CHAPTER 341: CHAPTER 341: WOMEN ARE NOT INFERIOR TO MEN

"What you say makes sense," Meng Yao said.

Indeed, if Xun Yan finds out that Zhao Ting is the person he’s been pining for, he might be unable to handle it.

After all, the appearance is no longer the same.

What’s most important is that certain people clearly do not have a passion for the same sex.

Moreover, if they recognize each other, Xun Yan would likely confess his feelings, and at that point, Zhao Ting would be so frightened that they wouldn’t even remain friends.

After the initial shock passed, Zhao Ting began to ramble on about Xun Yan.

His looks were good, although he did not have a good family background, due to his academic prowess, he was highly regarded, and many noble families were willing to court him as a son-in-law. Of course, it’s not like he’d be matched with the legitimate daughters of these families.

However, even the daughters of secondary status were brought up to high standards.

Yet, Xun Yan didn’t agree to any of them.

If he had agreed back then, and become a son-in-law to any family, he would have achieved no less than Zhao Ting by now.

Zhao Ting spoke for quite a while, giving Meng Yao a general idea about Xun Yan —

Good looks.

Just based on appearance, he was the subject of private discussions among many of the young ladies waiting for marriage in the Capital City back then.

How good was he?

Zhao Ting couldn’t describe it. In any case, he didn’t have the lean and cold demeanor he has now.

Meng Yao imagined him as the kind of vibrant young man full of life.

With his current features and a bit more fullness, he would indeed have a captivating look.

Dashing and charming without the stiffness of a scholar, with a free-spirited nature.

From a psychological perspective, such people often attract the attention of young maiden hearts.

Yes, the type that belongs to everyone.

Zhao Ting felt a sense of urgency seeing Meng Yao deep in thought; back then, he couldn’t outshine Xun Yan either. Though Xun Yan looks a bit lean and frazzled now, honestly, he can’t be said to look bad.

Though now, through his relentless efforts, Meng Yao has accepted him.

But who knows if she might change her mind?

After all, Xun Yan has always been someone who attracts attention like bees to flowers.

"Actually, he’s not that good. I’m saying this because he’s my close friend; naturally, I don’t see any flaws in him. If he were really that good, he wouldn’t have remained unmarried all this time. Saying he has someone he likes but still ending up a loner?" Zhao Ting emphasized.

Meng Yao glanced deeply at Zhao Ting, thinking, ’You fool, still clueless — isn’t Xun Yan alone because of you?’

"Striding through a sea of flowers, yet nothing clings to him," Zhao Ting emphasized again.

He knew that Meng Yao preferred people who were single-minded.

Moreover, he wasn’t really disparaging Xun Yan; Xun Yan was indeed good at making girls happy.

"So, Meng Yao, don’t fall for his charm!" Zhao Ting looked at Meng Yao eagerly.

Meng Yao: ???

Don’t worry, I’m not interested in men.

"I’m hungry," Meng Yao was too lazy to continue discussing Xun Yan, changing the topic.

"Let me take you to eat," Zhao Ting said.

Years ago, he had come to Le’an and earlier, while discussing cases with Zong Cheng, he also inquired about restaurants with good reviews nowadays.

All just to take Meng Yao to eat.

In Le’an, beef and mutton were very abundant.

All because the nomadic tribes from beyond the border frequently sold cattle and sheep.

Unlike in the Central Plains, where butchering oxen randomly wasn’t allowed.

So Zhao Ting took Meng Yao to an old-brand braised meat shop.

Specializing in braised beef.

This was Meng Yao’s first time eating braised beef after coming here.

Meng Yao had always been fond of braised flavors, especially braised beef.

However, it used to be difficult to obtain beef, so she always used braised pork instead.

Now having tasted authentic braised beef, Meng Yao felt very fulfilled with happiness.

Moreover, this century-old brand was indeed living up to its name.

Zhao Ting loved watching Meng Yao eat.

Differing from noble young ladies nibbling like cats, when Meng Yao ate, it gave him a feeling that just watching her eat made him feel he could eat more too.

"Should we pack some for Bai Su?" Zhao Ting asked Meng Yao.

"Such things are best eaten in the restaurant. Bai Su loves eating, so she should discover it herself," Meng Yao said.

Besides, Bai Su might already know.

Earlier, she mentioned she had already learned about several good shops from Feng Zhiyuan.

Zhao Ting always listened to Meng Yao’s words, and since Meng Yao said no need, then no need.

The two left the braised meat shop but didn’t go straight back and instead went to buy household supplies.

"Someone is following," Zhao Ting murmured.

Meng Yao was indifferent, "After making such a fuss at the County Government, it would be strange if the people from the Sansheng family didn’t react. If they want to follow, let them; they’re just trying to figure out what we intend to do. It saves us the trouble of passing information to the Sansheng family."

As long as they don’t cause a commotion in front of her, everything’s fine.

"I wonder how far Feng Zhiyuan can go."

"Lord Feng is a man with ambitions and a sense of loyalty. Zong Cheng wants to seize this opportunity to demonstrate his abilities, so Lord Feng won’t back down," Meng Yao said.

She had enough confidence when it came to judging people.

"Our people will enter Le’an in batches under various identities," Zhao Ting said.

On the surface, they were a party of three going to Le’an, looking isolated and unsupported.

In reality, manpower behind the scenes had already been prepared. If any actions are taken by the Sansheng family, they won’t be caught off guard.

Of course, these people can’t be easily discovered by the Sansheng family.

The two ended up with many packages, and later Zhao Ting couldn’t carry them anymore, so he paid to hire a porter to deliver everything back.

After returning to the house, Meng Yao busied herself with arranging the place.

The ones following them switched out; the previous ones went back to report.

Niu Ruosu listened as people under her reported — eating and drinking, buying things, besides the County Princess managing some affairs and catching a few people, no useful information was obtained.

Listening again to how attentive the man was to the County Princess, Niu Ruosu felt envious.

This man, she certainly had to find a way to bring him into her family.

"Keep watching, follow their every move!" Niu Ruosu said, "Also, keep an eye on the Zhu family and Yang family, report anything unusual immediately."

Those two families, to be honest, she didn’t trust any of them; who knows if they’ll do something behind the Niu family’s back?

Originally, the relationship between the three families had been tense these past two years, each trying to outdo the other.

What if they take action with external help?

As for the old ancestors’ sayings, Niu Ruosu didn’t believe they’d willingly adhere to them.

After all, the ancestors have been buried for so many years.

Le’an now isn’t what Le’an used to be.

If one can be the leader, who would want to remain subordinate?

The Niu family has always been led by women, so the women of the Niu family never felt inferior to men, even seeing men as an accessory. Naturally, the Niu family should also dominate over the Zhu and Yang families.