Quick Wear: Everyone knows I am a good person

Chapter 1291 The Divorced Merchant's Daughter 13

What are they talking about?!

Zhang Zizhao was genuinely puzzled and felt uneasy because of the attitude of his colleagues.

But soon, he stopped being bothered.

He flew into a rage.

Rest day.

The Ding residence.

Zhang Zizhao sat in his study, opposite his good father-in-law, Ding You.

Ding You's face was quite grim. He sat in his chair, staring intently at Zhang Zizhao. "Are you aware of the rumors circulating in the capital?"

gossip?

What rumor?

Zhang Zizhao looked at Ding You with some confusion, "Father?"

"It seems you don't know yet."

Ding You narrowed his eyes slightly. "Then let me tell you. Recently, some people have said that in order to climb the social ladder, you demoted your wife to a concubine. And just in case, you even cruelly murdered your parents, wife, and daughter back in your hometown."

"I'm only asking you this: did you do it or not?"

Zhang Zizhao:? ! !

Injustice!

Your Honor, I'm innocent! Dou E is innocent!

"father!"

Zhang Zizhao, looking aggrieved and incredulous, retorted, "How could I do such a thing? No matter how ruthless I am, I would never kill my own father!"

Of course~

He wouldn't kill his parents, but as for his wife and daughters, it would be better if they died. Even if they survived and were brought into the mansion to be cared for, they wouldn't live long.

"You really didn't do it?"

Ding You pressed for an answer again, this time with a serious expression.

"I swear, I really didn't!"

Zhang Zizhao raised his hands, "If I ever commit such evil deeds, I will surely be struck by lightning!"

Thus, the doubt in Ding You's eyes gradually faded, but his expression was still not good. "But now, the whole capital is talking about this."

Are we to expect Zhang Zizhao to go around explaining that he never did that?

What's the difference between that and confirming a rumor?

But if this is not dealt with, even if the regent does not seize this opportunity to expose Zhang Zizhao, what future will he have with such a reputation?

"Father, who did this?"

Zhang Zizhao asked in a deep voice.

He now understands why his colleagues look at him so strangely.

But he was truly innocent!

He lost his parents overnight, and Ding You stopped him from returning home for their funerals. He was already deeply grieving, and yet someone still wronged him like this!

Just let him say it!

He told him to go back for the funeral. You see, staying here only brings trouble.

"Is it Xu Yang or..."

Zhang Zizhao guessed all of his political enemies.

"do not know."

As he spoke, Ding You couldn't help but sigh softly, "I've already had someone investigate, but there are no results yet. What you need to be wary of right now is the Regent using this as an excuse to make you reflect on your actions behind closed doors."

"It will be difficult for you to come back then."

Didn't he know that Zhang Zizhao wanted to go back for the funeral?

but!

What time is it now?

The regent is now pressing hard and refusing to relinquish power, while the young emperor is in dire need of capable men.

In this officialdom, every position is crucial. Once Zhang Zizhao leaves, even with his support, it will be very difficult for him to return to the center of power.

Zhang Zizhao naturally understood this as well.

After a long pause, he sighed softly, "Then I'll trouble Father to find out who's behind this as soon as possible."

"father,"

Zhang Zizhao pursed his lips, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping himself.

When Ding You looked at him, he shook his head slightly, "It's nothing."

He then chatted with Ding You as usual, drank a cup of tea, played two games of chess, and as soon as he returned to his residence, he went straight to his study, where a series of loud noises immediately followed.

I smashed several hundred taels of silver, and I felt much better.

He put on a smiling face and went to coax his wife and young daughter, and naturally, his wife paid for the money.

The next day.

After learning the truth, when he went to the yamen again and met the eyes of his colleagues, he felt extremely uncomfortable and even couldn't force a smile.

The person sat there gloomily, not wanting to look up.

"Tsk~"

"Oh~"

Even the slightest noise, even just a colleague complaining about being too busy with official duties, would subconsciously make him think—

They're badmouthing him behind his back again.

bother.

Super annoying.

He was in a state of extreme anxiety, which made Zhang Zizhao resistant and repulsed by everyone.

My colleagues aren't stupid either.

Judging from his current state, just one look in his eyes—

What did they say again?

This photo of Zhang Zizhao is just not good!

They used to put on a good act, but now... look at them, look at them! What kind of attitude is this?!

The subtle and disdainful attitude of his colleagues, along with the increasingly widespread rumors, made Zhang Zizhao more and more sensitive and internally conflicted.

Both sides were caught in a vicious cycle.

Meanwhile, Shu Jiao was smiling as she flipped through the detailed information of Rong Jing, the "new father" personally chosen by Shu Xi.

Rong Jing, aged 20, was a Xiucai (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations).

Logically speaking, he should have been married by now at his age.

Unfortunately, his life was full of twists and turns.

He lost his mother at the age of fifteen and observed a three-year mourning period. He lost his father at the age of seventeen and observed another three-year mourning period.

(The mourning period in ancient times was generally 27 months.)

During this period, he could neither marry and have children, nor participate in scientific expeditions, nor even eat meat or drink alcohol, nor attend banquets, watch operas, or visit relatives and friends.

awful.

It's too awful.

Over the years, she truly became "thinner than a yellow flower."

With nothing else to do but read and write every day, that gentle and refined temperament naturally developed.

It was only three months ago that Rong Jing finished his mourning period.

Shu Jiao looked at the information for a long time, thought for two seconds, and then visited the house with the "bride price". She also brought Ming Yanning along, saying that she was more familiar with the customs of Daxing.

What rules?

Do you follow the rules for men?

Ming Yanning was completely numb and followed Shu Jiao into the Rong family's house in a daze.

"You are?"

When Rong Jing heard the knocking, he assumed it was a friend. However, when he opened the door, he was surprised to find several unfamiliar women standing there.

He bowed slightly before asking the question.

"Young Master Rong, let's go inside and talk."

Shu Jiao slightly raised her chin.

Rong Jing: ?

"This...this is inappropriate, ladies..."

Before Rong Jing could finish speaking, Shu Xin pulled him away, and Shu Jiao followed him inside.

Only Rong Jing and Ming Yanning, two scholars, remained, standing at the doorway, looking at each other in bewilderment.

Thinking of Shu Jiao's purpose, Ming Yanning looked at Rong Jing with a strange expression. "Young Master Rong, please come in. It's really impolite to talk standing at the door."

Rong Jing fell silent.

Turning his head to look inside, he saw Shu Jiao and Shu Xin in his house, both of them looking more and more at ease.

Never mind, let's go in.

Before he could even go inside, he saw several people following behind him, carrying boxes and smiling as they went in.

Rong Jing was completely bewildered.

After turning around and going inside, he sat down on a stone chair in the courtyard. "Ladies, what brings you to my home?"

With a gentle wave of her hand, Shu Jiao prompted Shu Xin to quickly open the box.

"Wow!"

A patch of gold, red, purple, blue, and white light.

Gold, silver, rubies, sapphires... the interplay of various colors of light dazzled Rong Jing's eyes.

This is incredibly luxurious!

Rong Jing almost stood up, but he had to pinch his thigh hard to keep himself in place.

"What's this, girl?"

For him?

That's not because he looks down on himself.

As an elderly scholar who has observed mourning for his parents twice, he is truly unworthy of such high-level treatment.

but……

Rong Jing couldn't resist and kept glancing at the box.