Ultimately, Old Lady Zhou resents Old Scholar Zhou and also resents Zhou Meiniang. Although she wouldn't mistreat her, she also wouldn't truly treat her as her own daughter, especially seeing how much Old Scholar Zhou dotes on her, which only intensifies her pain and jealousy.
Every time she saw that close father-daughter pair, she would think, if her own daughter were alive, she would be cherished in the same way. Because of this, she increasingly demanded Madam Zhou to understand the propriety between men and women, even between father and daughter, which came from her bitterness.
Old Lady Zhou's disregard caused Zhou Meiniang to develop a weak nature. Fortunately, Old Scholar Zhou's genuine affection prevented her from being completely spoiled, leaving her only soft-hearted and prone to crying when faced with problems.
