"Sister Zhou is so smart, how can she not understand?"
Ji Wanyou said softly: "As this matter is progressing now, it is inevitable that Sister Zhou will come forward to give it a push. Otherwise, won't Sister Zhou's previous efforts be in vain?"
Zhou Nu laughed bitterly in his heart.
Don't want her efforts to go to waste?
So, should she come forward to identify Xia Xi?
"Sister Ji, it's not that I don't want to." Zhou Nu said hesitantly: "But now even Zhan Yunjiao has not mentioned a word that Xia Xi is the mastermind of this matter. If I rashly identify it, wouldn't it seem too abrupt?
?Besides, all I can identify is that Zhan Yunjiao and Xia Xi met secretly... No matter how many others there are, I really don't know anything about them."
After a pause, he continued: "Even if I go to identify him, if Zhan Yunjiao insists that this matter has nothing to do with Xia Xi... what will happen then?"
If Xia Xi is safe and sound by then, how will she deal with herself in the capital in the future? Will she still end up with a reputation that slanders her?
She never wanted to push herself in front of others, let alone offend anyone by openly doing so.
"Don't worry." Ji Wanyou said with a smile: "What Zhan Yunjiao says is up to us. Not only will she identify Xia Xi as the mastermind, but she will also remove Sister Zhou cleanly in public. She will never call her
Sister Zhou has been implicated in the slightest suspicion of being related to this case."
Zhou Nu was stunned when he heard this.
What does it mean...what does Zhan Yunjiao say? It's all 'we' who have the final say?
Could it be that Zhan Yunjiao is now in the hands of the Ji family?
and……
What does it mean to take her out cleanly?
She had never participated in Xia Xi's plan in the first place.
Facing those eyes with a strategizing smile, Zhou Nu suddenly felt a chill all over his body.
——Does it mean that if she doesn't agree, she will also be slandered and bitten by Zhan Yunjiao?
"Do you think this arrangement is appropriate for Sister Zhou?" Ji Wanyou asked.
Zhou Nu tightly clenched her palms filled with cold sweat - for the first time, she felt that the Zhou family's girl's city was much deeper than she had realized.
No, it should be said to be terrible!
In order to achieve his goals, he was able to sacrifice his acquaintances without blinking an eye, completely ignoring the feelings and thoughts of others.
But she still could only say with an embarrassed look on her face: "I know Sister Zhou always considers me... But even if Zhan Yunjiao is willing to prove that I have nothing to do with the plot against the Xu family girl, if I come forward to identify Xia Xi, I will definitely
Offended the Xia family... By then, even if Xia Xi and Cao Zhuangyuan break off their engagement, then this marriage... I'm afraid it's destined to be a miss for me..."
Something happened to Xia Xi's front foot, and it happened under her identification - at that time, her father had no way to mention the marriage to Cao Zhuangyuan, after all, he really wanted to do that? Then who did the Zhou family become?
And to avoid being discussed? There is no way Cao Zhuangyuan would agree!
"Why is Sister Zhou suddenly confused?" Ji Wanyou's voice is still gentle: "If you refuse to come forward to identify Xia Xi this time, then her marriage to Cao Zhuangyuan will definitely go ahead as scheduled. By then? Sister Zhou can only do the same.
Watching?"
Zhou Nu smiled bitterly after hearing this.
So, in order to prevent Xia Xi and Cao Zhuangyuan from getting married smoothly, she had to identify Xia Xi - even if she couldn't get it, she still wanted to break up the marriage?
So what is she planning?
It’s not like she has a deep love for Cao Zhuangyuan, but she just doesn’t want him to marry someone like Xia Xi!
And if that’s the case? Isn’t it the same as making wedding dresses for other girls?
What can she gain?
"Should Sister Zhou know? In this world, as long as it is related to gambling, it is impossible to win without losing, because no one can predict the outcome accurately."
Ji Wanyou said slowly: "I was just talking to Sister Zhou before? This matter may eventually fall on Sister Zhou - does Sister Zhou still remember? How did you answer me at that time?"
Zhou Nu lowered his eyes slightly.
"Remember."
At that time, she said - it doesn't matter whether she is married or not, as long as she can see Xia Xi being unlucky.
But what she wanted to do was hide behind and watch the other party's jokes, rather than come forward to identify the other party in person.
How can this be the same?
But she thought to herself, what's the use of all this?
Zhou Nu looked at Ji Wanyou who was eating tea calmly.
Obviously, no matter how much she says now, she can't change the decision of Sister Ji in front of her.
