152: Counter Question (2 more updates)
The son of the Prefect had his own entourage of little followers. When Yuan Wang made the first move, they all ganged up on him, beating him. Upon seeing this, Yuan Wang’s brother Yuan Xi rushed to save his older brother, and then a melee ensued.
It’s true that they fought the Prefect’s son, but in reality, the two brothers took more of a beating.
After that, the Yuan brothers were locked up in the County Governor’s Office jail, and the Lord County Magistrate hasn’t yet decided what to do with the case. There’s still no news from the Prefectural City.
Yuan Cheng sought help far and wide, using all the connections he had, but his restaurant was no longer sustainable and he had previously offended the Lord County Magistrate. No one dared to speak up for him.
Out of options, Yuan Cheng sent Donghua once more, still hoping the old man would beg Xie Zhinuan, asking her to visit the County City, see the County Magistrate, and use his influence to plead on their behalf with the Prefectural City.
Upon hearing this, Old Yuan’s face became very dour.
Sitting under the dim lights, a pang of regret suddenly washed over him.
If only he had known it was a disaster waiting to happen, he wouldn’t have saved Xie Zhinuan. He should have let her drown in the river or be washed away somewhere else rather than bringing calamity to his family.
Old Mrs. Ni naturally thought of this as well.
All of it began because of Xie Zhinuan…
“I will go beg her!” exclaimed Old Mrs. Ni as she stood up.
She stumbled around looking for a lantern.
Old Yuan remained silent until Old Mrs. Ni found the lantern. “I’ll go with you!” he declared.
The elderly couple arrived at Xie Zhinuan’s doorstep.
Seeing how well Xie Zhinuan was living, so splendidly, and thinking of their own eldest son…
Old Yuan knocked heavily at the door.
The door quickly opened.
San Zhi stood in the corner, her eyes dimly observing the two visitors.
“You? What brings you here?” asked Stupid Girl, puzzled.
“We are here to see Xie Zhinuan!”
Hearing the noise, Xie Zhinuan got up, lit an oil lamp, put on her clothes, and came out.
“Grandpa, Grandma, what brings you here?”
This was the first time they had both come together.
Or rather, the first time Old Yuan had come. Since she had moved here, Old Yuan had never seen her, nor had he let Old Mrs. Ni bring her anything. Xie Zhinuan had visited a few times and, when he saw her, Old Yuan would immediately turn and walk away.
“Xie Zhinuan!” Old Yuan called out gravely.
“…”
A twinge of apprehension struck Xie Zhinuan’s heart.
Upon hearing that address, she knew there would no longer be any relationship between her and Old Yuan.
“Speak!”
“I, I regret saving you. I regret taking you to the County City. If I had known you would bring such trouble to my family, I’d have never saved you, I would’ve let you drown at the side of the river!” Old Yuan voiced heavily.
Donghua hurried after them and overhearing these words, he stiffened.
This…
Li Hengyi silently landed on the bamboo shelter and listened in.
A slight furrow formed on his brow.
Xie Zhinuan was first taken aback, then she chuckled, “It is said that the household that accumulates good deeds will enjoy continued blessings, while the house that commits evil will endure lingering misfortune. At that time, I was grateful for you saving my life and had no intention of going to the County City. It was you who saw my culinary talents and wanted my recipes for your son’s restaurant in the County City. You took me there, and I taught your son the recipes for marinated and stewed meat without reservation. I also advised the chefs in the restaurant without holding back. He gave me five hundred taels of silver, of which, being penniless, I took only one hundred and fifty taels. Now tell me, isn’t that the truth?”
Old Yuan was left speechless by the question.
Xie Zhinuan continued firmly, “That act of yours was charity and mine was repaying kindness!”
“The reason the chief chefs planned to leave en masse was that your daughter-in-law was snobbish, thinking herself superior due to the restaurant’s good business. She deemed their wages too high and wanted to ‘kill the donkey once the grinding was done’. Her unfavorable words offended them, prompting them to leave. Donghua, who stands in the shadows, come forth and tell us, isn’t that so?”
Chapter 154