The daily life of a space tycoon raising children, doting on his husband, and farming.

Chapter 258 Fighting
Without the approval of the imperial court, not only would they not receive the protection of the government and the corresponding benefits, but if they acted in the name of the chamber of commerce, the government would arrest them on the grounds of gathering a crowd to cause trouble, and they might even spend several months in prison.

Shang Wan hadn't thought about registration for the time being. She frowned and looked at Lu Chengjing, "Why won't the government agree?"

Lu Chengjing curled his lips into a smile. "The world expects women to marry, have children, and be good wives and mothers. To establish a merchant guild consisting only of women is considered heretical and might even be condemned by everyone. How could the government possibly agree to something that would be scorned by the world?"

Shang Wan: "..."

This fucking world!

"You think so too?" Shang Wan straightened her head, feeling she needed to have a serious talk with Lu Chengjing about this. "You also think this behavior is unconventional and unacceptable to the world?"

Lu Chengjing shook his head: "What I think is not important. My thoughts cannot influence the government's decision. If the government does not agree, the establishment of the Chamber of Commerce is just empty talk."

“No, your thoughts are very important to me.” Shang Wan stared into Lu Chengjing’s narrow eyes.

It's extremely important as it relates to whether or not to divorce her husband.

Seeing Shang Wan's serious expression, Lu Chengjing also straightened his face and thought carefully before saying, "If women have a way out besides getting married and having children, that would naturally be a good thing."

He didn't believe that women should be confined to the home. They were all human beings, so why should men have access to the vast world outside, while women were confined to a small courtyard? That was far too unfair.

Shang Wan raised an eyebrow: "You really think so? Aren't you afraid that if people find out, they'll say you're unorthodox and unfit for officialdom?"

"What others say is none of my business," Lu Chengjing said with a smile, shaking his head. "If I am truly condemned by the world and can no longer pursue an official career because of this, I can still work as my wife's accountant."

Shang Wan shrugged: "Wouldn't that mean we'd all be finished?"

She's been scorned by the world, how can she continue to run her business?
“There’s always a way.” Lu Chengjing pulled the person into his arms. “If all else fails, we can find another mountain village, go hunting in the mountains, and fish in the river. I’m strong now and can support the family.”

"Is that all you've got?" Shang Wan glanced at him sideways.

Lu Chengjing still smiled: "Then what does my wife hope for?"

"When you have power, who would dare to criticize you to your face?" Shang Wan reached out and tapped his chest. "At that time, I can also benefit from it."

Sigh, this world where women can't hold official positions, damn it!

"I will do my best to fulfill my wife's wishes." Lu Chengjing took Shang Wan's hand, which was constantly poking at him, and kissed it lightly.

Shang Wan: "..."

This fox is getting a good deal and then acting innocent.

As the young couple were talking, the steward of the house suddenly came to report: "Something terrible has happened! The second master got into a fight in the street and has been arrested by the officials!"

The second master is Shi Tou. He recognized Shang Wan as his sister and took her surname. His name on the official register has been changed to Shang You.

You means planning or scheming; it was the name given to him by Lu Chengjing.

In Shang Wan's words, Lu Chengjing hoped that Shi Tou would use his brain more and think more before doing things.

"Who did Shi Tou fight with?" Shang Wan suddenly stood up. "And what was it about?"

"The messenger didn't say," the steward shook his head. "He only said that the argument escalated into a fight, and blood was drawn."

Is a fight without bloodshed even a fight?
Shang Wan was speechless, but she wasn't worried about Shi Tou being at a disadvantage. With Shi Tou's current strength, he could even hold his own against a bear, and an ordinary person simply couldn't withstand him.

But Shi Tou is usually cheerful and doesn't like to argue with people. He'll just let it go if he gets into a fight. Why would he suddenly start a fight with someone?

I haven't heard him say that he's been having any disagreements with anyone lately.

Shang Wan frowned, deep in thought, while Lu Chengjing instructed the steward to prepare the carriage and sent someone to the kitchen to inform Xiao Huan.

The couple hurried to the county government office. It was already night, and apart from the yamen runners on duty, there wasn't a soul in sight at the entrance.

Shang Wan jumped down from the carriage, and Lu Chengjing's heart skipped a beat when he reached out to help her but missed. Did his wife know that she was pregnant?
Shang Wan was unaware of Lu Chengjing's thoughts. The carriage was only a short distance away; she could jump off the roof without being affected.

Almost everyone in the county government knew Shang Wan. In the entire Dongning County, Manager Shang was quite a prominent figure. Lu Chengjing had even become the top scholar in the provincial examination, and the county magistrate had to be on good terms with him. Upon hearing that the two wanted to visit the prison, the yamen runners took them there with great courtesy.

On the way, Lu Chengjing inquired about the incident from the constable. The constable replied, "It wasn't me who brought the person back. You'll have to ask Young Master Shang for details."

This means it's inconvenient to say.

Lu Chengjing didn't ask any more questions. He gave Shang Wan the reward money and then followed her into the prison.

The jailer led the way for the two.

"Sister, brother-in-law, what brings you here?" Shi Tou was sitting at the table eating noodles when he saw the two of them and immediately called out happily.

Then, realizing where he was, his initial energy immediately wilted.

The jailer opened the cell door and tactfully left, leaving the three of them alone to talk.

"Sister, you're pregnant, how can you come to a place like a prison?" Shi Tou swept the stool clean for Shang Wan and Lu Chengjing to sit down.

Shang Wan glanced at the bowl of noodles on the table. Half a bowl of noodles had turned into a white lump of dough, without even a single leaf of green vegetable. It was not as good as the food at home, and it couldn't even compare to a bowl of plain noodles that cost five coins outside.

"Is this what you're eating tonight?"

“It’s not as good as home in prison, but as long as we can eat our fill, that’s fine.” Stone picked up his chopsticks again and tried to break up the clump of dough.

Seeing his pitiful state, not only was Shang Wan distressed, but even Lu Chengjing frowned.

"Eat this." A small bag of spicy jerky appeared in Shang Wan's hand. She handed it to her and said, "Tell me and your brother-in-law everything from beginning to end. Who did you fight with? And why?"

"It's still my sister who loves him the most," Shi Tou said happily as he accepted the dried meat.

"It's nothing, we just had a couple of arguments. The guy couldn't win the argument and started hitting me. How could I just stand there and let him hit me? I lost control and accidentally broke his nose."

Lu Chengjing looked him up and examined him carefully. Apart from his clothes being a little wrinkled, he didn't find any injuries.

"Who was the person you fought with?" Shang Wan wasn't fooled by Shi Tou's explanation and asked again.

Stone chewed on some jerky while looking up at the sky; he dared not ignore his sister's question.

"Lu Chengyuan."

The sound was similar to the buzzing of a mosquito.

Shang Wan: "..."

"How did you end up fighting with him?" Shang Wan and Lu Chengjing asked in unison. Lu Chengyuan didn't seem like the type to get into fights.

Stone curled his lip, "He deserves a beating."

He still remembers the grudge against his brother-in-law.

Shang Wan guessed why Shi Tou hit Lu Chengyuan. She didn't look at Lu Chengjing, but only asked, "Where is Lu Chengyuan?"

There were only five prisoners in the jail. Shi Tou was in the innermost cell. They didn't see Lu Chengyuan on their way here.

It doesn't make sense that her brother is in jail while Lu Chengyuan is out there having a good time, since the two of them are fighting.
If that's really the case, she'll have to have a good talk with the county magistrate.

What's wrong with a scholar who passed the imperial examination? Even the emperor is subject to the same laws as commoners.