The destiny of all heavens begins in the Red Chamber

Jia Huan smiled but remained silent, knowing that Prince Zhongshun could not possibly trust his words completely.

"Nothing has happened yet, so we don't need to worry about it!"

Jia Huan was the first to change the subject, and said in a deep voice, "But if something really happens, Your Highness can join forces with the other members of the imperial clan to put in a good word for us, so that the noble group won't suffer too much of a defeat."

"That's fine then!"

Prince Zhongshun also secretly breathed a sigh of relief, for Jia Huan's guess was too bold and too crazy.

Even if he racked his brains, he would never have imagined such a thing would happen!

Jia Huan didn't continue talking about it; after all, no one would believe it until the incident actually happened.

Sometimes, it's quite shocking how seemingly shrewd individuals can turn out to be utterly useless and foolish; it's absolutely mind-blowing.

Next, Jia Huan and Prince Zhongshun discussed the expansion plan for next year.

He took out a simple nautical chart from his pocket and, together with Prince Zhongshun and some of his trusted advisors, pointed and discussed it until evening.

Even so, Jia Huan only revealed one-third of his prepared draft and plan.

For the next two days, Jia Huan stayed with Prince Zhongshun, constantly explaining his plans and pointing out the key points where Prince Zhongshun's mansion needed to contribute.

By the time the discussions with Prince Zhongshun were fully completed, it was already mid-December.

The entire capital city was filled with a festive and lively atmosphere. The biting cold wind and the occasional falling snowflakes could not dampen the enthusiasm of the people of Beijing for celebrating the Chinese New Year.

At this time, Jia Huan was busier than usual.

The year-end summary for the Ningrong Street branch, and the year-end summary for the Chengwai Tianzhuang branch.

He personally went to the Ning and Rong mansions to explain the situation, especially regarding the estates outside the city, to Qin Keqing and the second wife, Madam Wang.

Especially the second wife, Madam Wang, who had no business acumen and whose talents were all focused on domestic intrigue, and who also loved money, making her quite difficult to deal with.

Fortunately, Jia Huan had anticipated this, and when he signed the lease agreement with Wang Xifeng, he directly used silver as the rental fee, leaving no opportunity for the mansion to take advantage of the situation.

Sure enough, he took out 70,000 taels of silver notes and handed them to the accountant in charge of the public accounts in front of Madam Wang and her niece Wang Xifeng.

"You're a true man of your word!"

Wang Xifeng said cheerfully, "Eighty thousand taels of silver every year, not a penny less!"

"Only 70,000 taels this year!"

Jia Huan said directly, "Of the Rong family's eight estates outside the city, one of them is managed by Zhou Rui, so I won't be responsible for the rental fees of that estate!"

Wang Xifeng's smile froze, and she looked directly at Madam Wang, who was dressed as a Bodhisattva, without saying a word.

"Your share will not be less than a penny!"

Madam Wang said unhappily, "Zhou Rui will hand over the rent money in the next few days, so there's no need to worry!"

"Can we divide up the eldest son's share right now? I really can't wait any longer!"

Chapter 315 He's Got Water in His Brain (Please Subscribe)

The current Wang Xifeng seems to have completely let go.

Since cutting ties with Gongzhong, she has focused all her attention on the East Campus.

As time went on, he even lost interest in what was happening at the Rong Mansion.

In the past, he would often go to the old lady's Rongqing Hall to amuse her.

Now, they go there once every ten days or so, pretending to fulfill their filial duties on behalf of the eldest son's family.

However, he never again performed the act of entertaining his parents with colorful clothes, nor did he become a source of amusement for Rongqing Hall.

For a time, the old lady felt very uncomfortable and was unhappy for a long time.

Unfortunately, Wang Xifeng didn't need to curry favor with her to maintain her position.

This girl is quite realistic; she stopped pretending altogether, and the old lady couldn't do anything about it.

We can't force Wang Xifeng to submit by using the concept of filial piety; that would cause a falling out.

Similarly, when Wang Xifeng and her aunt, Madam Wang, were communicating, neither of them showed any intention of backing down.

The benefits that are rightfully ours should definitely be taken directly into our hands.

