Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 117 What are you worried about?
After seeing Yan Liang and his wife off, Madam Jiang immediately frowned and went back to her room.

Lu Jie then came in, sat down at the kang table, and looked at her, asking, "What's wrong with you?"

"You still ask me what's wrong?" Madam Jiang sneered. "Ying'er's marriage concerns her entire life. I am her mother. You agreed to the engagement without even asking my consent? Are you saying I have no say in the affairs of this family now?"

"Why don't you agree?" Lu Jie withdrew his stance and looked ahead: "Is it really as Yan Liang said, that you look down on Yan Qu? You look down on the Yan family?"

"You shouldn't have done that. Grand Secretary Yan is your godfather, and the Yan family has been incredibly kind to you. You said that since you married me, even our Lu family has to protect the Yan family."

"Yan Qu is Madam Yan's legitimate son, and he is also talented. In addition, with the Yan family's prestigious background, if you don't like him, then who else can you like?"

Jiang choked. Then she stood up abruptly: "Are you really unaware or pretending not to know? That Yan Qu is immoral in private. He's not even married yet, but he already has a mistress outside. At home, he beats and scolds the people in the house all the time. With a temperament like that, what good life can my daughter have after marrying him?"

“You’re going too far,” Lu Jie said. “The Yan family may cheat others, but would they cheat us? This Qu-ge’er is young and impetuous, and he hasn’t gotten married yet, so it’s normal for him to have a bit of a temper.”

"As for keeping a mistress, where did you hear that? He calls you aunt, how can such a rumor come from your own mouth?"

"you!"

"Alright." Lu Jie stood up. "Do you think we have any room to refuse this? You can't, and neither can I. Prepare well and wait for them to propose."

"Life is what it takes, didn't you say that before?"

After saying that, he patted Jiang's shoulder and walked out.

Jiang turned around abruptly, gritted her teeth and stared at him. After a long while, she sat down, rubbing her forehead and bending over.

"Mother!"

Lu Ying then walked in. "Has someone from the Yan family been here?"

Hearing this, Madam Jiang became even angrier: "You're really hoping for their family to come?"

Lu Ying sat down and patted her back: "Like your father, I don't understand why you are so resistant to this marriage. Isn't the future of the Lu family more important than anything else?"

Jiang snorted coldly: "You're quite open-minded."

Lu Ying smiled and said, "I know my mother's good intentions, but my father is right, we really have no choice but to accept this."

“My daughter believes she can make a good life in the Yan family. Why don’t you trust me this once?”

Jiang remained silent.

Lu Ying shook her arm: "Aren't you worried that Lu Jia will come back? What if she really comes back—I mean, what if she causes trouble for Mother? If your daughter goes to the Yan family, can't she still stand up for Mother?"

When Jiang heard "Lu Jia," a glimmer of light appeared in her eyes.

……

Qinghe went to the Cheng family as ordered, delivered what Lu Jia had instructed to Madam Cheng, and gave Madam Cheng a few words of reply. When she returned to relay the message to the Lu family, He Qu had already returned.

"Young lady, the Yan family went to the Lu family to propose marriage today!"

He Qu seemed to ride on wheels of fire, rushing in all the way. "The Lu family even accepted their wild geese! It seems this deal is done!"

His shouting prompted Shen Qingzhou to come out as well.

"It's almost time," Lu Jia nodded. "Keep an eye on it. Is their wedding date set for February next year? Also, any news about Guo Lu lately?"

Their engagement was already delayed compared to their previous life, but the Yan family suddenly set it so quickly that the wedding date should be about three or four months from now, which would coincide with the wedding date in their previous life.

Since that letter reached the Yan family, they summoned Jiang Shi, and then Guo Lu left the Lu family and returned to the Jiang family. There has been no news about them keeping an eye on Shawan lately.

“That Guo guy is still with the Jiang family. He hasn’t been around much lately. I wonder if the Jiang family gave him some orders.” “Then let’s keep an eye on him too.” Lu Jia said confidently, “The Jiang family can’t back down from this marriage. Once the engagement is finalized, she’ll definitely start thinking about making a move on me.”

He Qu accepted the order.

Shen Qingzhou pondered, "The Yan family's sudden move must be related to what happened at the docks."

“It’s obvious,” Lu Jia said. “From the moment they had the idea of ​​a marriage alliance, their intention to control the Lu family was very clear. Now we just have to see when the Jiang family will make their move against me again.”

Shen Qingzhou paused for a moment, then asked, "If she still wants you to marry into the Yan family, and if even your father wants to do the same, what would you do?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Jia moved her face closer to him: "What are you worried about?"

Shen Qingzhou turned her face away: "No."

What is he worried about?
What does he have to worry about?
He just thought of it and asked casually.

Lu Jia reclined and lay back on the recliner: "Even if the situation is worse than I imagined, I will certainly not let them succeed."

In the setting sun, the corners of her mouth turned up in a cold smile, like a proud winter plum blossom.

Shen Qingzhou stared at him for a long time before finally turning his gaze away.

……

The Jiang family originated from Jizhou and had been living in the capital for two or three generations. Jiang's grandfather served as a fifth-rank official his entire life and emptied his savings to buy a three-courtyard house in the eastern part of the city.

This house raised Jiang's eldest uncle, second uncle, and her father.

This house became the ancestral home of the Chiang family's branch in Beijing.

After Chiang's father died, their courtyard in the southwest corner gradually became desolate.

Until Jiang was adopted as a goddaughter by Yan Song.

Jiang had a sedan chair carried in through the main gate, and the eldest and second sons who had heard the news came out of their homes.

"Aunt has some free time today and has taken the time to come back to visit her parents. It's windy outside, so please come inside quickly!"

Madam Zhao, the eldest wife of the Jiang family, came forward with a smile to greet them. Madam Li, the second wife, followed suit and took Madam Jiang's arm.

Jiang pulled her arm back. "Where's Guo Lu? Tell him to come out and see me."

The group walked to the backyard, reached the west road, and entered the courtyard of the third wife. The first wife first instructed a maid to inform the third wife. After going around to the ceremonial gate, Guo Lu had already arrived. On the way, she fell to the ground without saying a word and called out "Auntie".

Jiang glanced at him and continued walking until she entered her own home and saw the third wife—her mother, Wei—coming out to greet her. Only then did she stop.

"came back?"

Despite being nearly fifty years old, Ms. Wei still has rosy skin and retains her charm.

She was dressed in a royal blue Shu brocade jacket, with a jade and gold hairpin in her hair, and a mutton fat jade bracelet on each wrist, her whole body radiating jewels.

But when she saw her daughter, she was somewhat cautious.

Even the snow-white raccoon that followed them out timidly crouched behind the threshold, its paws raised, watching intently.

"Go back, everyone. Guo Lu will wait here."

Jiang waved his hand, and the large group of people, keeping their eyes down, gradually withdrew.