Chapter 2 The Heartless and Unfeeling Top Scholar
As for why the assassin told her all this before she died, it was all because of Jiang Xinyue's orders.
She must die with her eyes wide open, filled with resentment.
She, the daughter of a high-ranking prime minister, actually became a second wife.
Unable to vent their emotions anywhere else, they could only vent them on Shen Zhiyi.
After the Shen family disappeared, the original owner was riding high and married a beautiful wife. If it weren't for the prime minister keeping him in check, he would have been very successful.
He also wanted to immediately take two beautiful concubines.
But Jiang Xinyue was no pushover. She was domineering and unreasonable, and if she was unhappy, she would go back and complain. Sometimes she would even complain to the Imperial Concubine.
This left the original owner feeling powerless, and she could only humble herself before her.
The original owner found out about Shen Zhiyi's pregnancy too late; she only found out when Ji's mother arrived, after Ji's mother learned about what the original owner had done.
He was so angry that he lost his temper and his health deteriorated.
Her son's actions broke her heart, especially after she saw him marry another woman.
My heart aches for the branch.
She had taken care of herself for so many years, devoting herself wholeheartedly to her son, and this is how she ended up.
And there's also Master Shen.
Jiang Xinyue made no attempt to hide her disdain when she saw Ji's mother.
Ji Huaizhi calmly coaxed, his expression unchanged: "My mother is old and in poor health, so she will live in the back courtyard."
"It won't affect you."
Jiang Xinyue's expression softened: "Xinyue is not feeling well, please forgive me, Mother-in-law."
"You and your husband haven't seen each other for so long, you must have a lot to talk about. I'll take my leave now."
After saying that, he turned and left without bowing.
Even the maidservants didn't bow; they simply took their leave.
"My son, how could you have become like this? I only thought you were dissatisfied with Zhiyi being the daughter of a merchant, but why do you want to put the Shen family to death?"
Ji Huaizhi frowned: "Mother, please don't mention it again."
"It was Xinyue's fault just now, but she is, after all, the daughter of the Prime Minister, which will be of great help to my son's career in the future. I'm sorry to have troubled you."
After speaking, he bowed to Ji's mother.
His mother stared at him for a long time with her cloudy eyes: "My son, you are committing a terrible sin!"
After that, Ji's mother locked herself in the inner quarters and refused to see anyone, devoting herself entirely to Buddhism.
The original owner was inherently cruel. When she learned of Shen Zhiyi's death, she was already pregnant with her own child. She simply stood under the peach tree in the courtyard for a long time.
In the imperial court, he found that since marrying Jiang Xinyue, he had been relegated to the sidelines.
They have always been ignored or targeted by His Majesty.
It took me a while to understand this after working in officialdom for some time.
As the head of all officials, the prime minister wields considerable power and has long been at odds with His Majesty.
Two factions formed within the imperial court.
After accepting the prime minister's offer, he was automatically categorized as a member of the prime minister's faction.
Not to mention that he is now married to Jiang Xinyue, the daughter of the Prime Minister.
The original owner didn't think there was anything wrong with it, after all, Consort Jiang in the harem had given birth to a son, who would become the crown prince.
As a relative of the emperor, he rose rapidly through the ranks.
But as time went on, the original owner, as Jiang Lufu's son-in-law, was trusted by him, and finally realized that although the Prime Minister wanted to support Consort Jiang's son to sit in that position.
But he wanted to use the emperor to command the feudal lords.
He panicked when he learned this fact.
He discovered that Jiang Fulu had many spies in the palace, and even had his men around the emperor.
This means that the prime minister could potentially... murder the emperor at any time.
If successful, support Consort Jiang's son.
If they fail, their entire family will be executed.
The original owner was both excited and scared.
They were excited about having more power, but afraid of being implicated and having their entire family executed.
But ever since he married Jiang Xinyue, it has been impossible for him to break away from the Prime Minister's faction.
But how could the current emperor be a good-for-nothing?
At a banquet, just as the prime minister was about to make his move, he caught the fish in a trap.
The prime minister was defeated.
His Majesty, however, has been playing dumb, waiting for these people to slip up so he can catch them all in one fell swoop.
Before his execution, the original owner heard the news that Ji's mother had committed suicide by swallowing gold.
He bowed his head and tears of regret streamed down his face.
It rained heavily the day before the execution.
Ji Huaizhi looked up at the sky, looking haggard. As he watched the executioner holding the broadsword, he thought to himself that if he hadn't betrayed Chen Zhiyi, he wouldn't have ended up like this.
Isn't this retribution?
~
The sound of gongs and drums filled the air, and firecrackers crackled in unison.
Ji Huaizhi, dressed in a red robe and adorned with a large red flower, was escorted into Nanzhou City.
When Shen Zhiyi received the news, she could no longer contain her excitement: "Hongyin, you won!"
"It's in my arms!"
"Miss, the young master passed the exam. I heard he's on his way back to the manor now." The maid, Hongyin, was also very happy for her.
His gaze fell on Shen Zhiyi's protruding belly: "Miss, you're having such a hard time during your pregnancy, afraid that telling the young master will affect his exams."
“Finally…” Hongyin knew how much her young mistress liked her son-in-law, and couldn’t help but feel happy for her.
Shen Zhiyi chuckled: "Silly girl, I haven't even cried yet."
"I'm going to tell my father and mother-in-law the good news now."
Seeing her agitated, the maid quickly stopped her: "Miss, don't panic. You already know about this, and Master and Madam Ji must know as well."
"Don't worry, we'll just wait."
Shen Zhiyi's stomach cramped with excitement, and her expression turned ugly for a moment: "That's right, I won't cause any more trouble."
He said this, but his eyes were fixed on the outside of the courtyard.
She hadn't seen her husband in a long time.
I wonder if he would be happy if he knew he was going to be a father.
Thinking this, Shen Zhiyi placed her hand on her stomach.
Although she dressed simply as a woman, it couldn't hide her stunning beauty.
The shape is rounded yet exquisitely refined, with flesh that is not bony, soft and delicate, and the curved willow leaves outline the woman's agility.
Her eyes, brimming with autumn water, revealed a hint of reserve and poise.
"Miss, would you like to change into a brighter outfit?" Hongyin hoped that her mistress would dress up.
As soon as Hongyin finished speaking, a maid brought out several exquisite and luxurious clothes for her to choose from.
Since marrying her son-in-law, the young lady has lost interest in dressing up.
She always wondered if her son-in-law would dislike her attire.
Shen Zhiyi twirled her handkerchief, her gaze falling on the purple-smoky silver-patterned butterfly skirt in the middle.
I suddenly remembered a time when she dressed up elaborately, and Huaizhi said that her outfit was gaudy and she looked like she was trying too hard, and that she would be better off being simple.
She lowered her eyes to look at the bronze mirror: "No need, just get me another turquoise silk skirt."
Hongyin frowned and exchanged glances with another maid, clearly thinking that Miss Mingming preferred the purple one.
Mr. Shen paced back and forth in the room.
The butler was stunned when he came over: "Master, the son-in-law is almost here."
"Sigh! How did he even pass the exam?" Old Master Shen sighed.
"Butler, why didn't I think of giving him croton oil before his exam?"
The butler's lips twitched: "Master, now is not the time to talk about these things."
Master Shen flicked his sleeve: "He never liked frivolous things before, but now he's become the top scholar and even received a reward from His Majesty."
"What should I do now that I'm in this situation?"
The butler stood aside without saying a word.
The son-in-law used to be aloof and indifferent to everyone in the Shen family.
Everyone knows he only married Miss Shen for the Shen family's money, and now he's made it big.
I don't know...
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