Chapter 198 Stop Staring, Your Eyes Are Not as Big as Mine
Seeing that he was not shy about his words, Song Yunchu raised his eyebrows, "So, General Zhao wants to stand up for Miss Jiang?"
"Miss Jiang is kindhearted, Duke Jin is unreasonable. Anyone with eyes should side with Miss Jiang."
General Zhao said this, looking at Song Yunchu with a curious look, "Lord Song, why did you suddenly mention Miss Jiang to me? What is your intention?"
Song Yunchu smiled faintly and said, "Of course I want to help her find a backer. General Zhao should know that I was engaged to Miss Jiang, but because the astronomical phenomenon of 'two stars accompanying each other' caused heated discussions among the people, the emperor followed the public opinion and cancelled the marriage."
"The Duke of Jin made a scene in the clinic a few days ago. I wanted to help Miss Jiang, but how could I interfere in the family affairs of the Jiang family? After all, I am no longer her fiancé. As a stranger, I can't openly protect her, lest the neighbors say behind her back that she has an affair with me. Such gossip can't hurt me, but it will damage her reputation."
"But if it was General Zhao who protected her, the effect would be different. The Zhao family has three generations of military commanders with outstanding achievements. Your reputation is much better than your real appearance. It is well known that you have a leg disease. Now there is a miracle doctor who can cure your pain. It is only natural for you to take good care of her out of gratitude."
After hearing what Song Yunchu said, General Zhao was a little surprised.
He really didn't expect that Song Yunchu would consider so much for Jiang Rumin.
"Miss Jiang has spent a lot of effort to treat my leg disease these days. I really owe her a favor."
General Zhao said in a deep voice: "Since Duke Jin has drawn a clear line with Miss Jiang, he has no right to discipline her in the future. If he goes to Ruihe Hall to cause trouble again, I, Zhao, will not agree! How about this, I will go and say hello to Miss Jiang tomorrow and send a few thugs with good kung fu to guard her door. If we encounter some guys who want to make trouble in the future, we will just use force."
"General Zhao's intentions are good, but have you ever thought that it is easier to avoid an open attack than to guard against an arrow from the dark? The imperial plaque and the thugs you sent can indeed have a deterrent effect on the surface, but they may not be able to prevent harm from peers. Miss Jiang's business is now growing, and I'm afraid that someone will dislike her and do something behind her back."
"Although she had a hard life in the past, she was not targeted by her peers. First, she was just a small business owner. Second, her status as the daughter of the Duke's Mansion was there, and outsiders did not dare to easily provoke the Jiang family. But after the Duke of Jin made such a fuss, all the neighbors knew that she had cut ties with the Jiang family. She is now a commoner, so who would be afraid of her?"
"Take the Chu family silk shop as an example. The Chu family, with such a large business, was once maliciously slandered, and the reputation accumulated over the years was almost lost overnight. Chu Yuni can be said to have endless money, but he still struggled to pursue a career in officialdom because he wanted to pursue status and position to better protect his family. After his son was promoted, he filled the vacancy of the lieutenant. His salary was not enough to cover his usual expenses for half a month, but he was also happy, just because he had status and was a respectable person."
General Zhao was pouring himself tea, and when he heard Song Yunchu say this, he paused.
Although he was a rough man, he would understand what Song Yunchu meant.
During the last few days in the west of the city, his leg disease did not flare up. He was thinking about quickly dealing with the plague and lifting the blockade of the west of the city as soon as possible. He even forgot to mention the treatment of his leg to Jiang Rumin. After Jiang Rumin heard about it from the soldiers, he came to greet him and prepared some medicine for him to soak his legs overnight, saying that he should take precautions before the disease broke out.
Two days later, his leg disease recurred, but the pain was much less than usual, which surprised him.
Every time he saw Jiang Rumin, he felt close to her and would unconsciously think of his daughter who died of tuberculosis. The child was born in the same year as Jiang Rumin, and she was only nine years old when she died. If she could live until now... maybe Jiang Rumin could find a way to cure her.
When he learned that Jiang Rumin was treated harshly by the Duke of Jin, he was very angry. His daughter did not have a good physique, and he was worried for many days and nights, but he still could not stop his daughter from leaving. He could not understand why there would be a father in the world who would abandon his daughter like a piece of trash, especially when the child was obviously very pure, filial, well-educated and well-mannered.
He felt that the Duke of Jin was either crazy or his brain was damaged by a door, otherwise why would he do something that was incomprehensible to ordinary people?
