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

Chapter 229 No evidence
When a lie is told too often, it seems to become the truth.

In his heartbroken and angry accusations, in a daze, Uncle Liang even had the illusion that the facts were as he said, which made him angrier and more excited as he spoke.

Master Shao: "."

Even Master Shao was starting to have some doubts.

If it weren't for having had a few conversations with Xu Zhichun, no one would have thought Xu Zhichun was that kind of person, and even Master Shao would have believed it.

"Alright, there's no use in saying more. The yamen only recognizes the first person to report it; it's recorded and cannot be changed."

"But this was clearly discovered by a commoner like myself!"

"Do you have evidence?"

"This humble citizen has none!"

Uncle Liang remained unfazed. “I never expected that Ms. Xu would do such a thing. I have no evidence whatsoever, but I am truly innocent.”

Suddenly, Master Shao understood. If someone could speak so confidently and righteously without any evidence, wasn't it because they were sure that Madam Xu also had no evidence to refute them?

Master Shao instantly saw through Uncle Liang and found the man utterly ridiculous.

Even if what he said is true, so what? It was Madam Xu who put her heart and soul into this matter, and it was Madam Xu who reported it to the master.

It's hard to say that others couldn't get these sweet potatoes and potatoes, but only Madam Xu presented them to the imperial court and promoted them. This credit belongs to Madam Xu no matter how you look at it.

Such a thoughtful person!

"These are all your side of the story."

These words were like a sharp sword piercing Uncle Liang's heart, instantly shattering his superficial anger.

Uncle Liang's ears turned bright red, but he forced himself to remain silent, saying, "Master Shao, what I said is the truth. I really didn't lie."

Master Shao: "Without evidence, it's just one side of the story, and no one can determine whether it's true or false."

"But--"

"If everyone were to rush to the yamen and make such a scene, would Your Excellency expect to see and believe everyone?"

Uncle Liang was speechless.
It was all fake to begin with, relying solely on shameless singing, recitation, acting, and fighting to make it stand out, but even that couldn't garner any sympathy or recognition, so Uncle Liang couldn't put on his act anymore.

Uncle Liang put on his final, superb performance, his voice trembling and his face contorted with pain: "Master Shao, is this... is this really how this matter is going to end?"

"If you have evidence, you are welcome to come again anytime."

"I do not have it!"

Uncle Liang shook his head painfully, taking Master Shao's words as a way out, and readily accepted them. "Forget it, forget it, I guess I'm just unlucky! Without evidence, what can I do?"

Uncle Liang, looking dejected, gave a bitter smile and bid farewell to Master Shao.

Master Shao frowned slightly, stopped him, and subtly warned, "Without evidence, that's slander, spreading rumors. If it causes harm to others, you'll be punished."

This man looked resentful; who knows what nonsense he might spout after leaving the government office.

Lady Xu is a person commended by the officials and has rendered meritorious service to the court. The court's reward will come soon.

She must not have any blemishes.

If she really had a bad reputation, that would be one thing, but it's unacceptable for her to be slandered and defamed by rumors.

Uncle Liang was furious, his face contorted with rage. He forced a bitter smile and said, "Don't worry, sir. I'm not that kind of person. After all, Madam Xu is my own niece-in-law. How could I possibly harm her?"

His dream was shattered, the glory that was within his grasp vanished in an instant, and to make matters worse, he had to put on a show of singing, reciting, acting, and fighting in front of Master Shao—even though only he knew how humiliating it was. How could Uncle Liang not be furious? Why wasn't he enraged when he saw Xu Zhichun last night?
Xu Zhichun felt only a sense of relief.

fortunately
Otherwise, without evidence, she'd be unable to defend herself and would become furious and hot-tempered.
Sweet potatoes and potatoes became well-known in the city, and many people would ask about them when they came to the stall to buy things, eager to see what was so special. However, Xu Zhichun and his group did not bring any, and when asked, they would vaguely answer by mentioning the government.

Some people were curious and wanted to buy some to try, saying they were willing to pay a high price, ten or twenty coins per pound was no problem.

If you're not satisfied with this price, we can discuss it.

After all, this was something that Lord Lu personally went to the countryside with Magistrate Zhao and Master Shao to collect, so it must be a good thing!

Who doesn't have a bit of curiosity?
Trying it is a win!

The sense of psychological superiority is something that nothing can compare to.

Furthermore, this is also a test.

If Xu Zhichun and his group loosen their grip, they can sell one or two jin, three or four jin, or even three or four hundred jin.
Who wouldn't want to grow one?
Once they all fall into Lord Lu's hands, there's no chance for them to get anything.

Xu Zhichun had a pretty good idea of ​​what was going on; once this door was opened, the consequences would be hard to predict.

Therefore, strict precautions must be taken.

Seeing their resolute attitude, everyone naturally gave up quickly.

It's a bit of a pity that the money that was within reach has flown away again, but it doesn't matter. Good things are not afraid of rotting in your hands.

Lord Lu is probably even more anxious than they are; news will come soon.

Zeng Xiaoyan and Aunt Zhu'er were also in a real bind, dealing with all sorts of relatives and friends who were too difficult to handle. They were all eagerly hoping that this matter would be settled as soon as possible.

Hearing Xu Zhichun's words, I felt a little relieved.

As they packed up and headed home, they continued chatting and laughing on the way, discussing how to dig konjac and make konjac tofu.

Zeng Xiaoyan joked, "All sorts of relatives always come to our house. I've never even met them before, and I don't know how so many people suddenly appeared. I'd rather go out to work than stay at home; it's too uncomfortable. My parents both say I'm not allowed to say anything carelessly and that I have to be friendly to relatives and friends. But some of the things they say are clearly meant to provoke people; how can I be friendly? It's so unbearable."

Liang Mingliang nodded repeatedly, feeling the same way: "Yes, yes, I think so too!"

Zeng Xiaoyan jokingly said to her husband, "It's really rare that one day you would rather work than stay at home, hahaha!"

Xu Zhichun and Aunt Zhu couldn't help but laugh.

"By the way," Aunt Zhu couldn't help but ask Zeng Xiaoyan, "the Zeng family... didn't come looking for us this time, did they?"

The group was quite familiar with each other, so Aunt Zhu'er's words weren't offensive. Zeng Xiaoyan gave a slight sneer: "Perhaps they're still struggling with how to find her. I don't think they'll let my sister go."

Her severing ties with the Zeng family became widely publicized because of Zeng Mingzhu's lawsuit. The Zeng family lost face as the eldest son, and they would no longer come looking for her.

However, they wouldn't completely ignore her sister.

With such enormous profits at hand, who wouldn't want them? It would be strange if the Zeng family didn't.

Xu Zhichun couldn't help but remind them, "Let's all be careful, so that Aunt Xiaojuan doesn't suffer any losses."

Zeng Xiaoyan nodded: "I told my sister that if the Zeng family looks for her, she must tell me. But now that she has a brother-in-law, he will protect her, so it's better than before."

This naming convention is a mess.
There was no other way but to address each person in their own way. It would be impolite for Xu Zhichun not to call her "Little Aunt," and even though it was a bit awkward, she had to change it.

And you know what? Uncle Yang Ming and Xiao An treated Zeng Xiaojuan and her daughter very well. The villagers, belatedly realizing it, all praised the marriage as the best they could have made!
A mule cart blocked the way, and when the curtain was lifted, Cuiqiao's face was revealed.

(End of this chapter)