Ji Yunlan had a bit of a headache over his father’s willful nature. His sister still had to live her life with Zhao Shen; it wouldn’t be good if he offended the man too much.
Thus, he fell back a step to walk alongside Zhao Shen’s wheelchair, trying to make amends. “Our family has only one girl, A Shu. My father wishes he could hold her in the palm of his hand and spoil her. After he found out what happened that night in the wedding chamber, he nearly went to your residence to settle scores with your family’s second young master himself. It took a lot of effort for me to stop him.”
Zhao Shen replied, “Thank you, Elder Brother.”
The smile on Ji Yunlan’s face froze for a moment. Zhao Shen was five years older than him; he didn’t know how the man could call him “Elder Brother” with such a complete lack of psychological hurdles.
He paused for a moment before continuing, “Marrying you was A Shu’s own choice, and we will all respect her wishes. It’s just that my father’s heart is unsettled. If he shows you any discourtesy, I ask for your understanding.”
Zhao Shen did not mind at all. “The fact that my father-in-law dotes on his daughter is famous throughout the capital. Now that she has been forced to marry a disabled man like me, it is only natural that he feels unsettled. I certainly won’t take it to heart.”
Ji Yunlan said, “Shizi Zhao, there is no need to be so modest. A Shu has a willful temperament; I ask that you be patient with her in the future.”
He realized that the man before him truly lived up to his reputation as a genius who could take the Third Place in the Imperial Examination at the age of fifteen; his words were flawlessly delivered.
It made Ji Yunlan realize that whatever he wanted to say, the other party already understood perfectly.
Then again, it was Zhao Shen’s legs that were broken, not his brain.
Between clever people, a hint was enough.
Meanwhile, walking ahead, Ji Yunshu was also doing some psychological work on her own father. “Dad, Zhao Shen hasn’t done anything wrong. He has been very good to me these past few days. Don’t give him the cold shoulder.”
Ji Changlin was dissatisfied. “You’ve only been married to him for a few days, and already you’re speaking up for him? Did he use some flowery words to deceive you?”
Ji Yunshu replied without a hint of shyness, “He has that face of his, that’s enough. Why would he need flowery words?”
Ji Changlin grew even more displeased. “Your brother said you took a liking to his face, but I didn’t believe it. Tell me, what kind of taste do you have, falling for such a pretty boy? He’s good-looking but useless.”
Ji Yunshu blinked. “He doesn’t just have a handsome face; his hand skills aren’t weak either. Dad, do you want to test him?”
Through her observations over the past few days, she had discovered that Zhao Shen’s daily life and protection were airtight.
The strict control over the small kitchen was one thing, but the personal attendants by his side were not only experts but also knew medicine.
The defense provided by the guards in his courtyard was the most rigorous in the entire Marquis’s residence.
There were even people watching from the shadows.
This made her certain that Zhao Shen was guarding against someone, but it didn’t seem to be Madam Yao and her son.
After all, given Zhao Shen’s status and schemes, if he really wanted to deal with Madam Yao and her son, he wouldn’t have remained silent for so many years.
Therefore, he must know something.
Based on this point, Ji Yunshu decided to give him a hand.
In any case, with Zhao Heng around, her desire to live the carefree life of a widow was unlikely to come true.
She might as well find an ally.
When a husband and wife are of one mind, their combined strength can cut through metal.
She was currently very curious about how many life-saving trump cards Zhao Shen held in his hands.
Ji Changlin was suspicious. “Are you sure? Don’t start feeling heartbroken if I break him.”
Ji Yunshu smiled. “It’s not certain whether you can even beat him, Dad. But don’t be too blatant about it; it wouldn’t look good.”
Ji Changlin snorted coldly. “Am I the kind of person who lacks a sense of propriety?”
Ji Yunshu smiled and said nothing.
Consequently, when Zhao Shen was pushed through the door in his wheelchair, a teacup flew toward him unexpectedly.
As Ji Yunlan, walking beside him, instinctively reached out to block it, he saw the teacup already settled firmly in Zhao Shen’s palm.
Not a single drop of tea inside had spilled.
Although Ji Changlin hadn’t used his full strength in this strike, he was confident there weren’t many people in this world who could catch it. If his son hadn’t been nearby, he wouldn’t have dared to strike so confidently.
