You can't only love the Qing Dynasty when you're eating the fruits of others' labor.

Chapter 276 Competing on the Same Field, Mother and Daughter Turn Against Each Other

Liu Rushi's early life was full of ups and downs, from being a scholar in Yunjian to Chen Zilong, a talented scholar of the Fushe Society, to Qian Qianyi, a literary figure of the Donglin Party, and now to the indescribable past.

According to Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism, he should be drowned! A large rock should be drowned!

But the truth is quite the opposite.
This woman lives a more comfortable life than anyone else.

As Xiaoxiaosheng said: Famous gardens and famous courtesans become more valuable, more famous, and more sought after by the world the more they are traded.

Ordinary people and ordinary houses are exactly the opposite.

The reasons for this cannot be investigated in detail.

People can criticize as they please, but they also have to do what they say.

Just like when Jiang Qingyun became the Grand Secretary, he ordered the dissolution of all the women in the Red Palace and gave them all to middle and low-ranking officers of the Zhili Green Standard Army.

For these officers, what kind of experience is it to have a woman who was once favored by the emperor now become their wife?
The officers beamed with joy, deeply grateful to Chief Minister Chiang.

Jiang Enhao!

……

There is a type of woman in the world who is like a vine, whose life is a journey of "striving to climb higher branches." It is certain that they are materialistic and disdainful of the poor, but it would be an inaccurate summary to describe them solely as materialistic and disdainful of the poor.

From a very young age, they are repeatedly instilled with the idea of ​​climbing the social ladder and are repeatedly taught the skills to do so, including playing musical instruments, calligraphy, painting, social etiquette, singing, dancing, needlework, makeup, and composing poetry.

The ultimate goal is singular—to please those in power.

"Climbing the social ladder" is like a steel stamp firmly welded into their bones; it has become an instinct!
They cannot look down from above.

Similarly, the man who is looked down upon cannot support these worldly beauties.

Among this group of women, Liu Rushi was a rare exception. At least she possessed a basic sense of right and wrong and could distinguish between what was righteous and what was rebellious.

We can objectively say: Liu Rushi was a woman of both affection and loyalty.

……

Now that Qian Qianyi had fallen, Liu Rushi naturally needed to find a new branch to grow on.

Clearly, this ruthless man in his early twenties was the tallest and strongest branch of the empire, bar none. However, the biggest obstacle before her was—age!
Even the title of concubine was not something I could hope for!
Even without a formal title, simply having a de facto relationship can guarantee a peaceful life for the rest of one's days.

Outside, wind and rain raged, and the treetops swayed.

Liu Rushi brewed tea with her delicate hands, uttering witty remarks one after another.

A few jasmine petals drifted in through the window on the breeze, and one of them, still damp with moisture, landed right on Jiang Qingyun's face.

"Wait a minute~"

Liu Rushi reached out and plucked a flower petal, then dropped it into her teacup.

"The fallen flowers are heartless, but people are sentimental."

Brew tea with boiling water~
Pink petals and green tea leaves tumble together, creating an artful effect.

She clearly didn't say anything, nor did she take anything off, yet she still made Jiang Qingyun feel a ticklish sensation in his heart. Jiang Qingyun thought to himself, in such terrible weather, why not just accept the spoils of the notorious traitor Qian Qianyi right here and now?

……

Dong~ Dong Dong~
Just as the wedding was about to take place inside the building, a soft knock came from downstairs.

Liu Rushi was startled, and Jiang Qingyun gripped the hilt of his sword and stood up.

"Who?"

"it's me."

Jiang Qingyun poked his head out of the window and his eyes lit up instantly. He saw Liu Rushi's daughter, Liu Shu, holding a silk umbrella and carrying a food box, looking up at him.

Speechless~
Is this also part of the play?

When Liu Rushi saw her daughter, her tone was gentle but slightly reproachful.

"Shu'er, what brings you here?"

"Mom, it's almost noon, I'm afraid you'll be hungry."

