Abandoning Wife and Selling Daughter? Turning Around to Marry a Powerful Minister and Wiping Out Your Entire Clan! - Chapter 43

“Are you telling the truth?”

“How can you falsely accuse me without evidence!”

Prince Qin and Shen Ting spoke at the same time. Shen Ting hurriedly lowered her head, hiding the malice in her eyes.

Prince Qin signaled the waiter to continue.

“Every word I say is true, I wouldn’t dare to lie,” the waiter saw hope and became more talkative. “Most of my clients are gentlemen, but this one was a lady. I remember very clearly—when she was drinking tea that day, she had a small mole on the web of her left hand.”

Shen Ting instinctively clenched her hands.

She had only been drinking tea that day, yet this waiter noticed so much?

Feeling more uneasy, she pulled her hands back, wishing she could hide them in her sleeves. No one must be allowed to check.

Prince Qin glanced at Shen Ting and immediately understood the situation.

He ordered the waiter to be taken away, along with Shen Ting and her maid.

The onlookers on the corridor of Fenghua Tower quickly dispersed.

Manager Zhang, with a grim face, dismissed the kitchen staff, leaving only Zhang Xiaolan to accompany him upstairs.

“Manager Zhang, Shen Ting was likely targeting me,” Zhang Xiaolan bowed and apologized.

Even if Manager Zhang dismissed her over this matter, she had no complaints. Besides, she had turned the tables and sent Shen Ting to prison—finally venting her frustration!

A husband and wife share the same fate. If Shen Ting was imprisoned, how well could Zhou Quan’s future turn out?

“Do you really think I am that harsh?” Manager Zhang’s tone relaxed.

Zhang Xiaolan knew his capability and broad-mindedness, but human nature is always unpredictable. An apology was always the safest approach.

“The daughter of Scholar Zhang, the former wife of Censor Zhou—Zhang Xiaolan, am I wrong?”

Though surprised, Zhang Xiaolan maintained a calm expression, as if the matter had nothing to do with her.

“Manager Zhang is always thorough,” she replied with a slight bow, though her nervousness eased a little.

“Hmph, this isn’t just for you. Getting that woman locked up is a relief for me too,” Manager Zhang took a deep sip of tea.

“She previously tried to force her way into my business under Zhou Manor’s name. I refused, but she kept pressing. I had to cut myself free somehow.”

Setting down the tea, he glanced at Zhang Xiaolan. She sat there with her head lowered. Though they were just a few steps apart, the small room felt strangely distant, which made him frown.

Zhang Xiaolan had a reason to celebrate and took a leave to treat herself.

Early in the morning, she went to the market for fresh vegetables and meat and even spotted a freshly slaughtered cow.

Apparently, the animal had broken its leg while plowing, and since it couldn’t recover, the village head had it butchered for sale.

While listening to gossip, Zhang Xiaolan quickly bought two cuts of beef and two leg bones.

She hadn’t planned to buy bones, but thinking of Tang Lifeng’s injury, she took them on impulse.

By the time she got home, her invited guests had already arrived.

Even Tang Lifeng and Tian Dong had come early.

This time, with Rou Niang’s help, the meal wasn’t just three soups and a bowl of noodles.

Rou Niang was skilled, especially at preparing side dishes.

By noon, everyone gathered around the round table.

The table was filled with delicious dishes. Zhang Xiaolan raised her cup. “Everyone, it is fate that brought us together. I have something to celebrate today, so please join me!”

Only then did they notice she had bought fine pear blossom wine.
Watching Zhang Xiaolan tilt her head back and down a cup, Tang Lifeng frowned slightly.

“I was cast out of my husband’s house, forced from wife to concubine,” Zhang Xiaolan’s gaze turned distant. “That vile woman even sold my daughter.”

“My family feared my husband’s power and refused to take me back, trying to marry me off hastily.”

“But now, I’ve sent Shen Ting to prison with my own hands. I’ve finally vented my anger.”

