Chapter 56 Having a child with her should be good...
The weather has been getting warmer these past few days. People should be relaxing in the courtyard, eating fruit and drinking cool tea. But the entire Jiang family is lined up in several rows in the main hall waiting.
Just to welcome one person.
Leading the procession were Jiang Zongnan and his wife, the heads of the Jiang family.
The old man was dressed in a very formal robe today, his hair was slicked back, and his gold cane had been polished several times. It was clear that he took this day very seriously.
The second row consisted of the younger generation and women of the Jiang family. Jiang Wanwan was at the front, her hands excitedly twisting together, her head held high, peering intently outwards, hoping the person would arrive soon.
Next came the two aunts-in-law. The second aunt-in-law was holding Jige'er's hand, her eyes filled with an air of arrogance that suggested her husband had risen to power.
Today's main character is her husband. Ever since Lord Zhu sent his invitation a few days ago, the Jiang family has received many gifts from colleagues, all of which are for her husband. She is quite proud of herself.
Finally, Jiang Shuifu arrived with the peaches and several children.
The third row consists of the household servants.
Tiger, Bean, and Sister Bao were too young to understand why they had to stand here in the sun as punishment, so Jiang Shuifu and Pan Tao picked a few fan leaves to shade them.
Tiger, with a pained expression, tugged at Jiang Shuifu's sleeve: "Sister, who came today? I'm so hot! He's so annoying!"
Doujie put her hands on her hips and made a face:
"Tiger, you're so silly! We have distinguished guests at our manor, and we're already eating sweets again!"
The little girls were sweating profusely from the heat, but they still smiled happily. Although they were small, they knew quite a bit. When important guests came, they were expected to give gifts. Since their parents didn't allow them to eat sweets, they could only rely on the snacks that were delivered to their door.
"Hehehe, little sister wants to eat pastries, little sister is waiting for our distinguished guest!"
The children chattered incessantly, one after another. Jiang Zongnan frowned and scolded them a few times:
"Stop making trouble! You little rascals, no more talking!"
The children immediately fell silent, but the courtyard remained lively, replaced by a few cautious, apologetic laughs:
"Governor, please! We will certainly treat you well today! You saved my daughter last time, so you are a great benefactor to the Jiang family. We will definitely follow your lead!"
"Yes, it is truly an honor for our Jiang residence that Your Excellency the Governor has come to visit!"
······
Jiang Junyu and Jiang Junyan, bowing and scraping, carried the person into the mansion. Their voices filled the entire Jiang mansion, reaching the ears of everyone in the main hall from afar.
Upon seeing the person arrive, Jiang Zongnan immediately straightened his expression, stretched his limbs, and straightened his clothes.
Jiang Wanwan quietly adjusted her newly customized hairpin and the expensive gemstone earrings on her ears.
She was dressed even more formally today than she was last time she went boating on the lake. Everything she wore was new, even her dress was a limited-edition summer chiffon dress.
She was determined to make a good impression on Young Master Zhu. However, she secretly glanced at Jiang Shuifu next to her. Jiang Shuifu's face and body were truly a source of trouble. Fortunately, she had gone to ask her not to dress up yesterday.
Seeing that she was dressed simply today, she felt much more at ease.
But in reality, Jiang Wanwan didn't care much about her, because Jiang Shuifu was divorced, and no matter how beautiful she was, most men would never want her.
Jiang Shuifu was extremely impatient, her lips never lifting in a smile. Shen Jizhao was truly cunning, causing chaos throughout the entire Jiang mansion, making everyone fawn over him.
She grew angrier the longer she stood there. The sun was already high in the sky, and the children had been waiting like idiots for a long time. The adults didn't say anything, but the children were melting from the heat.
He's putting on that noble prince act as always!
Shen Jizhao ignored the flattery of the people around him, his expression indifferent. It wasn't until a figure in plain clothes appeared in his line of sight that his eyes narrowed and became more profound.
