Chapter 207 The New Year

Chapter 207 The New Year

Jiang Yuan smiled slightly. "The young master said that the Lady of the Marquis wrote a letter to him and the young master's wife, and half of the letter was devoted to praising you."

Xie Wanniang: ? ? ?

Jiang Yuan's smile gradually widened. "Congratulations, Wan Niang. Now that you've gained the favor of the Marquis's wife, even if your background is exposed, you no longer need to worry about being forcibly taken away by the Prince's mansion."

Hearing this, Xie Wanniang shook her head. "Distant water can't quench immediate thirst. My personal safety is ultimately in my own hands."

No matter how much the Lady Hou appreciated her, she couldn't possibly send an army to be stationed near her house for a long time; she still had to spend her own money to hire and train guards.

Besides, who says that family will definitely give her a brighter future?

Informing her from a superior position, as if bestowing a handout, or threatening her with the power and status of the royal palace, was considered a sign of respect and deference from Yuan Zhuo and her son. If she "didn't know what was good for her," they would definitely resort to force against her, just like Yuan Zhuo's current princess.

This is why Xie Wanniang was so annoyed by Xie Jingshu's straightforward admission of her true parentage.

The best way to resolve this matter is for Xie Jingshu to deny it to the end, and when the Yuan family keeps pestering her, to fabricate a convincing story to prove that she has no relationship with Yuan Zhuo at all.

Since she looks very much like the Xie family and has not inherited any of Yuan Zhuo's physical characteristics, as long as Xie Jingshu insists on denying it, there is a high chance that Yuan Zhuo and his mother will abandon her.

She could have easily said that Xie Wanniang was found by her brother on the way to pick her up, or that Xie Wanniang was entrusted to her brother by her sister who had died during the war. But instead, she spilled the beans and handed the evidence to Yuan Zhuo herself.

In Xie Wanniang's previous life, there was a saying: "I'm not afraid of god-like opponents, but I'm afraid of pig-like teammates." In Xie Wanniang's eyes, Xie Jingshu was her pig-like teammate.

Of course, it's pointless to complain now that Xie Jingshu has exposed her past. What she needs to do now is to clean up this mess that could threaten her personal safety, freedom, and dignity through her own efforts.

With an extremely serious expression and eyes, she solemnly emphasized to Jiang Yuan, "Mountains may crumble, and people may run away. We cannot entrust our personal fate to any other person."

Even if the other party doesn't mind helping them, who can guarantee that they will always arrive on time?

Seeing her like this, Jiang Yuan also stopped smiling.

After a moment of contemplation, he slowly nodded to Xie Wanniang, "Alright, I underestimated things."

Xie Wanniang hugged his arm. "I understand that you also hope I can live an easier life, but I'm sorry, I will never let my guard down until this matter is completely resolved."

Fearing that Jiang Yuan would worry, she added with a smile, "But I won't let this affect my daily life. You see, I've been living quite happily all these years."

Jiang Yuan thought about it and it made sense. This girl was hardworking, but she never let herself live in constant anxiety. She even enjoyed the fulfillment and excitement of facing crises head-on and doing her best to solve them.

***

On the third day after Jiang Yuan returned, all the things to reward the garrisoned soldiers were prepared and taken away, and Xie Wanniang gave all the people in her two shops a holiday.

Of course, year-end red envelopes, holiday gifts, and regular dinners are indispensable.

Because she mostly hired disabled soldiers and their families, most of whom were considered a burden by their relatives and clansmen, they were either alone or had already brought their families who were willing to share their joys and sorrows with them.

Therefore, even during the Spring Festival, they would not return to their hometown with large bags and small packages, but instead chose to stay in Yi County, in the place Xie Wanniang had assigned them, and celebrate the Spring Festival with their relatives.

As for the restaurant, it was fine. After Xie Wanniang and the others moved out, the two courtyards were more than enough for her to accommodate all the restaurant's employees.

The situation was more complicated for the clothing shops. Because they needed a large space to make and store clothes and shoes, the front and back yards of those shops, apart from two rooms specifically set aside for the night watchmen, were basically converted into either warehouses or work areas.

To accommodate the people who came to work for her with their families, Xie Wanniang had already rented two two-courtyard houses very close to the clothing shop at the beginning of the business.

Working under the same employer, everyone often heard Xie Wanniang emphasize the importance of unity and cooperation. Because they cherished this exceptionally well-paid job, everyone followed Xie Wanniang's words as golden rules. Therefore, even though several families lived together in a two-courtyard house, they all tried their best to be as harmonious as possible with each other.

Everyone treats each other with respect, which feels much more comfortable and relaxed than when I'm with relatives and clansmen in the village who lack a sense of boundaries.

Therefore, those who have been heartbroken by their relatives and clansmen are increasingly unwilling to spend money, effort, and time to return to their hometowns.

Even those few young men who were all alone didn't want to go home. They just wanted to get together, have a simple New Year's Eve dinner, and happily ring in the new year with their friends.

Xie Wanniang did not express any opinion on this; she never liked to meddle in matters that were none of her business.

Do not advise others to be kind if you have not experienced their suffering. Whether others are magnanimous and forgiving or hold a grudge is something they should weigh and decide for themselves.

With Jiang Yuan by her side, Xie Wanniang had a lively and warm New Year. Although Jiang Yuan returned to Zijingguan with a carload of liquor on the sixth day after the New Year, Xie Wanniang still felt that she had a very happy New Year.

With a smile on her face, Xie Wanniang saw Jiang Yuan off and patted Haitang and Xiaoyang, who were cautiously watching her expression, "Alright, stop sneaking around and peeking at me, I'm perfectly fine."

Standing next to her brother, Xiao Mei, who was also carefully observing Xie Wan Niang's expression, shrank back a little guiltily upon hearing this.

Atai looked at her with amusement. "Sister Xie, shouldn't we get busy too?"

Xie Wanniang nodded, "That's right, we should get busy too."

She took out the last remaining gold leaf, and then the silver that the managers and accountants of her two shops had handed over to her when they closed their accounts at the end of the year. Xie Wanniang found the broker she had worked with before and asked him to help her find a shop.

It's time for her to open her herbal medicine shop!