Under Su Yourong's narration, Shen Jing also learned of an old incident.
Ten years ago, Yao Xu, the youngest son of Yao Jian, who was then the Minister of Revenue, took a fancy to the wife of a poor low-ranking official, but he tried every method and still failed to take possession of the woman.
Finally, Yao Xu lost his patience and, when the official was not home, he went to his house and directly sexually assaulted his wife.
The official returned home and happened to catch them in the act, and in his fury, he was about to fight Yao Xu to the death.
Yao Xu directly ordered his subordinates to beat the official to death.
To cover up his crime, Yao Xu then brutally murdered his wife and cremated both bodies.
But man proposes, God disposes.
Yao Xu's crimes were eventually exposed.
Afterward, Su Zai, along with several other ministers, impeached him in court, pleading with Emperor Zhou to order the Ministry of Justice to sentence Yao Xu according to the law.
But at that time, Great Zhou was engaged in fierce battles with neighboring countries, and the court's finances were on the verge of collapse.
Emperor Zhou needed Yao Jian, the Minister of Revenue, to raise money, grain, and military supplies, so he wanted to show leniency towards Yao Xu.
However, Su Zai and those few ministers relentlessly pursued the matter; Su Zai even stated bluntly that if Emperor Zhou did not approve their petition, he would bash his head against the court and die to uphold the court's laws.
Ultimately, Emperor Zhou was still pressured from all sides and approved their petition.
Yao Xu was, as expected, sentenced to immediate execution.
From then on, Yao Jian and Su Zai became mortal enemies.
After understanding the reason, Shen Jing couldn't help but smile bitterly, "My father-in-law is indeed upright, but his emotional intelligence is really a bit low."
"Emotional intelligence?"
Su Yourong was puzzled.
"It means he's not smooth enough."
Shen Jing smiled: "Even if he wants to uphold the court's laws, he has to consider the timing! Or, he could have just suggested to His Majesty to secretly send someone to kill Yao Xu, wouldn't that have worked? What's the big deal!"
Yao Xu certainly deserved to die.
But it wasn't necessary to use the law to punish Yao Xu.
If he were Su Zai, he would have a hundred ways to kill Yao Xu, and ensure that Yao Jian had no recourse whatsoever.
"If my father were as cunning as you, our family's enemies would probably be reduced by ninety percent."
Su Yourong smiled bitterly: "Actually, this is also one of the reasons I didn't want to return to the capital! The capital, with all its prosperity, is a place full of deadly whirlpools! Your personality is least suited for a place like the capital."
She never thought the capital was a good place.
Throughout history, how many capable people have died in the capital?
Previously, when Madam Su decided to leave the capital and move to Luochuan Prefecture, she wholeheartedly agreed.
She even thought that once they settled down in Luochuan Prefecture, she would only need to go to the outskirts of the capital to pay respects to her father during festivals and holidays.
But who would have thought that only a few months after they left the capital, they would have to return to the capital again.
Such is the impermanence of life.
"That's not necessarily true!"
Shen Jing smiled dismissively, "Who knows, I might even thrive in the capital!"
So many people can make a living in the capital; as a transmigrator, couldn't he also make his way?
"I really don't have that expectation."
Su Yourong shook her head and smiled, "I just hope that we can all live peacefully, undisturbed by all those messy things."
"All right, don't be upset!"
Shen Jing patted Su Yourong's cheek, "Just think, you'll get to see your friends in the capital again, and you'll naturally feel..."
"I actually don't have many friends in the capital."
Su Yourong interrupted Shen Jing, shaking her head gently.
"No way?"
Shen Jing looked at her in surprise.
She had lived in the capital for so many years, and she didn't have many friends?
She seemed to get along well with Ye Li, didn't she?
She could even be friends with a princess; her social skills couldn't be that bad, could they?
"I did have some friends initially."
Su Yourong forced a smile, "Later, after the rumors spread that I bring bad luck to my husbands, gradually there weren't many friends left..."
Some of her friends were only friends because her father was Su Zai.
When her father passed away, those friends naturally drifted away.
Later, after the rumors spread that she brought bad luck to her husbands, many people considered her an unlucky person. Not to mention men, many women were also unwilling to associate with her anymore.
Moreover, she rarely went out later due to the reputation of bringing bad luck to her husbands, and over time, she gradually became estranged from some people.
Eventually, there were only a few friends left who still kept in touch.
"No wonder!"
Shen Jing suddenly understood, "As the saying goes, adversity reveals character. It's good to see through the people around you through this incident!"
"That's true."
Su Yourong nodded in agreement, "Friends aren't about quantity. In one's life, having three to five true confidants is enough!"
"Exactly!"
Shen Jing seriously agreed, "It's just like with men; it's not necessary to have a house full of wives and concubines. Having three wives and four concubines is already enough."
"..."
Su Yourong was stunned, her pretty face twitching.
She desperately wanted to pry open Young Master Shen's head and see what on earth this scoundrel was thinking!
Weren't they talking about friends?
How did he subtly shift the topic to "three wives and four concubines"?
After a long moment of distraction, Su Yourong finally came back to her senses, let out a soft snort from her delicate nose, and pouted, "You haven't even won me over yet, and you're already thinking about three wives and four concubines?"
"Aren't I in the process of winning you over?"
Shen Jing laughed heartily, then inexplicably shivered, "Don't say it, the weather does seem quite cool! I should still cover myself with the quilt, so I don't catch anything."
With that, Shen Jing naturally pulled the light quilt over Su Yourong, covering himself under it as well.
Su Yourong chuckled, moving her body slightly to the side, but her head edged closer to Shen Jing, saying with a smile, "Young Master Shen, if I may be so bold as to ask, how do you manage to be so brazenly shameless with such a straight face?"
"Between a husband and wife, there's no such thing as shamelessness or not."
Shen Jing maintained his serious expression.
Just as Su Yourong was marveling at Shen Jing's thick skin, Shen Jing suddenly launched a sneak attack, kissing Su Yourong's alluring red lips.
However, Su Yourong seemed to have anticipated his move.
As he launched his sneak attack, Su Yourong quickly dodged, looking at him with a provocative expression.
It was as if she was saying: 'You think you can outsmart me?'
His sneak attack failed, and Shen Jing couldn't help but feel secretly disappointed.
Alas!
Women who practice martial arts are good in every way, except for this one thing!
Their reactions are too fast!
Just as Shen Jing was sighing repeatedly, Su Yourong's head suddenly darted forward, pressing her soft lips against Shen Jing's.
Shen Jing's eyes widened abruptly, and he stared blankly at Su Yourong's face, which was so close.
Was he... being counter-attacked?
How could this be tolerated?
He had to seize the initiative!
Shen Jing howled like a wolf in his heart, and just as he was about to show off his kissing skills, Su Yourong suddenly pulled away from him and pursed her lips, saying with a mischievous look, "No feeling at all..."
No feeling?
Shen Jing was enraged, instantly possessed by a domineering CEO, "Woman, you have angered me!"
"