Chapter 14

Zhao Niannu clearly did not know the future. On the contrary, she was very grateful to Wang Ju, but only looked at the two imperial secret agents with a melancholy expression.

"Your Highness, are the people from the Imperial City Office here on official business or to deliberately find you?"

"I think they are most likely here for me."

"I have to go back."

He had agreed to help Zhao Niannu not only for the reward but also to see the capital. But now it was impossible. Not only was the situation very complicated, but the first obstacle was the Yang family.

In the Song Dynasty, inter-ethnic marriages were discouraged, meaning marriages between Han people and other ethnic groups, but they were not prohibited. For example, Yang Tian's first wife was surnamed Mu, a daughter of the Dangxiang noble family, the Murong clan.

Marriages between people with the same surname were discouraged, and marriages within the same clan were prohibited. For example, if a man surnamed Wang married a woman surnamed Wang, he would be ridiculed, but if they insisted on getting married, it was not a big deal. However, marrying a woman from the same clan was strictly forbidden.

Levirate marriages were also prohibited. One could not follow the example of Li Zhi, who married his stepmother Wu Zetian, or a younger brother marrying his elder brother's widow, or a man marrying his younger brother's widow or daughter-in-law, or having any relationship with them. Therefore, when Wu Yu's younger brother died and his widow did not remarry, he was criticized, and Bao Zheng forced his son's widow to remarry.

However, this rule applied to the paternal line, not the maternal line. Marriages between cousins were considered normal.

But Li Wei was Emperor Renzong's nephew, and Zhao Niannu's cousin's husband. As someone who had received court education and was well-versed in etiquette, Zhao Niannu's aversion to this marriage was understandable.

But the problem was not significant, except for the issue with the Yang family.

Was it just a small drink with a eunuch? Eunuchs were substitutes for nobles and princesses in bathing, which might be considered normal, but it had caused a city-wide scandal. This showed how unwise the Yang family was.

"Big Ox, you don't need to worry."

"I can't help but worry," Wang Ju thought.

But he couldn't say that. He said, "Your Highness, don't forget how we met. When they start questioning, how can I answer? Lying is a crime of deceiving the emperor. Not lying is a death sentence."

Even you are being driven mad, let alone me!

"That..."

"Your Highness, let me think about it." The gap in status between them was vast, at least for the current Wang Ju. But throughout their journey, Zhao Niannu had treated him with great respect, never putting on airs as a princess. Wang Ju did not consider himself a good person, but he was not a villain either. He believed in repaying kindness with kindness and repaying evil with evil.

It was a great destiny to have met on this journey.

He definitely could not compete with Sima Guang or Aunt Cao, let alone the formidable Gao Taotao behind Aunt Cao.

This competition was not about ability; he could not compete in that regard. They could destroy the Wang family with a single finger. This competition was about cunning and strategy.

However, he had a golden finger, so he was not without options.

Zhao Niannu did not speak. She had met many excellent people in her life, such as the court painter Cui Bai, but this young man was a different kind of excellence.

"Your Highness, remember, no one can know about your time at Heiao Ridge. Just say you met me in Yanzhou City and hired me because I was clever. You know nothing else."

"Alright."

"Your Highness, you will face a lot of trouble when you return."

Zhao Niannu looked worried, as if she didn't need to be told.

"Do you want a divorce?"

According to historical records, Zhao Niannu most despised Li Wei's superficiality, which made him a nouveau riche. This was definitely wrong.

One could say his father, Li Yonghe, and the Yang family were nouveau riche, but Li Wei's family had started to improve after his birth. After decades of accumulation, could Li Wei still be considered nouveau riche? What about the poor scholars like Ouyang Xiu and Fan Zhongyan?

Moreover, Wang Ju remembered that in the future, Li Wei had a painting called "Bamboo Grove Seclusion," which was listed as one of the representative works of the Song Dynasty. The painting was very cold, possibly reflecting his sad state and low mood at the time.

But it proved that Li Wei had some painting skills.

The problem was not Li Wei's coarseness but the fact that Zhao Niannu had always disliked this marriage. Li Wei had not handled the relationship between his mother and wife well, leading to Zhao Niannu's increased resentment. The Yang family, relying on their status as the emperor's aunt, further exacerbated the conflict.

In fact, if it weren't for Sima Guang's repeated obstruction, a divorce would have been a blessing for both Zhao Niannu and Li Wei.

