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

At the Zhao family home, Cheng Nanzhi got up early to dress up for the banquet and asked about Song Yanlan.

Qingdai said, "There really was someone trying to kill Young Master Song! Fortunately, we had someone follow him beforehand and rescued him in time. To avoid alerting the enemy, Uncle Lin had the traces of the attack erased. Young Master Song was slightly injured, but he is fine after treatment."

Cheng Nanzhi felt relieved.

“But Miss,” Qingdai said worriedly, “such a serious matter as cheating in the imperial examination, impersonating someone else, and even hiring a hitman to commit murder must be reported to the authorities.”

Seeing that Lan and Lianruo nodded in concern.

Cheng Nanzhi said, "Even if we report it to the authorities, what can they do? Anyone who can do something like this must be someone of high status and power. How can Young Master Song, a mere commoner, possibly stand up to them? I'm afraid that before he can even make a sound, he'll be silenced and dealt with."

The three of them stared wide-eyed, utterly shocked.

"So, we're just going to give up like this?"

"How can it be."

"Oh? Miss, what are you going to do?"

Cheng Nanzhi casually picked up a hairpin and tucked it into her hair, saying, "This matter can be brought to light, but now is not the right time. Besides, Young Master Song doesn't even know who did it, so how can he report it to the authorities? However, I just heard who Young Master Song is living with now?"

“It’s Mr. Wen. He hasn’t left the capital. He and Young Master Song hit it off immediately and became friends,” the three said.

Cheng Nanzhi was surprised; this fate was truly unpredictable. She never expected these two to become such close friends despite their age difference. She also never expected Song Yanlan to be so lucky as to know Wen Chengnan.

Perhaps even Heaven felt that Song Yanlan in the dream was too miserable and wanted to make up for it.

"If the person behind this discovers that Young Master Song is not dead, they will strike again. Mr. Wen and Young Master Song are in the same inn, so it's inevitable that they will be mistakenly injured. When that happens, it will be the time for Young Master Song to clear his name."

"And these things are none of my business, and I have no say in them."

Cheng Nanzhi instructed Qingdai: "Go tell Uncle Lin to have his son keep a close eye on things secretly, and to warn them carefully if anything happens, so that nothing bad really happens to them."

Qingdai nodded in agreement.

Lianruo said, "Miss, would you like to find an opportunity to meet with Young Master Song?"

"What would I do with him?"

“He owes you such a huge debt of gratitude, we must make him understand what you have done so that he can repay you in the future,” Lianruo said.

Cheng Nanzhi shook her head. "When I need his help, I will look for him. But I'm not pulling him out of a way to get him to do something, so there's no need to go up to him and make it clear that I need him to remember this favor."

“As long as he doesn’t oppose me, doesn’t help my enemies, and becomes an honest and loyal official for the people after he becomes an official, instead of a treacherous minister who aids and abets evil, he will have already done right by me saving him.”

Her eyes flickered slightly. It would be even better if Song Yanlan could join forces with her to bring down the Third Prince in the future.

Lianruo muttered, "Then you're really at a disadvantage."

Seeing Lan tap her forehead, she said, "Miss is kind-hearted and thinks she should help if she can. She'll be happy after it's done, so how is it a loss? Besides, this Young Master Song seems to be of good character. If you have to calculate the gains and losses before doing something, it will inevitably affect your mood and make you feel more burdened. That's what's not worth it."

Cheng Nanzhi praised, "That's exactly it: Do good deeds and don't worry about the future."

Lianruo touched her forehead and said with a grin, "This servant understands."

After tidying up, Cheng Nanzhi stood up.

"Qingdai can come with me to the banquet. You all stay in the manor and keep an eye on things, lest someone take advantage of the situation."

Qingdai asked, "Miss, should we still bring that screen?"

“Of course, we still have to put on a show,” Cheng Nanzhi said.

