Doted By The Regent King

Chapter 1732 - 1670: Narrative

Zhou Xueli felt hostility coming from Hua Wushuang and was somewhat afraid to look at him. When Purple Jade and Changsheng arrived, and he saw the little baby lying in the basket, his gaze softened.

With a serious look, Zhou Xueli observed his little nephew, touched his body, and finally took out a peace charm from a cloth bag. He looked at Wufu, awkwardly saying, "I came in a hurry and didn’t prepare a gift. This peace charm was given to me by a monk I encountered on the way. I give it to him to ensure he grows up safe and sound."

Wufu’s eyes softened, and he said, "Then please pin it to his swaddling clothes, little uncle."

Up until now, everything Changsheng used was exquisite. He did not need the unnecessary jade pendants or gold collars; even a peace charm was very precious.

Seeing that she wasn’t disdainful, Zhou Xueli felt relieved and quickly pinned the peace charm, folded into a triangle with yellow paper, onto his swaddling clothes, mumbling, "Little uncle wishes you health and peace."

"Changsheng thanks his little uncle," the wet nurse said with a smile, prompting Xiao Changsheng to thank him.

Zhou Xueli laughed honestly, then carefully used his finger to lightly poke Xiao Changsheng’s face, looking toward Hua Wushuang: "He looks much like his Uncle Hua."

Hua Wushuang felt somewhat proud, his lips curling slightly, and he nodded modestly.

Wufu had the wet nurse take the child away and picked up the tea again to talk.

"Earlier, Uncle Wushuang here mentioned that you came to take Madam Lu and others back."

Hua Wushuang’s hand trembled at the mention of Uncle Wushuang, spilling some tea, and he quickly took a sip to conceal his inner excitement.

Mei Xiu saw clearly, and couldn’t help being puzzled; the master’s self-control seemed to be deteriorating.

Zhou Xueli’s smile disappeared: "Elder brother is gone..."

"I’ve heard about that already, but you came a step too late; Madam Lu is also gone." Wufu said plainly.

"What?" Zhou Xueli widened his eyes in shock: "How could this be..."

"Little uncle, the death of the mother-in-law is greatly linked to Madam Lu and her daughter." Ah Jiu spoke up at this moment.

Zhou Xueli looked over.

Ah Jiu succinctly explained the events of the past month, how the mother and daughter were manipulated, leading to Madam Zhou’s premature delivery and difficult labor, explaining everything clearly.

His tone was calm, as if narrating someone else’s story, but Zhou Xueli felt as though he heard violence and bloodshed inside, as if witnessing the horrific scene himself.

"And as for elder sister-in-law..."

"Killed by Zhou Xiuer." Ah Jiu then explained how Madam Lu died.

"Are you saying Xiuxiu strangled her mother to death?" After a long time, Zhou Xueli found his voice, as if hearing an outrageous tale, too astonishing to believe.

Hua Wushuang snorted coldly at this point: "If she hadn’t moved first, if it were us, she’d have suffered a fate worse than death."

Zhou Xueli shivered in his heart, glanced timidly at him, and dared not speak.

"She is currently still locked in the woodshed. I thought of waiting until you arrived to take the siblings back." Wufu spoke calmly: "The dead are like extinguished lamps, the mother is dead, those who should be punished have been punished. Zhou Xiuer killed her mother with her own hands; one can imagine what she will endure."

Zhou Xueli opened his mouth, pressed his lips together.

What she will endure is a burden she will likely never overcome in her lifetime. If she easily overcomes it, it proves her heart is cold, ruthless, beyond saving, and unworthy of being considered family.

But regardless, this moral burden, Zhou Xiuer will have to carry for a lifetime, unable to escape no matter how she tries.