Chapter 16 This marriage is a transaction
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He addressed others with such affection, yet he never called his wife by her given name. Last night, she wondered where he had learned that she liked this kind of paper; it turned out he had found out from Xu Jingshu.
It's better not to give such a gift.
The promising momentum was abruptly extinguished by a single sentence from Ji Jinghe.
Yu An silently lowered her voice and remained silent.
The two entered Rongshou Hall one after the other. Madam Ji was leaning back on the couch, leisurely sipping tea. Upon seeing them, she immediately smiled and said, "If you had said you were coming earlier, I should have had breakfast prepared in advance."
"My grandson has eaten. He's off today, so he brought his wife to visit you," Ji Jinghe said with a slight bow.
The same applies to Yu An.
Her good mood was completely ruined by Ji Jinghe's words. When Ji's mother asked her questions, she forced a smile. After finally getting home, she went straight to bed for an afternoon nap.
Fortunately, Ji Jinghe did not come back with her and went to the study as usual.
"Miss, Wanfang Courtyard just sent over a few more account books, asking you to check them by the end of the month."
Yu An glanced at the stack on her desk and felt annoyed. She had only rested for half a month after her birthday banquet, and now it was all over again.
At first, she could convince herself that Shen Qiulan trusted her by handing over the account books, but in reality, even after she finished calculating, Shen Qiulan wasn't entirely at ease and would eventually hand them over to her subordinates to recalculate them.
Then she didn't understand. If that was the case, why not just hand it over to the servants instead of making her do the calculations again?
Yu'an took the tea from Baozhu, drank half a cup to quench her thirst, wiped the sweat from her afternoon nap with a damp cloth, and then got dressed and got out of bed.
She had barely glanced at the account book when someone from Wanfang Courtyard arrived, saying that Madam Xu had come to visit and she needed to go over.
The only family that can be associated with the Ji family is the Xu family.
Yu'an didn't want to go, but since Shen Qiulan had spoken, she couldn't refuse. So she quickly dressed up and got up to go.
Logically speaking, Ji Jinghe should be home at this time. I don't know if he is clear about it or not. Although she is a female relative, she is still the teacher's wife, so we should at least meet her.
Inside Wanfang Courtyard, Yu'an walked along the corridor and happened to hear Xu's mother and Shen Qiulan chatting happily, with a few laughs coming from them, probably in the middle of a good time.
When the Xu family fell from power, other families would have probably fled long ago. But the Ji family didn't avoid suspicion and continued to keep in touch, which shows how deep their relationship was. It was definitely not as simple as she thought.
Baozhu: "I heard from the servants that Master Xu was a close friend of the young master's father. Miss, you should be careful when you go in later."
Yu An nodded, then lifted the curtain and went inside.
Aside from the maids and nannies, there were only two people in the hall. The one sitting in the armchair below, dressed in a crimson brocade robe, could only be Xu's mother. To Yu'an's surprise, Xu Jingshu was not there.
Yu'an took the lead in curtsying and greeting Xu's mother according to etiquette.
She sat upright in the chair, her back still straight thanks to years of pampering, unlike the hunched posture of ordinary women in the marketplace, a trait she couldn't shake even in her impoverished state.
Although her clothes were not as luxurious as Shen Qiulan's, they were still much more presentable than those of ordinary people. If one did not know her well, one would not be able to tell that she was in a sorry state.
It is evident that the Ji family provided a great deal of assistance.
From the moment she entered the door, Xu's mother's gaze never fell on her. After looking her up and down, she slowly smiled and said, "This is Yin Chu's wife, a girl from the Chu family. She is truly a remarkable person."
Shen Qiulan smiled but didn't answer. Instead, she said, "It's all fate. If it were before, things might not have turned out this way."
If the Xu family hadn't fallen from power, and had now married the Ji family, it would likely still be the Xu family.
It was precisely because of the close relationship between the two families that Shen Qiulan valued Xu Jingshu so much and regarded her as her future daughter-in-law many years ago, but she never expected things to turn out this way.
“My Jingshu is also of marriageable age, but unfortunately her father’s affairs… have delayed her, otherwise she could have found a good husband.”
Xu's mother seemed to feel a sense of loss. Although they were chatting about everyday things, Yu'an found it awkward.
"Where is Jingshu? Why hasn't she come back yet?" Madam Xu said, then turned to ask the maid beside her.
"Perhaps he had a very pleasant chat with Miss Ji and was reluctant to leave."
“That’s true.” Shen Qiulan picked up her tea and said, “Shu’er has always liked to stick to her sister Xu since she was little. She usually likes to call me ‘sister’ this and ‘sister’ that in front of me. I’m afraid she won’t have enough to talk about today.”
Shen Qiulan chatted casually with Xu's mother, leaving Yu'an aside and talking about things Yu'an knew nothing about.
In comparison, she was the outsider.
"It's all because Yin Chu is a kind-hearted child who has never forgotten past kindness, and has taken care of my daughter and me until now. Otherwise, how would we have a place to live in the capital? I came here today, firstly to see you, my dear sister, and secondly to bring some things to express my gratitude. I hope you won't mind."
"You're too kind." Shen Qiulan stood up and stopped Xu's mother from bowing. "If your family hadn't taken Jinghe in and raised him, he wouldn't be where he is today. It's only right that we do this."
It was rare to see Shen Qiulan speaking so kindly, so Yu'an couldn't help but take a second look to see how she was showing favoritism.
After the two sides said their goodbyes, Yu'an was sent to see the person off.
Xu's mother's face lost some of its kindness, and after stepping out of Wanfang Courtyard, she walked very slowly, making Yu'an a little impatient.
