Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 198 Why Must It Be Her?

As the year drew to a close, the capital city became lively, and the imperial court was also bustling with activity. Lu Jie had been leaving early and returning late for several days in a row, and Jiang Shi hadn't even seen him.

Just as he finished reading the account books sent up from the estate that morning, he saw Longxiang sitting under the veranda, tugging at a plum branch.

Madam Jiang stopped, called her over, looked her up and down a few times, and said, "You've been serving in the master's room for some time now. How has the master treated you?"

Longxiang immediately gripped the hem of her clothes tightly: "Replying to Madam, this servant is incompetent; I have not been able to persuade Master to stay even now..."

Throughout the entire Lu mansion, apart from Lu Jie's study where Jiang Shi couldn't interfere, oh, and now with the addition of Qixia Courtyard, which part of the house didn't have her spies?

Jiang Shi knew perfectly well whether Lu Jie had taken in Long Xiang, but hearing her say it herself, she still frowned: "I thought you were clever, but I didn't expect you to be so useless."

Longxiang was even more at a loss. She gritted her teeth, then suddenly looked up: "That's right! Madam, this morning I overheard some news..."

Jiang glanced at her and said, "Speak."

Longxiang looked around and walked closer: "These past two days, Mr. Yang seems to have been busy looking for a husband for his eldest daughter."

Jiang's gaze sharpened: "Looking for a husband?"

She looked away, and after a moment asked, "Who did you choose?"

"It seems he inquired with quite a few people, but the master wasn't quite satisfied with any of them. This morning I heard that Mr. Yang went to the Cheng residence. Before he went, he specifically sent someone to inquire about the age and birthday of the eldest son of the Cheng family."

Upon hearing this, Jiang immediately scoffed, "Just as I thought!"

Madam Yan summoned her that day simply to convey her intention to arrange a marriage alliance with the Shen family to Lu Jie, and also to find a way to facilitate the matter.

But how could Chiang Kai-shek do that?
Lu Jia married into the Shen family and became the young mistress of the Shen family no matter what. Now she has nothing, and with only Lu Jie protecting her, she is already so arrogant that she doesn't even respect herself.

With her status as a member of the Shen family, wouldn't Lu Jia be able to do whatever she wants?

Madam Yan was also being delusional, actually thinking that she would be obedient.

Even if we could control her, that still wouldn't work!
Once Lu Jia obeys the Yan family, she becomes a member of the Yan family. What good would that do for Jiang Mingyi?

This brat is her biggest threat; she must be eliminated!

Once she becomes valuable to the Yan family, how could they allow her to harm this wretched girl?

Therefore, arranging this marriage between the Lu and Shen families would be detrimental to me in every way!
What's more—this girl is still useful to her!

But with Lu Jie around, why should he have to do this himself?
Sure enough, all she had to do was convey Madam Yan's message to Lu Jie, and he immediately sprang into action.

Jiang recalled that over the years, whenever Lu Jie mentioned the missing Lu Jia, he would always blame her with resentment, saying that it was Lu Jia's own disobedience and ignorance that led to her being unable to return home.

Back then, every time he said that, it was to protect himself. But ever since he came back, Lu Jie has never said it like that again.

Not only did he never say that, but he also tried every means to favor her. Ha, men!
How to secure the marriage with the Lu family before the Yan family does?

That's a good idea!
Unfortunately……

"Madam, Madam Yan has sent someone to invite you to the mansion for a talk."

A servant woman hurriedly led someone over. Madam Jiang glanced at the newcomer, her eyes flickered slightly, and then she descended the steps.

……

The courtyard of the Yan family mansion was spotless. Apart from a few patches of intact snow that had been deliberately left out for viewing, the rest of the courtyard was filled with potted plants and flowers, creating a joyful atmosphere as the year drew to a close.

Madam Yan was still sitting in the warm pavilion, but today they were writing calligraphy and not painting, and they didn't seem as relaxed as last time.

As soon as Jiang entered the room, Madam Yan stood up and asked, "Did you manage to get what I asked you about last time?"

Madam Jiang said, "As soon as I got back that day, I suggested it to Lan Chu as my sister-in-law had suggested. He didn't say anything at the time, and he's been busy at the yamen these past few days, so I haven't seen him. I'll go ask him again later."

Madam Yan frowned: "You really don't know?"

What should I know?

Madam Yan sat back down, frowning as she looked at her: "I heard that he has been looking for unmarried young men these past two days. This morning, he even sent Yang Bonong to the Cheng family."

"What does he mean by this? Does he refuse to agree to the marriage?"

She chuckled at this point: "His precious daughter is so noble and precious, is she really not good enough for a family like the Shen family?"

"Is that so?" Jiang said. "I know nothing about this. I'll go and find him right now and ask him!"

"Sit down!" Madam Yan stood up abruptly and pressed her down, then sighed in annoyance, "Why are you asking him anything? This marriage was originally planned to use Jia'er as an informant, and you want me to go and ask him in the dark? Isn't that just making me offend him?"

Jiang then rested her elbows on the armrest again: "Then what should we do? The eldest son of the Cheng family is handsome and well-educated. In addition, he is a cousin of Jia'er. This is a double blessing. The Cheng family will definitely be happy!"
"If they're willing to do this, then the plan to enter the Shen family will fall through."

Madam Yan's lips were tightly pressed together, and her expression was gloomy.

Jiang glanced at her out of the corner of her eye for a moment: "Why are you suddenly so anxious about the Shen family?"

“Your elder brother received a secret letter a while ago. When Shen Bo led his troops to fight in the Northwest in the early years, there were several batches of mismatched military pay. It was hard to suppress them back then, but a few days ago, someone started investigating them again.”

Madam Yan's face was as gloomy as the sky outside. "Shen Bo knows about this matter. Although he has never shown any signs of opposing us over the years, he knows too much and his power is too great. Once he decides to make a move, the Yan family will inevitably suffer a heavy blow."

"Therefore, we must plan ahead."

Jiang stared at the ground for a long time before taking a breath: "So that's how it is. No wonder you wanted Lu Jia to marry into their family."

Madam Yan said with concern, "We know that Lan Chu may not agree, but if there is a better way, why do we need to do this? We are not at ease if we go to other people."

Madam Jiang smiled and said, "That's his eldest daughter. Besides, Jia'er has just returned to the manor. Even if he's willing to part with her, he'll still worry about what people will say behind his back."

"But since we must take this path, why must it be Jia'er?"

Madam Yan understood the implication and raised her furrowed brows: "If not her, then who else?"

"Yingjie'er".

Madam Yan was stunned: "Ying'er?!"

“Yes,” Madam Jiang blew on the scalding hot tea and said calmly, “Let Ying’er go to the Shen family, and let Jia’er come to the Yan family.”