Contentment with modest wealth

Does Chapter 289 look familiar?
Lu Jia "brought" Shen Qingzhou back to Bibo Pavilion from Grand Commandant Shen's men. After exchanging a glance, they went back into the house at the same time.

The prestige of Grand Commandant Shen, who pacified the Northwest, was no joke. He was completely carried away by the play he just performed. Shen Qingzhou had gone to great lengths to stay in the Ministry of Revenue, and it would be a real loss if her own father interfered with her career.

In short, if it were anyone else kneeling in front of Shen Bo, Lu Jia would absolutely not have been willing to go through with it.

Back in the room, a barrage of news kept coming in, and I didn't even have time to say a few words to Shen Qingzhou. When I finally sat down, I realized he had been sitting beside me for a long time, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked.

"It's nothing." Shen Qingzhou took a sip of tea, his gaze inadvertently drifting over her flat stomach.

Lu Jia's mind was elsewhere. She continued, "My uncle just sent someone to say that the Emperor summoned Yan Shu to the palace, apparently intending to use this opportunity to put pressure on the Yan family and force them to find a way to raise the military funds. What do you think the Yan family will do?"

Shen Qingzhou said, "The Yan family certainly won't take money directly from their own pockets. I saw the Ministry of Revenue's account books before, and if I'm not mistaken, there should be some money in the Ministry of Revenue's account that will end up in their hands."

“This money, which has no actual destination and is still in the accounts, should become their target.”

"You mean they'll take these funds that haven't yet been pocketed and disguise them as military pay?"

"What the Emperor wants is money. Only if the Yan family satisfies the Emperor's purpose can the Zhou Sheng case possibly end before the Yan family is exposed."

"After all, Zhou Sheng is also involved in a large sum of tax that doesn't match up. If we investigate him thoroughly, we will eventually be able to find out the money."

Lu Jia nodded: "Therefore, the Yan family must work with the Ministry of Revenue to resolve this matter."

Shen Qingzhou looked at her: "But the Ministry of Revenue is now under the control of my father-in-law. Yesterday, Yan Shu stormed into the Lu residence and treated Lu Rong so badly. Even if my father-in-law was originally not on the same side as the Yan family, let alone if they were allies, my father-in-law would have no reason to agree to cooperate if the Yan family came to him again."

Lu Jia paused for a moment, then turned to look at Yin Liu: "Any news from the Yan family?"

Yin Liu waved her hand: "Ever since Yan Liang went to the Ministry of Works to vent his anger on Wei Ting an hour ago, the Yan family has not followed up."

Lu Jia paused, but before she could speak, Changfu walked in: "Reporting to the young mistress, the guards who were stationed outside the Yan residence said that the second young lady of the Lu family just returned to the Lu residence in a sedan chair!"

"Lu Ying?"

Lu Jia's brow twitched slightly. "Is she returning to the Lu family at this time?" Then she stood up: "Is she accompanied by anyone else?"

"No, only her."

Lu Jia turned around: "She must be acting as an intermediary for the Yan family."

Shen Qingzhou also stood up: "Will my father-in-law listen to her?"

Lu Jia slowly shook her head: "Logically speaking, no, but Lu Ying is not from the Jiang family. During the whole process of me taking action against the Jiang family, she did not interfere or stop me. But at this time, she is standing up for the Yan family, so she must have some confidence."

Originally, she wasn't sure what Lu Jie's attitude towards Lu Ying was. But after confirming that her father wasn't determined to rely on the Yan family for wealth and status, Lu Jia realized that if Lu Ying interfered or prevented her from taking revenge on Jiang Shi, it would be very uncertain whether Lu Ying could still become the second young lady of the Lu family when Jiang Shi was finally reported to Shuntian Prefecture by Guo Lu.

All because Jiang's evidence was conclusive, and Lu Ying's involvement would be tantamount to aiding and abetting a villain. Lu Jie, being such a cautious and prudent person, would not keep her by his side.

It's even uncertain whether she'll be able to marry into the Yan family and become a young mistress like she does now.

Therefore, Lu Ying's inaction from beginning to end may not necessarily be due to panic or helplessness, but rather she may understand everything and be leaving herself a way out.

She dared to go through this ordeal on behalf of the Yan family, so she must have had a good reason to go find Lu Jie.

“My father-in-law probably won’t completely break ties with the Yan family,” Shen Qingzhou pondered. “He’ll likely give in eventually. But Lu Rong was humiliated by Yan Shu, and the Lu family’s reputation is completely ruined. If they compromise too easily, it will leave people feeling uneasy.” “So we also need to do our part.” Lu Jia glanced at him. “Do you remember the Yang family?”

Shen Qingzhou paused upon hearing this, then her eyes flashed: "You mean—Yang Shuo?"

Lu Jia nodded, her gaze returning his meaningful look: "Yang Shuo was beheaded two years later. I don't believe Father didn't pay attention to him at that time."

Shen Qingzhou took a deep breath and looked at Tang Yu at the door.

……

The news that Wei Ting had been personally visited by Yan Liang soon reached Lu Jie's ears.

Yang Bonong's face was full of satisfaction. "The eldest son-in-law is indeed capable. In just half a night, he arranged things so well. Putting everything else aside, with that letter in Lord Cheng's own handwriting, Yan Shu had no choice but to believe it."

Lu Jie paced back and forth twice, nodding repeatedly: "This child is indeed quite good; I almost misjudged him."

At this point, he immediately said, "Now that the matter has been settled, we have the upper hand with the Yan family. Go and draft a memorial; I want to impeach Yan Shu and his son for abusing their power and showing contempt for official authority."

Yang Bonong asked, "Should we submit it directly to the palace or follow the normal impeachment procedures?"

“That’s the normal procedure.” Lu Jie glanced at him. “Sending it directly to the palace would be a complete breach of protocol. Only normal impeachment memorials stay in the cabinet, and only those that stay in the cabinet will reach the Yan family.”

Yang Bonong accepted the order and picked up a pen from the side.

Just as he finished speaking, Su Zhixiao walked in and said, "Master, Second Aunt has returned to the mansion."

Yang Bonong immediately met Lu Jie's gaze.

Lu Jie paused for a moment, a cold glint appearing in his eyes: "In that case, there's no need to write this memorial. —Let her in!"

Su Zhixiao bowed and then went out to lead Lu Ying into the open pavilion.

Seeing that Lu Jie was the only one in the room, Lu Ying called out "Father" and stood to the side.

"What brings you back to the manor so suddenly?"

"The daughter has come back to visit her father."

Lu Jie put down his pen and stared intently at her.

Lu Ying pulled a box out of her sleeve: "I found this among my mother's belongings. Does Father find it familiar?"

The box was no more than half a foot long, with two orchids of varying heights embroidered on top. Lu Jie's gaze sharpened the moment it fell upon it.

"On the night my mother was stabbed, she said in front of everyone that there were hidden details about my sister's birth mother's death. I heard her say that."

"My mother always knew where the owner of this box was. That's why she was so confident that no matter what situation she fell into, the Yan family would come to her rescue."

“I know where she is. Father, if you need, you can go to her using the address inside.”

Lu Ying opened the box, revealing a piece of paper inside.