The Marquis doesn't support his beloved wife's ambitions, so I'll take the imperial e

When Jiang Zhenxue returned to Qingyun Pavilion and pushed open the door, it was as if she had retreated from a war-torn battle to her fortress.

She went to the backyard to check on Shen Yu first. The boy was now able to lean against the headboard, holding a book in his hands, but his face was still pale. When he saw her come in, he immediately put down the book, his eyes filled with unconcealed worry.

"Sister Jiang, you..."

"I'm fine." Jiang Zhenxue interrupted him, walked to the bedside, checked his forehead temperature, and only breathed a sigh of relief after confirming that he didn't have a fever. "Your only task now is to recover your health. Qingyun Pavilion doesn't lack managers, what it lacks are future top scholars who can stand in the imperial court."

A faint blush rose to Shen Yu's cheeks. He lowered his eyes and whispered, "I'll listen to my sister."

After comforting Shen Yu, she found Kang Mingyan, who was sighing in the front hall.

"Mingyan, thank you for standing up for me last night." Jiang Zhenxue handed him a cup of hot tea, her tone sincere.

Kang Mingyan took the tea, but had no appetite for it. He looked at her with a worried expression: "Xue'er, what exactly does the Marquis of Ningguo want? Has he stopped making things difficult for you?"

"What he wants to do is his business. I just want to do my business peacefully." Jiang Zhenxue looked at him. "You saw what happened last night. His identity is not something you or I can easily offend. From today onwards, don't come to Qingyun Pavilion anymore."

"No way!" Kang Mingyan immediately retorted, "How can I let you face him alone!"

"Your arrival has truly harmed me." Jiang Zhenxue's voice calmed down. "What he wants to see is me abandoned by everyone, isolated and helpless. If you truly consider me a friend, go home, study hard, and don't worry your father. The Kang family has worked hard to establish itself in Yunyang County; we can't let your family's foundation be ruined because of me."

Her words were all logical and persuasive, leaving Kang Mingyan unable to refute them, only feeling a tightness in his chest.

He knew she was right. In the end, he could only nod dejectedly, pick up the untouched cup of tea, and walk away, turning back to look at her every few steps.

After seeing off all the irrelevant people, Jiang Zhenxue immediately threw herself into her business. She reviewed yesterday's accounts and, based on the new pricing, began planning her promotional strategy for the next two weeks.

She was so busy she barely had time to breathe, as if the powerful man didn't exist at all.

She knew that Xiao Qingyan wouldn't let it go so easily. Since he had said he would stay to "watch the show," he would never leave so readily.

Sure enough, as night fell and the shop assistants had all left, Jiang Zhenxue was checking the last account under the lamp when that familiar yet suffocating figure appeared silently at her door like a ghost.

He changed into a dark-colored casual outfit, stood with his hands behind his back, and quietly looked at her with an unfathomable gaze.

Jiang Zhenxue didn't even raise her head, but simply asked indifferently, "Has the Marquis come to check the accounts, or to collect the rent?"

Xiao Qingyan walked in slowly, went straight to sit opposite her, and glanced at the densely written account books on her table. His brows furrowed involuntarily: "When I was in the capital, I never saw you so concerned about these things."

"Of course." Jiang Zhenxue finally raised her head, closed the account book, pushed it aside, and wore a formulaic smile. "In the capital, I had to watch your face, Lord Marquis. Here, I have to watch your face, Yinzi. Yinzi is much more lovable than you, Lord Marquis; at least it doesn't throw tantrums for no reason."

"Jiang Zhenxue!" Xiao Qingyan's voice deepened. "Do you insist on speaking to me in this tone?"

"Then what would you like to hear, My Lordship?" Jiang Zhenxue leaned back slightly in his chair, adopting a negotiating posture. "Would you like to hear me begging you to show mercy, or would you like to hear me expressing my gratitude and thanking you for giving me a meal?"

She smiled, a hint of coldness in her smile: "My lord, I'm tired of performing those kinds of plays, and I don't want to do them anymore. If you'd like to watch, you can go to the theater and request a performance; the leading ladies there are better than me."

Xiao Qingyan felt a tightness in his chest from her words. He realized that all the methods he used to use to make any woman either fearful or submissive were completely ineffective in front of her. She was like an eel covered in oil, slippery and impossible to grasp.

"You weren't like this before." He stared at her, trying to find a trace of her past in her face. "Who raised you to be the way you are now?"

"It's poverty," Jiang Zhenxue's answer was simple and direct. "It's the life of living under someone else's roof, the humiliation of having to be subservient to others. These things taught me more useful than any book of sages. What, does Your Excellency think that women are born stupid and should be submissive?"

Xiao Qingyan fell silent.

"It's getting late. If you have nothing else to do, Lord Marquis, please leave. The room rate at Yingxian Tower must be quite high. You are a busy man, Lord Marquis, don't waste your money on a place like this." Jiang Zhenxue said, then stood up and made a gesture to see him off.

However, Xiao Qingyan remained seated as steady as a mountain, showing no intention of leaving. He raised his eyes and glanced at her indifferently: "Who said this Marquis was leaving?"

Jiang Zhenxue's heart sank: "What do you mean?"

"The literal meaning." A playful smile curved Xiao Qingyan's lips. "Since I said I would stay to watch the show, I will naturally enjoy it to the fullest. From tonight onwards, I will stay here."

Jiang Zhenxue was almost amused by his shameless logic: "Living here? Xiao Qingyan, get this straight, this is my shop, my room! Not your manor!"

"Not now, but that may not be the case in the future." He slowly stood up, his gaze sweeping around the elegant room before finally settling on her soft bed. His tone was as if announcing something perfectly natural, "This bed is fine; I've requisitioned it."

"You're dreaming!" Jiang Zhenxue refused without even thinking.

"Is that so?" Xiao Qingyan approached her step by step, his tall figure bringing an intense sense of oppression. "Then do you think I should throw you out, or... you should obediently go sleep on the recliner outside?"

He thought that this threat would at least make her show a hint of fear.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Zhenxue suddenly smiled. Instead of backing down, she stepped forward to meet his gaze, her expression as calm as if she were discussing a business deal.

"Alright, if the Marquis wants to stay, that's fine too."

Xiao Qingyan was taken aback, clearly not expecting her to react this way.

"However," Jiang Zhenxue held up a finger and waved it in front of him, "this isn't a charity; lodging costs money. Especially this bed, made of the finest sandalwood; a night's sleep on it will soothe the mind and invigorate the spirit. I won't overcharge; since you are of such high status, Lord Marquis, how about a friendly price of one hundred taels a night?"

"What?" Xiao Qingyan thought he had misheard. This woman actually dared to charge him for the room?