Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 148 Even the young prince is afraid of him
Today, the emperor summoned his ministers to the Imperial Study to discuss the matter of resisting the Japanese pirates in the southeast. Since war is always inseparable from military supplies, Shen Qingzhou spent half a day in the Imperial Study, even though it was his first day on duty.

At the meeting, Yan Song spoke grandly about ensuring that every expenditure of military funds was recorded, as if the grain that had been embezzled in Tongzhou recently was done by someone else.

Shen Bo was only concerned with the war situation and didn't say a word about military pay.

He has always been like this, and Shen Qingzhou never expected anything from him.

Guo Yi will be back soon; we'll discuss everything once he arrives.

Upon returning to the Ministry of Revenue, a clerk informed him that He Qu had arrived. He was led into the office, and He Qu's first words were: "Young Master, I deserve to die! I didn't anticipate the Second Young Master's arrival and let him follow me to Swallow Alley!"

Shen Qingzhou shot him a cold glare instantly: "You'd better explain yourself."

How could He Qu dare to hide anything? Naturally, he told the whole story from beginning to end.

Shen Qingzhou frowned for a moment and said, "Tell Mr. Zhang to give him some extra homework. If he doesn't pass the imperial examination at the end of the year, he should also be exempted from his monthly days off."

Even though He Qu knew he would have a solution, he still looked at him with surprise upon hearing it before agreeing and leaving.

That blockhead of a second young master has never studied before! He's only been reading books for a few months, and there are only a few days left until the end of the year! Are you expecting him to pass the imperial examination before the new year? Isn't that just a clear attempt to keep him from leaving the world of books?!

He could almost picture that man, furious and pounding his chest in frustration...

……

Lu Jia was preoccupied with her own thoughts. On her first night at Yixia Courtyard, she woke up before dawn.

After breakfast, Changfu delivered Guo Lu's message: "Guo Lu set off for Beijing last night. Judging by the distance, he should be able to arrive in Beijing before dark."

"What happened to the two orphan girls they were looking for?"

"We have already followed the young lady's instructions and immediately took the person away and hid them after Guo Lu left. In a few days, we will escort them to the capital."

"Very good." Lu Jia nodded. "Find another place to settle them properly. Make sure they have good food and clothes, and don't let them suffer any grievances."

Changfu accepted the order. He added, "There's one more thing. The eldest mistress asked Granny Bai to tell you that Granny Bai encountered a strange person when she went out earlier."

He then recounted the story of Shen Zhui's appearance.

"You mean that young master said He Qu was their family's guard?"

Lu Jia was stunned.

“That’s right. Although Guard He later said that the man was Steward Qin’s rival, Madam still couldn’t understand why Steward Qin’s rival would inquire about Guard He.”

It wasn't just Qiu Niang who didn't understand!
Lu Jia didn't understand either!

He knew that Qin Zhou, He Qu, and Tang Yu were together, and he also knew that Qin Zhou was the boss of He and Tang. If the other party was really Qin Zhou's enemy, why did He Qu become his family's guard?
"Miss," Qinghe came over after Changfu left, "there's something I'm not sure if I should say."

Lu Jia looked at her.

She lowered her eyes and sighed. "When the young prince arranged for us to accompany Steward Qin to meet the young lady, we treated Steward Qin with utmost respect. The young prince also repeatedly instructed us to serve the young lady well and not to make any mistakes."

Lu Jia froze: "You mean to say that you guys were actually handpicked, and not really released by the Prince's Mansion?"

“Not entirely,” Qinghe quickly said. “We did meet the requirements for release, but it was a few days earlier than expected.”

"As instructed by the young prince, this matter should not have been told to you, young lady. But you have been kind enough to reunite my son and me, and from that moment on, I have considered you my mistress."

"This servant knows that you have long suspected that you have feelings for Steward Qin, but you have deliberately avoided digging into it."

“What you think is your business, but since your doubts have deepened, I can no longer hide it from you.” Lu Jia took a deep breath and sat down by the window.

"He actually has this ability, even the young prince of the Ji Prince's mansion has to give him face?"

Qinghe nodded silently.

"Then it seems that the person Bai Mama met today wasn't lying. No wonder he was so adept at deceiving Zhang Qi by impersonating a member of the Lu family. He must have some powerful connections. How could he not have fooled him? And when he accused Zhou Sheng, I knew it went so smoothly!"

"girl……"

"Miss, Granny Du has come to apologize." Zhi Mu lifted the curtain meaningfully.

Lu Jia gazed at the shadow beneath the door, sighed after a moment, grabbed the clothes that Jiang had sent yesterday and tossed them to Qinghe: "Qin Zhou, you go back and have Changfu tell Yi Ge'er and Li Chang that if that person shows up again, they should keep an eye out and not let him get away. At the very least, they should find out his name."

"Go and iron these first, and hang them up. Then find two sets of my own clothes for the family dinner tonight."

Lu Ying was two years younger than her and shorter. The clothes that Jiang had sent over fit her perfectly, but they couldn't possibly be Lu Ying's clothes.

Since it wasn't hers and was a garment made in the manor, it could only have been prepared for the fake Miss Lu who hadn't yet appeared.

With even the clothes prepared, it's no surprise that the Jiang family had made thorough preparations in all other aspects as well.

After doing so much, won't it leave a trace?

She naturally had other plans.

As for Qin Zhou—he's made mistakes everywhere, and even if I wanted to turn a blind eye, I couldn't anymore.

As she spoke, Granny Du entered and knelt down with a thud: "This servant made a mistake yesterday and offended you, Miss. I was punished and then severely reprimanded by Madam when I got back. Now I know I was wrong, and I beg you to forgive me, Miss."

He then kowtowed.

Lu Jia sized her up for a while, smiled, and had Zhi Mu help her up: "Since the master and madam have already reprimanded her, there's no need for you to do that, Granny. It was all a misunderstanding, so let's all be polite to each other from now on."

Granny Du didn't dare to say much, but apologized a few more times before leaving.

Yin Liu happened to be passing by, glanced at her over the courtyard wall, and came back: "She's still not convinced, she keeps turning back to look at me."

"It wasn't sincere to begin with, so it's no wonder you're not convinced." Lu Jia looked at him and asked, "How's your injury healing?"

"It's almost done!" Yinliu raised her arm. "If you have any instructions, just say so."

“That’s perfect,” Lu Jia said. “Tonight, you’ll stay by my side the whole time.”

……

Lu Jia's guess was correct. In the evening, Guo Lu arrived in the capital without stopping and went to see Jiang Shi.

"The matter was almost settled, so why did Aunt suddenly summon her nephew back? Also, what's the deal with this young lady who returned to the manor? Did Aunt already find someone beforehand?"

"idiot!"

Jiang's anger, which had been building up for two days, finally erupted at this moment: "This is all your doing!"

Guo Lu was baffled.

Meanwhile, Granny Du chimed in, "What do you mean, 'found someone'? That's the real young lady! Young Master has been fooled by her!"