"My Lord is a Stone"《我家君王是石头》Chapter 44

The grandfather and granddaughter had just finished talking when they saw Zhen Zhu enter, she carried a few boxes in her hands, somewhat hesitantly she said, “Eldest young lady, these were delivered by the eldest old master’s servant.” The young servant to the eldest old master’s servant, was a boy with delicate features.

Zhao Xing Kun simply did not know how to improve the relationship between the two of them, seeing those boxes he was very happy, with a great sweep he placed all the boxes onto the table, he said in high spirits, “These are all braised pork shoulders.”

“Braised pork shoulders?” Zhao Jin Yu’s jaw almost fell off in shock.

Zhao Xing Kun looked very proud of himself, saying, “This is from Suzhou’s Xuji, this is from Wuxi’s Li family, this is…” In total there were five boxes, each one was purchased from a different place, clearly he had put some effort into it, “Don’t you like to eat braised pork shoulder? Grandfather thought you shouldn’t just eat from Linhua restaurant, the ones from other places are also tasty, so I got people to buy and bring them back”

Zhao Jin Yu was hard-pressed, she really was sick of it.

Zhao Xing Kun was rather disappointed to not get Zhao Jin Yu’s praise, but thinking that Zhao Jin Yu had just arrived at the Zhao residence, and had experienced the issue with her adoptive father, it was hard for her not to be uncomfortable, as a result he said to Zhen Zhu, “Go heat these up, and warm up a pot of bamboo bark wine, tonight I will stay here and have dinner with your eldest young lady.”

Zhen Zhu somewhat sympathetically glanced at Zhao Jin Yu, seeing her show a profound helpless expression, her heart moved, she said, “Eldest old master, it’s been cold recently, why not have hotpot? Slice the braised pork shoulder in the pieces and heat it up in that, it would also be very tasty.”

Zhao Xing Kun smiled saying, “That’s a good idea.” Then turning to ask Zhao Jin Yu, “Jin Yu, what do you think?” Zhao Xing Kun was the head of the Zhao family, and as the eldest old master, he was usually very strict in front of the youngsters, when did he ever softly coax a girl? If it wasn’t for Zhen Zhu’s steadiness, her eyes would have definitely fallen out, and as it happens Zhao Jin Yu however accepted such a humble coaxing from Zhao Xing Kun calmly as if it was nothing, and still slightly unwilling she said, “Fine.” But even such a response made Zhao Xing Kun beam with joy, to Zhen Zhu he said, “Quickly go.”

Zhen Zhu went to organise this wordlessly under instructions, and sent someone to tell the madam Mao Shi that the eldest young lady will not be going over to have dinner, it must be said that nowadays if the madam does not see Zhao Jin Yu for a while she found it hard to endure.

At that time the madam had just woken up from her afternoon nap when someone was helping her rinse her mouth, hearing these words, her nose wrinkled in anger, she hatefully said, “That old bastard! He has a son so why is he fighting with me over my granddaughter?”

The madam had been in a cold war with the eldest old master, not seeing him, and paying no heed to him, appearing very heartless and cold, now hearing the maid say Zhao Jin Yu was having dinner with the eldest old master, she resented him even more, a new grievance adding to the old, gritting her teeth she thought, she must humiliate Zhao Xing Kun.

Zhao Rui Zhi had just come to pay her respects, seeing the madam was quite displeased she softly said, “Grandmother where are you no well? Do I need to get a doctor?” Concern filled both of Zhao Rui Zhi’s eyes, like she was going to cry in a second.

Ever since the madam found out Zhao Rui Zhi urged Xiao Zhen Shan to bother Zhao Jin Yu she had treated her coldly, but after all they had many years of affection, now seeing her so worried and concerned, the past rushed to her thoughts, thinking of their previous relationship, for the first time over these few days she patiently explained, “It’s your grandfather, he insists on bothering Qing Luan to eat with him.” Immediately she grumbled, “Qing Luan that girl, she knows clearly that old bastard has wronged me, yet she actually agreed to eat with him.”

Zhao Rui Zhi had recently been tormented, Xiao Zhen Shan suddenly showed no interest in her, the madam also treated her coldly, moreover the servants of the residence intentionally neglected her meals, making her feel like she had returned to the time when she was an orphan, at times when she slept at night she woke with a start, afraid that when she woke this would all be a grand dream.

