Chaрtеr 3: Dо Nоt Вully the Young аnd Рoor
Мurong Jing let оut а соld lаugh, hеr tonе саrrуing an unquestiоnable authoritу. “Оld Mаstеr Ji, dо nоt bullу the уоung аnd poоr! Sinсe I dеclare him а worthу match for Мiss Ji, he is dеserving оf it. I hаve bestоwed this marriagе—dо уоu dare dеfу mе?”
Аs soon аs her wоrds fell, Murоng Jing lightly clаppеd her hands, and аnоthеr teаm оf guards marchеd ontо thе stage in рerfeсt unison, instаntlу intеnsifying thе tension.
Nоw she had lаid hеr сards on the table, leaving no rооm for negotiatiоn.
Оld Master Ji’s brеаth suddenly hitched, and his body swayed slightly.
Ji Ruyue’s eyes flickered. Her original plan could no longer proceed due to Wei Zizhang’s appearance.
She was not afraid of death, but she could not drag others and her father into it for no reason.
She had thought that in this second life, she could avoid this marriage, at most enduring some punishment. But now… it seemed impossible.
Suppressing the indignation in her heart, Ji Ruyue spoke with surprising calmness. “Father, do not worry. In my view, since the princess has bestowed this marriage, we have no right to refuse. She is the ruler, and we are the subjects.”
Whispers of discussion once again rippled through the surrounding commoners. No one dared to speak openly, but indeed, she was the ruler, and they were merely dust in her eyes.
A subtle hint of mockery flashed in Murong Jing’s eyes. “So, you no longer question my authority?”
Ji Ruyue gave a slight nod in response, choosing not to dwell further on the matter.
Seeing that the Ji father and daughter were finally willing to speak properly, Murong Jing waved her hand. “All of you, rise.”
As her thoughts raced, Ji Ruyue turned to Chen Shujin and said calmly, “Young Master Chen, although this marriage is bestowed by the princess, I still wish to ask you: Are you truly willing to become the son-in-law of the Ji family?”
Though her words were plain, the surrounding crowd could sense a deeper meaning behind them.
Not a marriage of taking a wife, but of taking a husband!
Indeed, although Old Master Ji had not explicitly stated it, the Ji family had only this one daughter. This matchmaking event was originally intended to find a son-in-law.
Chen Shujin’s face paled. “This… this…”
He looked pleadingly toward Murong Jing.
Just as Murong Jing was about to speak, Ji Ruyue cut her off. “What? Could it be that Young Master Chen, like ordinary men, looks down upon women?”
The words on Murong Jing’s lips were swallowed back.
She had always held herself in high regard and despised those who belittled her because she was a woman. Moreover, she was different from ordinary women and could not stand the coy and affected mannerisms often associated with them.
Thus, she did not speak further. Instead, she fixed her gaze deeply on Chen Shujin.
In her previous life, the Ji family had been helpless against the princess’s will. What was supposed to be a marriage to take a son-in-law had turned into a marriage to give away their daughter, forcing Ji Ruyue to marry Chen Shujin as his wife.
How laughable it was.
Though it was called a marriage, the entire Chen family moved into the Ji residence, claiming to be a family of scholars and looking down upon the Ji family’s merchant status. They constantly found fault with Old Master Ji and Ji Ruyue and were quick to scold or beat the servants.
Seeing that Murong Jing did not step in to defend him, Chen Shujin hesitated for a long while, glancing at Ji Ruyue several times.
Murong Jing gradually lost her patience and asked directly, “Scholar, do you have any brothers in your family?”
“I have two younger brothers.”
“In that case, there is no harm in you becoming the Ji family’s son-in-law. Besides, the Ji family only has Miss Ji as their sole daughter…”
She left her words hanging, saying no more.
Chen Shujin was a clever man. How could he not understand the implication?
Seeing him put on such an act, Ji Ruyue could not help but feel a wave of disgust.Chen Shujin sighed deeply and bowed respectfully to Murong Jing. “Thank you, Princess, for bestowing this marriage.”
Ji Ruyue understood clearly in her heart.
Indeed! His actions were exactly the same as in her previous life, unchanged.
Yet Ji Ruyue keenly noticed a difference…
The way he looked at Murong Jing was completely different from before!
