The princess was ordained by Heaven.

Xu Ru: ...

Is his cause of death being described so casually?

He was both happy and sad. He was happy that his grandson was successful, and if the dynasty continued, the Xu family might be able to maintain its glory for three generations. He was sad that he had lost his honor in his later years and died in such a humiliating way.

He decided to go back and cultivate his character. He was getting old and wanted to live a few more years before he could see his grandson continue the Xu family's glory.

I can never be obsessed with women; I could never be obsessed with them in this lifetime.

Those concubines should be given a good beating when they get back. They've used his money, so they shouldn't even think about cheating on him. If they're really stubborn, they should be kicked out.

In that instant, many thoughts raced through his mind, but none of them concerned his wife.

See? No matter how good you are, or even if you give your whole life or risk your life, someone who doesn't care about you can't win a single glance from you.

At this point, the two people in the video finally came to an end.

The curtains were drawn, and a man and a woman sat embracing on the bed, their expressions satiated.

"How are you preparing?"

The concubine gave him a reproachful look: "What's the rush? You want poison, it's not something you can get so easily."

"Okay, okay, I won't rush you, sweetheart, please keep your voice down~" Xu Jun lightly pecked her cheek and flirtatiously stroked the skin he had kissed.

"Don't worry, the people in my courtyard are very tight-lipped," the concubine scoffed. "Tell me the truth, what do you want that thing for?"

"You know I'm an illegitimate son. My elder brother is so mediocre, but just because he's the legitimate son, Father only supports this good-for-nothing! I'm not convinced!"

Isn't the reason your father doesn't support you because you're even more useless? Xu Ru doesn't like legitimate sons at all, and he does have illegitimate sons he likes. The reason you're not favored is simply because you're too stupid.

The emperor nodded in approval.

Ultimately, however, it was Xu Ru who was incompetent; she couldn't even handle household chores.

The concubine was horrified and moved away from Xu Jun: "Are you crazy! How dare you lay a hand on your elder brother! If Madam finds out, we'll all be dead!"

Xu Jun quickly coaxed, "Jiaojiao, listen to me. If I wasn't sure, I wouldn't have dragged my darling into this, would I?"

The concubine rolled her eyes: "Come on, these sweet words are fine to say in everyday life, but I'd be a fool to actually believe them."

Seeing that he couldn't get it for free, Xu Jun decisively changed his strategy: "If you get it for me, I'll give you three shops and five hundred acres of farmland."

The concubine narrowed her eyes and said meaningfully, "Why should I believe you?"

"I will transfer the land to you first, and then I will give you the shop after the matter is settled."

The concubine was silent for a moment, then smiled charmingly: "Then you can't renege on your debt."

The two started kissing again while they were talking, which Zheng Xun found offensive, so he turned off the live stream.

I can almost see two venomous snakes flicking their tongues at each other, each with their own ulterior motives. One is planning to kill the other to silence him, while the other is preparing to use leverage to force the other to bleed profusely.

[Tsk tsk, does Xu Ru even know what kind of people are in his household?]

Xu Ru: ...

Not only was he unaware, but he also slept with that concubine last night.

Zheng Xun's thoughts quieted down for a moment, and Zheng Jiao tugged at Zheng Jin.

The latter rolled his eyes, but still asked Zheng Xun knowingly, "I heard that Scholar Xu's family has a concubine who is skilled in poisons. I wonder if we could invite her to take a look at Aunt Jianyang?"

Jianyang: ? ? ? You can use an excuse like that?

Zheng Xun was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized.

[The eldest sister really likes Aunt Jianyang. That's right, she's her role model. The eldest sister has aspired to be like Aunt Jianyang since she was little. But who would have thought that the usually decisive eldest sister would be so shy and hesitant in front of her aunt, not daring to say much to her?]

Zheng Jiao: !!!

She's been exposed!

Jianyang: !!!

Actually, Zheng Jiao is also a junior she admires!

This wave represents their journey in both directions.

Zheng Xun thought for a moment and replied, "I don't think it's a good idea. If she were truly capable, why would she be a concubine in the inner quarters?"

What skills does that concubine possess? She merely comes from a family of doctors and knows a few poisons.

Seeing that Zheng Jiao had taken it to heart, she continued eating her melon with peace of mind.

[Indeed, a woman's position is unstable if she isn't ruthless. If Madam Xu had half the ruthlessness of this concubine, she wouldn't have suffered so much injustice. What's the use of begging for a man's pity? Let the father go and keep the son; from now on, she'll be in charge of the household herself. How carefree!]

However, keeping Xu Ru around also has its advantages; at least until the child grows up, there will be someone paving the way and protecting them in the court.

Qin Duzhi patted Xu Ru on the shoulder: I understand you!

Xu Ru: I really appreciate your understanding.

He thought about it carefully and realized that if she were his wife, he might really have done the same.

For a moment, he felt both apprehensive and admiring.

The fear stemmed from the realization that his situation was far too dangerous; Xu Zhen was already a teenager, and he could die now. The admiration came from the fact that his wife was incredibly patient, as she hadn't yet laid a hand on him.

He decided that he must treat his wife better from now on!

"Won't Grand Secretary Xu harm his own wife when he gets back?" Imperial Censor Jiang asked with a forced smile.

He offered him both emotional and verbal support in the face of his plight.

Ugh, what a scumbag! Who would support him?!

Xu Ru glared at her: "Am I that kind of person?"

Imperial Censor Jiang: "No, no, it's just that I don't know how to speak properly."

Of course, what he was thinking was: Who knows?

In truth, Xu Jun's plan succeeded. However, the soup laced with drugs was not drunk by his father, but instead went into Xu Zhen's stomach, which sowed the seeds of future health problems for him.

Xu Zhen should be back tomorrow, right? A man like him should be contributing to the development of Dayong. I need to remind him.

Xu Ru: Let me handle this!

He would never allow Xu Jun to harm his beloved grandson.

-----------------

After the morning court session ended, Zheng Xun immediately ordered the seventh member of the Azure Dragon Guard, who was the best at light footwork, to deliver a message to Xu Zhen.

Liao Hongsheng stopped Xu Ru and put his arm around his shoulder: "Brother Xu, would you be welcome to visit my home?"

Xu Ru raised her eyelids slightly and shook off his hand: "Not welcome."

Liao Hongsheng: "Don't be so stingy..."

Xu Ru turned and left, but Liao Hongsheng, thick-skinned as ever, followed without hesitation despite being rejected.

"Brother Liao!" The Minister of Personnel stopped him, winking and whispering, "Is there some juicy gossip? Would you like to share it with me?"

Liao Hongsheng shook his head with a smile: "The Emperor has assigned some official duties that need to be discussed with Brother Xu."

The Minister of Personnel glanced at him suspiciously: "Brother Liao, have you noticed that the atmosphere at court meetings lately hasn't been quite right...?"

"It is indeed a bit strange," Liao Hongsheng agreed perfunctorily.

The Emperor has already discovered some clues and is investigating these people who cannot hear their own voices. Once the evidence is conclusive, they will surely be punished.

It wasn't a good time to reveal anything, so Liao Hongsheng remained calm and, after thinking for a moment, simply invited him to the Xu family's house to watch a play.

In short, we must not alert the enemy now.

He couldn't wait to see what kind of expression the Minister of Personnel would have on the day the truth was revealed.