The husband I snatched halfway through his life is strange.

Zhou Xuan was overjoyed, never expecting the Empress to be so generous and to make him look good. He quickly and respectfully accepted the gift with both hands, saying, "Aunt, you are so kind."

The old woman smiled and said, "Her Highness the Crown Princess knew that this old servant was coming, so she asked me to bring a few trinkets with me."

As she spoke, she took out another box.

Yu Tingwan then looked over.

Inside were rattle drums, tiger-head hats for young children, and tiger-head shoes.

Shen Zhiyi sighed, "That's incredibly stingy. Why would the Crown Princess send such cheap gifts?"

She quickly realized, "That's right, the Crown Princess has always looked down on Chu Ning."

Is it cheap?
I'm afraid those hats and shoes were made by the Crown Princess herself.

Clothing and toys.

I dare not send too much, for fear that the Empress will be displeased.

It can only be mediocre, and even looks shabby.

But Yu Tingwan saw in it a mother's heart, and also a sense of having no other choice.

After delivering the congratulatory gifts, the nanny prepared to take her leave.

Duke Zhou said gently, "Granny, you've been running around a lot. If you have nothing else to do, why don't you stay for a cup of tea? It's almost time for your meal, so you can leave later."

The old woman said, "Then I shall respectfully comply."

A gentle breeze carries the fragrance of flowers.

Before the meal began, everyone continued exchanging pleasantries.

Chu Liulang's mother was extremely proud as she listened to the praise.

Someone complimented, "Madam Chu is lucky. She has raised two good children. Her daughter married into the Duke of Zhou's family, and her son is related to the Zhou family of the Minister of Works. It is clear that your Chu family has a connection with the Zhou surname."

The next moment, someone started asking questions.

"By the way, why hasn't the Zhou family mother and daughter arrived yet?"

Madam Chu was slightly taken aback.

Not there yet?

The Zhou family mother and daughter have always been sensible and reasonable.

She looked around and saw Zhou Yurou and the others.

He immediately felt displeasure.

Madam Chu instructed the old woman behind her, "Go out and see if they've arrived yet?"

No.

Zhou Yurou had an accident on her way here.

She was sitting peacefully in the carriage when she heard a commotion of screams and shouts from the crowd. A mad horse, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, charged wildly towards them.

The one who was originally knocked away was Shen Zhiyi.

But Shen Zhiyi was taken away by Yu Tingwan.

The carriage belonging to the Minister of Works, which should have been following behind the Shen family's carriage, became the target of the collision.

Just as terror flashed in Zhou Yurou's eyes, a huge jolt occurred, and as the carriage overturned, she and Madam Zhou were thrown out together.

His mother, Madam Zhou, had been given medicine and was still lying in the clinic.

She only suffered minor scrapes and a head injury from hitting her head, but thankfully they weren't deep and wouldn't leave a scar. With bandages wrapped around her skin and makeup applied, her lips were pale, making her appear exceptionally delicate and haggard.

Zhou Yurou straightened her clothes, her slender waist tightly bound by the belt, and called for a carriage again.

After finally arriving at the Duke of Zhou's mansion, she was helped down by a maid, looking as frail as a willow in the wind, and saw Chu Liulang standing at the door.

Seeing her like this, Chu Liulang felt pity for her and quickly walked down the steps.

Just as he was about to speak, someone beat him to it.

"Miss Zhou, what's wrong?"

These questions were asked by Ning Yunling behind him.

He only arrived now.

After all, the heavyweights always arrive late and are the last to appear.

Ning Yunling felt a pang of heartache upon seeing the pitiful Zhou Yurou. She strode over and pushed past Chu Liulang.

Chu Liulang:......

Zhou Yurou said softly, "It's nothing, there was just a slight accident with the carriage on the way here."

Her next words were addressed to Chu Liulang: "Mother is alright, but it's a pity. I only suffered minor injuries, thankfully they won't leave a scar. It's just that I've made a mistake, I hope the Duke's mansion won't blame me."

Her eyes, as pure as autumn water, sparkled like a clear lotus: "Did Young Master Chu wait for me all this way?"

As she spoke, her face flushed slightly.

Ning Yunling couldn't bear to see Zhou Yurou and Chu Liulang gazing at each other with such affection.

He was about to go in, feeling melancholy.

But then I suddenly remembered something and stopped.

