Judging from his demeanor, Zou Shuang'er didn't think he was faking it.
She hurriedly pushed Zou Wanqing aside, ran in front of him, and blocked his way.
"Zhu Yikang, have you gone mad?"
"If this gets out, not only will none of us survive, but you won't live either!" Her voice carried a hint of a roar.
Ye Lanyin, who lived next door, was shocked.
The Zhu family?
Is it the Zhu family who brought dogs to bite her son at the mass grave?
She tensed up and listened intently again.
"I'm crazy. You and my older sister have driven me crazy long ago."
"I am clearly the legitimate son of the Zhu family, yet I have to pretend to be a merchant whose family has fallen on hard times. Do you know what people outside think of me?"
"Scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants—merchants are ranked last. We are clearly being wronged, so why can't we speak out?"
“Originally, my eldest sister was the most promising, but now she’s dead, and you just watch me go down a dead end. I don’t have a sister like you.”
Zou Shuang'er quickly grabbed his hand to calm him down, then took out some silver from her waist and put it into his hand.
"Alright, alright, here you go!"
"This silver is my last bit of travel money. I can hardly move an inch in the Marquis's mansion now. You better behave yourself outside. If we are accidentally exposed, neither of us will survive!"
Zhu Yikang looked at the heavy silver in his hand and immediately smiled, adopting a fawning expression, as he took out the package from his pocket.
"Okay, okay, I'll definitely listen to you. This is what you wanted, and it took me a lot of effort to buy it."
"Wanqing, come visit your uncle more often in the future, okay?" Zhu Yikang had received the silver and was in the mood to coax the child.
Zou Wanqing took two steps back, not wanting to pay him any attention.
Zhu Yikang was not angry. He then walked back to his seat and poured himself a cup of tea.
"Little sister, what's the point of you giving up being a proper mistress to become a concubine?"
"Even going out is so troublesome these days."
Zou Shuang'er gave him a disgruntled look. "Isn't it all for you guys?"
"Shixuan is about to take the imperial examination. If nothing unexpected happens, he will be the top scholar. Then he will be in charge of cooking and recording all national affairs, and will have free access to the Ancient History Hall."
“A close advisor to the emperor, respected by the crown prince. When the time comes, win over the crown prince and become his strategist. Restoring the Zhu family will be within reach.”
Zhu Yikang was thrilled upon hearing this.
"So, we're about to have our identities restored?"
Zou Shuang'er nodded, "So, you better behave yourself out there!"
"I see."
"By the way, you didn't pawn the Zhu family's jade pendant, did you?"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yikang stiffened for a moment, then smiled and said, "Of course not, am I that kind of person?"
"That's the only thing that can prove our identities. Would I be that stupid?"
"That's good." Zou Shuang'er took a sip of water. "Alright, I'm going back now."
"Don't call me out unless it's absolutely necessary!"
"Okay, I understand. You can go back now. I'll just have a couple more drinks here."
Zou Shuang'er glanced at him twice, gave him a few more instructions, and then left with Zou Wanqing.
Ye Lanyin, who lived next door, was struck by these words as if by a bolt from the blue, and was still in shock.
[I never imagined that my mistress was a descendant of the Zhu family.]
This is going to be fun!
The book states that although the Zhu family was beheaded, they were restored to their former glory after Lin Shixuan became a compiler at the Hanlin Academy.
[That was a period of unparalleled glory; the eldest son usurped the position of the current prime minister and possessed countless treasures of gold and silver.]
[So it was his maternal grandparents' family; no wonder they were so protective of him.]
"Madam, I never expected that Zou Shuang'er had such a background."
"We really underestimated her."
Ye Lanyin propped herself up on the chair and stood up, suppressing the shocking news in her mind.
"Paint plum blossoms, and find someone to follow this man named Zhu Yikang."
"Yes, madam."
"Let's go back first..."
After Ye Lanyin left, the Regent walked out of the door. Watching the woman's departing figure, he immediately gave instructions to Mo Qing.
"Bring them here."
"yes."
Mo Qing was leisurely drinking tea in the room, counting silver coins in his hand.
Suddenly the door was opened, and he was so startled that he hurriedly stuffed the silver into his waistband.
What do you do?
"I've booked this private room. What are you doing here?"
Mo Qing took out the dagger and patted it on his palm. "It's nothing."
"Your family demands that you pay back the money you owe at the gambling den right now."
Upon hearing that they were there to collect a debt, Zhu Yikang hurriedly reached out and tightly covered his waist.
He said in a panic, "Brother, please give me a few more days. I will pay you back as soon as I raise the money."
"It's not up to you!"
As he spoke, Mo Qing forcefully plunged the dagger into the sleeve of Zhu Yikang's hand, which he had inadvertently raised. Zhu Yikang's legs went weak, and he almost fainted.
"Walk!"
"Brother, be gentle, this could kill someone."
The Regent sat in the main seat of the adjacent private room, wearing a silver mask and exuding murderous intent.
When Zhu Yikang saw him, he was terrified.
His whole body exudes murderous intent; is he doomed to die?
He staggered and knelt on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly to the regent. "Brother, please give me some time. I will definitely return the silver to you."
"I've given you plenty of time, but it seems you won't shed a tear until you see the coffin!"
"Mo Qing, unleash the dogs!"
At his command, Mo Qing went to the back of the house and released a lithe dog that ran out with its fangs bared.
"Woof woof..."
"Woof woof woof..."
The large, powerful dog, upon smelling the intruder's scent, seemed to be awakened by its wild instincts, and pounced on Zhu Yikang with lightning speed and ferocity.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
