Favoring the concubine and killing the wife? She divorced the concubine and lived with her concubine

The South City wall has been under construction for many years and is inspected every five years to prevent potential safety hazards. This year is only the fourth year, but it seems that many areas need further repairs. Su Ze visited the site and found that many areas are indeed dilapidated. If not repaired in time, there may be a real risk of collapse.

Su Ze flipped through the old documents and learned that previously, the Xiao family had been the first to be funded, and then a group of merchants would contribute funds to the repairs. Generally, when repairing the city wall, besides government funding, the city's Chamber of Commerce donated money. There was no Chamber of Commerce in South City, and because the Xiao family, the largest family, did not want to be president, Chen Zhong had no one else willing to take on the task.

After all, although the Chamber of Commerce has many advantages, it also brings many troubles. Moreover, although the Xiao family is not the president, they will step in to solve many major issues, so everyone has no intention of forming a Chamber of Commerce.

Su Ze felt that the matter was urgent now, and it was useless to find Xiao Lan to convey the message in a tactful way. He definitely needed to go directly to Xiao Zongshan.

Mr. Cui sent a letter and personally delivered it to the Xiao family, inviting the head of the Xiao family to the county government office for discussion.

Xiao Zongshan agreed immediately and, as Master Cui had instructed, took Xiao Lan with him. After all, Sun Shaohua had been laid to rest, and now Xiao Lan wanted to learn the business, so Xiao Zongshan didn't mind taking him along.

Besides, he also knew that Xiao Lan and Su Ze had a lot of interactions, and he felt that if he took her with him, he might be able to talk about it more easily.

Su Ze walked to his parents' room. The door was open, so he went straight in.

Pan Yingqiu was making tea for the two elders. She was brewing Gongfu tea, slowly grinding the leaves and pouring the tea over and over again in a small pot, which was very elegant.

"Didn't you say you had something to do? Why are you here?"

When Su's mother saw her son coming, she stood up and walked over. Pan Yingqiu raised her eyes and smiled at him, then lowered her head to continue making tea for the two elders. Su's father looked back at him and said in a bad tone, "I've been here for the past few days, but you didn't take me out for a walk. It's boring to stay here all day."

Su's mother glared at him and was about to scold him, but Pan Yingqiu spoke first.

"Cousin Ze is very busy with work, so don't blame him, uncle. When cousin is free, he will definitely take us for a walk. I heard that in the woods outside the north of the city, there are long streams and quiet bamboo forests. The mountains in the south of the city also have unique scenery. I heard that there is a Taoist temple that is particularly famous... What's it called..." Pan Yingqiu seemed to be unable to remember and looked up at Su Ze.

Su Ze didn't look at her, but said coldly: "There were bandits, that's why they died."

Su's mother pinched him, but he remained indifferent.

"Look at what you're saying. As the county magistrate, you didn't suppress the bandits, and now when outsiders come, you tell them there are bandits? You're not even going to see such a beautiful scenery?"

Su's father was very dissatisfied with his son's behavior. He felt that Pan Yingqiu was worthy of his son. Not only was her appearance outstanding in the capital, but she was also well-versed in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, and was no less than a lady from a noble family.

"Father, give me a can of your tea." Su Ze ignored his father's nagging and just made his own request.

Father Su rolled his eyes at him and said, "No! Can't you afford it yourself?"

Su Ze looked at a celadon jar beside the tea table. Before he could reach out his hand, Pan Yingqiu handed it to him with the same gentle smile, as if whatever others said had nothing to do with her.

"Brother, take it. It's just your uncle's teasing."

Su Ze didn't want to take it, but his mother took it and stuffed it into his hand, "Why are you being so awkward? We'll be a family sooner or later, why are you still embarrassed?"

"I've made an appointment with some merchants to discuss the city wall repairs, so I'll be free this afternoon. I'll take you to the creek and woods then."

Father Su snorted, "No, there are bandits there, I'm afraid of death!"

Mother Su slapped Father Su on the back and said, "You're the only one who talks too much!"

This time, Father Su was tough. Without saying a word, he picked up the small teacup handed to him by Pan Yingqiu and drank it in one gulp.

After seeing Su Ze leave, Pan Yingqiu filled each of them with a cup of tea, which was rich in color and filled with fragrance.

"Yingqiu, this kid has only known how to study since he was young. He's become stupid from studying. Don't bother with him. I've already arranged your marriage, don't worry."

