Tianliangyuan

Chapter 159 Xie Sanlang, the Tongue-Twisting

Xie Zheng noticed her confusion and patiently explained, "Actually, she wasn't like this when we first found her. She probably suffered a lot back then, so she was very cautious. She didn't want to order servants around; she wanted to do everything herself, just to avoid being beaten."

Later, after discussing it with Qi Yunze, we settled her in Jizhou, which was nearby. Actually, we felt that with me there, it would be convenient to protect her and at least allow her to live a peaceful life.

At this point, Xie Zheng's expression became noticeably unnatural, while Xu Zhaozhao, who appeared calm on the surface, was inwardly cursing Xie Zheng for being such a pushover!

Ha, you're still protecting her?

Wouldn't it be better to keep her by my side and protect her?

She's just the daughter of your benefactor. You've already found a way to clear her name, so why are you afraid of taking in another woman?

Xu Zhaozhao had a multitude of thoughts running through her mind, but on the surface she remained as still as a mountain.

Xie Zheng was unsure for a moment, wondering if his wife was truly angry.

"Well, actually I didn't mean anything by it. And even after I settled her in Jizhou, I haven't seen her many times. Firstly, because the military camp is busy, I don't have much time to leave the camp; secondly, men and women are different, and I always remember that I have a fiancée, so I don't meet her easily."

"Then let's meet!"

In short, it's neither too strong nor too weak, neither painful nor itchy.

But something inexplicably chilled Xie Zheng's heart.

“Zhaozhao, let me explain. I did see her, but I didn’t see her alone. She was always accompanied by someone. And she also had her own servants with her. Besides the old servant, there was also a young maid. However, on her way to the capital this time, that young maid died.”

Xu Zhaozhao didn't say anything. The more you try to control something like this, the more trouble it causes.

Besides, she has no right to interfere right now, since she hasn't married into the family yet and can't be the master of their household.

"You mean she was also tormented by the changes in her family and became cautious and fearful, but after a few days of peace in Jizhou, she reverted to her old ways?"

Xie Zheng was speechless for a moment before saying, "Actually, I don't know if she was like this before, since I wasn't familiar with her before."

After Xu Zhaozhao gave him a look, Xie Zheng immediately changed his tune: "No, no! What I mean is, I'm not familiar with her now. I've only met her once or twice before, and we haven't really spoken much."

Xu Zhaozhao rolled her eyes; this explanation was too difficult to understand!

Xie Zheng was annoyed at his own tongue. He could easily train his subordinates like grandsons in the army, so why did he fail to speak properly in front of his wife?

"Alright, that's none of your business. I don't care. Just please remind her not to show her face in front of me again."

"it is good."

Xu Zhaozhao was somewhat surprised by his straightforwardness: "Don't you think I'm being unreasonable, or that I'm being too arrogant?"

Xie Zheng shook his head, his face sincere: "Of course not! This is clearly not your fault. You saved Cheng Yuan, so she should have treated you as her savior and thanked you properly. But she spoke arrogantly to you and showed no respect. She doesn't deserve your kindness."

Xu Zhaozhao raised an eyebrow, now she really looked at Xie Zheng with new respect.

If that's the case, then Xie Sanlang is someone who always has a brain, not the kind of scumbag who only knows how to pamper beautiful women!

"Your words really surprised me. I thought you would side with Cheng Yuan."

"How could that be? I've always been impatient with her. If it weren't for the fact that Cheng Gong's case still needs her, I wouldn't even bother looking at her. Besides, her bad attitude towards you is a bad attitude towards me. I'm not stupid, why would I blame you!"

These words made Xu Zhaozhao extremely happy.

Not bad!

Although she didn't consider Cheng Yuan a rival, Xie Zheng's unwavering support for her showed that he truly cared about her.

very good!

Hopefully he can maintain this level of performance.

"You're right, I'm very pleased! I just hope you'll remember what I said today, and how you stood by my side. If a similar situation arises in the future, I hope you'll remember today."

These words left Xie Zheng somewhat bewildered.

"Oh."

Little did he know that Xu Zhaozhao had already preconceived notions that various women would flock to her during their future marriage, and who knew if Xie Zheng would still side with her?

Xu Zhaozhao is giving him a heads-up!

The poetry gathering at Baiguoyuan indeed sparked a trend.

Deng Xuan naturally suspected Xu Zhaozhao immediately, but when the people he sent out presented the investigation results, he was confused again.

“My lord, I am quite certain that these stationery items were already in stock at various shops several days ago. However, due to their high price, ordinary scholars do not buy them, and some even shy away after hearing the price. Before the flower viewing party at the Hundred Fruit Garden, I heard that Princess Leyang, Young Master Liu, and others had bought some, but not in large quantities.”

So, it was all just a coincidence?

Xu Zhaozhao was trying to make the banquet as perfect as possible because she was organizing it and all the guests were distinguished. After all, with someone like Princess Ning Shuo in attendance, Xu Zhaozhao would not dare to be careless about any detail.

If that's the case, then the popularity of peony-patterned stationery was really just an accident.

The Deng family's businesses have shrunk considerably.

Let alone supporting Consort Jiang in the palace, they themselves were struggling to make ends meet.

The Daxing Dynasty made regulations regarding the clothing, food, housing, and transportation of officials and common people.

For example, Deng Xuan was the Vice Minister of Revenue, so the number of servants in his household was regulated and could not exceed one hundred. More precisely, a fourth-rank official could have thirty-two servants in his household, and this limit could not be exceeded.

However, since some people come from wealthy families, it's not a big deal for them to have a dozen or twenty extra servants. But generally speaking, as long as it's not too excessive, for example, no more than a hundred, then no one will investigate or impeach them.

Now that Deng Xuan is a commoner, some of the laborers in his household had already been removed after he was dismissed from his post. Now that the family is in dire financial straits, they are naturally facing the situation of selling off their servants.

The family's assets are something we must try our best to protect.

Madam Deng rallied her spirits and eventually sold off another batch of servants. As a result, there were only about ten servants left serving in the front courtyard. Apart from the main wives, the masters of each courtyard only had two servants left to serve them.

Deng Xuan did not believe that the Deng family would decline without reason. At this moment, he urgently needed to find his enemy and figure out how to defeat him.

But he can't even be sure if his enemy is the Marquis of Anxin's mansion, so how can he talk about revenge?