Deng's aunt did this with the purpose of first making people think that she was trying to curry favor with Wang, and get a good result for herself.

  She is already over forty, with no children, and her body is still in good condition, so she can still serve Xie Qigong. In a few years, when her beauty fades and her body weakens, she will probably end up being sent to the countryside to spend her remaining years. Although living in the countryside won't deprive her of food and drink, it's still not comparable to staying in the mansion. Once she leaves the mansion, even after death, the treatment of her funeral will be vastly different.

  Aunt Deng's motives seem reasonable, but how can she intervene in what Xie Wan wants to do?

  The Xie family is not short of ruthlessness, and Xie Wan's revenge against Wang Shi and her son is a must-have. Is it said that she came forward to save Xie Hong this time, and Xie Wan had no way to manipulate them again?

  She didn't like the feeling of carrying water with a bamboo basket at all.

  The more Deng Yiniang was like this, the less she would let go of Xie Hong.

  The atmosphere in the mansion became oppressive from this day on.

  The next morning, Xie Qi was taken to Yan Yue An by a small sedan chair. Madame Ren also sent a carriage to pick up Ren Yuanyuan in the afternoon and take him back to the mansion.

  The renovation work in the Long House has been suspended due to lack of funds, and all the craftsmen have been dismissed - those who caused trouble could no longer be used. Xie Hong began directing the servants to move bricks and tiles. The servants were all receiving their monthly allowance from the mansion, knowing that Xie Hong had become a thorn in Xie Qigong's side, so they reluctantly went on sick leave one after another.

  Xie Hong was unable to do it, and didn't have the face to report it, so he had no choice but to bring Ruan Shi and Xie Huai Xie Tong to clean up the house themselves. He also deliberately passed by where Xie Qigong was. On this day, a guest came to the mansion, and Xie Hong was carrying a basket of mud and sand with Ruan Shi through the central courtyard. The guest looked at him wearing short clothes and bare legs, his eyes were about to pop out.

  Xie Qigong was so angry that he fell back, and Wang's family was scolded again that night. The Qiufeng Temple closed its doors from that day on. Even Xie Huai and Xie Tong went out to school through the west corner gate. The servants in the temple saw that the situation of the main house was getting worse every day, and they gradually had the idea of seeking outside help. However, this is a later story.

  These things in the government have been told to Xie Wan by someone who comes at a fixed time every day.

  The troublemaker was indeed instigated by her, including the purple bronze stove left in Cuiyi Pavilion. However, she didn't rush to kick someone while they were down at this moment, but rather solving Wei Xiao's matter was more important. For these two days, Wei Xiao had only been to Yifeng Institute once, and after seeing Xie Zhuang's face, he cried with a remorseful expression.

  "I'm so stupid, you reminded me at that time not to invite the eldest sister over, but I didn't listen. If it wasn't for you, the third child, forcing the second sister to confess later, I wouldn't know how big a black pot I would have to carry. Third child, I really owe you an apology! How could I be blind enough to think that the eldest sister was a truly straightforward person?"

  Xie Wan looked at him sighing and couldn't help but say: "In the past, I didn't think you were that kind of heartless person, how come nowadays you're becoming more and more muddle-headed."

  Wei Xiao raised his head: "Which year was it back then? Which year?"

  Xie Wan closed her mouth. Since he didn't remember anything, she didn't need to say it either. Walls have ears, and if people knew that this time she forced Xie Qi was for the sake of that year's favor, and people knew that there was such a past on Songgang back then, things would become even more complicated. Not only would Wang Shi not let her go, but even Xie Wei would no longer be able to maintain a superficial relationship with her.

  It's estimated that something will happen in the capital in four or five days. She instructed Wei Zhao not to wander around these few days, and it's best to calm down and wait, so as not to give others a chance to take advantage of him again. From then on, Wei Zhao didn't come over anymore. As for Xie Zhu, these few days were just like usual, handling the shop's affairs on one hand, and letting Luo Sheng run errands on the other.

  She wants to find a house in the county town.

  In her previous life, Xie Qigong died of illness when she was 18 years old. Her original plan was to wait for Xie Qigong's death and then directly confront Wang Shi. Then move out and fight with her. With three or four years of operation, it seems that her financial resources are enough to support her in setting up another household. Although she can't compete with Xie Rong, dealing with Wang Shi is not a problem.

  However, Wei's appearance forced her to advance her plan. Now that she had fallen out with Wang, it was impossible for them to maintain their previous peaceful relationship. Even if she wasn't afraid of Wang, she couldn't devote all her energy to competing with her. Rather than being constantly on guard against Wang's sneak attacks, it would be better for her to move out and have a place of her own, which would also make it easier for her to develop her own strength.

  The houses in Huangshi Town are too far away, so after thinking about it, I still think we should set up another one in the county seat.

  Luo Sheng thought that moving out and living elsewhere was the best option given the current situation, so he didn't ask many questions and immediately set out to do it.

  The next evening, Luo Jishen hurried back with the boat, covered in dust.

  The boat docked directly at the pier in Beijing, and the two led the apprentices of the rice shop in Qianmen Hutong to hire a car to run to the pier, and only after the grain was properly settled did they hurry back to Qinghe.

