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

Zhao Ye returned quickly, his face beaming with pride and joy.

"I just probed Mr. Zhou and learned that he's not in a hurry to return to Lanshan Academy and will stay in the capital for a while longer. In a few days, we can invite him for a chat to discuss Zege'er's apprenticeship. It seems he will definitely not refuse!"

The matter of finding a teacher for Zhao Shize had been a major concern for Zhao Ye for months, and he had even been met with a rebuff when he first tried to find one!

Unexpectedly, it was settled in the blink of an eye, and the chosen one was the renowned Zhou Xiangru!

Zhao Ye immediately decided that the apprenticeship ceremony must be held in a grand manner, so that everyone in the capital would know that his son had become Zhou Xiangru's apprentice!

He wanted to make those who had previously rejected him open their eyes and see clearly that they were unworthy to teach his son, not that he was begging them!

Cheng Nanzhi scoffed at his inner thoughts but readily agreed, saying, "This is a great joy for the Zhao family. Husband, how about we hold a master-apprentice ceremony?"

Her eyes lit up. "This will not only show how much we value Mr. Zhou, so that he will take better care of Ze'er in his upbringing and support, but it will also let everyone know that our Ze'er is so talented that Zhou Xiangru will look at him differently, thus adding to his reputation."

"Furthermore, not many people know that I have returned to the capital. My presence here will let outsiders know that I am back. I can also network with other wives and build connections for my husband, which will be beneficial for his promotion."

Cheng Nanzhi said, "I know my husband is capable enough to be promoted, but it's always better to be safe than sorry. It's always good to have more confidence."

Zhao Ye was somewhat tempted. "Indeed, this apprenticeship banquet is entirely beneficial to the Zhao family. So we will listen to Madam's suggestion."

Zhao Ye found Cheng Nanzhi's subsequent words quite pleasant to hear.

He grasped Cheng Nanzhi's hand and said, "Madam is so thoughtful and meticulous. She knew that the Zhao family couldn't do without her right now."

Cheng Nanzhi feigned shyness and said, "The children are still here, let go quickly."

Zhao Shize, who loved to show off, wholeheartedly praised the apprenticeship banquet, saying with a grin, "Mother, just pretend we're not here. We've known about the extraordinary friendship between Mother and Father for a long time."

Zhao Huaiyu chuckled along.

Cheng Nanzhi glared at Zhao Ye, then lowered her head to hide her barely suppressed nausea.

Zhao Ye didn't notice at all, but Cheng Nanzhi's gaze made him restless, and he couldn't help but want to put his arm around her.

Ye Ruyue could no longer bear it.

Watching Zhao Ye and Cheng Nanzhi being so affectionate was more painful than being skinned alive! Had Zhao Ye forgotten that she was still here?!

"Cousin," Ye Ruyue called out plaintively.

Zhao Ye immediately sobered up, and all his romantic thoughts vanished completely.

Cheng Nanzhi pretended to be startled by the sudden noise, pushed Zhao Ye away, and scolded, "Your cousin is still here, don't be so serious."

Zhao Ye gave an awkward laugh.

Ye Ruyue felt even more upset and stepped forward, saying, "Cousin, sister-in-law, I'm just going out for a bit. I want to go for a walk and buy some things to take back to my aunt. So I won't be going back with you."

She gave Zhao Ye a meaningful look.

Zhao Ye understood and said, "Madam, I just saw a colleague at Xiangchun Tower. He should still be here. I'll go say hello. You should take Ze'er and Yu'er back to the manor first. If we meet and then ignore him, especially at this time, people will think I'm showing off. That wouldn't be good."

Cheng Nanzhi had already discerned from his thoughts that he wanted to meet with Ye Ruyue in secret.

She was busy with her own things and didn't want to deal with them, so she replied, "Cousin, then I'll leave a few more servants for you..."

“We don’t need so many people. Qian Yidong, who is by my cousin’s side, will suffice. He can do the work of several people by himself, and he won’t attract too much attention,” Ye Ruyue said.

Zhao Ye readily agreed.

Cheng Nanzhi smiled slightly and said okay, then left with Zhao Shize and Zhao Huaiyu.

But in their hearts they thought:

Are Daddy and Aunt Ye actually going out to play by themselves again?

[It definitely is! I saw them exchanging glances just now! They always give us that look when they take us out and try to get us alone.]

[But why hide it from Mother? If Father really has feelings for Aunt Ye, why not just take her as a concubine? Would Mother object then?]

I don't know why my grandmother and father wanted us to keep it from my mother.

Cheng Nanzhi coldly watched the two people walking ahead, secretly observing each other's gestures.

At this point, they still didn't know that Ye Ruyue was their biological mother. They clearly understood that she was very good to them, but they still chose to help her keep it a secret!

Raise an unfamiliar white-eyed wolf!

Since that's the case, don't blame her for being impolite!

Now that Zhao Shize has found his tutor, it's time for Zhao Huaiyu to do the same.

Cheng Nanzhi boarded the carriage last, then called over Lian Ruo, who was traveling with her, and whispered, "Do you remember what that young master Song Yanlan, who appeared earlier, looks like?"

She had tested Lianruo many times. Since Lianruo hadn't made any mistakes or betrayed her, it was time for her to use her further.

Lianruo blinked and said she remembered.

Cheng Nanzhi whispered a few words of advice to her.

Lianruo looked at her in surprise, but didn't ask why, and nodded.

So the carriage left, and Lianruo quietly stayed behind, heading to the backyard of Xiangchun Tower.

At this moment, Zhao Ye and Ye Ruyue were still in the private room upstairs, while Qian Yidong was guarding outside.

"Ye Lang! Have you fallen for that woman? You were staring at her intently just now!" Ye Ruyue said displeased.

Just now, Zhao Ye was also somewhat embarrassed and lacked confidence.

He didn't know why he felt that Cheng Nanzhi was so captivating.

“You’ve misunderstood. It’s just that her suggestion of a master-apprentice banquet is indeed a good idea. If I’m too cold to her, wouldn’t that make her suspicious? After all, she’s really put a lot of effort into Ze’er’s matter.” Zhao Ye coaxed her, “As long as Ze’er is well, we parents are fine, aren’t we?”

Ye Ruyue finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Fine, considering that woman was only after her son, she'll let it slide for now and not hold it against her for taking Ye Lang from her! She'll settle the score after the apprenticeship is settled!

"but--"

Now that he's calmed down, Zhao Ye realized something and felt somewhat worried.

“Ze’er’s fame today is entirely due to the poems you wrote, Yue’er, not his own. If Zhou Xiangru discovers that Ze’er’s talent is not what it seems when he personally teaches him, and then spreads the news in anger, wouldn’t that be shooting himself in the foot and harming Ze’er?”

Zhao Ye still had a rough idea of ​​Zhao Shize's capabilities; no matter how intelligent he was, he couldn't possibly be as capable as people saw him today.

Once this is discovered, the more people praise Zhao Shize now, the more they will condemn him then!

Upon closer reflection, the consequences could be dire.

"No, it won't happen!" Ye Ruyue said. "With me here, I'll keep writing articles for Ze Ge'er. As long as we pay attention to things, everything will be fine."

Zhao Ye shook his head: "This is not something that can be accomplished in a short time. If Ze Ge'er were to study so diligently and learn the talent he has shown today, it would take at least several years. Even if you, Yue'er, are very talented, how could you possibly write such good articles to help him for so long?"

Ye Ruyue laughed: "I can!"