Seeing Zhou Yurou's posture, Chu Liulang felt a strong urge to hold her in his arms and cherish her.

A seasoned veteran of the pleasure quarters, she spoke softly. “I was worried because you hadn’t arrived for so long. When I saw that my mother had sent someone out, I decided to come myself.”

"It's good that everyone is alright. There was a reason for it, so even if it's late, it's not a big deal."

"It's all my fault. If I had known you would get into trouble, I should have gone to pick you up myself."

Ning Yunling squeezed through again.

"Where are you injured? Is it near Wangzhi Street?"

Zhou Yurou was unwilling to say more, as it would be embarrassing: "Yes, thank you for your concern, Prince Ning."

"I do care about you!"

Ning Yunling was immediately excited.

"So it was you! I happened to be passing by at that time! I saw two shadows fly past me in a flash."

Ning Yunling was still shaken.

"Luckily I dodged quickly, otherwise you would have hit me."

He always spoke his mind, and after looking Zhou Yurou up and down with her slightly stiff expression, he muttered something and started climbing the steps.

"It's strange, though. When I left, she was clearly headfirst on the ground with a loud thud. It sounded painful, so how come it was just a minor injury?"

It's unclear when it started, but a crow has been circling above the Duke of Zhou's mansion.

The crow flapped its wings and finally landed steadily on the eaves of an inner courtyard, its little eyes darting around.

Chu Ning, who had just finished her postpartum confinement, finally came out carrying a baby dressed in red.

She was quite good-looking, and somewhat plump due to childbirth.

Her fragrance was like that of a delicate orchid, and her voice was as soft and sweet as a nightingale's.

The baby girl didn't look very energetic, but as soon as she came out, Duke Zhou happily took her in and performed the full moon ceremony.

Chu Ning was about to stand next to Zhou Xuan when she saw Chu Liulang walking over with Zhou Yurou, chatting and laughing. Her face darkened.

To think you can break up with her just because you've found someone new is just wishful thinking!
Ning Yunling, who was in front, immediately locked her eyes on Yu Tingwan, who was leisurely resting her chin on her hand.

He was about to go over.

"Ning Yunling!"

Xiao Huaiyan called out from the opposite side.

Xiao Huaiyan was exceptionally friendly, patting the empty seat next to him: "Come sit down, I saved this for you."

Ning Yunling: ?
incredible.

He approached: "Are you ready to become a human being?"

Xiao Huaiyan: "I'm just expressing my feelings."

“Zhou Xuan is younger than me, the same age as you. Now he’s a father, but our marriage is still undecided.”

Xiao Huaiyan: "I just praised him as a real man, for being so nimble even with a broken leg."

"Him? A real man?"

Ning Yunling spat.

"Years ago, he went to a banquet at your residence and, emboldened by alcohol, dared to assault a maid from your Xiao family. Although she was a maid, she was still born of parents and betrothed to someone. By the time you received the news and rushed over, he had already succeeded, and that maid... had hanged herself. You even beat him up afterward. Have you forgotten?"

“I was there at the time, and I saw it clearly. His clothes were disheveled, and his genitals were terribly small.”

"At the time, I even said that pulling up seedlings wouldn't help them grow."

"Moreover, without the prosthetic leg, he can't even stand steadily."

He paused slightly at this point.

“He needs to remove his prosthesis, and he looks weak. It must be very tiring for him to get around with only one leg.”

Xiao Huaiyan: "I don't know."

Ning Yunling: "I don't know either."

He is strong.

If you have doubts, you must be persistent and determined to achieve your goal.

"No problem, we'll find out by calling them over and asking them."

"Zhou Xuan!"

Ning Yunling shouted loudly, "Come here for a second!"

Zhou Xuan was puzzled, but even though he disliked Ning Yunling, he still walked over.

"What business does Prince Ning have?"

Ning Yunling: "If I encounter anyone with a disability on my journey, I will also take care of them."

"It's not that I'm targeting you on purpose, it's just that I can't stand people like you who take their status for granted and don't treat women with respect."

When Ning Yunling called Zhou Xuan, Yu Tingwan got up and shuffled over to listen.

Then he heard Ning Yunling say something deliberately meant to disgust Zhou Xuan.

"No, how can you still be in heat when you're like this?"

They've even caused a death!
(End of this chapter)