Chapter 412: Again?

Chapter 412: Again?

Fang Jinxiu lied and said, "I've wanted to come see you for a long time, but I didn't have any money to get in. You know, my dowry was taken away, and now even spending a single copper coin depends on the Lu family. Lu Shen has no feelings left for me; it's Ning'er he cares about, not me. He wants to find a better mother for Ning'er and doesn't think much of me. If it weren't for the fact that Ning'er still needs my milk, they would have taken him away long ago."

Zhou knew of her difficulties but had no idea she was struggling so much.

Zhou felt deeply distressed and said, "If only we had listened to Madam back then and gotten rid of the child, and then found an honest man in the countryside to marry. At the time, Master and Madam treated you well, and even if you had gone to the countryside, they wouldn't have let you suffer."

Fang Jinxiu replied, "What's the point of saying this now? If only I hadn't gone to the temple, then I wouldn't have been violated by Lu Shen."

Zhou nodded, "Who could have known that Lu Shen would turn out like this, doing such beastly things before marriage? He is truly a beast."

Fang Jinxiu deliberately said this to probe her.

She had been observing her and, finding no signs of abnormality, believed that she really did not know about that incident.

So it was just a transaction between Zhou Bo and Lu Shen.

Fang Jinxiu felt a bit relieved, thinking to herself: No matter what, the wet nurse has always been loyal to me.

"Wet Nurse, I will find a way to save you."

Zhou shook her head, "No, you have enough difficulties already. Don't worry about me. I deserve whatever punishment comes my way. It's just Zhou Bo... Sigh! What worries me most is leaving you behind."

Fang Jinxiu said, "I'll be fine; I have a son. Since Lu Shen can't produce any more children, they won't dare do anything to me; at worst, they might make me suffer a bit."

Zhou responded, "That may be true, but people can be vicious. They don't dare do anything to you because of the Zheng and Cui families. Lady Zheng values you, which is why they haven't used their cruel methods against you. But once Lady Zheng loses interest in you, do you know how easy it is for a woman to die unexpectedly in this big house?"

Fang Jinxiu felt a chill in her heart.

Zhou continued, "If it comes to it, go back and beg Madam to find a way to rescue you from the Lu family. Life is precious. While you're still young, go to a place where no one knows you. Madam still treats you well; she might give you some money to marry a villager, buy some farmland, and hire a couple of servants. Although life there won't compare to that of the ladies in the capital, it will be much better than being here."

Zhou came from a small place and had experienced poverty firsthand.

In her past, she envied those who owned dozens of acres of land.

To her, that was a life akin to the gods.

Fang Jinxiu said, "We'll see. Ning'er is still young; I'll think about it."

Zhou realized she wasn't listening and stopped trying to persuade her.

Fang Jinxiu placed the food box on the ground and said, "Wet Nurse, I brought you some good food. Eat plenty; it's not easy for me to visit."

"Thank you, Miss. Remember to take care of yourself."

"I will. As for Zhou Bo... Wet Nurse, rest assured. When his sentence is over, I'll come to fetch him and ensure he doesn't suffer in his later years."

Zhou was moved and nodded.

Fang Jinxiu was raised by her, and she understood Fang Jinxiu well.

Throughout the conversation, she didn't mention entrusting her with taking care of Zhou Bo, focusing instead on her future, ensuring that she would remember Zhou Bo's situation.

Fang Jinxiu left and, upon entering the gate, ran into Lu Shen and Fang Erya.

The two were laughing and joking as if they were about to go out.

But when they saw Fang Jinxiu, their smiles froze.

"Sis," Fang Erya called timidly, hiding behind Lu Shen in fear.

This pleased Lu Shen immensely.

Lu Shen patted her hand and said, "Don't be afraid; I'm here with you. What can she do?"

A cold smile crossed Fang Jinxiu's face, "A hen that can't lay eggs, Lu Shen, are you sure you want to keep protecting her?"

Fang Erya looked upset, wanting to say that she wasn't the one who couldn't lay eggs—it was Lu Shen who couldn't perform.

But she couldn't say that.

Lu Shen couldn't say it either; he couldn't admit his own inadequacy.

"Hmph, that's all you've got? If it weren't for Ning'er, I would have divorced you long ago."

Fang Jinxiu replied calmly, "You can divorce me now."

"You... Do you think I won't?"

"Would you? Ha, then bring the divorce papers."

Lu Shen was speechless.

He truly dared not, as they had tried it before. Ning'er only drank Fang Jinxiu's milk, and divorcing her now would starve his son.

Besides, his mother wanted her to have another child. One son wasn't enough; having two would be safer.

Thinking of his son, Lu Shen suddenly remembered something and asked, "Didn't your period come this month?"

He remembered Fang Jinxiu's cycle better than his mother's birthday.

Fang Jinxiu gave a cold laugh, "Remembered, did you?"

Lu Shen was stunned. Could it be...?

Could it be that she was pregnant again after just one time?

He was astonished and counted on his fingers. It seemed three days late.

It's not a big deal if she's only been indisposed for three or five days; it's not certain yet. They'll have to wait a while longer and invite a doctor to take her pulse to know for sure.

Nevertheless, his attitude towards Fang Jinxiu has changed.

"Since there's a possibility, you should go back and rest well. Don't go out anymore."

Fang Erya, realizing that Fang Jinxiu might be pregnant again, clenched her teeth in jealousy.

Why is she so lucky? Did she get pregnant on the first try again?

And I can't even conceive despite trying every day.

"Master," she tugged at Lu Shen's sleeve.

Lu Shen, with his mind full of thoughts about the child, had no intention of comforting her.

He merely patted her arm perfunctorily.

Fang Erya knew she couldn't push too far and remained silent.

Fang Jinxiu glanced at Fang Erya coldly and then turned to Lu Shen, saying, "I went to see my wet nurse and Zhou Bo today."

Lu Shen frowned, "Did you ask about that matter again? I already told you it was Zhou Bo who did it, and he admitted it, right?"

"Yes, he did admit it. You really are a beast, aren't you?"

"You..." Lu Shen, knowing he was in the wrong and considering the possibility of her pregnancy, swallowed his anger.

"Yes, yes, I am a beast. What I did was wrong. Is that enough?"

"Good, admitting you're a beast is fine."

Lu Shen: "..."

"If you help me accomplish one thing, I will give birth to this child safely."

Huh? Now she's threatening me?

"What is it?"

Fang Jinxiu said, "We'll talk about it later. It's not confirmed yet whether I'm really pregnant. If I am, I'll tell you then."

Being threatened is certainly unpleasant, but Lu Shen didn't say much more.

He didn't take Fang Erya out to play either. Instead, he decided to share this joyful news with his mother, so she could also be happy.