Just as Ji Yunshu was pondering whether she should simply find a way to take Zhao Heng out—ending the novel by killing off the male and female leads—she heard Lürü speak again.
“She isn’t dead, but she slit her wrists, and blood was all over the floor. I heard the Second Young Master was severely injured from his punishment and couldn’t even get out of bed, yet he still insisted on being helped over to Lanxiang Courtyard. When he saw the scene, he nearly went mad. He ordered several maids to be caned on the spot. They were covered in blood when they were carried out; they probably won’t survive.”
Ji Yunshu: “…”
She had overthought things. How could the female lead possibly die?
When the male and female leads made a fuss, it was only the bystanders who died.
Lürü’s gossip wasn’t over yet. “After the doctor said Miss Yao was fine, the Second Young Master even threatened his own life with a knife to force Madam Yao to agree to let him marry Miss Yao.”
At this point, the young girl couldn’t help but shudder, saying with lingering fear, “Fortunately, you didn’t marry him, Miss. Otherwise, how would you have lived your life in the future?”
“Did Madam Yao agree?”
Finish your story before you start reflecting!
“The Second Young Master had a knife to his own throat. Madam Yao only has this one son; how could she dare refuse?”
Ji Yunshu felt that Lürü hadn’t mentioned it earlier likely because she thought the outcome was a foregone conclusion.
So, the one who had insisted on Zhao Heng marrying a girl from a noble house was Madam Yao.
In a way, it was quite logical upon further thought. After all, how could a male lead give up the female lead for the sake of power? He must have been forced by circumstances.
No wonder Madam Yao’s face looked so dreadful during the tea ceremony today.
Ji Yunshu let out a sneer. She felt that Yao Ruolan had timed her suicide attempt quite well. If not for the Empress Dowager’s verbal order, her wish would have been fulfilled.
“When the imperial marriage decree arrived from the Palace today, was the Empress Dowager’s verbal message not relayed as well?”
Lürü seemed to remember something and laughed. “How could it not have been? Madam Yao was somewhat fine, but I heard that when the Second Young Master heard the verbal order, he fainted on the spot. After he woke up, he and Miss Yao held each other and had a good cry.”
Ji Yunshu sighed. “Truly a pair of ill-fated lovers.”
Lürü really wanted to say: Miss, when you say those words, could you please hide the smile at the corner of your mouth?
Once she finished gloating, Ji Yunshu pushed the matter to the back of her mind.
She wasn’t one to dwell. Since she had married someone else and would no longer interfere in the relationship between Zhao Heng and Yao Ruolan—and since she couldn’t change the fact that she was positioned against the leads—she would just face them head-on until the end.
In any case, she would never allow herself or her family to meet the tragic end described in the book.
Thinking of this, Ji Yunshu felt another headache coming on. Every plot point in the novel was designed around the male and female leads.
For instance, the upcoming war at the northern border where her father and brother were destined to die.
And those natural and man-made disasters meant to shake the positions of her Aunt and the Emperor.
Fortunately, those things wouldn’t happen just yet. She still had time.
At dusk, Zhao Shen emerged from the study. When he arrived in the main hall for dinner, he saw Ji Yunshu sitting on the low couch by the window with her chin in her hand, her brow furrowed as she pondered something.
He noticed that his wife particularly enjoyed daydreaming.
Wheeling his wheelchair over to her, he asked softly, “What are you thinking about?”
Ji Yunshu glanced at his legs. After a moment’s hesitation, she voiced the doubt in her heart. “I was wondering… back when you fell from your horse, was it truly an accident?”
A shadow of gloom crossed Zhao Shen’s eyes. He raised an eyebrow and asked, “What makes you think that?”
Ji Yunshu keenly noticed that he didn’t immediately deny it. she pressed further, “It wasn’t an accident, was it?”
Zhao Shen remained silent for a moment before answering, “There are no clues to prove it wasn’t an accident.”
“Even the Houfu can’t find any clues?”
Ji Yunshu did not doubt how much Marquis Zhao valued this legitimate eldest son, upon whom he had placed great hopes since childhood.