Jiang Qingyun then noticed that the food box she was carrying was still dripping water. Looking further down, she saw that the thin trouser legs were soaked and clung tightly to her calves, creating a rather aesthetically pleasing effect.

Rainwater was accumulating slightly at my feet.

After looking at the feet, look upwards~
Liu Shu suddenly lifted her lowered eyelids, and her eyes met Jiang Qingyun's at close range. She had long eyelashes, clear eyes, and dripping hair, with a faint fragrance emanating from her.

It looks like a little deer!
The Grand Secretary's mind is in a state of great ambition.

Liu Shu feigned shyness, lowering her eyelids again and glancing to one side. ...

Liu Rushi was completely dumbfounded. She never imagined that her 16-year-old daughter would be so rebellious, it was simply outrageous.

If this gets out, the world's spittle will drown the Canglang Pavilion.

She quickly handed over a handkerchief.

"Shu'er, you've gotten wet in the rain, hurry up and wipe yourself off."

"Hey~"

Liu Shu took the handkerchief, tilted her head back, and wiped away the rainwater, moving it back and forth, left and right, up and down with great grace.

After wiping away the water droplets, she quietly opened the food box and laid out the warm dishes one by one, and even prepared a pot of wine.

"Prime Minister, let me help you."

"Ah."

The teapot was bubbling and steaming.

Liu Shu's tea-making skills were equally fluid and effortless.

Jiang Qingyun couldn't help but sigh, "What a profound family tradition!" But he quickly calmed down; the little deer in front of him was Qian Qianyi's daughter.

Just because Liu Rushi could accept killing Qian Qianyi doesn't mean she could accept it.

Such a tragic fate is better left undone.
After all, there are precedents to learn from.

……

As Jiang Qingyun thought this, her eyes gradually cleared.

Liu Rushi instantly guessed the reason.

The two of them happened to look up at the same time, and their eyes met!

Jiang Qingyun took in the embarrassment and awkwardness on Liu Rushi's face and said, "Liu Shu, go back to your room. Your mother and I have important matters to discuss."

Liu Shu's eyes instantly filled with tears. She covered her face and ran down the stairs. As soon as she ran out of the building, she burst into tears. It was impossible to tell how much of her crying was genuine and how much was not.

Liu Rushi was extremely embarrassed and indignant.

"I'm sorry to have made such a fool of myself, Your Excellency."

"It's alright, he's just a kid."

Jiang Qingyun didn't seem to care at all. With a wave of his hand, he displayed tolerance, generosity, maturity, and grace. Although he was 22, he looked like he was 45.

Lu Xun, a native of Zhejiang, once said: Men age quickly; after 22, they are 45.

There is much truth in what Lu Xun said.

To divert attention from the awkward situation, Liu Rushi asked, "What is the Grand Secretary's view on courtesans?"

"It's better than those who grovel. To sell one's body and make a deal, one needs at least good looks; if one's looks aren't good enough, one simply can't sell it. But selling one's soul is much simpler; all one needs to do is be shameless enough."

Liu Rushi was dumbfounded.
Of course, she didn't know that if it weren't for the fact that she was Zheng Sen's teacher's wife, Jiang Qingyun's military order would have required her to dress up and force a smile to enter the camp to serve him that very day.

If it weren't for this relationship, Xiao Jiang would never have been so patient.

……

Outside, the rain was gradually subsiding.

After chatting for a few more minutes, Jiang Qingyun got up and left Canglang Pavilion.

Tasteless~
The guards were numerous, the procession was conspicuous, and the ranks stretched as far as the eye could see, demonstrating the immense power and influence of the master.

Liu Shu stood at the entrance of the garden, holding an umbrella, gazing longingly, hoping that the man would turn around and see her, planting the seed for their next meeting.

Liu Rushi suddenly appeared behind her without her noticing.

"Shu'er, there's no way it's possible between you two."

"Why??"

Liu Shu trembled slightly with extreme anger. She couldn't understand why her mother had to interfere and argue about this.

Liu Rushi felt bitter and took a deep breath.

"Because he has already sentenced your father to immediate execution."

(End of this chapter)