When Shen Zhaoming took the imperial examination, because of his great fame, when the examination qualifications were calibrated, the record of this top scholar who had passed the prefectural and provincial examinations was retained, so Shen Zhaoming directly participated in the meeting.
After the results were announced, Shen Zhaoming was not among the top three in the first class, but was ranked sixth in the second class (fourth to top 100).
After entering the court as an official, he gradually got along well with Shi Yue, another top scholar who won the top three places in the imperial examination within twenty years after Shen Zhaoming. Both of them were appreciated by the prince.
Shen Zhaoming once visited his former classmate and friend Jiang Zheng's home, visited Jiang Zheng's widow, Jiang He's sister-in-law, and went to Jiang Zheng's grave to sweep the tomb.
Speaking of it, the four young people and two pairs of lovers at that time also understood each other tacitly.
After this visit, Shen Zhaoming also learned that Jiang He had divorced and moved out of the Lu family.
He learned the address and wanted to go and take a look, but he felt that he had no reason or excuse, so what could he say if he went?
Looking at his wife Sui Qingshang's slightly bulging belly, he felt that he had no reason to visit her.
Later, on a day off, he accompanied his wife to buy some things for the children. They met a group of people from Jingzhao Yin who were in a hurry. The leader of the group knew Shen Zhaoming and greeted him.
Shen Zhaoming casually asked what happened, and the man replied that there was a flood near the Flower Market Road in South City.
When Shen Zhaoming heard that it was near Jiang He's house, he asked the coachman and maid to take Sui Qingshang back.
He hurried to Jiang He's house. Sure enough, there was thick smoke.
But it seems that the street where Jiang He lives is safe.
Shen Zhaoming even unexpectedly saw Jiang He and a maid being escorted out of the alley by another master and servant pair of similar age.
The four people were following the instructions of the Jingzhao Yin and waiting to return to their homes after the fire was put out.
Shen Zhaoming watched from afar, completely unaware that behind him was Sui Qingshang's carriage.
Sui Qingshang was always decisive. She asked someone and learned that Jiang He had divorced. She then said to her maid, "I am the one who is in the way."
After thinking about it, I decided that instead of worrying about what might happen for the rest of my life, it would be better to be open and honest and live happily.
Then he said to Shen Zhaoming: “You and I had an agreement at the beginning. If one of us regrets it, the marriage will be cancelled.
Now I regret it...
Let’s go our separate ways.”
After hearing this, Shen Zhaoming asked why?
Sui Qingshang said, "Maybe I can't get used to living in Kyoto. My relatives and friends, my childhood friends, the ones I've played with, the ones I've fought with for fun, the people I care about and the people I care about are all in Shazhou County. I miss them so much..."
My favorite hometown food is not available here, and it’s hard to even get a bite... I feel aggrieved.
I don’t want to wrong myself…”
Sui Qingshang didn't know what else to say.
Shen Zhaoming didn't know what was wrong with his wife. It seemed that what he had said at the beginning was still fresh in his mind, and he couldn't deny it.
After a while, he said, "But we have a child."
Sui Qingshang said, "In our Shazhou County, some fishermen may never come back after going out to sea, and many women have to raise their children on their own."
Shen Zhaoming said: "So you mean to treat me as dead?"
Sui Qingshang thought to herself: The two counties are thousands of miles apart. If we separate, we may become strangers for the rest of our lives. That would be like treating you as if you were dead.
He then said, "There are also fishermen who have been out at sea for three months and their wives have died of sudden illness when they return, or their wives died when the tide rose and did not retreat in time. You can also consider it as my death."
Shen Zhaoming said: "Why are you cursing yourself for no reason?"
Sui Qingshang said, "My Lord, please give Qingshang a divorce letter."
Shen Zhaoming said: "If you miss home, I will have someone send you back to stay for a while."
Sui Qingshang said, "Freedom to come and go was the Marquis' original promise."
Shen Zhaoming was forced into a corner and had no choice but to say: “I have never written before and I don’t know how to write. I will go to the study to check the book.”
Then he stood up, left the house, rode his horse, and unknowingly walked to the vicinity of Jiang He's residence.
I thought I might as well go and take a look since I was here. I don’t know why, but the thing that I was originally hesitant about suddenly seemed nothing to me.
Jiang He was so surprised that he didn't know what to say. Shen Zhaoming said, "I met someone from Jingzhao Yin. He knew there was a flood near you, so he came to take a look."
Jiang He asked Dong Zao to serve tea and said that he was fine and the fire had not burned over.
She looked at Shen Zhaoming with mixed feelings, but found that the man opposite her was absent-minded.
Shen Zhaoming didn't know why. He sat here, talking, but all he could think about was Sui Qingshang. She said she wanted a divorce. Did she mean that they could both be widowed? And never see each other again?
Shen Zhaoming answered Jiang He's words and told her that he had been to her brother's grave, met her sister-in-law, and then learned her address.
At the same time, he felt uneasy because of Sui Qingshang.
Jiang He kept talking, discussing many things in the past. The memories were indeed beautiful, and some of them made Shen Zhaoming smile when he thought about them.
But memories always come to an end, and when Jiang He has nothing to say, they just look at each other in silence.
Shen Zhaoming stood up and said goodbye.
After he left, Dongzao was so excited: "Miss, no wonder you remembered it for almost your whole life. This is so beautiful.
When he raised his eyebrows and smiled, I felt the tree in our yard tremble.
He has come to see you, he must still be concerned about this relationship.
But Miss, I already have a wife..."
Jiang He's face was filled with sorrow and despair: "Dongzao,..." He doesn't like me anymore. She kept this to herself.
When Shen Zhaoming returned home, as the servant was leading the horse to the stable, Shen Zhaoming suddenly said, "Ask the coachman if the Madam had been anywhere else before returning home, and what happened?"
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