MYUFPC CHAPTER 11
Being smart is the most dangerous thing
Hearing this, Jiashan didn’t speak further, her gaze fixed on Zhao Youze.
No wonder… No wonder in her previous life, even before Yuankang’s eyes were healed, Zhuang Fei was so eager to eliminate him completely.
A tall tree that stands out in the forest catches will be destroyed by the wind.
Even she was amazed by her brother's sharp intelligence and discernment, let alone the intolerant Zhuang Fei!
She shouldn’t have always seen Yuankang as a child needing protection. Her brother, aside from his blindness, possessed every quality to compete with Zhao Youcheng.
As long as he could see.
Jiashan’s heart tightened. She suddenly leaned down and gently kissed Zhao Youze on the forehead. Zhao Youze’s ears turned slightly red, and he wiped his face awkwardly, embarrassed. “Sister, what are you doing?”
Jiashan smiled and said, “Sister just thinks Yuankang is even smarter than she imagined.”
“Hmm.” Zhao Youze accepted this without the slightest bit of modesty. He grinned and said, “Mr. Xu said the same to me. But he also told me that for someone like me, it’s not a problem to be foolish, but being smart is the most dangerous thing.”
This Mr. Xu was recommended by the Pei family. His background was clean, his talent and character beyond reproach. With the Pei family’s endorsement, he was undoubtedly loyal to Jiashan and Zhao Youze.
Jiashan hadn’t known that Mr. Xu not only taught Zhao Youze to read but also discussed these matters with him.
It seemed she should find an opportunity to meet this Mr. Xu.
Jiashan patted Zhao Youze’s head lightly and pressed down on his shoulder with little force, “Mr. Xu is right. Don’t ever speak of this to anyone else. I will pretend I didn’t ask you this question today.”
Zhao Youze said "Oh" and nodded, “I understand.”
Jiashan released him, and Zhao Youze picked up his pen again, feeling the characters as he continued copying the scripture.
Jiashan, however, had no mind to continue writing. Her eyes were filled with a solemn look.
For such a brother, Jiashan didn’t know whether to be happy or worried. She could only hope that her cousin would find the miracle doctor named Kong as soon as possible. Otherwise, she and Yuankang would be in constant danger.
Since Emperor Zhanghe had inquired Duke Anguo about Zhan Shaoying’s marriage, Zhan Shaoying’s colleagues at the Ministry of Transmission and Communication began to look at him differently.
Among these looks were jealousy, ridicule, friendliness, and flattery. Actually, those who held a position in the Ministry of Transmission and Communication were not simple people. Although the Ministry of Transmission and Communication was not part of the Six Ministries, it managed the confidential memorials to the Emperor, making it an influential and lucrative position.
Zhan Shao'ying had heard from his grandfather that His Majesty might have the intention of marrying the eldest princess to him. Zhan Shaoying had never met the eldest princess, but he knew that the eldest princess, Jiashan, was fifteen years old, two years younger than him, and and very much favored by the Emperor.
His mother had also said that although the fourth prince could not ascend the throne, with the face of the late Empress and the Pei family, the fourth prince's title and fief would not be insignificant. The eldest princess was His Majesty's first child and the elder sister of the fourth prince. If His Majesty owed the fourth prince, he would naturally treat the eldest princess well. After all, a princess was just a girl, and no matter how much he valued her, it was not related to the imperial succession.
So, although this matter was not finalized, Zhan Shaoying had become accustomed to the gazes of his colleagues.
He was the legitimate eldest grandson of the Duke’s household. Even though his fourth uncle, Zhan Yue, currently held the highest official position among his father's generation, being a concubine-born restricted his status.
Zhan Shaoying’s father had already been established as the heir. Once his grandfather passed away, his father would inherit the title, and he would naturally become the next heir of the Duke of An Guo. A marriage between the Duke’s heir and the eldest princess was a perfectly matched union.