Upon hearing that Madam Wang intended to delay, he immediately became displeased.

"Since there are 70,000 taels anyway, let's divide it according to the ratio of 80,000 taels to save trouble!"

Ignoring Madam Wang's instantly unpleasant expression, Wang Xifeng calmly said, "It's almost New Year's, everyone has things to do, there's no need to waste too much time and energy on the allocation of public funds!"

"Okay, let's arrange it that way!"

Wang Xifeng refused to give her face, and Madam Wang was helpless.

Even though she harbored resentment and anger, she didn't reveal it at all; she was incredibly shrewd and calculating.

"Huan-ge'er, there will be a banquet at the East Courtyard on the 23rd of the lunar year, you must come!"

Having received the silver she was owed, Wang Xifeng had no intention of staying any longer and immediately got up to leave.

However, before leaving, he extended an invitation to Jia Huan.

"I will definitely be there on time that day!"

Jia Huan chuckled, "Let's also take a look at Zhuoge'er and Qiaojie'er!"

"Then it's settled!"

Wang Xifeng chuckled, greeted Madam Wang, and left immediately.

"Mother, is there anything else?"

After watching Wang Xifeng leave, Jia Huan stood up and asked Madam Wang, "I still have some things to take care of!"

"Brother Huan, I heard you own a territory in the open sea?"

Madam Wang spoke directly, asking curiously, "What exactly happened? Can you tell me?"

She was feeling unwell that day and did not go to Rongqing Hall to report, so she did not hear Jia Huan's explanation.

Of course, she and Wang Xifeng were actually thinking similar things; neither of them really wanted to be a supporting character at Rongqing Hall.

In particular, they were even more unhappy when Madam Xing was not there as a control group.

Why is it that Madam Xing lives a carefree life on her estate outside the city, while she has to go to Rongqing Hall every day at set times, even though she is a grandmother herself?

It was too awkward without anyone of the same generation present.

Aunt Xue didn't know what was going on. She used to visit the Rong Mansion almost every day, but recently she had been coming less often, leaving Madam Wang with one less person to confide in.

Little did he know, he had only wanted to slack off, but ended up missing Jia Huan's account of the overseas territories, which left him quite frustrated.

Right now, the matter of the overseas territory is causing quite a stir within the Rong family, and with Zhou Rui's wife stirring things up, she has long wanted to find an opportunity to call Jia Huan over and give him a proper explanation.

Lady Wang's idea was simple: she was wondering if she could directly seize Jia Huan's overseas territories.

Jia Huan was naturally unaware of Madam Wang's specific thoughts, but he could guess that she clearly had designs on that territory on Jeju Island.

He couldn't help but sneer inwardly!

Are offshore territories something that just anyone can covet?

They thought it was a manor owned by the government outside the city, and that they could do whatever they wanted with it?

Various thoughts popped into his mind, but that didn't stop him from explaining the matter of the outer sea territory clearly and quickly.

"If the manor sends someone over, do you have any objections?"

Madam Wang was very direct, showing no intention of beating around the bush, and said in a deep voice, "Tell the truth!"

"Whatever, I'd love to!"

Jia Huan laughed and said, "They're short-handed there, the more people the prefectural government sends, the better!"

"You mean you're not worried about the people in the manor taking control?"

Madam Wang asked directly, "Could it be that the situation there is very bad?"

"That's not it!"

Jia Huan shook his head and explained, "After all, that place is an island in the open sea, and it's even more distant from the capital!"

"The rules of the manor do not apply there. Unless the manor sends a highly skilled and experienced army there, it is unlikely to gain the upper hand!"

"How do you say this?"

Madam Wang said unhappily, "Explain yourself clearly. I don't have time to guess!"

"There are no government officials over there; whoever has the bigger fist gets to listen!"

Jia Huan said directly, "In the Great Qian Dynasty, status and position are useless. The most important skills are being good at fighting and having strong vitality!"

The meaning is quite clear: if they send those mediocre people from the manor over, it's like sending vegetables to be eaten.

Madam Wang said displeasedly, "If you had gone there, would it have been the same situation?"

"That's not the case!"

Jia Huan frankly stated, "But I simply cannot go there to take charge of the situation in a short period of time!"