The housekeeper looked at Jiang Zhengyi's expression cautiously.
"In Aunt Xu's yard."
The backyard of the Chiang Mansion.
Several concubines were gathered together to discuss countermeasures.
"What a pity! I was so close to killing him yesterday. I'm afraid I won't have such a good opportunity again in the future."
Aunt Xu, who looked quite pretty and had a smile on her face, was blowing on her fingernails.
"Who said there's no chance?"
The other two concubines pricked up their ears.
"What opportunity? Tell me now, don't keep me in suspense."
"What's the rush? They say this harem is like a battlefield, there are so many ways to kill someone..."
Jiang Zhengyi stood outside the door. He felt his hair stand on end and his heart went cold.
Having been the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice for many years, what kind of dirty tricks have I not seen? But those were all happening to other people, not painful or itchy.
Now that these methods were used on his own flesh and blood, he deeply experienced what it meant to be terrified.
Although the princess's words were unpleasant, they now seemed to make sense.
Jiang Zhengyi was stunned for a long time before he walked back in a daze. He stayed in the study for most of the day without making any noise.
It's time to light the lamps.
Nangong Jiu brought Xiao Wang and Xiao Xing and came to Jiang Zhengyi's house in stealth.
After walking around the backyard and seeing Jiang Zhengyi's concubines, he went to the front yard.
After seeing a man named Jiang Zhengyi drinking alone in the study, he came to a courtyard where people were coming in and out from time to time, and followed him in without saying a word.
A wing room in the courtyard.
Jiang Zhengyi's son, fifteen-year-old Jiang Shuheng, lay in bed covered in wounds.
Her mother, Jiang Zhengyi's legal wife Chen Mingyi, was gently wiping her son's hands and face with a warm handkerchief.
The gentle woman had tear marks on her face and a look of determination.
"Shuheng, it's mother who is useless. She can't protect herself, nor can she protect you.
In the afternoon, your grandfather sent a letter saying that he missed us.
Your grandparents are old and have many health problems. When you recover from your injury, we will go to see them and spend some time with them so that we won’t be an eyesore to others in the house.
Over the years, mother has been trapped in the dream she had woven, thinking that your grandfather and his family were short-sighted and looked down on your father, a poor scholar.
So, in order to save face, I basically cut off all contact with them.
Now, mother finally understands that the reason your grandmother and the others tried so hard to stop this marriage was because mother was wrong..."
Nangong Jiu took Xiao Wang and Xiao Xing out of the Jiang Mansion.
"This Mrs. Jiang seems to be a well-educated woman, but unfortunately, like my eldest cousin, she met the wrong person.
From her face, I saw only an expression of grief and despair."
Xiao Xing gloated, "That Jiang Zhengyi must have regretted it, otherwise he wouldn't be drinking alone."
"Regret? It's come to this, is there any use in regretting it?
I remember my mother once said to my aunt and the others, "When your heart is cold, you can never warm it again."
Little Wang burst out laughing.
"Your Excellency, it feels a bit strange for you, at such a young age, to speak such profound words."
Nangong Jiu tilted his head back and said, "Stop talking nonsense and go back. We'll come to visit the Jiang residence at the end of Chenshi tomorrow."
As he said this, he looked back at the Jiang Mansion under the night sky.
"I came here with a purpose, to watch the fun. No matter if I like it or not, no matter what injustice I see, I must endure it and not take action.
You two must remember to remind me.
Otherwise, the ministers would say that I was interfering in their family affairs and would cause trouble for the Emperor."
At the end of the next day.
Nangong Jiu rode Xiao Wang out of the house, leisurely passing through the streets and alleys, and finally stopped at the gate of Jiang's house.
The doorman saw Nangong Jiu and came forward to ask, "Little kid, what's up?"
Nangong Jiu thought for a moment and said, "My name is Liu Jiuer, I'm the child of your master's colleague, and I'm here as a guest at your house.
When the doorman heard that it was the child of his master's colleague, he hurried in to report.
Soon, Jiang Zhengyi came out in a hurry and was about to salute, but was stopped by Nangong Jiu.
"Uncle Jiang, you're welcome. I'm just visiting your house to have fun."
After that, he stepped forward and whispered a reminder: "Master Jiang, please remember that I am not a princess today. I am just the child of one of your colleagues, named Liu Jiuer."
Jiang Zhengyi nodded in agreement.
Nangong Jiu rode on Xiao Wang and followed Jiang Zhengyi into the mansion.
Front yard flower hall.
Jiang Zhengyi had just arrived at the front yard with Nangong Jiu, but before they could even enter the flower hall, they were stopped by several women in a coquettish voice.
"Master, why are you carrying a child? Who is she?"
"A colleague's child came to visit the mansion."
Several women glanced at Nangong Jiu, who was dressed in ordinary clothes, and didn't take it seriously.
They rushed forward, one of them holding Jiang Zhengyi's arm and saying, "Master, are you tired? Let us massage you."
Jiang Zhengyi pulled his arm away irritably.
"No need, just do what you need to do."
He ignored them and led Nangong Jiu into the flower hall. He called the servants to serve tea and snacks. "Sir, Miss Liu, do you have any favorite dishes?"
"It doesn't matter, just be casual."
Jiang Zhengyi called the housekeeper again and arranged a table of food in this way.
At this time, several concubines also recovered from their previous cold treatment and walked into the flower hall with a smile.
They spontaneously walked to Jiang Zhengyi, rubbed his shoulders, massaged his legs, and served him attentively.
The plump third concubine beat her legs and complained aggrievedly.
"Master, we went to Qingya Court to visit the young master earlier. Seeing that the elder sister was very tired taking care of the young master day and night, we wanted to share her worries. I didn't expect that the elder sister would not appreciate it and even told us to get out."
The gentle Second Aunt echoed: "Yes, my sister is so fierce, like a shrew. She doesn't appreciate our kindness and even throws things at us. We have good intentions..."
Jiang Zhengyi gritted his teeth and said, "Alright, you guys can go down now. We have guests here."
Seeing this, the charming Concubine Xu hurriedly called over two maids and said, "Take this young lady out to play and serve her well."
Nangong Jiu quickly waved his hands to refuse.
"Don't mind me, I'll drink my tea."
Seeing this, the concubines really stopped paying attention to Nangong Jiu and started talking to each other again.
"Master, Sister Xu copied a landscape painting and said it was about 30% like it.
"My concubines are not very knowledgeable and cannot see the merits of this. Master has a great understanding of landscape painting. Please go and appreciate it."
"Yes, let's go." As he said this, he was about to pull Jiang Zhengyi away.
With Nangong Jiu watching, Jiang Zhengyi didn't dare to reprimand him openly: "Just leave it there for now and look at it another time."
If one move fails, the concubines will come up with another one.
"Master, it's so boring to just sit and drink tea. Come to my courtyard. I will make some small dishes myself. We can eat and chat while we eat. It will be both relaxing and pleasant."
"Yes, I will play another song for you to cheer you up."
This drama, which he usually enjoyed very much, made Jiang Zhengyi feel very uncomfortable at this moment.
Suppressing his anger, he said, "You guys go back to your own courtyard. I'll go see Shuheng..."
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