Zhan Shaoying felt everything was unfolding naturally, just like his father inheriting the title, just like him marrying the princess.
After finishing his duties at the office, Zhan Shaoying bid farewell to his colleagues and returned home. Earlier, his colleagues had invited him to "Fangxue Pavilion," a place for listening to music, catering to nobles, and kept many talented performers.
Though it was said to be clean, it was still a bit sordid.
A few days ago, his grandfather had sent away his concubine because of his impending marriage to the princess, so Zhan Shaoying naturally couldn't do anything reckless at this critical juncture and immediately refused.
He found it strange. His colleagues at the Ministry of Transmission and Communication were usually the best at reading people, so how could they come up with such a crooked idea when they knew that His Majesty had the intention of marrying him to the princess?
Although puzzled, he didn’t suspect anything.
After returning home, a senior maid from his mother Zhang shi’s side called Zhan Shaoying, and Zhang shi gave him an important task.
Zhang shi said, “In a few days, your sister will come home for the month, and your bother-in-law will probably be coming with her. She’s newly married, so it would be better for the whole family to be together."
Zhan Shaoying wasn’t foolish. Hearing this, he immediately thought of his fourth uncle, Zhan Yue.
Frowning, Zhan Shaoying said, “I heard that Fourth Uncle is not in the palace recently but has gone to Changchun Temple with the eldest princess and the fourth prince.”
“Yes,” Zhang shi smiled, taking a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from Zhan Shaoying’s forehead, “He’s a commander, with great power and authority. If we send ordinary servants to invite him, I'm afraid it won't work."
"After all, you are his nephew. If you go to him, he might give you this face," Zhang Shi said, looking at him with a meaningful smile.
Zhan Shaoying was somewhat surprised. "You mean I should personally invite Fourth Uncle?"
In Zhan Shaoying’s memory, his parents didn't particularly like his younger uncle. Even if his brother-in-law came home with his sister, it didn't really matter if Fourth Uncle wasn't there, so why did he have to go and personally invite him?
Zhang Shi smiled warmly at him. "Yes, you should go personally. Isn't your Fourth Uncle guarding the eldest princess…" Zhang Shi gently emphasized the words "eldest princess."
Zhan Shaoying only then realized the real purpose of his mother sending him to Changchun Temple. Since he knew that he might marry the princess, he had developed a bit of youthful admiration for the eldest princess. Now that he had a legitimate chance to see the eldest princess face to face, he naturally bowed his head and replied, "Yes."
Zhang Shi smiled, then had him drink a bowl of chicken soup in her room before letting him go.
However, as soon as Zhan Shaoying left, Yingchun, the senior maid by Zhang Shi's side, couldn't help but say, "Madam, isn't this a bit presumptuous? What if we offend the eldest princess and she becomes displeased with us?"
Zhang Shi decisively replied, "No, it won't."
She had always had confidence in her son.
Although Zhan Shaoying’s appearance wasn't as striking as Zhan Yue’s, he was still heroic and dignified. Unlike those idle and dissolute young masters, Zhan Shao'ying loved reading since childhood, had the protection of the Duke of An Guo's Mansion, and held a fifth-rank official position.
Even though His Majesty had shown more than just favor for the Duke of An Guo's family, Zhang Shi had always felt that with her son's ability, the eldest princess would definitely end up marrying into their family.
Sending Zhan Shaoying to Changchun Temple served two purposes: to let him see the eldest princess and to let the eldest princess see him.
And the third purpose, Zhang Shi smiled as she sipped her tea.
The third was to let Zhan Yue know that as long as Zhan Shaoying married the princess, the Duke’s title would never fall to Zhan Yanqing.
The old Duke wouldn't allow it, and neither would the Emperor! It will also save him from showing off his authority as a commander of the Imperial Guards in front of her.
The more Zhang Shi thought about it, the more content she felt. She hummed a little tune and, with Yingchun’s assistance, leisurely lay down on the soft couch and rested for a while.