Tianliangyuan

Chapter 145 Sorry, I was wrong

Xu Zhaozhao wouldn't become suspicious of Xie Zheng just because of a few words from Cheng Yuan.

After all, although the two met infrequently, they corresponded quite a bit.

Most importantly, Xie Zheng and she share a similar understanding of certain things.

Xu Zhaozhao really has important things to do.

The corn seeds have been presented, but the subsequent planting, promotion, and teaching the people how to eat them will take at least three to five years to fully establish corn cultivation throughout Daxing.

Therefore, Xu Zhaozhao is currently busy with matters related to Xu Junting.

Since this credit has been given to Xu Junting, then naturally he should be made famous by this achievement. At the very least, the people should know that it is thanks to a man named Xu Junting that they have such grain and are able to have enough to eat.

Since Xu Zhaozhao came into this world and enjoyed the wealth and privilege of the Xu family, and truly experienced the affection they gave her, she naturally had to repay them in some way.

Xu Junting's early career in government has been marked by such merit. As long as he doesn't make any major mistakes, his future career is at least guaranteed.

Even if the promotion is slow, it is enough to have a name in the emperor's eyes.

That evening, Xu Zhaozhao and Xu Junting finished organizing the planting booklet, followed by the food booklet, which mainly recorded how to eat the corn, etc.

Actually, the tender corn we eat nowadays isn't that delicious when cooked, at least not as sweet and sticky as the corn of later generations, but it's fresh.

Since this had never been before and no one had ever tried it, everyone was quite curious about this novel thing.

"Alright, that's enough for today. You should get some rest. We'll try the rest tomorrow. You've worked hard these past few days."

"Third Brother, you're too kind. Go back and rest."

Xu Zhaozhao packed her things and turned to go back to her courtyard to rest. As soon as she entered the courtyard, she noticed that someone had broken in.

Are all those green plants in the garden just for decoration?

Xu Zhaozhao entered the house and told them to go and rest. The person on night duty tonight was Zisu.

"Since we're already here, why bother hiding anything?"

As soon as Xu Zhaozhao finished speaking, Zisu was shocked. She immediately became fully alert, and her sword was almost drawn.

"Sorry, I was wrong."

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Zisu realized who it was and felt relieved. After receiving a signal from her mistress, she simply retreated outside.

After Zisu stood still outside, she suddenly stood up. How did the young lady know that someone had broken into the courtyard since she didn't know martial arts?

This is terrifying to think about!

Miss, could it be that your martial arts skills are unfathomable?

Xie Zheng, on the other hand, didn't have so many thoughts. As soon as he entered the door, he apologized sincerely, and the gifts he brought were also very heartfelt.

Xu Zhaozhao opened the small box in front of him.

There are six gleaming gold ingots inside; who are they trying to blind with their brilliance?

Xu Zhaozhao likes gold and silver, and she is quite satisfied with Xie Zheng's habit of spending money so readily.

Compared to the love poems and beautiful prose of those literary figures, this thing is much more practical.

"Don't you think it's too vulgar for the heir of a noble family like the Duke to offer such a apology?"

Xie Zheng adopted a rather roguish air: "I am just such a vulgar person, does Zhao Zhao find me unacceptable?"

Xu Zhaozhao rolled her eyes at him. How could this guy be so arrogant?

"I am truly sorry for what happened today! Cheng Yuan and I are not related. The reason why Yunze and I took care of her is because of the kindness Cheng Gong showed us back then."

Xu Zhaozhao didn't interrupt him, and instead adopted a listening posture, which made Xie Zheng's nervousness less obvious.

To put it bluntly, Cheng Yuan is a spoiled person.

Three years ago, Cheng Yuan's family background was quite prominent and her family was well-off. However, because her father had moved away from the capital more than ten years ago, Cheng Yuan was not familiar with the capital and had virtually no acquaintances among the nobles.

Who knew that with the sudden death of Master Cheng, Cheng Yuan's life of luxury would also come to an end.

Whether the case from back then was a miscarriage of justice remains unresolved to this day.

In a fit of rage, the Emperor ordered the extermination of the Cheng family, including three generations of their clan. However, several noblemen pleaded for their lives, and only the Duke of Cheng and his two illegitimate sons were executed. The women and their entire clan were exiled.

Even before the case broke, Cheng Gong's eldest son, Cheng Jin, the heir of the Duke of Ningguo, had disappeared without a trace, and the biggest mystery in the case lies with Cheng Jin.

However, Cheng Jinsheng was nowhere to be found, and his body was never recovered. Therefore, the case was ultimately handled as a serious crime of disobedience committed by Cheng Gong.

Afterwards, Emperor Yong'an, mindful of Cheng Gong's contributions and with others constantly advising the emperor, pardoned the exiled members of the Cheng clan and allowed them to return home.

However, Madam Cheng had already passed away. Among the many women in the Cheng family, some died on the road to exile, while others could not bear the burden after arriving at the border and committed suicide. As for the direct line, only Cheng Yuan remained.

To put it bluntly, Cheng Yuan has now become the last of Cheng Gong's children.

Therefore, Xie Zheng and Qi Yunze must find a way to protect her.

Moreover, Cheng Yuan also possesses something that is said to prove the Cheng family's innocence, but even Cheng Yuan herself is unclear about what it is.

Therefore, Xie Zheng and Qi Yunze had no choice but to come up with another solution.

"You're saying Cheng Yuan herself didn't know?"

“Yes. She was ambushed and killed many times. Back in the border region, she was almost humiliated because the other party mentioned that she had a list, but Cheng Yuan herself repeatedly said that she did not. That’s the strange thing.”

Xu Zhaozhao understood.

That list is the most important.

The other party's pursuit of her was a ruse; their real intention was to force her to obtain the list!

This makes sense.

How could a master and servant who were both powerless really have survived several pursuits from Jizhou to the capital?

This is clearly a setup deliberately set up by the other party.

Xu Zhaozhao was extremely grateful that she hadn't taken the mistress and her servant to live in the Hundred Fruit Garden, otherwise, the trouble would have been even greater.

"Have those people keeping watch all left?"

"Yes. I noticed when I arrived that there were no other eyes. However, Cheng Yuan's commotion has exposed Yunze and me to the public."

Xie Zheng mentioned this with a hint of helplessness.

They had been secretly investigating the case from years ago, but now, thanks to Cheng Yuan's actions, everything had been in vain.

He and Qi Yunze are probably being watched too, making it even more difficult to investigate!

Where is Cheng Yuan now?

"Qi Yunze has placed her in the Marquis's residence. However, given Cheng Yuan's personality, she probably won't stay there for long."

Xu Zhaozhao raised an eyebrow, her expression somewhat strange: "She wouldn't be thinking of moving into the Duke of Huguo's mansion, would she?"

Xie Zheng's face stiffened, then he subconsciously sat up straight and said ingratiatingly, "I swear, I am completely innocent with her. No matter how much trouble she causes, I would never let her live in the Duke of Huguo's mansion."