Chapter 42: Commanding the Nobles in the Name of the Emperor

Jiang Zao grinned mischievously. “Hmm… He’d never guess that the project made money only because you worked with a shell company, and that all those brief profits were just bubbles. Once they were split up under various pretexts by the core team, there was nothing left.”

Zhou Lichuan placed his hands behind his head, looking rather pleased with himself. “Of course Zhou Kuan wouldn’t have thought of that. Mainly because he’d never suspect I have such a formidable wife behind me.”

With a sweep of her arm, Jiang Zao cheerfully wrapped herself around Zhou Lichuan’s strong waist. His muscles had become especially defined lately, and whenever she was idle, she couldn’t resist reaching out to touch them.

Zhou Lichuan assumed that at last, he’d be able to do his “homework.” He followed her cue, just about to roll over and take the lead when he received a swift kick.

“Off. You’re heavy—I can’t breathe.”

Zhou Lichuan lay sprawled on the bed like a bullied child, utterly bewildered. Lately, Jiang Zao had been rejecting all his advances, even kicking him in her annoyance. Being booted off the bed in the dead of night was no longer a rare event. Her temper was getting worse and worse.

There was nothing he could do—he must have somehow upset her, so all he could do was coax her and hope for the best.

At dinner, Jiang Zao ate very little; a full bowl of rice remained nearly untouched.

Zhou Jiayan, with Du Bin gripping her arm and holding her at the table, looked up just in time to see Jiang Zao place a peeled shrimp into Zhou Lichuan’s bowl.

“Brother, isn’t being a capitalist at the company enough for you? Why do you have to exploit people at home too? Jiang Zao barely eats a bite, and yet you have her serving you. Where’s the help? Why must it be your wife?”

Jiang Zao pulled her hand back. “And what did you just call me?”

Zhou Jiayan paused, then nudged her own bowl closer to Jiang Zao. “I want shrimp too.”

Jiang Zao smiled and was about to peel another shrimp for Zhou Jiayan, but before she could start, a plump, rosy shrimp landed in Zhou Jiayan’s bowl.

Du Bin wiped his hands. “Miss Jiang, eat your own; I’ve got her covered.”

Jiang Zao said nothing, her eyes drifting between Zhou Jiayan and Du Bin.

Zhou Jiayan was dressed to the nines in a designer cocktail dress, flawless makeup, carrying a Chanel bag, and wearing petite heels—clearly ready for a night out. But before she’d even made it to the front door, Du Bin had dragged her back.

Jiang Zao shook her head in amusement. This was a familiar scene lately, and the two seemed never to tire of it.

…

Not long after dinner, Meng Qiaoyuan arrived, parking her car in front of the villa.

A servant led her to the study, where Jiang Zao was nestled on the sofa, her feet tucked under Zhou Lichuan’s shirt, warming them against his abs as she read Aesop’s Fables.

Seeing this, Meng Qiaoyuan teased with a smile, “Haven’t seen you in days, and you’re in such high spirits?”

Jiang Zao set down her book. “Winter’s coming. I get cold easily.”

Placing her bag aside, Meng Qiaoyuan sat down and looked up just as Zhou Lichuan straightened his jacket. She politely inquired, “Mr. Zhou, has your blood pressure been stable lately? Are you still holding up well?”

Zhou Lichuan nodded. “It’s been steady. Thank you for asking, Miss Meng.”

Jiang Zao rose and brought over a cup of tea, setting it before Meng Qiaoyuan. “You haven’t visited in ages—I’ve missed you.”

Meng Qiaoyuan’s taut nerves eased a little. “There’s something I need to discuss with you both.”

Jiang Zao sat up straight. “Go ahead.”

Meng Qiaoyuan spoke slowly. “Lately, Zhou Kuan has told me to visit you as little as possible, and instead, he’s urging me to spend more time at the old house with Uncle Zhou.”

Zhou Lichuan asked, “Did he say why?”