She looked directly at Zhao Shen and asked, “But you know in your heart it wasn’t an accident, don’t you?”
Zhao Shen looked down at his legs and gave a bitter smile. “More than ten years have passed. This is the result; the truth of back then is no longer important.”
Ji Yunshu stared blankly at his downcast, bitter smile. “How can it not be important? Someone wanted to destroy you. How do you know they won’t strike again in the future?”
Zhao Shen’s expression remained as calm as a breeze. “So that’s what you’re worried about. Rest assured, I am no longer the Zhao Shen of ten years ago. I am not as weak as you imagine.”
But you really will die.
Ji Yunshu didn’t say those words aloud. However, knowing that Zhao Shen was on his guard made her breathe a sigh of relief.
Seeing that the maids had already set the table for dinner, Zhao Shen invited Ji Yunshu to eat while giving her instructions. “It’s difficult for me to move around, so for convenience, I’ve set up a small kitchen in the courtyard. All the ingredients used are purchased by our own people. You can tell them whatever you want to eat. You can decide on the staffing in the courtyard as you see fit; there is no need to consult Madam Yao.”
Ji Yunshu was surprised. “You mean I’m the one in charge of everything in our courtyard, and Madam Yao has no say?”
He was the only master in the entire Qionghua Courtyard. While he said the small kitchen was for convenience, it was more likely to prevent someone from tampering with his food.
Moreover, he called Madam Yao “Madam” with every breath, clearly not even bothering to maintain a veneer of affection. Since she was to follow her husband’s lead, did that mean she wouldn’t have to go to Madam Yao to perform formal duties in the future?
This was even more free and easy than she had imagined.
Hearing her naturally use the word “our,” a faint smile appeared on Zhao Shen’s face. “That’s right. Behind closed doors, you can do whatever you please.”
Ji Yunshu thought he was already handsome enough normally, but this smile made her heart throb uncontrollably.
Struck by his beauty, Ji Yunshu blurted out, “Don’t smile at me.”
Zhao Shen was puzzled. “What’s wrong?”
Ji Yunshu: “I’m afraid I won’t be able to restrain myself.”
Zhao Shen: “…Nonsense again.”
Having said that, he personally ladled a bowl of fish soup and handed it to her. “This was made with fresh perch delivered today. Taste it and see if you like it.”
Attracted by the aroma of the food, Ji Yunshu didn’t expose his shy attempt to change the subject and began to eat.
The cook’s skill was extraordinary. The fish soup was fresh, fragrant, and smooth, melting away between her teeth. The flavor was beyond ordinary.
Zhao Shen added from the side, “Zhang Ma’s skills are quite good. Of course, if you aren’t used to it, you can find a few more cooks according to your own taste.”
Ji Yunshu nodded repeatedly upon hearing this.
The great matters of life were nothing more than eating and drinking.
In this deal, she hadn’t lost out at all by marrying him.
With both Zhao Heng and Yao Ruolan injured and confined to their beds, Changxing Houfu had been unusually quiet for the past few days.
In the blink of an eye, the day arrived for the bride’s return to her parental home.
Wuan Houfu and Changxing Houfu were both estates bestowed by the founding Emperor, and the two families did not live far apart.
Ji Yunshu and Zhao Shen arrived in their carriage in just fifteen minutes.
As soon as Ji Yunshu stepped out of the carriage, she saw her father, Ji Changlin, and her brother, Ji Yunlan, waiting for her at the entrance.
The original owner’s memories of the two weren’t actually very deep. After all, for as long as she could remember, her father and brother had been stationed at the northern border, only returning to the capital during festivals.
Because of this, they felt guilty toward her. Every time they returned, they would bring her many things.
One couldn’t say her dowry was heavier than every noble lady’s in the capital, but it was definitely among the very best.
This time, the two of them had rushed back from the northern border specifically for her wedding.
“Father, Big Brother, I’m back.”
Seeing his daughter’s happy smile, Ji Changlin finally voiced the words he had been holding back for a long time. “My dear daughter, you’ve been wronged.”
As he spoke, he pulled his daughter into the manor, completely ignoring Zhao Shen, who was sitting in his wheelchair behind them.