Qingdai then ordered someone to open the storeroom and carefully move the screen out, then went to the front hall with Cheng Nanzhi.

Zhao Ye went to the Ministry of Rites early in the morning on official business, Zhao Shize went to the clan school, leaving only Old Madam Zhao, Ye Ruyue, and Zhao Huaiyu.

All three of them were getting impatient.

"Nanzhi, today is a banquet for you younger generation, so it's inconvenient for me to go. I'll leave Yue'er and Yu'er in your care."

Madam Zhao glanced behind her and saw that Cheng Nanzhi was indeed carrying the screen that had caused her so much heartache, which made her feel somewhat relieved.

It seems they really intend to use the eldest daughter of the Left Prime Minister.

So be it. Yu Jie'er is her own granddaughter. As long as Yu Jie'er is well, she doesn't mind giving up this screen!

Besides, if Sister Yu gets a good future, it will benefit the Zhao family in the future.

Thinking of this, Madam Zhao's expression softened even more.

Cheng Nanzhi looked past her and towards the back.

Zhao Huaiyu and Ye Ruyue were both dressed up in their finest attire, showing how much they valued this spring banquet.

Leaving aside Zhao Huaiyu for now, look at Ye Ruyue; many of the ornaments on her head seem to belong to Old Madam Zhao. She probably begged Old Madam Zhao for a long time.

Cheng Nanzhi was right; Ye Ruyue harbored a secret hope for the Spring Banquet, wondering if she could have some wonderful encounters at the banquet.

Although she pinned her hopes on Zhao Ye, she couldn't put all her eggs in one basket if someone better came along.

For this reason, Ye Ruyue had been preparing for several days. She went to great lengths to ask Madam Zhao to make her a new dress and give her some jewelry that she could wear.

He even made up his mind not to go to the clan school today, putting aside his worry that Zhou Xiangru would be dissatisfied with Zhao Shize.

“It’s fine if Yu’er goes. I’m taking her to see the Left Prime Minister’s eldest daughter so she can take a look and put in a good word for her with Abbess Fang.” Cheng Nanzhi said with a half-smile, “But why does my cousin have to go too? Isn’t that a bit inappropriate?”

Ye Ruyue's heart tightened, and she looked at Old Madam Zhao.

Madam Zhao smiled and said, "It's not good to keep Yue'er cooped up in the mansion all day. Since it's a rare opportunity to attend the Spring Festival Banquet, let her go and broaden her horizons."

Ye Ruyue boldly stepped forward and grabbed Cheng Nanzhi's arm, smiling subtly and ingratiatingly saying, "I heard that you are very comfortable at banquets like this. This is my first time going, so I'm relying entirely on your guidance."

Zhao Huaiyu didn't care whether Ye Ruyue went or not; she was only thinking about herself and was getting impatient.

"Mother, it's getting late, let's go!"

Cheng Nanzhi agreed, and the three of them boarded the prepared carriage and headed to the Marquis of Wu'an's residence.

On the way, Cheng Nanzhi pointed out a few rules and taboos to be observed at the Marquis's residence.

When they arrived, many guests had already come to the Marquis's residence; they were considered late.

Cheng Nanzhi did not have the screen taken down. Instead, she had a servant hand the gifts to the gatekeeper, and after verifying the invitation, she was led inside by a maid.

The Marquis of Wu'an's mansion was far superior to the Zhao mansion. Not only was it vastly larger, but its pavilions and terraces were also adorned with vibrant red lacquer, exuding an air of noble grandeur that inspired awe. The artificial hills and flowing water in the distance were equally exquisite. Even in April, the courtyard was a riot of color, with countless beautiful flowers and jade osmanthus blossoms. The servants and maids coming and going remained calm and orderly.

A truly prestigious and wealthy family.

Ye Ruyue and Zhao Huaiyu were both stunned.

Ye Ruyue's eyes burned with desire, and it was unclear what she was thinking.