Wei and Jin did not submit to Zhou

Chapter 173 The Struggle Under the Surface (Part 2)

Inside the carriage, Shi Shouxin looked at Hui Niang's indifferent face, wanting to speak several times, but in the end, he didn't know what to say.

Perhaps because the coachman was there, Hui Niang didn't say anything.

After entering the Shi residence, Huiniang did not go to Shi Chong's study, but led Shi Shouxin to a secluded side room. The two did not embrace or kiss, nor did they even touch hands.

Hui Niang spoke rapidly, "Today I saw Guo Huai at the Shi residence! Jia Chong's wife!"

"Guo Huai?"

Shi Shouxin looked shocked.

"Yes, I also overheard that Shi Chong was going to marry Jia Chong's daughter and then divorce his wife! He was discussing this with Guo Huai at the time."

Hui Niang looked furious, her fists clenched tightly.

"Is he crazy? How do you know Guo Huai?"

Shi Shouxin countered with a question.

"It's a long story. He'll definitely make me serve you in bed later. I'll tell you the details then."

After Hui Niang finished speaking, she pushed Shi Shouxin out of the courtyard.

Arriving alone at the courtyard where Shi Chong lived, I was led by a servant to the study, where I saw a huge table already filled with dishes, dozens of kinds in total!

"No need for formalities, we're all family."

Shi Chong smiled and invited Shi Shouxin to sit down.

"The peaches will be delivered to you tomorrow."

As soon as Shi Shouxin sat down, Shi Chong spoke.

"That's not necessary. I haven't touched her either."

Shi Shouxin quickly declined, but Shi Chong didn't take it seriously and just smiled.

"I've heard that you already have a son and a daughter, and also a concubine who is pregnant, is that right?"

Shi Chong asked again, noticing the strange smile on his face today. Perhaps it was because Shi Bao had already set off for Huainan, and Shi Chong had begun to let loose.

"Indeed."

Shi Shouxin continued to nod.

"Take Hui Niang away today."

Shi Chong's words were astonishing.

But Shi Shouxin didn't say anything; he couldn't very well reveal this unspoken secret directly.

"Isn't this... not a good idea? This is your woman."

Shi Shouxin asked, but didn't explain himself clearly.

"I have my own difficulties, which I cannot tell outsiders."

I've already spoken with Shi Qiao today, and he will give me his eldest son, Shi Chao, in the future.

You were in Qingzhou when I got married, so you probably won't be able to see it. The bride was Jia Chong's daughter.

Shi Chong's words were astonishing.

"Sixth Brother, if I remember correctly, you are already married, and your wife is Madam Su."

Shi Shouxin couldn't help but remind Shi Chong.

"Not anymore."

Shi Chong took out a letter of divorce and slammed it on the table with a loud bang.

"Why would you divorce your wife?"

Shi Shouxin asked, puzzled.

Shi Chong shook his head and said:
"The eldest brother of the Su family is Sima You, the chief secretary."

The two Su brothers were trusted confidants of Sima You in his army.

Their entire family were staunch supporters of Sima You.

I have made up my mind to stand on An Shi's side. The Su woman cannot be allowed to live.

Jia's daughter was originally Sima You's fiancée. Jia Chong's wife, Guo Huai, wanted to mistreat this daughter born to his ex-wife, Li, so I acted as a go-between to take her in.

These things were done out of necessity, not of my own volition.

Shi Chong's tone was calm, but unusually resolute.

"Having offended Sima You like this, how will you face yourself in the future?"

Shi Shouxin asked with a worried expression.

“Sima You will surely become a thorn in An Shi’s side in the future, so I remain calm and composed. The more Sima You hates me, the more favor I will receive.”

Shi Chong waved his hand dismissively.

Shi Shouxin seemed to understand everything. Nothing was done without reason, nor was it Shi Chong making a fuss over nothing.

Whether it was having his principal wife serve him in bed, throwing a lavish party at the Shi residence, or divorcing his wife to prepare to marry a woman from the Jia family, everything was a scheme to lay the groundwork for the political situation after Sima Zhao's death!

This guy, who never liked to follow the beaten path, did everything for one purpose: to be Sima Yan's staunch lackey!