So Zhao Rui Zhi started paying the madam more and more attention, before the sky lit up she would come to help the madam freshen up to dine, no matter how coldly her she still took it, even in front of Zhao Jin Yu she acted gently and considerately, this way of behaving was like an adopted daughter…, a servant of the Zhao family wasn’t even like this.

However Zhao Rui Zhi lowering herself was not a waste, the madam clearly was already quite moved.

“Grandmother, it must be assumed that older sister wants to accompany grandmother, but on the other hand it’s grandfather…” Zhao Rui Zhi was extremely clever, she knew this wasn’t the time to talk badly of Zhao Jin Yu, rather she should help her, saying, “Older sister is also very kind.”

The madam saw the earnest Zhao Rui Zhi, looking at her for almost a quarter of an hour, seeing Zhao Rui Zhi was truly quite upset…, after a good while the madam seemed to put down her grievance, sighing she said, “You are also a good child.”

Zhao Rui Zhi was very excited, thinking was the madam willing to get close to her? Very soon she heard the madam say in a rather imposing manner, “It is important to know your place, you must remember this.”

Zhao Rui Zhi’s heart chilled, as if she was in an icy cave, however she still forced a gentle smile saying, “Grandmother’s teaching, Rui Zhi will keep it in mind.”

The madam then revealed a slight smile, saying, “Remember what you said today.” Following which her tone changed, with some hardness, “Some things I can give you, and can take away.”

Zhao Rui Zhi shuddered from head to toe, almost wanting to cry in anger, why did the madam treat her in this way? Was Zhao Jin Yu the reason? If hate could turn into a knife, at this moment I’m afraid Zhao Jin Yu who was in her room would already be shred to pieces by Zhao Rui Zhi, only sadly this was merely Zhao Rui Zhi’s imagination.

Although the madam could be considered to have forgiven Zhao Rui Zhi, but she was still aloof, after eating she sent her away.

Zhao Rui Zhi returned to her bedroom beside herself, all of a sudden she felt a hand grab her arm, she jumped in fear, just as she was about to scream that person covered her mouth, “Younger sister Rui Zhi, it’s me.”

That person turned his head, revealing a handsome and refined face, it was a very young man.

“Older brother Cheng Feng, it’s you?” This person was Zaho Cheng Feng of the Zhao family’s fifth branch.

Zhao Cheng Feng smiled tenderly, saying, “Did I scare younger sister?”

Zhao Rui Zhi somewhat angrily pushed Zhao Cheng Feng, pouting playfully she said, “Haven’t you got a good marriage arranged, why have you come to find me?”

Zhao Cheng Feng showed a rather anxious expression, holding Zhao Rui Zhi’s hands he said, 

“Younger sister, could it be you don’t know there’s only you in my heart?”

“You want to lie to me again?”

“Why don’t you believe me? Could it be you have forgotten, how well I treated you before?” Zhao Cheng Feng seemed to be in pain, he spoke with a frown.

Zhao Rui Zhi was familiar with the frown, recalling their former affection, she only felt sadness rush in, all of a sudden she cried saying, “You people, all treat me as dispensable, come when you want, leave when you want.” She also punched Zhao Cheng Feng’s chest a few times after she spoke.

Zhao Cheng Feng seized the opportunity to gather Zhao Rui Zhi into his arms, softly saying, “Blame me, why did I have to be a child of the Zhao family, if not even if I have to risk my life I would have you as my wife.”

“Wuwu.”

After a while, Zhao Rui Zhi’s emotions were steadier, as she was now held in Zhao Cheng Feng’s arms, she said, “You also don’t need to be so insincere, you made me stop Xiao Zhen Shan from returning to the family, I’ve done it, so why have you come to find me?”

Zhao Cheng Feng blinked, very quickly he produced a tender smile, saying, “Don’t tell me I only come to find you because of this?”

“Could it not be? Go.” Zhao Rui Zhi’s mood suddenly changed, stepping away as she spoke.

“No…, ai, you really have a temper recently.” Zhao Cheng Feng again gathered her into his arms, saying a bunch of sweet words he then calmed Zhao Rui Zhi down, afterwards he said, “If I’m really adopted into the main branch, as the heir of the head of the family, I would be your best supporter, isn’t this all for you? How can you still not understand.”

