Zhao Estate.
When Zhao Jianzhi returned home with Zhao Ying and Song Lianxin, Song Lianxin’s father, Song Jinshan, rushed forward.
He had already received news of Shen Jing climbing to a higher branch.
He knew without a doubt that Shen Jing would definitely seek revenge on the Su Family!
That woman from the Su Family was a First Rank Madam!
“My in-law, what should we do now?!”
Song Jinshan was at a loss, as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.
“Don’t panic!”
Zhao Jianzhi stopped Song Jinshan. “Let’s talk inside!”
With that, Zhao Jianzhi led the group into his study.
After settling down in the study, Zhao Jianzhi ordered tea to be served, then dismissed the servants.
“This matter is indeed a bit troublesome, but it’s not as terrible as you imagine!”
Zhao Jianzhi took a sip of tea. “The Su Family merely has a more respected status; they don’t hold any real power. It won’t be that easy for them to touch us!”
Not to mention Su Zai was already dead; even if Su Zai hadn’t died, his position as Grand Academician of the Zizheng Hall didn’t carry much real power.
“That woman can enter the palace to see the Emperor at any time!”
Song Jinshan said anxiously, “If she says a few bad things about the Song Family in front of the Emperor, the Song Family’s position as Tribute Merchant might not be secure! If we can’t be Tribute Merchants, then there’s even less hope for being Imperial Merchants!”
“That’s right!” Song Lianxin echoed, her face full of worry.
The Zhao Family was an official family, so they didn’t need to be too afraid.
But the Song Family couldn’t afford it!
The Song Family’s biggest identity was that of a Tribute Merchant!
In fact, Tribute Merchants didn't earn much silver; they might even lose silver.
The imperial court was very shrewd, pressing down the price of annual cloth, which had a particularly high consumption. They didn't expect to earn much silver from annual cloth; what they coveted was the position of Imperial Merchant!
As long as the Song Family delivered this year’s annual cloth with guaranteed quality and quantity, the Song Family would become Imperial Merchants next year!
After becoming Imperial Merchants, not only would their status significantly improve, but they would also be able to get involved in those truly profitable industries!
If the position of Tribute Merchant couldn't be maintained, wouldn't there be even less hope for Imperial Merchant?
“Don’t worry!”
Zhao Jianzhi put down his teacup. “Behind your Tribute Merchant position, many people’s interests are involved. It’s not something that woman can simply say a word in front of the Emperor and make you unable to be Tribute Merchants…”
To move the Song Family would be to move the interests of many people.
When that time came, someone would naturally speak up for the Song Family.
“This…”
Song Jinshan paused slightly. “That may be true, but Su Zai was, after all, the Emperor’s mentor!”
Su Zai was dead, so the Su Family’s power would definitely be greatly reduced.
But the bad thing was that Su Zai was the Emperor’s mentor!
Whether it was Great Zhou or the dynasties before Great Zhou, they always emphasized respecting teachers and valuing morality.
The fact that Su Zai was the Emperor’s mentor made him extremely apprehensive.
He could even imagine what the Emperor would think if Madam Su went to the Emperor to weep and complain that she and her daughter had been bullied by the Song Family in Luochuan Prefecture.
If the Emperor wanted to move the Song Family, even Zhao Ying's uncle, the Minister of Rites, couldn't stop him!
Zhao Jianzhi picked up his teacup again, his brows furrowed in thought.
Song Jinshan’s worries were not unfounded.
If the widow and daughter of his mentor were bullied, how could the Emperor not be furious?
If something went wrong with the Song Family becoming Imperial Merchants, it might affect the entire situation!
It seemed this matter was indeed a bit troublesome!
Should he, for such a matter, ask that person to step forward?
No, no!
It wasn’t time yet!
Zhao Jianzhi quickly dismissed his idea, thought for a moment, then looked up and said, “As the saying goes, ‘one does not strike a smiling face!’ How about this: you and Lianxin prepare a generous gift, and tomorrow morning, go to the Su Family’s doorstep to apologize!”
“What?!”
Zhao Ying immediately bristled, yelling in exasperation, “I’d rather die than apologize to that good-for-nothing Shen Jing!”
Zhao Jianzhi was already annoyed, and hearing his words, his face darkened, and he angrily roared, “Then go die! If you die, I’ll just take your head to apologize!”
