Chapter 1019 Each with Their Own Axe to Grind

Shao Jing had steadied his nerves. He looked around and took a shabby chair, wobbling it a few times to make sure it wouldnt fall apart. Then he sat down in the chair and said, You brought all this on yourself, didnt you? Our daughter-in-law has done nothing wrong. Why did you hit her? As for Princess Chen, you cant afford to offend her because of her current n.o.ble and high status!

Shao Jing said drily after taking his seat.

Madam Jiang was so p.i.s.sed off that she trembled all over. Pointing angrily at Shao Jing, she barked, Do you think I wanted to irritate her? Why would I have to do that? I invited her over to solve w.a.n.g Shengxues problem. How could I aim at her?

Until now, Madam Jiang was still very confused about this matter. She was affected by the medicine for a period, so her memory was vague. She just wanted to meet trick with trick and let Qiu Yu get something against Shao Wanru, but she didnt mean to deal with her. However, it was true that she wanted to put pressure on Shao Wanru in order to settle this matter.

Because of Shao Wanrus current ident.i.ty, Madam Jiang did not dare to act rashly.

You must have lost your mind to provoke her again and again. She is Princess Chen, not some ordinary married daughter of our mansion. Besides, she is my Eldest Brothers daughter! Shao Jing laughed scornfully.

Your Eldest Brothers daughter? Oh, now youre willing to mention your Eldest Brother. Please dont pretend you respect him very much. That woman Madam Jiang rasped.

If you dont want to die, dont talk about it casually. Im not the only one who lives in this mansion. There are also your children. Shao Jing harshly stopped her from saying any confidential thing out of control.

After a moment of silence, Madam Jiang took a few deep breaths and gradually calmed down. Although her face was still gloomy, she was no longer in hysterics. Well, enlighten me, what should we do now? I can never be a concubine. If you dont intend to save me, dont blame me for saying anything to the public at that time.

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It was a patent threat. Even though Shao Jing was trying hard to suppress his anger, he couldnt help but reveal a chilling murderous intention in his eyes.

In fact, he preferred to see a dead Madam Jiang at this time, which would save him from all this trouble. According to his original plan, he would think of a way to wipe out Madam Jiang after w.a.n.g Shengxue put all the blame on her.

When she was demoted to a cheap concubine, it would be a piece of cake for Shao Jing, a marquis, to put her to death.

But now, with the death of w.a.n.g Shengxue, it became much more troublesome for him to get rid of her.

When he entered the door, Marquis Xing noticed that the situation here differed from what he had imagined. These old maids here should have been sent by his daughter-in-law. Was it because his son doubted his intention, or because Madam Jiang used some tricks to get the servants?

Did you plot against w.a.n.g Shengxue? Shao Jing didnt beat around the bush and came straight to the point.

w.a.n.g Shengxue? What happened to him? Madam Jiang was stunned. She had been confined to this courtyard and had no contact with any outsider. This news had just come out, and even Zhao Xiran might not hear about it. How could she know it?

Her astonished look looked authentic, so Shao Jing said rather grimly, w.a.n.g Shengxue is dead. He was poisoned to death in the cell!

Dead? Madam Jiang blinked and suddenly burst into wild laughter. Great! Thats great! Im so glad that he died. That G.o.dd.a.m.ned evildoer should have died a long time ago! If hes dead, I wont be charged with any crime! Wonderful news! He died just in time!

w.a.n.g Shengxue is dead. If someone else bears the responsibility for his death, I will be acquitted on charges of scheming against Shao Wanru, that b.i.t.c.h. I will be proved innocent.

With her hands on the edge of the table, Madam Jiang looked toward Shao Jing with a big smile on her face, and all the sullenness on her face vanished. Your Grace, we have been husband and wife for many years. We should share happiness and woe, especially at this time. Id like to make a deal with you. As long as I get through this difficulty, you can take in any woman you like in the future. I will always be your decent legal wife with dignity and will never pick on others out of jealousy!

With hope, Madam Jiang no longer treated her husband coolly with a rude and arrogant att.i.tude. Instead, she immediately became much more clear-headed and gentler. So quick-witted was she that she immediately thought of this deal. Also, Madam Jiang regained her dignified and decent manner.

Shao Jing closely examined Madam Jiangs expression. When he witnessed that she became a changed person in an instant, a trace of doubt flashed through his eyes. It seems that Madam Jiang is not behind the murder. But if so, who else could it be?

Who would make such an audacious move? It appeared w.a.n.g Shengxues death was a great favor for Madam Jiang!

Seeing that Shao Jing meditated in silence, Shao Jing thought he was dissatisfied with the condition, so she pondered this matter for a moment and added, Ruer is still in the Palace. Its hard to say what will happen in the future. You dont want Ruer to stop at her current position because of me, do you?

We cant count on Ruer anymore! Shao Jing looked up at Madam Jiang and said.

Do you believe it? I gave birth to Ruer. We all know what kind of person she is. How could she resign herself to fate? Grace, dont lie to me. I dont believe that you and Ruer will bow to fate. No matter what happens, with Ruer, everything is possible in the future. So what if the rank of n.o.bility becomes a marquis now?