He saw the anger gathering in her eyes, and his heartstrings were touched; even when she was angry, she was still beautiful.
His fingers rubbed together a few times, his throat bobbed, and he slowly offered a faint, apologetic smile:
"I apologize for being late today. I only came to discuss some trivial matters with Lord Jiang. How could I have caused such a commotion and made the ladies wait for so long? I have brought some small gifts to apologize, and I hope that Lord Jiang will accept them and forgive me."
With a wave of his hand, Shen Jizhao brought up a series of rare and precious treasures.
Jiang Zongnan was somewhat flattered. He hadn't expected Governor Zhu to be so easygoing and to address him so affectionately. He quickly waved his hand and bowed, repeatedly saying "I dare not," showing extreme politeness.
His face was wrinkled from laughing, so many wrinkles that they could trap mosquitoes, but if you looked closely, you could tell that his smile didn't reach his eyes.
This benefactor, though outwardly trying to be amiable, actually exudes an unyielding coldness.
They are difficult to entertain and deal with.
When the peach saw the person who came, its mouth gaped open like a round egg, and its blood boiled. How could it be him!
She missed the peaches last time because she couldn't get on the boat and had to go back to her residence first, so she didn't know what she had missed.
She stammered, turning to Jiang Shuifu and asking, "Miss, he, he is..."
Jiang Shuifu patted her hand, signaling her not to get agitated. She didn't tell Pan Tao because she felt he wasn't worth her effort.
Thinking she hadn't recognized him, the peach pointed at the newcomer and said, "Your Highness... Your Highness..."
She couldn't bring herself to say "Your Highness" because she was too shocked. Wasn't he in the capital?
Jiang Shuifu nodded: "Yes, he's gone mad, just ignore him!"
Shen Jizhao heard her words, his expression unchanged. He walked up to Jiang Shuifu, his smile instantly turning into a troubled, unspeakable embarrassment, deliberately teasing her:
"Miss, does your head still hurt today? Last time we went boating on the lake, it was all my fault. It was an honor for me to receive a sachet from you, but I dare not accept such a gesture from you right away! I have come here today to apologize to you!"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Zongnan's eyes narrowed, and everyone present also cast puzzled glances at Jiang Shuifu. Giving a young lady a sachet? This is quite something!
Could it be that she has taken a liking to him?
Jiang Wanwan frowned deeply, wishing she could immediately question Jiang Shuifu about what she had done to her sweetheart.
Jiang Shuifu received questions from all sides, some curious and doubtful, some blaming and disdainful. She scoffed, "Who can talk nonsense better than me?"
"My lord, you jest. What sachet? I was just drunk and wanted to throw away some trash. Besides, I should apologize to you for accidentally barging into your house that day and frightening the men inside. Are you alright? Are they upset? But my lord, why does your face look a little asymmetrical?"
Shen Jizhao's eyes instantly sharpened like a hawk's. She was implying that he kept a male concubine and that the male concubine had scratched his face!
He never expected her to be so sharp-tongued! He had only teased her, and she had ruined his reputation so badly!
He hadn't realized she was so bold before, but since it was her, he wasn't angry: "It's just colleagues discussing some things."
A strange silence fell over everyone present. Most people understood and were shocked by the implication of Jiang Shuifu's words, and they all lowered their heads to hide the surprise in their eyes. Only Jiang Wanwan was different.
She excitedly ran to him, clung to him, and looked at him with a sweet, coquettish smile, saying:
"Lord Zhu, thank you for saving me last time. I'm perfectly fine, nothing's wrong with me. You don't need to worry. I've already finished all the tonics you sent!"
After returning last time, Shen Jizhao sent a lot of tonics, ostensibly to comfort Jiang Junyu who had fallen into the water, but in reality, they were all for Jiang Shuifu. She could tell as soon as she saw them because they were exactly the same as the things she had thrown out a while ago.
Even if she throws away his things, it's useless; he insists she accept them. This is his domineering nature, and also his sense of security.
He didn't want to be far away from her; he felt insecure that way.