“I…”
Zhao Ying instantly quieted down, hurriedly casting a pleading look at his father-in-law.
“Go!”
Song Jinshan sighed, “Who told us that our situation is not as good as theirs? A true man can bend and stretch! When you need to bow your head, you must bow your head!”
Who told that good-for-nothing Shen Jing to have such good luck?
Even Heaven was helping Shen Jing, what could they do?
Song Lianxin frowned, “But even if we go to apologize, Shen Jing definitely won’t appreciate it!”
She also didn't want to go.
They had already completely fallen out with Shen Jing.
Shen Jing was a small man who had achieved his ambitions; if they went to apologize now, it would surely be self-humiliation.
“Whether he appreciates it or not is one thing; whether you go to apologize is another.”
Zhao Jianzhi said seriously, “Let’s first show our sincerity and test the attitudes of Shen Jing and the Su Family! If that truly doesn’t work, then we’ll discuss other options!”
“This…”
Song Lianxin hesitated, feeling as if she had swallowed a fly.
Just then, a servant from the Zhao Estate hurried to knock on the door: “Master, Madam has returned!”
Hearing the servant’s words, Zhao Ying’s heart instantly filled with joy.
His mother had returned from visiting relatives in the capital?
She had returned at just the right time!
Now his father was adamantly forcing him to apologize to Shen Jing, but he truly couldn’t bring himself to do it.
At this moment, he could only seek help from his mother.
“Ask Madam to come over as well!”
Zhao Jianzhi ordered.
Soon, Madam Zhao, who had just returned from visiting relatives in the capital, walked in with a smile.
Seeing Song Jinshan and his daughter, Madam Zhao greeted them warmly.
“Mother, you must save me!”
Zhao Ying stepped forward pitifully, telling Madam Zhao about their current troubles.
“Wait a minute…”
Madam Zhao frowned, “You mean, Shen Jing married into the Su Family that Su Zai belonged to?”
“Yes.”
Zhao Ying’s face was full of worry, and he looked at his mother in confusion, “Is there a problem?”
“What did I think it was!”
Madam Zhao scoffed, “That Shen Jing won’t live for more than a few days, why would you go apologize?”
“Ah?!”
Listening to Madam Zhao’s words, the group simultaneously looked bewildered.
How could Shen Jing not live for more than a few days?
Madam Zhao said with a beaming smile, “You don’t know, I heard people in the capital say that Su Zai’s daughter, Su Yourong, is a natural husband-killer; she’s already killed three men…”
Madam Zhao poured out everything she had heard in the capital to them.
After listening to Madam Zhao’s words, the group couldn’t help but look at each other.
So, Shen Jing didn’t get lucky after all?
“Really?”
Zhao Jianzhi was somewhat incredulous.
“Of course, it’s true.”
Madam Zhao smiled, “I heard my brother-in-law and them say that men in the capital would avoid Su Yourong; when she went out, many shops would close, just afraid of catching her bad luck! They must have been unable to stay in the capital, which is why they quietly moved to Luochuan Prefecture!”
“Exactly! It must be like this!”
Zhao Ying suddenly understood, “Otherwise, why would the Su Family take a liking to that good-for-nothing Shen Jing! That good-for-nothing probably still doesn’t know anything and is still secretly pleased! Haha…”
Thinking that Shen Jing was still in the dark, Zhao Ying couldn't help but burst out laughing.
That good-for-nothing thought he had climbed to a higher branch!
Little did he know, his head was already on the chopping block!
Hearing Zhao Ying say this, the Song Family father and daughter also became happy.
In that case, they had nothing to worry about.
When Shen Jing was killed by bad luck, would the Su Family stand up for a dead man?
Of course not!
After all, Shen Jing and the Su Family had no affection whatsoever!
Shen Jing was nothing more than a stray dog that accidentally wandered into the Su Family!
That was all!
Thus, they had nothing to worry about.
Song Lianxin eyed the extremely happy Zhao Ying, “Are you still lusting after that woman Su Yourong now?”
“What are you saying?!”
Zhao Ying took Song Lianxin’s hand and said with a conciliatory smile, “My heart is only for you, how could I lust after Su Yourong?”
“Hmph!”
Song Lianxin snorted softly.
Not lusting?
Did he think she was blind?
He wasn't lusting now because he knew Su Yourong had successively killed three men!
If he didn’t know this, would he not lust?
There wasn’t a single man who wasn’t lustful!