“My only wish now is to find my daughter as soon as possible and live a better life with you all!”

With each sentence, she took another sip of wine. Whether emboldened by alcohol or having rehearsed these words, she finally spoke her deepest thoughts.

She truly seemed happy, her smile growing sweeter, her eyes curving like crescent moons, making it impossible for anyone to look away.

Her entire face was like a tempting apple—dignified, gentle, and irresistibly charming.

Tang Lifeng felt an itch in his heart, like a tiny paw scratching.

A pleasant, tingling sensation, yet he couldn’t bear to brush it away.

Using his wine cup to cover his emotions, he slowly clenched his fist under the table.

This was it—this unbearable, aching tenderness. He wouldn’t find this feeling with anyone else.

“Boguang wishes for Master to reunite with her daughter soon and have a happy family.”

“Chang Shu wishes Master to avenge her past grievances swiftly.”

“Rou Niang wishes Madam to find a kindred spirit soon.”

Each person gave their blessings. When it was Tian Dong’s turn, he secretly swapped places with his master, making the four others stare at him.

Tang Lifeng gripped his wine cup tightly. “Yunchuan wishes Miss Zhang to fulfill all her wishes and live a peaceful, joyful life.”

Tian Dong echoed, “Same here,” and they all drank together.

The Han brothers thought using Tang Lifeng’s courtesy name sounded odd. Rou Niang had some thoughts but wasn’t sure.

Tian Dong, however, was focused solely on eating.

Tang Lifeng kept his gaze lowered, sitting upright, eating quietly and elegantly.

The meal was delicious, though the atmosphere felt slightly unusual.

By the time they finished, it was already late afternoon.

The Han brothers, who were drinking for the first time, were slightly drunk. After a bowl of sobering soup, Tian Dong carried them to the guest rooms.

Rou Niang collected the dishes and took them to the kitchen.

Suddenly, the courtyard was left with only Tang Lifeng and Zhang Xiaolan.

Zhang Xiaolan was still tipsy, staring into space.

Tang Lifeng moved closer. “Xiaolan, let’s go for a walk.”

She looked a bit dazed but still followed him out.

The capital was rich in waterways, with many clear canals running through the city.

After strolling past Lide and Chengfu wards, they reached the Luo River.

Both sides were bustling, with ships at the distant port raising their sails high. Small boats ferried cargo from large vessels through the river channels.

“Xiaolan, are you happy today?”

She responded slowly, confused as to why he asked.

Hadn’t she already said it at the table?

Her blank expression amused Tang Lifeng.

His eyes curved slightly, bright with laughter. His lips curled up, a rare, genuine smile blossoming on his usually serious face.

For the first time, Zhang Xiaolan really looked at Tang Lifeng.

His gaze held warmth, and he even had two dimples—charming and mesmerizing.

Perhaps emboldened by alcohol, she reached out to touch his face, testing if he was real.

Her delicate fingers brushed against his warm skin—slightly rough but still pleasant.

Yet the light in his eyes was too dazzling, drawing her in completely.

Tang Lifeng suddenly pulled her into his arms…

Meanwhile, Tian Dong finished settling the Han brothers and drank another bowl of sobering soup. Noticing his master hadn’t returned, he went out to look.

A woman and a disabled man—if they ran into trouble, they might not escape easily.

He hadn’t gone far when he spotted Miss Zhang pushing Tang Lifeng’s wheelchair.

She seemed slightly drunk, cheeks flushed, eyes hazy.

His master, however, looked quite pleased.

Hurrying over, Tian Dong greeted Miss Zhang and took over the wheelchair.

After escorting her home, Tian Dong could no longer hold back.

As they passed the eastern city gate, he asked curiously, “Master, where did you and Miss Zhang go? Next time, take me along so I can protect you!”

“Nowhere, just took a stroll along the Luo River.”

Oh, so the master was already investigating local affairs before officially taking office.

Tang Lifeng ignored Tian Dong’s thoughts, lost in the memory of their time by the river, quietly savoring the moment.