Chapter 67: The Couple Confesses

Aunt Wang took Wang Qiu home, repeatedly assuring Madam Zhou before leaving that she would keep a close watch on her son and ensure that he would not cause any more trouble.

After the two of them left, Madam Zhou pulled Zhou Ruizhen aside and whispered, “Ruizhen, what should we do now? If that woman finds out we are really in Cheng’an County, she will surely send more people after us.”

Zhou Ruizhen glanced in the direction of the Wang family and said, “I will have Wang Qiu write a letter to that woman, telling her that he did not find us in Cheng’an County.”

Madam Zhou looked doubtful. “Will she believe it?”

Zhou Ruizhen withdrew his gaze and stepped inside the house. “Don’t worry. Even if she doesn’t believe it, she won’t send more assassins so openly.”

Madam Zhou was still confused. “Why not?”

Zhou Ruizhen sat down and continued, “She already caused us so much harm—crippling some of us, making others deaf. She has done many terrible things. If she openly takes action again, she risks exposing her true nature to the Emperor. If she weren’t being cautious, she wouldn’t have sent just a low-ranking guard this time.”

Madam Zhou suddenly understood and asked, “What about Wang Qiu? Will he agree to this?”

Zhou Ruizhen replied, “Since the moment he left the capital, that woman had no intention of letting him live. If he returns, he will die. Instead of walking into a trap, he might as well stay here and put on an act with us. Besides, for the sake of his family, he is willing to help us deceive Noble Consort Wu. Otherwise, it won’t just be him who dies—it will be his entire family.”

Madam Zhou nodded in understanding.

Although Wang Qiu was a guard serving Noble Consort Wu, he was also a filial son. He would never gamble with his parents’ lives.

While they continued their conversation inside the house, Du Wanchun and Zhou Zhao were in the backyard collecting eggs.

With her mind filled with doubts, Du Wanchun hesitantly asked Zhou Zhao, “Third Brother, how exactly did you and my husband offend the Noble Consort? She sent someone all this way just to kill you.”

Zhou Zhao momentarily froze, his hand gripping the basket, then raised his head slightly to look at Du Wanchun. “Sister-in-law, it’s a complicated matter. I think it would be best if Eldest Brother told you himself.”

Hearing this, Du Wanchun didn’t press further.

That night, after dinner, Du Wanchun returned to their room early and waited for Zhou Ruizhen to come in.

When Zhou Ruizhen lifted the curtain and entered, he immediately noticed her heavy expression and could already guess what was on her mind.

He slowly walked over to her and sat down on the bed beside her.

The two of them sat side by side, much like a newlywed couple on their wedding night—awkward and shy.

Du Wanchun could feel his scent and his steady breathing. Feeling flustered, she shifted slightly away from him.

Zhou Ruizhen immediately reached for her hand and held it firmly. “Wanchun, today…”

Before he could finish speaking, Du Wanchun decisively interrupted him, “Husband, since we are married, you should not keep secrets from me.”

A trace of guilt flashed through Zhou Ruizhen’s clear eyes. He tightened his grip on her hand and said, “I never meant to hide it from you. I was only afraid of dragging you into this mess.”

Du Wanchun turned her head to look at him with unwavering determination. “Husband, when I married you, you were crippled and from a poor family. I was never afraid of hardship, let alone being implicated. All I want is for us to be honest with each other and face whatever comes together as one.”

Zhou Ruizhen’s expression shifted slightly, his gaze darkening as he held her hand even tighter.

Seeing that he did not respond, Du Wanchun immediately pulled her hand away. Her tone carried a hint of anger as she said, “Or is it that you never truly saw me as family? That you never considered us a real husband and wife?”

Zhou Ruizhen’s head snapped up, his eyes filled with urgency as he reached out to grab her.

Du Wanchun stood up abruptly and slapped his hand away. Her voice was cold as she said, “Zhou Ruizhen, it’s not as if I had no other choice but to marry you. If you don’t want to be with me, then give me a divorce letter. I swear, if you do, I will take it and leave without looking back.”

As soon as she finished speaking, she turned and strode toward the door.

“Wanchun!”

Zhou Ruizhen sprang to his feet, quickly closing the distance between them. He wrapped his arms around her from behind, burying his face into her shoulder. His voice trembled slightly as he pleaded, “Don’t go…”

Du Wanchun could feel his heart pounding wildly against her back, his body trembling ever so slightly. She struggled against his hold, demanding, “Zhou Ruizhen, what is the meaning of this?”

Zhou Ruizhen only tightened his embrace, his voice low and urgent. “Wanchun, I will tell you.”

Hearing this, Du Wanchun finally stopped struggling and allowed him to hold her.

Zhou Ruizhen kept his arms around her, resting his chin on her shoulder as he gazed into the distance. After a moment of silence, he said, “My surname is not Zhou.”

Du Wanchun stiffened and turned slightly to look at him.

Zhou Ruizhen lowered his gaze, his expression deep and solemn. He spoke slowly, “My real surname is Liang. My mother’s surname was Lu—Lu Zhou. That’s why we took the surname Zhou.”

The surname Liang was the royal surname of the Xuanyue Kingdom.

Zhou Ruizhen was of royal blood.