Tanjia, Gu'anfang, Qiuzhaoyuan.

Xiang Yi was a little absent-minded today.

The maid asked her for instructions before setting the meal. It took her a long time to recover, and then she almost dropped the spoon in the bowl.

At this moment, Tan Ting stepped into the hall and saw her eyes lowered, not knowing what she was thinking.

Yang Zhen asked her to come and see the novelty. She agreed twice and turned around to go to Yang Zhen, but she didn't even see the maid bringing hot soup from behind.

The maid was startled when she suddenly turned around and walked over.

Fortunately, in the next breath, Tan Ting reached out and hugged her, only to miss the hot soup in the maid's hand.

Xiang Yi was held in his arms, and he was startled and quickly backed away. Only then did he realize that he had just lost his mind.

She was distracted just now, thinking about what happened today.

She thought that her sworn brother was hiding there and that no one from the government or Chen Fu could find him, so everything was safe. She never expected that the uncle would find him.

It's just that he seemed to have discovered it a long time ago, but never said anything until his sworn brother noticed it.

Xiang Yi felt at that time that in this situation, even if he did not divorce his wife, he would definitely let her leave the Tan family, and then find other excuses to end their marriage.

But just now...he said personally that he didn't blame her at all, and he had no intention of divorce or divorce.

Xiang Yi was confused for a while.

When she looked up, there was another man standing next to her. Xiang Yi's mind was filled with confusion. Under his gaze, he quickly bowed his head and thanked her, and avoided him.

She couldn't breathe in his arms and ran away as if she was frightened.

Tan Ting frowned silently and looked at his wife for a while, then sighed.

During the meal, she had to get up and take care of everyone.

Tan Ting was afraid that she would be distracted and make a mistake again, and wanted her to sit down and take care of herself while eating, but before he could speak, Mrs. Zhao saw it first and called her.

"I see that your face doesn't look good. Are you tired? Sit down and have a rest and ask Nanny Wu to come and take care of you."

Since Xiang Yi returned to her parents' home last time, Mrs. Zhao felt that she couldn't do it without her, especially herself. As we get older, we are really exhausted.

Seeing that her expression was not very good, Zhao was more anxious than anyone else and quickly asked her to sit down and rest.

Xiang Yi paused and turned to look at the old man again.

He also nodded and motioned for her to come back and sit next to him.

It's just that Xiang Yi got up because he didn't want to get too close to him...

The dinner in Qiu Zhaoyuan just started.

Tan Ting saw that although his wife was not as distracted as before, she was not as relaxed as usual.

She just lowered her head and took small bites of the rice in the bowl. It took a while before she thought of picking up some food with chopsticks.

Under such circumstances, Tan Ting simply put her food into the bowl for her.

But she seemed to be frightened by him again. She was stunned for a few breaths. She didn't feel like eating, but she started to serve him food again.

He picked up a few chopsticks, and she returned them with lowered eyes and one more chopstick.

Tan Ting looked at it without any joy. Instead, he pursed his lips and frowned.

On the other hand, Nanny Wu, who was waiting nearby, laughed softly.

"The uncle picks up the dishes for the madam, and the wife also helps the uncle lay the dishes. How can you two eat easily if you only care about each other? It's better for me, old slave." When

Mother Wu said this, they both stopped . .

Tan Jian snickered and blinked quickly.

Yang Zhen didn't notice anything strange, but was reminded. She picked up a meaty bone from the plate and gave it to Tan Jian.

Tan Rong has been depressed these days. She only glanced at them and said nothing.

However, Mrs. Zhao's eyes were filled with joy, "This is how it should be."

Compared to everyone's joy, Tan Ting did not feel this way.

He couldn't help but think of the meal before.

At that time, their husband and wife had been going back and forth, and he thought that things were gradually getting better between them. But now it seems that she is probably extremely uncomfortable with his changes. Instead, she feels that being cold to each other and living their own lives is what she wants. A accustomed day.

Tan Ting looked at his wife's lowered eyes, but couldn't see the subtle emotions in them, so he could only sigh in his heart.

He didn't dare to make any more unnecessary actions to make her uneasy, so he could only take back the chopsticks in a muffled voice.

Sure enough, when he stopped making any movements, she seemed to relax, and she was able to say a few words to Nanny Wu.

Tan Ting felt depressed and did not dare to get too close to her after eating. He followed her back to the main courtyard, not too far behind.

...

Xiang Yi returned to the main courtyard room. When he entered the room, he saw that all the boxes and cages were gone, and everything was restored to its original appearance.

