There are three printing houses in Tongcheng.
The only female boss is Ning Yinqiu.
If you ask who the hottest author in Tongcheng is right now.
It would be Fourth Uncle Wu Jing.
Even Master Lan’s current fame doesn't compare to Fourth Uncle Wu Jing.
It's obvious.
This book is clearly a jab at both of them.
Upon seeing the novel's title, everyone else's faces instantly changed.
Their eyes were filled with intense anger.
"Slander!"
"This is slandering our Wu family!"
Wu Yuanzhong was furious.
Wu Quan, suppressing his anger, flipped open the book. The content inside did not mention the Wu family.
Nor did it mention his wife.
But between the lines, it was all aimed at the Wu family.
After all, the Wu family was the weakest of the three printing houses.
Because of the success of the story "Bai Yu" in the market, the Wu family had a chance to rise.
This point was no different from what was written in the book.
If it were just this, Chen Nan wouldn't be nervous.
But.
The book detailed the exact location of the private residence Ning Yinqiu had purchased in Dongcheng.
He knew.
His relationship with Ning Yinqiu must have been discovered by someone.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have known about the private residence Ning Yinqiu bought in Dongcheng.
Wu Quan himself didn't believe the book's content, nor did he believe someone could spew nonsense for fifty minutes.
But seeing how detailed the writing was, he couldn't help but waver a little.
Was this matter fabricated out of thin air?
"Patriarch Wu, this book by Bai Yu was written by a friend of mine, and I've always been the one dealing with your Wu family on his behalf," Chen Nan's voice rang out. "The author of the book in your hands is clearly spitting blood and slandering me and Madam Wu, accusing us of an affair."
"Although he didn't state it explicitly, it's very clear."
"I don't want to explain anything about this matter."
"Let's follow the address in this book and go to that private residence in Dongcheng to investigate and see if it's Madam Wu's house to verify the truth of what's written in the book."
"Secondly, we can report this to the authorities."
"I have some friends in the government, and they will surely give me a clean slate."
His face was filled with anger, like a maddened beast.
Of course.
The anger in this matter was feigned.
No matter what, he was one of the involved parties.
If the person directly involved remained indifferent, it would surely arouse suspicion.
After all, the book had affected his reputation.
Secondly.
Chen Nan didn't worry about the Wu family following him to Dongcheng.
Because if they dared to do so, it would mean they already suspected him and Ning Yinqiu of having an illicit relationship.
Once that happened.
No matter the outcome, it would worsen their relationship.
Were they really willing to give up the book "Bai Yu"?
Give up the relationship they had just established with Liang Jian?
The human heart is complex.
Let alone the fact that the book didn't explicitly name him and Ning Yinqiu.
Even if it did, they wouldn't dare to go to Dongcheng to verify the truth.
They could only pretend that nothing had happened.
Ning Yinqiu looked wronged: "My husband, my reputation is of no consequence, but our Wu family's dignity and Mr. Chen's honor must not be compromised."
"Let's do as Mr. Chen suggested and go to that house in Dongcheng to investigate."
Although she was uneasy at first.
After all, the other party knew about that house, so they must have known she and Chen Nan were together.
But then she thought.
The house wasn't under her name, so what if they took them there?
"Let me see!" Wu Yuanzhong took the book from Wu Quan and carefully examined it. A cold smile then appeared on his face. "It's clear that this is an act of suppression and revenge targeted at our Wu family and Mr. Chen."
"Look, the author of this book has no pseudonym, meaning he doesn't dare to show his true face."
"But."
"Based on the writing style, structure, and vocabulary of this book, it's not difficult to discern."
"This book is a work by Master Lan."
"Master Lan was previously humiliated by Mr. Chen in the street. I thought he would restrain himself, but I didn't expect him to come up with such a malicious scheme after being suppressed for so many days."
He said this with a look of disdain.
"Let me see." Chen Nan took the book from Wu Yuanzhong. "Indeed, the writing style does come from Master Lan."
He shook his head with a wry smile. "It's my fault, my fault. I shouldn't have asked Madam Wu to accompany me to buy rouge that night after dinner."
"If we hadn't gone out alone, it wouldn't have given anyone an opportunity."
"Mr. Chen, you're being too harsh. I've always believed that the innocent will remain innocent. As for this book, let everyone just treat it as a joke!" Wu Quan forced a smile. Although Chen Nan had gone out with his wife.
However, after they returned home that night after listening to music, his wife had already retired.
There was no way he could have been involved with his wife.
Chen Nan said indignantly: "Even if your Wu family can endure this humiliation, I, Chen Nan, cannot."
"Although I am not Fourth Uncle Wu Jing."
"I am, after all, the son-in-law of the Leng family."
"The young master of the Chen family."
"Alright, don't you all worry about this matter. I will investigate it."
Hiss!
Everyone gasped in disbelief.
They hadn't expected Chen Nan to be the young master of the Chen family and the son-in-law of the Leng family.
Although they had heard this fellow was a good-for-nothing.
They had also heard that he had gained the appreciation of City Lord Yuan.
At this moment.
They understood why Liang Jian respected Chen Nan so much.
And it further solidified their belief that Chen Nan could not be involved with Ning Yinqiu.
After all, the eldest daughter of the Leng family was the most talented woman in Tongcheng.
She was peerlessly beautiful and exceptionally graceful.
With such a wife, would Chen Nan still sneak around behind her back?
Was that even possible?
He then left the Wu family printing house.
And headed towards the county yamen.
Along the way, he passed by several bookstalls.
Indeed.
"The Untold Stories Between a Popular Author and the Printing House Owner's Wife" had caused quite a stir. The story wasn't long, and the price was very affordable.
One tael of silver for a book, it caused many people to eagerly purchase it.
More importantly.
While the content of other books was fictional, this book made people think of the author of "Bai Yu," and the owner of the Wu family printing house, Wu Ning Shi.
It's known that Wu Ning Shi was also somewhat famous in Tongcheng, and many people fantasized about her.
It was precisely thanks to her management of the Wu family printing house and the bookstalls.
That the Wu family hadn't gone bankrupt.
"Damn Master Lan, you better not let me find out who you are, or I'll break your dog legs!"
Chen Nan's anger flared anew.
A moment later.
He arrived at the yamen.
"Yo, what wind blows Mr. Chen here?"
Wu Jiu, who wasn't out on patrol, got up to greet Chen Nan when he saw him.
Chen Nan smiled, "Is Uncle Tian here?"
"Yes, please have a seat for a moment, I'll go invite Uncle Tian." Wu Jiu invited Chen Nan to sit, then went into the county yamen to fetch Tian Bo.
"Mr. Chen, you gracing us with your presence, please forgive our lack of proper welcome!" Tian Bo greeted him with a smile. He was now heavily entrusted by Yuan Zun and managed all matters of the county yamen.
Chen Nan got straight to the point, "Uncle Tian, I want to investigate Master Lan's background."
Tian Bo gave Wu Jiu a look, signaling him to step back.
Once they were alone, Tian Bo said with a troubled expression, "The county yamen has regulations that prohibit the disclosure of any author's identity. Just as we cannot reveal that you are Fourth Uncle Wu Jing."
Chen Nan frowned, "With our relationship, what can't be revealed?"
Tian Bo shook his head, "I absolutely cannot tell you that Master Lan is Xia Lan, the maid by your wife's side."