Xu Jiaojiao was crying so hard that Song Ning couldn't get a word in edgewise.

This looks just like how her former colleague looked when she was heartbroken.

Is she still hung up on Zhou Ling'an? Or did she have a fight with Xie Linzhou?

She said men affect performance, and you see, in the end, it's all just heartbreak and pain.

Song Ning tapped the table: "Alright, stop crying. Anyone who doesn't know better will think I'm bullying you."

Upon hearing Song Ning's words, Xu Jiaojiao finally stopped crying loudly and started sobbing softly.

“We have an agreement, your crying today has nothing to do with me. Don’t let your dad and brother cause me trouble again.”

Furthermore, neither Zhou Ling'an nor General Xie have I ever intended to compete with you for anything, so why are you being so defensive?

Women should focus on their careers, why bother with relationships?

Once you have a career, you can have as much love as you want.

"Song Erya, why is it always you who gets pregnant with my baby? Zhou Ling'an likes you, and now even General Xie is on your side. Why is it always you?"

Xu Jiaojiao choked up, looking at Song Ning as if making an accusation.

Looks like she really did break up.

But if she says Zhou Ling'an likes her, then she has to talk about it.

"Where did you get the idea that Zhou Ling'an likes me? And where did you get the idea that General Xie is on my side?"

In Song Ning's mind, she had helped the Zhou family, and the Zhou family members were grateful to her to some extent. Zhou Ling'an was a scholar, so he paid even more attention to this.

As for Xie Linzhou, forget it.

This person is unpredictable and can change her mind faster than flipping through a book. Besides, someone like Xie Linzhou is not even within her consideration.

She plans to find a husband who will live with her when she has money, so she can be the head of the household herself.

"Zhou Ling'an and I are just friends. As for General Xie, we were just talking about... serious matters. Don't worry, General Xie is yours, I won't take him away. I wish you two a long and happy marriage."

Originally, Song Ning's words were kind, but who would have thought that as soon as she finished speaking, Xu Jiaojiao started crying again.

"It's gone, all gone..."

Xu Jiaojiao cried as she said, "I...I've already been kicked out..."

"ah?"

Xu Jiaojiao stopped hiding things and told Song Ning everything directly.

Song Ning looked utterly exasperated. Couldn't they please leave her out of all this complicated stuff?

She didn't want to get involved in any of this messy stuff; she just wanted to make money quietly.

Song Ning sighed: "So you're just blaming all of this on me?"

Xu Jiaojiao fell silent. Song Ning could understand her feelings after the breakup, but that didn't mean she could accept it.

"Xu Jiaojiao, don't go too far. I have no interest in your affairs at all. Relationships are supposed to be mutual. They don't like you, so you're blaming me? What, do you think I should just give up on life so you can have two men at the same time?"

Miss Xu, even if we're talking about people, there's no way to be so selfish. You're the daughter of Magistrate Xu, is this how your Xu family raises you? Then I'll say…

Xu Jiaojiao's face turned pale and then red, and she bit her lip without saying a word. That wasn't what she meant; she was just unwilling to accept it.

Song Ning was too lazy to waste any more time with her; she was busy.

As she left, Song Ning reminded her, "Also, don't bother me again. I wouldn't dare to provoke someone as heartless as you."

Song Ning knew that Xu Jiaojiao wasn't a bad person; she was just spoiled by her family and hadn't experienced the harsh realities of society. This was for the best, to let her understand what society was like and that not everyone would indulge her.

Besides, she had heard that wealthy families marry wives from prominent families, and to put it bluntly, someone of Xu Jiaojiao's status in this era could only be a concubine.

Even if she did become the legal wife, she would still have to help her husband take concubines one after another. In the end, she would not only be said to be old and unattractive, but she might also develop breast hyperplasia.

They got into the grand compound, but what was the point in the end?

Being the princess's daughter-in-law is no easy task.

However, everyone has their own aspirations, and she understands that.

Back in Tianxiang County, Zheng Gaoyi was already waiting for them in the courtyard with his men.

Liu Yuelan was entertaining guests when Song Ning returned, at which point she went back to the kitchen to continue her work.

The man who arrived was quite young and refined. He looked to be about the same age as their county magistrate, and even resembled him somewhat.

"Er Ya is back?"

Song Ning stepped forward and bowed, and Zheng Gaoyi then introduced the man beside her.

“Er Ya, this is Madam Jiang’s family member. He will be in charge of all of Madam Jiang’s business matters from now on.”

The unfamiliar man in front of her glanced at Zheng Gaoyi beside her and slowly said, "Miss Song, my surname is Zheng. I am the younger brother of your Lord Zheng. I am here mainly to discuss business with you."

Song Ning looked at Lord Zheng, "What?"

Zheng Gaoyi gave an awkward smile: "Yes, we are brothers."

"So you can rest assured, this person is absolutely reliable. If you have any requests, just let me know."

Song Ning was actually quite curious about the magistrate's younger brother.

After all, the reason why Tianxiang County is making such a big splash is because of the selfless support of this big spender.

Those piles of silver are not something an ordinary person can afford.

Song Ning had wanted to meet him for a long time, so this was like an ancient fan meeting.

Reality didn't allow it, otherwise she would have to shake hands with him no matter who he was.

"Mr. Zheng, I've heard so much about you. Let's sit down and talk."

Song Ning looked exactly like a lackey at that moment, and Zheng Gaoyi was immediately ignored.

Such wealthy people are truly rare; she needs to learn from them, gain experience, and lay a foundation for the future.

The two talked for more than half an hour and then finalized their business deal.

In addition to the four hundred bars of soap he had asked for last time, he ordered another four hundred. Zheng Gaoping's business covered almost half of the Jin Dynasty, so eight hundred bars of soap wasn't actually that much; the capital city alone would cost three or four hundred bars.

The remaining hair ornaments were mainly sent to the capital, with the rest being sent to other places.

As a result, there aren't enough people to make hair accessories.

Zheng Gaoping was very generous and offered Song Ning very good prices, even higher than the prices she had previously set.

Zheng Gaoping also spoke frankly, saying that these things in the capital were sold to the powerful and wealthy, so the prices were naturally higher.

Zheng Gaoping didn't want to bully Song Ning, a young girl. Besides, before he came, Princess Jianing had repeatedly told him not to let the girl in front of him suffer. He also cared about Xie Linzhou's marriage, since they would be family in the future, so he naturally had to take care of her.

Moreover, it is indeed rare to find someone who can amaze his elder brother, Xie Linzhou, and Princess Jianing.

"I will be staying in Tianxiang County for a while. If you have any questions, please feel free to come to me."

"Okay, thank you, Mr. Zheng."

"Hey~ Calling me Boss Zheng sounds too formal. We'll see each other a lot in the future, so just call me Brother Zheng."

Anyway, according to seniority, Xie Linzhou is his younger brother, so it's not too much for Song Ning to call him elder brother, right?