In the Embroidery Room, Min Rou's needle almost pierced her own finger.
Concubine Liu was also so startled that she couldn't speak, lowering her head to look at her obedient daughter being coaxed by the nanny in the cradle beside her.
Zhou Muxin, Min Rou's husband, was known throughout the capital city for doting on his wife.
He did not take any concubines, obeyed his beloved wife's every word, and reportedly handed over his entire monthly salary to Min Rou without keeping a single penny for himself.
The unmarried young ladies of prominent families in the capital, as well as the official wives who were already married, all envied Min Rou for having such a doting and devoted husband.
Because of this husband's tender affection and exclusive adoration, everyone who saw Min Rou's somewhat strict mother-in-law still felt that she could be tolerated.
Even Concubine Liu in the palace knew of these rumors.
It was clear how renowned Zhou Muxin's love for Min Rou was throughout the capital.
[Ah, it's all false, all lies.]
Xiao Chuchu rocked in the cradle, shaking her head helplessly.
[Believing in men will only lead to failure.]
[What monthly salary being handed over to Aunt Min Rou? He's just a lowly patrol guard in the capital, his monthly salary is pitiful.]
[The main source of his income is the 'tribute money' he receives from the various shops and stalls in the city. Just this October alone, Zhou Muxin collected three hundred taels.]
[Aunt Min Rou, I wonder how much of that he actually gave you?]
[With his meager salary, he might give you some, but he keeps the bulk of his under-the-table 'tribute money' for himself!]
Min Rou was stunned, her chest heaving.
She had just been staying in Concubine Liu's Embroidery Room, not only to catch up with her long-lost bosom friend, but also because she had heard the peculiar thoughts of the young princess.
When she first heard the first sentence, she thought she had misheard.
But as she listened on, she became more and more shaken and astounded!
Zhou Muxin only gave her twenty-odd taels of his October salary, and secretly kept three hundred taels for himself!?
What kind of handing over his salary to her for safekeeping was that?
There was none of that at all!
Min Rou felt like she was about to faint.
She had originally wanted to completely cut ties with the Zhou family because of the offense committed by Zhou's patriarch, and the one she would miss the most was her husband.
She had always thought that he had only her, that he had laid bare his heart for her.
She had wanted to leave him because of the despicable act his grandfather had committed, ultimately feeling somewhat guilty towards his genuine love.
But it was not like that?
Min Rou's needlework was almost ripped apart.
"Ahem." Concubine Liu even cleared her throat, taking several breaths before regaining her composure.
She quickly changed the subject, hinting at Min Rou, "That, that, Sister Rou, has Elder Brother Zhou been up to anything lately?"
Min Rou was slightly stunned, "He... has just been going about his duties as usual, returning home at night."
"But I dislike the Zhou family's repulsiveness, so I've been sleeping in a separate room."
"He keeps the children company until late at night, then goes to sleep alone in the study."
She had just finished speaking when she heard Xiao Chuchu's sweet and innocent voice ringing in her mind again.
[Ah, what do you mean 'sleeping alone'?]
[When the moon rises above the willow branches, people meet after dusk! After you all fall asleep, he sneaks out the back door of the study to go meet the daughter of the Minister of Justice in the back alleys at midnight!]
Xiao Chuchu inwardly scoffed.
Min Rou became dazed, "He... he cried and begged me not to leave him..."
Xiao Chuchu clicked her tongue in amazement, [You can't trust a dog man's words, even pigs can climb trees! There is a door in his study that leads directly to the outside street from the Zhou mansion.]
Min Rou's face drained of color, "I thought he still cared for me, that's why I worked so hard to keep him..."
Hearing this, Liu Chaniang, whose intelligence had doubled after smelling her daughter's milk this morning, immediately understood.
"Zhou Muxin's grandfather committed a crime and was imprisoned by the Ministry of Justice, stripped of his official position. Zhou Muxin's father is just a common editor in the Hanlin Academy, without any real power."
"Zhou Muxin, the sole heir of nine generations, barely managed to pass the military examination, but now he's only a lowly patrol guard. The Zhou family has clearly fallen from grace and is no longer among the influential capital officials."
"And the Emperor obviously doesn't favor the Zhou family. He has a very poor impression of them."
Liu Chaniang sighed as she looked at Min Rou's pale face, "But Sister Rou, you are resolute and decisive, and the Emperor has a certain appreciation for you. He specifically appointed you to assist me in making winter clothes."
At this, Min Rou suddenly understood.
In the eyes of others, as long as she remained in the Zhou family, the family had a chance of regaining the Emperor's favor.
The Emperor was willing to utilize her, and in the future would be willing to utilize her children as well.
Even over time, he might find Zhou Muxin acceptable, and after he took over the family, all the past would be forgiven and forgotten!
Min Rou's lips trembled, "Are you saying that he's keeping me around to prevent the Emperor from despising the Zhou family? To help the Zhou family regain their position among the capital officials?"
[Ah, my mother is so clever again~]
Xiao Chuchu couldn't help but silently praise her mother.
[That's exactly it. So in the novel, not long after Min Rou passes away, Zhou Muxin hastily remarries the daughter of the Minister of Justice, using that connection to advance to the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice within three years.]
Min Rou painfully closed her eyes.
[This man, when he was young he lusted after Aunt Min Rou's beauty, but after obtaining her, he no longer cherished her. Now he's only focused on advancing his career, seeking to gain a prestigious official position.]
[He's not satisfied with just being a lowly patrol guard!]
Xiao Chuchu's incisive criticisms were like knives cutting into the hearts of the two women in the room.
Min Rou tightly gripped the fabric in her hands, barely holding back from rushing home to confront Zhou Muxin.
Was what the young princess said true?
The young princess was the granddaughter of Master Liu, who was like a second father to her.
Min Rou couldn't help but trust what the young princess said from the bottom of her heart.
But still, Zhou Muxin had been her husband of ten years...
Holding back her tears, Min Rou lowered her head to sew the winter clothes, "Chaniang, let's not talk about this anymore. My two daughters have been running fevers that won't go down, that's why I haven't had the heart to immediately divorce him."
"I'll take the two children back to my family's house today."
Whether his feelings for her were real or fake, it no longer mattered to her.
Even if it was fake, taking her two daughters and leaving the Zhou family would make her feel more at peace!
Liu Chaniang heard this and tightly grasped her hand, about to open her mouth to encourage her, when she heard her own daughter drop another bombshell.
Xiao Chuchu, idling in the cradle, decided to have the system check what Zhou Muxin was up to now.
She was very curious about how this despicable man had deceived a woman for ten years.
The results shocked even the worldly-wise Xiao Chuchu.
[Damn, this Zhou Muxin is still human!?]
[He and his old mother are going to drown Min Rou's little daughter in ice water!]
Min Rou's body went limp at these words.
Concubine Liu abruptly stood up with a clatter.
[Ah! This old hag and that stinking man are drugging the three-year-old child and making her soak in ice water, making her gravely ill! To prevent Aunt Min Rou from divorcing at this time!]
[Ah, help!]
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