Abandoning Wife and Selling Daughter? Turning Around to Marry a Powerful Minister and Wiping Out Your Entire Clan! - Chapter 29

Zhang Xiaolan covered Zhou Quan’s eyes with a handkerchief and quietly hid in the private room.

Zhou Quan was in no rush. Every time she hid, he could always find the right direction.

Zhang Xiaolan felt puzzled. She hid again and watched Zhou Quan closely.

She saw him standing still, turning in one direction, pausing, then turning again, pausing once more—until he found the correct path.

As Zhou Quan walked toward her, Zhang Xiaolan quickly recalled how he had managed to locate her.

Time passed bit by bit, and beads of sweat appeared on Zhang Xiaolan’s forehead.

Zhou Quan walked with such certainty that she had no choice but to change her position.

She moved near the window, where the crisp autumn air carried the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms.

The scent!

Zhang Xiaolan suddenly realized and touched her lower back.

Since entering this room, she had only made contact with Zhou Quan once. Had he already set up his method for finding her at that moment?

He had used lingering fragrance.

She had used this in the Zhou residence so often that she had no defense against the scent.

She had underestimated Zhou Quan.

However, Zhou Quan had ambition but lacked persistence. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be playing this “hide-and-seek” game with her.

Outside the private room, there seemed to be some commotion. Zhang Xiaolan deliberately led him in another direction, and Zhou Quan remained oblivious.

“Xiaolan, playing this game with you is quite dull. How about this,” Zhou Quan curled his lips, “every time I find you, you take off a piece of clothing for me?”

Zhang Xiaolan cursed inwardly but remained silent.

“If you don’t say anything, I’ll take that as a yes.”

Zhou Quan suddenly quickened his pace, and Zhang Xiaolan grew anxious.

The private room was only so big—where could she hide?

Just now, Zhou Quan had deliberately let her go for amusement. Now that he had lost patience, how much longer could she stall?

Voices came from the entrance—this was her chance!

Zhang Xiaolan suddenly rushed to the door and stepped out. Zhou Quan, hearing the movement, yanked off the blindfold and reached for her collar.

“Your Highness, save me!”

Zhang Xiaolan’s sudden cry for help made Zhou Quan freeze, and Prince Qin, who happened to be passing by, also stopped in his tracks.

“You are?” Prince Qin found her somewhat familiar, but the person behind him had already recognized her.

“Isn’t she the lady who makes the Dragon and Phoenix Crystal Cakes?” the heir asked, pushing aside a servant.

“Indeed, I am.” Zhang Xiaolan immediately knelt. “Please, my lord, grant me justice.”

“Tell me what happened. If you have been wronged, I will seek justice for you.”

Prince Qin had gone out in disguise today with the heir, intending to avoid trouble. However, now that this woman had called out his identity, he had no choice but to listen.

Zhou Quan was caught in a dilemma—leaving or staying would both be problematic.

Seeing that the door was already open, he decided to step out and greet Prince Qin.

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

Prince Qin looked at him in slight surprise. This man had potential, so he nodded in acknowledgment.

“I heard Fenghua Tower recently introduced a new dish. Are you here to try it?”

Prince Qin nodded, intending to exchange a few pleasantries before heading to his private room.

“Your Highness, this lord summoned me here under the pretense of a reward but locked the door and harassed me!” Zhang Xiaolan appeared frightened. “He even took my handkerchief!”

“I refused, but this lord still tried to force me. Please, Your Highness, grant me justice!”

Tears streamed down Zhang Xiaolan’s face, and her forehead was red and swollen from bowing too hard.

The restaurant was crowded, and the scene quickly attracted attention.

“Poor girl, even working in the kitchen isn’t safe from this!”

“She’s not even a great beauty. Why force her?”
“Perhaps it’s for her skills? I heard the Dragon and Phoenix Crystal Cakes she makes are famous in the capital. Not only are they delicious, but they also come in various designs.”

“That’s true! I came here today just for those cakes.”

The murmurs of the crowd grew louder, and their discussions strayed further from the topic.

Prince Qin’s expression turned cold, and Zhou Quan grew anxious.

“This woman is my runaway concubine!” Zhou Quan knelt before Prince Qin. “I happened to taste her cakes and discovered she had fled here.”

Prince Qin recalled Zhou Quan’s odd behavior that day and had assumed it was a lack of composure. It turned out to be because of this runaway concubine?

“My lord, how can you falsely accuse me? My household registration is clear—I came here months ago to seek refuge with relatives. I finally found them and later started working at Fenghua Tower. The neighbors can all testify! Yet with just one word from you, I am suddenly a runaway concubine? This is… this is…”

Zhang Xiaolan’s face was filled with grief, and her voice trembled like a cuckoo’s mournful cry.

This is what? The crowd had their own answer—abuse of power.

Prince Qin also found Zhou Quan’s actions unbecoming of an official. If the people submitted a petition over this, Zhou Quan might be overwhelmed just dealing with the complaints.

Prince Qin wished to uphold the government’s reputation and prevent the issue from escalating further, so he made a swift decision.

“Official Zhou, return home and reflect on your actions. Miss Zhang, do not worry—you may continue working at Fenghua Tower. Our Great Zhou values people like you who work diligently.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd erupted in applause, with some boldly shouting, “Long live Prince Qin!”

Zhou Quan followed Prince Qin’s lead, lowering his head in submission. When he glanced up and caught Prince Qin’s gaze, he immediately understood—he summoned a servant, handed over silver as compensation, and quickly left.

Zhang Xiaolan accepted the silver, naturally pleased.

Once Prince Qin bid farewell to the crowd and entered his private room, Zhang Xiaolan returned to the kitchen.

The lunchtime rush at Fenghua Tower was intense, and Zhang Xiaolan had been absent for a while, leaving a pile of Dragon and Phoenix Crystal Cake orders unfulfilled.

Now that she was back, she and the others worked diligently to catch up.

During her break, she collected her meal and headed home.

The Han brothers had been staying with her for some time. Besides sharing food with them, she also kept an eye on untouched dishes from the front yard. She had spoken with Steward Zhang and arranged to buy a meal box’s worth of food daily.

Steward Zhang, happy to do a favor, was keen to keep Zhang Xiaolan on staff.

Thus, the Han brothers could take home good food every day.

According to them, their grandmother and younger siblings had become much healthier.

Zhang Xiaolan wasn’t simply being generous. She thought that if Xiang Ning was ever hungry in Beijiang, perhaps someone would also give her food.

“What? They had an argument, and Zhou Quan went to his mistress’ house?”

Zhang Xiaolan had been in high spirits after receiving Zhou Quan’s silver. When she got home and heard the news, she couldn’t hold back a smile.

Prince Qin had ordered Zhou Quan to reflect at home, but he barely stayed before running off to his mistress? Was he afraid Prince Qin might take an interest in him?

She summoned Han Boguang and whispered a few words. He bowed and left.

Zhang Xiaolan’s smile deepened. Now that even fate was helping her, she would seize this opportunity.

Shen Ting, you love Zhou Quan’s power and status the most—how much can he offer you now?