"Third brother, He Zhi is definitely lying."
After dinner, Zhao Cheng and Zhao Yan took a walk in the courtyard.
Zhao Yan asked doubtfully, "How do you know?"
Zhao Cheng said, "He Zhi is very methodical in his speech and actions. He becomes unnatural when he lies. Didn't you see how he acted just now? He was clearly lying."
Zhao Yan recalled, and said, "Does Brother mean that He Zhi couldn't find the person?"
"That's not right..." Zhao Yan scratched his head and said, "If we didn't find it, we didn't find it. Why lie?"
Zhao Cheng frowned and said, "I suspect he found the person, but he killed them!"
"How could this be?!" Zhao Yan exclaimed in shock. "Would he indiscriminately kill innocent people?"
Zhao Cheng stopped and looked at Zhao Yan, saying, "You're eighteen this year, not a child anymore. Your older brother has to tell you something. 'One general's success is built on the bones of ten thousand soldiers.' Our father used to be Commander Long. How many soldiers' corpses did he have to step on to stand so high?"
"If those bones were piled up, they would probably be as high as Mount Ling, wouldn't they?"
"Who is He Zhi? He's someone who followed our father through thick and thin at a young age, and was appointed a general by the court during the reign of the late emperor. Do you think he's a good guy?"
"In his eyes, there is no concept of indiscriminate killing. He simply carries out whatever orders our father gives him!"
"If Deng Yanjiao really knows something she shouldn't know, isn't it unreasonable for Father to order He Zhi to kill her?"
Zhao Yan gasped and said, "Brother, are you telling me all this... to tell me that you are different from Father and don't agree with his methods?"
"That's not it," Zhao Cheng said frankly. "We are Father's sons, so of course we can't hold Father back. If any secrets of our Right Prime Minister's Mansion that concern the lives of our entire family are found out by outsiders, those people deserve to be killed. People are selfish; how can the lives of outsiders be more important than the lives of our own?"
"But what upsets me is that Dad shouldn't have kept it from us."
"Given the second child's situation, it's probably better that he doesn't know about the family's affairs. He can live a carefree and comfortable life. The fourth child is still too young, so it's normal that he doesn't have the right to know."
"But you and I should also share the old man's burdens!"
Zhao Cheng's words stirred Zhao Yan's blood, and Zhao Yan unconsciously straightened his back a little, saying, "Brother, I agree with what you said!"
“Hmm.” Zhao Cheng nodded and said, “You’re eighteen this year. From today onwards, I will no longer treat you like a child. Actually, from the day you fell in love with Yang Huanyun, I’ve been treating you like an adult, so you have to be on my side in this matter.”
Zhao Yan asked, "What do you want to do?"
Zhao Cheng said, "I haven't thought of that yet, but I have to remind you that if I ever disobey the old man, you have to stand up for me."
"I was raised by my eldest brother, and in this family, he's the one I respect the most!"
"Good third brother!"
After successfully delivering the karaoke to Zhao Yan, Zhao Cheng approached Yuan Fei and asked him to arrange for someone to inquire with Deng Fugui again to see if Deng Yanjiao had actually been delivered.
He always felt that this matter was not so simple.
...
Jiangyang County.
Prefectural Governor's Office.
"I am ashamed that you have been waiting for so long since Mr. Wu came to visit!"
Deng Fugui strode into the hall, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Wu Sisi, and quickly ordered someone to prepare some refreshments.
Wu Sisi looked at the woman sitting next to her and smiled, "Lord Deng, you are too kind. I just arrived and your wife came to keep me company. I am very flattered."
Deng Fugui sat down with a smile and said, "I've made time for dinner tonight, Mr. Wu, please don't leave. Let's have dinner at my place tonight."
In front of Wu Sisi, Deng Fugui did not refer to himself as "this official," but rather as "this old man," clearly telling Wu Sisi that they were on the same side.
Wu Sisi smiled and said, "A family banquet! Such a generous treat! I, this humble woman, will gladly accept your invitation!"
Deng Fugui waved his hand and said, "There are no outsiders here, so let's not be so polite. What brings you here, Mr. Wu?"
“Lord Deng is right, we are all on the same side. In terms of status, Lord Deng is an official and I am a merchant; in terms of age, Lord Deng is my elder, and I should have come to pay him a visit long ago!”
Wu Sisi took a sip of tea, pondering the task Zhao Cheng had given her.
Yesterday, someone from the Yiwen Flying Team came to deliver a message, saying that Zhao Cheng wanted to know if Deng Yanjiao had returned to the Prefect's Mansion.
The flight team members couldn't directly question Deng Fugui, nor could they conveniently investigate Deng Fugui, one of their own, at the prefectural governor's mansion, so they asked Wu Sisi to verify the information.
Madam Deng looked at Wu Sisi and liked her more and more. She said, "Sisi has such a sweet tongue. She's beautiful and capable. I wonder if she has someone she likes? My son is still unmarried..."
"Ahem!!" Deng Fugui quickly interrupted, shouting, "What nonsense are you spouting, you woman? With so many businesses under his management, how could Boss Wu have time to get married and have children?!"
Mrs. Deng was stunned by the scolding and murmured, "A woman always has to get married and have children..."
"If you can't speak properly, go check the kitchen! Prepare more food for tonight!!"
Deng Fugui was so frightened that sweat broke out on his back.
Trying to matchmake your son with Wu Sisi? Are you kidding me?
Madam Deng was unaware of Wu Sisi's situation, but Deng Fugui knew it very well.
Back in Yanchuan City, Wu Sisi was just a courtesan hidden away by Zheng Hongxiu. She rose to prominence through Zhao Cheng. Although she and Zhao Cheng were not husband and wife, he knew about their relationship.
Zhao Cheng's high regard for Wu Sisi was certainly not just because of her prowess in bed, but also because she genuinely possessed business acumen and ability.
He is Zhao Cheng's right-hand man!
Trying to poach Zhao Cheng's girlfriend?
Isn't that just asking for death?
“Madam, Lord Deng is right, I truly have no time for anything else. Moreover, I disagree with what you just said. I believe that a woman doesn't necessarily have to get married and have children. As long as I have money, why should I rely on a man?”
Although her words were words of opposition, Wu Sisi gave Madam Deng a warm smile and spoke in a gentle tone, which made Madam Deng feel no aversion but instead grew closer to her.
"This..." Madam Deng choked.
Deng Fugui quickly pointed at his wife and said, "Listen to this, listen to this! This is what a woman of insight looks like!"
"Everyone has their own way of living."
Wu Sisi stopped the topic and, seeing that the atmosphere was right, said, "Lord Deng, Madam Deng, I heard that you have another daughter who came to Jiangyang County with you this time. I like to make friends, but I haven't been in Jiangyang County for long and don't have many friends yet. Could you introduce me to Miss Deng?"
Mrs. Deng was taken aback.
Deng Fugui quickly replied, "Okay! But Yan Jiao has gone out for a trip and probably won't be back for a few more days."
Wu Sisi said, "Then it's a deal. I'll host a banquet for Miss Yan Jiao when she returns. Please don't forget about this, Lord Deng."
"Absolutely, I will definitely make the arrangements!"
at night.
After seeing Wu Sisi off at the gate of the prefectural government, Deng Fugui hurriedly returned to his room and pointed at Madam Deng, shouting, "You almost gave yourself away when Wu Sisi mentioned Yan Jiao!"
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