If Jiang Rumin was his child and had made contributions to the country, he would wake up with a smile in his dreams. How could he try to control such a capable child? What if she showed up in public? As long as she was not immoral, he didn't care what business she wanted to do.
The Duke of Jin insisted on keeping people confined in the mansion and keeping them under tight control. This was truly incomprehensible and as stupid as a pig.
"Lord Song hopes that she can have the identity of a general's lady, which coincides with my opinion. To be honest, I like this child very much, but... I don't know if she is willing to recognize me? Maybe in her eyes, I am just one of her many patients."
General Zhao drank the hot tea in his cup and said, "If she doesn't feel friendly towards me, then I can't force her."
"Whether it's friendly or not, you can ask Miss Jiang and find out for yourself, right?"
Song Yunchu's eyebrows were tinged with smile, "She should be here soon."
"She's coming? This..." General Zhao's face suddenly showed a trace of nervousness, "Sir Song, aren't we the only two meeting today? I haven't thought of what to say yet. Isn't it too sudden for you to call her over?"
"What's the big deal? I can see that General Zhao wants to adopt Miss Jiang as his adopted daughter. Miss Jiang is also a smart person. She can tell the difference between sincerity and falsehood. You don't need to be nervous. Even if she doesn't agree, she will not ignore your leg disease. The four words "a doctor's heart is compassionate" are the principles she has always adhered to."
"It's not the leg disease that caused her to fall out with her biological father. Shouldn't she be given some time to calm down?"
"Don't worry about that. She has calmed down a long time ago."
"Does Lord Song think he knows her thoughts very well?" General Zhao said displeasedly, "If she is still immersed in her disappointment with her father..."
Before General Zhao could finish his words, he heard footsteps outside the door.
The next moment, Bai Zhu knocked on the door, "Sir, Miss Jiang is here."
General Zhao immediately fell silent.
Song Yunchu smiled and said, "Miss Jiang, please come in."
Seeing Jiang Rumin enter the private room, Song Yunchu took a new cup and poured hot tea for her.
"Thank you, Lord Song." Jiang Rumin took the tea and turned to General Zhao and said, "I haven't had time to visit you these days. Is your leg disease still recurring?"
"It has been a long time since the disease broke out. I soak the medicine you prepared every night."
Seeing that General Zhao suddenly became a little reserved, Song Yunchu coughed lightly, "Miss Jiang, General Zhao has something to tell you."
Upon hearing this, General Zhao rolled his eyes at Song Yunchu.
This Prime Minister Song... is too impatient!
Song Yunchu received his rolling eyes, but continued to fan himself calmly.
"Stop staring at me. Your eyes aren't as big as mine. It doesn't look good when you stare at me. Everyone is here. Tell me now."
“…”
Seeing Jiang Rumin looking at him, General Zhao thought for a moment and said, "I am a rough man and not good at speaking, but what I say is the truth. Rumin, you are smart, but the world is treacherous. You and the Jiang family have fallen out. If you are targeted again in the future, I am afraid you will have a hard time dealing with it. If you don't mind... my Zhao family can protect you from the storm."
Although Jiang Rumin knew what General Zhao wanted to say before she came, she was still moved when she was asked the question.
She is an unloved daughter and General Zhao is a father who has lost his child.
She could clearly see the sincerity in General Zhao's eyes.
She turned her head and looked at Song Yunchu.
She was grateful for General Zhao's appreciation and care for her, and even more grateful to Song Yunchu for creating this opportunity for her.
If Lord Song was not gay with His Majesty...she would probably really want to fight for it.
Never mind. There are no ifs in this world.
Her current glory was also awarded by His Majesty. If she offends His Majesty, it will be of no benefit to her future.
It would be better to cheer up and help Lord Song to keep the Zhao family together, which would also be a help to Lord Song in the future.
"You are a good child and should be treated well. The Jiang family doesn't understand your kindness. It's because they are unlucky. You really don't need to waste your emotions on them. If you are willing to be my adopted daughter, my Zhao family will ensure that you will not be bullied in the future."
General Zhao said in a steady and powerful tone, "Just do whatever you want to do. Don't worry about us interfering with you. When it comes to children, whether they are boys or girls, I hope they can live freely."
General Zhao said almost everything he could think of, and after that he looked at Jiang Rumin with hope.
He originally had both a son and a daughter, but now that he is middle-aged, he only has his son Zhao Jingheng left. If he could have a daughter, it would make up for the regret in his heart.
Facing his expectation, Jiang Rumin did not hesitate, and stood up and slowly knelt down in front of him, "I thought I would no longer have family to accompany me in the future, but unexpectedly you are willing to take me in. It is my honor to have a hero like you as my father. Godly father, I bow to you."
