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

Chapter 502 The way out
Lady Rong'an wept bitterly, not only hurt by the rumors, but also by Rong'an's attitude. In the end, she was the one who had committed all the evil deeds, and there was no way to reason with her about it.

Once you start to distinguish, you'll get caught in an endless cycle of self-justification.

However, many years have passed, and just as Xu Zhichun could not produce concrete evidence to accuse her, she also had no way to prove her innocence.

The only thing she could probably say was, "The innocent will clear themselves." But that's actually the most useless thing to say.

At times like these, it only adds another layer of amusement to the situation.

Unexpectedly, news spread from the palace that Lady Xue had been released from confinement and reinstated as Lady Xue.

Everyone was in an uproar.

However, some astute individuals, considering the Empress Dowager's recent illness, felt that the news was not so surprising.

Consort Xue was the Empress Dowager's savior after all. If the Emperor could abandon her without hesitation, how could the Empress Dowager be willing to do so?

Sure enough, Lady Xue served the Empress Dowager without taking off her clothes, and within a few days the Empress Dowager's health improved significantly.

When the news reached outside the palace, the Marquis of Rong'an and his wife were overjoyed!

The whole family celebrated wildly, just like it was Chinese New Year.

This shot in the arm came at just the right time, and everyone in the Rong'an Marquis's mansion was greatly encouraged.

Madam Rong'an immediately hardened her stance, but before she could publicly deny the rumors that had been circulating throughout the city, Xu Zhichun had already spoken first.

Xu Zhichun stated that he has absolutely no connection with the Rong'an Marquis's Mansion. Whatever the Rong'an Marquis's wife did or didn't do back then was her own business and had nothing to do with him.

So, everyone, just enjoy the show and don't drag her into it.

Lady Rong'an was a step too slow in trying to "refute the rumors," and she was very indignant, so angry that she almost vomited blood.

Just you wait and see about that Xu family!
If it weren't for the fact that Lady Xue in the palace might need Xu Zhichun and Liang Minglang's help, Lady Rong'an would have publicly announced that all the rumors about the Rong'an Marquis's mansion and Xu Zhichun were just that—rumors.

Why bring back such an unfilial daughter? Are you just going to drive the couple to their deaths?

Unexpectedly, the Empress Dowager suddenly issued an imperial edict summoning Xu Zhichun to the palace.

Upon hearing that someone had come from the Empress Dowager's palace, Xu Zhichun immediately suspected that the visitor was not friendly.

When the Empress Dowager got into a ruckus, even the Emperor had to give in. Fortunately, the Empress was blessed this time and became pregnant, so the Emperor could rightfully "politely refuse" any of the Empress Dowager's demands on her behalf.

Otherwise, the Empress would have been subjected to all sorts of torment by the Empress Dowager under the pretext of attending to her illness.

In the past, even when the Empress Dowager tormented her to the point of illness, she had no choice but to grit her teeth and endure it. Otherwise, the Empress Dowager would accuse the Empress of feigning illness to avoid serving her, even if the imperial physicians examined her. The Empress Dowager simply did not believe her, insisting that the Emperor was only concerned for the Empress and had forced the imperial physicians to lie.
Xu Zhichun faced off against the Empress Dowager. The outcome is obvious.

She simply avoided the situation, letting Lu Yin act according to the circumstances.

As expected, the Empress Dowager's men summoned Xu Zhichun to the palace for an audience, as the Empress Dowager wanted to speak with her.

Lu Yin inwardly cried out in alarm, "This is absolutely not something I can do! At least not like this!"

Otherwise, who knows what the outcome will be?
Lu Yin's mind worked quickly, and she immediately smiled and replied that Madam Liang was worshipping Buddha and didn't know when she would have a moment of peace.

Therefore, she would report in detail after Madam Liang finished her Buddhist prayers. Lu Yin apologized and explained while giving the visitor a large red envelope. Seeing this, the visitor gave her face and returned to the palace to report.

"Sister, what should we do? I never expected the Empress Dowager to actually help the Xue family. That Consort Xue has made a comeback. She probably said something to the Empress Dowager. We sent her away today, but I'm afraid there will be a next time."

Xu Zhichun laughed and said, "It's already good enough that we were able to get rid of them today. Luckily, you were here!"

Lu Yin smiled shyly, "Why are you being so formal with me, sister? You've helped me so much, I should do something for you in return. I'm happy to be able to help you."

She sighed softly as she spoke, worried that it was too early to be happy.

Xu Zhichun comforted her for a few words and ordered someone to quickly bring Liang Minglang back. The sooner the better, as the Empress Dowager was already thinking, who knew what she was thinking?

A powerful dragon doesn't fight a local snake, let alone a real dragon.

If the Empress Dowager is truly determined to do something, she is nothing more than an ant.

After considering several options, Xu Zhichun made up her mind: if there was really no solution to the problem, then she would take a step back and leave the capital if necessary.

You don't need to go too far. Just settle down in Jinan for now, and while you're at it, set up businesses, shops, houses, and fields. Develop them, and who knows, you might become the richest person in three to five years without even realizing it?
She has capital, goods, and connections; if she can't make a name for herself with all that, she might as well give up.

She was actually unwilling to develop her career in the capital, since it was full of powerful and influential people, and countless imperial relatives, which would easily attract hatred.

Where can't you make money? Why bother competing with those people?
Liang Minglang returned quickly. "Zhichun! Are you alright?"

"It's alright, I've dealt with it for now. I didn't dare go into the palace, is it alright to refuse the Empress Dowager?"

“It’s alright,” Liang Minglang quickly shook his head, then sighed, “Luckily you refused, otherwise you would have suffered for nothing.”

The Empress Dowager wouldn't summon her to the palace just because there's something good happening.

"We've managed to get through today, but what about the future?"

Liang Minglang thought for a moment, "Let's think of a way to refuse indefinitely without the Empress Dowager having any objections."

Xu Zhichun laughed and said, "Since that's the case, let's say I'm fasting and worshipping Buddha. I need to copy several volumes of scriptures before I can finish. It will take at least half a month, and at most one or two months."

Don't make things too definitive.

Liang Minglang nodded happily and chuckled, "Good, good, good, that's a great idea! Zhichun really knows how to do things!"

Xu Zhichun smiled. Since she had already said it, it couldn't be a joke. She couldn't be disrespectful to Buddha, so she really intended to copy the sutra.

Liang Minglang sneered: "The Empress Dowager is trying to win over our family and make our family, and even the Ji family, work for her. What a joke."

It's a joke, but it's hard to shake off.

Fortunately, Xu Zhichun did not reveal his relationship with the Rong'an Marquis's Mansion in the first place, otherwise it would have been even more difficult to handle.

Serving as an official in the imperial court involves a complex array of considerations, and the slightest misstep can give others ammunition for criticism and lead to endless trouble.

Xu Zhichun: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, are you just going to do nothing?"

Liang Minglang shook his head. "I'm afraid the Emperor has reached his limit. He summoned me yesterday to ask me specifically whether you have any connection with the Rong'an Marquis's Mansion. Of course, I denied it. Just watch, the Empress Dowager is pressing him step by step. The Emperor won't tolerate this forever."