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

Chapter 180 Aftermath
Young Master Zeng was both troubled and conflicted.

This matter is also related to the recipe for ice jelly and Madam Xu. Young Master Zeng doesn't know whether he should tell his mother or not.

If I tell her, my mother will surely be furious, and it will cause another uproar; but if I don't tell her, how can I guarantee that she won't find out the truth from somewhere else? And if she does find out, it will cause another uproar?
Young Master Zeng ultimately decided that he should personally lead this storm.
Mrs. Zeng was indeed furious.

"It's her again! It's her again!"

"That little bitch Zeng Xiaoyan must be stirring things up!"

"A den of snakes and rats, truly a den of snakes and rats!"

"Go, take some men and smash their stall. If they have the guts, let them report to the authorities and have the constables arrest me. I'll wait for them at home. Go now."

"Mom, please calm down!"

"How am I supposed to calm down? Are you going or not? If you're not going, then stand aside. Granny Fang, take some people with you."

"this--"

"go with!"

"Mother!" Young Master Zeng finally lost his temper: "If you want to harm Uncle, then go ahead and do it!"

Madam Zeng was so angry she almost fell over: "I don't believe it! Do they really have that much power? I smashed their stall, and they think they can go to the government office to retaliate against your uncle? Ha, you really know how to flatter them."

“That’s not the case,” Young Master Zeng said, suppressing his anger. “Mother, think about it carefully. The reason why Uncle suffered a loss in this matter is not because of them at all—just as you said, they don’t have that much ability. The real reason is that what Uncle did was tantamount to defying the government’s judgment. It would be strange if Lord Lu and Master Shao were happy!”

“If you send people to smash their stalls now, wouldn’t that be disregarding the government’s judgment? The government won’t arrest you for this, but your uncle will probably suffer even more.”

Madam Zeng felt a pain in her chest, clutching it and gritting her teeth: "Are we just going to let them go like this?"

"This is the only way for now. I'll go find them. After all, Madam Xu is the one who suffered the most. If she's willing to speak up for Uncle, perhaps she can make an exception—Mother, it's all for Uncle's sake."

This reason was very good, very powerful, and very useful. Madam Zeng finally suppressed her chest pain and gritted her teeth to agree: "Then you go."

Young Master Zeng agreed and turned to get busy.

After Xu Zhichun and the others came out of the yamen, Xu Zhichun thanked Liang Lizheng and the others. After they had been busy for half a day, she treated them to a big bowl of steaming hot noodles with extra meat sauce.

The noodles are chewy and full of wheat flavor. Topped with meat sauce and broth, and sprinkled with a pinch of finely chopped scallions and cilantro leaves, they are incredibly delicious.

Everyone's mouths were instantly watered, their spirits lifted, they thanked them with smiles, and began to slurp and munch.

The noodles smell so good!
This trip not only allowed me to witness a rare spectacle at the government office, but also provided me with such a delicious bowl of meat sauce noodles.

However, as I was eating, I suddenly thought of the elderly and children at home, and I couldn't help but feel a lump in my throat. I looked down at the steaming white noodles in the bowl and felt a pang of regret.

Unfortunately, there's no way I can take these noodles back with me.

After eating the noodles, Xu Zhichun bought a lot of meat buns from the bun shop, six for each person, so that everyone could take them home for their families to try.

The group, who had initially felt regretful, were now both happy and apologetic.

"How can this be so embarrassing?"

"Yes, yes, we weren't much of a help, but we learned a lot. How could we expect to eat and take things without paying?"

Xu Zhichun smiled and said, "If it weren't for my uncles accompanying me, I'm just a nobody, and no matter what I say, the yamen might not believe me. I'm so grateful to everyone today. It's nothing, just a small token of my appreciation. Please don't refuse, uncles. I'll be at ease if you don't mind." Everyone was about to decline, but Liu, the village head, said with a smile, "Zhichun has already bought it, which shows he sincerely thanks everyone. Please accept it and take it back for your families to try. It's also a trip to the city. You're all grateful for Zhichun's kindness, just don't say anything bad about it when you get back."

Everyone was happy to accept it.

"Thank you so much, Zhichun! Hehe!"

"These are huge meat buns! My rascal son and my greedy daughter are so happy!"

"Yes, mine is too."

"Don't worry, Zhichun. You were the one who was wronged in this matter. Anyone with a conscience wouldn't speak ill of you."

"If you ask me, be careful what you say. Everyone, when you go back, you really need to watch your mouths. Otherwise, some things you say might get out of hand and become something else, causing trouble and gossip. We won't be able to live with ourselves that way. It's better not to say anything at all, not even a single word to your family."

When Liang Kuanling, the eldest grandson of Sixth Grandfather, said this, everyone thought about it and nodded in agreement.

"Then let's go back and not say anything! Not even to our families!"

"Yes, yes, I shouldn't have said that."

They knew how terrible it was when the village women gossiped about this family's affairs, and how outrageous and distorted the stories could become.

Xu Zhichun felt a warmth in her heart and looked at Liang Kuanling gratefully, thinking to herself that Uncle Kuanling was thoughtful and considerate, and that she was very grateful to him.

After all, it would be awkward for me to bring this up myself, as it would seem a bit excessive.

It's better for them to take the initiative.

Xu Zhichun quickly smiled and said, "Since you uncles and elders are already here, why not buy something for your family and take it back with you?"

She took out two pieces of silver, about an ounce, and gave them to Liang, the village head: "Village head, would you please show the uncles around before you go back? It's alright if the uncles don't have any money with them. I have some loose change here. If you break it down, it should be enough for each person to have 100 coins. Uncles, take it and use it first. You can pay me back 100 coins each later."

She didn't dare give too much, as giving too much would easily tempt people to be greedy. This amount was just right.

There were five people in total, including Liang Lizheng. This amounted to more than five hundred coins, but Xu Zhichun deliberately understated it, essentially giving them a hundred coins for free.

Liang Lizheng understood her meaning, laughed heartily and agreed, took the silver, and led them away.

The money was split at the money exchange, but Liang, the village head, didn't take it. He distributed it all to them, giving each of them 260 coins. If Liang hadn't told them to just take it and that they would each return 100 coins to Xu Zhichun later, they would have felt a little embarrassed to take it.

This trip is like getting 160 coins for free.

Not only did it broaden my horizons, but it also paid me!

What incredible good fortune!
Everyone then felt relieved and took the items, and were all overjoyed.

Zhichun is such a kind and honest girl!
She treats her so well; anyone who wrongs her will be too ashamed to face anyone in the future.

Xu Zhichun returned to his stall, and Zeng Xiaoyan and Aunt Zhu'er hurriedly asked him how it went.
Xu Zhichun briefly explained, "We'll discuss this in more detail when we get back."

Zeng Xiaoyan sneered: "I knew it was related to that Manager Fang. Now that he's locked up, he'll behave himself. As for me—cough cough, Madam Zeng will probably be heartbroken!"

(End of this chapter)