"Did you understand what I said to your mother-in-law just now?" Xu's mother suddenly asked, catching Yu'an off guard.
"I don't know what you mean, Aunt. Please explain."
Xu's mother found a secluded spot surrounded by flowers and bushes and stopped. She turned to look at her and said, "Those who follow Yin Chu must have heard some rumors, right? Recently, there have been more and more memorials impeaching your father in the court. As his daughter, don't you know that?"
Yu An paused for a moment, waiting for the next chapter.
Xu's mother was no longer willing to beat around the bush and said directly, "Your father, Chu Xingjian, was the murderer who killed my husband back then."
Yu'an had heard it several times but never paid it any mind. Now that Xu's mother had laid it out in front of her, Yu'an felt a sudden, inexplicable panic that lingered in her heart and made her palms sweat.
“Auntie is joking. My father has always been upright and would never do anything to frame others. I will not believe anything until the matter is completely settled.”
“You may not believe it, but what about Ji Jinghe?” Xu’s mother pressed. “If he didn’t believe it, why did he not interfere with this matter at all during his many days in court? I don’t need to explain the reason; you must understand it yourself.”
“I don’t understand,” Yu An said firmly.
She only felt offended and condescending towards Xu's mother's "reminder," and felt very uncomfortable.
"Auntie, please speak frankly. Yu'an doesn't understand roundabout ways."
Madam Xu sneered and moved to say, "My Jing Shu and Ji Jing He have been childhood sweethearts since they were young. They studied together in school and were inseparable. If it weren't for your father's excessive greed and his deliberate attempt to frame my family, my Jing Shu would be the current wife of the Junior Assistant Minister. Do you really believe the rumors that you two are a perfect match?"
"Don't be so foolish. If your father hadn't come to us with the marriage proposal and promised to transfer Ji Jinghe to the cabinet, would the Ji family have wanted you in?" Xu's mother looked up and examined her. "Look at you, since you married into the family, who in the Ji family has ever taken you seriously?"
A sharp pain choked her, almost suffocating her. The answer to the argument in the study that day was now clear…
This is a deal.
The deal reached between her father and Ji Jinghe.
To Ji Jinghe, she was merely a tool for revenge, a stepping stone to a high and powerful position. Her father, wanting her to marry the man she admired, actually agreed to this arrangement.
absurd.
"If you refuse to leave today, you will end up being kicked out tomorrow. Stubbornness will only lead to a terrible death."
Xu's mother's meaning was clear: she wanted her to pack up and leave as soon as possible, and not to cling to the Ji family mansion and stubbornly stay there.
Ji Jinghe's wife's place should only belong to Xu Jingshu.
If the truth comes out in the future, Chu Xingjian will fall from power like Xu Yun did yesterday, and she will only be divorced. Rather than that, it is better to be sensible and leave now.
Even if that's the truth, it's not her place to criticize anything.
This is her business and has nothing to do with others.
Yu An relaxed her stiff shoulders, suppressed the bitterness in her heart, met her gaze, and said with a rare firmness: "Thank you for your concern. I don't need you to remind me of where I've fallen to. You should take better care of yourself. There should be a bottom line to disrespecting your elders."
"you……"
Madam Xu swallowed hard, a fierce glint flashing across her face before she gave a cold laugh: "If you had known that my infatuation would never end, why would you have wasted my breath... Then let me show you for yourself."
After saying that, she grabbed Yu'an's arm and pulled her towards Ji Jinghe's study. As the saying goes, one will not give up until one sees the Yellow River, and she was determined to make her give up completely.
They stopped behind a thicket of bushes and bamboo groves some distance from the study, and could easily spot the two people in the distance with a single glance.
Xu Jingshu and Ji Jinghe.
The two faced each other, seemingly chatting amongst themselves as they looked at the flowers and plants in the courtyard. But at first glance, Yu An noticed an emotion in Ji Jinghe's eyes that she had never encountered before.
He wore a very faint smile, and would even lean slightly closer to Xu Jingshu when she spoke. If they weren't old acquaintances, who would ask him to go to such lengths?
The scene before her was like a sharp blade piercing Yu An's eyes. She tried to avoid it, but Xu's mother still held her firmly in place, unable to move.
Yu'an struggled desperately against the force on her arm, but just as she broke free, Xu's mother called out, "Jingshu, it's time to go back."
As soon as the voice came out, Ji Jinghe looked over and immediately saw Yu An standing diagonally behind the bamboo forest. A moment of disorientation passed through his mind, and he felt a sense of familiarity, as if he had seen her somewhere before.
Knowing she couldn't avoid it, Yu'an took a breath and braced herself to follow Xu's mother forward.
"Teacher's wife," Ji Jinghe bowed.
After changing her clothes, Xu's mother, with a kind face, smiled and said, "I've finished catching up with your mother, so I have to go back now."
Yu Guangzhong inadvertently caught a glimpse of Yu An's expression. Ji Jinghe didn't say anything, but focused on Xu's mother, saying, "Alright, take care, Madam."
Xu Jingshu concealed her complex emotions, put on her usual bright smile, and looked at Yu An.
Yu An pretended not to see anything and stood quietly to the side with her eyes downcast.
Ji Jinghe: "You can go with peace of mind. I will deliver all the things to you."
With her mother still by her side, Xu Jingshu felt a pang of guilt, but she smiled faintly and replied, "Okay."
Xu's mother assumed it was some secret between the two, and her joy only grew, so she didn't ask any further questions.
Ji Jinghe called Qingque to see the others off, leaving himself and Yu'an behind.
A note from the author:
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Ji Jinghe: What's wrong with her?
Yu'an: You still have the nerve to say that? [eye roll]
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