Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 434 Good Fortune (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Lu Jia remained silent for a long time before saying, "I never thought you would make this choice."

Lu Ying turned around, propped her elbows on the windowsill, looked up at the painted beams on the roof, and said, "I never thought of that either."

"When I was young, I had an ambition: even if I were to work in the inner quarters, I would want to be the most prestigious one and become the strongest one there."

"Marrying into the Yan family was indeed a choice I had no choice but to make, but it was also partly because I knew that if I missed that opportunity, I would never be able to realize this dream again. Under those circumstances, if I went through another broken engagement, it would be impossible for me to find a suitable family to work with."

"At that time, the Yan family was thriving, and I never believed that we would live to see the day when the great family fell apart. In the end, I was left with a mountain of sins."

"Perhaps all of this is in the past for you, but not for me. After returning from the Yan family, I thought I could start over."

"I tried to forget my time in the Yan family, but at the same time I faced my mother who had lost her life at my hands."

“This house is full of her traces. I have been with her day and night since I was born, and we are almost inseparable.”

"Every corner, wherever I go, is where she goes."

I can't shake off her shadow.

"Although I didn't go to the execution rack with the Yan family, my mother's mark here is too deep. Every mark is like a knife, stabbing me again and again."

"I may have hated her for bringing me shame, but no matter how guilty she was, she shouldn't have died at my hands."

Lu Jia paused for a moment, then didn't try to persuade her further.

Lu Ying relaxed: "It's great that you agree."

"I haven't told anyone about this yet, but for some reason, I really want you to know, and I also hope to get your approval."

Lu Jia sighed. "Do you think I can still tie you down?"

Lu Ying smiled: "You saved me from the Yan family."

"It was you who gave me a new understanding, making me realize that the rules my mother taught me from childhood and the rules I was exposed to in the Yan family were not the right path."

"This is enough."

I am no longer worthy of shining brightly.

"If I could live my life again, I would only hope to be your sister in the next life, sharing the same mother and father."

"That way, you won't have to suffer at a young age and will still be your parents' beloved daughter."

"And I didn't have to go through such excruciating pain to understand these truths—"

Lu Jia interrupted her: "What do you mean, 'same father'?"

Lu Ying looked up: "What do you think?"

Before Lu Jia could answer, she withdrew her gaze: "Since you already knew about the Yan family's conspiracy, how could Father have stooped to letting Mother give birth to his child?"

Lu Jia shook her head vigorously: "You're overthinking it, that's impossible. Besides, he's capable of anything to achieve his goal."

She didn't think Lu Jie was that pure.

What she once deeply grieved about in the past later became like a feather in her heart, drifting away lightly.

This "treacherous minister" is becoming increasingly "treacherous" these days.

Compared to the Yan family, the good thing about him is that he is not greedy, or rather, not so greedy. Last month, a county magistrate from Guangxi, who was his favorite student, brought him two baskets of taro, which he accepted.

Lu Jia wanted to take a few home to try, but he wouldn't give them to her.

In addition, people would occasionally give him stones and writing implements, which he accepted.

However, the people who gave him the stones and ink all became capable officials in their respective regions, and the people praised them highly, leaving Lu Jia speechless even if he wanted to scold them.

He doesn't blame people indiscriminately.

Aside from his brother-in-law cursing him every time he saw him, there were also some people in the court who gradually disliked him, but he didn't care. He would either settle scores on the spot or resort to underhanded tricks behind people's backs.

His relationship with the Jiang family was so intertwined with so many subsequent events that it was impossible to pinpoint it or pay attention to it anymore. When the memory still made her angry, Lu Jia would run back to her parents' home and deliver a few sarcastic remarks to him. When she was really furious, she would certainly hurl all the insults she could.

Lu Jia no longer considered Lu Jie to be an upright and honest gentleman.

The true gentleman was his father-in-law, Grand Commandant Shen.

"It doesn't matter." Lu Ying spread her hands and said lightly, "Even if he doesn't mind me, just as I think, why would I mind?"

Lu Jia nodded.

……

In the east wing of the waterside pavilion, there was a brocade couch. Lu Jie found the young people at the table too noisy and difficult to talk to, so he and Shen Bo sat on opposite sides of the kang table with wine pots, enjoying the snow on one side and drinking wine on the other.

At dawn, following Lu Jia's orders, several hot dishes were served, and Lu Jia's instructions were relayed: "Young Madam, please ask Grand Commandant to drink in moderation to avoid aggravating old injuries."

"I understand." Shen Bo waved his hand gently.

Lu Jie asked, "Does Jiajia have anything to say to me?"

Fuxiao smiled and said, "This servant will go and ask right away."

Lu Jie choked on his words.

“My daughter has become your daughter.”

Grand Commandant Shen stroked his beard with a cheerful smile.

Shen Qingzhou then came over: "Father."

Shen Bo was about to respond when Lu Jie asked, "What is it?"

"After the New Year, I would like to recommend two more people to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Their name cards are already in your study. Could you please take a look?"

"It's no big deal!"

"I need it tomorrow."

"Go, go, go."

Shen Qingzhou left satisfied.

Shen Bo said with a sullen expression, "My son has become your son too."

He was a legitimate scholar who had passed the imperial examinations and rose to the position of Grand Commandant. Could he not have accomplished this? Yet, he did not ask him for help.

Lu Jie cheerfully poured him a drink: "Neither of us loses out!"

Shen Bo agreed.

The two toasted each other.

Shen Bo's brows furrowed slightly with doubt: "Today is your birthday, yet there has been no movement from the palace. It's understandable that the Crown Prince hasn't come, but the Emperor hasn't issued any decree either. It's quite strange."

Lu Jie disagreed: "I'm happy to have some peace and quiet."

Instead, he spoke of national affairs: "The war along the southeast coast is progressing quite smoothly. I heard that in another year or two, it will be enough to quell the rebellion."

Shen Bo nodded: "I just received a military report from Hu Yucheng yesterday. He has secretly infiltrated the pirates and reached an agreement with the pirate leader's wife and family. If things go smoothly, it will be over soon."

"Given Hu Yucheng's nature, he would probably make some demands."

“That’s right. I have evidence of his past offenses, as well as handwritten letters from his secret dealings with the Yan family father and son. Because another private letter was sent at the same time as the military report, he subtly asked me to pardon him.”

"It's said to be absolution, but it's actually a form of coercion. If I don't agree, this war will probably drag on."

Lu Jie sighed and drew out his words: "War costs money. Although the downfall of the Yan family has replenished the national treasury, the court has been plagued by problems for decades. Not only does it take effort, but there are also many other places where money is needed."

"We still can't let him drag this out. We should reply to him that if he can pacify the southeast within a year, not only will we overlook his past crimes, but we will also reward him for his merits and grant him a noble title."

"You are known for your virtue and your word is as good as gold; he will surely believe you."