The fake daughter married into the mountains and had meat to eat every day during the famine

Lin Jingyao stood at the door of his room. When he saw Awang coming out of Song Yuntang's room, he quickly cast a questioning look at him.

Seeing Awang nod, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Although he wanted her to stay by his side, he didn't want to hurt her.

If she still insisted on returning to Xu Qingye after ten days, he would still send her back.

If only there were some medicine in this world that could make people forget.

……

It was not difficult to find out about the Lin family's affairs. Guiping spent less than two days to find out everything about the Lin family and the He family in Hansu Town.

"Master, Young Master Lin probably set out for the capital on the 25th day of the first lunar month, which was five days after the heavy rain. We rode back early this time, and he hasn't returned to the mansion yet."

Upon hearing this, Xia Ning hurriedly said, "My master and I also set out from Yingshan City to return to Anyang County five days after the rain stopped."

Xu Qingye coughed lightly a few times, nodded, and asked, "Where is the He family?"

Guiping frowned slightly.

"Coincidentally, Miss Lin also left the He family on the 25th day of the first lunar month. It was said that she took her jewelry with her to the provincial capital to exchange for some silver to supplement her family income. After she left, she never returned. The He family even went to the Lin family to ask for her, but the Lin family didn't know where she went."

Xia Ning glanced in the direction of Xu Qingye.

My son-in-law's insight is really amazing.

Xu Qingye didn't say anything, his eyes became darker.

"Have someone keep an eye on the Lin family. Lin Jingyao has passed the imperial examination this time and will definitely return to the Lin family to announce the good news. Once he returns to the Lin family, have someone come quickly to tell me."

Guiping clasped his fists.

"Yes."

"Xia Ning, has Prince Heng made any unusual moves recently?" Xu Qingye asked again.

Xia Ning shook his head and said, "Wang Yan has been keeping an eye on it. Prince Heng seems to be going to Hongjiang City more frequently recently."

Xu Qingye nodded, "I understand."

After thinking for a moment, he said, "Go to the clinic and ask Nian'er to send those who have seen Tang'er in the academy to travel for a while. Provide them with some money. If you see anyone who looks like Tang'er, report to me immediately."

"Yes."

Xia Ning clasped his fists and turned to go to the clinic.

Not long after Guiping and Xia Ning left, there was a knock on the door outside the yard.

"coming!"

Jiang hurried over to open the gate.

The person who came was a young lady dressed in gorgeous clothes, bright and pretty.

When Jiang saw her, she looked surprised.

"Who is the girl?"

The maid behind the woman hurriedly stepped forward and was about to introduce her identity, but the woman winked at her.

The maid knew what was going on and quickly retreated behind her politely.

Zhuang Zihan looked at the woman in front of her who bore a resemblance to Xu Qingye and smiled sweetly. "I suppose you are my aunt? My name is Zhuang Zihan, and I'm from the capital. Excuse me, is this Mr. Xu's home?"

The woman in front of me exuded nobility in every move she made.

But she was so enthusiastic and came for her son, so without thinking too much, Jiang had roughly guessed what was going on.

"I wonder what the young lady wants to see my Qingye?"

Zhuang Zihan smiled and said, "I heard that Yingshan City has experienced a series of disasters in recent years. I came here on behalf of my father to understand the people's situation. I was fortunate to meet Brother Xu in the capital. When I came here today, I thought I would come to visit you. If I am being rude, I hope my aunt will not blame me."

Jiang looked slightly apologetic.

"Logically speaking, Miss Zhuang is of the same generation as my daughter-in-law, so it should be my daughter-in-law who receives Miss Zhuang. However, she is not at home right now. If Miss Zhuang doesn't mind, I can chat with her."

As a mother, she knows better than anyone else how her son treats his wife.

This girl appears to be understanding the people's sentiments, but in reality, she has other intentions. Otherwise, who would come alone to visit a married man?

Zhuang Zihan put away the smile on her face and looked towards the yard.

"So, Brother Xu is not at home?"

