Chapter 309 Dispelling Xie Shang's Doubts

Jiang Fenghua chuckled, "Excellent, yet why have you only taught for decades? My father worked at the Imperial Academy, and with his knowledge, he cultivated many learned scholars and pillars of the nation for the court. In twenty or thirty years, according to seniority, he should have been promoted, but in the end, he was still just a lowly schoolteacher, never changing. It is precisely because of this that my father had a very good reputation at the Imperial Academy, which is why my mother chose me as her daughter-in-law, isn't that right?" His and his mother's purpose in marrying her was nothing more than to use the Jiang family.

The Jiang family has already chosen not to fight for power and profit. If Jiang Fenghua continues to be evasive and say that her father is not smart, how can she explain what he taught the Crown Prince? So she spoke more bluntly, and Xie Shang would feel even more guilty about his mother's use of the Jiang family.

Xie Shang downplayed the issue, saying, "Grand Tutor Jiang is indeed a rare gem in the court. My father also highly values ​​his scholarship. I have benefited greatly from his guidance and I deeply respect him." It turns out that the Empress Dowager knew why she favored the Jiang family's daughter, and Grand Tutor Jiang knew it too.

"What are your thoughts on not promoting him? Or do you want to seek a better position for him?" Xie Shang used the term "father-in-law" simply to get closer to Jiang Fenghua. Even if Jiang Fenghua was only trying to please him to secure a way out for the Jiang family, he could tolerate it. He didn't want to say anything hurtful because he understood the principle that spilled water cannot be recovered.

“He has no ambition whatsoever. He doesn’t even want a promotion. He’d be content to remain a junior tutor for life. Even after I married Your Highness, my father never considered using me to advance his career.” This was Jiang Huai’s true thought. He just wanted to teach honestly and didn’t want to scheme for power. This was also the deepest misunderstanding Xie Shang had about her in her previous life. Her explanations were useless. The Jiang family was accused of having ulterior motives simply because they had attached themselves to the royal family. For a teacher who wholeheartedly wanted to teach and nurture students, this was truly a devastating blow to her spirit. She knew in her heart who was behind all this.

Now she has the opportunity to explain to him, because they are different now, and he can listen attentively to her explanation.

Xie Shang thought to himself, "There are still people who don't like being promoted. Grand Tutor Jiang is indeed a man of noble character."

He added, “My father-in-law has decreed this marriage. If he disobeys, it would be a capital offense. Doesn’t he want to marry Ruan Ruan to me?”

It turns out that Jiang Taifu initially looked down on him as his son-in-law, which is why he hit his hand so hard. Thinking about this, he felt utterly speechless. He thought Jiang Taifu must have such a scheming mind.

Despite asking this question, he was secretly relieved that Jiang Huai hadn't disobeyed the imperial decree. If she had, the entire Jiang family might have been wiped out, and how could he have married her?

“My father defied the imperial decree because he didn’t want Ruan Ruan to get involved in the court’s infighting. He would rather his daughter marry into an ordinary family, like my second sister. She married into a small merchant family, not seeking wealth or power, but just stability.” Jiang Fenghua explained that the Jiang family did not have the same ambitions as the Su family, thus allaying Xie Shang’s doubts.

She added, "My father knows that Your Highness is a man of great vision and strategic brilliance. Ruan Ruan is certainly not marrying Your Highness to live a peaceful and uneventful life." This shows that Jiang Huai acknowledges his extraordinary abilities.

Xie Shang was filled with excitement. From the lessons Jiang Huai had taught him, he knew that Jiang Huai would be a great politician who cared for the people and the country. However, he had only been promoted after his father, the emperor, made him the crown prince, changing his position from junior tutor to grand tutor of the crown prince.

Even so, Jiang Huai did not form any cliques.

Jiang Fenghua said seriously, "The Jiang family would never disobey the imperial decree. We cannot let the Jiang family be destroyed because of Ruan Ruan alone. Father, mother, eldest brother, second sister, fourth brother, and everyone related to the Jiang family will be implicated. Therefore, Ruan Ruan has no choice but to marry."

