Chapter 83 Bribing the Elders
In the main room of Mingde Hall in the second house, the second wife picked up the large soft pillow on the Huanghuali geometric pattern Luohan bed and threw it hard to the ground.
"They're all unreliable. In the end, we have to rely on ourselves. What's the use of them?" The Second Madam said bitterly, "Today, the consumptive wretch has taken all the limelight, and Qi doesn't even know how to be proud!"
The Second Master's smile vanished, and he said with a gloomy face, "Father is a trusted official of the court, and a man respected by the Emperor. Although Concubine Ling can use her favor to influence Father to choose the heir, if Father doesn't follow Concubine Ling's opinion, there's nothing she can do. After all, this matter can't be made public."
"Then what should we do? Even if Marquis Cheng'en brought up Concubine Ling, it was useless, and other avenues are even more impossible." The Second Madam said with regret, "If we had known this would happen, we would not have trusted Marquis Cheng'en so easily. If Jue'er had married Shen Qingtan, we wouldn't have been rejected by our parents. Maybe Jue'er would have become the heir by now."
The Second Madam's words were like poisoned needles, piercing Shen Mingzhu's heart closely. She dug her nails deep into her palms, trying to control her emotions.
The second master sighed, knowing his own son's capabilities very well. He was not like the second wife, who blindly believed that Zhao Jue was a rare young talent with both literary and military skills.
Although Zhao Jue's martial arts are good, he lacks strategy and is obviously no match for Zhao Yi.
"It's not like there aren't other ways." A glint flashed in Zhao Jue's eyes. "I have other ideas about the method Zhao Yi proposed at Shi'an Hall. I can improve on his proposal and add some of my own ideas."
"Yes, your grandfather didn't say you couldn't use Zhao Yi's method." The Second Madam regained her energy and said confidently, "Jue'er, you must come up with a brilliant idea to steal the limelight from the consumptive ghost."
"If Zhao Yi's own suggestions are ultimately inferior to ours, your ability will be even greater than Zhao Yi's." The second master seemed to think this was more feasible. He pointed at Zhao Jue and said, "Your father doesn't have much knowledge. Go ask your father-in-law for help tomorrow."
Zhao Jue knew that he could not match Zhao Yi in strategy, so in such a major matter concerning the inheritance of the title, he calmly put aside his pride.
He said flexibly, "I will ask the Marquis for help tomorrow."
Shen Mingzhu's heart moved slightly, and she quietly suggested, "Grandfather also said today that whoever gets the approval of the clan elders will be appointed as the heir. Can we... smooth things over with the clan elders?"
Several people looked at each other, and everything was said without words.
Then they made careful plans.
After Zhao Jue made up his mind, he followed Shen Mingzhu back to Qingyun Garden.
After all, he asked Marquis Cheng'en to do something for him, so he had to give the Marquis's Mansion some face and not neglect Shen Mingzhu too much.
Although Shen Mingzhu despised Zhao Jue for his incompetence, she had already married him and could only be of the same mind with him. She still hoped to repair their relationship.
Seeing Zhao Jue follow her back to Qingyun Garden, she finally smiled. She told her maid to have the kitchen prepare some nourishing food so she could bond with Zhao Jue that evening.
She was always worried that Qiu Chan had not drunk the contraceptive soup, and was afraid that Qiu Chan would snatch the man away and give birth to a son out of wedlock and slap her in the face.
But Zhao Jue didn't come to her room, so she could only worry.
Now that Zhao Jue has finally come, she must seize the opportunity to conceive a son as soon as possible.
For this reason, Shen Mingzhu served Zhao Jue gently and attentively after his meal.
Then she took a bath with fragrant water, put on a brightly colored main waistcoat, and then put on a thin coat on the outside, and came to the bed with a shy look on her face.
Zhao Jue lay on the bed and saw Shen Mingzhu wearing cool clothes. He said coldly, "I have a back injury. Go to bed early."
These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Shen Mingzhu's head. Her face turned pale instantly, and all the shyness in her heart turned into humiliation. She couldn't help but cry.
She didn't know if Zhao Jue's injuries hadn't fully healed, or if he wanted her to remain a widow. If so, what was the difference between her and Shen Qingtan?
——
Zhao Jue was completely focused on his title and had no interest in love affairs, especially since he was injured.
Since returning from Longhua Temple, he had deliberately stayed in Qiuchan's courtyard to embarrass Shen Mingzhu. He was already injured at the time, so he and Qiuchan slept in separate beds.
He closed his eyes and ignored Shen Mingzhu's grievances.
Early the next morning, he went to the mansion of Marquis Cheng'en and discussed countermeasures with him. He spent several days writing down the plan, and after confirming that it was correct, he finally felt relieved.
On the fourth day, Zhao Jue received news that the clan elders had returned to Beijing.
The clan elders did not live in the Duke's Mansion, but lived in a small house in Ning'an Lane.
He took the plan he had written and the carefully selected gifts and set off for Ning'an Lane.
Zhao Jue knocked on the door and introduced himself. The servant then respectfully led him to meet the clan elder.
The elder of the clan is now in his seventies, with silver hair and beard, and a kind expression, not as stern as Duke Zhao.
Zhao Jue was very humble, bowed with both hands, and said, "Junior Zhao Jue greets you."
"Are you the brave and resourceful young general from the Duke's Mansion?" The elder of the clan looked at Zhao Jue and smiled warmly. "Your grandfather wrote a letter to the clan about your glorious deeds. Many young men in the clan have taken you as their role model and are determined to learn martial arts, join the army, and bring honor to the family."
When Zhao Jue heard the clan elder praising him so much, his uneasy heart instantly settled down.
He actually vaguely knew why his grandfather did not make Zhao Yi his heir. One of the reasons was that Zhao Yi was frail and sickly, and the elders in the clan did not agree with him.
But Emperor Jing'an issued a notice seeking famous doctors for Zhao Yi, and precious medicinal herbs were sent to Zhao Yi's hospital like water. What if Zhao Yi was not destined to die and was really cured?
That's why he was anxious and wanted to argue with Zhao Yi.
Among the grandchildren of the Duke's Mansion, apart from Zhao Yi, he is the only one who can be shown off.
Moreover, according to the patriarchal inheritance system, if the eldest son is often ill and cannot survive, the second son will inherit the title.
He is the most legitimate.
Zhao Jue felt more and more confident in his plan and quickly handed over the proposal he had written. "Elder, our grandfather is testing us. This is the plan I have carefully researched. Please review it."
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