I just wrote a love poem, how did that make me so powerful?

Xu Qing sat in the courtyard, picked up a thin twig, drew some lines on the ground, and then erased them. He was silent for a moment before speaking.

"I heard from the two children that he often went to the widow's house where she sold alcohol?"

Xiao Lanzhi's expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure, her tone somewhat numb.

"It wasn't just a simple overnight stay; they'd been together for a while. The widow is in her early thirties; her husband died a few years ago, and she runs a small liquor store. Zhou Shi'an goes to her place every few days, sometimes not coming home for days. I mentioned it once, and he smashed a bowl and cursed at me for half the night."

Xiao Mingyuan grew increasingly angry as he listened. "Sis, why didn't you explain this in more detail before?"

Xiao Lanzhi glanced at him, but did not reply.

But Xiao Mingyuan understood what that meant.

What good would it do to say it? No matter how rich a married daughter's family is, it's not appropriate for her to interfere in other people's affairs.

But things are different now; the bra business has taken off. Laneige has money in hand, and she can stand much more confidently.

Xu Qing put the branch down, stood up, and patted the dirt off.

"Given the current situation, I definitely can't continue with Zhou Shi'an. It's better to end things quickly than to suffer for a long time. I think we should settle things with him tonight."

Xiao Mingyuan understood the meaning behind his words and immediately took over the conversation.

"Sis, make a decision quickly."

Xiao Lanzhi remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

"I still had some hope for him, after all, he's the children's biological father. If we really get divorced, what will happen to the two children? But after what he did today, I've finally seen things clearly. The two children will only suffer if they stay with him."

She looked up and her gaze fell on Xu Qing.

"I want a divorce, you guys figure it out."

Xu Qing nodded. "That makes things much easier."

He turned around and looked at Xiao Mingyuan.

"The first step is for you and Sister Lanzhi to go see Li Yan and Li Wan."

Xiao Mingyuan nodded. "Understood. Sister Wan is now on our ship too. Does going through them mean we can directly get the county magistrate to intervene?"

Xu Qing shook his head. "Not yet. The main thing is to use Li Yan to contact some powerful people in the government. Zhou Shi'an just got a cold shoulder here; he might go out and cheat again tonight. We can't just rely on the few of us to catch him in the act, can we?"

Xiao Mingyuan nodded solemnly, "Understood, I'll go right away."

When he went out, his large frame moved quickly and steadily, displaying a decisive and efficient manner.

Xiao Lanzhi followed behind, and when she reached the door, she glanced back at Xu Qing. She seemed to want to say something, but in the end, she just nodded and turned to follow Xiao Mingyuan.

Fifteen minutes later, two lamps were lit in Li Yan's study, and a group of people sat in the room.

After listening to Xiao Lanzhi's story, Li Yan didn't ask any further questions and readily agreed.

"If I can help Sister Lanzhi, of course I will. Besides... who wouldn't be happy to catch someone cheating? Wait a moment, I'll go find a few people."

Xu Qing reached out to stop him, "Don't rush."

Li Yan asked in surprise, "What else?"

What is Zhou Shi'an doing now?

Li Yan thought for a moment, "Ever since the incident with Sun Decai, Uncle has been keeping a close eye on the watch at all the government offices. Zhou Shi'an should be on watch in the workshop tonight."

After hearing this, Xu Qing's eyes darted around, and a mischievous smile appeared on his lips.

"That makes things easier. Find a minor official with whom he has a reasonably good relationship, bring him some wine and food, get him slightly drunk, and then talk to him about it..."

As Li Yan listened, he couldn't help but gasp.

"Xu Qing, I really didn't realize that you were not only talented in writing, but also had such a dirty heart."

He paused, then added.

I'm so glad I chose to be your friend instead of your enemy.

Xu Qing waved his hand.

"Not at all, I learned it all from history books. History can be a mirror to correct one's behavior."

Li Yan curled her lip. "Who in their right mind would read history books and learn this stuff?"

Despite saying that, he still turned around and made the arrangements.

County government office, workshop.

Zhou Shi'an was sitting idly on a bench, an oil lamp in front of him flickering a few times, its wick blackened from burning.

