Chapter 11 The Heartless and Unfeeling Top Scholar

Hearing her mother's words, Jiang Xinyue had no choice but to agree: "What is Father worried about?"

"We women don't understand matters of the court. It seems to be because of that Ji Huaizhi."

Jiang Xinyue was stunned: "Because of him?"

Jiang's mother glanced at her, her expression displeased: "After you complained to your father, he must have given you a small punishment."

"I never expected that this would lead to his promotion to Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, while your father's friend was suspended from his post and investigated."

Ultimately, this whole thing started because of you.

Jiang's mother's voice was noticeably colder in the last sentence.

Jiang Xinyue: "I don't know either..."

"Didn't I tell you not to do anything that would damage your reputation?" Jiang's mother said sternly. "After losing face, you still went to your father, now putting him in a dilemma."

Jiang Xinyue squatted down: "Daughter knows she was wrong."

Jiang's mother felt a headache coming on when she thought about the men she had been introduced to recently, none of whom she liked.

We can't force it, though; if the marriage turns into enmity, that would be a problem too.

"Xinyue, you're not a child anymore," Jiang's mother said with a worried expression.

Jiang Xinyue was also somewhat embarrassed: "I just want to find a handsome, talented man who is devoted to me."

"Can't I, the daughter of a prime minister, even have this much satisfied?"

“My elder sister can marry His Majesty and become a Noble Consort, so what I can ask for…” Jiang Xinyue cried, feeling wronged. “My request is clearly not high at all.”

Jiang's mother sighed, realizing that she hadn't actually done anything wrong.

But none of these young men wanted to look at her.

He pulled her into the house and said, "No one is perfect. Although your elder sister is a Noble Consort in the palace, she is very cautious. In the palace, a slight mistake could lead to her demise."

Do you think your personality is suited to a peaceful life in the palace?

Jiang Xinyue fell silent.

Jiang's mother continued to comfort her, "We won't harm you."

Jiang Xinyue: "But I don't like any of the portraits that were sent over."

"So what kind do you like?" Jiang Lufu asked as he entered, his hands behind his back.

Jiang Xinyue dared not speak again.

“I think the son of the Imperial Censor is quite good. He comes from a good family and is handsome. I heard from his father that he will become an official in the future.”

Jiang Xinyue stared wide-eyed, but before she could speak, her mother grabbed her wrist.

"What you said is timely. When the Empress Dowager holds the Hundred Flowers Banquet later, the wife of the Imperial Censor should also be there."

Jiang Lufu said no more.

After they left, Jiang Xinyue panicked: "Mother, the censor's son, Zhang Changsheng, is a spoiled brat! Moreover, he doesn't even have a wife yet, but he already has several concubines."

Jiang's mother dismissed it: "So what?"

“Xin Yue, you must understand that as long as you are the legal wife, you can dismiss those concubines at will.”

"They won't get past you."

"Moreover, all men in the world are the same, without exception."

"You know about the concubines in your father's backyard, don't you?"

"I know! I know that's why I don't want to..." Meeting her mother's gaze, Jiang Xinyue didn't say anything more.

Because she knew that saying more would be pointless.

Qiaolian, seeing her young mistress's expression, comforted her, "Miss, don't worry. Madam and Master will not let you suffer any injustice."

Jiang Xinyue: "When I took a liking to Ji Huaizhi, I thought that his background was not good and that with the Prime Minister's mansion suppressing him, he could not surpass me."

"Even if he has a wife, he can just get rid of her easily."

"What a pity~"

Unfortunately, that man is also lacking in manners; marrying him would not bring her any care or affection.

"Miss, the weather is lovely today, why don't you go out for a stroll?"

Seeing her mistress's resigned expression, Qiaolian spoke again: "I heard that the jewelry store has some new pieces."

Ji Huaizhi, who was off work today, suggested taking Shen Zhiyi out for a stroll.

Zhiyi, who had been cooped up at home for a long time, was very happy and discussed with Hongyin what to wear.

When Ji Huaizhi came in, he saw Shen Zhiyi's conflicted face: "What are you conflicted about?"

Hongyin spoke first: "Madam is struggling with what to wear."

Ji Huaizhi turned around and took the dress from the hands of a maid behind him: "This purple dress with silver butterfly patterns is nice."

Hong Yue said, "Your wife wanted to wear this dress when you returned to Nanzhou City, but in the end she wore a simpler outfit instead."

Ji Huaizhi looked at her: "If you like it, why not wear it?"

Shen Zhiyi looked up at him without saying a word, and Ji Huaizhi suddenly remembered something.

He coughed once and then said, "You may all leave."

After everyone left, Shen Zhiyi spoke up: "You used to hate it when I wore bright-colored clothes."

"Because you were so beautiful, back then I was just a poor scholar, the more outstanding you were, the more I knew I was not good enough for you."

Shen Zhiyi gave him a deep look, then looked down at her protruding belly:

"This doesn't suit me anymore."

Ji Huaizhi reached out to help her change her clothes: "Like a lotus emerging from clear water, just like a fairy in the moon."

The two of them were having a great time strolling through the bustling streets.

Shen Zhiyi smiled radiantly; although she was carrying a heavy load, she was happy to be able to get some fresh air.

Not to mention that Ji Lang was with her.

Ji Huaizhi kept a close eye on her posture, afraid that she would be bumped or knocked over, which gave her a great sense of security.

When they came across the jewelry store, Ji Huaizhi suggested that they go in and take a look at the jewelry.

Shen Zhiyi comes from a wealthy family, and everything she eats, wears, and uses is made of the finest materials.

Many of her clothes and jewelry were custom-made, and she didn't see any jewelry she particularly liked in the jewelry store, so she shook her head at Ji Huaizhi.

"Madam, our jewelry is the most beautiful in the capital. Many noble ladies choose their jewelry here."

"Would you like to take another look?"

The waiter in the shop could tell at a glance that these two came from extraordinary backgrounds.

In particular, the lady's attire was not ordinary.

Ji Huaizhi smiled and said, "I ordered a set of jewelry from your store before. Could you bring it over for me?"

The waiter took the order from his hand: "Please have a seat and wait a moment, I'll be right back."

When did you order it?

Ji Huaizhi looked at her, his eyes filled with tenderness and a smile on his lips: "I've forgotten too."

This is the scene that Jiang Xinyue saw when she came in.

A perfect couple stood in front, the man's lips slightly upturned, like the warm spring sun, every move he made exuded charm.

The beautiful woman was pregnant; her eyes were as gentle as the moon, and her face was as lovely as a peach blossom.

The woman wore a purple dress with silver patterns and butterflies. The dress was elegant and embroidered with hundreds of silver-threaded butterflies that seemed to be dancing on the hem.

She never expected that the dull and aloof Ji Huaizhi would act this way in front of his wife.

He shows indifference to outsiders, but reserved tenderness for those closest to him.

Qiaolian saw it too, and her heart skipped a beat.

If the young lady sees this, she'll be restless again.

"Sir, look, this set of jewelry was made according to your requirements." The shop assistant opened the box.

Inside is a butterfly hairpin, the butterfly's shape as if about to take flight is lifelike, with exquisite patterns engraved on the wings, and gemstones and pearls inlaid all over the butterfly's body.

A butterfly alights on a blooming flower, its tassels swaying and echoing the butterfly's design, creating a magnificent effect.

Then there was a pair of delicate gold earrings in the shape of peonies, with a small pearl set in the center.

It fully displays a graceful and understated beauty.