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

Chunxing and Chuncao followed Shen Yuezhang back to the backyard.

Alan stayed behind to tidy up, and then went to the kitchen to cook for Su Tai.

The shop door was closed, and it was quiet inside.

Su Tai lit a candle and chatted with Su Yu around the small coffee table.

"Has the Zhu family made a move?" Su Yu asked in a low voice.

Su Tai nodded. "As soon as he got back, he went to the yamen. Luckily, I tipped him off beforehand, and Shen Yi rushed over and resolved the issue. It's not a big problem. What I'm more curious about is the woman Zhu Yixuan brought back."

"Do you think he brought Cen Mingzhu back with him?" Su Yu boldly guessed.

Su Tai gave her an appreciative look. "I had the same suspicion. It's a pity the Zhu family hasn't moved away yet. There aren't many people in the old town, so it's hard to get information. You can keep an eye on things in the new town, as you'll be able to see any movement there. Can you keep an eye on things for me?"

"Easy to say!"

The Zhu family at this time.

Zhu Yixuan had just returned home when his grandfather summoned him.

Master Zhu angrily scolded, "Why did you bring Cen back? You should know she's an exiled criminal! If word gets out, do you want to ruin the entire Zhu family?"

"And the housekeeper said she's six months pregnant and almost due. What's going on? Eldest son! How long has your mother's three-year mourning period been? Are you out of your mind!"

Based on the months of Cen Mingzhu's pregnancy, the child was conceived during the mourning period. If word got out, the Zhu family would lose all face. If someone were to take it seriously and report it, it would be another big problem.

Zhu Yixuan could hide things from anyone, but he couldn't hide them from Master Zhu.

He could only helplessly explain, "Father, the child in Cen's belly is not mine. I didn't do anything improper."

"What! You, you, you...she, she, she...shameless! You brought back a woman like that? Are you crazy?" Master Zhu was so angry he almost had a heart attack. If it weren't for his leg injury that prevented him from moving, he would have jumped up by now.

Zhu Yixuan thought of that unapproachable nobleman and gritted his teeth to withstand Master Zhu's anger. "Father, I can't tell you the specifics, but you have to believe me. I have never done anything unfilial. Cen Shi is carrying the child of a very important person. If something happens to the child, our whole family will lose our heads."

We must treat her well. She knows her own situation and won't cause any trouble for the time being. Don't worry about her affairs; just leave them to me.

I just went to the county government office and met Shen Yi. He said that the county government office will be moved soon, and the entire old town will be under the control of the garrison. I thought Shen Yi was just trying to scare me.

We sent people to inquire and found out it was true. Lu Tong and Shen Yi have completely lost control of the old city. Even if our family sends people to make trouble with them, it's useless. We can only try to take action against the garrison, or... compromise!

"I'll never compromise! I finally managed to outlive the Cui family, wipe out the Bai family, and make the Zhu family the number one family in Zhaohua County! How can I compromise! That would be taking my life!" Master Zhu's chest heaved violently, his eyes were bloodshot, and his expression gradually became insane.

Zhu Yixuan comforted him, "Father, I am still trying to negotiate with the garrison, but the situation is not optimistic. A wise man knows when to yield. Don't worry, we may suffer a small loss now, but our benefactors will make it up to us in the future."

"A distinguished person?" Upon hearing these two words, Master Zhu's emotions calmed down considerably.

Zhu Yixuan said meaningfully, "I am raising your child for you, which is a great favor. You will naturally repay me. It's just a matter of time. Father, just wait for my plan."

Although Master Zhu was unhappy with his son's secrecy, he believed in Zhu Yixuan's abilities. "Alright! In any case, the Zhu family will be yours in the future, so do whatever you want! However, since Cen is pregnant with another man's child, she can no longer continue the Zhu family's bloodline. I'll send two maids over later to serve you well."

Zhu Yixuan paused slightly, then finally nodded in agreement.

When he returned to the main courtyard, he first went to see Cen Mingzhu. "I thought bringing you back would help us avoid trouble, but I didn't expect the Zhu family to be going through such a difficult time. Your people and your child cannot be exposed. I think you should understand that."

"Zhu Yixuan, what right do you have to talk to me like that! The Second Prince has already pardoned my crimes, and even if I walk out openly, no one will dare to do anything to me!" Cen Mingzhu proudly raised her chin.

Zhu Yixuan suddenly laughed, "That's right, you have the Second Prince backing you up, so no one can do anything to you. But can you be out in the open? Does the Second Prince dare to openly acknowledge you and the child in your belly?"

No way! Before the Second Prince ascends the throne, you can only be the eldest daughter-in-law of the Zhu family. The three-year mourning period is not over yet, and the eldest daughter-in-law is pregnant. If this gets out, you will go to jail!
You wouldn't have forgotten the pain once the wound healed, would you?

"Are you threatening me?" Cen Mingzhu was furious.

Xiao Shuang quickly stepped forward to persuade her, "Young Madam, please calm down and take care of your health. What the eldest young master said is right. You are going to enter the palace in the future, and it would be inappropriate if you were to have a bad reputation."

In fact, Cen Mingzhu has no reputation to speak of now, but there's no other way to appease her than to say this.

Sure enough, as soon as the topic of entering the palace was mentioned, Cen Mingzhu immediately calmed down. "You're right, I have to endure it in order to enter the palace!"

Seeing her like that, Zhu Yixuan secretly mocked her, then turned and left without looking back.

Over the next few days, Zhu Yixuan ran around trying to send money and beautiful women, but he couldn't get in touch with the garrison leader. His temper grew more and more irritable each day.

The steward didn't dare to face him, but he had to report the news to him, so he could only bite the bullet and step forward to reply, "Young Master, the county government office has started moving today."

"So fast? Didn't they say it would take several more months?" Zhu Yixuan's face turned ashen, and a surge of anger was rising within him.

The steward trembled with fear. "I only found out because I had people keeping a close eye on things. They said the garrison was going to dig up the county government office first."

The coal mine was first discovered at Shen Yi's residence, right next to the county government office. Now that the area around the county government office has been excavated, it's understandable that the stationed troops would target that area.

"This is outrageous! I've already brought up my father-in-law, but they won't even give me the slightest bit of face!" Zhu Yixuan was truly furious.

Even if Cen Mingzhu cheated on him, it wouldn't have made him this angry.

The butler's heart sank. "Young Master, what should we do next?"

Zhu Yixuan frowned wearily, and after a while asked, "What's the situation with the houses, shops, and farmland in the new urban area?"

The butler's face turned pale instantly, and he stammered, unable to speak.

Zhu Yixuan suddenly had a bad feeling, "Could it be that there's nothing at all?!"

The steward knelt down with a thud and burst into tears. "Master said he would rather die than move and refused to accept the compensation offered by the county government. Because the matter was delayed, the county government did not wait for us any longer and made its own plans to resettle the people. Later, they even implemented a new policy and sold off the ownerless houses, shops and fields in the new district."

Even if we move there now, we won't be able to get good locations for shops, farmland, or houses. (End of Chapter)