was born, maybe this is God's compensation for him.
After the meal, Zhou Boxu stood up and said goodbye without staying for long.
Although Mrs. Zhuang agreed to what happened today, it was after all in the Zhuang family. Whatever she said or did, she had to consider Mrs. Zhuang's feelings, which was not very convenient.
Before leaving, Zhou Boxu looked at Yu Lan deeply.
Knowing that the two of them must have a lot to say, but they didn't have a good opportunity, Jiang Shu said, "Tomorrow the palace will hold a New Year banquet. Sister, bring Yan'er here early."
Yu Lan was startled, and then agreed, "Okay."
Old Madam Zhuang listened to their words, and her heart was as clear as a mirror.
She knew that Yu Lan's days in the Zhuang family were numbered.
Yu Zheng, Jiang Shu and Zhou Boxu left together. Before getting on the carriage, Zhou Boxu bowed to the two of them, "Thank you."
Yu Zheng raised his eyebrows slightly, "Remember to bring New Year gifts tomorrow."
Zhou Boxu was stunned, and then laughed, "Okay, I will definitely prepare a generous gift for you."
Yu Zheng had made a lot of efforts to convince Old Madam Zhuang today, and he should thank her with a generous gift.
On the way back, Zhou Boxu felt relaxed, with an irrepressible smile on his face.
"Young Master is back." After returning to the Zhou residence, the gatekeeper was surprised to see Zhou Boxu, who was in high spirits.
"Yes." Zhou Boxu responded and walked into the residence briskly.
The servant looked at Zhou Boxu's back and shook his head in confusion: "It's really strange that the young master actually agreed to my marriage today."
Because it was the New Year, many relatives came to the Zhou family, and now they were all gathered in the hall drinking tea and chatting.
"Hey, Boxu is back."
"Uncle, aunt..." Zhou Boxu asked politely one by one.
Zhou's mother looked surprised and said: "You are not at home to entertain guests during the New Year. What have you been busy with?" Zhou's
mother, who was dressed elegantly and had a dignified appearance, had a voice like a broken bell when she spoke.
Although she wore a stand-up collar to cover it, if you look closely, you can still vaguely see the scar on her neck.
That was when Zhou Boxu was going to ask for permission to go to the southwest, and Zhou's mother left it with her own death.
Zhou Boxu was determined to go to the war, and Zhou's mother was also determined to die. She didn't show any mercy when the dagger cut her throat.
Although she was saved by emergency rescue, the cut was too deep and injured her throat. Zhou's mother took half a year to speak again, but her previous melodious voice turned into a broken sound.
Since then, Zhou's mother has lived in seclusion and rarely sees guests except for relatives at home.
Under the gaze of everyone, Zhou Boxu pursed his lips and said, "I went to the Zhuang family."
"What!" Zhou's mother slammed the table in anger, and she couldn't believe her ears.
Zhou Taifu and all the relatives were also shocked, and didn't understand why Zhou Boxu went to the Zhuang family to do it during the New Year.
"What did you go to the Zhuang family for?" In the end, it was Master Zhou who asked.
Zhou Boxu answered truthfully, "To ask for marriage."
"It's been ten years, and you still don't give up!" Zhou's mother was angry at her and covered her chest with a look of grief.
Zhou Boxu looked straight at his mother and said stubbornly, "My son will never give up in his life."
"Alas!" Master Zhou shook his head and sighed helplessly.
Before Zhou Boxu came back, Zhou's mother was still telling relatives that she must find a beautiful girl for Zhou Boxu to marry this year.
Relatives even proposed candidates and waited for Zhou Boxu to come back to choose.
But Zhou Boxu told them that he went to the Zhuang family to ask for Yu Lan's hand in marriage.
The incident that year was a sensation, and the nobles in Shangjing and the relatives at home all knew about it.
In recent years, Zhou Boxu has been diligent and motivated, and has held a high position. He has never mentioned Yu Lan again. Everyone thought that he was healing and forgetting, but he never thought that his obsession had never changed.
He still wants to marry Yu Lan.
"Do you really want to force me to death?" Zhou's mother beat her chest with a painful look.
It's not that she doesn't like Yu Lan. On the contrary, she used to love Yu Lan very much and wanted Yu Lan to be the daughter-in-law of the Zhou family.
It's just that the incident back then was too big, and the Zhou family had lost face and was despised once. If he asks for Yu Lan again now, he will definitely be laughed at again.
And the most important thing is that with the sharp thorn of the barrier back then, Zhou's mother can't face Yu Lan calmly.
"Then mother, do you really want to force your son to death?" Zhou Boxu suddenly drew a dagger from his waist and pointed the sharp tip of the knife at his heart.
"Good, good, very good! Now you have learned to threaten others with death!" Mother Zhou was so angry that she gnashed her teeth and gasped for breath.
Seeing that Master Zhou didn't say anything, Zhou's mother said angrily: "Look at the good son you taught. For a woman, he actually threatened his parents with a knife. He is really filial."
Master Zhou frowned, looked at Zhou Boxu sternly, and reprimanded in a deep voice: "Boxu, put down the knife, let's talk it over."
Zhou Boxu calmly said: "My body and skin are from my parents, and I should return them to them. If mother still threatens to kill me today like she did last year, then I will die before her and return this body to her."
Zhou Boxu implied that he learned this from his mother. He pointed the dagger at himself now just to prevent his mother from repeating the same trick.
Zhou's mother was so angry that her face turned blue and red, staring at Zhou Boxu and unable to speak.
The relatives around him advised: "Bo Xu, put down the knife first, you are cutting your mother's heart by doing this."
"Sister, calm down too, and talk to Bo Xu nicely if you have anything to say."
"Yes, talk nicely, it's New Year's Day, it's unlucky to use a knife and see blood."
However, everyone tried to persuade him for a long time, but Zhou Bo Xu's hand holding the dagger did not move at all.
"Are you determined to marry no one but the princess?" asked Taifu Zhou with a serious face.
Zhou Bo Xu said firmly: "Yes, my son only has the princess in his heart. If I can't get my wish in this life, then my son will never marry for the rest of his life."