And in the face of the other party's decision? She has no right to choose to say no.
Because this is not a discussion but telling her what to do next.
Zhou Nu laughed to himself in his heart.
After all, she was too naive.
In the past, she had always thought that hiding behind these people was a way to get some bargains? It didn’t require much effort or risk.
Is it because she has been so easy to pick up in the past few years? Therefore, she has even forgotten that there is no such thing as a real bargain in this world.
Even if there is, she won’t be able to pick it up every time without paying any price.
She thinks she is smart? But that is compared to that idiot Xia Xi——
When she meets someone like Ji Wanyou, she just has to be obedient.
Until he left Ji Mansion, Zhou Nu, who was sitting in the carriage, was still a little confused.
"Girl...girl?"
Seeing that she didn't respond, the maid gently shook her arm.
Zhou Nu suddenly came to his senses and turned to look at her: "What's wrong?"
"Girl, Xia Mansion has arrived."
So fast?
Zhou Nu quickly raised his hand and patted his stiff cheek, trying to look as natural as possible.
At this point, she could only do what Ji Wanyu told her to do. She could only hope that Ji Wanyou's plan would go smoothly...
"Girl, Miss Zhou's family is here to see you."
Xia Xi, who was leaning on the couch and thinking about something, frowned.
Why is Zhou Nu here again?
But thinking of the new ideas and plans that had emerged in her mind, she still said patiently: "Let people come in."
The maid said "Yes", but she sighed worriedly in her heart - looking at the girl's appearance just now, could she be planning some new plot?
If she really wants to do it again, not to mention that her life path is getting narrower and narrower, she is basically going to reach the edge of the cliff, right?
The maid was so frightened that she even had the idea of risking her life - how about she deliberately make some mistakes, let the girl get a beating and then drive her out of the yard?
"What are you doing here?"
Xia Xi gave the round-faced girl a lukewarm look as she walked in.
"I'm here to see you." Zhou Nu sat down on the drum stool next to her couch and lowered his voice and said, "Axi, have you heard about what happened yesterday?"
"What's the matter?" Xia Xi fiddled with the fan in her hand and asked casually.
"What happened to the Xu family girl... It was said that she was plotted against, and it almost happened -"
"That's enough."
Before Zhou Nu finished speaking, Xia Xi frowned and interrupted: "I don't want to hear anything related to Xu Mingyi!"
Do you want her to hear again how beautiful and praised Xu Mingyi is?
And why did Zhou Nu tell her this when he came up?
Could it be—doubting her?
Thinking of this, Xia Xi raised her eyes and looked at the other party: "...don't you think that since I met that Zhan Yunjiao, this matter has something to do with me?"
Zhou Nu looked confused.
"Axi...how is this possible? I just thought this matter was causing quite a fuss, so I told you about it as a bit of fun to relieve your boredom."
Xia Xi looked at her for a moment and suddenly sneered.
"Even if you really doubt me, it's normal. But if you don't have evidence, you better not say nonsense to avoid getting into trouble. Are you right?"
Zhou Nu smiled and nodded: "This is natural."
As he said that, his eyes fell on Xia Xi's hair, and he asked softly: "Axi, why didn't you tie your hair today?"
Xia Xi twitched the corner of her mouth sarcastically: "You can't get out anyway, so why bother?"
And the maid who was combing her hair today didn't know where her thoughts were. She pulled her scalp several times. When she got angry, she slapped her and drove her out.
"Then you should dress up well, you are almost going to be a bride."
Xia Xi felt upset when she heard the word "bride".
But Zhou Nu's next words made her feel better for no reason -
"I heard from my father that yesterday, His Majesty praised Cao Zhuangyuan in the morning court in front of all the civil and military officials. My mother has often said these days that many young ladies in Beijing are envious of you, Axi.
But let me tell you, this is not something that everyone can envy. Ah Xi, you have a good family background and a good birth. It is only natural that you have such a good marriage."
Xia Xi raised her eyebrows.
"Axi, shall I comb your hair? You used to ask me to comb your hair." Zhou Nu stood up with a smile and reached for Xia Xi's hand.
Xia Xi was pulled by her to sit down in front of the dressing table.
Anyway, it was idle time. She remembered that Zhou Nu's skill in combing hair had been very good since she was a child - or some people were born to be unworthy, and there was nothing wrong with learning. They had to learn this kind of maid's job.
I have to say that although she dislikes Zhou Nu, it is still good to have such a person by her side.
"Axi, you are so good-looking. This bun looks much better on your head than on other people's heads."
Zhou Nu looked at the girl in the mirror and sighed.
