Abandoning Wife and Selling Daughter? Turning Around to Marry a Powerful Minister and Wiping Out Your Entire Clan! - Chapter 35

Tang Lifeng was pushed forward by Tian Dong, still looking serious. “I just tried Miss Zhang’s pastries. Would it be possible to have a box delivered every day?”

“You are too kind, Master Tang. These pastries are sold at Fenghua Tower.”

Why not have someone from your household buy them instead of troubling a mere woman like me?

“Crystal cakes taste best when fresh out of the pot. I truly enjoy them. Could you do me this favor?”

He likes them? The pastries I sent were just the usual kind. Does he actually have a sweet tooth?

In her mind, Zhang Xiaolan pictured Tang Lifeng eating pastries—his long table piled with official documents, one hand reaching into the food box, picking up a piece, slowly chewing while his eyes remained fixed on the papers…

Stop, stop, stop. Too much imagination.

Having an official personally request a favor made it hard for Zhang Xiaolan to refuse, but she still set conditions.

She would make them at home, and someone from Tang Lifeng’s side could come to pick them up at the end of the afternoon, along with payment.

With the deal sealed, Zhang Xiaolan nearly fled the scene. Too many people were passing by, staring at them curiously.

Too embarrassing.

A man and a woman standing together, just talking, was enough to spark rumors—let alone when the man did something unusual.

Buying pastries? The steward could handle that. Why would the master himself come?

Zhang Xiaolan felt uneasy and hurried away, only to realize she had arrived at Fenghua Tower.

She was still on break. Why did she come here? Just to tell Steward Zhang that an important guest would buy pastries from her?

Zhang Xiaolan decided she should head home.

As she turned, she caught sight of the waiter who had taken money from the Zhou family.

Quietly hiding in the shadows, she watched as the waiter walked toward a teahouse.

Not long after, a maid from the Zhou residence arrived. She looked around carefully before entering the teahouse, making sure no one was watching.

Such a clumsy trick. Even pretending to pick something up would look less suspicious than sneaking around like this.

Zhang Xiaolan couldn’t help but scoff.

Is this how Shen Ting trains her people?

Everything I taught her years ago—did she forget it all?

Zhang Xiaolan realized she wouldn’t get any more useful information from watching, so she prepared to leave.

Just then, she caught a glint of light from the corner of her eye. She quickly hid in a corner and, after a moment, peeked out.

As expected, it was Shen Ting!

She had underestimated her. Shen Ting’s tactics had improved. If not for the clumsy maid before her, she wouldn’t have lost patience so soon.

What a tactic—she had almost missed it.

Since they were all inside the teahouse, it wasn’t convenient for Zhang Xiaolan to go in.

At this moment, she realized that lacking extra hands was indeed inconvenient. For instance, if she wanted someone to stay and watch, she had no one.

Should she hire someone? Or find a talented person from the Han family?

Squatting by the roadside, Zhang Xiaolan was lost in thought.

The people in the teahouse didn’t come out until dusk. When they finally left, she also went home.

The next morning, she left a secret message for Han Boguang, asking him to meet her at the back door of Fenghua Tower in the afternoon.

Time passed quickly.

By midday, everyone was having their meal and resting.

Zhang Xiaolan walked to the back door, where Han Boguang was already waiting.

She gestured for him to follow her.

“For the next two days, go to the Zhou residence and ask around among their servants and neighbors. Find out what Shen Ting has received recently and whether any unusual people have visited the Zhou family,” Zhang Xiaolan instructed, deep in thought.

Yesterday, she hadn’t been able to enter the teahouse, so she had only followed the waiter for a while. He had received both money and a package. From his fearful expression, it was clear the contents were not good.

Han Boguang bowed and accepted the task. After giving him a few more instructions, Zhang Xiaolan asked about his and Han Changshu’s studies. Satisfied, she was ready to let him go.

After some hesitation, Han Boguang finally asked, “Madam, do you have a grudge against Lady Zhou?”

“Whether I do or not is none of your concern,” Zhang Xiaolan’s gaze shifted. “I don’t ask who ordered that past incident, and you shouldn’t ask why I have you do things. This way, we both benefit and avoid unnecessary entanglements.”

“Madam has taught my brother and me a lot, and we are deeply grateful,” Han Boguang said, kneeling on the ground. “If we see you as our savior and willingly serve you, it is only natural.”

“If one day Shen Ting kidnaps your entire family and threatens you to harm me, what will you do?” Zhang Xiaolan lowered her gaze and pulled him up.

Han Boguang was stunned and speechless. “I…”

“See? You’re not sure either. People have their own priorities. Just follow my orders, and you will be rewarded. Don’t overthink it, don’t ask unnecessary questions. It’s better for both of us.”

To protect them—so that if they were caught, they could still defend themselves. To protect herself—by keeping emotions out of it.

That way, everyone stayed safe.

Zhang Xiaolan felt a bitter sadness inside but maintained a smile as she sent Han Boguang away.

Clap, clap, clap.

Hearing someone applaud, Zhang Xiaolan’s heart tightened, and she prepared to leave.

“Miss Zhang, about the pastries you promised yesterday—when will they be ready?”

Zhang Xiaolan stopped in her tracks and turned around. It was Tang Lifeng.

Still with that serious face, with Tian Dong standing behind him.

She didn’t want to deal with him, but she also didn’t know how much he had overheard.

After some thought, she decided to face him.

She bowed and said, “It was my fault, Master Tang. I was too busy today and didn’t have time to cook. Would tomorrow be alright?”

“Tomorrow and tomorrow—how many tomorrows will there be? Are you trying to avoid it, Miss Zhang?” Tang Lifeng’s face grew even sterner. He had once served as a local governor, and his authoritative presence was intimidating.

Zhang Xiaolan wasn’t afraid—just annoyed.

“It’s already late afternoon, and I’m about to start work. I really don’t have time.” She forced a polite smile, hoping he would leave quickly.

“Hmph. The kitchen is right behind you. Just make it now—I want to eat it fresh.” Tang Lifeng’s eyes held a hint of mockery, as if he were about to accuse her of breaking a promise.
He was an official, high-ranked and powerful—she couldn’t afford to offend him.

Zhang Xiaolan kept telling herself this to suppress her anger.

Forcing a fake smile, she said, “Please wait at the door for two quarters of an hour. I promise it will be hot and fresh.”

Tang Lifeng nodded, and Zhang Xiaolan quickly walked into the kitchen.

“Master, look at her—like she’s being chased by a dog,” Tian Dong teased.

Hearing this, Zhang Xiaolan nearly tripped. Tang Lifeng’s lips twitched but quickly returned to normal.

As soon as she entered the back kitchen, Tang Lifeng ordered Tian Dong to push him forward.

“Master, this isn’t appropriate. That’s a restaurant’s kitchen—how could they let just anyone in?”

Even if he had to carry his master in, he could. But was this really a good idea?

That day, when they split up to shake off the pursuers, his master had ended up getting hurt instead.

Had the injury rattled his brain as well?

Tian Dong found himself staring at the back of Tang Lifeng’s head.

“Enough nonsense. Push me in. If I’m going to eat it, I should at least watch it being made.”

That was pure sophistry.

Tian Dong sighed inwardly. He was just a servant—he had to obey.

With resignation, he pushed Tang Lifeng forward.

Tang Lifeng smirked.

Now that I’m watching you cook—what will you do, Miss Zhang?

Confucius said: Respect the spirits, but keep them at a distance.

Even if you are a little trickster, you will still be tamed in my hands.