Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 255 There is no other way
"This time, Shen Bo managed to find a weakness."

Inside the Xia'er Tower, Yan Shu poured tea for Lu Jie: "That day I saw that Shen Qingzhou was quite disrespectful to you, his father-in-law, in the yamen. How have you two been getting along these days? Have you had any disagreements?"

"Just say what you have to say, we're busy at home." Lu Jie glanced at the person opposite him.

Yan Shu clicked his tongue: "You—"

He put down the teapot and picked up a folded document lying beside him: "I really didn't expect such a mishap to happen that night."

"If I said this had nothing to do with us, I doubt you would believe me. Let's not talk about it anymore now that it's over. In any case, it's not worth ruining our relationship over Jiang Mingyi."

"This is a memorial I prepared to submit to the palace, following my father's wishes. What do you think?"

Lu Jie didn't move: "This has nothing to do with our two families. Besides, memorials to the palace should naturally be reviewed by the Emperor. Wouldn't it be overstepping his bounds to send them to me first?"

Yan Shu shoved the memorial into his hand: "The Shen family is still counting on you and your daughter. Take a look first before you decide!"

Lu Jie glanced at him before reluctantly picking up the folded document.

After reading it, he raised an eyebrow, glanced at the other side, and then looked away.

"What does it mean?"

Yan Shu said sternly, “Yesterday you were summoned to the palace by the Emperor and suffered a humiliation. But in fact, the whole thing started because of Jiang Shi. What does it have to do with you? Your daughter was almost harmed by her, yet you were still scolded by the Emperor. Where can you go to seek justice?”

"Don't even mention you, I also feel wronged for Jia'er. Do you think she'll be satisfied with this little bit of money in the memorial?"

At this point, he leaned forward and said, "Since Grand Commandant Shen believes that the Shen family has been wronged, then please grant an imperial decree to promote Shen Yu to the position of Vice Minister of Rites. This will be considered a token of the Yan family's goodwill."

"The key point is that if the Emperor agrees, then Jia'er will be a third-rank noblewoman if she marries him. This can be considered a small compensation from our Yan family to her. What do you think?"

Lu Jie stared at him for a long time before closing the memorial: "Will the Emperor grant it?"

"When Grand Commandant Shen returned in triumph, the Emperor intended to cultivate Shen Yu, but the Shen family declined repeatedly before agreeing to let Shen Yu take up the position of Physician. Why did the Emperor refuse?"

……

There was no reason for Lu Ying's marriage to concern her unmarried older sister, Lu Jia. So when people from the Yan family came to carry the dowry, Lu Jia stayed in Qixia Courtyard the whole time and did not go out.

After meeting Lu Jie that night, Lu Jia no longer interfered with the Jiang family's affairs. Now that Lu Jie knew the whole story, whether the Jiang family lived or died was no longer important.

With only two months left until Lu Jia's own wedding, she also had many trivial matters to attend to. Shen Qingzhou, besides the wedding preparations, also had affairs at the government office, and the two had recently agreed not to see each other.

Yesterday, Yan Song and Lu Jie were suddenly reported by Shen Bo, and then news came that Shen Bo had fallen off his horse. Lu Jia was afraid that the Yan family was behind it all. In the morning, Chang Fu said that Lu Jie had been asked to leave by Yan Shu, and she took it to heart. As soon as Lu Jie returned to the mansion, he went to his study.

"What did Lord Yan say to my father? What explanation did he give you?"

Lu Jie sat down behind his desk: "After he lets you marry into his family, you will receive a third-rank imperial title. What do you think?"

"Where did this third-rank imperial consort come from?"

Lu Jie then grabbed a pen and paper and wrote down the four characters "Vice Minister of Rites".

Lu Jia straightened up after only one glance: "They want to transfer Young Master Shen to the Ministry of Rites?"

Lu Jie didn't speak, but lowered his eyes and put down his pen.

Lu Jia looked at him, then stood up after a moment, turned around and walked out.

Lu Jie watched her back for a long time before turning his gaze away.

Upon returning to Yixia Courtyard, Lu Jia immediately summoned Yin Liu: "Go to Yanzi Alley right away and have someone deliver a message to Young Master Shen that the Yan family wants to transfer him out of the Ministry of Revenue!" What imperial title or no imperial title?

She was originally used as a pawn by the Yan family. Why would the Yan family be so kind as to give her such a big gift?
This is clearly a diversionary tactic!
Shen Qingzhou had his reasons for choosing to go to the Ministry of Revenue. Although he hadn't caused any trouble yet, the Yan family was definitely worried. Under the guise of apologizing to the Shen family, he was clearly trying to get rid of this potential threat.

"After the marriage, she will receive a third-rank imperial title." There are only two months left until the marriage. With such speed, what else could it be but to directly petition the emperor?
Lu Jia naturally had to inform Shen Qingzhou as soon as possible!
Lu Jie was invited out by Yan Shu and was gone for most of the day. When he returned in the evening, Lu Ying finally raised her head, which had been hanging down for most of the night.

"What was your father's expression like when he returned?"

Yingzi stammered, "His expression was normal. Lord Yan and the master walked together all the way to the gate of the mansion before saying goodbye and leaving."

Lu Ying's gaze darkened: "So, they've reached an agreement. What benefits did they give my sister this time?"

"do not know."

Yingzi bent down and helped her tidy up the hair ornaments she would need for the next morning: "Miss, don't worry about these things. It'll only make you feel bad."

"Let's talk about something happy. This morning, the master invited Madam Yang to come and keep Miss company tonight, because he was worried that Miss wouldn't get enough rest."

"In addition, when the eldest son of the Yan family came to greet the bride today, the second master and the third master repeatedly instructed that even if the madam could not attend, the second young lady should not be treated with any less courtesy."

"These were all instructions given by the master."

"Is it."

Lu Ying turned her head away indifferently.

"Miss." Granny Li walked in, glanced at Yingzi, and said, "It's time to serve the meal. Go to the kitchen and get some food."

As Yingzi left, Granny Li approached Lu Ying and said, "I heard from the Yan family that they want to petition for the promotion of Young Master Shen to the position of Vice Minister of Rites."

Lu Ying looked up: "Minister?"

Granny Li nodded: "If this comes true, then the eldest young lady will be a third-rank noblewoman as soon as she marries into the family."

Lu Ying's gaze sharpened, then she chuckled softly, "I knew it! If it weren't for the benefits for my sister, Father wouldn't have agreed!"

The light illuminated the tears in her eyes.

Then, she suddenly stood up and walked outside.

Granny Li chased after her to the door: "Miss!"

After passing through the passageway, Lu Ying saw Lu Jie's attendant handing a food box to a maid in Yixia Courtyard under the covered walkway ahead: "...Master brought back some crispy duck from Xiaer Tower today, and specially reserved a portion for the eldest young lady."

Lu Ying stopped at the threshold, her eyes fixed on the food box.

"Miss!"

Granny Li caught up with her and at the same time saw Fuxiao receiving the food box on the other side.

She hurried to look at Lu Ying, only to find that Lu Ying's face was ashen, without the slightest expression.

“Granny Li, it seems you are right. I have no other choice but to keep my head down and keep moving forward…”

On this side of the corridor, the servant who had been ordered to deliver food turned around and caught a glimpse of Lu Ying's back. He immediately clapped his hands and exclaimed, "The Second Miss is right there!"

"I should have brought the other one with me, so I wouldn't have had to make another trip..."