Zhao Zhizhe's expression was also not very good.
It's true that powerful families have many corrupt officials, but they don't usually do things openly. The eldest brother-in-law was just too arrogant, which is why he ran into Wen Zhixuan.
For this matter, both he and his father were reprimanded by the emperor.
After all, the entire territory and land under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Revenue.
He asked in a deep voice, "What else did Princess Fule say?"
Zhao Huaichu hesitated, muttering inarticulately, unable to answer.
Zhao Zhizhe softened his expression and said gently, "Just say it, don't be afraid."
Seeing that his father wasn't angry, Zhao Huaichu honestly said, "Miaomiao said that the fertile land that Uncle seized could feed many, many people. Without this land, people would have to sell their children. Father, how many people in our household were bought?"
Zhao Huaichu: "..."
Madam Tao couldn't hold back any longer. "The hierarchy of social status has always been the way it is. The Zhao family's ancestors were meritorious, serving as officials in the court for generations, which is why they have accumulated such immense wealth. Those who sell their children can only blame their ancestors for not accumulating virtue and for their own lack of conscience. We gave them food and shelter; that is kindness. Do you understand?"
Zhao Huaichu shrank back again, "But...but Miaomiao said that it was because the aristocratic families seized the people's fertile land that they couldn't survive, forcing them to sell their children and become slaves..."
"absurd!"
Madam Tao slammed her hand on the table and said angrily, "What does a mere baby know about the people's livelihood? How dare she spout such nonsense?"
Zhao Zhizhe also looked displeased.
People are divided into noble and lowly; the noble occupy high positions, while the lowly bow their heads and obey.
These are the rules.
Zhao Huaichu was so frightened that she was about to cry, but she still instinctively defended her friend, saying, "Miaomiao is a goddess."
Madam Tao choked for a moment, still dissatisfied.
"Goddesses are all in heaven, why is she meddling in human affairs every day? I think she's probably some kind of evil spirit from somewhere..."
Zhao Zhizhe's expression changed.
"Madam, please be careful with your words."
Madam Tao realized she had spoken out of turn, her face paled slightly, and her eyes showed a hint of panic.
She hadn't witnessed any miracles firsthand, but she had heard of quite a few.
No matter how powerful a noble family is, it can only wield its power in the human world; how can it contend with the gods?
Zhao Huaichu burst into tears, "Miaomiao isn't a demon, Miaomiao is a goddess! She can catch demons, she can summon rain, she can make paper figures dance, she can fly on a sword, and today she even made us stand on the clouds and fly out of the city..."
Zhao Zhizhe and Madam Tao were both shocked.
Little Zhao Huaichu wiped away her tears and sobbed, "Miaomiao is a good person, she's not a demon. Mom, if you say bad things about Miaomiao, you'll...you'll be struck by lightning..."
Madam Tao was so angry she wanted to slam her fist on the table, but she was genuinely afraid and subconsciously glanced outside.
Great, no response.
She breathed a sigh of relief.
Upon seeing this, Cheng Ningqin couldn't help but ask, "Miaomiao, why wasn't Auntie struck by lightning?"
Jiang Shumiao: "..."
"Because she didn't mention my name."
Heaven doesn't recognize any Princess Fule; it only recognizes the name 'Jiang Shumiao'.
Cheng Ningqin nodded as if she understood, and continued reading.
Madam Tao was furious with her son and gave him a severe scolding.
Zhao Huaichu was both scared and aggrieved, and developed a fever that night.
Fortunately, it wasn't serious; after taking the medicine, I recovered in three days.
He wanted to go to school, but Madam Tao wouldn't allow it. "I sent you to the Imperial Academy before so you could study properly with the teachers, but you spend all your time associating with all sorts of shady people. You haven't learned anything else, but you've learned to disobey your parents. From today onwards, you don't need to go to the Imperial Academy anymore. Stay home and reflect on your actions."
Zhao Zhizhe remained silent on the matter.
Zhao Huaichu was dissatisfied and started crying and making a scene.
Zhao Zhizhe and his wife ignored it.
Children also have self-esteem. Zhao Huaizhi had been hanging out with Jiang Shumiao for a long time, and he had developed a little bit of rebelliousness. Seeing his parents being so domineering, he felt wronged and dissatisfied.
"Miaomiao is right, you're just feeling guilty."
"I should have listened to Miaomiao and used the truth-telling talisman on you, waaaaah... You must have done something bad and didn't let me know. Miaomiao said that doing bad things will bring retribution. I'll get struck by lightning someday, waaaaah..."
Zhao Zhizhe was so angry that his face turned ashen.
"Shut up!"
"I won't shut up."
Once Zhao Huaichu's rebellious spirit took hold, she wouldn't listen to anyone. "You've all lied to me! Miaomiao is a good person, and the Imperial Advisor is a good person too. He doesn't want to be with you... so you say he's bad..."
He forgot about the concept of going along with the crowd and didn't quite understand what it meant, but it was definitely not a good thing.
Zhao Zhizhe and Madam Tao heard it clearly.
Both the couple looked pale and sickly.
Although my son was naughty before, that was just a child's nature, and he was still obedient and respectful to his parents.
He spent less than a year at the Imperial Academy, but he developed a rebellious streak and talked about Jiang Shumiao all the time.
Didn't they say the Jiang family and Wen Zhixuan had a falling out?
Why is Jiang Shumiao still defending that charlatan who pretends to be a god?
Zhao Huaichu's tears failed to change his parents' minds, and he was confined to his home and forbidden from leaving.
Jiang Shumiao withdrew her hand, her expression calm.
Cheng Ningqin was still a little dazed.
Several children around them were watching them curiously, and Liu Jing'an couldn't help but ask, "Ningning, what did you see?"
Cheng Ningqin opened her mouth slightly, but couldn't utter a word.
The Fifth Princess waved her hand in front of her eyes, "Are you stupid?"
Cheng Ningqin snapped out of her daze and looked at Jiang Shumiao, "Miaomiao..."
Jiang Shumiao said, "He did nothing wrong. It's just that some people can't stand the truth, that's all."
For some reason, Cheng Ningqin felt a tightness in her chest, and her eyes were a little red.
"But my uncle and aunt aren't bad people..."
Her voice was soft and lacked confidence.
Jiang Shumiao smiled.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
