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

Chapter 233 Completely Unaware of Mistakes
They couldn't refuse Magistrate Zhao's request for face. Besides, although Zeng Xiaoyan had severed ties with the Zeng family, blood ties aren't truly severed so easily; she had only broken free from the constraints of blood and was no longer forced into moral blackmail. Zeng Mingzhu was, after all, Zeng Xiaoyan's sister. If she were to completely destroy her, it would undoubtedly be a move that would result in heavy losses for both sides.

At this point, things had already served as a harsh lesson for the proud and arrogant Zeng Mingzhu.

Since Cuiqiao was the one who did all of this, and there are witnesses to prove it, she has no way to deny it and must be punished.

Even at this point, Young Master Zeng still tried to save face for his beloved younger sister, almost pleading with Xu Zhichun and Zeng Xiaoyan to discuss a private settlement with money.

Perhaps he realized that a small amount of money was no match for Xu Zhichun and Zeng Xiaoyan, who were asking for a thousand taels. He wanted them to let Cuiqiao go and not let the matter get out of the way, so that it would be dropped.

Zeng Xiaoyan sneered, and Xu Zhichun refused.

“Cuiqiao has violated the laws of Daming. The law of the land is not a joke. We are not as bold as Young Master Zeng, who disregards the law. Please, Magistrate, judge her as you see fit. The people of Daming should uphold the dignity of the laws of Daming.”

Young Master Zeng was so angry he couldn't speak.

Seeing that Zeng Xiaoyan and Xu Zhichun were willing to back down and had already given him enough face, Magistrate Zhao naturally had to give them face in return. He was actually quite annoyed that the eldest daughter of the Zeng family had caused this trouble.

Robbing people on the road? Doesn't that show that he and Lord Lu failed to manage the affairs under their jurisdiction?
Cuiqiao was given thirty strokes of the cane and imprisoned for three years. The case was made public to serve as a warning to others.

The last vestige of dignity for the Zeng family was to keep quiet about the fact that Cuiqiao was Zeng Mingzhu's personal maid.

But wealthy families could easily tell who was who by just a quick glance, and whether the news would spread was none of their concern.

Outside the yamen, Young Master Zeng gave Zeng Xiaoyan a cold look, his expression icy and full of hatred: "You're doing very well!"

Zeng Xiaoyan also sneered: "I dare not accept such praise, I am not as good as you!"

Xu Zhichun: "What? Just because someone wants to harm us, does that mean we should obediently cooperate and let them be happy to be harmed? Is that what Young Master Zeng wants? Sorry, we are not servants of the Zeng family. Young Master Zeng doesn't seem to have the right to make such demands of us."

Young Master Zeng was furious and stormed off.

Zeng Xiaoyan couldn't help but spit out: "Serves you right!"

Young Master Zeng stumbled, but remained furious and didn't turn around.

After today's commotion, I can't set up my stall anymore, but I still have a lot of konjac tofu and konjac noodles. I can't possibly eat that much even if I take it home, so I'll just give them away to whoever is meant to have them. Anyway, the Zeng family has already compensated me double for today's losses. If anyone asks, I'll just tell them about what happened today.

Although the Zeng family's name wasn't mentioned, it's anyone's guess what people will think once the government announcement is released.

After having lunch in the city, Xu Zhichun told Zeng Xiaoyan and Aunt Zhu'er to go back first, as she was going to buy land with Steward Qin.

Along with the Spring Equinox.

When Zeng Mingzhu heard that Cuiqiao had been flogged and imprisoned for three years, she was completely stunned. She cried, made a scene, and cursed, begging her brother to find a way to bring Cuiqiao back and have the case dropped.

"Aren't those officials just after money? As long as you pay enough, they'll get anything done. Brother, do you think our family can't even afford this little bit of money?"

"I don't care! Cuiqiao was my dowry maid! Isn't this a slap in the face? How can I face anyone now!"

"If this were in Qingyang County, it would be no big deal. How could it not be done? Brother, why are you unwilling to help me? Are you worried that I'm spending my family's money? I'll just pay for it myself!"

"Father, Mother, this matter is now public. How can you be happy about it? Please help us!"

"Those two bitches, Zeng Xiaoyan and Xu Zhichun, what are they? How dare they?"

"I want them dead!" Madam Zeng was also furious. She clutched her chest, comforting her daughter, scolding Zeng Xiaoyan and Xu Zhichun, and pressuring her son to resolve the matter.

Regardless of the circumstances, this matter concerns the reputation of the Zeng family and her daughter, so it must be dealt with.

On one hand, the young master Zeng resented Zeng Xiaoyan's cold-bloodedness and ruthlessness, and on the other hand, he was powerless to blame his sister for being so troublesome, and his mother for indulging him without any understanding that the current result was something he had achieved by sacrificing his dignity and spending money.

"I can't do it anymore."

"How could you not be able to do it? I think you just don't want to, and aren't willing to, put your heart into it!"

"Big brother, you've changed! How did you become like this?"

"Eldest brother, it's one thing if you don't care about your uncle, but there's still a distance between you. Mingzhu is your own sister, how can you be so heartless?"

Before Young Master Zeng could finish his sentence, Zeng Mingzhu and Madam Zeng launched a barrage of angry accusations, leaving him no chance to retort.

He closed his eyes, exhausted, and chose to give up and give up.

Forget it.

Don't say anything.

I can't argue with that.

It's meaningless.

Master Zeng watched this farce with a livid face for a long time before finally losing his temper, slamming his fist on the table and shouting, "Enough! Haven't you embarrassed yourself enough already?"

Zeng Mingzhu was indignant, her eyes red and full of grievance: "Father, if Cuiqiao is really imprisoned, how can I face anyone?"

"Now you realize you're too ashamed to show your face? Why didn't you use your brain when you did this?"

Zeng Mingzhu felt even more aggrieved. How could she have known that Zeng Xiaoyan and her group would turn around and arrest people, and then accuse her of wrongdoing?
"mother!"

"If you're so capable, handle it yourself. Your brother and I can't handle this, so don't expect us to either. You'd better not provoke Zeng Xiaoyan and that Xu woman anymore. That Xu woman is currently very powerful, and you won't get away with messing with her!"

Threshing machines and windmills are just techniques, but sweet potatoes and potatoes are high-yield crops that can fill people's stomachs. From the emperor to the court to local officials, who doesn't value them?
Didn't you see that Lord Lu personally went to the provincial capital because of this matter?
It's certain that the Xu family will receive commendation from the imperial court!
Why provoke her now?
Mr. Zeng had originally tried to find a way to get a share of the pie, but now he doesn't even dare to think about it anymore.

His daughter even hired people to block the road and beat people up. People have already sued the Zeng family in court. How could anyone possibly cooperate with him?

"You'd better go back to your husband's house right away, or your son-in-law will find out about this, and you'll regret it!"

Zeng Mingzhu and his wife's expressions changed drastically.

I didn't expect that Young Master Qi already knew.

After all, the government coming to arrest someone, and the one who was the young lady's dowry maid, was such big news that it was impossible for the servants not to gossip and speculate.

When Young Master Qi's servant found out, he was startled and quickly reported it.

Young Master Qi arrived with a dark expression, demanding an explanation.

(End of this chapter)