"My Lord is a Stone"《我家君王是石头》Chapter 43

After a month Zhao Jin Yu was already used to this lifestyle, waking up early she wished her grandmother good health, then grandmother would make Zhao Jin Yu stay for breakfast, soon after she would practice calligraphy with grandmother, most of the grandchildren of the Zhao family boys and girls had to learn calligraphy from childhood, at noon she would return eat and take a nap, in the afternoon she would read for a while, or do embroidery work, in the evening she would again pay respect to her grandmother and have dinner with her, talking a while about daily life it would then be the time to sleep.

With Zhao Jin Yu’s companionship, the madam’s illness became better day by day, she had almost recovered, but there was just one thing, the madam did not want to see her husband Xiao Xing Kun, and did not acknowledge Xiao Zhen Shan’s existence.

These days were very boring, in the beginning Zhao Jin Yu could still bear it, but towards the end she was somewhat stifled, she still thought about whether or not she could go out to play, but seeing that the madam was just recovering from a great illness, as a granddaughter if she didn’t serve her it was truly inexcusable for her to go out and play, fortunately, news came from the capital city, adoptive father was moved to a better conditioned prison cell, regardless of other things, at least his clothing and food expenses wouldn’t be deducted, although the Zhao family had said it wasn’t their doing, but Zhao Jin Yu felt this was still a good start, her heart was more or less at ease.

This afternoon, Zhao Jin Yu was just in her room doing embroidery work when she saw the maid Zhen Zhu coming over saying, the old master Zhao Xing Kun has arrived, Zhao Jin Yu hurriedly stood rearranging her clothes to greet him.

Zhao Jin Yu saw the thin and pallid Zhao Xing Kun walk over from afar, the clothes on his body seemed too big, the wide sleeves wrapped around his arms, some pent-up frustration showed on his face, looking like he’d aged ten years, it really made a person’s heart ache, only when he saw Zhao Jin Yu he couldn’t help show a loving smile, immediately turning into a kind old man, he said, “You shouldn’t have come out since it’s so cold, come, grandfather brought you braised pork shoulder marinated with soy sauce from lianhua restaurant.”

Zhao Jin Yu couldn’t help screw up her face, one time she had ate the braised pork shoulder marinated with soy sauce from lianhua restaurant saying it was not too fat or greasy and was very tasty, who knew Zhao Xing Kun who sat next to her, would make someone give it to her everyday…, but eating something nice every day will make it not as delicious right? Now when Zhao Jin Yu saw 

braised pork shoulder she felt like throwing up.

Zhen Zhu who stood at the side was best at sensing things, she said, “Old master, it’s cold today, the braised pork shoulder is also cold, I’ll take it to the kitchen for someone to heat it up before bringing it over to eat is that good or not?”

Zhao Xing Kun was pleased saying, “You are considerate, if you take care of the eldest young lady, you will be rewarded later.”

Zhen Zhu bowed and meekly replied with a sound, seeming very obedient, this also made Zhao Xing Kun extremely happy.

Zhao Xing Kun and Zhao Jin Yu entered the house one behind the other, the two of them sat on flannel cushioned chairs, a maid then arrived with tea, and presented several kinds of fruits, it was the middle of winter but it was still very sumptuous, tangerines, apples, pears, dates of every kind, snacks included hazelnuts, melon seeds and other such things.

Zhao Xing Kun spoke of things about the residence for a long time with Zhao Jin Yu…, finally he returned to the case of her adoptive father Zhao Chang Chun, he said, “Your adoptive father Zhao Chang Chun’s case is extremely problematic, supposedly he is deeply implicated, he might with….” 

Zhao Xing Kun wasn’t sure if he should say these things to Zhao Jin Yu, he usually kept his promises, since he promised Zhao Jin Yu he would repay Zhao Chang Chun’s kindness he naturally would do his best to save him, but Zhao Jin Yu was young after all, there were some things he wasn’t sure how to say, hesitating he now raised his eyes looking at Zhao Jin Yu’s clear and bright eyes, recalling Xiao Zhen Shan’s young servant had informed him of how Zhao Jin Yu had made Xiao 

Zhen Shan unable to give a convincing explanation for what he said, a bit of pride rose in his heart, this was his granddaughter, as expected she was not ordinary, of course, he was also rather regretful, if Zhao Jin Yu was a boy then it would be better…, but in the end she was much stronger than that stubbornly foolish Xiao Zhen Shan.

“Grandfather, just tell me directly, I can take it.” Zhao Jin Yu said hurriedly seeing Zhao Xing Kun hesitate.

Seeing Zhao Jin Yu was so clever in this way, Zhao Xing Kun sighed, thinking Zhao Jin Yu was not an ordinary child, it would be better to tell her directly, clearing his throat he said, “This is classified information, once you’ve heard it you need to forget it…” Zhao Jin Yu thought about the source of this information, he only felt his heart thump, when he first heard it he was also utterly shocked.

“Your adoptive father’s surname may not be Zhao, rather it’s Zhuang…” Zhao Xing Kun stroked his beard, “The Zhuang family was also once a famous family…, but later on they were involved with the Tiangui sect, supposedly the head of the Zhuang family is the Tianjun of Tiangui.”

Zhao Jin Yu had already prepared herself before but she still almost dropped the teacup in her hand onto the floor, she unconsciously thought of adoptive mother and older brother, she asked, “How can that be?”

“The imperial court wanted to annihilate the Tiangui sect, naturally the Zhuang family was also implicated, the entire family of five, six hundred people did not survive, at that time the Tiangui sect was also almost exterminated.”