Meng Qiaoyuan nodded. “Zhou Kuan somehow got wind that your relationship is going exceptionally well, and that Zao is already taking charge like the lady of the house.”

Jiang Zao arched an eyebrow. If she truly had that kind of authority, such gossip wouldn’t be circulating.

Zhou Lichuan found it funny too. “So Zhou Kuan wants you to curry favor with my father and have him play the villain.”

Meng Qiaoyuan nodded. “Yes. I just came from the old house, happened to be passing by. It’s all at Zhou Kuan’s behest.”

While the two were lost in thought, Jiang Zao eyed Meng Qiaoyuan’s outfit. She was dressed simply in a long-sleeved T-shirt and jeans, a casual look that didn’t quite match her ever-present rimless glasses and low ponytail.

“Have you been busy lately?”

Meng Qiaoyuan nodded blankly. “With the seasons changing, heart problems in the elderly are on the rise—it’s the busiest time of year.”

Jiang Zao got up. “Let Zhou Lichuan worry about Zhou Kuan. Come with me to the bathroom.”

Back in school, Meng Qiaoyuan had never had a close friend to accompany her to the restroom hand-in-hand—such scenes were rare for her. Being suddenly summoned now, she felt almost as if she’d returned to her student days.

The two walked out hand in hand, closed the study door, and Jiang Zao, full of secrets, dragged Meng Qiaoyuan into the master bathroom. She peeked outside to make sure no one was around before locking the door behind them.

“Do you have something to say?”

Meng Qiaoyuan looked at her quizzically.

Jiang Zao’s face flushed bright red. “Um… There’s something I really can’t figure out and wanted to talk to you about.”

Meng Qiaoyuan folded her arms and leaned against the sink, tilting her chin. “Go ahead.”

Jiang Zao looked down and fidgeted with her hands, hesitating for ages before stomping her foot and blurting out, “I haven’t had my period this month… and my tastes have changed…”

Meng Qiaoyuan was taken aback, quickly releasing her arms to steady Jiang Zao by the shoulders. “Are you pregnant?”

Jiang Zao let out a sigh. “I don’t know if I am or not, that’s why I wanted to talk to you.”

Meng Qiaoyuan pondered briefly. “True, it’s not convenient for you to go out, and you can’t order a test online. If you’d told me earlier, I could’ve brought one. Why not let me take you to the hospital?”

Jiang Zao shook her head. “Zhou Lichuan’s been home the past few days—I don’t want him to know just yet…”

Meng Qiaoyuan’s eyes widened. “You don’t want the child?”

Jiang Zao hurriedly denied it. “Of course I do! I want it… But Zhou Lichuan’s about to have surgery. I want to tell him after it’s over…”

Meng Qiaoyuan eyed her with an odd expression. “You’re bold, trying to keep something like this from him. Aren’t you afraid Zhou Lichuan might not want the child?”

Jiang Zao froze. She hadn’t even considered that possibility.

Seeing her dazed, Meng Qiaoyuan suddenly burst out laughing. “Oh, you silly thing. How could Zhou Lichuan not want a child with you? They say pregnancy makes women silly for three years—I think it’s already started. You must be pregnant.”

Jiang Zao wilted. “I’m not ready yet.”

Meng Qiaoyuan gently stroked her hair. “Don’t scare yourself. Come to the hospital in the next couple of days, and I’ll arrange a trustworthy doctor for you. If you’re really pregnant, it’s a blessing. If not, at least no one else knows yet and you can avoid a scene.”

Jiang Zao finally felt comforted and hugged Meng Qiaoyuan. “You’re so reliable—it’s wonderful having you here.”

Meng Qiaoyuan tapped her on the head. “You think I’m great because I understand your worries and know your situation isn’t easy. But if Zhou Lichuan finds out I helped you keep this from everyone, he might just pull all his projects from my hospital.”

Jiang Zao lifted her head. “It’s fine, I’ll take the blame for you—wield power in the emperor’s name, command the lords.”