The passers-by are vicious

In this capital city, if you don't have money, you can hardly take a single step forward.

Originally, Qiuyu was there to help with cooking, but she was also taken away by Jiang Wanwan. How could Zheng Zhaorong, a young lady who had never done housework, know how to cook?

In desperation, she had to cook by herself.

However, facing those pots, pans, and ingredients, she felt extremely unfamiliar.

She finally managed to cook the rice, but the thick smoke coming out of the stove made it almost impossible for her to breathe.

To make matters worse, the flames nearly burst out of the stove and nearly set the entire yard on fire.

What's more, she only asked Qiuyu to buy a few days' worth of rice at that time. When the rice was eaten up, she could only pawn the hairpin she had secretly kept, and barely managed to avoid starving to death.

I wanted to buy some rice on the street today, and happened to see Jiang Wanwan, with a rosy face, carrying Sun’s pastries.

Zheng Zhaorong, who was already extremely hungry, naturally stepped forward and snatched it away. As for who it was bought for, it had nothing to do with her. Ever since the Zheng family got into trouble, they had been tightening their belts and now they couldn't even get enough to eat.

And now Jiang Wanwan has snatched the money without any remorse, and even wants to deal with her with an unknown man. She was very weak when she was in the Marquis' Mansion. It turned out that everything was a disguise. Now that the Marquis' Mansion is gone, her true colors are revealed.

Regardless of how much her elder brother liked her, she couldn't wait to hook up with a strange man and remarry just a few months after his death. She didn't deserve it.

Zheng Zhaorong stared at Jiang Wanwan with malice in her eyes, but her beautiful face was filled with fear as she said, "Sister-in-law, I really didn't eat on purpose. I was just too hungry, so I couldn't help but eat a few pieces of cakes..."

As she spoke, she tugged at the corner of her clothes with her hands, looked at Jiang Wanwan with tears in her eyes, and continued, "I know my brother has passed away, and I am a burden to you now. But don't worry, I can embroider and help with some housework at home, and I will definitely be able to earn money! Please don't sell me out."

After saying that, Zheng Zhaorong raised her head, her eyes full of helplessness and fear, tears streaming down her cheeks, making people feel pity for her.

There was deep malice hidden in her heart. Jiang Wanwan actually dared to hit her. Who would dare to marry her after she ruined her reputation? Since she had already married into the Zheng family, she had to remain a widow for her brother.

"Although you stole all the silver and left me alone in that shabby yard to fend for myself, and now you want to sell me, I won't blame you." Zheng Zhaorong's voice became louder and louder, attracting more people's attention.

At this time, many passers-by had gathered on the street to watch the fun. They were pointing at Jiang Wanwan and talking about her.

Some people even began to accuse Jiang Wanwan, saying that she was cruel and wanted to sell her husband's sister.

Zheng Zhaorong's already thin face now looked even more haggard, as if she had suffered a great injustice.

Zhang Dan was stunned by the scene before him, and Lin Tao, a personal soldier beside him, was also encountering such a situation for the first time.

When he reacted and stared at Zheng Zhaorong fiercely, wanting to refute, the person next to him held his arm.

Jiang Wanwan's eyes were filled with tears and revealed deep sadness. She covered her face and sobbed uncontrollably.

"No...it's not like that...the money was originally earned by pawning my own dowry! Ying'er is your nephew, and I took the money so that he could see a doctor. If you don't believe me, I'll take you to the clinic."

A beautiful woman shedding tears always makes people feel pity for her, and passers-by changed their tone of voice.

Zheng Zhaorong was so angry that she almost bit her teeth. She originally thought she had already won the battle, but she didn't expect Jiang Wanwan to easily turn the situation around.

Those passers-by who had originally sympathized and supported her now began to blame her.

"This sister-in-law is so unreasonable! As a mother, she is worried about her sick child, so what's wrong with giving her some money?"

"That's right. He's our own flesh and blood. Can we just watch him die of illness?"

"Good intentions are really not rewarded. This sister-in-law is too ignorant!"

Hearing these words, Zheng Zhaorong's face turned red, and her heart was filled with anger and unwillingness.

She glared at Jiang Wanwan fiercely, her eyes flashing with anger. However, Jiang Wanwan looked back at her fearlessly, with a hint of mockery in her eyes.

Before she could refute, Jiang Wanwan wiped her tears and said pitifully, "Sister-in-law, I know you don't like me, but my husband and father-in-law have passed away. I don't blame you for snatching the cakes. Don't worry, I will go back to my parents' home to get some money for you. Even if I sell myself, I won't sell you. You are my husband's only sister."