"Since Sima Yan couldn't win over Jia Chong, you're making sure Sima You can't win him over either, right?"

Shi Shouxin inquired.

Shi Chong nodded without denying it.

In terms of family background, he was not a good match for Jia's daughter. But if Guo Huai wanted to humiliate the "bastard child" born to his ex-wife, then someone like Shi Chong, who couldn't have children, was a perfect match!

"Sixth Brother, what kind of person is Guo Huai? Why should he be at your beck and call?"

Shi Shouxin asked again.

Shi Chong simply chuckled and said, "I naturally have a way to make her submit. She's just a stupid woman, blinded by greed, and I can easily manipulate her. An Shi is also aware of this."

So Sima Yan also played a part in it, no wonder.

Perhaps Sima Zhao and Wang Yuanji have also realized that if a high-ranking official like Jia Chong stands on Sima You's side, will Sima Yan's position be secure when he becomes emperor?

Even if Sima Yan secures his throne, will his son be able to secure it when he wants to?

"In the year that Sima Yan's eldest son died young, one of my concubines also died in that plague."

Is Sima Yan's second son a little slow-witted?

Shi Shouxin pointed to his temple and asked.

Shi Chong then showed a look of shock, but it only lasted for a moment before quickly disappearing. Shi Shouxin saw his expression and understood perfectly.

Sure enough, Shi Chong wasn't insane; it was all because of "that incident."

Shi Shouxin fell silent, simply watching Shi Chong without saying a word.

Shi Chong sighed:
"The physician has already examined the patient and said there's nothing that can be done."

You are so intelligent, you should understand what I'm saying, right?

He stood up and handed the letter of divorce to Shi Shouxin, saying, "Give the letter of divorce to Madam Su, and take her with you. I don't want to see this woman again."

Shi Chong has practically made it clear that Hui Niang is Su Niangzi.

Shi Shouxin took the letter of divorce, stood up, and looked at Shi Chong, saying, "Sixth Brother, take care."

"Well, take care of yourself too." Shi Chong said with his back to Shi Shouxin, without saying anything unnecessary, everything was understood without words.

……

The Su family residence in the southern suburbs of Luoyang.

The carriage from the Shi family brought Shi Shouxin and Su Hui here and then drove away. At this moment, the marriage between the Su family and the Shi family was a thing of the past.

Taking advantage of Shi Bao's trip to Huainan, Shi Chong decisively divorced his wife, demonstrating his ruthless methods!
Of course, this is understandable; it is a political choice, and one's stance determines one's attitude.

Since all the members of the Su family were on Sima You's side, they were Shi Chong's political enemies.

Loyalty that isn't absolute is absolute disloyalty! As Sima Yan's long-time friend, Shi Chong stood firmly by Sima Yan's side, refusing to waver!
When Shi Chong saw that Shi Shouxin had a close relationship with Sima You, he decisively cut ties with him.

The two met today but didn't eat a single bite of food or drink a single drop of wine. Although they didn't exchange any harsh words, it was as if they had broken off all ties!

If Sima Yan and Sima You were to fight each other in the future, Shi Shouxin and Shi Chong would likely become bitter enemies as well.

Shi Shouxin understood this, and so did Shi Chong; they all just kept it to themselves.

"Let's go see my father first. He has just resigned from his official post and is now retired at home."

Hui Niang sighed softly and led Shi Shouxin into the Su family mansion.

It wasn't a large place, with a dozen or so rooms and a few dozen people including servants.

Hui Niang's father, Su Yu, was fair-skinned and plump with a kind face, but his eyes were very sharp.

However, Su Yu's first words after they met greatly surprised Shi Shouxin.

"Shi Jilun made a decisive decision and his methods were ruthless. He is truly a remarkable person."

"I underestimated him in the past. Hui Niang's divorce today is my fault."

Su Yu shook her head and sighed, but she harbored no resentment towards Shi Chong, at least not outwardly.

As for Hui Niang sleeping with Shi Shouxin, he must have known about it.

"Sima Shi, Shi Jilun is acting so recklessly. You are Shi Bao's adopted son. Do you know why?"