"Divorce? What can you do?" the concubine said excitedly.

"I have a plan, Your Highness, listen to me..." Wang Ju whispered.

"How can that be possible?"

"Your Highness, don't underestimate a small person. Great people have great wisdom, and small people have small means. I am a small person, a child. Do you dare to underestimate me?"

Zhao Niannu laughed and affectionately patted Wang Ju's head. "Big Ox, you are very smart and can read. Study hard; passing the imperial examination is your way out."

"Alright, I will try my best. If I succeed, Your Highness must congratulate me."

"Alright."

"Then it's a deal. Let's seal it with a handshake."

Zhao Niannu smiled and actually shook hands with Wang Ju.

In reality, Wang Ju had a deep intention. Once she returned, this gentle princess would live in a world without hope. This was a small hope he gave her. But passing the imperial examination would be very difficult.

"Your Highness, let's talk about the real issue. Your mother-in-law, though not very good, should not be underestimated. If you don't follow my advice, even as a princess, your future may not be good. But you have seen how poor people live. For a string of cash, they risk their lives. You can also lower your status and act like a commoner, enduring and getting along with your mother-in-law, and you will be safe."

"Big Ox, what are you talking about? Your Highness is the emperor's own daughter," the concubine scolded.

"That's true, Concubine, is my plan bad?"

"Actually, these are some good ideas. Your Highness, to deal with bad people, you must fight fire with fire."

Zhao Niannu was somewhat moved.

Wang Ju found it amusing. Although these days had been nerve-wracking, this time he had stirred up a small wave.

"Big Ox, what about these two people from the Imperial City Office?"

This was indeed a bit tricky. They were definitely not sent by Empress Cao. If she had such means, she wouldn't have been so passive a few years later. But there was the formidable Gao Taotao behind her.

Wang Ju thought for a while and beckoned the two men over.

They walked over, looking suspiciously at Wang Ju. According to their intelligence, the princess did not have this young man with her.

Wang Ju walked to the side and pretended to urinate.

"Brothers, I am from Yanzhou. The princess thought I was clever and hired me as a servant, but I didn't know her identity, thinking she was a young lady from a wealthy family in the capital. But now that I know, I dare not go to the capital."

The two men did not respond.

"But don't worry, I am just a little boy." Wang Ju even poked his own little member to emphasize.

Think about how terrifying it would be if even a eunuch could have a relationship with Zhao Niannu. He needed to make it clear.

The two men looked at his childish gesture, unsure whether to laugh or cry.

Wang Ju put away his little member and returned to Zhao Niannu, continuing, "Brothers, I heard that the emperor, to avoid implicating the eunuchs, would not even drink water when thirsty."

"That's true."

"Does the emperor treat you poorly?"

"Not poorly." Even if they were treated poorly, they would not admit it.

"Then can one of you report to the authorities without revealing the princess's identity to avoid being slandered by villains? The other can escort the princess back to the capital?"

"Alright."

Wang Ju nodded.

Zhao Niannu understood and took out a stack of banknotes to reward them.

The two men refused.

"Brothers, Feng Yuan once asked Meng Changjun for fish, a carriage, and a house by playing his sword. If the princess returns safely to the capital, it would be fine, but this incident could damage her reputation. I hope you will accept this."

If they did not accept, they might not keep the secret. If they accepted, they would not dare to betray. Moreover, the stack of banknotes was not a small amount of money.

The two men had no choice but to accept. Zhao Niannu's biggest problem was solved.

But Zhao Niannu was still a bit worried.

Wang Ju suddenly had an idea and said to Zhao Niannu, "Your Highness, come here."

He pulled Zhao Niannu aside and whispered to her.

"Really?"

"Really, as long as the emperor follows my advice, the Western Xia will no longer be a threat."

"It seems to make sense."

"Of course, now you can be at ease." Wang Ju went to buy a donkey from a passerby.

A while later, he returned with a donkey, of course, the money was paid by Zhao Niannu. She was a princess and did not care about money. He put the books on the donkey's back and bowed to Zhao Niannu, "Your Highness, I did not know your identity and have been disrespectful. Please forgive me."

Saying this, he mounted the donkey and rode north.

Zhao Niannu watched his figure grow smaller and smaller, standing still for a long time. Just as Wang Ju was about to disappear, she suddenly felt a flutter in her heart and almost wanted to chase after him...

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