Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 192 Find me a son-in-law immediately!
Lu Ying walked out the door carrying the account book. Madam Jiang withdrew her gaze, took a deep breath, and rubbed her forehead.

After Granny Du left, Granny Hu, who took her place, came out from under the curtain: "Madam, is it true that the Yan family wants their eldest daughter to marry into the Shen family?"

Jiang rested her hand on her forehead for a long time before putting it down: "Of course it's true."

After thinking for a moment, Hu Mama said, "Under the whole world, whose power can surpass that of the Yan family? The Shen family may not be able to enjoy their glory for long. In fact, what the second young lady said makes sense. If Madam agrees, it will not only give face to the Yan family, but also leave no room for criticism of Madam. Perhaps even the master will be grateful to Madam."

Jiang glanced at him and gave a cold laugh.

……

Lu Ying was originally going to the garden to supervise the flowers and trees. After leaving the main house, she continued walking towards the garden, but her pace slowed down.

Snowflakes were already falling from the sky, pattering on the branches, the stone slabs, and even landing on her hair.

But she didn't notice.

A maidservant trotted over to bring her an umbrella. As she opened it, she gazed at the plum blossoms painted on the top of the umbrella, her eyes already lingering in the distance.

She took this umbrella last winter when her father was painting, and she liked it so much that she specially asked for it to use as the umbrella surface.

She used to see her father often, but lately—it seems that every time she sees him, it's because of her sister.

"...I don't want this one! It's a carp, it doesn't taste good! I'm fishing for crucian carp! Although crucian carp have many bones, they taste delicious!"

Lost in thought, I heard cheerful sounds coming from ahead.

Lu Ying strolled forward and saw a father and daughter fishing by the lake with a bamboo pole at the other end of the bare willow branches.

Lu Jie, who painted an umbrella for himself last winter, now sits on a small boat under the embankment, wearing a straw raincoat and bamboo hat, looking like a fisherman.

The old fisherman, facing his eldest daughter who was jumping around beside him, responded cheerfully, as if he could take whatever he wanted.

Wearing a scarlet cloak, Lu Jia moved between the bow of the ship and the shore from time to time, as passionate as a leaping flame.

Such a harmonious and natural scene was something Lu Ying had never seen at home before.

"...I'll go get a bucket, fill it with a few fish and give them to Uncle Yang and Aunt Mu to eat."

Lu Jia, who was as fiery as a flame, suddenly turned around and ran towards the tree to her side.

The bucket was placed on a rock to the side, within her reach, but her gaze was drawn to a sprig of winter plum blossom growing diagonally beside it.

Lu Jia jumped a few times, trying to pick it off, but obviously still couldn't reach it.

Lu Ying stepped forward, silently tiptoed, raised the umbrella, hooked it onto the plum branch, and pushed it in front of Lu Jia.

Lu Jia turned around, her face full of surprise.

Lu Ying was also a little flustered. She forced a smile and said, "I was on my way to the garden. I just passed by."

Lu Jia looked at her for a moment, then slowly turned around and broke off the plum branch.

"Thank you."

The scene was unusually quiet.

Lu Ying spoke first: "Did you catch a lot of fish? In this weather, they're not very likely to bite, are they?"

"It's alright." Lu Jia picked up the bucket, casually showing off the few fish inside, then looked at her: "It's going to snow, are you still going to the garden?"

Lu Ying nodded: "I'll be right back after checking the accounts." She paused for a moment, then asked: "Can you cook, sister?"

Lu Jia laughed: "Just some simple home-cooked dishes."

Lu Ying's gaze fell on the hands carrying the bucket. Although most of those hands were delicate, there were thin calluses on the base of the thumb.

Lu Jia followed her gaze and looked around, then said, "If you're not afraid of the cold, why don't you come and play for a while?"

Lu Ying glanced at the garden and shook her head, saying, "No, the steward is still waiting for me."

Lu Jia nodded.

Lu Ying thought for a moment, then took out a small pearl cream from her purse: "It's windy outside, remember to wipe your hands, sister."

After saying that, she opened her umbrella and left. Lu Jia lowered her head, rubbed the small box in her hand for a moment, then exhaled and clenched it in her palm.

She bumped into Yinliu: "What are you carrying, young lady?"

"Ointment".

"Ointment?" Silver Willow followed. "Don't we have some right here?"

"You can never have too many."

"What do you mean you can never have too much of?" Lu Jie at the bow of the ship chimed in, "Be careful not to overload yourself if you have too much."

"I can't hold it in! My belly is huge!" Lu Jia handed over the bucket. "Could you catch a few more big ones for me?"

Lu Jie glanced at her: "Who were you talking to just now?"

"Your daughter!"

Lu Jie paused, glanced at her, and remained silent.

……

The snow started falling before nightfall.

After one night, the yard was covered with a thick layer of snow.

While waiting for Shen Qingzhou to investigate the Wei family's situation, Lu Jia had Qinghe set up a stove, put on a copper pot, and start cooking crucian carp soup.

Throw in a handful of chili peppers, sprinkle some pepper powder, and the aroma will waft for miles.

Lu Jie had just returned from the yamen when he smelled the fragrance and involuntarily turned his head towards Yixia Courtyard. Just then, Long Xiang came to say that Madam Jiang was waiting for him in the main room for dinner. He slowly changed his clothes and went to the main room, where, sure enough, the food was already laid out on the table.

"This is top-quality venison, simply fried with oil and salt. It won't make you feel cold on a snowy day." Madam Jiang served him the food with her delicate chopsticks.

Lu Jie didn't touch his chopsticks: "Is there any hot soup?"

"Soup doesn't keep you full, it's better to eat meat."

Lu Jie remained silent for a moment, then picked up his chopsticks.

After he had eaten a couple of bites, Madam Jiang picked up her bowl and asked, "Jia'er is getting on in years; it's time to discuss marriage. Does Master have any plans?"

"She just returned home, there's no rush."

Jiang raised an eyebrow: "Yesterday, my sister-in-law called over to arrange a marriage between Jia'er and the Shen family. What do you think?"

Lu Jie paused for a moment, then looked up.

Jiang stared at the bowl, picked up a shredded chicken with her chopsticks: "The Shen family is certainly well-off, but it's a pity that this young master Shen is disabled and weak. I wonder how long he will live."

"Furthermore, it seems that Grand Commandant Shen has a strong preference for the illegitimate son he brought back. I heard that he is also strong and healthy. It is hard to say whether this eldest son can keep his position as the heir of the clan."

"The Yan family has high hopes for Jia'er, but the Shen family is so cunning; not a single word has come out of their inner quarters yet. If Jia'er can live up to this high regard, that's fine; if not..."

Madam Jiang looked across at the other side: "Although the girl is not my child, I still have a responsibility to protect her. I have conveyed my message; you can decide for yourself."

Lu Jie sat still for a while before picking up his bowl and eating again.

Even without broth, the dry venison was eaten at this point.

Just as Yang Bonong finished brewing the tea, Lu Jie came back to the courtyard, crunching through the snow.

The snowflakes flying from the robes almost swept over Lu Rong and his companions along the way.

As soon as he entered, he slammed the door shut: "Go and see which family in the entire court has a respectable background and is still unmarried! Go now!"

Yang Bonong stared in disbelief: "What did you say?"

Lu Jieqing's face turned cold. He took a deep breath and said, "I want to choose a son-in-law! Go and find one for me, immediately!"

"...!"

(Ask for monthly ticket)