Xu Wenwu didn't mind Wen Yuan's provocation at all. He nodded generously and accepted Zheng Yaoyang's congratulations.
"Brother Xu, can I go to Beijing with you to take the exam next year?" Zheng Yaoyang asked.
"No problem. One more person means one more companion, and we can take care of each other." Xu Wenwu nodded.
Seeing this, Wen Yuan said, "Add me next year. Although I'm not going to take the exam, I also want to see the prosperity of the capital."
"Brother Wen is the son of a city prefect. Have you never even been to the capital?" Zheng Yaoyang asked curiously.
"No, I heard from my mother that my maternal grandparents' home is in the capital. My parents go there once a year, but they have never taken me and my sister with them." Wen Yuan shrugged and said.
Everyone felt a little strange when they heard this, but they didn't ask too much. After all, it was someone else's family affair, and it would be impolite to ask too many questions.
"Well, that's great. Let's go to Beijing together next year!" Zheng Yaoyang said.
"Brother Zheng, how long do you plan to stay in Xujia Village?" Wen Yuan asked.
Zheng Yaoyang said bitterly, "I'm used to being alone. I'm fine wherever I am as long as I have something to eat. I don't want to go back to the huts my parents left for me."
Wen Yuan said, "Brother Zheng, have you encountered any difficulties? No matter what, whatever our parents left behind is a memory!"
Zheng Yaoyang said bitterly, "Brother Wen may not know this, but the village where I live is completely different from Xujia Village. Ever since I achieved some success in my studies, I have gone from being isolated and helpless to having relatives everywhere.
Originally, I didn't care what they said to others, but what disheartened me was that some people actually used my name to collect ill-gotten gains. How could I tolerate such a thing? In a fit of rage, I reported it to the authorities, and since then, I have had a feud with some people in the village."
After hearing Zheng Yaoyang's words, Wen Yuan said angrily, "Then you're right not to go back to this village. It's best not to have anything to do with people like them. If you have nowhere to go in the future, come to the Wen Mansion!"
Xu Wenwu said, "That's right, Brother Zheng, if you are willing, the Xu family can also be a place for you to stay."
Zheng Yaoyang bowed his hands in gratitude and said, "Thank you both for your sincere hospitality. However, I think staying in the Xujia Village B&B is also quite nice. The scenery here is charming, and it makes people feel very happy. It is also more suitable for me to study."
Wen Yuan also knew Zheng Yaowen's situation, so he said, "If Brother Zheng has any difficulties, you can come to me at any time."
Zheng Yaoyang also understood what Wen Yuan meant, so he said, "Brother Wen, don't worry. The five hundred taels of silver I received as a reward for the literary competition will be enough to cover my expenses until I go to Beijing for the exam next year, as long as I spend it sparingly."
Wen Yuan nodded and said, "Okay, but there will always be times when you need money in an emergency. When that happens, just come to me!"
Zheng Yaoyang said gratefully, "Thank you, Brother Wen!"
Everyone chatted for a while, and as it was almost noon, Xu Wenwu said, "Brother Yaoyang, if you don't mind, why not come to our house for lunch?"
Zheng Yaoyang said, "Thank you, Brother Xu, for the invitation. However, it's a little inconvenient today. I will definitely come and bother you next time."
Xu Wenwu said no more and nodded.
After saying goodbye to Zheng Yaoyang, everyone left and returned to the Xu family.
Over the next two days, everything in Xujia Village was back to normal.
That morning, after Cui Cancan came back from a run, she approached Qibao and said, "Qibao, I was out for a run this morning when a woman stopped me. She asked about my relationship with your family and even inquired about the preferences of the Xu family members. I thought she was a bit suspicious, so I made up an excuse to get away with it."
Qibao frowned and said, "Okay, I understand. I'll send someone to keep an eye on it these few days."
After Cui Cancan delivered the message, she ran to wash her face.
Qibao pondered for a moment, then called Yuexue and asked her to pay attention to which suspicious people in the village were more likely to be found.
…
"You are so stupid! I asked you to inquire about the Xu family's situation, but you found nothing. What's the use of having you around?" Lu Qianzhi looked at the personal maid in front of her who lowered her head and looked a little uneasy, and questioned in a bad tone.
The maid quickly explained, "I'm sorry, young lady. The villagers in the whole village are too tight-lipped, so I hit that fat person who looks more honest. I noticed that she would run out of Xu's house every morning, but I didn't expect..."
"What didn't you expect? Aren't you telling Mr. Xu that someone is secretly inquiring about the Xu family? If he knows that person is me, how will he look at me in the future?" Lu Qianzhi slapped the table and shouted, with an extremely ugly expression on her face.
The maid fell to her knees and kowtowed, "Miss, I'm sorry, I didn't think too much about it. I just wanted to complete your task as soon as possible. It's all my fault!"
Lu Qianzhi looked coldly at the kowtowed maid, without asking her to stand up, and said lightly: "It seems that the previous plan is not going to work."
When the maid heard this, she knelt on the ground and became even more frightened.
"Get up! If I wasn't afraid that you would be discovered by others and ruin my reputation, I would not let you off easily today!" Lu Qianzhi snorted coldly.
After the maid thanked him tremblingly, she stood up cautiously. She knew that her young lady was a very scheming woman, otherwise she would not have been valued by the master among so many young ladies in the Lu family.
"I was originally thinking of trying to please the Xu family by getting what they want from other people in the family, but now this method doesn't work. Fortunately, I haven't shown up in public much before. Now that the Xu family doesn't know that we are the ones who are snooping around behind the scenes, I have to take action as soon as possible!" Lu Qianzhi said.
The maid stood there, and after hearing this, she dared not speak anymore.
"Go! Take out my Liuxian dress and change into it for me."
"Yes, Miss!"
The maid quickly lowered her head and went to prepare her clothes.
Soon, a light pink corseted long skirt with white ripples embroidered on the belt came out, and a white gauze dress was covered on the outside. Judging from the fabric alone, this dress was definitely not cheap.
The maid skillfully helped Lu Qianzhi change her clothes, and then combed her hair into a new bun that matched the clothes perfectly.
Lu Qianzhi looked at herself in the mirror, a smug smile appeared on the corner of her mouth. She was very satisfied with her makeup. She was sure that Mr. Xu would never forget her when he saw her!
Thinking of this, the smug smile on his face became more obvious.
"Miss, you look so beautiful in this Liuxian dress. Even I am fascinated by you. Mr. Xu will definitely like you!" The maidservant flattered her as much as she could.
Lu Qianzhi smiled proudly. There is no woman who doesn't like to be praised for her beauty.
"Let's eat first! Doesn't Mr. Xu always go out to digest his food after every meal? It's not too late to go then!" Lu Qianzhi said.
"Yes, miss, I will ask the boss to make some dishes for us and bring them in." The maid said and walked out of the room.
After Lu Qianzhi finished her meal, she wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and said, "Okay, it's time for us to go out and digest the food!" Lu Qianzhi picked up the mirror and took one last look at herself in the mirror, feeling very confident.
"Yes, Miss!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
