Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 973 - 971_1

Chapter 973: Chapter 971_1

After Mrs. Fang and Fang Wanping left with dissatisfaction, Mrs. Tan conveyed Xiao’er’s words just now to her own son.

After hearing this, Liu Zhiwen was so shocked that he stared with his eyes wide open, finding it somewhat unbelievable. He turned to Xiao’er: "Is this true?"

Xiao’er nodded: "When have you seen me lying? Besides, you can seek confirmation from big brother as well. He’s currently discussing matters with father in the study."

Liu Zhiwu was also surprised: "Could that be possible?"

However, Jinghao showed no surprise at all, he had already perceived the impropriety between the two.

Seeing Jinghao’s expression, they asked again: "You already knew this beforehand?"

Jinghao shook his head: "No, I merely had an intuition. But if she hadn’t lunged at that time, I could’ve pulled you all away in time, preventing everyone from getting hurt." In order to keep his cousins from being deceived, Jinghao also spoke about the situation at the time.

What he didn’t say was that he felt that at the time Fang Wanping had been rushing at him. Only because he had dodged quickly, was she led to pounce onto Liu Zhiwen.

Jinghao felt that if he said this, it would seem a bit like self-flattery.

After hearing Jinghao’s words, Liu Zhiwen had no choice but to believe. Xiao’er would not lie to him, nor would Jinghao utter nonsense. And of course, he wouldn’t simply think well of Fang Wanping just because she had saved him. A seemingly weak woman was, in fact, such a scheming character, it was indeed difficult to believe.

But the branch that struck today came down due to a thunderbolt, it was accidental, everything happened so suddenly back then, plus she didn’t know him. Liu Zhiwen felt this didn’t count as scheming, or maybe her nature wasn’t bad, right?

Seeing her son’s expression, Mrs. Tan knew he didn’t have much aversion towards Fang Wanping. She said with disappointment:"Anyways, you should stay alert to that mother and daughter. I can tell they’re not good people just by looking at them! If you like her and intend to bring her home, that’s absolutely impossible! I will never agree! Unless I’m dead!"

Upon hearing these words, Liu Zhiwen’s face flushed: "Mother, what nonsense are you talking about! Where did I ever have such a thought!"

Liu Zhiwen may have had a slight fondness for Fang Wanping. As for marrying and bringing her home, he really had not considered that at all. After all, any sane person would not think about marrying someone home after just one meeting!

Hearing Liu Zhiwen’s words, Mrs. Tan coldly snorted: "Good! If you dare to marry her, then you’ll have to cut ties with our family. I won’t care about you! Whoever marries that woman will be cursed!"

Mrs. Tan felt a little regretful. As the saying goes ’observe the details and know the rest’. The completely different responses of Jinghao and her sons, Zhiwen and Zhiwu, to today’s matter showed that Jinghao had realized the problem with that mother and daughter, while her sons were both kept in the dark!

It seems, in Shengping County, their horizons and knowledge have been restricted. If they want to pursue official career paths in the future, it wouldn’t be enough just to read books and cultivate character, they have to learn to read and guard against people!

Luckily she had decided to settle in the Imperial Capital early. They can learn from Jinghao. Otherwise, by the time they came to settle in the Imperial Capital next year, even if they excelled in the Imperial Examination to become top scorer and high-ranking officials, they would still be in precarious positions. Her sons would probably not even know how they died then!

Although she herself had never held a government position, she could infer using common sense that the trickery and maneuvering in officialdom were much more complicated than the petty tricks these women played. If they got caught off guard by sly people, they might either lose their official position at the lightest, or have their entire family confiscated and exterminated at the worst!

Master Shi was also good at reading people. His two grandsons were indeed too naive. Hence he could not help but speak up: "Your mother is right. That mother and daughter aren’t simple. You should be careful. There aren’t many simple women in Imperial City, you need to be more vigilant in the future. Don’t let others scheme against you."

Liu Zhiwen felt his mother’s words were exaggerated but after hearing Xiao’er and Jinghao’s words, his fondness for Fang Wanping lessened quite a bit.

Because even if she saved him out of goodwill, using his reputation to scheme against Jingrui wasn’t something gentlemanly. Hence, different paths, non-intersecting plans.

"Hao’er, your father and brother-in-law are in the study. Take your gramps, uncle, Zhiwen and Zhiwu and listen to what they are saying." Mrs. Liu was worried that the conversation among the women would bore the men and hence suggested.

Earlier, due to the sudden accident and the injured girl, the servants had directly reported to Mrs. Liu, so no one informed Shen Chengyao. Furthermore, Shen Chengyao was talking with Prince Rui in the study and no servant dared to disturb him! Therefore, none of them appeared.

"By the way, inform them about the landslide and see if they need to send people to help." Xiao’er reminded. She still remembered the landslide. Such incidents could be major or minor, but the men at home were all appointed officials of the imperial court. Issues that affected the lives of the common people naturally needed to be reported to them. They have the responsibility to be concerned.

"Yes, mother." Jinghao responded then led the others towards the study.

After the men left, Mrs. Liu said: "I completely forgot about the landslide because of that mother and daughter! I wonder if there were any casualties."

"It shouldn’t be too serious, perhaps the road is just blocked." Xiao’er surmised.

Mrs. Liu also agreed. However, matters like these were handled by the soldiers, she couldn’t help anyway. If there was indeed an accident, she could only send some food to the rescue soldiers.

Considering the jewelry set given away just earlier, Mrs. Tan said regretfully: "Such a waste of a jewelry set! I would rather feed it to a dog than give it to them! They got it easy!"

Upon hearing that, Xiao’er smiled: "Aunt, there’s no need to feel regretful. That jewelry isn’t pure gold, only gold-plated. And the jewels on it are also fake!"

When she heard that Mrs. Liu wanted to give Fang Wanping a set of jewelry, she had signaled to Yang Mei. Therefore, the set of jewelry given away was merely a facade.

"Fake?" Mrs. Liu was a little surprised hearing this. Although her maid had opened the jewelry box, her body had blocked the view, and she hadn’t seen that the set wasn’t the one she had prepared to give. She turned to her maid for confirmation.

Seeing this, the maid replied: "Yes, Sister Yang Mei stopped me halfway and gave me another box of jewelry, saying the princess ordered me to give that box to Miss Fang."

Hearing this, Mrs. Tan couldn’t help but laugh: "Xiao’er did a great job. False inside and out, that’s a perfect match for those hypocrites!"

Xiao’er smiled lightly: "How can false gratitude for a life-saving grace deserve sincere reciprocation from others."

"That’s right, it’s only genuine feelings that deserve genuine reciprocation!" Mrs. Tan felt Xiao’er was right, and finally, she felt relieved.

In this world, one should reciprocate sincerity with sincerity, and deception with deception.

Xiao’er didn’t mention Fang Wanping or Mrs. Fang again, but instead, with a gentle smile, she changed the topic and explained how she got that set of jewelry.