Jiangnan Gaiden - Capítulo 2
After a long silence, Shi Wuji finally spoke:
"This is just going with the flow."
Meeting the puzzled looks of the three men, he continued:
"Su Guangping married his daughter to me for two reasons. First, he wanted to use her as an informant to investigate my background. He must be very curious about how we went from nothing to becoming the commercial tycoon of the six northern provinces in just ten years, and he also coveted the Shi family's assets. Second, he was also very wary of me, fearing that I might sabotage his business dealings. With his daughter marrying into the family, we would become related by marriage, and he thought that I would never harm him. However, this was just his opinion."
Su Guangping had reason to be wary of him. No one could train a group of men more valiant than the imperial army to protect their businesses; but Shi Wuji had trained agile men to protect all his businesses, including ranches, silver shops, restaurants, eateries, land transport, and so on.
He always has his reasons for doing things; and once he has made a decision after careful consideration, no one can sway him.
The younger siblings, who had initially strongly opposed it, had no choice but to shut up; further resistance was futile.
“So, we don’t have to give that unpopular sister-in-law a friendly look, right?” Shi Wujie asked his elder brother.
"Just pretend she doesn't exist." Shi Wuji didn't even raise an eyebrow. After saying that, he closed his eyes, not out of fatigue, but to rest. He always did this when he was thinking about things. And this also meant that the topic had come to an end and there was no need to discuss it further.
The others were lost in their own thoughts, and the council chamber fell silent once more, a stark contrast to the bustling activity outside. Servants were cleaning diligently and posting notices everywhere. The fact that their master was traveling to the capital to fetch his bride and would be staying at this small villa was a momentous occasion. Although the bride would only stay one night before the banquet was held back north, using this villa as their bridal chamber was still quite prestigious, hence the broad smiles on everyone's faces.
Yang Yiliu felt her mouth was parched and her whole body was weak and exhausted. The most painful part of her body was the burning pain in her throat. She didn't know which nerve that burning pain had triggered, but it made her head feel like it was about to explode.
For many days, she hadn't felt any physical pain. Oh, had she inhabited her past life's body? Mommy hadn't said the moment of coming back to life would be so painful… God! It would have been better to be dead! She hadn't felt any pain when she died last time. While her thoughts were still in a semi-conscious state, her mother's voice drifted into her ears.
"Goodbye, Liu Liu. Be reborn well and live well. Mommy is leaving... Remember, you are living on in place of Su Huan'er. From now on, you are Su Huan'er... My Liu'er, goodbye."
"Mommy..." The sudden cry, after passing through a burning throat, became a low, silent whisper...
An old voice came from behind.
“Master Su, your daughter is alright. However, given her current health condition, she will definitely not be able to hold the wedding ceremony tomorrow. It would be best to postpone it for a couple of days.”
Another furious voice roared:
"Even if she dies, I'll have her carried to the bridal sedan chair. She's definitely getting married tomorrow!" This voice dismissed everyone. "All of you, get out!"
Who is it? Who is it? Are these unfamiliar voices an illusion or reality? She tried to open her eyes, but her body was in excruciating pain from a rough shaking.
"You think dying will end everything? You dare to die again and see what happens! I raised you all these years, it's time for you to repay me! Do what I tell you to do, and don't resist! If you resist again, I'll beat you and your daughter to death!"
Yang Yiliu weakly opened her eyes and saw an old and ferocious face. She gasped, speechless... Heavens! Who is this person? What kind of chaos had her mother thrown her into? Who is this man in his fine clothes and terrifying face?
"Master, the Third Madam has arrived." A clear voice came from outside the door.
"Bring him in," the old man commanded gruffly.
As soon as the words left her lips, two maids helped a middle-aged woman into the room. The woman was very beautiful and delicate, but the fear and timidity in her eyes made her beauty all the more pitiful.
The old man roared: