After the arranged marriage, she farms and survives under the tutelage of the villainous boss.

Xie Shuheng glanced at her: "Is your mother illiterate? Has she never been to school?"

She used to compose poems with her father and often talked about her amusing truancy when she was still unmarried, but now she completely denies it.

Interesting. How come Xie Shuheng didn't notice that his mother was such a loyal person before?

She was slightly embarrassed: "It's none of your business."

This gave him a sense of confidence, and he continued:

"Shuheng, don't misunderstand Yunniang. There was no private exchange between us. These are all my things. If you misunderstand Yunniang in the future, come and ask me first. After all, Lu Langjun and I have a very good personal relationship."

"Ah."

"Mother, don't make things worse; the more you do, the more complicated it will become."

Xie Shuheng sneered, got into the carriage to move things, and moved everything out first.

Zhang was puzzled, so she leaned closer to Jiang Zhiyun and continued to explain, "Yunniang, although Shuheng always has an icy face, the good thing is that when he gets angry, he only moves things and can still do chores. He won't take his anger out on us women, so it's about right. Just bear with him and give him another chance."

Seeing Zhang Meiqing's eager eyes, Jiang Zhiyun couldn't help but laugh: "Mother, Shuheng and I are doing great!"

“There was no mutual suspicion. Do you always hear Aunt Hong talking to you about the bad relationships between couples in the village, and you think Xie Shuheng and I are getting a divorce?”

"Hmm... So you're all alright? You're not angry because of Lu Langjun."

While moving things, Xie Shuheng coldly replied to his mother, "Never."

"Mother, you should refrain from meddling in other people's business in the future."

"Instead, your son will eventually get sick from all this anger."

Jiang Zhiyun patiently explained her encounter with Lu Langjun in the county, and then clarified that she had no relationship with Lu Langjun and that her mother did not need to cover it up for her.

Zhang scratched her head sheepishly.

"I always thought that you and Lu Langjun were in love, and that you were forced to marry my son by your family. I just believed those lies after hearing them so many times."

Jiang Zhiyun smiled and said, "I did have contact with him before the marriage, but we never talked about marriage. It was impossible for us to have any secret relations."

"That's how it is. But I'm thinking that although I'm innocent, many people in the village are spreading rumors about me and Lu Langjun. Although the innocent will clear themselves, it would be hard to explain if someone uses this to deal with me in the future."

No matter when, if you get caught in the vortex of self-justification, you've already lost.

Jiang Zhiyun understood this principle very well.

Zhang took her hand and said, "What are you afraid of? I'll go wherever you go. Even if they try to frame you, with me as your mother-in-law, nothing bad will happen."

“So, Yunniang, don’t be afraid.” Zhang Meiqing patted her chest. “Mother will protect you.”

After Xie Shuheng finished moving the things, he led the horse to graze on the side and said, "Mother, by protecting yourself like this, you are easing Yunniang's burden."

He didn't mince words, and he spoke his mind directly with Zhang and her son. Zhang felt a pang of sympathy: "You little rascal!"

"It's true, but there's no need to say it to my face."

The family entered the house happily. Zhang, imitating Jiang Zhiyun, pretended to be sick and made four bowls of noodles, then called Yang Ge'er to come out to eat at the small table outside.

The family was chatting and laughing, and had only eaten half a bowl of rice when the front door was kicked open.

A group of men dressed in official robes, looking fierce and menacing, cleaved open the table in their house.

Xie Shuheng instinctively wanted to make a move, but Jiang Zhiyun pulled him back and shook her head at him. She still didn't know who he was or what had happened.

Their family was in exile, and in such a small place, it would be far too easy to kill them.

Then, a voice that Jiang Zhiyun recognized very well came through; it was her mother, Zhao Guifen.

“Lord Wang Yan, there’s also this family! You’ve never been to my son-in-law’s house, but they must be the ones who collect the most taxes.”

"Our family has already paid the price, so why should we cooperate with Lord Wang Yan's work? Therefore, we must tell you about everyone we know!"

Jiang Zhiyun crossed her arms and watched Zhao Guifen and Wang Yan walk in together.

Wang Yan looked at Xie Shuheng with a nonchalant air: "It's been a long time since we last met at Shikanchang, Mr. Xie."

"Look, your teacher's grave is already covered in grass."

Then Wang Yan started laughing wildly. He had only come out after recovering from his injuries for a long time. If it weren't for the orders from above not to take action that day, how would that peasant woman have had the chance to take him away?

They've already been surrounded and wiped out.

This was the first time Jiang Zhiyun had met Wang Yan, and she knew that he was the culprit who caused Mr. Zhuang Yusheng's death.

Even now, Jiang Zhiyun is still furious with Zhuang Yusheng, who has such an air of otherworldly wisdom.

She gripped Xie Shuheng tighter, signaling him to be quiet. She knew from his expression that he was about to kill someone.

If he were here, he'd probably kill them without a second thought. How would the family survive after that?

Therefore, acting impulsively is absolutely not the way to go. Xie Shuheng knew this, but now that his wife was making arrangements and holding his hand, he didn't move and just followed her instructions.

Xie Shuheng whispered to her, "There's someone behind the fence."

Jiang Zhiyun continued listening to him.

"It's the newly appointed magistrate, He Jie. He's from a humble background and was just transferred from Bianjing. He should have a good character."

Jiang Zhiyun understood; the point she could use was this county magistrate. She glanced furtively in that direction, carefully considering the familiar name and its connection to her past life…

Seeing her like this, Xie Shuheng continued, "My wife, I'm counting on you to protect me."

Her ears were filled with the warmth of his breath, and her earlobes turned red with sensitivity.

Jiang Zhiyun gently pushed him away and stopped looking at him.

Yes, she has a way.

Jiang Zhiyun was very confident and calmly smiled, "I remember the tax system. I think Lord Wang Yan and my husband are acquaintances, so he should know about it as well."

“Our family has no land, we haven’t cleared any wasteland, and we haven’t used any public land. Besides, we’re newcomers who were recently exiled here. If we have no land, why should we pay taxes?”

"Haha." Wang Yan seemed to have heard a joke. "You, a commoner, dare to talk to me about taxes? You know about the tax system? You're just a lowly concubine, what right do you have to comment?"

"But it's quite interesting to see your man in charge, with you making all the decisions. Xie Shuheng is a coward at home too." This remark was pointed.

Then Jiang Zhiyun continued, "Please enlighten me, Lord Wang Yan."

“Your house may be a dilapidated house that no one would want, but it is still land owned by our imperial court. As for the things you planted in your yard, you either have to dig up the seeds or pay me.”

"Forget about these things. I heard you're in business." This remark carried a deeper meaning.

The cheapest tax was the grain tax, and the only law stipulated the grain tax. However, the government would usually collect more than that, and would even fabricate many unfounded crimes in order to collect money.