Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 265 The Annoying Son

Lu Jia stopped under the pomegranate tree: "Liu Zheng was punished with three months for patronizing prostitutes, while Yan Song was only punished with three days for condoning Jiang's evil deeds. The palace can't stand to see the Shen family living a peaceful life."

Qinghe brushed aside a pomegranate branch in front of her: "I heard that during the two months that the Grand Commandant was recuperating, the Yan family proposed several times that the young master be promoted to the Ministry of Rites, but the court rejected it each time. Some said that the young master was too young and inexperienced to be competent. Others said that the Yan family wanted to win over the Shen family and use the current marriage relationship to strengthen their own power."

"What did the young master say?"

"When the rumors of the Yan family forming factions were rampant those days, the young master directly submitted a memorial, stating that he only wanted to serve as a junior official in the Ministry of Revenue to do his best. Then, about a few days ago, the emperor granted his request. According to He Qu, the emperor even praised the young master, saying that he was 'respectful, tolerant, trustworthy, quick-witted and intelligent'."

Lu Jia glanced at her and smiled, saying, "I see. No wonder that woman was so impatient with me earlier. It turns out her plan to transfer the young master out of the Ministry of Revenue failed!"

She casually plucked a pomegranate blossom, twirled it between her fingers, and said, "It seems the Grand Commandant doesn't want to clash with the Yan family, nor does he want them to take advantage of the situation. He doesn't even want to get involved in household chores. The Yan family's next target will be the young master. In that case, let's find something for the Yan family to do, so that the old woman won't be too idle and keep watching me."

Qinghe asked, "Grandma, what good ideas do you have?"

"That Liu fellow has been a lackey of the Yan family for many years. He's no good. He's been colluding with the Su family in Shawan for years and has secretly harmed the people of Shawan by taking away so much money and grain. He should have been dealt with long ago! Aren't they related to the Yan family by marriage? Liu Zheng's wife, Xiao Du, is very close to the women of the Yan family."

"You should have Li Chang and his men take some people to keep an eye on the Liu family and find some incriminating evidence against them."

The Yan family not only keeps an eye on Shen Qingzhou, but also on him, their "informant." A couple of days ago, Shen Bo made it very clear that if he didn't act like a proper member of the Shen family, he would be subject to the family's strict rules. Right now, if Lu Jia is caught having any private contact with the Yan family, Shen Bo has a way to punish her.

Lu Jia still wanted to rely on her father-in-law, the Grand Commandant, for protection!
Before she could successfully latch onto a powerful figure, she couldn't let that woman from the Yan family cause trouble for her.

When she left the Lu residence, she brought back a bunch of colorful food.

Shen Qingzhou looked at them one by one, not quite understanding: "What do you like to eat?"

"I figured out what your father would like to eat." Lu Jia put the box down and carefully placed it on the empty seat beside her. These were all salty local products from the North, which she had specially sent Xie Yi and Li Chang to purchase a couple of days ago. Of course, Shen Bo might not have eaten them in the Northwest, but she was just trying to curry favor with her father-in-law for a chance to get closer. Even if she flattered him wrong, she could still make a name for herself.

Shen Qingzhou neither agreed nor disagreed.

He had never seen his wife eat any of these things.

But after sitting silently for a moment, he still subtly adjusted his hand.

Upon entering the mansion, Lu Jia got off the ground first and turned back to call out to him, "I'll go back to my room to change my clothes first. Can you help me unload my things?"

After saying that, he passed through the hanging flower gate like a gust of wind.

Shen Qingzhou glanced at He Qu. He Qu immediately got into the car and unloaded the return gifts from the Lu family one by one.

Shen Qingzhou glanced again at the black horse tethered under the big tree, and a perceptive servant immediately stepped forward: "The Grand Commandant didn't go out today."

He then went up the steps to the main courtyard.

Ever since he broke his leg, Shen Bo had kept a low profile, only showing up a few days before Shen Qingzhou's wedding. Even after their marriage, because of the daughter-in-law that the Yan family had forced upon him, he spent most of his time at home.

Shen Qingzhou had just entered the courtyard when Shen Bo saw him from the window and kept staring at him until he entered the door.

"Father." Shen Qingzhou stood at the door and bowed indifferently as usual.

"You're back? Just you alone?" Shen Bo, already used to it, rolled up his book and looked him over. This kid's energy and spirit have been getting better lately. Although he's still a bit thin and his face is somewhat pale, he's tall and elegant, as proud as a pine or bamboo. His fine clothes make him look even more extraordinary.

Shen Qingzhou nodded: "Jiajia, go back to your room to change. She'll be here later."

"Jiajia"?
Shen Bo's expression froze slightly. Although he had once shared romantic moments with his wife in his youth, a time of mutual respect and affection, he had never been so open about it.

Moreover, the "Jiajia" he mentioned is the daughter of that treacherous Lu Jie.

Shen Bo put the book on the table, and was thinking of a topic to change when Shen Qingzhou said, "Jiajia brought you a lot of food, all of which she carefully prepared. It may not suit your taste, but whether you like it or not, please accept it when she delivers it to you."

Shen Bo turned his face back to where he had just turned away.

be sure?

But before he could speak, Shen Qingzhou nodded slightly, as if he had come and gone in the same way he had come!
"Grand Commandant, the young mistress has arrived."

Shen Bo was still hanging on by a thread when the messenger arrived again.

He looked out the window and, sure enough, Lu Jia had already led a group of people in, carrying boxes.

Lu Jia bowed first, then picked up a stack of pastry boxes from the rattan trunk behind her: "Father, these are some pastries I brought for you, specially purchased from the north. I wonder if you like them—"

"I like it!" Shen Bo took a slow breath. "I like everything. Let it go."

Lu Jia looked up in surprise.

Shen Bo glanced at a red coral on his left with a complicated expression, picked it up and placed it on the table: "This is for you."

Lu Jia stared in astonishment at the coral, which was over two feet tall: ...

……

"Light boat! Light boat!"

Just as Shen Qingzhou leaned onto the couch, Lu Jia gracefully entered.

"Look!" Lu Jia ran to him in one breath, then took the coral from Yin Liu's arms. "Father gave it to me!"

Shen Qingzhou propped himself up on the couch, glanced at it a few times, and then looked at her: "Do you like it?"

"That's obvious!" Lu Jia's face was flushed.

"Keep it if you like it." Shen Qingzhou leaned back again.

"...What if you don't like it?"

Shen Qingzhou sat up again and helped Shanhu down from the floor: "I'll go get you a new one."

"No!" Lu Jia quickly pressed him down. "This is valuable enough, no need to exchange it! I'm just curious why Father is being so generous? This shouldn't be happening."

To bestow such a priceless treasure upon someone he considered a "spy" was incredibly generous! It was as if he owned a gold mine. If it weren't for the fact that the Emperor's lavish rewards to the Shen family were an open secret, Lu Jia would have almost suspected that the Grand Commandant and the old scoundrel Yan family were kindred spirits!
Shen Qingzhou helped her weigh the coral: "What's wrong with that? Didn't you also give him some snacks?"

"Not even that little bit of snack..."

"Yes," Shen Qingzhou said. "Your kindness is priceless."