She was ready to leave, but she stayed like this.

She sat helplessly in the room, like a deer wandering in the forest in the mist at night, silent and helpless.

Tan Ting saw her like this when he came in, and when she saw him, she stood up immediately.

Tan Ting looked at the tension hidden in her eyes, sighed again, thought about it, and whispered to her.

"I have something to do today, so I will stay in the study in the outer courtyard."

Upon hearing that he would not stay tonight, she immediately nodded to him and even asked him a thoughtful question.

"I don't know if there is anything missing in the study in the outer courtyard. I just ask Zhengji to come and get it."

Tan Ting looked at his wife.

Did she want to give away all his bedding?

Tan Ting didn't ask or get the answer from her, but he already knew the answer.

He muttered that there was nothing needed, nodded to her and went out.

At night, the Tan family's clan house in Gu'anfang was as quiet as usual.

But the eldest son Tan Ting's heart was filled with waves.

In the past, he had done something bad and treated her coldly, so she reacted like this.

But from the time he left the capital to go home and the New Year had passed, there were not many days left before he could return to the capital.

Thinking of this, Tan Ting took a deep breath.

If he was like before and left her alone, then the couple would never get together again.

I just don't know if she is willing to follow him to Beijing.

...

Qiuzhao Garden.

As soon as the people dispersed, Nanny Wu came to Mrs. Zhao with tea.

"I'm afraid something happy is about to happen, old lady."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Zhao couldn't help but understand what Aunt Wu meant, and she also laughed.

"Hey, I used to see the couple as cold as outsiders. Even though I'm not a serious mother-in-law, I'm worried about them. Now I'm finally fine."

Aunt Wu said repeatedly, "Madam's face looks different from usual, old slave. Look, there should be happy things together. In this way, when the uncle leaves home in the spring, the wife can stay as usual."

These words really touched Zhao's heart.

Mrs. Zhao didn't think anything was wrong in the past, but since Xiang Yi returned to her parents' home and the middle child fell on her again, he realized that he couldn't do it without Xiang Yi.

"I underestimated Xiang Yi in the past. I only hoped that she would get pregnant soon and stay at home."

Aunt Wu continued, "Old Madam will definitely get what she wants."

That's what she said, but This is just their guess, even if they pray in front of the Bodhisattva, there is no certainty.

Mrs. Zhao thought for a while and gave orders to Nanny Wu.

"Go find a medicated diet recipe and prescribe some medicated diet to aid pregnancy."

Using fertility drugs directly, Ms. Zhao was afraid that she would push her son and wife too hard, which would make it difficult for her to get pregnant, but the medicated diet recipe was different, silently Then there will be happy events in the land.

By then, Xiang Yi will be able to stay.

...

In the main courtyard, Xiang Yi tossed and turned alone all night.

She couldn't figure out why the Tan family man had such a reaction, and this issue was very important to her.

The next day, after finishing various matters in the flower hall, she called Qiao Yun.

"Let's go to the outer courtyard."

Qiao Yun was surprised, "What are you doing in the outer courtyard, madam?"

There was no one in the outer courtyard of the mansion. Since the second master got married, he also moved back to the inner courtyard.

Madam can't just go looking for the uncle.

Madam has never been to the uncle's study in the outer courtyard.

As soon as her thoughts fell, Qiao Yun was surprised to hear her wife say.

"Go to the uncle's study."

Xiang Yi couldn't figure out why the uncle was acting like this. Instead of being uneasy, it would be better to ask him.

...

the study room in the outer courtyard.

Tan Ting flipped through the documents that had just been delivered to him.

After the new year, the selection of officials from the Ministry of Civil Affairs has already begun. Just by looking at the official transcripts, we can see that as long as officials from various aristocratic families don't do any random things, most of them will be promoted. However, most officials from poor families are lingering around or even missing.

What is even more worrying is that even among the officials who have passed the imperial examination, there are fewer and fewer students from poor families. In the past few decades, there were not such a number.

If you don't think about it carefully, you won't feel it. Now that you think about it carefully, it is really disturbing.

He took out all the previous documents and was about to take a closer look when Zhengji came over and answered him.

"Uncle, the head of Liuyang Village brought someone here to see the uncle."

Tan Ting was surprised.

After he had promised to rent the land to the people of Liuyang Village, Liuyang Village did come to the door, and the Tan family had no intention of breaking their promise. Even Zhang Bingyong, who was at war with them at the time, took over his own land.

Although the Tan family was quite vocal about this, with the Zong family at the top, no one said more.

Why did the people from Liuyang Village come to the door now?

Tan Ting asked Zhengji to invite people over.

This time it was Lao Li Chang, Zhang Bingyong and a few unfamiliar villagers who came.

They had never been to the Tan family before. When they came to Datian before, they were frightened when they saw the Tan family's atmosphere. Now they were even more surprised to see that the Tan family's eldest son invited them into the courtyard.

When the old man saw Tan Ting, he led his people to salute him.

Tan Ting quickly raised his hand to help the old man.

"What are you doing, old man?"

the old man said bluntly without any ambiguity.

"Master Tan is willing to pledge our land and give us money in advance. Not only that, he also pressures those evil people to stop farming at low prices. Not only Liuyang Village, but also several villages nearby, and even the entire Ningnan and Weiping areas. How can I not be grateful to you?"

He said that the weather had been very cold the past few days, and some farmers couldn't bear it and sold their fields.

But the prices of these transactions are the prices of normal years, and they are not the prices that have been depressed.

The old man said, "When these villagers heard that it was Master Tan's handiwork, they were all grateful and asked the old man to come to Tan's house to express his gratitude. If Master Tan had not taken action, how could we, the common people from poor families, have a good life? What?!"

He said this, and several unfamiliar villagers behind him came forward to thank Tan Ting.

Tan Ting quickly asked Zhengji to help everyone up. Only then did he realize that they were just here to say thank you.

...

Xiang Yi walked outside the study courtyard, hesitating for a while.

But why the Tan family uncle had such an attitude really troubled her and made her uneasy.

Xiang Yi arrived outside the study courtyard and was about to let someone go to report it, but the voices inside were carried by the wind.

It was actually Liu Yangzhuang's Lao Liang, Zhang Bingyong and others who came to express their thanks.

At this time, the boy guarding the door saw Xiang Yi and was surprised and stepped forward.

"Why are you here, madam? The uncle is waiting for guests inside. Madam, do you want me to go and report?"

Xiang Yi said calmly, "No need to disturb the uncle, we will talk about it later."

Seeing that she had no intention of leaving, the porter hurriedly He invited her to the shelter of the concierge to warm herself over the fire and serve tea.

Entering the courtyard, the sounds in the study could be heard even more.

At that moment, she heard the old village chief say a word of thanks, and then heard the old man speak.

"You don't have to be like this. It is the duty of the Tan family to take care of the neighbors. Besides, there are laws and regulations in the court. Farming at low prices is not tolerated by the laws and regulations. I am just reminding the government in accordance with the laws and regulations."

He That's quite modest.

As Xiang Yi listened, he couldn't help but think of the time at Liuyangzhuang, when he promised not to retaliate and reported on the desperate villagers when he returned, and also offered to advance the rent money for them to spend the winter.

In this thought, Xiang Yi was startled for a moment.

At that time, his behavior somewhat surprised her.

Just as her thoughts began to wander, the old man's voice came from the study again.

"Lord Tan, there is no need to be humble anymore! Although the aristocratic family has ancestral precepts and the government has official documents, how can anyone seriously act in accordance with the ancestral precepts and official documents these days? We ordinary people know very well what kind of faces the neighboring aristocratic families have. Mr. Tan is really different from them, and he sincerely gets along with us poor people as neighbors!"

The old village chief said it from the bottom of his heart.

When the words came to Xiang Yi, she couldn't help but feel her heart move, but at this moment, she inexplicably wanted to hear how the Tan family uncle would respond.

In the next breath, the man's voice came out with a faint smile.

"Even a century-old aristocratic clan started from the common people from a humble family. The original intention of being a aristocratic clan is to protect the blood relatives of the same surname and the same clan in all kinds of complicated and unpredictable situations. This is how the aristocratic clans unite together. Protect your children from being bullied by others, but you should not have the intention to bully others. Nowadays, the world is not good to the common people, and it is impossible for Tan to turn a blind eye.

"Tan also hopes that the two races will be as close as neighbors, each with a future. The blind dominance of the aristocratic family has left the common people in a poor family with no chance of success. "

This was the first time Xiang Yi heard such long words from Tan Ting.

But these words seemed to be spoken to her, and the things she couldn't understand seemed to be understood at once.

The reason why the Tan family uncle let his eldest brother go was because he understood the common people and the difficulties faced by people from poor families. He could look at the relationship between the common people and the common people from the perspective of the common people.

Then he treated her the same way, not because of anyone else, nor because of his own reasons, but because he understood the situation of the common people.

Xiang Yi understood the reason and breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as it's not because of her.

The relationship between her and him should not change too much.

...

