Zhu Yuan looked at Zhen Wanwan and suddenly asked very seriously, "If I had unintentionally deceived you, what would you have done?"
After he finished speaking, he clenched his fists nervously, somewhat unable to look Zhen Wanwan in the eye.
Zhen Wanwan's heart skipped a beat. As intelligent as she was, she had a bad feeling. It was obvious that they were hiding something from her!
And it could very well be a super big deal!
However, she still didn't want to live in a state of confusion, and knowing the truth in advance would allow her to make plans accordingly.
"That depends on whether you, strategist, are willing to be honest and open about it now..."
Zhu Yuan lowered his eyes and looked around, signaling his subordinates to go out and guard the door. Even Rou'er in the kitchen was called away.
Seeing such a large commotion, Zhen Wanwan nervously took a sip of tea.
“Actually, Zhou’er…” Zhu Yuan said in a low voice, hesitating to finish his sentence.
"What's wrong with Zhou'er?"
Seeing the odd expression on his face, Zhen Wanwan couldn't help but make many connections, and suddenly realized the question she had just asked.
Could it be...?
"Could Zhou'er be the son of those two people I just mentioned?"
Zhen Wanwan pointed to her head, her face full of disbelief.
Seeing that she had already guessed, Zhu Yuan nodded and said frankly, "Yes! Because things happened so suddenly, I could only bring him out secretly."
Zhen Wanwan felt as if a thunderbolt had struck her head by sheer coincidence.
What merit did she have to transmigrate into the body of a peasant girl and get involved in a palace intrigue thousands of miles away?
"My strategist, please stop joking. I'm a little shaken."
Seeing Zhen Wanwan's appearance, Zhu Yuan frowned, feeling a pang of self-reproach.
The words were too direct.
"I'm sorry, it was my fault for not telling you first."
He lowered his head and sincerely apologized.
This is most likely true. Considering Yuan Huizhou's usual behavior, Zhen Wanwan should have realized long ago that this child was not from an ordinary family.
But she never expected his identity to be so prominent.
However, I still have some questions: "I want to know why you entrusted... Zhou'er to me to raise?"
After all, he was the crown prince's grandson. No matter how much infighting there was in the palace, they wouldn't let a rural woman with little education support him.
There was an unknown emotion flickering deep in Zhu Yuan's eyes, but it quickly disappeared.
Actually, he had some selfish motives, but Zhen Wanwan was the most suitable person to raise Zhou'er.
Besides her, Zhuyuan couldn't think of anyone else.
Therefore, he sincerely explained, "Zhou'er's parents, as you just learned, if his enemies find out his whereabouts, I'm afraid his life will be in danger."
"So I devised a plan to secretly switch people out, but my identity... if the court is interested in investigating, they will eventually find out about Zhou'er..."
He glanced at Zhen Wanwan, swallowed nervously, and continued, "I just remembered that you still owe me a promise... Your current status makes you the most suitable person to raise Zhou'er."
Zhen Wanwan listened quietly, and after hearing this reason, she didn't know what to say.
If she were in Zhuyuan's situation, she would probably make the same choice.
In terms of trust alone, their family has been farmers for generations, with a simple family background, and they all came from other places to escape famine.
No one knew who was in the group, so when Sai Zhou'er entered, she wouldn't attract anyone's attention.
Another reason is her relationship with Zhuyuan.
Few people know them, but the two share a bond as a sweet and adorable child.
In this era that values blood ties, Zhu Yuan is, after all, the father of two children.
If you think about it carefully, the Crown Prince's concubine is Zhu Yuan's cousin, so Gua Bao and Tian Bao are cousins with Zhou Er.
It's much better to have her help raise the children than to just hand them over to strangers!
Most importantly, she had once accepted a favor and owed Zhu Yuan a promise.
She can't possibly renege on her debt now!
Thinking of this, Zhen Wanwan sighed and said helplessly, "It's really a cruel twist of fate. Zhou'er is quite pitiful. He has such a high status, yet he has to suffer with us!"
"If you're not afraid of him suffering, I'm willing to raise him forever..."
Zhu Yuan's gaze gradually warmed, but his eyes remained as deep and earnest as ever as he looked at Zhen Wanwan.
"Thank you very much, Madam."
Hearing this unusual way of addressing her as "Madam," Zhen Wanwan felt a tickle in her ears and a slight unease.
"My lord strategist, please continue to call me Lady Zhen!"
She said awkwardly, completely unaware that someone's face was gradually darkening.
Zhu Yuan gave a barely audible "hmm".
The scene fell silent again. Suddenly, Zhen Wanwan thought of something and spoke directly to Zhu Yuan.
"I have something I'd like to ask you, sir."
Zhu Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly and said calmly, "What is it?"
Speaking of this, Zhen Wanwan confidently puffed out her chest and praised herself in a roundabout way.
"Sir, you came here specifically for the iron mine, right? It's quite a coincidence, we were preparing to go to Dahe Village to reclaim wasteland that day... and I just happened to be bored and wandered around."
"Perhaps I suddenly had a stroke of luck and discovered this mine! I immediately thought of presenting it to General Xiao and you, sir!"
As she spoke, she stole several glances at Zhu Yuan, hoping he would bring up the reward on his own so she could then make her own offer.
Zhu Yuan, being very perceptive, went along with her meaning and said, "You handled this matter well, and I will certainly report back to General Xiao in this manner!"
"That mine has taken over your wasteland. I have already informed the magistrate of Guangling County about this, and he will reallocate fertile land to you... In addition, the villagers who discovered the mine will be rewarded with one hundred taels of silver... Do you have any requests?"
While Zhen Wanwan wasn't paying attention, a hint of a smile appeared in Zhu Yuan's eyes.
Zhen Wanwan was quite satisfied with this, after all, the iron mine ultimately belonged to the state.
The fact that the imperial court was willing to exchange fertile land for them and offer them silver rewards was already quite generous.
Although it was a small sum for her, it was an immense fortune for the Zhen family and the other three families.
"Hmm... you've already given me enough materially, I want something else..."
"What?" Zhu Yuan looked at her in confusion, seemingly not understanding her words.
Zhen Wanwan didn't care what he thought, and instead told him her plans.
She put her hands behind her back, grinned at Zhu Yuan, and said, "I want to curry favor with someone powerful!"
"What?"
Zhu Yuan stared blankly at the person opposite him, seriously doubting whether he had misheard.
Is he trying to curry favor with someone powerful?
Seeing Zhu Yuan's strong reaction, Zhen Wanwan was unhappy.
He gave her such a large iron mine, so what's wrong with her clinging to his coattails and using his power for a bit?
She pouted and said discontentedly, "Is Your Excellency unhappy?"
"In the end, I wasn't sincere enough! Such a huge mine... it's a real disaster."
Looking at her half-crying expression, Zhu Yuan felt a pang of shame.
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