Сhаpter 22: Urgеnt Маttеrs tо Discuss
The dау after Ji Ruуue returnеd tо thе mаnsiоn.
Сhen Shujin unехреctedlу requested an аudiеncе. Nо mаttеr hоw Bаi Меi refused, hе insistеd on wаiting in the cold wind.
“Whу isn’t he stаying in Mulanуuan?” Ji Ruуue аskеd.
Bai Мei’s exрrеssiоn wаs grave. “Аs уоu instruсted, the mаnsion’s рhysiciаn treatеd his hand. Hе likely cаmе hеre frоm thе physiciаn’s quartеrs.”
Ji Ruуue frownеd.
Bai Мei hurriеdlу еxрlained, “Рleasе dоn’t blаme them, Miss. In the eyes of thе sеrvants, he is the yоung mаster of the hоusе. They dared not stop him…”
“Hmm, I understand. Go and tell him to behave himself. If there’s nothing important, he should focus on recuperating.”
Ji Ruyue still had no intention of seeing him.
Bai Mei obeyed and left, returning shortly after. “Miss, he says he has urgent matters to discuss with you, related to Prince Rui.”
Ji Ruyue was taken aback!
How could a mere poor scholar know anything about Prince Rui?
“Let him in.”
As Chen Shujin stepped into Zitengyuan, he felt that every detail in the courtyard was exquisite—the flowers, the trees, even the lanterns along the corridor seemed extraordinary.
He was led to the side hall and seated at a distance from Ji Ruyue, separated by a beaded curtain.
He couldn’t even see her face…
“Speak.”
Ji Ruyue’s voice was cold and detached. Seeing that he remained silent after sitting down, she urged him.
Chen Shujin clenched his fists, hesitating for a long moment before speaking. “I’ve heard that the Ji family intends to assist in repairing the Jizhou River embankment. Is this true?”
Noting that he referred to himself as “this humble scholar” again, Ji Ruyue restrained her impatience. “Yes.”
“The day before yesterday, the person sent by Prince Rui arrived and even met with Old Master Ji…”
Ji Ruyue didn’t understand why he was mentioning these things to her. The matter of repairing the Jizhou River embankment was already settled and had been approved by Emperor Anzhao. There was no room for deception.
Knowing full well that she was aware of these matters, yet still bringing them up, he was clearly making trouble out of nothing. “Chen Shujin, you’ve overstepped.”
“No, no! The person sent by Prince Rui—I know him!”
“Oh?”
Ji Ruyue straightened her posture slightly. “Tell me more.”
Chen Shujin said solemnly, “The visitor is named Zhuo Yuanjiu. He is also from Jizhou City and passed the child scholar examination in the same year as I did. So… I know a bit about him. Miss Ji, this man is not a good person.”
“And then?”
“I’m not very familiar with him, but he is older. He was twenty-five when he passed the child scholar examination, which is indeed quite old. So… I paid some attention to him.”
Ji Ruyue leaned on the soft couch, growing increasingly impatient.
Chen Shujin looked in her direction but couldn’t see clearly—only a hazy, indistinct silhouette.
She remained silent, but he felt a tightness in his chest and continued, “This man has a terrible character. He once squandered his family’s fortune over a courtesan, ignoring his widowed mother’s serious illness, and resolutely left Jizhou City with that woman.”
“As a result, his widowed mother died alone and tragically at home. He can be described as disloyal and unfilial. I don’t know how he suddenly became a subordinate of Prince Rui. I’m just worried… worried about the Ji family.”
Ji Ruyue raised her eyes slightly, carefully recalling but having no impression of Zhuo Yuanjiu.
In her previous life, the Ji family had not assisted in repairing the Jizhou River embankment, nor had Prince Rui sent anyone to supervise the work.
In the fifteenth year of Anzhao, during the rainy season, the embankment collapsed, causing many deaths in the villages along the Jizhou River.
First, there was the plague disaster, then the flood. Jizhou City, a thousand-year-old city, was left in ruins.
“I understand. You’ve been thoughtful.”
Ji Ruyue already intended to see him out.Chen Shujin opened his mouth, then abruptly changed the subject, asking, “You… how was your trip this time?”
Ji Ruyue was slightly taken aback, unable to discern his intentions, and merely responded softly.
Seeing Ji Ruyue’s indifferent expression, Chen Shujin rose reluctantly. “I have no other matters, so I shall take my leave.”
“Bai Mei, see the guest out.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Bai Mei properly escorted Chen Shujin out of the courtyard gate. As they parted, she gave Bai Song a meaningful glance.
Bai Song understood perfectly.
Bai Song was the servant Ji Ruyue had previously assigned to Chen Shujin’s side. While ostensibly there to serve him, it was more accurate to say he was there to keep an eye on him.
Chen Shujin was still of great use and must not encounter any mishaps for now.
As for that hand… naturally, it need not heal!
The moment Chen Shujin stepped out of the courtyard gate, his expression abruptly changed. The refined composure he had shown earlier vanished, replaced by a barely concealed, teeth-gritting fury.
Bai Song blinked, then asked with concern, “Is the young master in a poor mood? The young lady’s temperament has always been… she must have upset you again, hasn’t she? Really, the young lady is too much!”
Chen Shujin clenched his jaw, his words filled with anger. “Is she always like this?”
Bai Song felt a twinge of guilt. “Yes. The Ji family is wealthy, and the master only has the young lady as his daughter. He treats her like a treasure, afraid she might fall if held in his hands, afraid she might melt if kept in his mouth. He dotes on her immensely.”
“So the young lady has always been this way. In my humble opinion, the young lady simply doesn’t appreciate your kindness, Master. She truly lacks understanding.”
Hearing this, Chen Shujin’s expression softened slightly.
Bai Song continued to console him, “Master, you should focus on recuperating. In the future, you’ll achieve great success, pass the imperial examinations with top honors, and return as a top scholar…”
Under Bai Song’s flattery, Chen Shujin’s demeanor grew increasingly calm, and a faint, almost imperceptible smile touched the corners of his mouth.
Bai Song felt he had grasped a certain pattern: to become Chen Shujin’s confidant and infiltrate the Chen family, he had to disregard his conscience and spout nonsense with all his might.
Glancing around, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of fear. If anyone else overheard this, they would surely die laughing!