"What are your demands? Speak," Ren Zhong naturally understood that this person was about to make some conditions.
"Your Honor’s words are too serious. I’m just an ordinary commoner; how dare I make demands of you?" Zhao Ting quickly waved his hand, looking as if he didn’t dare.
Ren Zhong lightly coughed, "Then, Mr. He, come with me, and let’s discuss the terms on which the Government Office invites you."
"This... doesn’t seem right!"
"There’s nothing wrong with it. Mr. He is a rare talent. Being one who cherishes talents, I naturally must show my sincerity if I wish to recruit you," Ren Zhong said.
"Ayao, you have no business here for the moment. Go back to the rear courtyard with An Ge and rest first. I’ll call for you if there’s a need," Ren Zhong said, turning his head to Meng Yao.
Meng Yao gently nodded, "Alright."
Zhao Ting slightly furrowed his brow. The name Ayao was very familiar to him because, in his memory, the original Zhao Ting always called the Meng family by this name.
Ren Zhong calling her this way felt a bit too intimate.
Shouldn’t a brother-in-law and sister-in-law avoid suspicion?
With everyone dismissed, Ren Zhong’s expression turned serious.
"If you are unwilling, then Mr. He should not meddle in this matter. I will be responsible for Ayao and her family’s safety," he said.
"You’re responsible? This incident has been ongoing for days. What have you found besides detaining people? If not for Madam Zhao’s quick thinking, it might not just be herself, even your precious son might have been in danger!" Zhao Ting said coldly.
When he rushed to the scene, his heart was in his throat.
If he had arrived a moment later, the Meng family might have been severely injured or killed.
"This official has been investigating for so many days, and there’s nothing of valuable substance. But as soon as you arrive, you find something. He Yan, is this coincidence or intentional? It makes this official question your background and your motives!" Ren Zhong snorted coldly.
"Suspect me?" Zhao Ting laughed angrily, "Alright, Your Honor, as a Court official, you should know that in a case, you must rely on evidence."
After a pause, Zhao Ting continued, "And allow me to send a word to Your Honor: if nothing has been uncovered, it proves that you and your subordinates are incompetent."
The words were uncharacteristically rude.
Ren Zhong’s expression shifted several times.
However, the anger Zhao Ting expected did not come.
Ren Zhong slowly spoke, "You are so concerned about Ayao’s affairs; your intention is her, isn’t it?"
Ha? The topic switched a bit too fast; he almost couldn’t handle it.
Ren Zhong had been closely observing the expression of the person in front of him as he spoke. That moment of unnaturalness, although fleeting, was captured by him.
Thus, he was certain that He Yan had some intentions toward Meng Yao.
"Men being attracted to beauty, is there anything wrong with that? It’s human nature to unconsciously pay more attention to beautiful scenery, beautiful people, and beautiful things, isn’t it?" Zhao Ting said without revealing anything.
"Ayao has not had it easy. This world is overly harsh on women. You roam the world, carefree and unrestrained. Ayao, however, has many people she cares about. You are not of the same path. Provoking her would only bring her more trouble, would it have any benefits?" Ren Zhong questioned back.
"So, what does Your Honor mean?" Zhao Ting asked.
"So, explain your background clearly, and then work diligently under my command. From now on, forget about the world and only then will I make the decision for you, as long as Ayao accepts you, to let you marry and become a couple," Ren Zhong said, word by word.
Zhao Ting was stunned.
He thought Ren Zhong would say something like "I’m more suitable for her, give up," but unexpectedly, he came up with a statement about playing matchmaker.
This was too out of the ordinary.
"What do you think?" Ren Zhong asked.
Zhao Ting swallowed and managed to utter, "Madam Zhao is still deeply in love with her deceased husband."
"Can the dead compete with the living?" Ren Zhong lightly replied.
Zhao Ting had nothing to say.
"I’ll give you time to think about it. Tell me when you have made up your mind. But before you decide, I hope you will behave yourself and not cause any trouble for Ayao!" Ren Zhong said.
What could Zhao Ting do but nod and agree?
"Then let’s go, let’s meet those people," Ren Zhong said.
"How did the County Magistrate handle that cook?" Meng Yao asked Apu.
"She was flogged, scolded, and driven away," Apu replied, "She was also paid her remaining monthly silver when she left. The officer is a man with a stern front but a warm heart. Although what Mrs. Liu did was not respectable, life hasn’t been easy for her. Her husband died early, leaving her with a mess. If she were ruthless, she could have remarried. But she didn’t. She raised her sister-in-law, provided for her dowry, and married her off. Now, she’s supporting her in-laws. At the time, she thought you were taking her job and acted rashly..."
Meng Yao didn’t express any opinion on what Apu said.
No one is a singular being; everyone has complexities. Thus, one cannot define a person based on one event or an action.
You can’t call a murderer a bad person.
Likewise, just because someone s money or materials, you can’t label them a good person.
Therefore, Meng Yao refrained from judging Ren Zhong’s handling of the cook. Ren Zhong clearly made this decision after considering multiple factors.
"So, Aunt, they haven’t found a new cook yet, and Apu’s cooking skills are terrible," Ren Zi’an said with a face like he was about to cry, "The rice he cooks is always undercooked."
Apu was a bit embarrassed, "I have talked to the broker, and they will quickly help us find a suitable cook. Until then, we’ll have to bear with it, young master."
"I’m at a growing age. Eating poorly could affect my growth," Ren Zi’an said earnestly.
How could Meng Yao not detect the implication in his words?
"An Ge’er, Aunt is giving you a chance; speak your mind," Meng Yao deliberately put on a stern face.
"Aunt, I want to live with you. Anyway, Dahe cousin is away for the exam, so I won’t disturb him. As you can see, Father has a major case on his hands and will undoubtedly be very busy. If I live with you, Father won’t be distracted by having to take care of me. This way, he can catch the bad guys much faster," Ren Zi’an said, tugging at Meng Yao’s sleeve, acting spoiled.
"You little clever fox," Meng Yao said helplessly.
"But what I said makes sense," Ren Zi’an cheekily stuck out his tongue.
"In the future, with Auntie, you should say what you mean directly. This applies not just to me but to all those close to you," Meng Yao pointed to Ren Zi’an’s nose, "Express yourself plainly and not make others guess."
"Understood, Aunt, I’ve got it," Ren Zi’an replied crisply, "For those who are insincere, though, it’s okay to let them guess, right?"
"Assess the situation and judge accordingly," Meng Yao said.