Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 267 Let me help you!
Besides the gift for Shen Bo, there was also a gift for Shen Zhui.

Just as Lu Jia had sent someone to deliver the gifts to Shen Zhui, Chang Fu delivered a stack of invitations, all from the families of officials he had met at the Lu residence that day, inviting them to tea and flower viewing.

Before Lu Jia entered the family, the ministers tried to get close to Shen Bo but failed, and they couldn't get close to Shen Qingzhou either. There wasn't a single woman in the Grand Commandant's mansion, so they couldn't even get the ladies to make connections indirectly. It was so frustrating for them.

We've finally welcomed this young mistress, so we have to follow her immediately, right?
Lu Jia glanced at them twice, but found nothing of interest. Seeing that Changfu was still standing there, seemingly wanting to say something, she asked, "Is there anything else?"

Changfu then said, "The Second Miss did not show up at yesterday's homecoming banquet. It turns out she was beaten by the Third Young Master Yan."

He told them everything he had heard from the Lu family: "...That Third Young Master Yan didn't get the better of him either; he was forced by Lord Yan to slap himself several times on the spot."

Lu Jia frowned. What good could Lu Ying possibly do after running into that beast Yan Qu? But she had already advised her to think it over, and since Lu Ying hadn't tried to get Lu Jie to cancel the engagement, what could anyone say?

However, she was able to use her birth mother's life as a pledge of allegiance to the Yan family, so she might not necessarily suffer losses in the Yan family.

"I understand," she said. "I'm from the Shen family, and she's from the Yan family. We'll keep to ourselves and not interfere with each other. Just take this as it is."

Changfu nodded.

"Wait a minute," Lu Jia spoke up again just as they were about to leave, "Hasn't Yan Qu not returned home since his marriage? Why was he so obedient yesterday and suddenly came back?"

Changfu said, "I don't know that."

Lu Jia frowned and pondered for a moment, then said, "I know where he usually hangs out. Go and find out who invited him back yesterday, and you'll know."

Lu Ying had never offended her, and Lu Jia had done his duty to her. He didn't want to have anything to do with her, but based on her understanding of Madam Yan, Madam Yan would definitely blame Lu Ying for Yan Qu being beaten.

Ultimately, it was Lu Ying who suffered the loss.

—They might already be at a disadvantage!

Lu Ying was not one to accept things passively. If this was Yan Shu and his wife's idea, that would be fine. But if it wasn't them, then someone else was probably behind it.

After all, if Yan Qu hadn't rushed back at that moment, even if the two of them had a conflict, Lu Ying wouldn't have gone back to her parents' home to complain; she would most likely have found another way to deal with the matter.

So even if there's a commotion, it'll be behind closed doors, and Yan Qu will certainly not be severely punished.

As long as Yan Qu is not punished, how can Madam Yan blame Lu Ying?
After all, Lu Ying had genuinely done things for the Yan family, so she had some dignity.

Because Lu Jia provided such a precise location, Changfu quickly relayed the information: "Grandma, the night before last, it was the eldest son of the Yan family who sent his men to search the entire city for the third son of the Yan family."

"It really was him!" Lu Jia sneered. "I knew that woman wouldn't stay put."

Changfu asked, "Is Grandma referring to the eldest mistress of the Yan family?"

Lu Jia neither agreed nor disagreed, only saying, "Go find Yi Ge'er and ask him to find a way to guide Lu Ying. Make sure the matter is handled properly and without leaving a trace."

Changfu bowed deeply.

……

Since Xie Yi had lived in the capital for several months and witnessed several dangerous situations involving Lu Jia, his temperament had become much more restrained.

In addition, in the few days since moving to the Grand Commandant's mansion, I have seen that the guards are strict everywhere and everyone is shrewd. I used to think that He Qu and Tang Yu were already heroic, but now I realize that there are countless people like them in the Grand Commandant's mansion!

Not to mention that there are also quite a few people like Song En and Yi Zhe, who are elegant and learned.

Like a frog that had jumped out of a well, the boy grew more ashamed and humble each day, wishing he could erase his past arrogance and recklessness from his memory. When Changfu relayed the task Lu Jia had assigned him, he began pacing in the small garden.

In the past, he would have left without a second thought. But things are different now. Since Lu Jia instructed him not to leave any traces, he had to handle things discreetly.

But he was still a naive young man, while the other party was Lu Ying, who had already become the young mistress of the Yan family. How could he send the message to her without letting her know?
"what are you doing?"

Just as he was racking his brains for a solution, half of his body suddenly peeked out from behind him and asked, "Do you have lice?"

Xie Yi was taken aback for a moment, then quickly cupped his hands in greeting: "So it's the Second Young Master!"

Shen Zhui straightened up, looked him over, and said, "I recognize you. You are my sister-in-law's younger brother. We are relatives."

Xie Yi chuckled awkwardly, "I dare not accept such praise. I come from a humble family, how could I possibly..."

"I don't like hearing you say that." Shen Zhui stuck out his neck. "What's wrong with being from a humble family? Aren't people from humble families still people? The Emperor said that the people are the foundation of the nation. Besides, you are my sister-in-law's brother, that's a fact. We're relatives, so don't call me 'Second Young Master' anymore. My nickname is Aju, so just call me Aju."

Xie Yi didn't know what to say. He remained silent for a long time, but unable to withstand the intimidating power of the towering figure, he forced himself to call out "Aju".

Shen Zhui was pleased. Then, puzzled, he asked, "What are you doing here?"

Xie Yi, realizing that he was not an outsider, explained the whole story.

Shen Zhui's eyes lit up: "Is that all? What's so difficult about that? I'll secretly pass on a message for you, and I guarantee no one will know."

Xie Yi asked in surprise, "You?"

"Yes!" Shen Zhui said, then thought for a moment, looked him up and down, and asked, "But have you ever been to school? Can you read?"

Xie Yi nodded: "He has some knowledge of literature."

"That's fine!" Shen Zhui immediately pushed a large stack of books that he had been carrying under his arm to him. "Then you do my homework, and I'll do this for you!"

"This won't do..."

Even though Xie Yi was a bit of a simpleton, he knew the rules of wealthy families and was absolutely strict about his children's studies.

If we do his homework, how can we help him?

That's exactly what ruined him!
Besides, Lu Jia assigned him the task to train him, so how could he just push it all onto Shen Zhui?

"Absolutely not!" He quickly pushed his homework back. "If my sister finds out, she'll beat me to death!"

Speaking of typing, Shen Zhui shuddered.

This is true.

He's the kind of guy who'll grab a brick and start hitting people at the drop of a hat.

Shen Zhui scratched his head as well. Then, his clever mind came up with a brilliant plan: "Then I'll listen to you and help you with your tasks. Just treat me as your assistant."

Xie Yi opened his mouth: "How dare I..."

“Let’s help each other out.” Shen Zhui gave him half of the homework. “You do half for me, and I’ll do the other half myself. That way, even if she wants to hit you, she won’t kill you!”

"..."