Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 132

While the Xie family of three were reminiscing about their separation, Tang Yu had already given Shen Qingzhou a full account of the current situation in Shawan, which he had pretended to be oblivious to in front of Lu Jia.

"...As soon as I arrived in Shawan, I was ordered by the young master to secretly investigate the situation at the dock after Lord Guo left. As a result, I heard this as soon as I arrived. I stayed in Shawan for five days. During these five days, I secretly investigated the prefect and the county magistrate, Fang Wei. I went to both the prefectural and county offices. I am certain that this matter has little to do with the two levels of government."

Shen Qingzhou thought for a moment: "The Su family has been in charge of the Shawan Rice Market for so many years. If things suddenly fall into chaos under their control, the people behind the Su family will naturally be reluctant to let it go. It's obvious who's behind the new grain store."

"That's what I thought too, so I went to investigate the Su family. That's when I found out that Su Mingxing's second uncle was transferred out of the capital last month. The Su family has now become a coward, withdrawing from the Chamber of Commerce. Apart from continuing to operate as usual, they no longer interfere in the affairs of the docks."

Shen Qingzhou stood up: "The Su family has become a pawn."

He paced a few steps: "But this newcomer seems even more ruthless than the Su family."

“Young Master,” He Qu, who had been listening in, stepped forward, “the Yan family probably won’t dare to touch the grain and salary at Tongzhou Wharf. But they will definitely try to get back the two hundred thousand taels of silver that they lost to the Ministry of Revenue. In my opinion, the people behind this grain store are probably arranged by the Yan family.”

Shen Qingzhou neither agreed nor disagreed.

"Tell the girl that the empty courtyard in the west wing has also been cleaned up..."

A busy figure flashed past the courtyard gate, followed by the servants that Qiu Niang and the others had brought from Shawan after they had finished eating.

Shen Qingzhou withdrew his gaze: "Go back to the manor and tell Song En that the Ministry of Revenue can reply now. I will go to the yamen to take up my post in three days."

He Qu answered "Yes" loudly and turned away.

Tang Yu glanced thoughtfully at the door and asked, "After you went to the Ministry of Revenue, will He Qu and I come to your place again, young lady?"

Shen Qingzhou returned to his desk and sat down. After a moment, he said, "Come back to the manor with me and think of a way to escape. Also, bring two more unfamiliar faces."

With Qiu Niang and her son arriving safely, and Jiang Shi making frequent moves, Lu Jia's return to the manor is now of utmost urgency. Otherwise, if the fake Lu Jia found by Guo Lu enters the manor first, Lu Jia will inevitably be put in a passive position.

After she entered the Xie family mansion, Shen Qingzhou no longer needed to stay at the Xie family for an extended period. Staying would only bring them trouble.

However, Xie and his mother can be considered Lu Jia's Achilles' heel. Although sending them to the capital is better than leaving them in Shawan, she still has to be wary of them.

Since Shen Qingzhou has already made a marriage agreement with Lu Jia, the Xie family will always be his responsibility.

Tang Yu has already shown his face to the servants of the Lu family today, and many people in the capital have also seen them following him. It is not appropriate for them to stay in the Xie family.

To ensure both defense and safety without revealing any suspicious activity, the only option is to change the guards.

"Qin Zhou!"

At that moment, Lu Jia's voice came from outside the door.

Shen Qingzhou looked over and saw her gracefully approaching in the afternoon sunlight.

Upon seeing this, Tang Yu went out and greeted Lu Jia with a "Miss," then said he was going back to his room and left.

Shen Qingzhou greeted him at the door: "What's wrong?"

Lu Jia stepped into the room, then closed the door behind her. She mysteriously pulled a signed and stamped marriage certificate from her bosom: "Look at this. I've spoken to Mother, and she agreed. She even found Uncle Li and Aunt Li to be our matchmakers. This is for you."

Her face was flushed.

Shen Qingzhou accepted the marriage contract with both hands, looking at it with a strange feeling. He looked at Lu Jia: "When do you plan to act?" "Immediately, of course!" Lu Jia's eyes shone brightly, a flame that had been suppressed for a long time. "It's time to let the Jiang family know just how painful it is to be slapped in the face!"

Shen Qingzhou nodded silently and slowly put the marriage contract into her arms.

……

The fact that Jiang sent Guo Lu to find someone to replace Lu Jia, the real young lady, had already made Lu Jia wary. Now, with several suspicious things happening in the Shawan rice market, the Xie family's shop has also been affected. In addition, Xie Yi almost clashed with Jiang's people today. All these things left Lu Jia with no reason to delay any longer.

She entrusted the Xie family to Qin Zhou and went to the Cheng family that night.

No one will know what she said there; only her close friends and family know that she didn't return until midnight.

No one in the capital would notice the unusual group of people from the south in the ordinary alleyways. In the capital, where powerful and wealthy people lived everywhere, no one had the time or inclination to pay attention to extra people and things except for matters of personal importance.

Three days later, Madam Jiang received another letter from Guo Lu in Jizhou. Upon receiving the letter, her usually calm eyes immediately welled up with emotion.

"Is everything ready at the place I asked you to prepare the other day?"

She heard that Granny Du had immediately asked her a question.

“Everything was prepared long ago!” Granny Du asked. “Have we found the person?”

"We'll enter the capital tomorrow!" Jiang took a deep breath. "News has also come from Shawan. We'll definitely succeed in ten days to half a month."

"That would be wonderful!" Granny Du exclaimed with delight. "Once these two matters are settled, Madam can finally rest easy."

Jiang sat down, a glint in her eyes: "Although it's been so many years late, it has finally been found. Otherwise, it would have been a real thorn in my side, keeping me from finding peace."

Granny Du lit an incense stick and then helped her recline on the couch. "If this 'eldest young lady' can take the place of the second young lady in her place, then all the love that Madam showed her back then will not have been in vain."

Jiang's thin lips curved slightly.

She caught a glimpse of the maid peeking out of the corner of her eye and frowned: "What is it?"

The maidservant hurried in: "Reporting to Madam, Liu Er from the front gate sent word to Granny Du that the two boys who were acting recklessly on the street a few days ago have been missing for several days."

Jiang looked at Granny Du with a puzzled expression.

Granny Du then quickly recounted her encounter with Xie Yi and Li Chang on the street that day.

"Judging from their accents, they're from the south. I wonder which family's little bastard they are. But that guard among them looks quite skilled. I've never met anyone who doesn't respect our Minister's Mansion like this before, so I can't swallow this insult."

"I'm fine. It's nothing for my wife to worry about."

Madam Jiang frowned: "I asked you to do something, but you're wasting your time on these people. Who cares where they came from? Why don't you just leave a few people here and teach them a lesson?"

"Your wife is right."

Granny Du bowed and apologized, then went outside and said to the servants still waiting in the courtyard, "Send a few people to search that area again. I don't believe that with so many people, they can't find a single one."

The servant hurriedly asked, "What if we find it?"

"Is this even worth asking me?" Granny Du scolded. "Whether they come openly or covertly, just find an excuse to teach them a lesson and let them know that they should show some respect to the people of our Minister's Mansion in the future."