"So, did Ruan Ruan want to marry me back then?" or was she forced to marry him?

"Does marrying or not marrying have a choice for me? I've never thought about that question. What I think about most is how to get along with His Highness after I marry him, how to like His Highness, and how to learn to be a wife. However, His Highness has given me a rude awakening." She was depressed.

Before Xie Shang could react, she pressed on, "Ever since I learned that Your Highness has someone you love, and that person is the daughter of a great general, Ruan Ruan felt a sense of relief. At that time, Ruan Ruan was not ready to like Your Highness. I stayed in my own little world. I thought that if we really were not destined to be husband and wife, we could get a divorce. After the divorce, I would go to my maternal grandfather's house and run a security escort agency with them. I could be a free bird."

However, at that time, Consort Su seemed to want to cause me trouble at every turn. My Jiang family is a family of civil officials. My father avoided the limelight his whole life in order to live a peaceful life as a teacher.

I am his daughter, so naturally I should know how to avoid her sharp edge. I would never dare to confront her head-on, nor would I expect His Highness to like me. I only seek to protect myself. I think the weaker I am, the less likely the general's daughter will notice me, and naturally I will be safe.

If I were to act like I'm very capable and try to compete with her, she would definitely think that I'm trying to steal her away and deliberately showing off. Her Highness and she are very close and affectionate, so wouldn't it be pointless for me to try and get closer to her?

Later, I realized I had fallen in love with Your Highness, and Your Highness said you were willing to love me too. Everything changed. Ruan Ruan doesn't harm others, but she doesn't want to be harmed either. If I have to become weak to protect myself, or if someone wants to harm my family, I won't compromise anymore. This is the real Ruan Ruan. This is also why she never said a word to Xie Shang about Su Tingwan's evil deeds. All of Su Tingwan's punishments were deserved, and she just watched her fall into the abyss.

After hearing this, Xie Shang hugged her tightly. "So your gentle and weak appearance was just an act, just to avoid Su Tingwan's attacks, just like Grand Tutor Jiang, who doesn't compete or show off, and just wants to be a teacher in peace."

However, when someone attacked Grand Tutor Jiang, he dared to argue his case before the Emperor. You two are truly worthy of being father and daughter; this isn't cunning, but rather intelligence.

But she was exceptionally beautiful, and whether she was gentle or strong, she was very likable; her brilliance could not be hidden.

Even if she hadn't married him, she would still have shone brightly. Jiang Jinyan once said that if the Jiang family didn't keep her hidden, their gates would be worn down by suitors. That's probably why Jiang Huai made her avoid the limelight after marrying into the royal family!

"Your Highness," she called out, seemingly moved, "if Your Highness hadn't fallen for Ruan Ruan back then, you would have divorced me and let me leave Shengjing!"

Jiang Fenghua was held tightly in his arms. Her lips gradually lengthened, and her eyes shone with a bright and fiery light, like a hungry beast staring at its prey. Her desire for power had never diminished in the slightest.

Only by climbing up to Xie Shang could she reach the pinnacle of power; now she can be considered to have truly passed the test!

She hugged Xie Shang's waist, buried her head in his chest, and listened to his strong heartbeat. She whispered, "Why isn't Your Highness saying anything?"

He said, “Ruan Ruan is very good. It is also what I hope for that you know how to protect yourself. There are indeed too many dangers around you. It is only because you are so smart that you can survive in the palace. Including the skills that your maternal grandfather taught you, don’t reveal them easily.”

Jiang Fenghua said softly, "Mm." She naturally wouldn't reveal her intentions; if given the chance, she would strike the enemy decisively.

Then, with a warning tone, he said, "Women who marry into the royal family cannot divorce, so Ruan Ruan can only be my wife. It was destined that we would be husband and wife."

Jiang Fenghua smiled. Yes, they were destined to be together across two lifetimes.