Chapter 281 Master, Let's Get a Divorce

"But if she leaves Kyoto, it will be like looking for a needle in a haystack; it could take a year or two to find her."

The Embroidered Uniform Guard had extensive influence in the capital, making it easy for them to find an ordinary person.

However, once they left Kyoto, their influence was dispersed and they lacked manpower, making it much more difficult to find people.

“Yes,” Jiang Zhi nodded, “we can only take it one step at a time.”

She hadn't had high hopes to begin with.

Perhaps we still need to find a breakthrough elsewhere.

As they spoke, Lu Yuan had already combed her hair into a bun, cupping her face in his hands and examining it from all angles, seemingly quite satisfied with his work.

Jiang Zhi looked at him and suddenly laughed, "Is this how Lord Lu just treated his subordinates?"

"What?" Lu Yuan frowned in confusion.

There was no bronze mirror here, so Jiang Zhi could only reach out and press the wound on his lip.

"Hiss—" Lu Yuan grabbed her hand, his face turning somewhat grim. He finally understood why Jiang Zhi had been laughing.

No wonder Ye Qi looked at him strangely just now; he thought his eyes were twitching.

“Lord Lu’s dignified image in front of his subordinates is probably in jeopardy,” Jiang Zhi said with schadenfreude. “Who would have thought that the usually meticulous commander would come to the garrison with a bitten lip?”

"The world is going to the dogs, and people's hearts are no longer what they used to be." She shook her head, making her both lovable and infuriating.

Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow. "This envoy is not averse to either meat or vegetables; let alone on the carriage just now, even here—"

Seeing the obvious change in Jiang Zhi's expression, he felt much better. "We can continue what we were doing earlier."

Jiang Zhi was so frightened that she quickly pulled her face out of his palm and retreated warily.

Lu Yuan is really stingy.

They wouldn't accept even the slightest loss.

"Don't do anything reckless."

Lu Yuan chuckled.

That's all the courage she has.

Jiang Zhi stayed in the garrison for a while before heading back. Lu Yuan wanted to personally escort her, but Jiang Zhi refused.

She felt a little scared whenever she was in that ironwood carriage with Lu Yuan.

“Okay, then I’ll have Yu Jun take you,” Lu Yuan didn’t insist this time, he just squeezed her hand, “Don’t forget you still owe me one.”

Jiang Zhi's eyes widened. "How did I owe you something again?"

"Just now, my wife was only concerned with her own pleasure in the carriage," Lu Yuan said with a half-smile, "She didn't care about her husband at all."

Jiang Zhi: ……

Who will return that cold-blooded, ruthless commander to her?

*

Having nothing to do these past two days while waiting for news of Lu Yuan's search for someone, Jiang Zhi took Qingxing to Xiefangju.

She wanted to see what cosmetics and face powders were currently popular in Kyoto so she could buy some and contact Ye Liangze to transport them south to Xuzhou and other places.

Knowing that there were some rumors circulating about her in Kyoto, Jiang Zhi deliberately wore a veil to conceal her identity and was prepared to hear some gossip.

But what I heard was about Shen Ci'an.

"Is your fifth child of marriageable age? Have you found someone you like?"

"Ah, as you know, the master originally planned to marry Xiao Wu to that Lord Shen as his second wife. Fortunately, I didn't agree. Lord Shen is now being laughed at by countless people because of his wife."

"Didn't they say his wife was rescued by the heir of the Marquis of Wuyi?"

"Think about it, Kyoto is so far from Yaocheng, how did she get there? She must have lost her innocence long ago."

"Oh dear, that's impossible. Otherwise, why would Lord Shen allow someone like that to stay in the Shen residence?"

"Who knows? It's just a pity about my stubborn little Wu."

"That Lord Shen is truly patient. It would have been a wonderful story if he had married your fifth son."

The two women sighed deeply.

Jiang Zhi had only happened to be passing by the private room when she heard the words "Lord Shen" and couldn't help but stop.

I never expected to hear this kind of conversation.

The two were probably just chatting, so there were no servants guarding the door.

