Chapter 374: Chapter 373: Scholars Should Be More Wary
Night fell, and all around was silent.
Several people ultimately did not go to Duke Wei Mansion, but purposefully headed to Zhao Residence instead.
Under the window of the Zhao family, five people were squatting at this moment.
Inside the room, clear reading voices could be heard.
The content was profound and obscure. Compared to what teacher taught Cui Rong at the academy in the past, it was heaven and earth apart. Shen Hua’s smile at the corner of her mouth grew increasingly stiff, followed by a yawn of exhaustion.
Wei Yingying said quietly, bearing great enmity: "I can’t understand a single word."
Princess Le Jia was listening attentively, although she understood even less.
Ji Huo, holding back his nausea, cursed softly: "So annoying, so annoying, this bookworm chants scriptures at the Imperial College during the day, I could bear with that, but he continues like this at night!"
Ji Ge also belonged to the ignorant lot, his mind in turmoil: "What misfortune have I encountered, to come here with you all."
Naturally, he was reprimanded.
"Shut up, our faction is willing to bring you along for fun, you should cherish it, and know some manners."
With this statement, Ji Huo’s voice was not restrained. Soon, the reading voice inside the room stopped, and Zhao Wu carefully held his book scroll in the bright moonlight while there definitely were moving shadows outside the window.
"Who is outside?"
Ji Huo pushed open the window and poked his head out, greeting warmly: "Brother Zhao, it’s me!"
Zhao Wu just entered, startled, and involuntarily stepped back. Once recognizing the person, he frowned slightly: "It’s late at night, what brings the Princely Heir to my house?"
"About the matter I mentioned last time, have you considered it?" Ji Huo asked.
Zhao Wu, considering Ji Huo’s status, dared not offend him, and was somewhat embarrassed.
Yet he eventually steeled himself to say.
"Last night I was restless after returning home, The Princely Heir, although Second Lady Wei agreed to marry me willingly and both families have exchanged tokens, if I break off the engagement, it would hurt her reputation. Even if she truly has minor faults, I accept them. No one is perfect. A great man should be forgiving. It would be wrong for me, on just your word, to doubt her integrity."
He had also sent people to inquire, and at least the information they gathered spoke well of Wei Zhuzhu.
He paused, getting to the point.
"Her eight characters are auspicious, and my Mama is eager for me to marry. Yesterday, Second Lady Wei came to see her too, and one could visibly see Mama was much spirited after meeting her; it seems to bring happiness indeed."
No sooner had he finished speaking than another head poked out of the window.
Shen Hua: "As long as the visitor is the one you’re going to marry in the future, Mama is happy for you, and naturally looks spirited on seeing her."
Zhao Wu was surprised, even the cousin from Marquis Yangling Mansion was here.
Then... he saw a third head popping out.
Wei Yingying: "Mr. Zhao, open your eyes wide, Wei Zhuzhu is a ruthless two-faced person. Marrying her would spell trouble for your family."
Zhao Wu instantly scowled.
Wei Zhuzhu had spoken to him about how venomous Wei Yingying was.
He naturally sided with Wei Zhuzhu.
But being a scholar, his words were not sharp.
"Lady Wei, I know you and Second Lady Wei do not get along, but she is also Wei Family’s blood, calling you legitimate sister. I hope you can be lenient towards her. She is soft-hearted and never wishes to compete with you, please stop making it difficult for her."
Ji Huo: ?? If not for knowing Wei Yingying’s character, he would have believed that.
At that moment, Shen Hua reached for Wei Yingying’s neck.
Madam softly said: "Your scar has faded."
She spoke compassionately: "I’ve said it many times, no matter how she oppresses you, you should endure it, life is your own, how can you think of hanging yourself on impulse?"
Wei Yingying: ???
Ji Huo: !!!
Princess Le Jia appeared thoughtful.
Ji Ge: astonishing.
Subsequently, they all looked towards Zhao Wu.
Zhao Wu was shocked, obviously confused.
Before he could ask anything else, the girl gently lifted the hem of Wei Yingying’s clothes.
"Last time, she whipped you until you were soaked in blood. Probably left scars, right?"
Wei Yingying paused for a moment, trying to play along.
"Don’t look anymore."
"It was my fault that I angered her, and that she didn’t beat me to death is due to my tough fate."
The two of them sang in harmony, cooperating extremely well.
Zhao Wu: "This—"
He clearly did not believe it.
"How is that possible? Second Lady Wei is gentle, how could she have been so ruthless?"
"Lady Wei, you were born to the Wei Family’s Madam, naturally you are treated better than her, how come you end up begging for a living under her hand?"
Wei Yingying looked guilty towards Shen Hua.
The girl slightly retracted her head.
She spoke gently, "Mr. Zhao is an upright person, how could he know about the dirty secrets of the inner courtyard?"
Zhao Wu is from the Zhao Family, his father holds the position of Third Rank in the Tongzheng Department. His family is also quite prominent, but he is buried in his studies.
"Although Wei Zhuzhu is under the Madam’s name and legitimately recognized, after all, she is born of a concubine. Mr. Zhao’s status is there, not like the dandies of Shengjing, he has a bright future ahead, you might want to consider, why would Zhao Family decide on a marriage with the Wei Family."
Zhao Wu without hesitation: "Because she is a good girl. My father naturally—"
"Wrong."
Shen Hua interrupted him.
"Because she is the most valuable."
"A concubine daughter, even if she turns the world upside down, how could she become legitimate if not of value?"
"Although Yingying is a legitimate daughter, she does not have that glory now."
"Your family has also considered this. Hence, they confirmed it, marriages between noble families are just like this."
"Scholars, be more vigilant."
Ji Huo climbed through the window, his hand on Zhao Wu’s shoulder.
"Come, while the moonlight is good, let me show you her true nature."
Zhao Wu felt very confused.
The marriage was decided by his father, his mother was entangled in illness and had no energy to interfere, he is a filial son, once his father decided, he also agreed.
But what Shen Hua just said, made him think deeply.
His father... indeed was a man only for profit. He never makes a losing deal.
But Zhao Wu had no ambition, he only wanted to climb up step by step on his own, and he preferred peace in the inner house. For husband and wife to live in harmony.
If Wei Zhuzhu really is as they say, he would definitely not agree to this marriage.
But...
He had many concerns, "Thank you all for letting me know, but sneaking into a woman’s quarters at night, truly does not suit a gentleman."
Outside, Ji Ge, who was impatient, said: "Why waste words, just knock him out and take him with us."
Zhao Wu didn’t expect there to be others!
"Who is outside?"
Before he could ask further, a pain on the back of his neck, and then he lost consciousness.
Not long after, the eaves above Wei Zhuzhu’s room were crowded with people.
Wei Zhuzhu was just preparing to rest, but unexpectedly Wei Yingying burst in. She raised her eyebrows triumphantly.
"Oh, sister has come."
Wei Yingying also laughed, "Came to see your arrogant face."
On the eaves, Shen Hua expertly pulled aside a tile. Princess Le Jia lay beside her.
Ji Huo leaned close, almost sticking his eyes on Wei Zhuzhu: "Dressed quite thinly."
Not as well-endowed as his concubine.
Shen Hua thoughtfully.
"Why isn’t Shen quiet?"
Shen Hua: "Fifth Princess and Wei Xiheng are joined in bliss, I’m thinking of who matches Wei Zhuzhu. There’s someone in my mind, but I don’t know if he’s still alive."
"Who?"
The girl without hesitation: "Li San."
(To see updates, go to Xiao Xiang Academy)