“I have indeed heard some things.”

“However, those who are pure will remain pure, and those who are tainted will remain tainted. What does it matter what these people say? As long as I know in my heart that the Hou family has shown great kindness to our mother and son, that is enough.”

“Moreover, as a widow, it is not appropriate for me to step forward and speak about such things.”

Madam Zhen’s delicate and fragile demeanor instantly ignited Bai Ruzhu’s anger.

The Hou family had gone to great lengths for these three individuals.

They had first arranged for a shop, but since Madam Zhen was not good at managing it, she quickly sold it.

Later, she bought a small courtyard in the capital, which cost over two thousand taels of silver—just for a small courtyard.

Since then, she was provided with all sorts of delicacies and luxury, never once being neglected, living even more comfortably than the head of an ordinary household.

But Madam Zhen, after selling the courtyard, took her children to stay at the capital’s largest Yuelai Inn, even renting a waiting room.

Wasn’t this deliberately drawing attention, provoking questions, and creating a big stir so that it would eventually reach the Hou family and force them to buy another courtyard?

Taking care of Zhen and her orphaned family wasn’t enough; did the Hou family also have to take on her brother’s family?

This was simply unreasonable!

Bai Ruzhu was furious, yet helpless.

Once Madam Zhen had initiated this, it was clear she would suffer losses.

If they confronted her, the rumors would only escalate, and that would not benefit the Hou family.

Li Zhiyue spoke: “If Zhen Aunty is not in a position to speak up, perhaps Zhen Gongzi could. He is a scholar and should be able to clear things up.”

Madam Zhen pursed her lips.

This matter had originally been spread by her nephew, so how could he be the one to clear it up for the Hou family?

Unless the Hou family bought another courtyard or allowed them to live in the Hou residence, there was nothing to discuss.

She sighed, saying: “Heng’er has just entered Yanshan Academy and needs to catch up with his teacher. He’s very busy and doesn’t have time to deal with these matters. I believe the Hou family won’t be so difficult with us, will they?”

Li Zhiyue smiled: “Of course not. I’ll trouble Madam Zhen to make this trip. Li Bo, please see Zhen Aunty back.”

Li Butler stepped forward, respectfully escorting Madam Zhen out.

Madam Zhen was in no hurry.

As long as she stayed at the Yuelai Inn, eating porridge with her two children in the lobby during meal times, there would naturally be people who sympathized with her and the matter would escalate.

She was confident the Hou family would eventually compromise.

She would just wait and see.

Bai Ruzhu pinched her brow: “Although our Hou family owes her a life-saving grace, she should not be acting like this. How could she do this?”

“Don’t worry, madam.” Li Suifeng, who had been standing behind the screen to avoid suspicion, came out and comforted her. “Worst case, we’ll just be reprimanded by the Censorate. I have thick skin, so I’m not afraid of being scolded.”

Li Zhiyue furrowed her brow: “Father, arrange for someone to investigate why Zhen Heng suddenly entered Yanshan Academy, and where the two thousand taels from Zhen Aunty’s sale of the courtyard went!”

Li Suifeng nodded: “Does Madam have a plan?”

Li Zhiyue indeed had a plan.

Since this matter had first spread from the teahouse, she would start by clearing things up there.

When Li’s Teahouse first opened, there had been a storytelling platform on the first floor, but since few people listened to the stories, it had been abandoned.

Since storytelling was unpopular, what if they tried something else, like opera?

Using opera to clarify the matter for the Hou family would reach an even wider audience, and could also help the Hou family attract new customers.

Li Zhiyue spoke: “Mother, you enjoy opera. Have you considered buying a troupe?”

Bai Ruzhu didn’t quite understand how the conversation had shifted to buying an opera troupe.

She replied: “I like listening to different troupes performing different kinds of plays. One day I’ll listen to this one, and a few days later, that one. If I buy a troupe to perform every day, just thinking about it makes me feel bored. What are you saying, Yue Niang?”

“Find a troupe with a solid foundation and buy them.” Li Zhiyue smiled. “The sooner, the better. We can’t delay.”

Bai Ruzhu quickly nodded: “I have connections for this. Leave it to me. I can arrange it by tonight.”

While her parents went about their tasks, Li Zhiyue was busy writing a script.

The script was about the Hou family and the Lu family.

By evening, the script was finally finished.

Bai Ruzhu returned, smiling: “Yue Niang, the troupe has been bought. Knowing that you’re handling something important, I specifically chose the largest troupe in the capital. They perform particularly well, especially in tragic plays. Every time I listen, I end up crying.”

Li Zhiyue’s eyelid twitched: “How much silver?”

“Not expensive.” Bai Ruzhu held up four fingers. “Only four thousand taels. They have forty-three people, plus all their staff, and they’re all moving into the Hou residence.”

Li Zhiyue: “…”

Goodness, four thousand taels wasn’t expensive?

The teahouse has been making money every day, but they haven’t even earned that much!

And buying such a large troupe?

Could the Hou family even afford to support them?

But since it had already been bought…

Well, if they managed it well, maybe they could recoup the money.

Just as Li Zhiyue was preparing to meet the troupe, Li Suifeng came back, took a sip of water, and said: “I specifically asked a few colleagues to help gather information. Madam Zhen’s nephew indeed caught the attention of the Yanshan Academy’s teachers and was promoted on special merit. The servant in charge said Madam Zhen’s courtyard sold for two thousand six hundred taels, which was given directly to Zhen’s brother and his wife. They didn’t find out where the money went, but it’s probably still in their hands.”

Li Zhiyue furrowed her brows.

Even if it were for studying, there was no need to spend so much money.

Something didn’t add up.

She spoke: “Father, we need to investigate further.”

Li Suifeng scratched the back of his head, looking quite guilty: “Yue Niang, I’ve already used all my connections to find out this much…”

In other words, he had no ability to uncover more.

Li Zhiyue sighed: “Tomorrow morning, I’ll go to the Zhen family’s house. I should be able to gather more information.”

As she left her courtyard, Bai Ruzhu scolded her husband severely: “You’re a grown man, and you can’t even gather this bit of information! You’re the Marquis, but you’re just a in name, you’re actually nothing. How did I end up marrying you…”

“Ah, Madam, don’t be angry.” Li Suifeng could only softly comfort her. “Don’t worry. Tomorrow, I’ll go with Yue Niang. Nothing will go wrong.”

The next morning, just as they were about to leave, the door servant came to report.

“Lord Cheng has arrived and says he’s here to visit.”

Li Zhiyue touched her neck.

The wound had long since healed, and there was no trace left.

What was he visiting for?

But since he had come with good intentions, she couldn’t turn him away.

She smiled: “Please invite Lord Cheng to the front yard.”

As a woman, it was inappropriate for her to meet a man alone, so she went with Li Suifeng.

On the way, Li Suifeng whispered: “Yue Niang, Lord Cheng has always been cold and distant, not close to any noble families in the court. For him to come to our residence to visit, he’s not… cough, is he?”

Li Zhiyue frowned: “Father, if you have something to say, just say it.”

“Well, cough!” Li Suifeng was a bit embarrassed to speak, “Your mother was the most beautiful woman in the capital when she was young. Even though the Bai family’s status was low, many aristocratic families still sought to marry her. You’ve perfectly inherited her beauty. It’s only natural that Lord Cheng would fall for you at first sight.”

Li Zhiyue: “…”