Zhao Jin Yu had heard many times from others her adoptive father’s case was not simple, if it was a plain case of corruption, it would have dragged on for half a year without a trial, regardless of that not even anyone dared to send some money to make adoptive father’s life easier in prison…, at that moment she had thought this case wasn’t as straightforward as it appeared, “Then the case of adoptive father being implicated to official corruption related to the Tiangui sect?”

“That’s right.” Zhao Xing Kun liked Zhao Jin Yu’s intelligence understanding without explanation, his mind was ever more regretful that she was not a boy, otherwise he would teach her personally, eventually she would be able to help maintain this household, “It’s not known when the Tiangui sect started up again, but also the most dreadful thing is…, there are followers amongst the upper class descendants of the imperial and aristocrats, to the ordinary people.”

Zhao Jin Yu held the teacup tightly.

“The so-called corruption was basically them raising funds for the Tiangui sect.” Zhao Xing Kun finally said the most shocking thing.

Zhao Jin Yu suddenly felt everything becoming clear at once, why adoptive father Zhao Chang Chun came from a poor background but held an heir of nobility, as it turns out his family background was out of the ordinary…, again why adoptive mother would follow him unwaveringly, clearly it wasn’t the so-called a lady of an influential family falling in love with an impoverished scholar, rather adoptive mother had known of adoptive father’s identity from the start, the two people were matched in status, and no wonder they were in harmony, without any unwell feelings.

Also no wonder why older brother became the Xianjun of the Tiangui sect, so the family had always been a part of the Tiangui sect…, had she always been deceived?

Zhao Jin Yu all of a sudden felt sort of wronged, like the time she was abandoned by adoptive mother, that feeling of being betrayed by your family, it turns out she had always been kept in the dark.

Zhao Jin Yu thought of the Tiangui sect’s evil conducts, her heart was increasingly disturbed, adoptive father…did he hurt people the same way as other members of the Tiangui sect?

Once that thought crept out she couldn’t restrain it, a family which didn’t dare to reveal their identity to you…, maybe you were the one who always imagined your love was reciprocated, they only thought of you like a kitten or a dog they picked up at the side of the street to raise, that’s why they didn’t tell her anything, let her act like a clown at the side.

“Jin Yu.” Just as Zhao Jin Yu was about to be swallowed by her own thoughts, the loving voice of her grandfather Zhao Xing Kun came by her side, Zhao Jin Yu somewhat blankly lifted her gaze, seeing Zhao Xing Kun reach out to wipe the tears from her cheek, then did she realise she had abruptly started crying.

Zhao Xing Kun heart was filled with pity, he said, “Your adoptive father brought you up nicely.” Immediately he explained comfortingly, “If I was your adoptive father, I wouldn’t reveal my past to my child, not because I’m afraid the secret would be leaked, but in the hope that the child would grow up happily without being burdened.”

Zhao Jin Yu’s thoughts strayed from before, now she returned to her senses and knew Zhao Xing Kun’s words made sense.

Zhao Xing Kun’s actions just now were very gentle, like a loving elder comforting the thoughts of others, it just came into Zhao Jin Yu’s head, and her mouth said, “Like how grandfather treated cousin Xiao?”

Zhao Xing Kun almost choked on his own saliva, only a while later did he stop coughing, his face red, he said, “Jin Yu, if I didn’t know your temperament, grandfather would think you were ridiculing grandfather.” Each person in the Zhao family had their own thoughts to her name, Zhao Jin Yu naturally wanted to use her original name, but the madam however stubbornly calls her Qing Luan, feeling that this was her actual name, since she returned to the family she ought to use the name her parents gave her, yet grandfather Zhao Xing Kun actually respected her, he would call her Zhao Jin Yu. This was the best thing she liked about her grandfather.

After Zhao Jin Yu spoken she knew she had said to much, feeling embarrassed she smiled.

Zhao Xing Kun was naturally very cultured, in just a moment he had steadied his thoughts, saying, “His Majesty also won’t overindulge the Tiangui sect, that’s why this time your adoptive father’s case…, people have said it is the emperor’s ways of trying to control the Tiangui sect.” Zhao Xing Kun heard another rumour as well, reportedly the previous crown prince is not dead, rather he joined the Tiangui sect, otherwise how could the Tiangui sect suddenly revive, and why would so many influential officials be involved with the matter of the Tiangui sect, so much so that it even includes the Ningguo Princess, however this was too unreliable, it was merely a rumour nothing more, that’s why Zhao Xing Kun did not think to tell Zhao Jin Yu.

“No matter, your grandfather you did his best to keep your adoptive father safe.” Zhao Xing Kun seriously said, “At the moment I can only say his life has been preserved, even other matters I really don’t have the power.” Zhao Xing Kun said with a sigh.

Zhao Jin Yu also did not think adoptive father would be released because he was innocent, the lowest expectation she had was for her adoptive father to live, nothing more, hearing these words she nodded saying, “Jin Yu thanks grandfather.” After speaking she stood up giving Zhao Xing Kun a deep bow.

Seeing Zhao Jin Yu so serious, Zhao Xing Kun again felt an ache in his heart, he was touched that Zhao Jin Yu was such an affectionate and loyal child, and was very sensible and understanding, truly making people want to cherish her, the sourness he felt was…, Zhao Jin Yu was polite in such a way to her grandfather, he actually very much wished Zhao Jin Yu could pull on his sleeve and act cute like other young girls.