After leaving, Jiang Zhi asked Qing Xing, "While I was in the capital, did anyone discuss marriage with you, Master?"

Qingxing nodded. "It is Miss Zhao Wu, the legitimate daughter of the Rongguo Duke's family, but Lord Shen has not agreed."

Jiang Zhi glanced at her, "How come I've never heard you mention this before?"

"Lord Shen said that such a trivial matter does not need to be mentioned to you specifically," Qingxing said.

Is it insignificant...?

Jiang Zhi sighed, "What exactly happened?"

Qingxing said, "I heard that when Miss Zhao Wu was attending a banquet at the palace, she was bullied by several young ladies. Lord Shen happened to pass by and reprimanded them. When Miss Zhao Wu learned that Lord Shen had lost his wife, she insisted on marrying him."

Jiang Zhi kept thinking about this matter even after she returned to the manor.

Shen Ci'an has never been one to meddle in other people's business.

He was aloof and valued etiquette highly; he wouldn't even speak to those young ladies, let alone reprimand them.

Unless they really went too far, or Shen Ci'an had feelings for this Miss Zhao Wu...

"What are you thinking about so intently?" Shen Ci'an returned from court and found Jiang Zhi sitting blankly in front of the dressing mirror.

He casually removed Jiang Zhi's hair ornaments and massaged her shoulders with his large hands. "Are you tired?"

Jiang Zhi pressed his hand down and shook her head.

"I'll go flower viewing next time I have a day off, and make up for the last one, okay?" Shen Ci'an asked her in a low voice.

Jiang Zhi was silent for a moment, then suddenly looked up, her expression calm, "Master, let's get a divorce."

Shen Ci'an paused in his actions, as if he hadn't heard what she said, and continued, "There's a hot spring nearby where you can enjoy the flowers. It's good for your health. We can stay there for the night and then come back."

“Master, I’ve thought it over,” Jiang Zhi looked at him earnestly, “I can’t be so selfish.”

“When I returned to Beijing, I only thought about myself and didn’t consider that you would also suffer from gossip, which might even affect your career.”

"Even after the divorce, you will still be my teacher, and I will still respect and value you..."

"Stop talking, Miss."

Shen Ci'an's hands were trembling slightly.

So she wouldn't even give him the final title?

He doesn't care about her reputation, and he doesn't even mind her being close to Lu Yuan.

As long as she remembers that the Shen family mansion is her last refuge.

“No, I must say it, Master,” Jiang Zhi sighed deeply, “You will not stop here. In the future, when you achieve great success, having me as your infamous wife will become a stain on your life.”

“I don’t care about any of that, Miss,” Shen Ci’an said, remembering something. “Did Lu Yuan force you?”

Jiang Zhi shook her head. "He won't force me. It's my own choice to divorce you."

The conversation between the two people just now reminded her.

Her return to the capital was not a good thing for Shen Ci'an.

It could even hinder his future career.

However, Shen Ci'an was unusually stubborn, "No, I will not agree to a divorce."

“Master, you often travel outside, and the rumors you hear must be much more unpleasant than mine,” Jiang Zhi suppressed the bitterness in her heart. “A person as upright and honest as you cannot be implicated by me.”

Shen Ci'an's expression was firm, with an undeniable coldness, "If even I were to divorce you, what would the world say about you?"

The rumors will subside with time, but once we separate, they'll think I've abandoned you, and they'll believe those rumors are true. How can you possibly stay in Kyoto then?

His eyebrows were sharply defined, and his eyes were completely calm. "There is no need to discuss this matter further. At the very least, I will not agree to a divorce until the matter with Xiao Yunheng is settled."

Jiang Zhi moved her lips slightly, "What about Miss Zhao Wu?"

"What Miss Zhao Wu?" Shen Ci'an frowned, looking at her with a puzzled expression.

"Miss Zhao Wu of the Rongguo Duke's Mansion, the one you were engaged to when I was not in the capital."

Shen Ci'an's eyes brightened slightly, and he quickly grasped the key point, "So, the eldest young lady wants to divorce me because of Miss Zhao Wu?"