The princess was ordained by Heaven.

Chapter 289: Win people’s hearts

The atmosphere became lively again, and Li Maitian almost couldn't catch his breath.

Goodness, that's why they say she's a princess!

Look at that imposing aura; it completely suppressed him, making him afraid to move or utter a word.

Zheng Xun raised his teacup and took a small sip.

He Wuyang composed himself: "Guo Qunfang, I ask you, do you know your mistake?"

"I admit my mistake!"

“Since you want to stay on the estate, you should know what is most important here. You should never joke around with seedlings.”

Guo Qunfang lowered her head in shame.

She just desperately wanted to get rid of Feng Lao Er.

From the moment the truth began to be revealed, Li Maitian's mouth remained agape in astonishment.

Upon hearing this, he couldn't help but ask in surprise, "You said you put so much effort into it, so why bother?"

After all that scheming, he almost offended both the princess and Young Master He. I don't know if the price was worth it.

Guo Qunfang's gaze was deep: "Actually, I don't care whether he's lazy or not. I can support this whole family on my own, so he just needs to be honest and obedient."

She knew very well that in the end, all relationships between men and women, and between husband and wife, were the same.

So Feng Lao Er is fine, and so are others.

Feng Lao Er has only one good point: he's easy to control, and she can manage him.

But what she didn't expect was that she overestimated herself and also overestimated Feng Lao Er.

“He couldn’t even meet this simple request. First, he got into gambling and mortgaged all the family’s land and houses. Later, he even tried to sell my daughter.”

If it weren't for Feng Lao Er's scoundrel behavior, why would his family need to rent land to make a living?

Guo Qunfang glanced at her daughter nestled beside her.

The little girl knew her father's thoughts from beginning to end, but she remained calm and composed throughout.

Guo Qunfang gently patted the heads of the two children.

She raised both of her children exceptionally well.

So she has to make good plans for them.

She looked up and continued, "He's too dishonest, and it's too much trouble to get rid of him."

Moreover, even if she could get rid of Feng Lao Er, her two children wouldn't be able to.

Worldly customs, human relationships, and blood ties bind them together, making it difficult to break free in this lifetime.

She would never let him leech off his children for the rest of his life.

Therefore, dealing with him became the only solution.

Li Maitian was utterly dumbfounded.

Goodness, these days, nobody's easy to mess with!

Aunt Guo seemed like such a cheerful person, yet she was so decisive and ruthless when she took action.

Zheng Xun said calmly, "Do you know where you went wrong?"

Guo Qunfang clenched her fists, unable to hide her reluctance despite her best efforts.

"The mistake was... in scheming against others."

Zheng Xun once emphasized, "Guo Qunfang, your mistake was using seedlings as a raft."

Guo Qunfang looked up and stared blankly at Zheng Xun.

"Considering this is your first offense and you really didn't intend to harm the seedlings, we'll give you a small punishment this time as a warning. You'll be punished by... taking good care of the seedlings you dug up."

Guo Qunfang was overjoyed.

What kind of punishment is this?

The princess clearly lifted her up high and then gently put her down, her purpose being to teach her what she should and shouldn't do!

After she calmed down, He Wuyang suddenly spoke up: "Guo Qunfang, you are a smart person. You understand the situation on the estate. Now, you have two choices."

Guo Qunfang suddenly heard the sound of her heart pounding against her chest.

"Boom thump... thump thump..."

It seemed to sense what was about to happen, so it beat with extra force.

"First, continue to be an ordinary tenant farmer; second, assist me in managing the estate and balancing the relationships among all parties."

After He Wuyang finished speaking, he glanced at Zheng Xun.

It seemed to be implying to her that if she worked hard, a better future was yet to come.

Guo Qunfang thought to herself, is there even a need to choose?

She's not stupid; she knows exactly what to choose.

Seeing that she was about to speak, He Wuyang interrupted her, saying, "Of course, to become the manager of the estate, you must first sign a contract of servitude. Do you understand?"

Guo Qunfang's excitement cooled instantly.

She was quite capable; even though she was in a difficult situation for the time being, she knew that her life would soon get better.

Since she can live on her own two hands, why should she sell herself into slavery?

She could gamble on her own, but she had two children.

They can be free, why should they inherit her fate of being a slave...?

She wanted to refuse, but she was also reluctant to give up.

She had no powerful connections and could not participate in the imperial examinations. Even if she were an ordinary farmer, it would be difficult to support two children.

This matter has both advantages and disadvantages, and she is finding it difficult to make a decision for the time being.

"mother……"

"Promise."

Hearing her children's words, her heart softened, and she said gently, "No, you don't understand..."

“We understand, it’s okay, we believe in you, you can do well no matter which path you take.”

Most importantly, it's good to have a strong backer, and they don't want their mother to work so hard.

Aunt Guo's eyes were red.

Knowing that everyone was waiting, she quickly recovered.

"I'm willing!" she said, then changed her mind, "This servant is willing!"

"There's no need to call yourself a slave. You know about this contract, and so do I."

He Wuyang stepped forward and helped her up.

Seeing that the matter had been resolved, Zheng Xun stood up and said, "He Wuyang."

Knowing they had something to discuss, the others tactfully left.

Zheng Xun took out Li Maitian's indenture: "Keep it safe."

He Wuyang asked in confusion, "Princess..."

"Observe him for a while longer, then find someone to test him. If he passes the test, return the indenture to him. Do the same to Guo Qunfang."

He Wuyang never expected her to do this.

Although they hadn't known each other for very long, he had a fairly good understanding of her personality.

She's the type of person who, even when everything is under control, still wants to have a few extra tricks up her sleeve.

Suspicious and cautious.

Therefore, even though she has the system, she will still find other ways to hold leverage over her subordinates.

He suddenly reached out and patted Zheng Xun's head, as if he had just thought of something.

Zheng Xun was unaware of the murderous intent; he was simply a little bewildered.

But He Wuyang wasn't finished yet; he pried open her eyelids again to take a look.

Zheng Xun, unable to bear it any longer, shoved him away: "Have you lost your mind?"

He Wuyang belatedly realized what a stupid thing he had just done.

He was internally devastated, but on the surface he had to pretend to be calm.

"Well, I'm just worried about the princess's health..."

Zheng Xun gave a forced smile, his tone sarcastic: "Oh? You really don't suspect I'm crazy?"

He Wuyang: That must be true, but he would never admit it.

"No, how could that be? Absolutely not."

Zheng Xun was too lazy to listen to his excuses: "Just remember it."

Winning hearts and minds is paramount; she doesn't believe anything in this world can completely control people's hearts.

Regardless of whether they have a contract of indenture, she will always keep an eye on them.

Returning the indenture was, in essence, a way of winning people's hearts.

It would be too deliberate for her to do this herself.

If the matter is handed over to He Wuyang, everyone knows he can't make the decision, so they'll naturally associate it with her, and her goal will be achieved in the same way.

Soon, He Wuyang also understood Zheng Xun's deeper meaning.

It's really not surprising at all.