Chapter 497: 446
Trantor: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Since Madam Ma was avoiding Zhao Chuchu, thetter naturally did not encounter her.
Zhao Chuchu and Madam Ma had the same idea. It was best to be strangers to one another.
Zhao Chuchu could not bring herself to treat Madam Ma the way she treated the members of the Chen n.
She could not forget how Madam Ma previously treated the original owner of her body. She also did not forget that she had personally killed Zhao Zhizhi.
In short, the two of them had the tacit understanding to not appear before each other unless it was necessary. They maintained a delicate bnce.
Xie Jun returning to Lengshui Vige was like a duck returning to water. He thoroughly enjoyed his time there.
However, he was very disciplined. After he had fun with his friends, he would go home to study and practice his calligraphy. He did not abandon his studies just because he met up with his old friends. Even Zhao Chuchu was impressed by his immense self-control.
Usually, children at Xie Jun’s age were yful. Few could be as disciplined as he was.
As expected, a person was influenced by thepany he kept. Xie Jun resembled Xie Heng, who also had a high level of self-control.
After they finished their meal, Zhao Chuchu asked Xie Jun, “Tomorrow, I will make a trip to the town. Do you want to follow me?
“Sis, I’ll stay here. A round trip to the town takes a long time. I’ll stay in the vige and study diligently. Don’t worry.” Xie Jun added thoughtfully, “I’ll go to Grandma Gan’s house with you during the Mid-Autumn Festival.”
Zhao Chuchu advised, “Studying is important, but you must also find time to rx. Don’t get too fixated on studying, alright?”
“I know. Bro said that we should strike a perfect bnce between work and rest.”
“Hmm. Rest early. Don’t stay up toote reading at night. It’s not good for your eyes.”
“Alright. ”
After Xie Jun showered, he went into his room without being asked. Zhao Chuchu did not need to worry about him at all.
Besides that, he even washed his own clothes now and did not ask for Zhao Chuchu’s help.
The next day, Zhao Chuchu left for the county town early in the morning.
On the other hand, the Third Prince came to Lengshui Vige in his carriage.
He came here as a merchant to avoid bringing any trouble to the vige.
The chief was very polite towards this young master who demonstrated a noble temperament.
After learning in depth about the tofu skins, the Third Prince ordered a batch of them from the watermill workshop.
Then, he told the chief, “This ce is marvelous with flowing rivers and lush mountains. Can you bring me around? It’s been a long time since Ist took a breather at such a peaceful ce.”
The chief found no reason to turn him down. Regardless of whether he was here for business or other hidden agenda, the Third Prince appeared very sincere. The chief had a great impression of him, so he agreed to thetter’s request.
The Third Prince did not have any ulterior motive.
He just wanted to stroll around the ce where his younger brother grew up and see what kind of lifestyle thetter had here.
Just when the Third Prince and the chief left the watermill workshop, they saw Xie Jun and his friends frolicking on the ground. They were covered in mud and appeared filthy, but Xie Jun looked very happy. He had a bright smile on his face.
The Third Prince stopped in his tracks and looked at Xie Jun with a smile.
The chief immediately said, “The kids in the vige all behave like this. They will roll around in the mud for fun. Mister, please do not mind them.” “They are very happy. Children should be carefree like this. Don’t you agree?
The chief agreed, “Indeed. When they grow up, they won’t get the chance to y like this anymore.”
The Third Princemented, “I envy them.”
He had been sick since young. Let alone ying with friends like this, he didn’t even have many chances to take a stroll at the park in the pce.
When he saw that Xie Jun had so many friends in Lengshui Vige, the Third Prince was gratified.
Although his younger brother had had a difficult life, he was at least happy.
As for himself, what use were riches and a life of luxury?
He had no freedom, was always ill and did not have any friends. Aside from Qiao Heting, the Third Prince was always alone.
However, the Third Prince soon recalled that previously Xie Jun was also in the same situation as him. His mood turned sour once again.
Those people had enjoyed peaceful days for too long. He had to let them taste some pain.
Otherwise, how could he make up for the suffering he and Xie Jun had faced all these years?
The chief suddenly felt the Third Prince’s killing intent. The former could not help but feel a shiver down his spine. He carefully cast a sideways nce and discovered that the Third Prince was still smiling at the kids. His smile was like a spring breeze. There was no killing intent visible at all.
He was overthinking things. The chief told himself this.
The Third Prince did not linger for too long before continuing on again.
Lengshui Vige was far different from how it was before.
Since the establishment of the watermill workshop, the business of tofu skins thrived. Aside from the Zhao n, the living standards of everyone in the vige had significantly improved. Those with more money had all built new houses.
Now, most of the houses in Lengshui Vige were made of bricks and roof tiles. They appeared majestic. The youngsters here became popr marriage candidates for people from other viges. The matchmakers frequented the vige, and the vigers did not need to worry about not being able to find a spouse.
After taking a tour around the vige, The Third Prince left with Qiao Heting.
After they boarded the carriage, Qiao Heting asked, “Third Brother, why did you order so many tofu skins? Did you n to give them to someone? If you distribute them to the shops under your name, wouldn’t it arouse suspicion?
The Third Prince replied, “I n to send them to the Duke’s residence. They should be enough tost you for a year.”
Qiao Heting was momentarily speechless before he retorted, “Even though tofu skins are tasty, I will get bored eating them daily.”
The Third Prince was amused by Qiao Hetings rigidity. He suggested, “Don’t you know that you can ask your butler to distribute them to the servants as rewards? Tofu skins are still a raremodity now in the capital. I don’t think
anyone will reject them.”
Qiao Heting scratched his head. He also realized this. He said, “Your suggestion is better. However, since you havee to Lengshui Vige, why don’t you find a reason to stay?”
“Then what about when others spread gossip about me and Zhao Chuchu?” asked the Third Prince rhetorically.
The corner of Qiao Heting’s mouth twitched. He asked, “Who would know that it is you, Third Brother?”
“Xie Heng would. I have said that I will not do anything that might cause misunderstandings.”
The Third Prince was clearly aware that he could not protect Xie Jun for his entire life. However, Zhao Chuchu and Xie Heng could.
No matter what, he would not cause Xie Heng to be suspicious of him and thus ruin his rtionship with Xie Jun.
Paving the way for Xie Jun was thest thing the Third Prince could do for him!
Qiao Heting sighed. How great would it be if Xie Jun could grow up under the Third Prince’s wing?
The Third Prince saw through Qiao Heting’s thoughts and calmly said, “Our current arrangement is for the best.”
No matter how well he treated Xie Jun, he was not able to treat thetter’s illness.
However, after Xie Jun left the pce and was taken in by the Xie n, he met Zhao Chuchu and was saved.
Moreover, Xie Jun did not have to face those evil people that were up to no good for the time being. With Xie Heng’s protection and guidance, he could live a carefree life for a long period of time.
This was what the Third Prince wanted.
The Third Prince said, “You know how scary of a ce the pce is.”
Qiao Heting agreed, “Hmm, indeed. I did not think about that.”
The Third Princemented, “Cousin, sometimes I wonder what would happen if I was also this fortunate back then…”
“Third Brother…”
“Never mind. I was just ranting..”