Even if I know that these words are flattering, it still does not prevent the listener from feeling happy.
After combing her hair, Zhou Nu began to pick up hairpins, beads, flowers and other items for Xia Xi.
"Axi, this hairpin is so beautiful... I've never seen you wearing it before."
"I just bought it at Baohua Building last time. I thought it was too vulgar." Xia Xi said casually: "Since you like it, I'll give it to you."
After all, her new plans will inevitably require Zhou Nu's help in the future. How can she raise a dog without feeding her something?
Zhou Nu's eyes brightened and he said, "Really?"
Of course she also heard what Xia Xi said about the hairpin being vulgar——
But what is there to care about?
Xia Xi never needs to consider her mood when she speaks or acts.
After collecting the things, she just wanted to be grateful.
"Take it." Xia Xi took out a jewelry box from the cabinet, picked through it, picked up a silk flower, compared it with her bun, and threw it back with dissatisfaction.
Zhou Nu happily put away the hairpin and helped her pick it up.
"Axi, this pair of ruby double butterfly hairpins is really exquisite, why don't you wear this?"
"This one is even more gaudy..." Xia Xi glanced at it with disgust and said softly: "But I can't give this to you. I remember it was a reward from the Queen, but I don't like it very much."
Listening to the careless show off in these words, Zhou Nu smiled and said, "That should be kept well."
Xia Xi didn't take it seriously and continued to pick out jewelry.
Zhou Nu quickly put the hairpin back.
After a while, Xia Xi selected a pair of pearl flowers.
Zhou Nu put the hairpin on for her, looked deeply at the girl with arrogant features in the mirror, and praised, "Axi, you have such good taste."
…
The crimson sunset dispersed, and the twilight between heaven and earth was gradually swallowed up by night.
In the house behind Jing Yamen, Ji Dong is in the study, playing chess with his son who just came back from college today.
In any case, the flower-picking thief's matter was finally settled. Although he had been reprimanded by His Majesty when the fifteen-day period expired, and even though he knelt for a long time in the imperial study room yesterday, he worked so hard that he could not say a word in the end.
Testimonials——
But fortunately, the person has been caught. This is the best result, and the tight string in his mind has finally been loosened.
When the father and son were playing a game of chess at the most critical moment, there was a sudden knock on the study door from outside.
"Come in." Ji Dong didn't raise his head, thinking about how to make a move.
The person who walked in was a government official.
"grown ups--"
"What's the matter?"
"Someone has come to the outer hall, claiming to be an uncle from the Zhan Yunjiao clan, and wants to visit the prison."
Ji Dong said without thinking: "Zhan Yunjiao is a repeat offender, and her testimony is incomplete. It is not appropriate to visit her. Let her go back."
Yesterday Wu Shisun came to visit the prison of the flower-picking thief, and today another person came who wanted to see Zhan Yunjiao - repeat offenders can meet anyone they want. What kind of place has his prison become? Are there any rules anymore?
"But he said that he relied on the relationship between the Minister of War and the Minister of War, and wanted to ask you to be accommodating..." The Yamen servant said awkwardly: "The person who accompanied him is indeed a servant of the Minister of War."
Ji Dong squeezed the chess pieces tightly.
Ministry of War Shangshu Mansion?
Why do all of them have so many connections?
"...Forget it, bring someone over." Ji Dong waved his hand.
Who told him to let Wu Shisun in last night? If he doesn't give face to the Minister of War today, what if someone with a heart says that he prefers the Dingnan Palace?
On the art of keeping a bowl of water level - he studied under Xu Xiandi.
But when he looked up, he saw his son looking at him strangely.
Ji Dong coughed slightly and explained: "What Zhan Yunjiao committed is a serious crime. Under such circumstances, it is rare that her clan uncle is willing to come to visit. Let's make an exception and be accommodating."
The young man was silent.
If my father does not make an exception in front of powerful people, then he will make an exception.
But it was not easy for the father to earn some salary and money to support the family, and he, as a son, had no reason to expose his shortcomings.
Ahead, the yamen officer had already taken the middle-aged man to the prison.
Next to the middle-aged man was a young servant, wearing coarse gray clothes and holding a food box in his hand. Because his head was half lowered, his features could not be seen clearly in the darkness.
"Wake up, the elders of your clan are here to see you!"
The jailer opened the cell door, shook the iron chain on the cell door, and spoke loudly to Zhan Yunjiao, who was huddled on the stone bed covered with straw.
Zhan Yunjiao was awakened and suddenly opened her eyes and sat up.
