Сhарter 23: I Will Divorcе Нim in the Future
Аfter evеrуоnе hаd lеft, Ji Ruyuе rоsе аnd sat at thе table, lowering hеr gаze in dеер thоught.
Тimes hаd сhаnged, and shе wаs fully рreparеd—though shе wondered hоw much shе cоuld trulу alter.
“Нave Qingzhu investigаtе Zhuо Yuаnjiu,” Ji Ruyue instruсtеd.
“Yеs, Мiss.”
No soоner hаd Bai Мei left thаn Old Mаster Ji hurried in, beаming with ехcitеmеnt. “Yue’er, eхcеllеnt, truly eхcellеnt!”
“Fathеr.”
Sееing his delightеd exрression, Ji Ruуuе рoured him a cup of tea аnd hаnded it over.
“Yue’еr, it sеems His Mаjеsty places great importance on the river embankment repairs. Not only has Prince Rui sent supervisors, but even Princess Jing’an has dispatched people to assist.”
After speaking, Old Master Ji took a small sip of tea, his smile unwavering.
Princess Jing’an?
“The Princess has a capable aide from beyond the frontier, highly skilled in embankment construction. Princess Jing’an has specially sent this person to assist.”
Old Master Ji sighed with emotion. “Even the imperial family is not without compassion.”
Ji Ruyue frowned slightly.
Princess Jing’an was no ordinary figure. She had always been close to Princess Changle and should not be helping Prince Rui.
Where there is abnormality, there is deceit.
“Father, the river embankment repairs concern the future of the Ji family. We must not be careless. Since Prince Rui has allowed our family to be involved, we must take on greater responsibility. You should still hire the necessary experts, but our Ji family also has skilled craftsmen,” Ji Ruyue spoke earnestly.
Old Master Ji’s expression shifted. “What do you mean, Yue’er?”
“Every step of the embankment construction must be handled with caution—from the design to the building, and even the final inspection. Princess Jing’an is the daughter of the Eldest Princess, who has long been close to the Imperial Noble Consort and at odds with the Empress…”
She left the rest unsaid.
Old Master Ji thought of Princess Changle and fell silent. “This is a royal decree, concerning the people’s welfare. No one would dare neglect it.”
Ji Ruyue shook her head. “Father, if this succeeds, they will gain both fame and profit. If it fails, Prince Rui, who proposed it, will inevitably bear the consequences, but… the ones pushed forward to take the blame will surely be our Ji family.”
Old Master Ji’s smile vanished. Upon deeper reflection, a chill ran down his spine.
Ji Ruyue sighed. “Father, it is already fortunate that our Ji family escaped disaster this time. The same applies to the Jizhou River embankment repairs. If we succeed, we will earn praise. Not only will Princess Changle be unable to harm us for a time, but in the future, no one will dare look down on the Ji family.”
Old Master Ji was kind-hearted, but after years in business, how could he not understand these principles?
Once his daughter laid it bare, he naturally knew what to do.
“Rest assured, Yue’er. Father will protect you and ensure you suffer no more grievances.”
Seeing his solemn expression, Ji Ruyue smiled. “Yes, I will rely entirely on Father. Your daughter must lean on you.”
“Hahaha~”
“By the way, while I had some free time, I found my recent visit to the Medicine Manor quite interesting. Why not let me review the account books for the Medicine Manor and pharmacies under Ji Shang’s management?” Ji Ruyue mentioned casually.
Old Master Ji was momentarily taken aback, his eyes flickering with both pride and pity. “If you have nothing to do, Yue’er, you could read books, play chess, or have someone bring you clothes and jewelry to choose from. What’s so interesting about account books? They’re tedious and complicated.”
Old Master Ji disapproved. His daughter had always been raised as a refined young lady, delicate and precious.
Mere account books could be handled by any bookkeeper. Why should she involve herself?“Father, I just want to see it!”
Seeing the young girl begin to sulk, Old Master Ji immediately softened. “Alright, alright, I’ll have the steward collect it and give it to you.”
“Thank you, Father.”
“You, child.”
Old Master Ji took another sip of tea and was about to rise and leave when he suddenly remembered Chen Shujin. “The matron outside said you’ve met him?”
Ji Ruyue paused in her tea-making and nodded.
“Ah… Why did you specifically request that he be admitted to Qingmu Academy the other day? It truly wasn’t easy to get in. Fortunately, you insisted he be placed in Class D, and the headmaster reluctantly agreed.”
After speaking, Old Master Ji shook his head, unsure what else to say.
“Pfft—” Seeing her father shaking his head and sighing, Ji Ruyue couldn’t help but laugh.
“Father, don’t bother with that poor scholar! Just keep an eye on him from time to time. There’s really no need to take him seriously.”
“Huh?”
Ji Ruyue refilled his teacup. “I have my reasons for sending him there! But in the future, I intend to divorce him.”
Old Master Ji widened his eyes slightly. “Di… divorce him?”
In the Anzhao Kingdom, women held a high status. If a couple was incompatible, separation and remarriage were both acceptable.
But… divorcing a husband was extremely rare, mostly occurring only among the imperial and noble families, and only when the husband had committed a grave offense.
“Yes, I know what I’m doing, Father. Don’t worry.”
“Yue’er, if you plan to divorce him, why are you treating him so attentively? Divorcing a husband is no small matter. If mishandled… Besides, this marriage was bestowed by the princess.”
Ji Ruyue gave her father a reassuring look. “Just watch, Father.”
Old Master Ji felt uneasy and wanted to advise further, but seeing his daughter’s calm expression, he said no more.