Chapter 680: Chapter 673_1 Chapter 680: Chapter 673_1 “Even if you can’t bear it, you must endure! Do you think you’re the only one who is angry? I also want to flay that thief Ceng Lu alive, but now is definitely not the ti to act. Do you want to involve the whole family because of your montary impulsiveness?” Jiang Ziqi saw Zhao Erhu looking like he was about to seek revenge on Ceng Lu and quickly dissuaded him. If it were anything else, Zhao Erhu might not listen, but Jiang Ziqi knew very well what mattered most to him.
Jiang Ziqi’s words quickly extinguished Zhao Erhu’s burning passion. Zhao Erhu clenched his fists in frustration, and the veins on his forehead did not recede but morphed into another form of restraint. “I’ve worked so hard and risked my life precisely to protect my wife and children, to provide for them, so that they can live without worries and not have to suffer humiliation. That scoundrel Ceng Lu actually dared to covet my wife. Had it not been for Eunuch Li’s intervention, who knows what would have happened. Can I just endure all this repression? Does that still make a man?”
Zhao Erhu’s voice was full of resentnt and anger. He also knew that his wife was not a weak woman who would be easily manipulated. Even if Eunuch Li hadn’t stepped in, she would not have let Ceng Lu take her away. Having so many servants at ho was not just for show. But there’s always the possibility of sothing unforeseen, and without being by his wife’s side, he always felt unsettled. What’s more, Ceng Lu’s threat lood constantly, and even now, it had not been resolved. It was not strange for Zhao Erhu to be anxious and upset.
“What does it an to be a man? Do you think being a man is about finding soone to fight with over a bit of indignation and rage, disregarding the safety of your family? Besides, Ceng Lu, including the behind-the-scenes Ceng Family and Empress Ceng Fei, are already despised by the Emperor and their fate is sealed. They are dood to a bad end. Now he is rely a chess piece in the Emperor’s hand, being used for his last bit of worth. Why would you risk so much for a dying man, possibly wasting all your previous efforts and even inviting more serious consequences? I thought you were clear-eyed about these matters after being out in the world for so long. Do I need to remind you of this?”
Jiang Ziqi understood that Zhao Erhu’s judgnt was clouded by concern, but if he didn’t speak sternly, he feared he wouldn’t fully convince this man who cherished his wife as his life.
Zhao Erhu also treated Jiang Ziqi as a friend, venting his innermost feelings. Even if he understood in his mind, there would always be feelings of injustice and anger. After Jiang Ziqi’s words, Zhao Erhu had completely cald down.
“Thank you, Brother Jiang, for awakening . I was blinded by anger after hearing what Eunuch Li said and acted recklessly. Still, the matters in the capital are almost concluded and I have reported to the Emperor; I should rush back to Zhao Village imdiately. No matter what, right now my only desire is to return there without a mont’s delay. Who knows what further outrageous acts that scoundrel Ceng Lu might commit? Even though I know my wife is not soone who can be bullied, right now I can only rest easy once I return to her side.”
In front of Jiang Ziqi, Zhao Erhu did not conceal his emotions. Although it was out of trust and there were various reasons, it was his most sincere thought at the mont.
“Of course, it’s only natural. Previously, because you were overseas and couldn’t know the situation at ho, even when sothing happened, you couldn’t do anything. That left Little Yueyue, a vulnerable woman, to hold up everything alone. Now that you’re back, there’s no reason to delay. Naturally, you should hurry ho. Although we can’t make any significant moves against Ceng Lu, a little warning and a lesson to deter him from targeting Xiaoyue is still possible,” Jiang Ziqi reassured him.
After seeing Zhao Erhu off, Jiang Ziqi thought for a mont and then entered the palace, taking with him the Exquisite Chessboard he had recently acquired. This was Jiang Ziqi’s beloved treasure of the past few days, to the point where even Old Master Jiang couldn’t have it, but now it was destined to end up in the Emperor’s hands.
Holding the Exquisite Chessboard, Jiang Ziqi didn’t feel any reluctance. In his view, the matters of this world are all about willingness to let go. Since he wanted to achieve his goals and obtain what he desired, he was naturally willing to give up sothing. Besides, no matter how much he liked it, it was just a book of chess strategies, ultimately inanimate.
Jiang Ziqi also intended to add another layer of security to Lin Yue’s safety. Although Zhao Erhu was rushing back this ti, the Emperor would surely rely on him even more in the future, and Zhao Erhu would probably be kept busy serving the Son of Heaven for the next few years. With her husband away, Xiaoyue would be left alone at ho to manage everything, so she needed more support. Even though the Emperor, due to the persistent resistance from those stubborn old courtiers, couldn’t grant Zhao Erhu great honors and position, he could still bestow so smaller favors. Since Zhao Erhu wouldn’t ask for himself, Jiang Ziqi would facilitate it.
Jiang Ziqi was not part of the Zhao Family and could not openly seek favors for Lin Yue, but he knew how to influence the outco indirectly. Having grown up with the Emperor, not only did he share a bond with him, but Jiang Ziqi also knew the Emperor’s character well and understood how to achieve his aims.
“Oh? This is unusual, Ziqi himself taking the initiative to co to the palace, and he’s even brought that Exquisite Chessboard which he recently acquired. Isn’t that his favorite item? Even Old Master Jiang couldn’t pry it out of his hands, and now he’s brought it into the palace. What could this lad be plotting?” Huangfu Jing, who was just getting tired of reviewing docunts and was about to stop, heard the report from Abao and his expression beca quite amused.
No wonder Huangfu Jing was so well-inford; it was because Old Master Jiang had been ntioning it a bit too frequently lately. Old Master Jiang, also a chess enthusiast, knew his son had acquired an Exquisite Chessboard and wanted to claim it using the old man’s status. Jiang Ziqi, however, gave no face to his father and refused to part with it at any cost, which led Old Master Jiang to curse Jiang Ziqi as an unfilial son many tis. Every ti they played chess, Old Master Jiang would grumble about it, even in front of the Emperor.
“Your Majesty, this humble official pays his respects,” Jiang Ziqi said with perfect ceremony, fully performing the rites due from a subject to his sovereign, not slackening in the slightest because of their childhood friendship. The ruler is the ruler, the subject is the subject; this division was clear in Jiang Ziqi’s mind from the mont Huangfu Jing ascended the throne, and though the playful banter between them seed unchanged, he was persistent in this distinction.
Every ti, Huangfu Jing felt quite helpless, thinking how Jiang Ziqi was not so inflexible and unaccommodating, but sohow he was stubborn on this point. Though he was the supre monarch, seated high above as the Son of Heaven, in so ways, He was just a normal person who longed for a true friend. In the loneliness of high office, their close friendship since childhood felt especially precious.
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