Song Ning had prepared a lot to say, but before she could even open her mouth, Xie Linzhou explained the whole situation to her.

After Xie Linzhou finished speaking, she basically had no room to maneuver.

Xie Linzhou himself absolved her of the responsibility she was supposed to bear.

After saying that, he looked at her and asked, "Do you have any other questions?"

Song Ning shook her head blankly: "That's all."

"So...you don't have any questions?"

Song Ning thought about it carefully, then shook her head again: "No."

Xie Linzhou was a little angry: "You came to see me yesterday?"

"Yes, but the general isn't here, so I'll be leaving."

Xie Linzhou gritted his teeth: "Aren't you usually the one who can't stand being bullied? Why didn't you say anything when you were wronged?"

Song Ning looked blank for a moment, then forced a smile: "I haven't suffered any injustice."

Xie Linzhou probably knew about what happened yesterday, but ultimately, those people were all Xie Linzhou's people. Even if she had really suffered some injustice, given her current status, she couldn't really confront them head-on.

It has to be said that she didn't learn anything else in this world, but she did learn to read people's expressions.

There's no way around it; in this world, ordinary people like them are most afraid of offending those of high status.

She understood that she couldn't fight city hall; completely offending those people wouldn't do her any good.

"You're quite fierce with me, but when it really matters, you just let others bully you?" Xie Linzhou looked at him with a disappointed expression.

Song Ning pouted: "I..."

"Little General Brother!" Xiao Tao's voice rang out, and she skipped and jumped into Xie Linzhou's arms.

Song Ning's eyes widened in surprise. Xiao Tao and Xie Linzhou were so familiar with each other?

"Little General, when did you arrive?"

Xie Linzhou picked up Xiao Tao, his serious expression instantly breaking into a smile.

Song Xiue ran in a step behind, bowed, and saw her daughter hugging General Xie's neck, her little face beaming.

He glanced at Song Ning and whispered, "This...this isn't the rule, is it?"

Xie Linzhou nodded slightly to Song Xiu'e: "It's alright."

"Little General, Xiao Tao has learned many more poems and even recognized some characters. How about Xiao Tao recites some poems for you?"

Song Ning's expression changed: "Little Peach, your little general brother is tired, you can carry her next time." As she spoke, she was about to take Little Peach from Xie Linzhou's arms.

Xie Linzhou's expression was subtle: "Little General Brother?"

Song Ning realized she had misspoke. It was fine for Xiao Taozi to call her that, but it was strange that she called her that.

"Little Peach, come down quickly. You haven't written your characters for today yet. The teacher will be here soon."

Xiao Tao pouted unhappily and clung to Xie Linzhou's neck, refusing to let go.

"It's still early. The teacher needs to eat before he can test Xiao Tao's writing skills."

Song Ning glared at her, and Xiao Tao didn't dare to look at her.

The incident of reciting poetry to Xie Linzhou last time hasn't even passed yet, so I can't say anything carelessly today.

"Little Peach, are you not listening to your sister anymore?"

The two remained locked in a stalemate. Just as Song Xiu'e was about to speak, a voice rang out from outside the courtyard.

"Er Ya, are you there?"

"I'll go out and take a look." Song Xiu'e returned shortly after leaving and whispered, "It's the Zhou family boy."

After glancing at Xie Linzhou, Song Ning bowed and said, "General Xie, please excuse me for a moment."

Almost as soon as Song Ning turned her head, Xie Linzhou's expression changed.

Xiao Tao whispered in Xie Linzhou's ear, "Little General, my sister and Brother Zhou are being intimate."

Song Xiu'e was startled when she heard her daughter's words: "Xiao Tao, don't talk nonsense. Let's not disturb General Xie anymore. Let's go home for dinner."

Xie Linzhou looked at Song Xiue and said, "I'll take the child back later."

"this......"

"You're not at ease?"

Song Xiu'e was startled, but dared not object. She nodded and went out.

Liu Yuelan was cooking in the kitchen, Song Dahai had gone to the fields, and the rest of the people were still asleep. Only Xie Linzhou and Xiao Tao were in the yard.

Xie Linzhou coaxed gently, "Xiao Tao, tell me, how did your sister and Brother Zhou do something so intimate?"

Xiao Tao shook her head: "Mother won't let me tell you."

"It's okay, just tell your brother quietly. I won't tell anyone else. If you tell your brother, I'll buy you something delicious."

Upon hearing that there was something delicious, she forgot everything else and whispered in Xie Linzhou's ear, "Last time, I saw Brother Zhou holding Sister's hand."

The last glimmer of a smile on Xie Linzhou's lips vanished completely.

Meanwhile, outside the courtyard, Song Ning and Zhou Ling'an were discussing the issue of delivering goods to the academy's kitchen.

Since one cannot enter the academy casually, Song Ning asked Zhou Ling'an to help him bring some braised food for the canteen staff to try, and it worked!

"Thank you so much this time. You've been a great help in making this deal happen. Don't worry, as promised, you'll get a share of the profits from this business."

"Actually... you don't need to be so polite with me."

"That won't do. I can't let you work for me for nothing."

"By the way, I happen to be going to Jiangning County today, so you can come with me, so Uncle Zhou won't have to see you off."

Zhou Ling'an nodded: "Okay."

Another deal was struck, and Song Ning smiled happily as she entered the courtyard.

This scene was truly jarring.

Xie Linzhou stood up and said calmly, "I have something to do, so I'll be leaving now. Remember to deliver what I asked for."

Song Ning thought about the people in the Xie family and was not very willing to go.

"General Xie, perhaps you could send someone to collect it next time?"

"What? You don't want to deliver it?"

"No, no, it's just... I'm afraid of being misunderstood."

Xie Linzhou clenched his fists, snorted coldly, flicked his sleeves, and turned to leave.

Why are you angry again?

A man's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea; she couldn't understand it.

But none of that matters. Besides delivering goods, she also has to discuss business today, so she's very busy.

Upon arriving in Jiangning County, we first went to the academy to deliver the goods and settle the payment before heading to the restaurant.

When they arrived at Zuixianglou, they didn't see Manager Li, so they asked him a question.

The kitchen staff exclaimed in surprise, "Didn't you know? Manager Li passed away due to a sudden and serious illness."

"What? When did this happen?"

"Not long ago, he was just sick at first, but then I heard that he couldn't be cured and he just passed away."

Song Ning asked again, and the time was about the same as when Tang Xinghuai had his accident.

Considering their past interactions, she understood to some extent.

Even before they fled, the two were probably in cahoots.

Manager Li worked for Tang Xinghuai, and since Tang Xinghuai's activities were exposed, Manager Li would be found out sooner or later.

In that case, it's better to leave sooner rather than later.

She now has to wonder if rescuing Tang Xinghuai on the road was also arranged by him.

If that's true, she's incredibly foolish.

Looking back now, many things did indeed defy common sense.

According to Tang Xinghuai, he was supposed to depart two days later than Song Ning and the others, but he arrived in Taojia Village ahead of time.

But everyone was busy escaping at the time, so Song Ning only overheard it briefly and didn't think much of it afterwards.

Tang Xinghuai had been plotting against her from the very beginning.