In the study, the people of Liuyang Village said many words of thanks, but they did not dare to disturb him too much, and they said goodbye and left from time to time.

It was inconvenient for Xiang Yi to see them, so he didn't come out.

But since they left, Xiang Yi didn't need to ask the questions he originally wanted to ask the uncle.

She was just about to leave when she didn't expect the concierge's feet to be greased. He arrived in front of Zhengji in two steps and spoke.

study.

Masaki's feet came in in a panic, almost tripping over the threshold.

Tan Ting just took a sip of tea to moisten his throat, and when he saw him like this, he said, "Be careful, why are you in such a panic?"

Zhengji quickly replied.

"Uncle, Madam has been here for a long time!"

As soon as the words fell, even the steady man of the Tan family couldn't help but stand up.

But inexplicably, the scene of the wedding yesterday flashed through his mind. At that time, she packed all her things into boxes and was about to leave.

Tan Ting's heart sank, and he didn't care much for a while, and walked out of the door quickly.

Seeing this, Xiang Yi could only walk to the courtyard.

At that moment, Tan Ting's heart dropped when he saw that his wife was wearing her own daily clothes and came to his study.

He pressed the corners of his lips.

"Why are you here, madam?"

Xiang Yi had just waited for the answer she wanted, and it would be inappropriate to say it now.

But she just came to ask questions, and she was empty-handed, not even an excuse.

Under the man's gaze, she could only ask in a low voice.

"There was a strong wind last night. I wonder if it's cold outside in the courtyard..."

She had never asked him such a question before, so when she asked him now, she felt that she was making an embarrassing excuse.

However, when the words fell, Tan Ting was stunned.

The man couldn't help but open his eyes a little wider and looked at his wife in surprise.

Didn't she come to tell him that she was leaving?

But to care about him?

He was dazed.

Zhengji was secretly worried when he saw his uncle dazed.

This was Madam's first visit to the study room in the outer courtyard...

and Tan Ting was stunned for a long time before regaining consciousness. He subconsciously wanted her not to worry, he was not cold.

But as soon as the word "no" came out of his mouth, Zhengji suddenly realized something in his anxious eyes.

He paused for a moment, "The study is indeed... not very warm."

He said, looking at his wife quietly.

Having said this, Xiang Yi didn't know what to do. She couldn't say that it was better to go back to the main room to sleep to be warmer. Such words had unclear meaning.

She was about to whisper and ask someone to bring more charcoal basins.

I heard the old man speak, his tone a little uncertain.

"How about I go back to the main room today..."

Tan Ting was really unsure and went to see his wife quietly.

But I saw my wife lowered her head and whispered two words.

"That's okay."

That's okay.

The moment the words fell to the ground, the man's eyes suddenly lit up like bright lights.

Xiang Yi didn't see it, just thinking about what happened these days and his attitude.

Today he was willing to consider the common people, and she thanked him. If he changed his position another day, she would not force him.

After all, he and she are not the same person, so how far can he really help the common people?

Qingkan County Government.

Chen Fuyou returned without success again.

There is no one there. He has checked Qinghan eight times and there is no one there.

The Taoist priest seemed to evaporate out of thin air and disappeared without a trace.

But it was impossible for him to leave here. The prince's people were blocked by them in every possible way, but they still rushed here. And the Taoist priest still had accomplices, so they had to meet here. The Taoist priest could never leave first.

Then it must have been hidden.

"How could someone hide this person so tightly that even so many members of the Qingkan Tan clan didn't notice him?"

Chen Fu was puzzled.

When his hundreds of households heard this, they stepped forward.

"Qianhu, could it be that the Tan family hid the Taoist priest?"

Chen Fuyou was stunned for a moment when these words came out.

If the Tan family did not help him, but instead helped the Tibetans, then he would not be able to find it even if he searched through Qingkan a hundred times.

But the eldest son of the Tan family clearly agreed to help him after receiving the letter from the Lin family.

It was impossible for Chen Fu to question Tan Ting, but after thinking about it, he added.

"It doesn't matter if someone in the Tan family hides the Taoist priest. The Taoist priest is waiting for his accomplice to come, and that accomplice..."

Chen Fuyou said and sneered.

"The comrade, Tan Ting, the eldest son of the Tan family, will definitely not protect him if he knows who he is. He hates this person for harming his father before it's too late, so how can he still protect him?"

When the words fell, Chen Fuyou slowly came out. Take a breath.

"At that time, these people will be arrested together."

Tan Ting, like him, is from a wealthy family, and there are old grievances, how can he protect the common people again?