CHAPTER 329: CHAPTER 329: YUN YING HAS TAKEN A LIKING TO ZHAO XIAOHUA

Xu Zeqing found the meal completely tasteless.

In the past, after a meal, they would always look for entertainment together.

This time, Xu Zeqing had no desire at all. He bid farewell to his dissolute friends and hurried home.

This matter, he dared not hide it from the family because it couldn’t be hidden.

Assassinating His Majesty!

Such a grave charge, Xu Shuhui...

The Xu family isn’t implicated now, but who can say for certain in the future?

Siblings are already at each other’s throats. Could the emperor favor a niece?

For now, the emperor hasn’t pursued it, but what if he does in the future?

By then, Zhou Kangping would already be dead, so wouldn’t the blame fall on Xu Shuhui?

With Xu Shuhui living in the Xu Mansion, how can the Xu Mansion run away from this?

"No, she absolutely cannot stay," the Old Madam Xu declared firmly.

Xu Zeqing felt compassionate, "Mother, what you say could happen, but there’s also another possibility! The emperor might regret it and transfer his longing for Zhou Kangping to Shuhui. If Shuhui stays with us, the Xu family could also benefit."

Xu Zeqing’s reasoning did have some validity.

Old Madam Xu hesitated.

Bai Tingxue scoffed at this possibility. Zhou Kangping attempted assassination, akin to rebellion, and the emperor showed leniency by only pursuing her. How could he long for Zhou Kangping?

However, Bai Tingxue said nothing, as they should make the decision to avoid any future blame on her.

Old Madam Xu and Old Master Xu whispered for a long time and made a decision—Xu Shuhui was ill and needed to be sent to a quiet place to recuperate.

The quiet place referred to was a village of the Xu family in the countryside.

That way, with her not in the mansion, things would be easier to handle.

Xu Shuhui was dumbfounded; this was nothing like what she had imagined.

Also, how could her mother attempt to assassinate her uncle? Was her brain addled? Her uncle was the emperor!

She had been waiting for a chance to meet her uncle to see if she could restore her status as Commandery Princess.

Now, there was no hope.

The items Xu Shuhui acquired since coming to the Xu Mansion were generously given to her by Bai Tingxue to take away.

Even though they were worth some silver, Bai Tingxue considered them unlucky.

Xu Shuhui wanted to make one last struggle, looking tearfully at Xu Zeqing, telling him she couldn’t bear to leave him.

Xu Zeqing couldn’t bear to see Xu Shuhui cry like this; her tears broke his heart.

He wanted to plead with Old Madam Xu, but before he opened his mouth, Old Madam Xu scolded him into silence.

All he could do was tell Xu Shuhui to take care of herself at the village, and he would visit her when he had the chance.

The two maids who had just been bought by the Xu Mansion had to be sent to the village without familiarizing themselves with the mansion. The life there couldn’t compare to Xu Mansion, and they were at a loss, unable to cry.

No matter how reluctant, they had to go along, since their indentures were in Xu Shuhui’s hands.

All this was laid out on Emperor Jing’s desk.

Truly worthy of the Xu family.

Emperor Jing personally approved the memorial about the Xu family’s usurious money lending, stating that the Viscount of Xinyang, having knowingly violated the law, was stripped of his title and fined threefold.

Originally, the Xu family paid a third of the fine in silver.

Now, not a cent was left.

Indeed, the Xu family was suddenly destitute.

Apart from their current mansion, all they had left was that village.

No, that village was gone too, because, to hasten Xu Shuhui’s departure, Old Madam Xu gave Shuhui the deed to the village and registered it at the Government Office.

"Was such a severe punishment because we drove Shuhui out?" Xu Zeqing asked.

How could Old Madam Xu admit to that?

"You should hurry and contact your friends to see if there’s anything they can do to help," she said.

Xu Zeqing’s friends were all drinking buddies, who among them had real ability?

Moreover, for something like this, even if they had ability, they would keep their distance.

——

Zhao Dahe meticulously wrote a letter about recent events, ensuring nothing was omitted, and had someone relay it to Zhao Ting and Meng Yao, telling them to rest assured abroad and not to worry.

Originally, he was contemplating how to crush Zhou Kangping to the point of no return. As a result, before he could devise a strategy, Zhou Kangping brought about her own downfall.

It was indeed a self-inflicted disaster with no room for redemption.

Truly, the world is unpredictable!

Zhao Dahe’s letter mentioned another thing, which was how Yun Ying had recently been frequenting their home.

Every time, he would come to find him, but if Xiaohua wasn’t there, he would soon leave.

If Xiaohua was there, he would linger as long as he could.

So he guessed Yun Ying had his sights set on Xiaohua.

But Zhao Dahe couldn’t comprehend why someone as aloof as Yun Ying would take a liking to a young girl like Xiaohua.

In the letter, Zhao Dahe asked if he needed to do anything about it.

By the time Zhao Ting received the letter, Zhao Ting, Meng Yao, and Bai Su were almost in Le’an.

They read the letter together. At first, they both sighed, but by the end, Zhao Ting was somewhat anxious.

Of course, Meng Yao didn’t react as intensely.

"The Princely Heir of the Duke’s family isn’t one to be underestimated!"

After all, rising from the son of a mistress to the Princely Heir of the Duke is no simple feat.

To quietly topple his legitimate mother, his methods were impressive.

Though Xiaohua wasn’t dull, she was very simple-hearted. If Yun Ying set his sights on her, how could she escape his grasp?

"Think of it this way, such a person can protect their own family better, right?" Meng Yao said. Indeed,

"But if he doesn’t treat Xiaohua well..."

Meng Yao gave Zhao Ting a sideways glance, "Then what are you and Dajiang Dahe good for?"

Both the father and brother held official positions; if such were the case and they couldn’t protect Xiaohua, it would be a wasted life.

"But Yun Ying’s not young anymore!" Zhao Ting still felt uneasy.

"I promised Xiaohua that her marriage would be up to her. Dahe’s letter didn’t mention Xiaohua having any reaction, so maybe she doesn’t like Yun Ying? If that’s the case, wouldn’t your fretting be for nothing?" Meng Yao said.

Zhao Ting thought so too. Their Xiaohua wasn’t new to seeing handsome faces.

How could she be captivated by Yun Ying’s appearance?

With that thought, Zhao Ting felt relieved.

"So we should just wait and see. Such matters shouldn’t be made explicit; otherwise, it might backfire," Meng Yao said.

Xiaohua clearly wasn’t interested, but repeated insistence might spark her rebellious spirit. If you oppose it, she might just insist on liking him.

"So just let him focus on his exams and take care of the family? And send regards to his grandfather?"

"Yes, that would be great. By the way, don’t forget to tell them that his sister and brother-in-law are heading to the Capital City. Have Dahe arrange for someone to meet them at the gate," Meng Yao said.

"Okay, A Yao."

After traveling for another five days, they finally arrived in Le’an County under the jurisdiction of Jiangzhou.

The dry climate was quite uncomfortable for Meng Yao. Even though she applied pearl-blended masks every night, her face still became dry and flaky.

After paying the entry fee, Zhao Ting took Meng Yao and Bai Su to an inn.

Zhao Ting presented a token to the shopkeeper, who quickly warmed up, personally attending to their accommodations.

He even sent a large tub of water to their room for them to wash.

Some were curious, wondering who this God of Wealth might be, as there hadn’t been anyone this extravagant with water in Le’an besides the usual few, and the shopkeeper’s attitude was excessively cordial.