Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 123 Hot Potato
Lu Jia didn't leave the Cheng family home until late at night.

When she came out, the worry on Madam Cheng's face had faded.

Cheng Wenhui actually followed them from a distance to the second gate, where he was seen by He Qu, who was welcoming them down from the screen wall. The aloof scholar immediately turned away, tucked his sleeves into his pocket.

Madam Cheng urged Lu Jia to stay, saying, "It's getting late, why don't you stay? To be honest, a room for you has already been prepared in the backyard."

"Thank you, Aunt. There's plenty of time in the future. I have some things to take care of when I get back, so I won't stay any longer."

Lu Jia took the cloak from Qing He and let her tie it carefully.

Madam Cheng had seen Qinghe's proper manners last time and guessed that Lu Jia had not lost her demeanor as a lady of a prominent family over the years. Now, seeing how well the mistress and servant behaved, she was even more impressed.

I also felt that Lu Jia's mature demeanor on both occasions was the right thing to do.

He then instructed Cheng Yi, who was standing nearby, "Your sister is going home. Please see her off carefully. Make sure she gets home safely."

This is simply a matter of courtesy.

Cheng Yi had already prepared a riding whip in his hand. He nodded and dismounted, then escorted Lu Jia to the door of the house she rented in Yanzi Hutong.

Before leaving, Cheng Yi thought for a moment and said, "If you need anything, don't hesitate to send someone to find me."

From today onwards, we're all allies, and Lu Jia really didn't intend to be polite. She said, "Since that's the case, then I'll get straight to the point."

Cheng Yi laughed and said, "If you were to beat around the bush, that wouldn't be like you."

Lu Jia chuckled and said, "My adoptive mother and younger brother will be arriving in Beijing soon, and they probably won't be able to return to Shawan for a while. My brother is also studying, so if it's convenient for you, cousin, please find him a tutor."

Cheng Yi paused slightly, then said, "Yan Ge'er's current teacher is a learned man. I will go and tell him that your younger brother can go to study with Yan Ge'er."

"Thank you very much, cousin."

Cheng Yi smiled and said, "You're too kind."

They rode away on horseback.

He Qu, who was tidying up the carriage, kept glancing over, prompting Changfu to ask him, "Why are you staring at Young Master Biao all day?"

He Tongchu: "I think these intellectuals have quite a few tricks up their sleeves."

Changfu stared at Cheng Yi's handsome back with a puzzled look: This young master is clearly very polite, where is the trickery?

……

Cheng Wenhui is now the Vice Censor-in-Chief, a member of the upright officials in the court. He will later enter the Ministry of Personnel and become a Vice Minister, rising to a higher position. This is also a good thing for Lu Jia, who is in dire need of assistance.

Tonight, a consensus has been reached: Lu Jia has finally regained this kinship, but that's not enough. They need to continue to deepen the connection so that the relationship can become more solid.

Lu Jia wasn't actually without a way to find a teacher for Xie Yi; she simply passed the task to Cheng Yi, though it was just a consideration.

Back in her room, she immediately sought out Shen Qingzhou to discuss the matter: "Where's Qin Zhou?"

Fuxiao brought in hot water: "Steward Qin hasn't returned yet. Guard He said earlier that Steward Qin is out on business these days and won't be back."

Something?

not coming back?
Lu Jia stopped untying the cloak and started humming through her nose.

It seems he was scared away by her marriage proposal!
……

Shen Qingzhou naturally didn't go anywhere that day.

Having been away from the manor for so long, many things had piled up. After busying himself for a while, he finally put down his pen when he saw the stars twinkling in the sky.

"...A few days ago, I went to the Ministry of War to find some military pay books left over from when the Grand Commandant was fighting. I then discovered that in those years, there were also many people who submitted memorials impeaching the Yan family for embezzling military pay, but in the end, nothing came of it."

"Now we can gather all the evidence, including the evidence found in Tongzhou this time, and then launch a powerful attack after obtaining the evidence."

Song En sat behind the desk to the side, organizing the files that Shen Qingzhou had already read while speaking.

