Chapter 9  

In Tao Sheng’s impression, there were many villains in the original text of “A Life of Glory.”

For example, Shen Taosheng, the real daughter who competed with the heroine for her parents’ favor in the early stages; Princess Hui’an, who used her identity and status to bully Ruojin; Wei Jiuniang, the youngest daughter of Duke Zheng, who has always been at odds with Ruojin; the uncles, aunts, sisters-in-law, and other main targets of the house fights after Ruojin got married, as well as the beautiful women and concubines around her husband… all of them are ordinary cannon fodder villains.

The villain Prime Minister Ji Yanming, who appears later in the story, can definitely be called the ultimate villain at the big boss level.

This person’s influence is no less than that of Master Pang in Young Justice Bao ^[1]refers to a famous Chinese story about justice and morality., and his fighting ability is comparable to that of Jiang Yuyan in The Twins of Heroes ^[2]refers to a popular Chinese martial arts novel.. He is a villain who has experienced three dynasties, is both good and evil, has a huge influence in the court, and poses a significant threat to the heroine Shen Ruojin’s family and husband’s family.

In the original text, Tao Sheng lived with her uncle and aunt after her parents passed away. She did not go to Beijing to live with her aunt. Later, she returned to the Marquis’ Mansion. Her identity changed, so she naturally had no relationship with her adoptive mother’s sister Su Jia, nor any relevant clues about Ji Yanming.

Later, when Ji Yanming gradually emerged in the court and became a new upstart, the original owner had already left the marquis’s mansion and married far away in Sichuan, and she did not gain any benefits from this cousin of the Ji family. Even Tao Sheng did not know about this hidden storyline in the original text until she traveled through time.

Tao Sheng is now prepared. This cousin may be a person with a strong presence and a strong magnetic field that they, the little cannon fodder, cannot reach. He will definitely bring about significant changes in her life and Su Jia’s.

But a few days after Ji Yanming returned home, Tao Sheng realized that her worries were unnecessary.

Perhaps it was because cousin Ji’s studies had reached the final stage, and he was studying hard in his room almost every day. Even his meals were mostly taken to the study in the front yard. During the few times they had meals together, he was very quiet.

Tao Sheng finally understood why her aunt had never said anything nice about her only son.

Su Jia likes lively and cheerful young people, especially bright and energetic young girls, but Ji Yanming’s behavior is completely opposite to Su Jia’s preferences, almost going in different directions.

Compared to Tao Sheng’s attention to Ji Yanming, Su Jia was much calmer.

Now that the New Year is approaching, she still has a lot to do. In addition to visiting relatives and friends, there is also the issue of opening a store next year. She doesn’t care much about her son’s arrival.

Two days later, Su Jia called Tao Sheng over and gave her a New Year task.

“I’m going to go out and deliver the prepared New Year gifts to your uncle’s house in the next few days. But if I do that, I’m afraid I won’t be able to visit Madam Zhou in Hongying Lane. So please help me bring them to Madam.”

Su Jia would go to Mrs. Zhou’s house to give gifts during every festival. Tao Sheng had accompanied Su Jia to the Zhou family twice during the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Winter Solstice, so she was quite familiar with giving gifts to the Zhou family.

Mr. Zhou had some friendship with Ji Yanming’s father during his lifetime. Although he was not a great scholar, he did stop at the level of Juren ^[3]is a degree in the imperial examination system of China., and he had won first place in the autumn examination. His experience in the imperial examination was very relevant to Ji Yanming, who was preparing for the autumn examination.

Mr. Zhou has been traveling outside for a while and has not returned to Beijing. Tao Sheng only needs to bring New Year gifts to the Zhou family and not discuss becoming his disciple. She can just treat it as a normal interaction between female family members.

In ancient times, a 14-year-old girl was considered useful. Especially in a family with a small population, she would always help out during busy New Year and other festivals.

Tao Sheng readily agreed: “No problem. You can go to your uncle’s house without worries, and leave the Zhou family’s affairs to me.”

After finalizing the gift list with Su Jia, they left the main courtyard. Less than a quarter of an hour later, Ji Yanming walked in again.

“Mother, do you still want me to deliver Mr. Zhou’s New Year gift to Hongying Lane this year?”

Su Jia smiled and said, “I have already told Tao Sheng that since Mr. Zhou is not here, let her deliver it to Madam.”

Ji Yanming said, “I heard from Tang Song that Mr. Zhou has returned, just two days ago.”

Tang Song was Ji Yanming’s old classmate and one of Mr. Zhou’s closest students, so this source of information was certainly reliable.

“Mr. Zhou is back?” Su Jia thought for a moment and said, “Then don’t stay in the room studying tomorrow. Go with Tao Sheng to take a look. Oh, remember to tell Tao Sheng that you two are going together tomorrow so she can be prepared.”

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Mother Tang followed Su Jia’s instructions and made Tao Sheng two pairs of warm gloves that are popular in Beijing, and now she sent them to Tao Sheng for inspection.

Tao Sheng took the gloves and praised them. Then she noticed that Mother Tang seemed worried and hesitant to speak. She couldn’t help but ask with concern, “Mom looks a little unwell. Is there something on your mind?”

Mother Tang had been worried for several days about what was on her mind and was annoyed that she had no one to discuss it with. Then, Tao Sheng happened to speak up, and she felt like she had found a savior, so she quickly poured out everything.

“I heard that the young master met with Marquis Wenyuan outside the gate that day, and their conversation seemed a bit unpleasant. Marquis Wenyuan doesn’t seem like a magnanimous person. Will he cause trouble for our young master in the future and affect his future?”

“How can he compare with my cousin?” Tao Sheng said confidently, “Definitely not.”

As an idle prince far from the center of power, the methods of Wenyuan Hou Shen Yu are nothing compared to those of the future Prime Minister Ji Yanming.

After all, Ji Yanming is one of the biggest villains in the whole story, and Wenyuan Hou is just a supporting role. At best, he is just one of the “group” of the favorite heroine. With his ability, he can’t cause any substantial harm or threat to Ji Yanming.

Mother Tang was still a little worried: “But he is the Marquis after all, and the Crown Prince was there that day, so will nothing happen?”

“No,” Tao Sheng affirmed. “Just as you said, my cousin is so good at studying and has won first place in several imperial examinations. He is a true young talent, and success is just around the corner. Even our Marquis’ Mansion can’t hinder him in any way.”

In the original text, Ji Yanming demonstrated extraordinary political skill and excellent abilities from the first day he entered his official career.

Leaving aside other matters for now, when it comes to Ji Yanming’s career, Shen Yu can’t hinder him in any way.

If a series of events, such as the emperor entrusting his son to the care of others and the new emperor being murdered, had not happened, Ji Yanming would definitely have the last laugh.

In Mother Tang’s impression, this cousin who came from afar was the daughter of a scholar and was always very knowledgeable.

Now seeing Tao Sheng so confident and determined, Mother Tang’s gloomy mood suddenly brightened, and she spoke and acted with energy.

Ji Yanming stood outside the door, with his right hand raised in the air as he was about to knock on the door, but after hearing Tao Sheng’s words, he put it down again.