Seeing that the situation was now settled, Murong Jing felt an inexplicable sense of satisfaction, and her mockery of the Ji family continued unabated.
“My father has always praised my discerning eye. I never thought today I would help bring about such a fine match. Your Ji family has been in business for generations. Now that you have this scholar as a son-in-law, perhaps you can even elevate your family’s status. Remember to cherish this.”
Old Master Ji clenched his fists tightly, his body trembling slightly.
Seeing this, Ji Ruyue leaned close to his ear and whispered soothingly, “Father, please remain calm.”
She then turned and performed a proper half-curtsy to Murong Jing. “Thank you, Princess, for your kindness. Since Mr. Chen has earned your favor, we hope you will continue to support him in the future. High official positions and generous salaries are surely within reach…”
Upon hearing this, a flicker of delight passed through Chen Shujin’s eyes, and he promptly followed with a bow of his own.
Murong Jing’s smile stiffened. She felt as if she had been outmaneuvered by this mere merchant’s daughter, and her dissatisfaction surged again, remembering the girl’s earlier defiance!
She suddenly strode forward two steps and raised her hand, delivering a fierce slap. “How dare you, you lowly commoner, speak such insolent words!”
Slap~
Ji Ruyue turned her head slightly to the side. Murong Jing’s slap landed on her jaw, the sharp nails instantly leaving a bloody scratch.
Ji Ruyue could have dodged this slap, but she could not; she had to endure it squarely!
Otherwise, the next act of the play could not proceed.
Ji Ruyue let out a soft cry and fell heavily to the ground.
“Yue’er!” Old Master Ji immediately stepped forward to help her up, only to find his daughter motionless, showing no intention of rising.
Chen Shujin shuddered, standing frozen on the spot.
The Princess was so capricious!
Murong Jing glared at Ji Ruyue, her eyes filled with venom. “A mere lowly commoner dares to presume to instruct this princess? Are you worthy?”
Ji Ruyue’s eyes shifted. She raised a hand to gently brush the corner of her eye, tears falling like broken pearls. Her tone lost all its earlier strength. Leaning against Old Master Ji, she looked utterly pitiful and fragile, yet her voice was not soft. “This common girl does not know what she did wrong to anger the Princess so, that you would publicly humiliate me like this. This man was chosen by the Princess. It was also the Princess who spoke of granting him high office and wealth…”
“Nonsense! When did this princess ever speak of granting him high office and wealth?”
Ji Ruyue choked back a sob. “But it was the Princess who said Mr. Chen could elevate my Ji family’s status. Could this common girl have misheard?”
Ji Ruyue glanced at the people in the room, her eyes full of anguish. Soft sobs began again. “Forget it. This common girl does not know where she has offended the Princess, that you would treat me so. Perhaps… I should just die!!”
As soon as she finished speaking, Ji Ruyue struggled as if to get up and seek death.
The room instantly erupted into chaos. Even the many guards could not control the situation.
“Miss Ji, you must not! This is a joyous red occasion; it must not turn into a mournful white one!”
“Yes, the Princess’s word is as good as gold. She would not deceive you. You must have misunderstood.”
“Miss Ji, your actions would place the Ji family in a difficult position! If you die, everyone will think the Princess drove you to it. This would tarnish the Princess’s reputation. You must not!”Many participants began chiming in with words of comfort, while others silently blocked Ji Ruyue’s path to self-harm. Though their words were filled with reproach, their underlying message was subtly directed at Murong Jing.
Ji Ruyue understood perfectly.
Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it.
Her words alone were insignificant, but what about ten, a hundred, a thousand, or even ten thousand voices?
What could Murong Jing do then?
With her current lack of influence, she had no choice but to resort to this method.
Murong Jing’s face darkened like the bottom of a pot. Clenching her fists tightly, she roared in anger, “How dare you! Did I permit you to die? Truly an ignorant woman—not only shortsighted but also constantly weeping and seeking death. It is utterly tiresome!”
She then pointed at Chen Shujin and declared, “I always keep my word. If one day this scholar achieves the highest rank in the imperial examinations, I will ensure his future is secure.”
Upon hearing this, even Chen Shujin fell silent.
If one could attain the highest rank in the imperial examinations, would they still lack prospects?