Looking up, he saw Shen Qingzhou staring blankly into the darkness, so he stopped and said, "Young Master, are you tired? I'll go and have someone bring some water so you can rest early."

Shen Qingzhou put down her pen: "Has He Qu returned?" She should have gone to the Cheng family. I wonder if they've reached an agreement yet?
Also, she sent Changfu to buy a maid, and the other party had already sent a message early in the morning, but he hadn't had time to tell her yet.

In addition, we've found a shop she wants to buy. The location is good, so we need to let her take a look as soon as possible to prevent someone else from getting there first.

Qiu Niang and the others will be arriving in Beijing soon. What should be done about Yi Ge'er's studies? ...

"Son."

He Qu didn't return, but another guard's voice came from outside the door. He walked in: "Young master, I just returned from the Ministry of Personnel and heard some news."

"explain."

"I have heard that there is also a change in the Minister of Personnel. The one who is about to take office is Guan Qi, the prefect of Zhejiang, who was recommended by Yan Song."

Shen Qingzhou's brows twitched slightly upon hearing this.

Song En looked at him and said, “I know this man. He was a Jinshi in the 20th year of the Jiayong era. He once led troops to repel Japanese soldiers. He lost hearing in one ear due to injury and was later transferred to serve as the prefect of Zhejiang. Guan Qi is a ruthless official. During his years in Zhejiang, he always had the most criminal cases.”

Shen Qingzhou also knew him.

He suddenly remembered.

Guan Qi did indeed enter the capital at this time in his previous life, later becoming the Minister of Personnel, and then the Grand Secretariat, where he became a supporter of Yan Song.

He asked the guard, "When did this news come out?"

"I only heard about it today, but Guan Qi's transfer should have been some time ago. It is said that he is already on his way to the capital to take up his post. I heard that He Qu was ordered to inquire about the promotion of Vice Censor-in-Chief Cheng Wenhui, so I kept an eye on it and asked a few questions before returning to report to you, sir."

Shen Qingzhou put down his pen, his brows furrowing slightly.

The transfer of the six ministers was certainly not a spur-of-the-moment decision.

So Lu Jie must have known all along?

Song En said, "In my opinion, it's not necessarily a bad thing that Cheng Wenhui failed to be promoted to Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. I've always heard that Censor Cheng is upright and honest. If he were to work under Guan Qi, he might not be comfortable. If he were to be punished for his words, it would be better for him to stay in the Censorate."

Shen Qingzhou thought of Lu Jia.

Her first target was the Cheng family. Cheng Wenhui's long-awaited promotion was also the most important part of her plan. If Cheng Wenhui's move to the Ministry of Personnel was not a good thing, then how else could she use helping the Cheng family as a bargaining chip to complete her plan?

He stood up and walked to the door.

Song En asked, "It's so late, young master, are you still going out?"

He stopped abruptly.

After a moment, he turned to the guard and said, "Go find He Qu and tell him this news. Tell him to tell Miss Lu immediately."

……

Lu Jia got up early in the morning and asked Fu Xiao again, "He really hasn't come back?"

He shook his head at dawn.

Lu Jia frowned, beginning to feel a little regretful.

If I had known he was so unhappy, I wouldn't have brought it up yesterday!

"girl!"

He Qu, who had been waiting at the courtyard gate for half a day, saw her walk out of the room and immediately stepped inside: "The Ministry of Personnel has some bad news..."

After he finished explaining the whole story, Lu Jia was stunned.

The newly appointed Minister of Personnel was recommended by Yan Song. Does this mean that he is very likely to be in cahoots with the Yan family?
The Cheng family, these upright scholars, often criticized the Yan family. And Cheng Wenhui, with her temperament, would be asking for trouble if she went to the Ministry of Personnel.
His grandfather's!

So, the position that the Cheng family member was replaced in is a hot potato?!

A problem was discovered... Cousin Cheng's name is the same as his younger brother's, so Cousin Cheng's name was changed to Cheng Yi.