In the folk society, there are the Three Teachings and the Nine Ranks. The Nine Ranks are further divided into the upper, middle, and lower categories.
The middle and lower ranks of the Nine Ranks constitute the entire folk society. Therefore, many of the trades within them have given rise to numerous sects, such as doctors, fortune - tellers, painters, musicians, chess players, thieves, and burglars. The number of sects is countless.
As the crown prince, Xiao Jingcheng usually had to understand these things.
However, a medical sect whose members liked to ride donkeys sounded a bit familiar. But for a moment, he couldn't remember where he had heard of it.
Xiao Jingcheng stood there silently with a foul expression. Qi Wen felt the atmosphere was a bit awkward, so he took the initiative to start a conversation, "Speaking of which, we were really lucky today because of Your Highness. Otherwise, Lady Jiang would have suffered a great deal."
"I wonder who paid that guy to come up with such a despicable scheme against Lady Jiang. I can't think of anyone she has offended recently..."
Xiao Jingcheng came back to his senses and remembered the sneaky figure he had caught in the crowd. He couldn't help but let out a soft snort.
Today's plot was truly malicious. Fortunately, it was resolved in time. Otherwise, if the rumors had spread, it would surely have affected Ye Wanmian.
Just thinking that after he had helped her teach a lecher a lesson, not only didn't he get a gentle word of thanks from her, but he was also bitten hard by her and completely ignored. He felt extremely uncomfortable all over.
Gently stroking the almost invisible tooth mark on his thumb web, Xiao Jingcheng remembered the rumors circulating outside today and asked,
"They all say she's a widow. Is her husband really dead? But didn't she elope?"
Qi Wen's eyes widened in surprise, "Your Highness, do you really not know or are you just pretending?"
Xiao Jingcheng was confused. He didn't know what he was supposed to know.
Qi Wen suddenly stood up angrily and said, "Back then, Lady Jiang offended Your Highness. As a result, her family forced her to marry an old lecher as his second wife. That man had a penchant for abusing others. To save her life, Lady Jiang eloped. After going through all kinds of hardships, she finally came to Dongli Town and hid there under an assumed name. That's why she told others that she was a widow because her husband had died."
"And all of this was caused by Your Highness!"
Xiao Jingcheng's face changed slightly.
He knew that Ye Wanmian had been disliked by the Ye family because of what happened at the Spring Banquet and was kicked out of the Ye family. But he didn't know that the Ye family had sent her away in such a cruel way.
No wonder she was cold to him, even disgusted with him, even though she had saved his life.
So that's how it was. So that's how it was.
Seeing Xiao Jingcheng looking completely stunned and genuinely unaware, Qi Wen became even angrier as he continued,
"Lady Jiang saved Your Highness just to take this opportunity to clarify things with you and clear her name."
"Lady Jiang is really a kind - hearted and loyal girl!"
"But Your Highness has bullied Lady Jiang again and again. Your Highness is really too excessive!"
Xiao Jingcheng came back to his senses from the shock and said, "I didn't bully her."
Not bullying her? He had just choked her neck purple right after regaining his memory, and just now he had covered her mouth and dragged her away.
Qi Wen muttered under his breath.
He thought Xiao Jingcheng couldn't hear him, but Xiao Jingcheng heard every word clearly.
Qi Wen knew that Xiao Jingcheng had lost the memories of being "Goudan" during that period. It was useless to say more now. He sighed dejectedly, "Lady Jiang is actually very good to Your Highness."
"Even though her life has been so miserable because of Your Highness, she still chose to risk her life to save you. There's no other woman like her in this world."
Xiao Jingcheng's eyes fell on Qi Wen. He squinted slightly, "Do you like her?"
Qi Wen didn't even sense the killing intent in his eyes. He lowered his head shyly, "Who wouldn't like a girl as smart, beautiful, and loyal as her?"
"Cough, cough. But I know my place. With my current status, I'm surely not worthy of her. If Your Highness would give me an official position for saving your life, I might consider..."
With a "snap", Xiao Jingcheng snapped a pillar as thick as an arm beside the stable with one hand. He said to Qi Wen, "I didn't catch what you just said."
A chill ran down Qi Wen's back. He shrank his neck and whispered, "It's nothing. I said that Doctor Mo's donkey only eats radishes. There are no radishes at home. I have to go out and buy some."
"Yes, yes. I'll go out and buy radishes!"
Qi Wen threw down the brush, jumped up, and rushed out without even daring to look back.
Xiao Jingcheng snorted softly, swept the broken wood onto the ground, glanced expressionlessly at the donkey in the shed, and then turned away.
He didn't go back to the front yard. Instead, he returned to his room and sat down at the table.
He never expected to hear these things from Qi Wen.
Since she had been forced to such a state by the Ye family, why did she deliberately hide this matter when she clearly stated everything in front of him yesterday and only said that she was already married?
The clear and melodious voice of the girl seemed to ring in his ears again, "Your Highness, please rest assured. I really have no feelings of admiration for you. And now that I'm already married, Your Highness doesn't have to worry that I'll pester you."
He suddenly closed his eyes and frowned tightly.
He felt extremely annoyed.
Moreover, he always felt that he seemed to have forgotten something.
Something very important.
...
Ye Wanmian had no idea what had happened in the backyard. Finally getting to meet the legendary "uncle - master", her mind was completely focused on him at this moment.
"Uncle - master, you must be very tired from your journey. Please sit down quickly. I'll go and pour you some tea."
"What kind of tea do you like? Master has Pu'er, Biluochun, and Longjing..."
Ye Wanmian bustled around the room like a spinning top. Mo Zhizhang couldn't help but burst out laughing and said, "Thank you, niece. I don't like tea. Just give me a bowl of water."
At this moment, Ye Wanmian also thought she was being a bit silly. She scratched her head, responded, and poured a bowl of water and handed it to him.
Mo Zhizhang said, "Thank you, niece."
He didn't just take a polite sip of the water in the bowl. Instead, he seemed really thirsty and tilted his head to drink it all in one gulp. He returned the bowl to Ye Wanmian and said with a smile,
"I haven't had a drink of water for almost two hours. Now I finally feel better."
"I'll pour you another bowl..." Seeing Ye Wanmian about to turn around to pour more water, Mo Zhizhang looked at Li Zhao who had been silent all this time and asked, "By the way, I haven't asked you, niece. Who is this?"
Ye Wanmian quickly introduced, "Uncle - master, this is Uncle Li Zhao. He's the new accountant I've hired."
Li Zhao nodded slightly at Mo Zhizhang, "Nice to meet you. I hope we can get along well in the future."