Chapter 83 Returning from ice fishing, fantasizing about the legitimate daughter…

Zhang Ting's eyes were half-closed, his gaze fixed on a certain spot in the void, as if he were seeing Boss Mi's short life.

He was intelligent and studious in his youth, hated corrupt officials and treacherous villains, and was determined to benefit his hometown. He traveled thousands of miles to seek a change of fortune, but one day he was struck by a sudden disaster and grew up to be a wicked villain who acted as an accomplice to the tyrant and preyed on the people.

It's truly heartbreaking.

Zhang Ting pulled himself out of his thoughts. Putting that matter aside, two other questions remained puzzling. What kind of person was behind this, daring to claim that the garlic wine was a state-run product? And why were they so eager to hand over the winery and confiscate the family property?

Suddenly, a thought flashed through her mind. Could it be...?

If that's the case, the implications would be enormous.

"This matter is of great importance, and I cannot help you with it."

Although the garlic vendor had expected this, she was still very disappointed to hear it. With a dejected look on her face, she said, "I'm sorry to have bothered you, sir."

Over the years, Cui Jingji had learned a thing or two about things. He patted his cousin on the shoulder, let out a deep breath, and said, "If you live your life well, your aunt and uncle will be pleased to know this in the afterlife."

Finally, the two parted ways. Zhang Ting raised his deep eyes to look at the garlic vendor and asked, "What's your name?"

The garlic vendor sobbed, "My name is Lu."

Zhang Ting nodded slightly, turned her head to look out the door, and watched them leave. At this moment, the warm sunlight outside spread across the ground.

He was blessed with both fortune and longevity, embodying the deepest blessings from his family, but unfortunately, he ended up with his family destroyed and his family wiped out.

Power and greed are both treasures that attract people like bees and butterflies, and sharp blades that can kill without drawing blood.

After the two left the mansion, Zhang Ting calmly called Zheng Er over and whispered in her ear that he wanted her to investigate an old matter.

After everything was finished, she returned to her study to discuss scholarship with Yang Fuchen.

At noon, Zhang Shu and Wu Pingliu each returned carrying two crucian carp, while Xun Han went out empty-handed and returned empty-handed, looking sullen and unhappy.

Zhang Shu noticed his third disciple's dark face, deliberately waving the crucian carp past her, "Tsk, old woman, this fish is really fat!" He then handed it to the kitchen staff for a meal with a laugh.

Xun Han was so angry that his face contorted. He crossed his arms and leaned against a wooden pillar, his face sullen, and he snorted coldly as if he didn't care at all.

Unlike her teacher Zhang Shu, Wu Pingliu didn't show off. She followed her path and only passed Xun Han when she smiled and said, "Second Senior Sister, the fish that Teacher and I caught today are quite fat. You should use more of them later."

Xun Han gritted her teeth and forced out an awkward smile. "I don't need it, Senior Sister, but Junior Sister, remember to use more fish brains to replenish what you have."

Zhang Ting stood in the courtyard watching the three of them bickering and couldn't help but chuckle. With the imperial examinations just around the corner, they all had the leisure to go ice fishing, which showed that they were all in a very calm state of mind.

When lunch was served, Zhang Shu didn't see Zong Suyi and asked her a question.

Zhang Ting calmly arranged the bowls and chopsticks, her eyes bright and clear, and replied with a hint of guilt, "It's been cold lately, and Xiao Yi caught a cold last night because he lifted the covers while sleeping. I was careless and didn't notice, which caused him to catch a cold."

Zhang Shu waved his hand, picked up some ribs with his chopsticks and put them in her bowl. "How is it your fault? He's just young and you spoil him." He shook his head again. "With this kind of temperament, he can't even take care of himself after getting married, let alone talk about serving his wife."

"Teacher, you are too modest. Xiaoyi is virtuous and gentle, and all the household chores are taken care of by him. It is my good fortune to marry him."