Yet Zhao Shen had neutralized it with such effortless grace.
He couldn’t even discern the other man’s true strength.
What kind of monster had his daughter taken a liking to?
He instinctively looked at Ji Yunshu, only to see her quickly run to Zhao Shen’s side, take the cup of tea back, and protest with righteous indignation, “Dad, Zhao Shen has difficulty moving. How can you bully him?”
Ji Changlin replied, “I wasn’t bullying him. I didn’t do it on purpose; I just accidentally lost my grip.”
Ji Yunshu: “…”
Do you even hear what you’re saying?
As if nothing had happened, Zhao Shen spoke with cultured politeness, “This son-in-law pays his respects to Father-in-law.”
Ji Changlin looked at his calm and collected manner and, after a long silence, waved his hand. “Forget it. When I heard about the wretched things your family’s second son did, I was originally full of anger. But A Shu is right; those things have nothing to do with you. In fact, regarding the matter of the swapped marriage, it is my Ji family that owes you an apology.”
Zhao Shen said, “Father-in-law, you overstate the matter. A Shu is the pearl in your palm; it is only natural that you would want her to marry well.”
Ji Changlin sighed. “Man proposes, but Heaven disposes. I went to the Imperial Astronomical Bureau yesterday to inquire, and you and A Shu are indeed a match made in heaven. Her mother passed away early, and as her father, I haven’t been by her side since she was a child. Now that I am entrusting her to you, I hope you will treat her well in the future.”
Zhao Shen said solemnly, “This son-in-law will certainly do his best to treat her well.”
Ji Changlin nodded. Zhao Shen actually had no flaws; the only regret was those legs.
But his son’s analysis was also correct—the Ji family did not need to advance any further.
Zhao Shen could not enter the imperial court, which was perfect for avoiding the storms of politics.
If his daughter followed him, her life would be more stable.
Listening to her father’s words, which sounded like a final entrustment, Ji Yunshu felt an indescribable bitterness in her heart.
She knew that those who went to the battlefield were always prepared to die, but in the novel, this Great General who protected the home and country died due to the schemes of others.
All because his daughter married someone she shouldn’t have.
All because the Ji family stood in someone else’s way.
Ji Yunshu thought with resolve: if she used every possible means and still couldn’t reverse the plot, then she would risk her life to send Zhao Heng straight to hell with a single blade.
The original owner came from a family of generals; this body had a foundation in martial arts. Ji Yunshu felt that if she practiced a bit more, killing someone would be well within her capabilities.
In any case, the Zhao Heng in the book wasn’t some peerless expert; most of the time, he just had good luck because of his protagonist halo.
Generations of the Ji family had gone to the battlefield, and most did not live long. Her grandfather had died in battle early on, leaving only two children, her father and her Aunt.
Everyone else belonged to collateral branches, but since the Marquis of Wuan’s residence had few people, there had never been a family division.
At lunchtime, everyone gathered together for a lively meal.
After the meal, Ji Changlin pulled Zhao Shen away to the drill ground.
Ji Yunshu then sought out Ji Yunlan.
“When do Father and Brother plan to set out? Is everything packed?”
The two had returned for her wedding. Now that she was married, it was naturally time for them to leave.
Ji Yunlan was somewhat surprised and smiled. “Being married really makes a difference; you even know how to care for people now. Father and I will depart early tomorrow morning. Don’t worry, the border is stable.”
Ji Yunshu, however, could not set her mind at ease. Although the incident where the two met their end in the book occurred a year after her marriage, now that the person she married had changed, who knew if there would be other complications?
But she couldn’t speak of these things, so she could only urge him, “There are many accidents on the battlefield; one can never be too careful. Brother, you must not be careless.”
Seeing his sister looking at him with such concern, Ji Yunlan’s heart, hardened by the battlefield, softened. He rubbed her head and said, “I’ll listen to you. I will definitely be careful.”
Ji Yunshu didn’t know how much effect such a reminder would have. She thought for a moment and added, “I heard that a Shamanic healer in the Northern Desert once developed a Biling Elixir that can bring the dead back to life, regrow flesh on bones, and neutralize a hundred poisons. It is currently kept as a supreme treasure in the Northern Desert Royal Court. Brother, can you get your hands on it?”