Chapter 17 The Heartless and Unfeeling Top Scholar
Consort Jiang felt that her father was definitely plotting something.
But she didn't dare ask.
Ji Huaizhi, the emperor, and Prince Rong discussed matters for a long time in the imperial study, and it was already very late when they left the palace.
The prime minister frowned deeply when he received the news.
"Recently, Ji Huaizhi and Prince Rong have often stayed in His Majesty's study, and it is said that they are discussing important matters."
"It's Ji Huaizhi again." The Prime Minister was now agitated at the mere mention of Ji Huaizhi's name: "It's him again. I had no intention of being his enemy, but he's always making things difficult for me."
The Imperial Censor stroked his beard and said, "I've heard that Lord Ji is extremely devoted to his wife. She lives alone in his backyard, and he didn't even have any concubines when she was pregnant and giving birth."
The prime minister glanced at him.
"Madam, someone from the palace has arrived."
Upon hearing this, Shen Zhiyi handed the child to the wet nurse: "Huaizhi is not at home, so why are people from the palace coming to our house?"
"I'm not here to see the master, I'm here to see you, madam."
The sinking branch was unexpected.
"Greetings to Madam Ji." The eunuch bowed with a smile, but there was no respect in his eyes.
His tone was somewhat sharp: "This servant is Si Xi from the Imperial Concubine's palace."
"Recently, the palace is filled with blooming flowers, and the spring scenery is beautiful. Her Highness the Imperial Concubine has specially prepared a banquet for flowers in the palace. Her Highness has specially ordered this servant to invite you to the banquet."
"We hope that Madam can join us in enjoying the flowers and tea with everyone. We hope that Madam will not refuse."
Shen Zhiyi accepted the invitation with both hands.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I will certainly come."
Si Xi had previously heard from Su Gonggong's men that Lord Ji's in-laws were very generous with their rewards.
I thought Madam Ji would give me some money for tea, but Shen Zhiyi's next words were "Show the guest out."
Looking at the eunuch's expression, Shen Zhi asked with suspicion, "Is there anything else, sir?"
Si Xi shook his head: "It's nothing."
"Then this servant will wait for the lady in the palace."
After everyone left, Shen Zhiyi handed the invitation to Hongyin: "Consort Jiang?"
"This servant is really something. His eyes clearly show that he looks down on our Ji family, yet he's still waiting for us to give him a reward. He's shameless." Hongyin said with a look of disgust.
"Hongyin, don't let anyone find fault with you."
Hongyin: "Yes. But Madam, why did the Imperial Concubine specifically invite us? Is it because our master has been favored by His Majesty? Is that why she wants to win you over?"
"I wish that were true."
Shen Zhiyi sneered: "Judging from the way that servant just looked, I knew this was a trap."
Consort Jiang's family was the Prime Minister's residence, and she was also Jiang Xinyue's elder sister. They already had a grudge against each other, yet they still came to invite her.
They're probably here for Ji Lang.
And who doesn't know that she just finished her postpartum confinement period?
She was already inconvenient to go, but they still invited her, and she couldn't refuse.
"Should we invite a royal physician to take a look?" Hongyin thought she could pretend to be sick.
Shen Zhiyi shook her head: "We'll discuss this when Ji Lang returns."
When Ji Huaizhi returned, his face was dark. He already knew that Consort Jiang was going to hold a Hundred Flowers Banquet, which the Emperor had told him.
The emperor knew that his family was the most important person to him, and he guessed from the beginning that Ji Huaizhi would not put his family in danger.
So he was summoned to the palace to discuss the matter.
The emperor could have used his status to force Ji Huaizhi to agree, but he didn't want to do so.
He wanted to discuss it with him; he used to treat Ji Huaizhi as a subject.
But now he considers him a friend and confidant.
Therefore, he promised Ji Huaizhi that he would find someone to protect Shen Shi, hoping that Ji Huaizhi would agree to let Shen Shi attend the banquet.
Ji Huaizhi agreed; the feeling of being in a subordinate position was not pleasant.
Next time I want to be the emperor.
"Is this why you're unhappy?" Shen Zhiyi looked at his dark face, afraid that he might disobey His Majesty.
Ji Huaizhi: "You think I can be happy about bringing my wife into this?"
"Didn't His Majesty say he would find someone to protect me? Besides, they wouldn't dare do anything in the palace."
Shen Zhiyi comforted him.
Ji Huaizhi didn't say anything more.
The Prime Minister's faction all saw him as a thorn in their side. The Prime Minister had wanted to deal with Master Shen, but unexpectedly, Ji Huaizhi made him a royal merchant first.
It was around that time that the Prime Minister began to suspect that Ji Huaizhi was opposing the suppression of commerce and the emphasis on agriculture in court.
Was it all so that Master Shen could become an imperial merchant?
After all, the Shen family was his in-laws, and the emperor needed the Shen family's business to replenish the national treasury.
The Shen family's business continued to thrive thanks to Ji Huaizhi's guidance.
As long as the Ji family doesn't do anything reckless, they can go further by relying on the path paved by Ji Huaizhi.
After hearing this long list, the Prime Minister's faction was filled with applause and cheers.
The prime minister, after understanding the situation, felt it was a pity; if this were one of his own people, he probably would have already realized his idea.
Remembering what the Prime Minister's wife had said about Jiang Xinyue taking a liking to Ji Huaizhi, but since he already had a wife, he didn't take it seriously.
Looking back now, if I had gotten rid of that merchant woman and made Ji Huaizhi my son-in-law, things might have been different.
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