Zhang Shu wanted to laugh when she heard her young apprentice describe Zong Suyi as virtuous and gentle. Although she hadn't had much contact with this grand-nephew before, she was very familiar with his reputation as a troublemaker, and had even heard her old friend frequently mention how arrogant, domineering, and lawless his grandson was. However, she was pleased to see Zhang Ting so fond of Zong Suyi. Her young apprentice's demeanor and character were impeccable, even if her old friend were alive, she could find no fault with them. If she knew this in the afterlife, she could rest in peace.

Xiao Rong had packed the food box to take to Zong Suyi, but Zhang Ting took it instead, saying, "I'll go." He was afraid that if he waited for her to eat and didn't see her, she would throw a tantrum again.

Zhang Shu watched her leave with a look of satisfaction and admiration. There must be only Xiao Ting in the world who is so talented and devoted.

How did she end up picking it up? Hehe.

In the main room, Zhang Ting gently pushed open the door. The room was very warm with a charcoal brazier inside. She placed the food box on the table, turned around, lifted the layers of curtains, and slowly walked to the bedside.

Zong Suyi had already woken up, his head resting on his jet-black hair, his face as white as snow, staring blankly at the ceiling. Zhang Ting wondered what was going on in his strange mind.

Her smile flowed from her eyebrows to the corners of her mouth, as if she were bathed in a soft halo. She took two steps forward, helped him up, and pulled him into her arms. She gently inhaled the fragrance of his hair and asked softly, "What are you thinking about?"

Zong Suyi's eyelashes trembled slightly, like a butterfly about to spread its wings. He looked up at her with his moist eyes, opened his mouth, but his dry throat could only utter breathy sounds like "ah, you". Annoyed, he frowned and pushed Zhang Ting hard, but he couldn't push her away. He could only turn his face away and sulk alone.

Zhang Ting was taken aback at first, then an involuntary smile crept onto her lips. Even though she knew he was angry, she couldn't resist teasing him: "My lord, do you think this old man is any good now?"

Zong Suyi glanced at her sideways, gritted her teeth, took a deep breath, and decided to ignore this annoying person!

He frowned, his face contorted in pain. He had done everything, but none of it was the position he wanted. What was the point? To make matters worse, he couldn't speak.

Zhang Ting stopped arguing with him and helped him up, saying, "Get up quickly, food gets cold easily in winter."

Zong Suyi felt as if his legs didn't belong to him anymore, trembling like two boiled noodles, unable to find any foothold with each step. He sniffed, feeling incredibly miserable; even losing both his wife and his army couldn't compare to his current state!

Zhang Ting helped Zong Suyi sit down, then personally opened the food box, set out the bowls and chopsticks, and placed them in front of him one by one.

She ruffled his hair and smoothed it back down. "Eat."

Zong Suyi was not in a good mood, and a hint of gloom appeared between her brows. She moved to the stool next to Zhang Ting, leaned against her, rubbed against her, shook her weak hand, and opened her mouth with a sense of entitlement.

Zhang Ting raised her hand to rub her temples, shook her head and sighed, but still picked up the bowl and began serving meals.

At this moment, Zong Suyi's spoiled and pampered habits resurfaced. She would only gesture with her eyes to Zhang Ting what dishes she wanted to eat, and would occasionally make things difficult for her depending on her mood. When asked a question, she would be unable to speak, and she couldn't even lift her hand.

Having successfully bullied Zhang Ting this time, he even arrogantly raised his chin at her, looking as smug as if he had his tail standing on end.

Zhang Ting touched Zong Suyi's belly. He was in a great mood and had used a lot of things. He couldn't help but smile. Three years had passed and he hadn't made any progress. All he knew was how to compete in this.

......

Zong Suyi took many days to recover from his illness. He was overjoyed when he was finally able to get out of bed on his own, but before he could even start having fun, he was banished by Zhang Ting.

Zong Suyi: ......

