They've all separated, so what does it matter to me if they get poorer and poorer?

Chapter 118 Lessons
Master Zeng gave a forced smile: "She really doesn't know what's good for her, and she doesn't know when to advance or retreat. Does she think he's trying to trick her?"

Young Master Zeng sneered silently: Just as annoying as Zeng Xiaoyan, no wonder they get along.

Young Master Zeng: "Madam Xu, please don't worry. My father said it will be done as soon as possible, and it will be done very quickly."

"Is it feasible today? After all, they are all your own people, you can find out by asking them."

Master Zeng spoke coldly: "Is Madam Xu trying to teach me how to do things?"

"I wouldn't dare, please don't misunderstand. We country folk are timid, and being falsely accused of stealing someone's recipe is no small matter. Until the matter is settled, we'll always be on edge. I can't rest easy, and I might come to see Master Zeng again. I think Master Zeng wouldn't want me to come to you about this again, would he?"

"Humph"

Mr. Zeng tacitly agreed.

Of course he didn't want to see her again and wished she would leave right now.

"Today was a bit rushed. How about within three days?"

Xu Zhichun had essentially conceded, so Master Zeng couldn't afford to argue with a young country woman anymore, or he would look too low-class.

More importantly, she said that if the matter wasn't resolved, she would probably come back, and he didn't want to see her again.

"Okay, I'll give you an answer within three days."

"Thank you, Master Zeng."

As Xu Zhichun spoke, he stood up and said, "I have to go back and look after my stall, so I won't bother Master Zeng any longer. Farewell."

"Take care, Madam Xu."

Master Zeng nodded, but did not get up. He glanced at Xiao Yan and said, "Xiao Yan, you stay here. I have something to say to you alone."

Zeng Xiaoyan reluctantly gave an "oh".

Liang Mingliang then stopped as well.

Although this is his wife's biological father, for some reason, Liang Mingliang just feels uneasy about letting his wife be alone with him.

I always feel like my wife is going to suffer.

Xu Zhichun felt it inappropriate to stay any longer; it would be impolite for her to interfere if the father and daughter wanted to speak alone.

Seeing that Liang Mingliang was not leaving, Master Zeng frowned. Young Master Zeng, who had also wanted to stay, had no choice but to invite Liang Mingliang out: "Third brother-in-law, please. I also have a few words to say to you."

Liang Mingliang was reluctant to leave: "Let's talk about it later. I want to stay with Xiaoyan."

Young Master Zeng cursed inwardly, thinking, "Idiot! Didn't my dad just say he wanted to talk to this brat alone? Are you deaf or deliberately being rude? You don't actually think I have anything to talk to you about, do you? I'm just looking for an excuse to take you out."

Little did he know that Liang Mingliang looked down on him even more: What's the point of talking to you? Forget it!

They've all gone completely out of control!

Master Zeng's face darkened: "Xianxu, please go out first. I have a few words I want to say to Xiaoyan alone."

Zeng Xiaoyan looked up and said, "Husband, go outside and wait for me."

"Can--"

"It's okay, go ahead."

"Okay. I'll be right outside. Call me if you need anything."

"Mmm!" Zeng Xiaoyan felt a sweet warmth in her heart, smiled at him, and nodded vigorously.

Young Master Zeng frowned, clearly disgusted.

Master Zeng was almost laughing in exasperation. What was wrong with this son-in-law? He looked so worried! He was her father!
As it turned out, Mr. Zeng was quite self-aware; his father was indeed no good.

When only he and Zeng Xiaoyan were left in the flower hall, he looked at the person standing in front of him, calm and composed, with a hint of arrogance, almost exactly the same as before when she was unruly and headstrong.

Master Zeng's anger flared up instantly.

"You unfilial daughter!" With his emotions running high and his anger raging, Master Zeng raised his hand and slapped Zeng Xiaoyan across the face.

Zeng Xiaoyan was startled and instinctively turned her head and backed away to avoid it. However, she didn't manage to avoid it completely and was lightly grazed on the face by Master Zeng.

Master Zeng was even angrier: "How dare you! You dare to hide!"

Zeng Xiaoyan covered her face, both angry and indignant: "Why did Father attack me for no reason?"

"Without cause?" Master Zeng sneered, "You rebellious daughter who betrays her own people, don't you even know where you went wrong?"

Zeng Xiaoyan sneered, "Which law did I break?"

"Stop beating around the bush! Why didn't you tell me about your mother and uncle's affair first, instead you went with that Xu woman to cause trouble? Do you think it's a big deal to see your father and your elder brother lose face in front of outsiders? Do you harbor resentment towards the Zeng family? Are you hoping we'll make a fool of ourselves?"

"Fool! Don't forget you're also a member of the Zeng family! If we embarrass ourselves, what face will you have left?"

"And what do you call your uncle? Manager Fang? Huh? How can you be so inconsiderate!"

Zeng Xiaoyan gave a mocking smile: "Father is good at talking now, but if I had said it beforehand, would you have believed me? No, Father wouldn't. Father will only believe Mother and Manager Fang—don't ask me why I don't call Uncle Fang Manager Fang. That's how we've been doing it all these years. When Father isn't around, my second sister and I wouldn't dare to claim kinship with him, or we'd be punished!"

"Father only cares about the Zeng family's reputation, never considering my needs. Fortunately, Sister-in-law Zhichun is a magnanimous and understanding person. She didn't blame me, take her anger out on me, or distance herself from me because of this. She's still willing to continue helping me set up the stall and earn a few coins a day to make ends meet. The Zeng family is already so wealthy, why would they fabricate such things to frame me and disrupt my life?"

"You don't treat me like family at all, so why do you have the audacity to demand that I, who have been wronged and slandered by you, should think of you? Don't you think that's going too far, Father?"

"Shut up!" Master Zeng said angrily, "So what if you, as a junior, suffer a little grievance? If it weren't for your bad temper, which often angers your mother, she wouldn't be targeting you. Even if she's wrong in this matter, you're not entirely innocent."

“I’ll say it again,” Master Zeng said coldly, “If there’s anything going on in the family, you should talk about it behind closed doors. Why make a scene in front of outsiders? You didn’t tell me, so how do you know I won’t stand up for you?”

"From childhood to adulthood, how many times have you truly stood up for me?"

"You've grown up just fine, haven't you? As a concubine's daughter, your overbearing and stubborn nature is not a good thing."

"Really? Then Second Sister must be alright?"

"At least I'm better than you!"

"So? Have you found her a good husband yet?"

Master Zeng's face darkened. "People change. Who would have thought that Lou Er, that scoundrel, would turn out like that after getting married?"

Zeng Xiaoyan wanted to laugh, but a bitter taste came over her tongue.

"But you were the ones who chose her. Second Sister is in dire straits. Have you ever cared whether she lives or dies?"

"Shut up! What kind of attitude is that!"

After scolding her, Master Zeng became even angrier. "I'm talking to you! Why are you dragging your second sister into this? Don't try to pull this on me! I'm warning you, if anything like this happens again and you continue to side with outsiders, the Zeng family will no longer have you as a daughter!"

(End of this chapter)