263 Inside Story

“Last night, I wanted to take my wife back to Willow Village, but it was raining heavily. I was worried that the road would be slippery and dangerous, so I stayed in my shop in Wangshan Town for a night.

“Sir, you can ask the vendors or customers around my shop. When I carried my wife from the shop to the carriage in the morning, many people saw us.”

Zhao Zhan had rehearsed this speech countless times in his mind last night.

He would never lie, but as long as he thought of the delicate person who needed to be protected, he would do anything and everything to keep her safe.

Last night, after discovering that his lover had gone missing, he and Fang Tianliu made a move to leave Huai County. After all, news traveled fast.

If the two women had really disappeared overnight and were only found later on, who knew what others would say?

How could he give others the chance to make up stories about Yue Jiaojiao?

Zhao Zhan’s words were firm, and this caused Zheng Zhixian’s probing methods to soften.

In reality, before the officers had brought the man back from the Huai Jing Inn, he had already ordered his men to find out when Zhao Zhan had left the inn.

Now that the words matched, Zheng Zhixian strolled in front of Zhao Zhan with his hands behind his back cautiously. “But I heard that before you left Huai County last night, you asked the officers on patrol if any women had gone missing.”

“There were too many people on the street. I just accidentally got separated from my wife.” Zhao Zhan thought of Manager Zhou’s warning to him and tried to speak as calmly as possible. “That was also the reason why I left Huai County so early.

“You may not know, but I treat my wife like a sacred rare treasure. I am just a small hunter on the mountain, to be able to marry my wife in this life is the good fortune of three lifetimes. Thus, I was really worried that something would happen to my wife and went back with her in a panic.

“After all, I’m not familiar with Huai County. Fortunately, last night was just an accident. If something had happened to my wife, I wouldn’t be able to live on.”

Zhao Zhan’s words and tone were sincere. After all, other than the fact that he had accidentally separated from Yue Jiaojiao and was not telling the truth, the rest of his words and sentences were half the truth of what happened.

“Do you know someone called Shang?”

This name made Zhao Zhan’s already clenched fists sink into his flesh. “I don’t.”

“Don’t be nervous. Let’s just treat today’s matter as a casual chat between two friends.” Zheng Zhixian sat leisurely on a chair at the side and picked up a cup of tea. He took a sip before leisurely saying, “You don’t know him, but he knows you. I heard that you developed a new dish. There are many kinds of dishes, but they are all made from the same thing. I have never heard of it before. Apparently, they look like yellow long beans?”

Zhao Zhan’s back tensed up.

Zheng Zhixian couldn’t come up with the money for his examination. Although his job position was excellent now, his family came from a poor background. Fortunately, Shang took action in time and took out a large amount of money to help him tide over the difficulties.

Manager Zhou and Fang Tianliu had already inquired about the twists and turns of this matter long before Zheng Zhixian had taken office. After finding out that the manor belonged to Shang, Fang Tianliu had already informed Zhao Zhan of this matter.

Could it be that Zheng Zhixian was planning to use his authority to force him to hand over the recipe?

Zhao Zhan didn’t say anything. Zheng Zhixian chuckled and put his teacup aside. He stood up, walked to his side, and patted him on the shoulder. He even spoke in a meaningful tone, “I know that you have a grudge against Lin Yunxu. Did you know that Lin Yunxu was released in advance a few days ago, and the soybeans were given to Shang by Lin Yunxu?” Zheng Zhixian sighed and shook his head. His voice was fleeting.

“Shang didn’t know him at first, but he was able to make his business to its current state because of his keenness.

“He asked about many things from the western region to the northern desert. It was a coincidence that someone actually recognized this item.”

Zheng Zhixian suddenly raised his voice in the middle of his sentence. “Zhao Zhan! I have a question for you, how did you collude with them to get these soybeans?”

This accusation was far-fetched. If he didn’t carry it out properly, he was afraid that he would never be able to see his lover again.

However, Yue Jiaojiao’s usual idle gossip flashed across Zhao Zhan’s mind.

The more powerful something was, the more likely it was to be false.

There was no need to be afraid. As long as he could stay strong, he would not be so frightened that he would lose his sense of propriety and bring disaster to himself.

When he thought of Yue Jiaojiao, Zhao Zhan’s wandering mind instantly settled down.

“This yellow bean was actually found by me on the mountain. My wife has read a lot and found that it is very similar to the yellow beans described in the books, so I picked all the yellow beans on the mountain and brought them home.

“I followed the method in the book and learned how to keep the seed and make tofu. Without my wife, I would have never come this far. We didn’t want people to get mad at us. So I announced to the public that this was my wife’s dowry. Anyway, my wife told me this.”

This kind of thing could be found out with a simple investigation, so there was no point in hiding it. Zhao Zhan told them the story he had discussed with his lover.

“That book is in my house. Is called Crops on the Ground but there’s no western writing in the book.”

Zhao Zhan felt at ease when he thought about it.

When he first saw the book that his sweetheart had compiled, he thought it was a little odd. Now, he only thought that his wife had considered everything and was really a unique smart person. He did not expect such information would be needed.

“Crops on the Ground…” Zheng Zhixian repeated in a low voice.

“The title of this book is too superficial. I’ve read many books for the imperial examination, but I’ve never heard of this book.”

“This book has been regarded as our family heirloom now, and it’s bound to be passed down for generations,” Zhao Zhan said. “Sir, I’ve worked hard to find a way to make a living. I don’t think anyone will deliberately snatch it away from me, right? I don’t know the merchant that you’re talking about, but I only want to focus on my business. I have no intention of cooperating with others.”

Zheng Zhixian’s eyes were cold. He could not help but sneer at Zhao Zhan’s words. “If Shang insists on cooperating with you, what will you do?”

Zhao Zhan subconsciously looked up at him.

Zheng Zhixian’s eyes were deep and the emotions in them were so complicated that it was hard to grasp. However, Zhao Zhan did not sense any danger. He even felt that Zheng Zhixian’s words had a hidden meaning.

“If the other party wants to cooperate with me, then I can only follow the usual method and use peaceful means before resorting to force.”

Zheng Zhixian laughed out loud and praised, “Great! Good on you, Zhao Zhan!”

“Sorry to interrupt sir.” The Secretary quickly walked to the door and said in a clear voice, “Shang is outside looking for you. He said that he has something important to report to you.”

Zhao Zhan did not miss the flash of darkness in Zheng Zhixian’s eyes when he heard that Shang had arrived.

He couldn’t help but worry in his heart, but his face remained calm, not revealing any of his inner emotions.

“Since Shang is here, you two can have a chat.” Zheng Zhixian patted Zhao Zhan’s shoulder with a hidden meaning. “I’m very curious about what you mean by courtesy before violence.”

“Men, tie up Zhao Zhan!”

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