activa-t Chapter 274 Unworthy
Chapter 274 Unworthy
Zhou Qingyi's thoughts were exactly what Zhou Qinglan was thinking.
She was jealous of her elder sister, who lived a carefree life. While she was carefully trying to please her father, her sister could point her finger at him and curse him.
While she hid in this poor alley, she saw ordinary people every day, but Zhou Qingran was able to play with the young ladies from various families in the capital.
Why was she born from the womb of a concubine instead of by Madam Zhou? At this moment, Zhou Qinglan felt a pang of resentment towards Concubine Liu.
When her father mentioned that he could bring them home, she was overjoyed. She would be a young lady of the Zhou family in the future, and perhaps she could marry a young master from a prestigious family.
However, the happiest person was Aunt Liu. This was something she had been hoping for for more than ten years. She had always wanted to become the legitimate wife of the Zhou family, but she couldn't even get into the Zhou family. She believed that she had plenty of ways to do things, and that once she entered the Zhou mansion, she would be able to suppress Madam Zhou sooner or later.
"Zhou Lang, are you serious about what you just said?" If it's true, it's just changing the names of her children, and she feels there's absolutely no problem with it.
"Of course it's true. Qingyi and Qinglan are not young anymore, especially Qinglan, who is of marriageable age. When we get back, we can have Madam take a look at them." The Zhou family has completely forgotten his promise and is even thinking of having Zhou's mother arrange a marriage for his mistress. They really dare to dream.
Aunt Liu and Zhou Qinglan were taken aback upon hearing this. Unlike what Zhou's father thought, they believed that Zhou's mother probably hated them to death, yet they could still choose a good husband for Zhou Qinglan.
However, they couldn't say anything at this point, since Zhou Qinglan wasn't too old and could wait a few more years.
The people on this side had different thoughts, while Zhou Qingran had already gone home.
He originally intended to tell Zhou's mother directly, but when he arrived at her courtyard, he didn't know what to say and hesitated.
"Qingran is back, why don't you go in?" Just as she was in a dilemma, Zhou Qingqi, the eldest son of the Zhou family, also came over.
When Zhou Qingran heard Zhou Qingqi's voice, she was overjoyed. She could discuss it with her brother.
"Brother, come with me first, I have something to tell you." Zhou Qingran immediately pulled Zhou Qingqi away and went directly to her courtyard.
"What's wrong with Qingran?" Zhou Qingqi asked, puzzled. Why was he pressuring his mother about something?
"Brother, I need to tell you something, but please don't get agitated." Her brother has a short temper, and if he finds out about this, he'll probably make a scene.
"Qingran, what is it?" Zhou Qingqi looked at his sister's serious expression and guessed that this matter must be very serious.
“Brother, our father kept a mistress in Baihua Lane, and they had a son and a daughter. The daughter is only one year younger than me.” As Zhou Qingran spoke, she stared quietly at Zhou Qingqi. Sure enough, after she finished speaking, Zhou Qingqi’s face turned extremely ugly, his brows furrowed, and he looked like he was about to get angry.
“Brother, don’t be angry. How should we tell Mother about this? I’m afraid she’ll be upset if we tell her, but if we don’t, I’m afraid that one day she’ll bring him back. We can’t predict what will happen then. You know Mother loves Father very much.” Zhou Qingran quickly tugged at Zhou Qingqi’s sleeve.
"Qingran, how did you find out?" Zhou Qingqi forcibly suppressed the anger in his heart.
“I went with Father myself, and he even introduced me to his two children. Their names are Zhou Qingyi and Zhou Qinglan. Only direct descendants can have such names. Is Father trying to make that mistress his official wife?” Zhou Qingran was still a little angry.
With a "smash," Zhou Qingqi smashed the table to pieces.
"Ha, Zhou Qingyi, Zhou Qinglan, our father really dotes on them!" Zhou Qingqi was so angry that he laughed. Their father was indeed a formidable figure, able to become the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial at such a young age. He could hide his mistress from everyone and still have two children who were close to his sister's age.
"elder brother."
"Don't worry, Qingran, I won't do anything. We'll discuss this matter carefully. We can't tell Mother directly." Zhou Qingqi looked at the worry in his sister's eyes and felt a pang of emotion. Now, only when the three of them, mother and son, are of one mind can they be safe.
"Hmm," Zhou Qingran was afraid that her brother would get angry and beat up their father. That would be bad for her brother's reputation. After all, filial piety is highly valued in any era. If her brother really hit their father, the rumors would crush him.
"Then brother, what do you suggest we do? I reckon it won't be long before Father brings the mother and her two children back, and then Mother will find out."
"We must let Mother know about this beforehand, so we can be prepared and not be caught off guard." This was what she was most worried about. Knowing her mother as she did, she was afraid that her mother might do something foolish.
"Well, leave this matter to your brother. Qingran just needs to be happy and spend more time with Mother during this period." A cold glint flashed in Zhou Qingqi's eyes.
"What does brother want to do?" Zhou Qingran asked curiously.
"I'll tell my uncle about this first." Their uncle is a second-rank general, and their mother is their only sister, whom they have doted on since childhood. They would never allow anyone to bully them like this.
If his uncle finds out, he will definitely make things difficult for Zhou's father.
And most importantly, this uncle played a significant role in enabling Zhou's father to achieve his current position.
“Brother is right. We must talk to Uncle properly and ask him to stand up for Mother.” Zhou Qingran also thought of this.
"Alright, brother's leaving now. You go and keep Mother company." After saying this, Zhou Qingqi went straight out to his uncle's house.
As for what other thoughts Zhou Qingqi might have, he didn't tell Zhou Qingran. All his sister needed to do was be happy.
After Zhou Qingqi left, Zhou Qingran went to her mother's room.
"Qingran is here. Did you have fun today?" Zhou's mother smiled as she saw her daughter.
"Mom, I'm so happy. What are you doing?" Zhou Qingran sat down affectionately next to her mother.
"I'm embroidering a clapper for you right now. Didn't you say you liked the ones I made?" Zhou's mother said lovingly.
"Mother is so kind, I love you so much." Zhou Qingran was deeply moved. She had only said it casually, but she didn't expect her mother to remember it. These things could have been left to the embroiderer.
Thinking of Zhou's father, Zhou Qingran cursed inwardly. That man was unworthy. He was full of lies. When they got married, he clearly said that he only had his mother, but he secretly kept a mistress and even had two children with her. He was two-faced and did not deserve such a good woman as her mother.
Since marrying Zhou's father, her mother had always been a devoted wife and mother, managing the household in an orderly manner so that he had no worries. And what was the result?