Su Yu looked at Shi Shouxin and asked.

"I know. The eldest son of the Prince of Jin died of illness many years ago, and the second son is an idiot."

When they grow up, they'll probably have the brain of a seven or eight-year-old child.

And this child is destined to be the crown prince.

Shi Shouxin said calmly.

"No wonder then. If I were Shi Jilun, I would also divorce my wife."

Su Yu nodded. Having been in officialdom for many years, he understood these intricacies very well. In fact, he resigned because his family members had become too close to Sima You, which was taboo.

"Father, what are you saying! Shi Chong is a beast, he's not human!"

Hui Niang complained with a dissatisfied expression.

Lies often don't hurt people; the truth is the sharpest weapon.

When Hui Niang heard that Su Yu actually understood Shi Chong, she broke down in tears.

"Hui Niang, you should go with Shi Sima. The Su family will not keep you here."

Your elder brothers both work in Sima You's household, so don't blame Shi Chong for being heartless.

Shi Sima, take Hui Niang home and treat her well.

Wei Guan can give his niece, and Su can give her daughter; we don't want any official status.

Su Yu said calmly.

The way he spoke was exactly like Shi Chong's.

Shi Shouxin smiled wryly, thinking to himself: You and Shi Chong are truly a pair of equally matched father-in-law and son-in-law. He plays chess, and you actually play chess too!
After saying this, Su Yu ordered the servants to drive him and Hui Niang out of the Su family mansion.

Standing at the gate of the house, Su Hui looked up at the home she had lived in for more than ten years. It was so unfamiliar, as if she had never seen it before.

"Your father has seen the danger of the situation, but you haven't."

"You can only watch Shi Chong do this and that."

Shi Shouxin patted Su Hui on the shoulder and said.

"That bastard Shi Chong has humiliated me so much, are you just going to let it go like this?"

Su Hui stared wide-eyed at Shi Shouxin, her face full of resentment!
She went home hoping her father and brothers would help her get revenge, but Su Yu had no intention of seeking revenge against Shi Chong at all.

Or rather, Su Yu had already seen through the political situation.

"Come home with me, and we'll talk things over."

Shi Shouxin took her hand and said.

Su Hui struggled for a long time but couldn't break free, so she could only let him hold her hand in a huff.

When the two returned home, Wei Xiu, who had been waiting for a long time, saw Shi Shouxin bring a woman back and looked unhappy, but she didn't know what to say.

In the study, Shi Shouxin sat at the desk, Su Hui sat on the left, Wei Xiu sat on the right, and Xi Gou was pouring wine for them.

Shi Shouxin told the two women the whole story, without hiding anything from Wei Xiu.

"Shi Chong is a beast!"

Before Su Hui could say anything, Wei Xiu slammed her fist on the table.

Overwhelmed with a sense of justice, she looked at Shi Shouxin and said, "Brother, we must not let these bad guys get away with this! We must help Huiniang vent her anger!"

Xigou looked at Wei Xiu with a surprised expression, and tried to speak several times, but finally kept quiet.

"So how do you want to vent your anger?"

Shi Shouxin looked at Wei Xiu curiously and asked.

"us……"

Wei Xiu uttered two words and then hesitated.

That's right, these scheming and despicable people, including Shi Chong, are all bastards!

But what can we do to them?

She immediately lost her spirits.

If only you could verbally kill someone!

"Loyalty that is not absolute is absolute disloyalty."

Shi Shouxin sighed and looked at the two women, saying, "Losing your temper here won't help; we need to get revenge."

"How to find it?"

Hui Niang, who was seething with anger, asked.

"Hehe, easy as pie."

Shi Shouxin sneered and made a hand-flipping motion.

He is now the Sima of the Prince of Qi's mansion, meaning he is a confidant of Sima You. Whether he admits it or not, this label can't be removed.

Seeing that Sima You was being severely suppressed, of course we had to help him get back on his feet!

Otherwise, how would they establish themselves in Qingxu? How would they gain Sima You's trust?
As for Sima Zhao, that futures trader who's a dead man, Shi Shouxin isn't afraid of offending him at all!
(End of this chapter)