Chapter 219: Second Uncle Returns
Ji Yunshu didn't say anything else. She hugged Zhao Shen, listened to his heartbeat, and her heart gradually calmed down.
Their current situation is much better than what is described in the book. Even if they are really poisoned, there will definitely be a way to deal with it.
The next day, the family began to arrange the second wife's funeral, and the explanation given to the public was that it was a sudden illness.
Although there have been many rumors recently about the sudden cancellation of the engagement between the Marquis' Mansion and the Chen Family, the Second Madam is very low-key and seldom interacts with others, so not many people pay attention to her, and no one suspects anything.
The second wife's brother and sister-in-law were the first to come to the house after hearing the news. Zhao Shen personally received the eldest master of the Qin family. It is unknown what they said, but the Qin family did not raise any questions about Qin's death.
Yao behaved like a qualified mistress of the house. Whether she was entertaining guests or handling matters, she was always well organized, which attracted praise from many people.
Ji Yunshu couldn't help but sigh. People like Yao could act so well that even they themselves believed it was real, let alone others.
A few days later, Uncle Zhao, who received a letter from home, finally rushed back from his post.
This was also the first time Ji Yunshu met Second Uncle Zhao, a gentle and elegant middle-aged man. Perhaps it was because the feng shui outside was not as good as in the capital, but he didn't look much younger than Marquis Zhao.
He saluted Lord Zhao and Yao solemnly, with a serious expression and a stern look.
But when he saw Zhao Fu, his expression softened a little and he said, "I know everything that happened these days. I'm sorry for putting you in such a difficult position."
Ji Yunshu knew that the letter announcing the death of Uncle Zhao Er was written by Zhao Shen himself. Although she did not see the specific content and was not sure what he wrote, from her uncle's accent, she knew that Zhao Fu's marriage was mentioned.
She looked for a long time but still couldn't understand what kind of feelings her second uncle had towards Qin.
The two have been married for more than 20 years, but they are rarely together and their relationship is so weak that they are like strangers.
Zhao Fu was not familiar with her father either. After all, she had seen him only a few times since she was a child.
In the past, even when her father came back, her mother would not let her go near him, always saying that she was a girl and it was not appropriate for her to get close to her father.
Hearing this, the emotions she had been holding on to for several days suddenly collapsed, and tears welled up in her eyes: "Daddy..."
Seeing his daughter like this, the second uncle couldn't hold back any longer. His eyes were wet and he hesitated for a long time before he squeezed out a sentence: "Don't cry."
Ji Yunshu felt that although the father and daughter were not good at expressing themselves, their feelings were indeed sincere.
With such a father around, Zhao Fu's future should not be bad.
After Uncle Zhao met with everyone in the family, he took Zhao Fu back to the second wife's residence.
That night, Uncle Zhao came to Qionghuayuan to find Zhao Shen.
Zhao Shen received the guests in his study.
Uncle Zhao was no longer as serious in front of Zhao Shen as he was in front of outsiders, and sat down casually beside the chessboard.
Looking at Zhao Shen who was halfway through his game, he said, "Your chess skills have improved a lot."
Zhao Shen played with the chess piece in his hand for a long time without making a move. He said calmly, "It's just a pastime when I have nothing to do."
Uncle Zhao asked, "In the past year, you've married, stood up, and even served as an official. Do you still have time to spare?"
Zhao Shen looked up at him and said, "Uncle, please ask whatever you want to ask."
Uncle Zhao placed a piece on the chessboard, then shook his head and said, "You have something to ask me, right?"
Zhao Shen had always known that his second uncle was a very intelligent man, so he didn't beat around the bush: "Second uncle has been an official for many years and has made impressive achievements. Why don't you try to transfer back to the capital?"
Uncle Zhao Er also came from an imperial examination background, and his abilities, qualifications and background were equally good. If he wanted to return to Beijing, it was not impossible.
Uncle Zhao laughed and said, "I grew up in the capital, and I never thought it was a good place. The world is vast and the sky is high. Why would I want to return to this small piece of land?"
The capital city is a huge cage, but what traps people is invisible fame and fortune.
Mr. Zhao was very sober.
Zhao Shen saw that this question would not yield any results, so he decisively changed the subject: "What about Second Aunt? Why don't you bring Second Aunt with you?"
"Don't you know this? Your second aunt doesn't want to."
Uncle Zhao said casually, his eyes still on the chessboard.
The moment Zhao Shen places a piece on the chessboard, the outcome is determined.
Uncle Zhao looked up at him in surprise: "You could have won a long time ago, why did you let me win?"
Zhao Shen looked at him steadily: "Second Uncle, do you know what I want to ask?"
Uncle Zhao's expression remained unchanged. He paused before continuing, "It's no secret in this mansion that our relationship isn't going well. You might not believe me, and I don't know why."
Zhao Shen really didn't believe it.
Seeing him like this, Second Uncle Zhao said helplessly, "I don't know why you're so sure she was involved in your mother's death, but I really don't know what's going on. Speaking of which, when we first got married, we had a period of harmonious living like all newlyweds, but then..."
He frowned, not knowing what he remembered. "It seems that not long before your mother passed away, she suddenly ignored me. I was very busy at the time and didn't pay much attention to it. After your mother passed away, she seemed to have become a different person. So, your mother's death may indeed be related to her."
Zhao Shen still didn't believe him: "For so many years, your wife didn't want to be with you, and you never asked why?"
Uncle Zhao smiled bitterly. "Of course I asked, but what can I do if she doesn't tell me? At first, I wanted to find out what was going on, but she was always cold and indifferent to me. After we've been apart for so long, I no longer have any interest in finding out."
Zhao Shen looked at him and said pointedly, "Is that really the case? Or has Second Uncle vaguely guessed something but lacked the courage to reveal it?"
This time, Uncle Zhao looked directly at Zhao Shen and said, "Yes, I did find out some things later, but it was too late, and there was no evidence. So I thought, let it be. I won't come back, and the family can still be the same as before."
Zhao Shen was stunned for a moment, realizing that he might have touched upon a corner of the truth: "What do you know?"
Uncle Zhao covered his face and said, "A Shen, it's all in the past, don't ask anymore."
"How can I get through? Uncle, I still don't understand how my mother died."
Uncle Zhao seemed to not know what to say and remained silent.
Zhao Shen then continued, "After Second Aunt died, I secretly imprisoned her mother, who served her closely during her lifetime. This mother was her wet nurse and knew everything about her. I asked her about what happened back then, but she refused to tell me, saying that she would only tell me when she met you. Do you want to go and see her?"
Uncle Zhao seemed reluctant to bring up what happened back then. He hesitated for a moment, then, seeing Zhao Shen's persistence, asked, "This is a matter for us elders. Even if she really did something, she's been vegetarian and chanting Buddhist scriptures for years, and now she's dead. Isn't that enough?"
Zhao Shen said firmly, "For me, it's not enough if I don't understand the truth behind my mother's death."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