“Of course I understand, that’s why I did as you said, Xiao Zhen Shan has already promised me he won’t return to the family!” Zhao Cheng Feng was fourteenth in seniority in the Zhao family, he was the most outstanding amongst them, handsome, intelligent beyond compare, Zhao Rui Zhi naturally adored him, but both of them were children of the Zhao family, they couldn’t be together, later Zhao Rui Zhi changed her target to Xiao family’s Xiao Zhen Shan, who would have imagined in a wink…, Xiao Zhen Shan was actually the eldest old master’s illegitimate child.

Zhao Rui Zhi persuaded Xiao Zhen Shan to not return to his family, naturally it’s also because she could not forget Zhao Cheng Feng, she really truly adored this person.

Zhao Cheng Feng said with an attentive gaze, “Then did you know…, Xiao Zhen Shan has already promised the eldest old master to return to the family.”

“Ah…” Zhao Rui Zhi said rather stunned.

Zhao Rui Zhi remembered the day Xiao Zhen Shan’s identity was revealed…, she had been worried 

Xiao Zhen Shan would return to his family, ruining Zhao Cheng Feng’s plan, that’s why she tactfully reminded him, if he returned to the Zhao family the two of them would become siblings, unable to lawfully wed, at that time Xiao Zhen Shan had also reacted fiercely, showing his unwillingness, how could his attitude change in a month?

It must be said that Xiao Zhen Shan and Zhao Cheng Feng were different, he was one-track minded, moreover he listened to her, he simply had no desire to go against her wishes.

Zhao Cheng Feng had come over with some hope, in the end seeing Zhao Rui Zhi’s expression he knew…, Zhao Rui Zhi sadly could no longer control Xiao Zhen Shan, could the Zhao family end up being controlled by that rash youth? He really wasn’t resigned to it.

Zhao Rui Zhi felt completely wronged, again she couldn’t help weep, Zhao Cheng Feng buried his 

disappointment in his heart, as before he gently sweet-talked, saying, “Never mind, I was actually being greedy, even if Xiao Zhen Shan is not worthy of respect, but he is of the eldest old master’s blood, I can’t beat him on this point.”

“I…” Zhao Rui Zhi was very guilty, saying, “I’ve let you down.”

The more gentle Zhao Cheng Feng was the more Zhao Rui Zhi felt guilty.

“Although our plan has failed, but when I think he will become your brother, unable to marry you, my heart is very much at ease…” Zhao Cheng Feng gnashed his teeth saying, “When I imagine him holding you I can’t bear it.”

“Older brother Cheng Feng?” Zhao Rui Zhi was so moved so lifted her head, her watery eyes were extremely beautiful like a sky filled with stars.

Zhao Cheng Feng saw the such charming Zhao Rui Zhi, a burst of fire sparked in his heart, however he could only push it down, saying, “Younger sister Rui Zhi, have you thought about your marriage?”

When Zhao Rui Zhi heard Zhao Cheng Feng bring up marriage, discontent rushed into her heart, she said, “Grandmother previously said she’ll arrange a good marriage, who knew she would find small households without reputation…, later I had no choice, I could only put my hopes on cousin Xiao, things were going smoothly, even though the two families did not conclude the marriage, but it was almost agreed, who would have imagined such a thing happening, cousin Xiao actually became my older brother.”

A scheme was in the depths of Zhao Cheng Feng’s eyes, he said, “Younger sister Rui Zhi, this is good, worthy of an even better person.”

“I’m only an orphan…”

“It’s not like that.” Zhao Cheng Feng held Zhao Rui Zhi’s hands saying, “Which girl in the Zhao family is as beautiful as you? Whose calligraphy is better than yours? Who is as witty and charming as you?”

Zhao Rui Zhi blushed, saying, “Older brother Cheng Feng, don’t exaggerate.”

“That’s why, younger sister Rui Zhi.” Zhao Cheng Feng cupped Zhao Rui Zhi’s cheeks, filled with earnest hope he said, “Such beauty and talent as yours, shouldn’t be stifled, you should enter the palace.”

“The palace?”

“Right…, do you know? The  imperial concubine selection this time, the family has finally decided to send one person in.” The Zhao family always thought the  imperial concubine selection was below them, but as the Zhao family declined, this seemed to be the only solution.

Zhao Cheng Feng’s eyes sparkled with ambition, “If you become the empress, what would an heir of the Zhao family be regarded as?”

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T/N: Such schemers!!!!