Jiang smiled and said, "I've been exhausted from the imperial examinations lately, so I'm taking a break. Besides, Miss Zhuang is a woman, so how can we let a man from outside come to receive her? If this gets out, people will say that our Xu family has no manners, and it will also tarnish Miss Zhuang's reputation. Do you agree or not?"

An unnatural look flashed across Zhuang Zihan's face.

These words were meant to point at her.

Even a woman from the countryside knows this truth, so how could she, a lady from a wealthy family in the capital, not know it?

But what she didn't expect was that when Jiang learned that she was a lady from the capital, she didn't have any intention of currying favor with her.

In this case, it becomes difficult to do what Dad asked me to do.

"Auntie, you are so thoughtful." Zhuang Zihan politely took a step back and nodded slightly to Jiang. "Since Madam Xu is not at home, Zihan will not disturb you. I hope Auntie will tell you about my visit today. Goodbye."

After saying that, he turned around and left with his maid.

The maid Yun Jin followed her angrily, trotting behind her.

"Young lady, why didn't you just reveal your identity? If you had said you were the daughter of the Prime Minister, would that woman still be so tactless? She even lectured you in front of you. A woman from the countryside, don't you think she's worthy of the position?"

Zhuang Zihan didn't seem angry, but simply said, "Using power to pressure others will ultimately lead to failure. Don't worry. Didn't Jiang Yuan and Leng Quan say they've been watching here for a long time and haven't seen any young women come in or out? Maybe Xu Qingye hasn't married yet? Or maybe he and his wife don't have a good relationship. If that's the case, we have plenty of opportunities."

Yunjin felt sorry for her.

"With your current status and position, even if you entered the palace, His Majesty would have been obliged to treat you with courtesy for the sake of the Prime Minister. But now, you are being asked to make such a sacrifice for the sake of the Master and Prince Heng's cause. I feel that this is too much for you."

Zhuang Zihan smiled faintly.

"Xu Qingye is a man of great talent, loyal and principled. Marrying him wouldn't be an insult to me. I don't want to enter the palace and compete with so many women for a husband."

Next year will be the five-yearly beauty pageant, during which all unmarried women who are fifteen years old or older will enter the palace to participate in the selection. She must seize this opportunity to find a suitable husband for herself.

Now my father is from the Hengwang faction.

If Prince Heng gains power in the future, no matter how high she climbs in the palace, she will end up with nothing.

……

In the small courtyard, Jiang came to the door of the house.

"Qingye, what's going on with that Miss Zhuang? She knew you were married, yet she shamelessly came to visit you. She's clearly scheming. Now that Tang'er's whereabouts are unknown, and her family is nowhere to be found, we must not create any more complications."

"I saved it."

Xu Qingye put down the brush in his hand, read over the contents of the letter, and after confirming that it was correct, he put it in the envelope.

"Zhuang Zihan is the daughter of the current Prime Minister Zhuang. My teacher has now been reinstated and is deeply trusted by the Emperor. She only approached me to help her father gain access to my teacher. I already rejected Prime Minister Zhuang in front of the Emperor, so Mother doesn't need to pay any attention to her. Since I married Tang'er, I have never considered accepting another woman."

Jiang was a little surprised.

"If Tang'er is not found, are you planning to live out your life alone?"

The man's dark eyes, slightly bloodshot, were bottomless.

"Once you've seen the ocean, nothing can compare to the shallows." He said, looking at Jiang, "I still have to go to the post station to mail a letter and take a trip to the provincial capital. I won't be home for lunch. Mother, take good care of yourself."

After saying that, he took the horse from the backyard and left.

Jiang looked at her son's back until he disappeared and sighed helplessly.

"Don't I also want Tang'er to be well?"

Ever since he vomited blood on the day he came back, I could hear him coughing from time to time. I didn't know how his health was. I asked him to see a doctor, but he didn't take it seriously. He just said that he couldn't take his medicine on time recently and would talk to him after he found Tang'er.

This brat used to seem to care nothing for anyone.

I didn't expect that he was still a romantic.

Now I just hope he can find Tang'er as soon as possible.

……