novelraw Chapter 1719 - 1713: What Is His Motive?
Chapter 1719 - 1713: What Is His Motive?
Early the next morning.
Shadow Seven, who was always elusive, suddenly appeared from somewhere to report to Wang Yongzhu.
Wang Yongzhu was somewhat surprised. Although she knew that Shadow Seven was sent by Song Chongjin to protect her and her daughter, she hadn’t instructed Shadow Seven to do anything. What was there to report?
However, seeing the serious demeanor of Shadow Seven, she asked, "Why are you in such a hurry? What happened?"
Shadow Seven glanced at Old Granny Zhang, and at that moment, not only did Wang Yongzhu understand, but Old Granny Zhang understood as well.
The two exchanged a glance, and Wang Yongzhu said, "Alright, speak."
Shadow Seven first apologized, "Yesterday, I overheard Master Yi’s words. I feared he harbored malicious intentions that might be harmful to the lord, so I took it upon myself to follow him and listened to some conversations. I’m here specially to report to you, Madam."
Wang Yongzhu knew that ever since the incident in the Capital City, Shadow Seven had become utterly loyal to Song Chongjin and herself.
Not only that, Shadow Seven had keenly observed the shift in attitude from Song Hong and Song Shisan towards Chicheng County after the Capital City incident and cunningly utilized many of the Song Family’s covert resources.
Song Shisan probably reported to Song Hong, and now they were turning a blind eye, not explicitly stating anything, but the covert side already had the awareness to treat any matters concerning Chicheng County with caution.
Song Chongjin and herself had given Shadow Seven and Shadow Nine a certain range of decision-making power.
For situations like this, Shadow Seven would assess whether the people coming into contact with Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu posed any danger or had ulterior motives, then decide whether or not to investigate and follow them.
Consequently, Yi Mingshi’s behavior naturally fell into Shadow Seven’s suspicious category.
Last night, Shadow Seven followed Yi Mingshi and heard the entire conversation between him and Gu Zikai, which he now recounted word for word to Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang.
When Wang Yongzhu heard the words suggesting that women shouldn’t be confined to the rear court, devoted solely to supporting their husbands and educating children, her eyes flickered, and she looked at Old Granny Zhang.
Old Granny Zhang, however, remained unmoved and only asked, "Is that all he said? Nothing else?"
Shadow Seven hesitated a moment before stating, "Regarding this Master Yi, when Lord Duke learned he was to accompany Young Master to Yunzhong County, he had the Capital City’s covert network investigate him. This morning, Master Yi’s information has already been delivered to us."
Upon hearing this, Wang Yongzhu became concerned that there might be something amiss with Master Yi. "Bring me Master Yi’s dossier."
Shadow Seven nodded, took out a few sheets of paper from his sleeve, and handed them to Wang Yongzhu. On them, Yi Mingshi’s detailed information was written in small, dense characters.
His ancestors were the legitimate branch of the Yi Family in those years, but starting from his grandfather’s generation, being the youngest son, they were separated from the main branch.
By his generation, the relationship with the legitimate branch of the Yi Family was no longer close. Coupled with the family’s large population, it was difficult even for the legitimate descendants to find a position, let alone those from the collateral branches.
Yi Mingshi is considered diligent but unlucky. The incident involving a fire, due to the long passage of time, has made it impossible to uncover the truth, but there were rumors it was linked to the legitimate branch of the Yi Family.
After being injured, Yi Mingshi became despondent. The family who arranged his engagement initially saw potential in him, hence betrothed their daughter to him. When he lost the chance to participate in the Imperial Spring Examination, that family immediately reneged on the engagement and married their daughter to a young master from the legitimate branch of the Yi Family.
After this incident, Yi Mingshi, who had been dispirited, finally pulled himself together and later followed a former classmate to work elsewhere as Master.
The Madam Yi Mingshi married was the daughter of a local scholar. That scholar’s family originally had two daughters, twin sisters. Yi Mingshi and the older sister were a good match. Unfortunately, before the wedding, she was taken by mountain bandits, losing her good reputation.
Naturally, she could no longer marry Yi Mingshi. Heartbroken, the older sister endured, and since the scholar’s family didn’t want to lose this marriage, they offered the younger sister as a replacement.
Yi Mingshi only realized he married the wrong person after consummating the marriage, but by then, the mistake was irrevocable.
However, because he genuinely loved the older sister and knowing she could not marry anyone else after the incident, he simply asked to take her as a concubine. To avoid gossip, he claimed the older sister was the younger sister’s personal maid.
It was common in those times for the male master to take a maid as a concubine, and given the secrecy of household affairs, no one knew the truth. Officially servants, the sisters both served one husband.
Even when seen by outsiders, due to their identical looks as twins, people merely commented on the younger sister, and none were able to detect the truth.
After becoming Yi Mingshi’s concubine, the older sister found favor and soon became pregnant.
Though the younger sister did not win Yi Mingshi’s affection, her womb was competitive, as she became pregnant around the same time as her older sister.
Ten months later, both went into labor. The older sister gave birth to a daughter, but tragically, she suffered a hemorrhage and died shortly thereafter. On her deathbed, she pleaded with Yi Mingshi to care for her daughter.
Yi Mingshi, who deeply loved the older sister, naturally fulfilled her dying wish.
At the same time, the younger sister gave birth to a son. Yi Mingshi announced publicly that his wife had given birth to a pair of twins: a girl and a boy.
As for the older sister, she was quietly buried, and in the backyard, a concubine who lost favor due to sterilization was added.
Outsiders were entirely unaware of these intricacies and truly believed Yi Mingshi’s wife had given birth to twins.
Everyone remarked on Yi Mingshi’s good fortune and envied him for marrying such a good wife.
Yet in the eyes of others, Master Yi seemed strange. Before the wife gave birth, the couple appeared to be in love often seen together, but after the child was born, a distance grew between them.
When queried, he simply stated that the wife was preoccupied with childcare, and people believed it.
However, everyone knew this Master Yi showed great affection for his daughter, whereas his feelings toward his son were average.
When mentioned, Master Yi would explain in front of others that daughters are cherished guests at home for only a few years and naturally should be pampered more.
Regarding his son, training is needed to become successful in the future. This righteous attitude earned him praise for his excellent teaching.
The quiet and unnoticed Madam, his younger sister, persevered in the backyard.
After enduring until their son grew to about ten years old, she finally passed away.
Master Yi never remarried after his wife’s death, claiming he wasn’t comfortable leaving his children’s upbringing to another woman.
Who wouldn’t praise Master Yi for his devotion and righteousness upon hearing this?
Later, when his daughter reached the appropriate age, Master Yi went to great lengths to find a good family for her.
Though not prominent in the Capital City, it was considered quite fortunate.
In contrast, after adulthood, the son married the younger sister of a close friend and upon passing the examination as a Scholar, requested a position elsewhere and moved his family far away. It’s been years since he returned.
Remarkably, however, Master Yi’s daughter occasionally returns to her maiden home, and after marriage, she bore a daughter and two sons.
Master Yi’s granddaughter, who turned fifteen last year, was noted for selection and became a concubine to the Second Prince, earning his favor.
At this, Wang Yongzhu was enlightened, finally understanding Master Yi’s true intentions!