Favoring a concubine and destroying the wife? I'll abandon my husband and children and wipe out

In Guantang Courtyard, Jianlan received the news and went to report it to Cheng Nanzhi.

“Miss, Sanmei just came by and said she has finished making it. She was sent by Miss Biao to inquire when Li Mama’s son will arrive.”

Cheng Nanzhi was arranging the newly acquired plum blossoms by the window, trimming some loose branches and leaves with scissors, and said unhurriedly, "Then tell her that she will arrive soon. After that, take my token to leave the mansion. I remember that Granny Li and her son work at Jin Yu Lou, so go there directly to find them."

She paused, then added, "But please tell Granny Li that I suddenly went to see her son, and don't tell anyone who isn't supposed to."

Seeing that Lan was respectfully acknowledging the situation, she went out and bumped into Lianruo, who was carrying several pots of flowers for Cheng Nanzhi to arrange in vases.

Lianruo was a little puzzled by her hurried manner.

"Miss, I went to the flower room to get some flowers and I think I saw that maid from this morning again. She's someone who serves Miss Biao, right? Why does she keep coming here?"

"And Jianlan, you were just upset because of Miss Biao, how could she be so familiar with that maid!"

Cheng Nanzhi told her to put the flowerpot on the ground, and then ruthlessly cut off some of the flowers with a snip of the scissors, as if they weren't some rare or expensive variety.

"What do you think?" she countered.

Lianruo thought for a moment and said, "That maid is working for you, Miss!"

Cheng Nanzhi looked at her.

Lianruo said excitedly, "That's wonderful! Miss, seize this opportunity to trip up that cousin! To be honest, I really can't stand her, there's something strange about her!"

Cheng Nanzhi withdrew her gaze and continued arranging the bottles casually, saying, "You'd better watch your mouth. Don't say whatever comes to mind, it'll only bring trouble, you know?"

Lianruo smiled and agreed.

At this moment, Qingdai came in carrying a booklet.

Seeing that she was about to discuss important matters with Cheng Nanzhi, Lianruo consciously withdrew.

“Miss, these are the servants with clean records from the matchmaker. I have verified that everything is correct.” Qingdai handed over the booklet.

She had dealt with some people before, so the staff at Guantang Courtyard was already stretched thin, and she needed to add more people.

The newly added personnel must be handled with care and attention.

Cheng Nanzhi did not accept the offer, saying, "No rush, we can add more after the shop matter is settled. These next few days, the people in the courtyard will work harder. Pass on my message that everyone's monthly salary will be increased by half."

Qingdai noted it down, but then worried, "Master, isn't it a bit risky for you to use the shop you got from the Zhao family? If something happens and you get involved, I'm afraid you won't be able to get away with it."

"No, it won't happen." Cheng Nanzhi said confidently. "I know far more about your young lady than you think. Just do as I say."

Qingdai had always unconditionally trusted Cheng Nanzhi, so she didn't say anything after hearing this.

Cheng Nanzhi arranged the vase and asked Qingdai to place it on a table that could be seen as soon as one entered the door, and then hang a few sachets brought from the estate on the screen next to it.

Qingdai did as instructed and then withdrew.

Cheng Nanzhi lay down on the soft couch and rested for a while.

Not long after, a report came from outside that Wang Kesheng had arrived.

Qingdai and Xianxing came in to help Cheng Nanzhi wash and wake up. Only when Lan and Lianruo saw them did they lift the curtain to let Wang Kesheng in, while the other maids and servants stood guard at the door.

Cheng Nanzhi looked up and saw a young man who looked to be about twenty-four or twenty-five years old. He was dressed in a dark blue cloth robe, with a dignified and spirited appearance. He exuded a sense of vigor and confidence in his every move, but his steps were a little unsteady.

"Greetings, Madam." Wang Kesheng bowed respectfully, but couldn't help glancing at the woman sitting in front of him out of the corner of his eye.

This is his proper meeting with Cheng Nanzhi.

Li Mama was originally a servant of Consort Ji, the mother of Prince Anyang. After Princess Anyang moved to the Prince's residence, to show her importance, she was assigned to serve Princess Anyang. She was very capable and was highly regarded by Princess Anyang. As a result, her husband, Wang Fu, was also given important responsibilities and was sent to manage farmland and shops.

Wang Kesheng had been with Wang Fu since childhood and had only returned to the Wang Mansion a few times, so he had never seen Cheng Nanzhi. He only saw her and Zhao Ye walking hand in hand into the gate from afar on the street when she got married.

Upon catching a glimpse of Cheng Nanzhi's appearance, Wang Kesheng was amazed.

He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he seemed to smell a faint, lingering fragrance, like a woman's scent, which made him feel somewhat dizzy and mesmerized.

"Get up," Cheng Nanzhi said gently. "You probably already know why I called you here today."

Wang Kesheng hurriedly said, "Madam, please rest assured! Since you are willing to hand over the shop, I will certainly manage it carefully and there will be no mistakes."

Cheng Nanzhi nodded in satisfaction: "You are Li Mama's son. I trust Li Mama, and I will certainly trust you as well."

Qingdai then handed over the box containing the key to the ledger, saying in a cryptic tone, "My young lady thought of you the first time she thought of you, and since you value her so much, you must not betray her trust."

Wang Kesheng quickly agreed.

Cheng Nanzhi didn't keep him any longer. She gave him some money as a reward and let him go.

After all, he's a man from out of town; it wouldn't be right for him to stay here too long.

Once everyone had left, Cheng Nanzhi said calmly, "Lianruo, I'm getting tired of that vase of flowers on the table. You can take it and throw it away."

Lianruo was taken aback. This was something that Miss Shang had put a lot of effort into making, and the flower seeds she used were extremely precious. Was she only going to look at it for a short while?

She glanced at Cheng Nanzhi and, seeing that she really didn't want it anymore, had no choice but to take her away.

Qingdai went to untie the sachet hanging on the screen.

“Keep those few, they smell really good and are good for your health,” Cheng Nanzhi suddenly said.

Qingdai did as she was told.

On the other side, before even reaching the gate of the mansion, Wang Kesheng suddenly experienced severe stomach pain.

He intended to endure the pain until he left the manor, but the pain came on so suddenly that he had no choice but to call out to Jianlan, saying awkwardly, "Miss Jianlan, I would like to ask for your help. May I ask where I can do so nearby?"

Seeing that Lan seemed surprised, she considerately didn't ask any more questions, led him through the backyard, and pointed to the end not far away, saying, "Turn left twice and you'll see it."

Wang Kesheng thanked her and hurried off. It took him quite a while to finish before he went back to find Lan. Unexpectedly, as he turned a corner, he bumped into a beautiful woman!

The other person seemed caught off guard, fell to the ground, and cried out in pain.

Wang Kesheng almost fell as well, and the box he was holding rolled to the ground.

Seeing that the other woman was well-dressed, Wang Kesheng went over first and helped her up through her sleeve, saying, "Miss, are you alright?" He secretly wondered if the Zhao family had any women of that age.

"I'm in trouble, I'm really in trouble! I've bruised myself in several places!" the woman persisted. "Don't you have eyes? Can't you see someone's around?! If I've hurt myself anywhere, you'll be in big trouble!"

Wang Kesheng did not remember that there was such a woman in the Zhao family. He thought she was a noble lady from another family who had come to visit. He broke out in a cold sweat and kept apologizing.

Fortunately, the woman didn't make a fuss and let him go.

Wang Kesheng breathed a sigh of relief, turned around, picked up the things on the ground, and hurriedly left.