  Xie Wan took out the silver to let Pang Sheng's family treat them to a table of wine and dishes to wash away their dust. Although they were tired and pale, and had clearly lost weight and darkened, when it came to this trip, they were unstoppable, with flying eyebrows and dancing colors, their eyes shining brightly like morning stars.

  When Shenda first came, his frivolous and arrogant attitude had dissipated a lot, replaced by the sharpness and sophistication that flashed in his eyes. Luo Ju was even more steady and wise, but now he looked like an experienced shopkeeper, and the bookish look of his previous years could hardly be seen.

  Two people brought a large pile of silk flower head ornaments from the south for Xie Wan, and also brought a set of travel notes written by Wen Changge's literati for Xie Cang.

  Xie Wan picked a big bow and wore it on her temple, smiling at them. Her bright and beautiful appearance made the two men involuntarily lower their heads and take a sip of wine.

  Lu Shi rested for a night and in the morning, Xie Wan summoned them to the Baoge Hall.

  Cheng Yin was still sitting in the main hall.

  Xie Wan introduced the two parties and said, "Since you're back, we need to make some new arrangements. From now on, all business matters will be handled by Luo Ju. Shen Tian will go south and take charge of purchasing for the rice shop. For now, each of you can have two or three helpers, and their salaries will come from the public funds. As for what kind of people to find, it's up to you to choose. I only have one requirement: the shop must make money."

  In charge of all business matters, that's the big boss! Luo Ju's emotions surged, and he immediately stood up with Shen Tian, who was also suppressing his excitement, bowed his head and said: "I will definitely not disappoint Miss's kindness!"

  Xie Wan continued: "Luo Ju will rest for three days and then hand over to Mr. Cheng. Shen Tian will set off two days later, which is not late. From now on, the days of running outside will increase, you must be careful in everything, and safety comes first. Don't force your way out, achieving the goal is what matters most. How the people below handle things are all your responsibility. If I find any problems with either side, I will only ask you."

  "A penny saved is a penny earned!"

  Xie Wan lightly exhaled and looked at Cheng Yuan again.

  Cheng Yuan had been stroking his beard and hesitating ever since he heard that he was going to take over from Luo Ju. Xie Wan smiled and said, "Mr. Cheng is a man of great knowledge and insight, it would be a waste of your talent to have you do accounting work. My brother happens to need a western-style teacher, why don't you take on the job?"

  Cheng Yuan's hand paused slightly as he stroked his beard, and his eyelids slowly lifted up. The woman in front of him was calm and determined, as if she had already anticipated this arrangement.

  Cheng Yuan is a strategist. Although he has never assisted any great figures, it's not like he would stoop to being an accountant for some young girl.

  When Zhao Zhen first recommended him, his words were full of admiration for Xie Wan, which made him feel extremely disdainful. If it weren't for Zhao Zhen's kindness that day, he wouldn't have taken the initiative to come over with a try-it-out attitude.

  At that time, he also had a glimmer of hope, hoping that this ambitious little girl would regard him as a good general and treat him with great courtesy, so that his face could look better. But unexpectedly, she actually threw a few account books at him, letting him manage the shop's accounts, what kind of gesture was this to invite a shogunate strategist?

  He once thought Zhao Zhen had deceived him and wrote to question her. However, Zhao Zhen told him to wait a bit longer, that it wouldn't be too late to complain after two or three months.

  Out of consideration for their long-standing friendship, he endured it, but his disdain for the little girl could not be concealed. He believed that anyone who valued dignity would not tolerate such a person by their side. But what surprised him was that Xie Wan not only tolerated him, but also never targeted him from start to finish.

  He then became curious about her, testing her from time to time to see if she really had the ability or was just pretending. However, he gradually discovered that each of her decisions, although seemingly unimpressive at first, ultimately proved to be correct and flawless.

  He began to believe what Zhao Zhen said, but he had not yet reached the point of thorough submission, until suddenly news came from the capital that the Crown Prince had been deposed.

  That night, amidst the fragrance of tea filling the room, he saw a girl who could truly be called clever. Her thinking was meticulous and her reactions were quick-witted, something he had rarely seen in his life.

  At that moment, he was ashamed of his own arrogance and complacency. In terms of intelligence, Xie Wan was in no way inferior to him. What was rare was that at her age, she remained calm and composed despite his repeated attempts to provoke her, never revealing any impatience or irritation. With such a calm temperament, what else could he find fault with her about?

  Just now I heard that Luo Ju wants to hand over with him, and he is also secretly guessing what position she will put him in.

  Although she was in charge of the entire second house, she was after all a woman and there were some things that she couldn't handle personally. She needed someone experienced and skilled at planning to replace her at times to handle some matters. He believed that this was why she had asked him to come, so he knew that he wouldn't be staying in the account room position for long.

  But she couldn't openly ask for an advisor to be by her side, so she had to find someone who could both cover up and be summoned at any time. And the position of Xi Shi, who was in charge of Xie Liang, was the most suitable identity.

  He smiled and clasped his hands: "The second young master is talented and intelligent, with a bright future ahead of him. I am honored to be able to assist him in any way I can."

  Xie Wan smiled and said, "I've already spoken to my brother about it. In that case, sir, you can take office tomorrow. During the day, my brother will still go to the county school. If there's anything he doesn't understand, please put in some extra effort, sir."