"Okay, okay, get up!" General Zhao helped Jiang Rumin up with a happy face. "Jing Heng would be very happy if he knew he had a younger sister. You will come back with me to the mansion and pick a house you like. I will have someone clean it up for you. We will have a family dinner tomorrow. I have to let my relatives and friends know that I have adopted a good daughter. Many people have heard of your name. They must be envious of me."
"It's up to you."
Song Yunchu sat aside, looking at the two of them having fun, and smiled silently.
"It's getting late. Since you two want to go back to the General's Mansion, I won't waste your time any more."
Song Yunchu said this and stood up from his chair.
Seeing that she was about to leave, Jiang Rumin said, "Master Song, please stay."
"Miss Jiang, you must want to thank me, right? I appreciate it."
Song Yunchu said, "We have known each other for such a long time, and I treat you as my sister. Do you remember what I said before? You are a wonderful woman with the fate of a phoenix girl. If you have no ability, I can't lift you up even if I want to, so don't be too grateful to me. You just need to remember that living your own life well is more important than anything else."
Jiang Rumin looked into her clear eyes and nodded: "Don't worry, Master Song, I will definitely take good care of myself."
Do you treat her as your sister?
Lord Song has someone he loves, so he cannot be her lover, he can only be her friend or brother.
Although I feel a little regretful, as long as I think about how much I have benefited, it doesn't seem so regretful.
Compared to the muddled days in the past, the life she is living now is a truly good life, so why should she cling to anything else?
Lord Song has repeatedly emphasized that she is a Phoenix Girl, and she has indeed done her part for the people. This shows that her so-called Phoenix Girl fate is not a false reputation.
Lord Song felt that she would affect the destiny of the Tianqi Kingdom, so he helped and protected her again and again. He hoped for her well-being. Ultimately, it was also for the sake of the country and His Majesty.
Sometimes she really envied His Majesty...
I just hope that Lord Song will never be let down by Your Majesty in this life, otherwise Your Majesty will not be worthy of his painstaking efforts.
"I am leaving now. You two don't need to see me off."
"Master Song, take care."
Jiang Rumin watched Song Yunchu leave the private room. When she turned around, she met General Zhao's inquiring gaze.
"Rumin, do you still have feelings for Song Xiang?"
Song Yunchu had already left, so General Zhao spoke without hesitation, "This kid is indeed handsome and promising, but he easily attracts trouble and has many enemies. People who hope that he will be in trouble can line up from the streets to the end of the alley."
"Father, please stop joking. Lord Song and I have broken off our engagement. We can only be friends from now on."
Jiang Rumin said, "Rather than saying that he is the cause of trouble, it's better to say that trouble has to find him. He is highly regarded by His Majesty, which makes the ministers unhappy. They can't do anything to him in the court, so they can only make up stories about him in private, as if doing so will make them feel better."
"They are not as good as him, but they never reflect on themselves. They brand him a thief and use the most unpleasant words to belittle him, in order to show their own nobleness."
Jiang Rumin said this, curling the corners of his lips, "It's just a carnival of a group of incompetent people. It won't affect his rise to prominence at all."
Listening to Jiang Rumin's evaluation of Song Yunchu, General Zhao was very surprised, "Is he as good as you say?"
He has always been too lazy to care about the grudges between ministers, but Song Yunchu's reputation has been very bad in the past two years. Even if he has made contributions recently, he can only eliminate some of the criticism.
"Godfather, don't trust all rumors. Time will tell. Sooner or later you will realize that I am right."
“…”
The next day.
The news that Miss Jiang from Ruihetang was adopted as General Zhao's daughter spread throughout the streets.
Naturally, the Jiang family also received the news.
Jun Tianyi was under house arrest and unable to go out, so Jiang Yuxi brought some tonic soup to visit him at the palace.
"Your Majesty, my father followed your instructions and went to Ruihe Hall to pick up my elder sister in person, but..."
"But what? She doesn't agree to go back?"
"Not only did she drive my father and I out, she also severed ties with my father and recognized General Zhao as her adoptive father."
Jiang Yuxi frowned as she spoke. "I heard that she was taken to see General Zhao by someone from the Song Mansion yesterday. I'm afraid the Jiang family won't be able to control her in the future."
Jun Tianyi's face darkened when he heard this, and he angrily swept away the dishes on the table.
"Why does this bastard Song always go against me?"
Tuhelang's men were really useless. They failed to kill Song Yunchu on the day of the Flower Goddess Festival and wasted his thirty thousand taels of silver in vain.
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