Chapter 12 The Heartless and Unfeeling Top Scholar

Shen Zhiyi's eyes widened instantly, the shadows of the hairpin and earrings reflected in her pupils.

"What beautiful jewelry."

Women love all things beautiful.

Especially jewelry.

Shen Zhi had seen many fine things, but these two pieces of jewelry amazed her.

"This piece of jewelry was designed by this gentleman himself. It must have been made for you, Madam. Our craftsmen even wanted to buy his design drawings at the time."

"But this gentleman refused, saying he only wanted you to wear this unique piece of jewelry."

Shen Zhiyi looked at him with emotion.

This surprise was quite unexpected.

Ji Huaizhi took out a hairpin and put it on her head, where butterflies fluttered gracefully.

It attracted the attention of other people in the store.

Everyone looked at the lady with envy.

"How lucky you are!"

"This set of jewelry is so beautiful, I want it too."

"Just imagine, didn't you hear this man designed it for his wife? He wanted her to wear unique jewelry. I'm so envious!"

"yes."

Shen Zhiyi's face was full of sweetness, and the tassels swayed beside her face.

Jiang Xinyue felt resentful again upon seeing this.

The son of the Imperial Censor that my father mentioned, Zhang Changsheng, was a womanizer with many concubines.

Looking at the man she had previously set her sights on, the vast difference in their circumstances only fueled her displeasure.

Unable to resist, he stepped forward and curtsied, saying, "Lord Ji, I didn't expect to run into you here."

The other person was completely confused and seemed not to remember who she was.

Jiang Xinyue was even more annoyed, but she gave Qiaolian a look without changing her expression.

Qiaolian bowed: "Our Miss Jiang is the daughter of the Prime Minister's family."

Shen Zhiyi's expression shifted, and she curtsied, saying, "So you are Miss Jiang."

Jiang Xinyue ignored her and looked straight at Ji Huaizhi: "I didn't expect that Lord Ji is not only so talented, but also so skillful. The jewelry you designed is really beautiful."

"Could you also set an example for my daughter?"

Ji Huaizhi cupped his hands in greeting: "Miss Jiang is too kind. I am only slightly knowledgeable and am not worthy of Miss Jiang's status."

Before she could speak, he continued, "My wife can't stand for long, so we'll head back now. You can take your time browsing."

Jiang Xinyue couldn't help but stop them before she could finish speaking: "Lord Ji seems to be extremely fond of my daughter. I wonder if he has some misunderstanding about me?"

His gaze fell on Shen Zhiyi beside him: "Or is it that Madam Ji is jealous and doesn't allow Lord Ji to speak with other women?"

Just as Ji Huaizhi was about to speak, Shen Zhiyi interrupted him: "Why does Miss Jiang speak like that?"

"My Huaizhi is aloof by nature, is that how she is with outsiders? Or is it that Miss Jiang cares a lot about what unfamiliar men think of you?"

Jiang Xinyue was taken aback, not expecting her to look so soft and weak.

His words were also sharp.

"you!"

“However, I think I’ve misunderstood.” Shen Zhiyi said with a slight smile, “After all, Miss Jiang is a noble lady from the capital.”

"It's getting late, so my husband and I will take our leave now. Miss Jiang, please continue reading."

After saying that, the two left.

Jiang Xinyue was even angrier.

Moreover, everyone in the jewelry store was watching them; they were all noble ladies from prominent families in the capital. Jiang Xinyue couldn't show her anger on the surface.

Not only would it be embarrassing, but it would also ruin one's reputation.

Fortunately, her voice wasn't loud.

"Miss."

Qiaolian was a little scared when she saw how angry her mistress was.

After all, it was her suggestion to go out for a stroll.

"go back!"

After saying that, Jiang Xinyue stormed off, and Qiaolian quickly followed.

After returning to the manor, Jiang Xinyue glared at Qiaolian and said, "Go get the whip."

Qiaolian shook herself, took the whip, and knelt down to raise it.

Jiang Xinyue took it...

~

Back in the carriage, Shen Zhiyi cautiously looked at Ji Huaizhi: "I just..."

Ji Huaizhi couldn't help but laugh when he saw her like that: "Didn't you look pretty fierce just now?"

“She’s so annoying, and since you were being treated unfairly because of her before, I couldn’t hold back.”

Ji Huaizhi couldn't help but reach out and gently pinch her nose: "It's alright. After your husband gets promoted and ennobled, I'll fight for an imperial title for you. You can scold whoever you want, except for those inside the palace walls."

Shen Zhiyi: "Then people will definitely laugh at you for marrying a shrew."

"I'm not afraid."

The Prime Minister, with his hands behind his back, looked at the servant in front of him: "Are you saying that the wealthy Shen family in Nanzhou City is Ji Huaizhi's in-laws?"

"Yes," the servant replied. "The Shen family also moved to the capital because of Ji Huaizhi."

“Shen Heqiu’s business is very extensive, and now his business in the capital is starting to improve.”

The Prime Minister paced back and forth in his room. The Shen family...

Ji Huaizhi is really lucky.

She was favored by the emperor and had such a wealthy in-law family.

"Alright, you can go now."

The Prime Minister originally intended to teach Ji Huaizhi a lesson, since he had blamed Ji Huaizhi for all the losses he had suffered from the investigation of the Ministry of Revenue.

The Shen family.....

He has to make up for what he lost, right?

Ji Huaizhi was unaware that the Prime Minister had already set his sights on the Shen family, and he planned to have Master Shen make an appearance before the Emperor.

The Shen family were merchants, and now that Ji Huaizhi had obtained a minor official position, Master Shen's business ventures were much easier than before.

The places that need to be patronized no longer need to cost a lot of money.

However, merchants are always vulnerable to being targeted and exploited.

Therefore, becoming a royal merchant is the best option.

This requires Ji Huaizhi to find a way to make an introduction.

"The national treasury is currently in short supply. I wonder if any of you ministers have any ideas on how to replenish it?"

"Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, we can expand the tax base, add new tax categories, and adjust tax rates," the Prime Minister stepped forward and bowed.

The emperor remained silent.

The Prime Minister continued, "In recent years, the national treasury has been replenished by increasing taxes."

The emperor looked at Ji Huaizhi. He did not want to increase taxes, because while the national treasury would be full, the people would suffer.

Meeting the emperor's gaze, Ji Huaizhi did not disappoint him.

"It's easy for the Prime Minister to say. Expanding the tax base, adding new taxes, and increasing taxes will not only increase the burden on the people, but may even lead to hunger and an inability to solve the problem of food and clothing."

"It will make life even harder for the lower classes, and most importantly, it will make the people dissatisfied with officials and wealthy merchants. If it causes unrest, then the prime minister will be in big trouble."

The prime minister did not expect him to directly deny his proposal.

That's utterly nonsensical.

"Lord Ji has placed such a heavy burden on this old minister; I am truly terrified!"

The emperor waved his hand: "Prime Minister, you flatter me. Lord Ji's words are quite reasonable."

"How could I be labeling you?"

Another official, receiving a glance from the Prime Minister, stepped forward and said, "Lord Ji has no experience."

"It has never been as serious as Lord Ji described in previous years, how could it be this bad?"

Ji Huaizhi cupped his hands in greeting: "Lord Zhang! May I ask if you have visited the homes of ordinary people? I was born into a poor family, how could I be inexperienced?"