But the reason this fellow gave was perfectly legitimate: "You haven't been to your spice shop in a long time, and you're really comfortable letting outsiders watch over it?"

He could only angrily punch Zhang Ting twice, but she gently cupped his fist, kissed it, and coaxed him in a gentle voice, "My lord, go and see her, it will help you relax." As she spoke, she gently stroked his face twice.

Zong Suyi's fair face immediately flushed red. She pursed her lips slightly, glanced at her cautiously, nodded obediently, and nestled into her arms with her eyes lowered.

Zhang Ting took the opportunity to put her arm around Zong Suyi, gently patted his not-so-bright head, and chuckled softly.

As Zong Suyi sat in the carriage, still thinking about the tender scene just now, she covered her mouth and smiled foolishly before getting off the carriage in a daze.

The incense shop was bustling with activity, crowded with servants who came to buy spices for their masters. He was already extremely skilled in spices, and with his wife's expertise in business, making the business thrive was a piece of cake for him.

As Zong Suyi led Xiao Rong and Master Li around the main hall to the back, he saw a pregnant man picking out sachets. He was stunned and couldn't help but walk over. After hesitating for a moment, he asked, "Young master, how many months pregnant are you?"

The pregnant man turned around, one hand on his waist and the other stroking his belly, and said with a loving smile, "You're six months along."

Zong Suyi murmured, "It's been six months. You and your wife must have been married for a long time, right?"

"No, we've only been married for a year. Young master, you've also come to choose a sachet? Are you married yet?"

Conceiving a child within a year? That means getting pregnant just six months after marriage? Zong Suyi stared intently at the pregnant man's belly, her eyes filled with envy.

His gaze was so blatant that the pregnant woman was terrified, thinking he had ulterior motives. She quickly covered her belly with both hands and angrily shouted, "Young master, what are you doing?"

Zong Suyi snapped out of her daze, her body trembling at the shout. She quickly apologized, "My lord, please don't be offended. I was just envious of you for being pregnant so early."

The pregnant man was a kind-hearted person. Upon hearing this, he stopped being wary and even kindly asked, "So you're already married, sir? Then you should be called my husband."

"Children are all predestined; they will come naturally when the time is right. How long have you and your wife been married?"

Zong Suyi hesitated to speak, then said, "About three years."

The pregnant man was shocked and found it unbelievable: "You...you haven't conceived in three years?"

Zong Suyi felt embarrassed by his reaction, her eyes involuntarily reddened, and she gripped the hem of her clothes tightly.

The pregnant man still found it hard to believe and asked in a low voice, "Is there a vixen sharing the favor?"

“No.” Zong Suyi gently shook his head.

"Tsk, you!" The pregnant man frowned and pulled him aside, sighing, "This is one of the seven grounds for divorce. If the wife is not pleased, she might even divorce you!"

Zong Suyi lowered her head in shame, her pretty face flushed red. She wished she could disappear into a crack in the ground, but stubbornly insisted, "My wife loves me dearly and would never abandon me."

Seeing that he was stubborn, the pregnant man stopped talking and said, "Since you have the favor of your wife, you should work harder to get pregnant, lest your wife be bewitched by some little vixen in the future, and you will have nowhere to cry when you are left alone in an empty room!" Fearing that these words would put more pressure on him, he added, "I think you are sincere in seeking an heir, and you are in your prime. Perhaps the child will come soon."

Zong Suyi straightened her back and nodded, unwilling to show weakness in front of outsiders, but her hand sadly stroked her belly, and she even began to question whether she was infertile.

Will Zhang Ting also feel unhappy because he can't have children?

The thought had barely crossed his mind when Zong Suyi immediately suppressed it. He gritted his teeth in resentment, thinking, "Hmph, she won't be unhappy at all. She'd rather he be childless so that her precious eldest daughter could have a place! Otherwise, she'd be stuck with the title of 'eldest daughter of a concubine' and annoy her husband!"