Zheng Huaiyu was an exceptionally intelligent young woman. She saw through Zou's schemes perfectly. Since she knew Zou's intentions, her willingness to still keep the appointment undoubtedly showed that Zheng Huaiyu believed that befriending Zou was more beneficial to her.
Considering Zheng Huiyi's disappearance, it's not hard to deduce Zheng Huaiyu's ulterior motives. She was likely worried that Zheng Huiyi's disappearance would affect her, so she wanted to secure a way out for herself in advance.
Gu Qinlan found this matter quite interesting and pondered to herself, how could someone as muddle-headed as Zou Shi give birth to such a clever daughter?
Well then, since Zheng Huaiyu is willing to go, let her go.
If she were to obstruct Zheng Huiyi's affairs and things were to get out of control, Zheng Huaiyu would probably hate her to the core.
Xiaoman added, "Miss Huaiyu probably wanted to ask you for help because she couldn't ask you alone, so she planned to ask the eldest young master to accompany her. As a result, the eldest young master had a fierce argument with her."
Just then, Zheng Fenghui, his face grim, walked over, dragging his small sword.
Hearing that Gu Qinlan was changing her clothes, he waited patiently in the corridor. Although his face showed obvious impatience, his manners were impeccable.
After Gu Qinlan changed her clothes, she let him into the room.
Zheng Fenghui bowed to Gu Qinlan, which surprised Gu Qinlan. She thought to herself: Did the sun rise in the west today?
Seeing Gu Qinlan's expression, Zheng Fenghui turned his head to the side somewhat awkwardly.
He had witnessed everything that had happened in the manor recently. Although he didn't fully understand many things, he knew in his heart that the woman from a merchant family meant him no harm.
That's how it seems, at least for now.
Since she meant no harm, he decided to give her some leeway for the time being.
Gu Qinlan didn't tease him, but asked directly, "What do you want from me?"
Zheng Fenghui spoke with a slight embarrassment: "I've come to ask for your help. Zheng Huaiyu is planning to meet with that person. Could you keep her at home and prevent her from going?"
The so-called "that person" naturally refers to Mr. Zou.
Last time, Zou wronged him without distinguishing right from wrong, and even brought her stepson to his door to force him to apologize, which made him hold a grudge ever since.
Although he was still young, he could clearly sense that his mother had chosen a new husband and abandoned him, her own son.
His heart was filled with bitterness.
Even though Lou Zhejie had scolded him, he couldn't accept it at the time. But now, looking back carefully, Lou Zhejie's scolding wasn't inappropriate.
His mother was indeed not a good woman.
He wasn't unable to accept the fact that his mother had remarried. His third uncle had told him that there was no law that required a woman to remain a widow for life. His mother wanting to remarry was perfectly reasonable.
However, with her father having died a heroic death on the battlefield and his body barely cold, is it really appropriate for her to rush into another man's arms?
Even if she disregarded the deep affection between husband and wife, she should have put herself in his and her sister's shoes and at least observed a year of mourning after her father's death before considering her own marriage.
Gu Qinlan looked at him in surprise: "Are these all your true thoughts?"
This puzzled him; how could such a child, who was still so young, have such a thought?
Zheng Fenghui gently shook his head: "This is what my sister said, and I think she makes a lot of sense."
After Zou left, Zheng Huaiyu held his hand and wept bitterly, pouring out her heart to him. Only then did he realize how profound the impact of his mother's remarriage had been on him and his siblings.
Therefore, the reason why Uncle San insisted on adopting the three children while remaining single was to protect them from the harm of rumors and gossip.
But it's impossible to please everyone, and rumors are rampant; how could they be so easily quelled?
He was always ridiculed and ostracized at school.
However, he was magnanimous and never blamed Zou Shi for all of this. Whenever he was bullied, he would always fight back on the spot. Because of Zou Shi's behavior, the teachers also looked down on him and often took sides, even expelling him from the classroom.
If it weren't for Lou Zhejie's trouble this time, he probably wouldn't have understood the root of all this.
The thought of all the grievances he had suffered because of Zou, and how she remained indifferent and heartless towards him, was unbearable. Remembering his valiant father only deepened his resentment towards Zou.
Therefore, he firmly opposed Zheng Huaiyu's idea of going to see Zou Shi.
Zheng Fenghui's eyes were red, but he stubbornly gritted his teeth to prevent the tears from falling.
Looking at him, Gu Qinlan couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy.
She gently stroked his head: "Even if I stopped her this time, what about next time? If she's willing, she'll always find a chance to see your mother. Besides, how can she be completely disheartened if she doesn't experience things for herself?"
Zheng Fenghui looked up at her with a puzzled expression: "What do you mean?"
Gu Qinlan smiled slightly: "Based on your understanding of your mother, do you think she would wrong herself for the sake of you and your sister?"
Zheng Fenghui's words fell like a meteorite crashing onto a lake, and he blurted out: "That's absolutely impossible!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Zheng Fenghui's eyes lit up instantly, like stars twinkling in the night sky: "I understand your deeper meaning!"
Sometimes, blocking things only provokes a stronger backlash. It's better to let her personally crash into that solid wall. Once the pain teaches her a lesson, she will naturally become obedient.
Just like Zheng Fenghui himself, how could he have seen the cruelty of the truth if he had not personally experienced the betrayal behind his mother's back?
Zheng Fenghui left with a pleasant laugh.
Gu Qinlan gently shook her head. Those who said Zheng Fenghui was brainless were truly wrong. How could a scion of a noble family be truly stupid? It's just that Zheng Fenghui had been too pampered before and had never experienced hardship. After several setbacks, especially being betrayed by those close to him, it would be difficult for him not to become shrewd.
Xiaoman visited Zheng Huaiyu's residence and truthfully conveyed Gu Qinlan's words.
That afternoon, Zheng Huaiyu asked Granny Zhang for leave and, accompanied by her personal maid, went out to visit Zou Shi.
Gu Qinlan thoughtfully dispatched two more servants to ensure Zheng Huaiyu's safety.
After Zheng Huaiyu left, Gu Qinlan sent someone to invite Zhao Qingyu to her.
Zhao Qingyu, that is the name of the Zhao family's daughter.
"This servant greets Madam."
Upon seeing Gu Qinlan, Zhao Qingyu bowed respectfully.
Gu Qinlan quickly helped her up: "Alright, I invited you here precisely to discuss this matter. From now on, you don't need to refer to yourself as a servant; I don't lack maids."
Zhao Qingyu said anxiously, "Madam, are you trying to kick me out? Please believe me, I am truly omnipotent and will serve you with utmost loyalty."
Gu Qinlan smiled gently and patted her hand lightly: "Let me finish. Qingyu, that's how I address you. I understand that you dare not go home right now, afraid of causing trouble for your family, and even more worried that they will abandon you because of it. But think about it carefully, how have your parents and brothers treated you in the past? Would they really abandon you because of your predicament?"
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