The Prime Minister’s Little Wife

Chapter 77: Let’s Have a Child

“Look how well Zhizhi is doing now! But you failed the exams. That girl is truly a lucky star. Look at how handsome her husband is, and he’s from a wealthy family too.”

“Exactly! Look at how you’ve turned into this miserable state after leaving her!”

“Zhizhi has only gotten more beautiful and capable since leaving you.”

“All the good luck she had must have been transferred to you!”

“So, Jin Zijun is just a walking misfortune. We should stay far away from him from now on!”

Xu Zhizhi listened to the villagers’ gossip and felt even more delighted.

She had deliberately misled everyone with her words, ensuring that Jin Zijun’s life would be filled with suffering and scorn.

The rumors and slander would make his life a living hell!

Xu Zhizhi knew that in ancient times, the imperial court didn’t have poverty relief funds or poverty alleviation teams.

If Jin Zijun and his mother didn’t work in the fields, they would have to rely on meager aid. Forget about continuing his studies for three more years.

In ancient times, there was no such thing as basic living allowances. If you fell ill and had no one to care for you, you’d be thrown into the mountains to feed the wolves.

She wanted to see how Jin Zijun could continue living a glamorous life without the villagers’ support or anyone providing him with silver to continue his studies.

A scumbag like him deserved to live a life despised by everyone!

In ancient times, there were cases where scholars who passed the imperial exams despite family hardships could rely on local officials to rally the community to fund their continued education. But that was only for talented, impoverished scholars.

Now, the wealthiest family in Qili Village was the Xu family.

If the Xu family didn’t provide support, others would think twice about helping.

When Jin Zijun went to Hengzhou Prefecture for the exams last time, the village head didn’t approach the Xu family for donations. Even the village head felt too embarrassed to ask, so the other villagers had to dig deeper into their pockets, hoping Jin Zijun would pass the provincial exams.

But the copper coins they spent were wasted—Jin Zijun didn’t pass the exams, and for the villagers, it was a loss.

Even ten copper coins were hard-earned money!

From now on, Jin Zijun and his mother wouldn’t receive any kindness from the villagers, let alone support for another three years of study. Who would be willing to do that? Wouldn’t it be better to spend that silver on meat?

The more Xu Zhizhi thought about it, the happier she felt. Seeing the scumbag suffer brought her peace of mind!

Even relatives and friends want you to do well, but no one wants you to do better than them.

So, no matter the era, when someone who was once outstanding suddenly falls behind, don’t be surprised if everyone wants to kick them while they’re down. It’s just human nature to find joy in that.

Xu Zhizhi walked back home in high spirits. She was sure to eat an extra bowl of rice at lunch today.

Although Xiao Jingheng couldn’t fully grasp Xu Zhizhi’s thoughts, he could guess about seventy to eighty percent of them.

He was deeply impressed. His little wife was truly cunning and ruthless!

With just a few words, she could make someone’s life a living hell.

And yet, he couldn’t help but feel delighted. He liked her more and more!

Xiao Jingheng despised those who pretended to be compassionate. If the knife hadn’t cut them, they wouldn’t know the pain. Who were they to demand forgiveness from others?

His life philosophy was simple: if others didn’t provoke him, he wouldn’t provoke them. But if someone schemed against him first, he wouldn’t hesitate to retaliate ruthlessly.

His little wife was just like him. On the surface, she seemed easygoing and accommodating, but she was definitely not someone who would let others take advantage of her.

Take, for example, how she negotiated with Nangong Yunhao using the sweet potatoes she had the whole village plant. She secured a twenty percent share of the profits from the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion across the entire Great Sheng Dynasty. She was truly a little fox.

And yet, the villagers were still grateful to her.

Doing good deeds without expecting anything in return? That was just foolish!

When he was first taken in by her, Xiao Jingheng knew she wasn’t some naive, saintly figure.

He knew that when she gave him that first sip of water, it was out of the kindness of her heart, a simple act of charity toward a stranger.

But when she later brought her brothers to take him to the medical hall, it was definitely with some ulterior motive. And indeed, that turned out to be the case.

Xu Zhizhi had no idea that Xiao Jingheng had seen right through her thoughts.

She knew Xiao Jingheng was a smart man. While others might not see through her revenge on Jin Zijun, Xu Zhizhi was certain that Xiao Jingheng would.

“Brother Xiao, do you think I’m being too ruthless?”

“You did brilliantly. Killing without drawing blood. I always knew I had good taste—my wife is truly remarkable,” Xiao Jingheng praised.

Xu Zhizhi was delighted to hear this. Xiao Jingheng shared her perspective and understood her. Such a connection was truly rare.

In a way, they were kindred spirits, sharing the same values.

Xu Zhizhi gazed at Xiao Jingheng with sparkling eyes, her tenderness seeming to overflow like water.

Xiao Jingheng looked back at her, his eyes filled with such adoration that it felt like he could drown her in it.

“Once the house is decorated, let’s get married and have a child.”

He knew Xu Zhizhi wasn’t as gentle and easygoing as she appeared. Her behavior was unconventional, setting her apart from everyone else in the village.

But she tried hard to blend in, pretending to be just like the other villagers—a kind, good-natured person. But this was just her disguise.

She had many secrets, and Xiao Jingheng had always felt a sense of insecurity.

He was afraid that one day, she might leave him, abandoning him completely.

But he believed that if they had a child, Xu Zhizhi would truly belong to him.

He desperately hoped she wouldn’t leave him. Before meeting her, it didn’t matter. But now that he had found her, he would never let her go.

“You’re getting ahead of yourself!” Xu Zhizhi shot him a glare, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.

“I haven’t even agreed to marry you yet, and you’re already thinking about having children? Have you no shame?”

Xiao Jingheng looked at her seriously. “Isn’t it just a matter of time? Or do you want to be with someone else?”

“Who I want to be with is none of your business. If you annoy me, hmph… I’ll make you regret it.”

Xiao Jingheng looked at his proud little wife and felt in high spirits. “My dear, I wouldn’t dare annoy you. If you tell me to go east, I’d never go west.”

Xu Zhizhi snorted lightly, too lazy to banter with him.

“Brother-in-law, when are you and my sister having a child? Will your child call me uncle?” Xu Xiaowu asked eagerly.

Xu Xiaowu had been in a daze ever since seeing Jin Zijun looking like a beggar. He never imagined that Jin Zijun, who had always looked down on their family, would end up in such a state.

Xu Xiaowu had been absentmindedly following his sister and brother-in-law when he suddenly heard them talking about having children. That snapped him out of his daze.

“Hahaha…” Xiao Jingheng laughed heartily.

The blush that had just faded from Xu Zhizhi’s cheeks returned, and she glared at Xiao Jingheng.

“Xiaowu, don’t listen to his nonsense.”

“Sis, I think Brother-in-law is right! Having a child is just a matter of time. I heard Second Aunt saying that Second Sister-in-law needs to have a child soon. And she’s younger than you!”

(End of Chapter)