Jiang Junyu was planning to capture Jiang Wanwan and tell her not to get involved in the commotion. This kind of man was not someone she could even dream of! Nor was he someone she could control!
Before he could even begin, Shen Jizhao smiled slightly at Jiang Wanwan, his aloofness and disdain concealed somewhat: "That's good, then Lord Jiang can rest assured."
Jiang Wanwan was so happy to receive Shen Jizhao's concern that she jumped up like a child, her smile was so bright, and she kept pestering him to talk.
Jiang Shuifu, who was standing nearby, almost rolled her eyes when she saw this. What an idiot! She had already warned her, but she still insisted on going up there!
She didn't care anymore and simply left with her girls, her steps strong and swift, as if she didn't want to stay there for even a moment longer and waste time with him.
The little girls' eyes were wide open, all hoping that there would be food in the delivered items. Jiang Shuifu quickly covered their eyes and said that she would buy candied hawthorns to coax them.
"Big sister, big sister is the best! Little sister wants two!"
"Hmm, that distinguished guest was a bit stingy; he wouldn't even offer any candy. Sister is much better!"
As Shen Jizhao watched her gently coaxing the little children, his expression softened considerably. He became even more affectionate towards the Jiang family, greeting each of her aunts and pinching Jige'er's cheek. His mood was as pleasant as a spring breeze.
He thought that having a child with her would be wonderful.
She would also gently coax their children.
Shen Jizhao's visit today was not solely for Jiang Shuifu; he was in the study discussing Su Yang's agricultural policies with her two uncles.
Although her two uncles were not particularly capable, they had their own unique insights. They talked enthusiastically, or rather, the two uncles talked non-stop, while Shen Jizhao just listened and nodded and smiled from time to time, which was enough to give them face.
But his laughter soon faded as someone barged in:
"Young Master Zhu, this is tea I brewed myself. It goes perfectly with these pastries, so please finish it!"
"Young master, these are iced fruit wines I specially made for you. You can eat some to cool off if you're feeling hot!"
······
Noisy! Annoying!
Shen Jizhao's expression grew increasingly grim, and the semblance of affability he had managed to maintain earlier in the day crumbled completely.
But she kept barging in and waving piles of junk in front of him, which annoyed him greatly.
That's enough for today!
Shen Jizhao could finally get rid of this overconfident woman. Jiang Junyu and Jiang Junyan saw him off, but he waved them off.
They were her uncles, and naturally, they were family to him as well. As a junior, he shouldn't be too presumptuous with his family.
He had only taken a few steps when a figure jumped out from around the corner of the corridor, saying bluntly and enthusiastically, "Young master, let me see you off!"
Then she quietly took out a purse from behind her back, lowered her eyes shyly, and handed it to him: "This contains my favorite food. I hid it so that no one else can eat it. You are the first!"
Why would food be in her purse? Her intentions were obvious; she was testing the waters with ambiguity.
Shen Jizhao couldn't help but let out a bit of his fierce aura, his eyes narrowing sharply.
Jiang Wanwan, however, was completely oblivious and continued to smile like a flower.
He was about to warn her to stay away from him and not have any improper thoughts when a very familiar figure suddenly appeared in his line of sight. She had a faint look of disdain on her lips.
Seeing that he didn't react, Jiang Wanwan assumed he had walked far away and jumped forward to chase after him. However, she ran too fast, and Shen Jizhao's attention was entirely on Jiang Shuifu, so…
"ah!"
Jiang Wanwan bumped into them, and from a distance, it looked like the two of them were hugging.
Shen Jizhao was both angry and anxious. He immediately cast an innocent look at the woman not far away and tried to explain to her. The woman's expression did not change at all, and she did not care at all who he was close to.
The veins on his forehead throbbed; his good temper for the day had finally run out, and he snapped:
"presumptuous!"
-----------------------
Author's Note: Just a heads-up, the keywords for the next chapter are: Traditional Chinese Medicine, forced entry...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
