Warm sunlight shone into the house through the carved window lattices. Jiang Shi stood upright, with his head lowered, allowing Madam Xie to look at him carefully.
"You already know that the death of both your parents is not a coincidence, right?" Mrs. Xie suddenly asked.
Jiang Shi's expression remained unchanged, but his hands clenched slightly under his sleeves. "What do you mean, Madam?"
Old Madam Xie looked at the handsome young man in front of her, and vaguely saw through him the young general Jiang Chu, who was extremely popular but died young.
"The Xie family didn't enter the government to avoid the disputes at court. Military officers are no less cunning than civil officials. Marquis Wu'an is young and vigorous, unstoppable, and loyal to His Majesty. Naturally, he has become a thorn in the side of some people."
This dynasty values military power over civil power. The emperor holds military power firmly in his own hands, and most military generals are directly loyal to the emperor.
However, where there are people, there will be conflicts of interest. Wu'an Hou's promotion was too fast, which naturally aroused jealousy.
The reason why the wife of Marquis Wu'an died in childbirth was that she heard the news that Marquis Wu'an died on the battlefield, which caused her miscarriage. The treacherous person also tampered with her during delivery, which caused her to bleed profusely and die of hemorrhage.
Marquis Wu'an, who was at the frontier, also heard the news that his wife had died in childbirth, and hurried back to the capital. However, a traitor appeared around him, and he was surrounded by enemy troops. Finally, he was shot by several arrows and died on the battlefield.
The Marquis of Wu'an and his wife both died as a result of the conspiracy of villains. The emperor knew it very well, but he was unable to find the culprit. The Marquis of Wu'an's mansion suddenly became deserted instead of being bustling with people, which was a pity.
Jiang Shi clasped his fists towards Madam Xie and said, "Madam, do you know who these people are? Who is most likely the culprit who murdered my parents?"
Madam Xie was silent for a moment, then whispered, "I'm just a woman, so my guesses aren't necessarily accurate."
The situation in the capital was too murky, and she didn't want to involve the entire Xie family and Jiang Shi.
The reason why aristocratic families have been able to pass down for hundreds of years is that they "stay out of trouble" and never take sides easily.
The Wanjin Kingdom seems calm now, but in fact there are undercurrents.
The founding emperor led not only militia but also some military generals.
These generals all had their own fiefdoms and real power, becoming true kings of different surnames, and did not retire.
Emperor Kaizu was afraid of them and found various reasons to punish them, confiscated their property and exterminated their clans, took back most of their fiefdoms and real power, and finally firmly grasped the military power in his own hands.
Those kings of different surnames whose property was not confiscated and their clans were not exterminated were imprisoned in the capital. Although they had fiefs and real power, they could not go to their fiefs and could only act under the emperor's nose.
However, how could a king of a different surname who followed the founding emperor to conquer the world and was able to avoid punishment and survive to this day be an incompetent person? He was just lying in wait for an opportunity.
While Jiang Shi had been enduring for many years, he was also observing who might be the culprit in the murder of his parents. His eyes fell on the king of a different surname in the capital and he found some clues.
But he's not sure yet.
This time I came to the Xie family in Chenjun, one for Yu Tanqi, and the other to test the depth of the Xie family.
"The Xie family of Chen County is a prominent family with a history of hundreds of years. Madam, you are very knowledgeable and naturally have more insights than me. I hope you will give me some pointers. One day, I will do my best to help the Xie family."
Old Madam Xie said, "The reason the Xie family has stood firm for a hundred years is because they are far away from the disputes in the capital. Although Tan Qi is my granddaughter, we in the Xie family also regard her as one of our own. The Xie family will always be behind Tan Qi.
At the moment, it seems that having a relationship with you is not good for either me or the Xie family. So why can you promise to help the Xie family one day?"
She looked at the boy in front of her, without any contempt or ridicule, but simply stated the facts ruthlessly.
Jiang Shi was silent. He knew that the bargaining chips he had shown now were indeed not enough to move Old Madam Xie. The daughter of the Xie family was sought after by hundreds of families. It was not easy for him to marry Yu Tanqi.
Mrs. Xie had previously asked him to find out the mastermind behind the murder of Yu Tanqi, just to test his ability, and she would not really let him take Yu Tanqi away.
But since Jiang Shi has come to Chenjun, he will not return empty-handed.
"In three years at the latest, I will let the old lady see my true ability." He looked at Madam Xie and said very seriously.
"Three years later, Tan Qi will be nineteen years old. I can afford to wait, but she can't."
Jiang Shi pursed his lips and remained silent for a while. Finally, he stretched out a long jade-like hand and opened his palm.
Two little jade figures snuggled together, looking lifelike and exquisite.
He whispered, "This is a pair of jade figurines my father made for my mother. They represent his love for her, a lifelong companionship. My father established a family rule that all men, regardless of whether they have children or not, are forbidden to take concubines or have maids."
I admire my father, love my mother, and long to be together forever. A loving couple brings peace and prosperity to their home. If I could marry Miss Yu, I would make her a perfect match and do my best to protect her throughout her life."
Old Lady Xie looked at the jade figure in Jiang Shi's hand and thought of the Marquis of Wu'an and his wife who were the envy of everyone at the time. They were a couple that everyone truly envied.
When Jiang Chu was not yet the Marquis of Wu'an, he once made great military achievements. The emperor asked him what he wanted, and he actually exchanged his military achievements for an imperial decree granting him marriage, just to never be separated from his sweetheart.
The emperor's decree for marriages did not allow for divorce or separation, which stopped most families in the capital from wanting to marry Jiang Chu.
After marriage, Jiang Chu and his wife were deeply in love and inseparable. He even took his wife with him to the battlefield to fight the enemy. Even the emperor could not help but sigh: "Madam Jiang is as brave as a man."
Jiang Chu is the god of war of Wanjin State, and his wife is also a legend in Wanjin State. As a woman, she has accomplished many things that men cannot do.
If she had not become pregnant and had to return to the capital to take care of the baby, perhaps the tragedy would not have ended.
His parents are so outstanding, as their child, how could Jiang Shi disappoint them?
Mrs. Xie lived to be half a century old. As a girl, she was pampered at home. After she married, her husband respected and loved her, and she had two children. Although she experienced the pain of losing her son and husband, she eventually had many children and grandchildren.
Looking back on my life, although there are some regrets, it is still a complete life after all.
My current wish is that my only granddaughter can live a happy and fulfilling life.
Old Madam Xie looked at Jiang Shi seriously. The young man's black eyes were narrow and long, pure as water, and full of sincerity.
When a woman gets married, it is like a second life. She not only considers what kind of person the other person is, but also his family, whether his parents are harmonious, and whether his mother-in-law is kind.
If you think about it carefully, although it is a pity that Jiang Shi's parents died, Tan Qi would be the mistress of the house as soon as she got married, and would not have to serve her parents-in-law. After Jiang Shi came of age, she would be granted the title of Marquis's wife, which seemed pretty good too.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
