She is so strategic and methodical that she doesn't seem like someone who can't play chess.
—If they really didn't know how, how could they understand this step-by-step method?
Yes, Qiu Weiming now fully understood what she wanted to do. From the moment she borrowed the manuscript from Zhu Qing and asked him for guidance, to the words she spoke to Zhu Qing, and then, naturally, Zhu Qing found him and began to test his niece... all of this was within her calculations.
But undeniably, her eloquence was so exceptional that it made Qiu Weiming waver in his long-held beliefs. He knew he was now falling into a trap set by Zhu Jiayu, but before he did, he wanted to confirm one last time whether his choice was right or wrong.
It is said that chess reflects a person's character; one can tell a person's character and conduct from their moves and strategies on the chessboard.
But to his surprise, she said she didn't know how to play chess.
Whether she genuinely doesn't know or is pretending not to, there's no point in pursuing it further: after all, Zhu Jiayu's attitude is clear—she simply doesn't want to play with him, and he can't force her.
Thinking of this, he smiled and said, "Alright, since that's the case, I'll get straight to the point. Ayu, no matter what grudges your mother or the Zhu family had with us in the past, it's undeniable that our two families have always been of one mind and have shared weal and woe. You want your uncle to return to officialdom, and I'm afraid it's not just for Zhu Qing, is it?"
"Feel free to share your thoughts."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Jiayu no longer concealed her thoughts, but ultimately did not reveal her true intentions. She simply nodded and said, "Uncle is right. My earnest advice to you is not only for the sake of my cousin and my other cousins, but also for my own selfish reasons."
“I am very interested in doing business. In the future, I want to open the Zhu Family Embroidery Workshop in Heling, all over Xingchuan County, and even in Yujing. If I have my uncle and cousin who are officials in the court to protect me, I will surely encounter far fewer obstacles along the way.”
She stuck out her tongue and said with a charming smile, "Uncle won't blame Ayu, will he?"
"Is that all?" Qiu Weiming looked at Zhu Jiayu probingly, not entirely believing her words. Or rather, he didn't quite believe her ambitions were limited to this.
That's how things are. Some people's ambitions don't match their abilities, while others, after revealing their great abilities, no one will believe that their ambitions are so simple.
Qiu Weiming locked himself in his study for several days, not only because his heart was wavering, but more because he was thinking about what Zhu Jiayu really wanted.
Zhu Jiayu smiled and retorted, "What else could it be? I'm just a woman. All my hard work and scheming is just to have the means to secure my future. What are you thinking, Uncle?"
Qiu Weiming gave her a deep look, then suddenly raised his voice: "If you simply want to run the embroidery shop well, your uncle and cousin are naturally willing to wholeheartedly support you. But if you truly have ulterior motives and refuse to be honest with your uncle, then your uncle naturally has nothing to say..."
Perhaps it was after she said those words that Qiu Weiming realized he was truly getting old. Otherwise, why would he need a young girl to enlighten him before he finally understood?
Zhu Jiayu interrupted him, her expression solemn: "No matter what my plans are now or in the future, I assure you, Uncle, I will never do anything to harm the Qiu family. Just as you said, no matter what happened in the past, now and in the future, I, or rather the Zhu family, will always be of one heart and one mind with the Qiu family, sharing weal and woe."
Her eyes were firm, bright yet gentle, making it easy for people to lower their guard and trust her.
Qiu Weiming was no exception.
He thought that, at least for now, her suggestions were indeed in line with the Qiu family's situation. Although he was tired of the power struggles in officialdom, it was true, as Ayu said, that only if he paved the way for Zhu Qing could Zhu Qing go further and do better in the future.
He nodded: "I understand. As long as you truly care about the Qiu family, they will naturally be your strongest support. Whatever you want to do, the Qiu family will support you."
He said this not simply to put himself in the position of the uncle, but to make a promise from the perspective of the head of the Qiu family.
Zhu Jiayu also sensed the weight of his words. She suppressed her smile, stood up from the stone table, gave him a graceful curtsy, and said, "Ayu thanks Uncle."
Qiu Weiming shook his head and sighed, "We're family, so let's not be so formal. You've given me a lot of advice, and I'll naturally remember your kindness."
...
Dali Temple, inside the imperial prison.
In the dimly lit cell, a woman who looked to be in her early thirties and still had a charming appearance was kneeling on a pile of straw. Today was her third day in prison.
Even if she was slow to realize it, she understood that this meant the people behind her were going to abandon her.
She looked at the flickering lights outside the passageway, her gaze gradually shifting from hesitation to determination. She stood up, patted the railing, and said to the patrolling guards, "I wish to see Lord Shaoqing. Please inform him that I have important matters to report."
"What important matter? Do you think you can just see the Junior Minister whenever you want? Do you think the Imperial Prison is your home?" a guard sneered.
The other guard, though not quite in such a tone, was still rather annoyed: "Lord Shaoqing comes every few days. If you want to see him, you'd better wait here obediently and don't try anything funny."
Upon hearing this, the woman did not hesitate to pull out the gold hairpin from her temple, press it against her throat, and said fiercely, "I want to see him now. Whether he wants to see me or not is his business, but if you do not report this, I will shed my blood here. If you are held accountable, none of you will escape."
The two guards exchanged a glance, not expecting her to threaten suicide. They were momentarily flustered, after all, Lord Wei had instructed them to keep a close watch on this person.
The guard who had previously scoffed at her pondered for a moment, but ultimately didn't want to get into trouble. He frowned and handed the lantern in his hand to his companion, saying, "You stay here and guard the place. I'll go and ask Lord Wei for permission."
Just then, Lord Wei was still organizing the files and had not returned to his residence, so it wouldn't take him much effort to come and go.
Before long, Wei Qinglou heard the guard's report.
"It's earlier than I expected." He lowered his eyes and thought, put down the dossier in his hand, and said to the guard, "Go and bring the person over."
Upon hearing this, the guard quickly agreed and turned to bring the person over.
"This humble subject greets Lord Wei." The woman entered the hall and was immediately struck by Wei Qinglou's captivating appearance. She was momentarily stunned before speaking in a low voice.
Wei Qinglou didn't even spare her a glance, only asking her in a calm tone, "Have you thought it through?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com