Madam Jiang curled her lips and said.

.

Shao Jing fell silent.

Your Grace, you must understand what I want to say. After so many things have happened, the quarrels between us will benefit no one but our opponents and even Great Elder Princess. Huaan is not young anymore. If he cant become the heir of a duke, it will be troublesome!

Madam Jiang added and once again increased her bargaining chip.

If Huaan is a son of a concubine, then well never achieve success!

Does w.a.n.g Shengxues death have nothing to do with you? Shao Jing frowned.

Grace, doesnt your conscience trouble you for saying that? Look at me now. I couldnt do it even if I wanted to take his life away. If it werent for Xirans kindness, I might die here without anyone noticing it, and no one would care about my fate. Madam Jiang curled her lips and then lowered her voice. From then on, you will decide the affairs in the inner court, though I appear to be in charge. If you want that woman to enter our mansion with a new ident.i.ty, I will protect her from being discovered.

What nonsense are you talking about! Shao Jing, annoyed, flicked his sleeves.

Your Grace, you know whether its nonsense or not. Dont say that you dont have such an idea. I knew your intention long ago, but you werent the one to marry her in the end. Madam Jiang laughed sarcastically.

Shao Jing fell silent, his suspicious eyes scanning her face. Madam Jiang behaved naturally and looked relaxed as she had just learned w.a.n.g Shengxues death. So, who plotted against w.a.n.g Shengxues life? If Madam Jiang were not the target, then it would be me.

Who wants to grind me down?

Im now a guilty party and have been scolded by the Emperor. Is there anyone who wants to strike me when Im already so miserable? Anybody not from my inner court but the official circles?

He felt it was very possible. The other party killed a man in custody in the Ministry of Justice. Madam Jiang couldnt make it even at the apex of her power. This murder was not like a means of struggle in the inner court but more like tactics between men in his official circles.

At this time, Shao Jing could never have imagined that it was his son who did it. On the surface, Shao Huaan was useless, though he had a good reputation. But he was never what he appeared.

Madam Jiang was not behind w.a.n.g Shengxues death, but her words sent a chill down his spine. He had been determined to get rid of Madam Jiang, for he feared she would speak indiscreetly outside when in distress and expose some of his secrets. Now that Madam Jiang looked fine, he changed his mind.

Can you do that? He flicked his eyes up and asked.

Of course. If you help me out this time, Ill follow your lead. I wont give you any more trouble and help you manage family affairs. Madam Jiang promised. I wont mind whatever you do!

Its best if you can think like this. However, the Empress Dowager has issued the decree, so it wont be so easy to change your current status! Shao Jing was not as optimistic as her. Moreover, he didnt want her to be the Madam of Marquis Xing anymore. After witnessing too many malevolent schemes of her for so many years, he grew increasingly impatient with her.

What do you mean? Madam Jiangs face fell because she keenly captured Shao Jings changing att.i.tude.

Its not about how I think of it. It wont be so easy to settle w.a.n.g Shengxues matter. Besides, how could the Empress Dowager be wrong? How could anyone dare to point out her mistake even if she was wrong? Unless Shao Jing paused. The Empress Dowager had extremely n.o.ble status. Even if she really made a mistake and Madam Jiang was wronged, so what? If the Empress Dowager insisted, no one had the guts to speak for Madam Jiang.

Unless what? Madam Jiang understood what he meant, and her face darkened.

Unless Huaans wife is willing to make an appeal for you before the Empress Dowager in the Palace! Shao Jing said nonchalantly, But even so, you should be mentally prepared. Im afraid you might not get back up to the position as the legal wife. After all, if you did nothing wrong, the Empress Dowager would have to take part of the blame!

How could the Empress Dowager be wrong? Even if she misjudged the matter, it would be others fault.

What he said sounded difficult to comprehend, but Madam Jiang fully understood the twists and turns of this matter. After all, she had remained the Madam of Marquis Xing for many years.

She took a deep breath and looked at Shao Jing with a severe countenance. I can be your secondary legal wife, and you cant marry another legal wife. This is the biggest concession I can make!

She couldnt concede anymore because she had to make sure her son would be the legitimate son. Shao Jing might get another child to be his legitimate son in the future; even worse, he might be partial to his newborn son and make him the heir of a duke.

She couldnt take this risk, so it was her bottom line. If Shao Jing dared to disagree, she would fight with him at the risk of mutual destruction. These days, she had been enduring hards.h.i.+p because she would like to see how long Shao Jing could hold on.

If she lost hope, she would give him a hard time.

Looking at the hideous Madam Jiang with a ferocious look, Shao Jing cordially detested her. But he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he mustnt provoke Madam Jiang for the time being. He would kill her sooner or later, but not at this time.

Well, I agree. But I cant guarantee the specific outcomes. I can only try my best to help you clear your name and let w.a.n.g Shengxues family change their confession! Shao Jing said.

That would be best. You dont have to worry about other things. I will talk to Huaans wife! Madam Jiang said with great confidence. As Zhao Xirans mother-in-law, she had a natural advantage. If Zhao Xiran refused to help her, Madam Jiang would ask her son to divorce her. Why would she keep a good-for-nothing daughter-in-law?