As she spoke, Jiang Wanwan wiped her tears with her sleeves, and left with a pale face and a shaky figure, her back looking even more fragile. In contrast, Zheng Zhaorong, whose face was unable to hide her resentment, formed a sharp contrast.

At that time, some officials' sons in fancy clothes passed by and joined in the fun, waving their fans and looking at each other, "This is Brother Sheng's fiancée, why does she seem difficult to get along with?"

"It's just in name only anyway. It's not certain whether the engagement can be successful."

Zhang Dan didn’t quite understand the fights or twists and turns between women, he just thought Jiang Wanwan was sad after being slandered.

So when Jiang Wanwan covered her face and walked towards the clinic, he followed behind her silently.

When Jiang Wanwan arrived at the clinic and was about to go in, he stopped her and handed her the Xu's pastries in his hand.

He sent someone to buy this after his pastries were stolen.

"Ma'am, I saw your pastry... so I asked someone to buy another one. Please don't refuse."

Jiang Wanwan hesitated for a moment before accepting it and then bowed to Zhang Danying with gratitude, "Thank you, sir."

"Madam, there is no need to be so polite." Zhang Dan did not ask Jiang Wanwan such a stupid question as why she called him "sir". After all, he was accompanied by his personal soldier Lin Tao and he had a sword hanging on his waist.

How could an ordinary merchant have guards carrying swords? Moreover, although Zhang Dan looked young, he was already in his thirties. Naturally, he could not be called "Young Master", but only "Sir".

Besides, these are all unimportant little things, and I don’t care what kind of person it is.

"If it is of any use to you, please do not refuse. This is also my apology for scaring you at Hanshui Temple."

Although this excuse was a bit far-fetched, Jiang Wanwan was willing to cooperate, and the atmosphere between the two was quite harmonious when they looked at each other.

After chatting with Zhang Dan for a few words, Jiang Wanwan returned to the clinic.

He handed the pastries in his hand to Qiuyu to make dinner for the two of them. As for Zheng Ying, he was not fully recovered from his illness yet and it was not easy for him to eat these.

At this moment, Jiang Wanwan was sitting in front of the bed. She no longer looked sad and fragile. Instead, she had a calm expression. Her expression only became gentle when Zheng Ying looked at her.

Although Jiang Wanwan only spent a short time with Zhang Dan today, she could sense that he liked her.

I believe she will achieve her goal soon, and her son Zheng Ying will not have to be exiled and can stay with her.

As for Zheng Zhaorong, doesn't she value the engagement with Sheng Hongyi the most? As long as she cannot get what she wants, it will be the best revenge for her.

A few days later, when Jiang Wanwan was on her way back to the Jiang Mansion, a boy bumped into her arms. He had a chubby face and looked the same age as Zheng Ying.

Jiang Wanwan couldn't help but feel sad. As she helped the boy up while crying softly, she saw a pair of familiar hands grabbing the boy's collar and pulling him up.

Jiang Wanwan looked up and saw Zhang Dan, whose handsome face was filled with surprise.

At this moment, the man was staring at her with his thick eyebrows raised. "I didn't expect to meet you here, Madam. It's fate."

Jiang Wanwan smiled softly and bowed slightly, saying indifferently, "What a coincidence."

Zhang Dan also noticed the change in Jiang Wanwan's attitude, which seemed a little cold.

At this time, his personal guard Lin Tao touched Zhang Dan's arm with his arm and coughed lightly, "Is the young master hurt?"

As he spoke, Lin Tao picked up the little boy and signaled Zhang Dan the child with his eyes.

Jiang Wanwan naturally noticed the eye contact between the two, but she didn't notice the fake account. After all, she already knew that Zhang Dan had a bastard, but she just needed to test him.

Zhang Dan didn't react at first. His handsome face was confused. He stared at Lin Tao with his thick eyebrows raised, and almost asked what was going on.

Fortunately, he understood what he meant when the words came to his lips, and his handsome face quickly turned to Jiang Wanwan: "This is my bastard, Zhang Meng."

Seeing that Jiang Wanwan's expression was still cold and she had no reaction, Zhang Dan explained in a somewhat clumsy manner: "Actually, I'm not afraid of being laughed at by the Madam. Although he is nominally my illegitimate son, he is not my offspring. He is the son of my fellow villager. It's just that both his parents died, so I adopted him. He is called a illegitimate son."

After saying this, he looked at Jiang Wanwan seriously, hoping to get a response.

Jiang Wanwan was surprised at this unexpected surprise, and the slightly cold expression on her face softened. "I see, you are such a poor child. But why are you telling me these family matters?"

As she said this, she glared at Zhang Dan coquettishly, but her cheeks were slightly red as if she was shy, but the white hair on her temples could not hide her bright and beautiful face.

