After being jilted, the entire neighboring village was filled with deep regret.

Chapter 345 Zhu Yixuan's Plan
"Could he be a guest of the Marquis? If he's staying at the Marquis's residence temporarily, that would make sense," Huang Xinghua speculated.

Shen Dagou recalled Murong Xu's imposing aura and couldn't help but shake his head. "Mother, I don't think so. I'm worried."

"What are you worried about? What's there to worry about! The Marquis is Shen Yi's godfather. With Shen Yi and Su Tai around, your sister will definitely be fine!" Huang Xinghua interrupted his speculation, not wanting to think about it too much, worried that if she thought too much, she wouldn't be able to live her life.

Wei Erya gave Shen Dagou a wink and followed Huang Xinghua's words, saying, "Mother is right. Second Aunt went to the capital for treatment. She'll come back when she's better. When you go to the capital later, you can ask Second Aunt carefully, right?"

Shen Dagou nodded, "That's true, maybe I'm overthinking it."

While the three were talking, Shen Mu opened the New Year's gift given by Murong Xu. The tightly wrapped box contained some brocade fabrics and fine things such as bird's nest and shark fin, all the pomp and circumstance of a wealthy family.

Even if Shen Mu's family didn't know much about these things, they would know that these were not ordinary items.

Now Huang Xinghua couldn't help but think more deeply, "Do you think that young master has taken a fancy to our Tiantian?"

Huang Xinghua was filled with worry.

Wei Erya's eyes darted around, and she quickly said, "Mother, all three of our sisters are good-looking, so it's normal that someone likes them. It would be strange if no one was interested. The capital is a place that ordinary people like us can't even dream of. Second Sister is always clear-headed. As long as she doesn't want to, no matter how much the other party tries to please her, it won't work. Plus, the Marquis is protecting her, so it'll be fine."

Perhaps they gave our family gifts over the years out of respect for the Marquis; it's still far from certain, so please don't overthink it."

After careful consideration, Huang Xinghua also felt that Wei Erya's words made sense. Putting everything else aside, she still believed in Shen Tian. Although that child was not as good at handling things as her eldest daughter, Shen Xiang, she was shrewd and had never expressed any jealousy or envy while working in Shen Yi's family for so many years. She kept her mouth shut and did not think that such a daughter would be blinded by wealth and status in the capital.

The more she thought about it, the more at ease she felt, and she began to make lively preparations for the New Year.

"Tomorrow I want to go to Su Tai's place to buy a few pounds of glutinous rice, make rice cakes, and send some to your uncle's place, and also give some to Er Ya's family. That stuff is good, sweet and keeps well. When you roast it over a fire, it's sweet and fragrant, and it's very filling." Huang Xinghua became more and more excited as she spoke, wishing she could go to Su Tai's place right now.

Su Tai, who was being eyed by Huang Xinghua, was currently huddled in the backyard with Shen Yi, checking their accounts.

"After these few business trips this year, our family has saved up tens of thousands of taels. We come here once a year, so we don't have to worry about money anymore. I'm planning to use some of it to repair the bridge. What do you think?"

Shen Yi was somewhat surprised, "Wife, you're willing to pay for it yourself?"

He never thought of using his family's money to repair the bridge. On the one hand, most of the family's money was earned by Su Tai, and on the other hand, it was also for the sake of future generations.

Su Tai scolded, "I certainly can't sit idly by and do nothing about such a big thing as building a bridge. The money we've received so far will probably not be enough to pay for the labor, timber processing, and buying cattle and sheep. We also need to order protective netting, which will cost money. I plan to pay for the custom-made items ourselves. Although it will be a considerable expense, we can save up enough by exchanging silver."

Shen Yi was deeply moved and stepped forward to hug Su Tai tightly. "Actually, you don't need to make such a big sacrifice. I can find a way."

Su Tai glanced at him sideways, "I'm not just doing this to support you, but also to lend a hand and do some good. After all, I have something that others don't have. If I can use that thing to benefit the people, it would be a great deed."

"That's true."

Hearing Su Tai say that made Shen Yi feel much better. After discussing next year's plans, the two turned their attention to preparing for the New Year.

Compared to the bustling atmosphere at the Shen family's house, the Zhu family's house was much quieter.

With Madam Zhu dead and Cen Mingzhu imprisoned, the house felt different without a female head of household.

Master Zhu and Zhu Yixuan stayed up together to celebrate the New Year, but neither of them showed any joy.

"What are your plans regarding the Cen family?" This was the first time in many days that Master Zhu had mentioned Cen Mingzhu.

Zhu Yixuan curled his lips in a mocking smile, took a sip of wine, and said indifferently, "What can I do? She offended the Marquis of Yong'an in the capital, someone even the Cen family dares not provoke. She just provoked him, made a scene whenever she wanted, and is still unrepentant. What can I do? As long as the Cen family doesn't take their anger out on me, I can't care about anything else."

Master Zhu frowned in displeasure. "After all, she is your lawfully wedded wife, and she comes from such a powerful family. Our Zhu family cannot afford to offend her. Even if you can't do anything about it, you should at least put on a show! Is there any news from the Cen family?"

Zhu Yixuan shook his head. "My father-in-law is still at the border. It will take several months for him to come and go. I'm afraid we won't know until after the New Year."

His biggest worry now is that the Cen family will give up on Cen Mingzhu; if that happens, there will be no point in him marrying Cen Mingzhu.

Master Zhu was getting impatient. He let out a long sigh and said, "After the three-year mourning period, hurry up and have a child with Cen Shi. Your mother can rest in peace in heaven."

He did not tell Zhu Yixuan that his wife would occasionally think of the child born to Ms. Ke before her death.

Zhu Yixuan nodded absentmindedly. He didn't have time to think about so much right now. After a pause, he looked at Master Zhu and said, "Father, what do you think about me going to the army camp after the three-year mourning period is over?"

"You still want to lead troops into battle?" Master Zhu frowned deeply, not understanding his son's thoughts.

Zhu Yixuan pondered for a moment and said, "I was a Grand Commander in the army, but I'm nothing when I go back to Zhaohua County. I'm not even as good as a town official. It's a disgrace to stay here! I can rest assured that my father is in charge of the family business. Also, Cen Shi has lost so much face here. I'm afraid she doesn't want to stay in Zhaohua County anymore. It's good that I take her to the border. With my father-in-law there, she can't cause any trouble."

Considering Cen's arrogant, domineering, and willful behavior, Master Zhu also felt that it would be better to let Cen leave, otherwise the reputation of the Zhu family would be ruined by Cen.

"Alright! I'll do whatever you say."

After discussing the matter, the father and son began to look forward to news from the Cen family. They waited until spring plowing, but Cen Li was the one who came.

However, Cen Li's attitude was clearly much colder this time.

"Yixuan, my elder brother already knows about Mingzhu's situation. He's very angry, extremely angry, and he doesn't intend to care about Mingzhu's life or death anymore."

Cen Li's words made Zhu Yixuan's expression change. He pleaded anxiously, "Uncle, Mingzhu is still a girl from the Cen family. She's just a bit willful, but she's not a bad person. If I weren't so useless, she wouldn't have suffered so much. Before the New Year, I even sent a generous New Year's gift to the magistrate, hoping that he could take care of Mingzhu and let her suffer less in prison."

But the magistrate refused to let me in, didn't confiscate my belongings, and said that the verdict would be handed down after the spring planting season. I really had no other choice but to rely on my father-in-law for help.