Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 189 The Ignorant Girl!

When Lu Jie arrived at the Yan residence, people had already heard the news and removed the threshold to welcome him. Yan Shu's eldest son, Yan Liang, then quickly came out to greet him, and upon reaching the screen wall, he smiled and cupped his hands in greeting: "I only just learned of my uncle's arrival; I am so sorry for not welcoming you sooner!"

She added, "The last time I saw my uncle was about the marriage of Qu-ge'er and Ying-jie'er."

"I've been busy preparing for the wedding lately, so I haven't had a chance to pay my respects to my aunt and uncle. I just heard that the eldest daughter of the family has returned, and I haven't had a chance to congratulate my uncle yet."

Lu Jie smiled and said, "Now that your father's political affairs are becoming increasingly heavy, and your grandfather can't do without him, you can't do without the affairs inside and outside the mansion either. It is indeed a happy event for Jia'er to return to the mansion, but it is not enough to disturb you. In the end, the affairs of our two families are more important."

Yan Liang laughed loudly, "Uncle is wise."

After saying this, he led him into the mansion.

Lu Jie asked, "Are your grandfather and father here?..."

They chatted casually as they walked towards Yan Song's study. Before they even crossed the courtyard, Yan Song and his son came out: "Lan Chu."

Lu Jie paused, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Your Excellency, Brother Lingchuan."

Yan Shu laughed and said, "I was just telling my father that your family has spent more money than in previous years. It's just a small Laba Festival, why are you being so generous?"

Lu Jie said solemnly, "You have been kind enough to help me, Elder. If it weren't for that, how could I, Lu Lanchu, be so successful today? Brother Lingchuan, please don't say such things to embarrass me."

Yan Shu burst into laughter.

Yan Song turned to the side and waved his hand towards the courtyard, saying, "We're all family here, no need for such formalities. It's cold outside, come inside and sit down. I also have something to discuss with you."

Yan Shu smiled and made way: "I'll send someone to warm two pots of wine first, and the two of us brothers will have a good drink with Father today."

Lu Jie nodded and then went inside with Yan Song.

The room was warm. As soon as Lu Jie entered, he took off his cloak and placed it to the side. He also closed the window a little before sitting down after Yan Song did.

While he was doing these things, Yan Song watched him quietly until he sat down. Only then did Yan Song slowly smile and nod: "I've said it before, Lan Chu is a simple and honest person, but some people don't believe it."

"I almost wish I could call them over to see. You've been the Minister of Rites for a year now, and you're still treating me like I'm nothing special?"

Lu Jie rolled up his sleeves: "It would be fine if we were in front of outsiders, but since the Grand Secretary doesn't mind my rough manners, do you think I'd put on airs with him?"

Yan Song's smile grew even more amiable: "Of course you don't put on airs, but there are plenty of people who do."

Lu Jie pondered for a moment: "Your words seem to come from a source of concern. You mentioned earlier that you wanted to speak with me; could it be that some department has some troublesome matter to resolve?"

"Not really." Yan Song frowned. "It's almost the end of the year, and all departments are busy with their annual reports and summaries, so there haven't been any new incidents. However, the fighting along the southeast coast is still raging, which is worrying."

Lu Jie pondered: "After Hu Yucheng took command, he won a series of great victories, and the morale of the soldiers has greatly increased. Judging from the recent battle reports, the court and the public should be able to have a good New Year."

"But the war in the Northwest had just ended, and the imperial court was now going all out to fight the Japanese pirates, which put enormous pressure on the Ministry of Revenue."

"I wonder what the Ministry of War said?"

Yan Song said, "You know that Grand Commandant Shen has always been a proponent of war. And His Majesty is proud and naturally unwilling to admit defeat. That's what's worrying."

"If you only follow the emperor's wishes, it is the common people who suffer."

Lu Jie's expression was displeased: "Shen Bo's recklessness is simply a sign of his ambition. It's a pity that the Shen family is now deeply trusted by the Emperor. Even if we were to go before the Emperor to offer our advice, we might not be able to dissuade him." "If one path is blocked, we must try another."

Upon hearing this, Lu Jie asked, "May I ask for your insightful opinion, Your Excellency?"

Yan Song picked up the teapot warming on the small charcoal stove and poured a cup of tea for each of them: "I heard that your eldest maid has returned. Why don't you bring her to visit us?"
"Strictly speaking, she should call me grandpa. Let me take a look at this girl."

Lu Jie casually adjusted his teacup, and before he could speak, he sighed, "Don't mention that girl. She's never been a pushover since she was little, and after living in that small place like Shawan for so many years, she's become even more lawless."

"To be honest, she infuriated Mingyi as soon as she returned to the manor. Didn't Mingyi tell you?"

Yan Song chuckled and patted his knee: "How old is she? It would be outrageous to argue with a little girl."

Lu Jie sighed and shook his head: "Logically, he should come and pay his respects to the Grand Secretary and the Old Madam, but that girl is so unruly these days that I already have a headache. How can I dare to let her out to meet guests? I don't want the Grand Secretary and the Old Madam to be unhappy."

Yan Song laughed and said, "Is that so? I thought she had gone through a lot and should be more composed and experienced than Yingjie."

"How embarrassing!" Lu Jie put his hands in his pockets. "The Grand Secretary is no outsider, so I won't hide it from you. That girl's temperament is not even a finger's width better than Ying'er's, let alone her demeanor and etiquette."

Yan Song seemed to be deep in thought, then picked up his teacup and took a sip.

“Father,” Yan Shu said as the curtain was lifted and he entered, “the wine and dishes are ready. May I ask where we should set them?”

Yan Song said, "It would be best to place it in the west warm pavilion."

Yan Shu said he was leaving.

Yan Song then looked at Lu Jie: "That's right, I heard the Ministry of Rites has been very busy lately. How did you find the time to come over?"

“Oh,” Lu Jie put down his teacup and pulled a document from his sleeve. “Does Your Excellency still remember Liang Jun, the censor who was imprisoned thirteen years ago?”

Yan Song frowned and took the bag: "I have a vague impression of it."

Lu Jie then asked, "The military pay at Tongzhou Wharf was secretly investigated before. I wonder if it has been dealt with since then?"

Yan Song asked, "Do you have any good ideas?"

Lu Jie nodded: "Liang Jun's ancestral home is Tanzhou, and some of her relatives and friends in her hometown are engaged in the trade of selling grains. She happens to be related to my girl's adoptive parents."

"To be honest, my daughter recently asked me to find some business opportunities for her adoptive parents, and that's when I thought of the grain that you have, sir."

"Yesterday I had Bo Nong thoroughly investigate Liang Jun's crimes, and they weren't entirely unforgivable. Besides, the Yang Chengfang case happened many years ago and has no impact now."

"Therefore, Your Excellency might as well do a favor and let the Liang family find a way to dispose of this batch of grain. If they do it well, Liang Jun can be released without any problem. And my girl's foster mother's family might also benefit from this."

Yan Song frowned: "You mean, let the Liang family and Jia's foster mother handle this batch of grain?"

"What does the Grand Secretary think?"

Yan Song slowly stood up, took two steps, and said, "Was it Jia who suggested it?"

Lu Jie also stood up: "That's why I say she's immature."

Yan Song nodded slightly upon hearing this.