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

Chapter 421 Zeng Mingzhu's Revenge
In Prefect Feng's view, Zeng Mingzhu was his favorite concubine, and she was also very intelligent and capable. He trusted her to take charge.

What's even more ingenious is that she's a woman, making it easier for people to lower their guard and not be on guard.

Thus, under the arrangement of Prefect Feng, Zeng Mingzhu returned to Xijiang Province as the wife of a wealthy merchant, accompanied by her maids, servants, and young men.

As expected, Zeng Mingzhu's situation went smoothly, and she quickly settled down in Xijiang Province. Her covert infiltration and penetration gradually unfolded.

Zeng Mingzhu regained power, even more powerful than before, which fascinated and pleased her. Her ambition grew and her confidence swelled. She was full of pride and looked forward to a bright future, as if she had conquered the world.

Zeng Mingzhu started causing trouble once she got too comfortable.

If we're talking about the person I hate the most, it's naturally Xu Zhichun.

If it weren't for Xu Zhichun, she wouldn't have ended up like that. Although fate had inadvertently shaped her into who she is today, the blows, pain, and humiliation she suffered back then were all real.

Now that she is full of ambition and power, and is so close to Xu Zhichun, wouldn't it be frustrating if she didn't take revenge and vent her anger?

Zeng Mingzhu needed to stay in the provincial capital and couldn't go back, so she carefully instructed Cuiyue to write a letter to her mother, Madam Zeng, and ask her to handle it.

She knew that her mother must hate Xu Zhichun just as much as she did.

Cuiyue secretly met with Madam Zeng and, as instructed by Zeng Mingzhu, told her that her eldest daughter had married into a wealthy family and was now living a very comfortable life. She couldn't say what kind of family it was yet, but she would naturally return in a grand manner to visit them in a few days.

She now seeks revenge on Xu Zhichun.

Mrs. Zeng was overjoyed to learn that her daughter was doing well and had a great opportunity, and readily agreed to help.

Thus, the young mistress of the Zeng family personally went to invite Xu Zhichun to the banquet.

Having completed her mission, Cuiyue didn't want to stay a moment longer. She casually answered all of Madam Zeng's various requests and instructions, and quickly left with her people.

Madam Zeng stood at the crossroads outside the city, gazing into the distance for a very long time before slowly returning home.

Mrs. Zeng felt inexplicably uneasy.

Especially when she learned that her mother-in-law was not at home and that she didn't know where she had gone.

Finally, her mother-in-law returned, and Madam Zeng hurriedly asked, "Mother, didn't we say we were hosting a banquet today? Why haven't any guests arrived yet?"

Madam Zeng instructed the eldest son's wife to find a way to invite Madam Xu, and that she would invite the other guests herself.

Mrs. Zeng was quite pleased at the time, thinking that her mother-in-law had finally come to her senses and wanted to be on good terms with Mrs. Xu. As long as Mrs. Xu was willing to come to their banquet, everyone could have a polite and friendly chat, which would show outsiders that the two families had reconciled, which would be very beneficial to the future of the Zeng family.

So she readily agreed and assured her mother-in-law that she would definitely invite Madam Xu over no matter what.

But why is it that after half a day, there's still no sound at the door?

Madam Zeng glanced at her and snorted lightly, "It's good that no guests have come. I thought about it later, and these are turbulent times, not suitable for holding a banquet, so I didn't send anyone to send invitations to the ladies and young ladies. What? Didn't I tell you?"

Mrs. Zeng was completely dumbfounded, her anger flaring up.

"No, you didn't tell me!"

Madam Zeng glanced at her daughter-in-law's expression—wanting to scold or complain but not daring to—and sneered, "Is that so? I guess I forgot."

"Mother!" "What? Even if I've forgotten, so what?"

"."

"How could you forget something like this? I... I've already invited Madam Xu, and she's agreed to come. At that time..."

"If she comes, just treat her well. She's a guest, and we can't let her be turned away. What does it matter if other people come or not? It's just a loss of some food and drinks. When did the Zeng family start to care about such things?"

The young master's wife choked and died of anger.

Madam Zeng sneered sarcastically, "But it's already this late, and we still haven't seen Madam Xu. Maybe she's just making empty promises and never really intended to come."

"You're making a big fuss over nothing!"

After speaking, Madam Zeng turned and left, leaving the eldest son's wife bewildered in the wind.

Even Mrs. Zeng herself was bewildered. Was Mrs. Xu really just making empty promises?

She gave a bitter smile. Even if Madam Xu was just being perfunctory, what right did she have to blame her?

Everyone is different now than before.
After noon, Madam Zeng completely lost hope. She felt somewhat depressed and resentful: If Madam Xu didn't want to come, she could have just said so. Even if she didn't say so directly, she could have just sent a servant to tell her. Why play tricks on her like this?

In Liangjia Village, Muxiang and Chunfen waited until dark, but Xu Zhichun and Granny Qin Qing did not return.

Mu Xiang panicked and rushed to find Liang Lizheng.

The Liang family was startled.

Zeng Xiaoyan was especially anxious when she heard that Xu Zhichun had gone to the Zeng family for a banquet. She stamped her feet and said, "There are no good people in the Zeng family. Sister-in-law Zhichun is just too kind and soft-hearted. Something must have happened to her! No, I have to go to the Zeng family to find them!"

Mu Xiang was almost in tears. "If it were just a banquet, Madam wouldn't be so late. I also feel that something must have happened. But Madam Xiao Yan, please don't go. If you upset your baby, Madam will be worried too."

The village head's wife and others also persuaded Zeng Xiaoyan not to go. Instead, they called Zeng Xiaojuan, and the five or six of them hurriedly rode in a mule cart to the city.

The city gates had already been closed, but fortunately, Mu Xiang was there. The name of Lady Shan Ci was very effective, and with Li Zheng present, the soldiers on duty, after consulting with their superiors, allowed them to enter the city.

The mule cart headed straight for the Zeng residence and banged on the door.

Half a day later, a servant asked through the door. Upon hearing that the second young lady had returned, the servant was startled and hurriedly went to relay the message to his master.

Madam Zeng knew exactly what was going on, and scolded him irritably, saying there was no need to pay attention.

"Xiao Juan is getting more and more outrageous. Isn't this terrifying in the middle of the night? Can't she wait until tomorrow to talk about it? What important thing could she possibly have to say? Ignore her and let them knock. I want to see how long they can keep knocking."

Master Zeng thought of Zeng Xiaoyan, who was pregnant, and secretly calculated that it seemed her due date was approaching. Could something have happened? Had Xiaojuan come to ask for help? Or was Xiaoyan finally remembering her parents and wanting to repent because she was dying?

In any case, we must meet people.

Madam Zeng couldn't stop them, and naturally she was worried about letting Master Zeng meet them alone, so she got up while complaining.

Master Zeng never expected that they would come looking for Xu Zhichun.
"Attending a banquet? What banquet? There is no banquet at our residence today."