I started out with seven husbands, and I worked hard to support my family while crying.

Chapter 139: Is My Wife Alright?

Zhang Xuzi had an aloof and superior demeanor, although his clothing and behavior gave people a sense of otherworldly elegance.

But his deep eyes, as they swept over the crowd, revealed an air of superiority.

Fang Xiaoxiao saw everything.

She hates these hypocritical people the most, especially since they're quite old.

Ignoring the flattery of those around him, Zhang Xuzi walked straight to Pei Zuo.

"Your Highness, I am feeling slightly unwell and cannot bow to you. I hope Your Highness will not blame me."

The old man spoke very humbly, but his eyes showed absolutely no respect for the person in front of him.

However, Pei Zuo was already used to his teacher's manner and naturally had no complaints about him.

He simply smiled, appeared extremely respectful, and spoke softly.

"Teachers don't need to worry about these formalities. If we're talking about bowing, it should be the students bowing to the teachers, not the teachers bowing to the students."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xuzi's lips curled into a barely perceptible smug smile.

He never intended to bow to the other party from beginning to end, and what he said just now was merely a pretense.

"Good, good, good. You are indeed a student I have taught. You are a good child who respects teachers."

He greatly admired Pei Zuo before him. Compared to the previous Crown Prince Pei Yan, this obedient student was his favorite.

Could it be Pei Yan? He's utterly disgraced him.

Thinking of that disobedient student, Zhang Xuzi was filled with displeasure. Fortunately, the final result was not too bad. It was just a pity that Pei Yan did not die.

Pei Zuo quickly winked at the stunned Zhu Wen, signaling him to have someone arrange chairs.

Zhu Wen was a shrewd man, and he knew exactly what the other party was thinking. He quickly moved a grand chair to the stage himself.

"Zhang Rusheng, please sit down quickly, don't tire yourself out."

Zhang Xuzi was very satisfied with his actions and nodded slowly.

"Manager Zhu, you're being too polite. How could I trouble you to move the chair yourself and bring it to my side? It's really beneath your dignity!"

He looked around at everyone present and then continued.

"Look at everyone here, they are all prominent figures in Jiangnan Province. Manager Zhu, aren't you making yourselves a laughingstock?"

As soon as these words came out.

Everyone present wore an awkward smile.

They fully understood the meaning behind the Confucian sage's words.

On the surface, it was an act of standing up for Zhu Wen, but in reality, it was a subtle warning to everyone to know what was good for them. Even Zhu Wen bowed and scraped, so they, the people of Jiangnan Province, should be even more obsequious.

The officials and wealthy businessmen hurriedly shook their heads and said no, no.

Just as Fang Xiaoxiao was about to leave, she saw two men dressed in fine clothes, with long swords at their waists and serious expressions, stop them.

"Halt! No one may leave this place without the Sage of Confucianism's permission, or they will be killed without mercy!"

"!!!"

"Holy crap, what the hell is going on? What kind of Confucian sage is this? I can just leave whenever I want. I don't believe he would actually dare to kill someone in front of a prince."

Fang Xiaoxiao was filled with resentment and was about to step forward.

To everyone's surprise, the two men drew their long swords without saying a word.

"bass!"

Two gleaming longswords were laid out horizontally in front of him.

To say you're not afraid is nonsense.

As a frail woman, Fang Xiaoxiao was almost so frightened by the sudden appearance of the two long swords that she fell to the ground.

Fortunately, Zhou Wenjian reacted quickly and grabbed her shoulder, asking her with concern.

"Is my wife alright?"

He could only comfort his wife; he couldn't confront or clash with the two people in front of him.

Judging from their attire and the tokens at their waists, it was clear that the two were palace guards.

He recognized these guards; they were all former members of the Imperial Guard and served as protectors of the imperial family.

The Imperial Guards were highly skilled and could act first and report later. No matter how high an official you were, if they were on a mission, anyone who tried to stop them would be punished for treason.

At this moment, Pei Zuo on the stage coldly rebuked.

"How dare you! Who gave you permission to draw your swords? Don't you know that Lady Fang is my future concubine?"

"Gah!!"

what's the situation!

Zhang Xuzi looked at the person beside him with disbelief.

Seeing his teacher's expression, Pei Zuo softened his sharp look and smiled respectfully.

“Teacher, Fang Xiaoxiao is my chosen concubine. I hope you will not take offense. She has lived in a small county town since she was a child and does not know the rules.”

"Oh, I see. You silly child, how could you not tell your teacher if you were a concubine? It's like the flood washed away the Dragon King's temple, and family members are fighting each other!"

"I'm sorry, teacher. It was my fault. I hope you won't be angry."

"Hahaha, what nonsense are you talking about? How could your teacher be such a petty person?"

Zhang Xuzi chuckled, appearing very kind and amiable.

But no one could see that a hint of coldness flashed across his face.

Seeing his teacher's magnanimity, Pei Zuo finally felt relieved.

He knew that his teacher, who seemed generous and kind, was actually petty and vindictive.

If it weren't for his father's insistence that he obey the other party's arrangements, he probably would have wanted to distance himself from them long ago.

In fact, Pei Yan's rebellion was not his own idea; it was all due to the demands of his teacher and mother.

As a prince, he was not very favored by his father, the emperor, in the palace.

After all, he was only born to a concubine, while Pei Yan was the legitimate son of the Empress. It was just a pity that the Empress died after giving birth to Pei Yan.

But in the Emperor's eyes, Pei Yan was far more important than the other six princes.

Then one day, his mother and teacher came up with a plan to frame and slander Pei Yan. When he found out, he wanted to refuse, but in the end he was still dragged into it.

Pei Zuo recalled the past, and inevitably felt some pain in his heart.

Zhang Xuzi, who was standing next to him, offered a reminder.

"Your Highness, what are you thinking about? Why do you look so bitter? Are you thinking about something unpleasant from the past? Should we tell your teacher?"

"Teacher, although I'm not exactly a great person, I can still analyze the situation for you and give you some constructive advice!"

Pei Yan quickly shook his head in response.

"It's nothing, it's just that thinking about the pain that Madam Fang has experienced in the past, I can't help but feel a little emotional."

"I see. I am unaware of his past experiences, so I cannot say anything more on your behalf."

Zhang Xuzi's forced smile was more genuine than his return.

The old man and the young man appeared to be teacher and student, treating each other with great respect.

In reality, both of them harbored ulterior motives and were wary of each other.

Fang Xiaoxiao looked at the two guards blocking her way and had no choice but to turn her gaze to Pei Zuo on the stage.

"Your Highness, I have an urgent matter to attend to. Could you please let us go back?"

"This~~~"

Although Pei Zuo was a prince, he did not have the authority to release people.

He could only turn to look at the teacher, hoping that the other person would nod in agreement.