Chapter 232 Witness Hao Yu

Chapter 232 Witness Hao Yu

When inquiring about Jiang Yuan, the people Jiang Tong sent also inquired about all of Jiang Yuan's close associates.

Therefore, the group of people he sent to act all knew Wang Xiaozhi, Chen Zhao, Chen Lizheng, Xie Wanniang, and Hao Yu.

However, their so-called understanding is really just about labeling everyone.

For example, Chen Lizheng is "an old country man who loves to take advantage of small things", Wang Xiaozhi and Chen Zhao are "ordinary farmers, nothing special", Xie Wanniang is "an orphan girl of unknown origin who is restless", and Hao Yu is "a relative of his aunt's family who runs a martial arts school and has one useless hand".

In short, none of these people are respectable enough to warrant any respect.

It was precisely because they had a preconceived contempt for Jiang Yuan and the people around him that they were so arrogant in Mingfu Village. They were also angered by Wang Xiaozhi and humiliated by Chen Lizheng, who was trying to maintain a facade of harmony. In the end, they could only slink away from the village.

Having learned their lesson from last time, they dared not discuss this matter with Xie Wanniang in front of everyone again, for who knows what she might say that would embarrass them.

However, the more they didn't want something to happen, the more Xie Wanniang wanted things to develop in a direction they didn't want to see.

She nodded to the familiar faces watching the commotion, as if to say hello, before politely asking the people from the Earl's mansion, "I know why you've come. Do you have any concrete evidence to prove that my husband is the son of the Earl of Anping?"

To all members of the Earl's Mansion: ...

Sure enough, this woman was just as troublesome as the two from Mingfu Village!

At this moment, some of the people in the Earl's mansion even suspected that the feng shui of that village was a bit strange, otherwise how could everyone in that village, whether they were born and raised there or had settled there later, be so unconventional?

The leader did not directly answer Xie Wanniang's question, "Why don't we find a place where no one else is around to talk this out?"

Xie Wanniang shook her head, "I am just a woman, and my husband is not at home. It is really inconvenient for me to invite you all in for a chat. Please forgive me."

She was calm in demeanor, but what she said was complete nonsense.

If it were the young wives of those pedantic civil officials who were careful to avoid seeing men outside their families, they might believe it to some extent. But this woman was out in the public eye doing business every day, and her husband wasn't the kind of pedantic scholar who wouldn't allow his wife to have any inappropriate behavior. Why would she need to be careful to avoid suspicion?

In short, she just didn't want them to enter her house.

The leader took a deep breath. "This matter is really not suitable to be discussed in public. If you are unwilling to let us into your residence, how about we go to a nearby teahouse and find a private room?"

Xie Wanniang shook her head, "Since you've already spread the word and everyone knows, why not just let everyone be our witnesses?"

Do they think she's a complete idiot? If these people hadn't deliberately spread the word, how could so many onlookers have gathered in front of their house?

The house they live in used to be one of Chang Yao's private properties. Given his status, the location of the house he was willing to buy must be top-notch.

Of the ten families living in this area, at least eight are powerful clans or officials from Yi County, as well as families of lower-ranking generals from Zijing Pass.

Everyone here is a person of importance, and even the servants in the household are worldly-wise and will not pay any special attention to the people of the Earl's mansion just because they are riding horses and carrying swords.

If they hadn't deliberately said something to pique everyone's curiosity, there wouldn't be so many people gathered in front of her house right now.

After spouting nonsense, they remembered they needed to clear the room. Who do they think is an easy fool to be fooled?

Doesn't she like to create gossip and control public opinion? She wants to see whether these onlookers' spittle will ultimately be directed at them or at her and Jiang Yuan.

Her words were exactly what the onlookers wanted to hear, so many people around her, eager for a good show, loudly echoed her sentiments, putting the members of the Earl's family in a difficult position.

The leader dared not be as arrogant here as he was in Mingfu Village. This was the closest county town to Zijing Pass, and the emperor would definitely plant spies here.

He carefully chose his words, "You misunderstand. We didn't intentionally publicize anything. We just asked around to find out where you lived while we were looking for you."

Xie Wanniang said "Oh," and then asked, "Do you think I believe you or not?"

The leader: ......

He cursed inwardly, thinking: So Jiang Yuan's wife is a sharp-tongued woman who leaves no room for maneuver in her words. Indeed, this is the frontier region; the men are fierce and warlike, and even the women have none of the gentleness and virtue one might expect!

Xie Wanniang still had the same smiling face as before. She said, "So, you say my husband is the eldest son of your esteemed Earl. What is your evidence?"

The leader took a deep breath and gritted his teeth. "The evidence is that Hao Yu, who took him away and raised him, is a relative of our aunt's family. He can testify that Jiang Yuan is indeed our lord's biological son."

This was the only evidence they could come up with after their setback in Mingfu Village—or rather, the only witness they could muster.

He looked at Xie Wanniang and said, "If you don't believe me, just call him over."

Xie Wanniang smiled slightly, "Alright, then I'll have someone invite Uncle Hao over right away."

Hao Yu arrived quickly. Yesterday, after Xie Wanniang finished reading the letter, she had already gone over to greet Hao Yu in person.

When Hao Yu heard her say that Jiang Tong had sent a group of men to Mingfu Village to show off and claim kinship, she was so angry that she almost overturned the table.

He cursed the other party for a long time for their shamelessness and greed, and at the end he solemnly reminded Xie Wanniang, "If those people come to your door, you must not be fooled by them."

Xie Wanniang nodded, "Don't worry, A Yuan has already told me about his background, and I will never agree to anything on his behalf."

Hao Yu was very pleased, and his tone softened. "If they come looking for me, have someone notify me immediately. You and A Yuan are nominally juniors, but I am different. Although I have no official position, I am of the same generation as that couple."

Although it's not right for a younger brother to scold his older sister and brother-in-law, his situation with the couple is rather special, as he has been raising their son for over ten years.

When he is absolutely in the right, he can say whatever he wants, and no one can blame him for speaking the truth.

Soon, Xie Wanniang sent someone to bring Hao Yu over.