He rested his chin on one hand, staring unfocusedly at the lamp wick in front of him, muttering to himself.

"Xiao Lanzhi, you think you can get rid of me with ten taels of silver? No way!"

He grew angrier the more he thought about it and stood up from the bench.

But he muttered to himself, "No, Li Chungang is cracking down hard lately, I'd better stay put."

He sat back down, curled up on the bench, and kicked the table leg in frustration.

clang clang ~

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

Zhou Shi'an looked up and saw a round head peeking through the crack in the door. It was another clerk from next door, surnamed Liu.

Although the two were not that close, they still saw each other all the time.

Liu, the clerk, was carrying an oil paper package that was steaming, and a small wine jar was hanging next to it.

He called out as soon as he entered the room.

"Brother Zhou, it's so late, why are you still staying up so late?"

Zhou Shi'an replied irritably.

"The county magistrate is cracking down hard lately, how could I dare to leave?"

Liu, the clerk, placed the oil paper package on the table, opened a corner, and inside were sliced ​​braised beef and two side dishes, which smelled delicious.

He placed the wine jar on the table, broke the clay seal, poured himself a bowl, and then poured another bowl for Zhou Shi'an.

"Brother Zhou, let me tell you, you're an honest man. Everyone else on duty has already slipped away, but you're the only one here. Since you're here, let's have a couple of drinks. We've got nothing else to do anyway."

Zhou Shi'an was about to decline, but when he saw the braised beef with its alternating layers of fat and lean meat, cut into even slices, he realized that it was a perfect balance of fat and lean meat.

The wine jar emitted a wonderful aroma, and the strong smell of wine made him unable to resist picking it up and smelling it.

Liu, the clerk, offered a timely word of advice.

"This meal is on me today. Brother Zhou must have had a tough time lately, so let's have a couple of drinks to relax."

Zhou Shi'an put down his wine. "You old rascal, you're certainly enjoying yourself."

Liu, the clerk, laughed and said, "I originally prepared this for myself, so of course I have to eat and drink well."

As they drank, Liu, the clerk, steered the conversation toward Xiao Lanzhi, asking her casually.

"Brother Zhou, I heard that your wife is now doing business with the Xiao family and has made quite a bit of money."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Shi'an's face immediately darkened, and he slammed the wine bowl down on the table.

"Rich? She's got money! She's a real tightwad! I went to ask for money today, and she only gave me ten taels of silver to try and get rid of me, ten taels!"

He picked up the bowl again and took another sip. After finishing, he turned the bowl upside down and poured it out, leaving not a drop.

Liu, the clerk, filled his cup again and continued talking, going along with what he was saying.

"That kind of person just needs to be taught a lesson. If it were me, I would have taught her a lesson long ago. But... Brother Zhou, on another note, you two haven't seen each other for a while, have you? Aren't you feeling restless? Why don't we go to Chunhong Courtyard for a visit? This meal is on me, so you can vent your frustration."

Zhou Shi'an rolled his eyes at him, but his words still retained a degree of sobriety.

"Can you afford it? It'll cost at least several dozen taels of silver for one trip. No, no, with that money you can treat me to a couple more drinks, that's better than anything else."

Liu, the clerk, feigned surprise and moved closer. "Oh my, I didn't realize you had other places to go, Brother Zhou?"

He lowered his voice, "Could it be that he's just saying it casually, deliberately teasing his underling?"

Zhou Shi'an slammed the bowl on the table, his face already flushed with alcohol.

"Who the hell do you think you are? I'll show you tonight."

He stood up, his steps a little unsteady, but he grabbed his outer robe and walked unsteadily toward the door, muttering to himself.

"You wait here, I'll go and take care of that woman right now, and bring her undergarments for you to see."

After Liu Zaoli waited for him to leave, he spat and muttered under his breath.

"Who the hell cares if you take someone else's underwear? Shameless."

After he finished speaking, he quickly walked to the shadowy corner of the street and whispered his words to the person Li Yan had sent to keep watch.

The man gave him ten taels of silver and then turned to report the news.

……

Upon receiving the news, Li Yan stood up. He and his group were just about to leave.

When they got to the door, they found someone blocking their way.