Adhere to the gentleman's principles

Chapter 173 The Gossiping Woman

However, Xu Zhiwan's answer surprised everyone: "Because this Madam Li is our daughter." Her tone was calm, but the power contained in it could not be ignored. It could be heard that she was warning everyone.

At this moment, several ladies suddenly turned around and their eyes fell on Xu Zhiwan and Meng Xiangning. They were immediately panicked and hurriedly saluted, saying in unison: "Madam Guang...Madam Guangping, Madam Zhao." Their voices were full of awe.

For a moment, the whole scene became unusually quiet, as if time had frozen. People cast their eyes on Xu Zhiwan and Meng Xiangning, secretly speculating what this shocking news meant. However, Xu Zhiwan remained calm and composed, as if she had already made up her mind about everything in front of her.

"Thank you for your praise of my daughter. My daughter is indeed very smart! When she was still young, she showed amazing talent and keen insight.

As for business, my mother-in-law and I never taught her, but she seemed to be born with the knowledge and learned it all by herself. Now, the reason why our Zhao's business is so famous and prosperous is all due to her talent and hard work!" Meng Xiangning said softly to the ladies with a proud and gratified smile.

A lady at the side said, "Isn't it? My Zi Yan is so lucky to marry such an outstanding woman. Not only is she pretty and smart, but she is also intelligent, virtuous, hardworking, and kind. She is respectful, filial, and considerate to her elders. In comparison, those who can only gossip behind people's backs are really far inferior!" After she finished speaking, everyone nodded in agreement.

The ladies were truly ashamed at this moment, wishing they could dig three feet into the ground and find a crack to crawl into. Each of them looked pale and extremely embarrassed.

Zhao Junning, who was sitting in the carriage, heard everything clearly. Li Ziyan couldn't help but chuckle when he saw this: "Mother and mother-in-law only said a few words and they left these ladies speechless. They are really amazing!"

"Okay, let's get off the car too." Zhao Junning lowered her head slightly, covered her lips with her hand and spoke softly.

After saying that, Li Ziyan jumped off the carriage first and held out his hand to help Zhao Junning land slowly. The women who were gossiping behind her back saw Zhao Junning coming and smiled flatteringly. Zhao Junning bowed calmly to the front, and the ladies hurriedly responded, "Hello, Madam Li, Minister Li." Li Ziyan suppressed his smile and nodded, "Yes."

Zhao Junning responded with a smile: "Oh? What are the ladies talking about with my mother-in-law and my mother? It looks so lively! And the ladies are even sweating. It's autumn now, and the weather should not be too hot." Her eyes slowly swept over everyone present.

One of the ladies said with an unnatural expression, "Uh... we didn't talk about anything special, it's just... we just think that Madam Li, you are so young to be the wife of a minister, it's really enviable."

Zhao Junning smiled slightly and replied modestly, "No, no, this is all thanks to my husband. He is an official, that's his ability, and it has nothing to do with a woman like me who is out in the world doing business all day. I am flattered that you ladies are so envious of me."

At this moment, Li Ziyan stood aside, thinking to himself: These women are really ignorant, daring to gossip and stir up trouble behind my back. Let's see how my wife can see through their true colors!

Meng Xiangning and Xu Zhiwan looked at each other and said, "Jun Ning, your father has already gone into the palace. Your mother-in-law and I will go over first. After you finish talking to those ladies, come over as soon as possible!" After that, the two of them walked into the palace together.

The ladies standing by were already sweating profusely, but they still invited Zhao Junning: "My new shop will be open in a few days. If you ladies have time, please come and show your support!"

"Okay, okay, since Madam Li has invited us so warmly, we will definitely go then. The palace banquet is about to begin, why don't we go in first?" one of the ladies responded.

Hearing this, Zhao Junning smiled and stretched out her hand to make a "please" gesture to indicate her agreement. Then, the ladies pushed each other and walked towards the palace. Seeing their slightly flustered appearance, Zhao Junning and Li Ziyan couldn't help but smile at each other.

"Did you two find gold? You are laughing so happily!" Xu Wenhe and Xu Gong, who arrived late, had just got off the carriage when they saw these two people laughing so hard that they were rolling on the ground with joy, as if their chests were going to burst with laughter.

Seeing this, Li Ziyan and Zhao Junning quickly stopped smiling, but they still couldn't help laughing. They said, "It wasn't anything special. We just ran into a few gossipy women who loved to gossip. After we exposed them, they ran away in disgrace."

Xu Gong shook his head helplessly, a wry smile on his face, and urged softly: "It's getting late, let's go in quickly." After that, he took the lead and walked into the mansion, followed by others. Along the way, everyone talked and laughed, and the atmosphere was harmonious. The little episode just now became their topic of conversation after dinner, and it caused bursts of laughter from time to time.