Chapter 326 The Mistress of a Wealthy Family Turns Her Own Tide After Opening the Book (24)

Jin Shu seemed to be deep in thought.

"What do you mean by surpassing even the Eleventh Prince? Are you implying that the Seventh and Eighth Princes are inferior to the Eleventh Prince?"

Hu Jin's heart skipped a beat, and a look of panic flashed across her face.

She said that because she saw the three princes standing not far away, looking in their direction.

As a concubine of the Prince of Liang, Hu Jin had some understanding of the current Eleventh Prince.

A spoiled brat, arrogant, overbearing, and reckless.

Relying on being the Empress's only son, His Majesty's youngest son, and the Empress Dowager's most beloved grandson, this young prince can be described as a troublemaker in the palace. No one dares to mess with him or provoke him.

That's why she elevated Jin Shu a bit, so she could use someone else to do her dirty work and get rid of this troublesome Jin Shu completely through that devilish man.

But to her utter surprise, Jin Shu managed to shift the blame onto her with just a few words.

The Seventh Prince and the Eighth Prince are no ordinary people either. As the elder brothers, with the position of Crown Prince vacant, these two princes are also eager to prove themselves in front of everyone.

With Jin Shu's misleading words, the two princes might misunderstand her meaning.

So Hu Jin hurriedly explained.

"I was just saying that! Don't misinterpret me and make false accusations!"

"Oh, so what did you mean just now?"

"I...I just wanted to praise how amazing you are!"

"Yes, I understand, I get it all. After all, you said it before, I know what you mean."

"What do you know?! You're talking nonsense! You..."

Having dealt with another one, Jin Shu, too lazy to waste her energy, waved her hand, not giving her a chance to speak, and turned to leave, leaving Hu Jin standing there, looking at the three princes with a flustered expression.

That damned Jin Shu, she deliberately got herself into the water!

But so what? It was Jin Shu who made the Eleventh Prince lose face in front of everyone.

What a fool! He dares to flaunt any kind of fame without ever considering whether he can bear such superficial glory.

Sure enough, she watched as the three princes walked towards Jin Shu's direction, and her fear turned into satisfaction.

With the Eleventh Prince's methods, Jin Shu won't last long. The entire Lu family and the Jin family might suffer as a result.

At this moment, Jin Shu naturally knew that there was a risk in making a splash.

However, compared to Kim Seung-rye's entry into the court as an official, these risks were nothing.

The Jin family has plenty of money; what they lack now is someone who can speak on their behalf in the imperial court.

Jin Chengli was this man, a burly man from a scholarly family, skilled in riding and archery and intelligent. Although he was not as good as Jin Shu in these aspects, in this world where feudal hierarchy was deeply rooted, it was obviously much simpler to support a man in the court than for a woman to bravely enter the court.

Jin Shu's goal is to complete the task. As long as she can get what she is supposed to do done, she doesn't mind taking shortcuts.

Back in her seat, the three children surrounded Jin Shu like eager baby swallows, bombarding her with questions.

Lu Xu: "Mother! Mother! You're so amazing at riding horses and shooting arrows! I want to learn! Mother, can you teach me?"

Lu Huai: "Mother, besides riding and archery, what else can you do?"

Lu Gu: "Why are you so good at riding and archery? Aren't you a pampered young lady from a wealthy family?"

Jin Shu was very patient and answered each question one by one.

"Lu Xu, once you've mastered your boxing, I'll teach you archery on horseback."

“Lu Huai, your mother is proficient in all kinds of martial arts. We have a long life ahead of us, so we can take it slow.”

"Finally, Lu Gu, who told you I'm just a pampered young lady from a secluded mansion?"

Lu Gu stared at Jin Shu, his face flushed, his heart pounding. The woman in front of him, whom he had never thought highly of, seemed to be bathed in golden light at this moment, making him unable to look directly at her.

"I guessed."

Instead of wasting time thinking nonsense, you should practice your studies. You're not as good as Lu Xu at boxing, and you're not as good as Lu Huai at studying. If you keep going like this, your mother might have to send you back home.

A bucket of cold water was poured over his head, causing Lu Gu to freeze in place, too stunned to move.

At this moment, Jin Shu transformed back into that stern teacher, someone who once filled him with deep fear, but now transformed that fear into heartfelt reverence.

He wanted to get close to Jin Shu and joke around with her as freely as Lu Xu did.

They're both sons, so why can't he get his mother's approval? Is it really because he's not as good as the others?

Lu Gu felt increasingly distressed. He couldn't muster any anger or resentment at being scolded by Jin Shu; all that remained in his heart was guilt and unease.

"I will try my best, I will try even harder."

Jin Shu looked at him, sighed, and patted his head from behind.

"I also want you to become better. If one day all three of you can become officials in the court, then I will have completed my mission in this life and can enjoy a good life."

Alas, the struggles between powerful families are far more brutal than you can see.

Lu Gu was precocious, and although he was still naive, he clearly saw today how those noble ladies treated Jin Shu.

Therefore, he was certain that Jin Shu's life was not as good as her parents had said.

She worked incredibly hard to support everything in the Duke's mansion and diligently taught them. Jin Shu was far more capable than her father.

"Mother, don't worry, I will definitely enter the court as an official, and I will make sure that those noble ladies will never dare to bully you again."

Upon hearing this, Jin Shu smiled with relief, her expression a mixture of heartache and joy.

"Thank you for your hard work, kids."

Lu Gu looked at her and suddenly couldn't help but lean forward and gently hug her shoulder.

Just like Lu Xu usually does.

"Mom, you're amazing."

Jin Shu smiled, a hint of amusement in her eyes.

The little ingrate is finally starting to look like a human being.

——

"She got married?"

Gao Yan's tone carried a hint of emotion, making the Princess Consort of Liang feel uneasy.

"Yes, Jin Shu, the eldest daughter of the Jin family, married Lu Mingqian, the eldest son of the Lu family, when she was eighteen years old. They have been married for nearly ten years now."

"Lu Mingqian? I've never heard of him before."

"You've never heard of it. Not long after the marriage, he went to the battlefield. He was defeated and died without a trace. Jin Shu became a widow and has been widowed for many years."

Princess Liang looked at the ancestor before her with some surprise and doubt.

"Why does Your Highness ask these questions? They're just a declining noble family; there's nothing worth studying."

"She's dead... she's dead... her man is dead."

Princess Liang's expression was complicated.

"Your Highness, you wouldn't..."

No way, no way, it can't be what she thinks!

"Yeah, it's good that he's dead. It saves me the trouble of doing it myself."

"...!!!"

What utter nonsense is this ancestor spouting?!

Good heavens, it's one thing for him to be lawless and unruly, but today he actually set his sights on a married woman!

(End of this chapter)