"How can an old man like you decide for your son?" Mother Su looked at Pan Yingqiu with a smile, "Yingqiu, my son has a stubborn temper. Although marriage is a matter of parents' orders and matchmakers' words, sometimes we can't change him. I brought you here this time mainly because you said you wanted to go out and have more time to wander around, and also because you and Su Ze have a childhood affection and wanted to see him. Some things we should just let nature take its course." Mother Su put down the small teacup, "Yingqiu, your tea-making skills are really good. Only in your hands can you taste the delicious flavor of this tea."

Father Su wanted to say something, but his feet were crushed by Mother Su so hard that it hurt, so he finally gave up.

Pan Yingqiu continued to respond gently, without objecting. "Yes, Yingqiu just came to see my cousin. I also wanted to take a look at the famous scenery of South City and take care of my aunt and uncle along the way. There's no other intention. Father Su just watched Yingqiu grow up and has a special liking for her."

Father Su looked at the girl in front of him and felt that he was so lucky to have such a good daughter-in-law. Mother Su nodded and said to her, "You are the most sensible."

Su Ze took the tea leaves and went to find the servant, telling him to ask someone to make the tea later, and told Xiao Lan to make the scented tea according to the recipe improved by Master Cui.

"My cousin is so thoughtful. I wonder who is Xiao Lan to have such a blessing." Pan Yingqiu appeared behind Su Ze at some point.

Although Pan Yingqiu's footsteps were light, Su Ze could already sense them from a distance. He felt that his cousin was like a ghost, and walking on the road at night would be terrifying.

“When asking for help from others, it is natural to treat them with courtesy.”

Su Ze avoided the main point and focused on the trivial. He didn't want to appear too cold to Pan Yingqiu in front of others. After all, she was a guest. Unwarranted rejection would only lead to speculation.

But Su Ze was a little confused. Has Pan Yingqiu always been such a mask-like person since she was a child? No matter what she said, she always kept this attitude, not like a real person.

What's more, his father seemed determined to marry Pan Yingqiu, as if he was going to propose marriage in the next few days, which made Su Ze very unhappy.

"This tea is a bit particular. If the water temperature is not suitable, you won't be able to taste the flavor of this tea. Since you are an honored guest, why don't you let me make it for you?"

Pan Yingqiu was about to take the teapot from the servant. Having learned from the previous incident where the servant had let Pan Yingqiu into the study without permission, he didn't dare let go today and just looked at Su Ze, waiting for her decision.

Su Ze glanced at Pan Yingqiu. He didn't want to see that gentle expression for a moment, especially when he thought of Xiao Lan who would be here soon, he had even less patience with her.

"Thank you, cousin. Just ask the servant to bring it over. After all, you are a relative, so it is not appropriate for you to be there."

Su Ze's words were very clear, and the servant quickly agreed and took Pan Yingqiu to the back to make tea.

Pan Yingqiu was not angry after hearing those words. She nodded and retreated with the servant.

"Hey, little brother, how does Master Cui brew his scented tea? I want to try it too."

The servant glanced at Pan Yingqiu from the corner of his eye, but didn't dare to look any further. Anyone approaching such a beautiful girl would be nervous, let alone a young boy like him.

"Just add some jasmine flowers to tea and a little honey." The servant replied, thinking that this was nothing special.

"Oh? That should taste quite unique. Can you mix some with me later?"

"Naturally."

After a few interactions, the servant found that Pan Yingqiu was very easy to get along with, spoke very nicely, and did not look down on him at all. It was as if she was really helping him make tea.

"The water temperature should be about this temperature. If it's too hot, the leaves will be burned."

The servant looked at it seriously, nodding his head repeatedly. Pan Yingqiu's slender fingers expertly manipulated the tea leaves, a truly beautiful sight.

"Brother, who is this Miss Xiao? I feel like my cousin thinks highly of her."

The servant naturally knew who Xiao Lan was, and he also felt that this was the daughter-in-law chosen by the master's father, so there were some things he needed to clarify for the master.

"Miss Cousin, please don't misunderstand. This Xiao Lan is not a girl. She has already been married. Moreover, her husband just passed away. She has a son and a daughter. Because she is the future head of the Xiao family, Lord Su is taking good care of her for official business."

Pan Yingqiu didn't seem to care and smiled coquettishly, "I'm just asking, don't be nervous, little brother. I'm just worried that there are some things I don't know and that I might tell you inappropriately, making you laugh at me."

The servant was so bewildered by her smile that he just nodded, even when Pan Yingqiu said she would personally bring the tea, he nodded. Only after she took the tea away did the servant come to his senses and hurried after her.

When he chased to the study, the person had already gone in. He was so anxious that he scratched his head and head at the door, turning around and around thinking about what to do, but ended up in the arms of Master Cui.