Zhang Dan's heart beat faster. He tried to organize his words, "I am sorry for being rude, but I fell in love with you at first sight at Hanshui Temple. I heard that you are a widow, and I happen to be a widow too. We are a perfect match made in heaven. If you don't mind, I am willing to marry you."

Zhang Dan spoke sincerely and his voice was mellow. If it weren't for the serious expression on his face, Jiang Wanwan would have thought he was mocking her on purpose.

"You..., who wants to be your perfect match."

Jiang Wanwan immediately started cursing with tears in her eyes, then she covered her face in anger and ran away.

Only the tall and strong Zhang Dan was left standing there at a loss, his rugged and handsome face filled with confusion. He didn't know what he had said wrong to cause Jiang Wanwan to leave in tears.

Lin Tao, the personal soldier who was holding Zhang Meng, had a helpless look on his face. He couldn't help but hold his forehead and sigh, "General, where has your cleverness on the battlefield gone?"

How can you just open your mouth and say to someone, I heard you're a widow? People who don't know would think you're congratulating them. Isn't that just rubbing salt into someone's heart? It would be strange if she would be nice to you. It's only because Mrs. Jiang has a gentle temper, otherwise she wouldn't have hit you.

I just feel that my general has a long way to go before he can win the beauty.

It took Zhang Dan a long while to come to his senses and slap his forehead, "Why am I so embarrassed? I need to read more books when I get home and learn how those scholars talk."

The man's strong shoulders drooped slightly, and he looked dejected and lost, like a clumsy bear.

"I originally wanted to propose marriage to her today after introducing myself to her and getting her consent, but now it seems I have to wait a little longer."

He deliberately followed the advice of others and brought Zhang Meng to meet Jiang Wanwan by chance, just to take the opportunity to clarify the matter of the bastard and to add some points for himself.

Now everything has been messed up by him. No matter how much Zhang Dan regrets, he can only go back home.

But he was worried about Jiang Wanwan being alone, so he followed the direction she ran.

Meanwhile, Jiang Wanwan had already put down her sleeves that were covering her face and walked towards the Jiang Residence. She planned to inform Jiang's father and mother and marry Zhang Dan as soon as possible.

However, she unexpectedly met two hooligans at the corner. They had ordinary looks and were dressed in rags. They had intended to rob some money, but when they saw that Jiang Wanwan was alone and so beautiful, they became malicious.

Jiang Wanwan's expression changed slightly. She stepped back and was about to run, but was blocked by someone. The person said jokingly, "Where are you going, young lady? Why don't we two brothers take you there?"

Jiang Wanwan pulled out the hairpin and held it in her hand. Her eyes were filled with cruelty. If they dared to come forward, she would not let them off even if she died.

The two men did not take the hairpin in Jiang Wanwan's hand seriously. In their opinion, the woman was weak and could not hurt them at all. They reached out to grab Jiang Wanwan's hand holding the hairpin.

Just as Jiang Wanwan was holding the hairpin and preparing to stab the man's outstretched hand, a pair of strong arms grabbed Jiang Wanwan's soft waist from behind and held her in his arms.

Zhang Dan grabbed the man's outstretched arm with one hand and broke it with a slight force, making a crisp sound. His face was gloomy and his eyes were full of ferocity.

"Get out!" Zhang Dan's voice was low and cold, and he stared at the two men sharply, as if he wanted to eat him alive.

The two men were intimidated by Zhang Dan's aura, and expressions of fear appeared on their faces. They did not dare to look at Zhang Dan again. They retreated with shaking legs and then ran away.

Zhang Dan looked at the man's back as he left, his anger still not subsiding. He lowered his head to look at Jiang Wanwan, a trace of concern flashing in his eyes.

"Madam, are you okay?"

Jiang Wanwan shook her head, indicating that she was not injured, and a warm feeling surged in her heart.

Zhang Dan clumsily patted Jiang Wanwan's shoulder lightly and comforted her, "Don't be afraid, I'm here." As he sniffed the faint fragrance under his nose, he loosened his arm slightly unnaturally.

Although he was reluctant in his heart, he still pretended to be honest on his face.

Jiang Wanwan said softly with a grateful look on her face: "It seems that I misunderstood you just now. I wonder if what you just said still counts."

"It counts naturally."

It was rare that Zhang Dan was slow to react this time. Instead, he responded immediately, his handsome face showing undisguised expectation and hope.

"As long as it's you, it counts no matter what time it is."

These words were spoken quickly, but both the voice and the expression were full of seriousness.

It was rare for Zhang Dan to regain some of his former shrewdness in front of Jiang Wanwan.