Many people agreed with this statement.

“Shopkeeper, what my nephew Lai Zi said is right,” Qiu Shan had long had this opinion. “The people we buy are not very good after all. We should be more serious about marriage and make it a good match between the two families.”

You say that too?

"There's nothing we can do," Akiyama explained with a wry smile. "We all started out as slaves, so we know what kind of people we buy are."

To put it nicely, the quality is inconsistent; to put it bluntly, it's simply not presentable.

There has never been a case of a servant being promoted to concubine; it has never been a case of someone being directly brought out to be the principal wife.

"What kind of behavior is this?" Manager Jin found these words grating. "We are servants too, but aren't we doing just fine now? This vast estate, though not huge, is enough to support several families."

“That’s because there is…” Qiushan didn’t speak, but glanced at Jiang Nuan.

Without outside help, with only a few servants, he didn't think they would have a better fate than stealing money and running away.

What other options are there for runaway slaves besides hiding in the deep mountains and forests or becoming outlaws?

To escape the lowly status circle, one can only rely on outsiders to lend a hand; otherwise, a successful conclusion is just wishful thinking.

Manager Jin understood these issues, but he couldn't get over his own conscience. After hesitating, he turned his head towards Jiang Nuan.

Jiang Nuan: ...

Can't you just let her enjoy her melon in peace?

She pursed her lips but didn't say anything.

"My dear in-law, what do you think we should do about this?" Manager Jin didn't let her off the hook.

"It's not my place to interfere in the Jin family's affairs. You can discuss it yourselves."

"This time doesn't count. Tell me your opinion first."

After a moment of silence, Jiang Nuan asked directly, "Is Jin Yong's current wife any match for you?"

One's background is never the end point, but sadly, the vast majority of people do not break free from this constraint, which is a very cruel problem.

Upon hearing this, Qiushan quickly spoke up, "When the shopkeeper was buying people, he chose honest, timid, and easily manipulated individuals, who are truly unfit for important responsibilities."

These words made both Manager Jin and his son lower their heads.

They still have a sense of shame about discussing this in front of everyone.

“Father,” Jin said angrily, “Are you confused? My sister-in-law is the mistress of the house. How could you choose such a person?”

No wonder they kept giving me the runaround; they were afraid I'd find out something was wrong.

Upon hearing this, Manager Jin awkwardly explained, "It's not that your brother was in a hurry and didn't have time to choose."

"Father, how can you blame me? Didn't you say that this kind of person should be well-behaved?"

"I'm afraid you can't handle it? Isn't it because you're too incompetent?"

"Nonsense, you're clearly afraid you won't be able to control yourself..."

For a moment, the father and son were arguing and staring at each other.

Seeing this, Ms. Jin couldn't help but cover her eyes; she felt somewhat embarrassed.

“Let her be kept as a concubine,” Qiushan sighed softly. “A wife must be a girl from a respectable family, preferably with a straightforward personality, knowledgeable, and capable of handling things.”

Akiyama was choosing a daughter-in-law based on these requirements, and although he hadn't found one for several months, he still didn't intend to lower his standards and settle for someone less.

With power to leverage and profits to make, starting a business is inevitable. However, for it to last, no one in the family can hold them back, especially the daughter-in-law who has many children.

Jiang Nuan couldn't help but gasp in astonishment upon hearing this.

It sounds simple at first glance, but it's actually very hard to find. Not many people are fools; if a girl like that is betrothed before she even grows up, where would you find so many to leave for outsiders?

However, it's a good idea and deserves praise.

"That's true. It's good for a woman to have her own ideas so she can handle things when they happen."

"What do we do now?" Manager Jin asked with a bitter face. "If we have a concubine, which girl would dare to marry into our family?"

“Life is for you to live, not for others to see,” Jiang Nuan sighed. “Besides the pros and cons, there’s also your own heart. Life is only a few decades long. It’s not a bad thing to do one or two things that follow your heart.”

After saying this ambiguous sentence, Jiang Nuan left directly.

She didn't want to get involved in such a private and dramatic matter.

Seeing this, Madam Xie hurriedly followed, not forgetting to leave a message before she left: "Say it or not, do less things that are against your conscience. No matter what, you must treat the person you bought it with good care. They are all unfortunate people, so be kind and do good deeds."

Upon hearing this, Lai Zi awkwardly touched his nose, "Uncle Jinming, this matter was not well thought out by your nephew."

He does seem a bit immoral. Could it be that he did too many bad things in the past and couldn't help but become dark?

"It's not your fault, you meant well."

"Thank you for your forgiveness, Uncle Jinming." After saying this, Lai Zi quickly helped his heavily pregnant wife to make their escape.

"Shopkeeper, I think you really need to think about this issue carefully. You should think about the future, shouldn't you?" Qiushan was not giving up.

He had no liking for his niece-in-law, who never dared to look up.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

After giving that perfunctory reply, the father and son left together.

On the way, Manager Jin asked, "Son, what are your thoughts?"

"Selling it is definitely not an option, it would be too unfair to them. How about we just leave it as it is?"

Jin Yong's words made Manager Jin want to vomit blood. "You brat, can't you be a little more sensible?"

“Dad, things are fine now,” Jin Yong stammered as he explained. “Your son is actually quite satisfied with her.”

Personality isn't important; looks and figure are what matter most. As for a wife, she just needs to be soft to hold and able to bear children.

"Get lost!"

Manager Jin was furious at these words, but he gave up his hesitation.

Everything else is meaningless. It's just the father and son relying on each other at home. The most important thing is to live a comfortable life.

Both of them were extremely wary of women, so there was no need to make themselves unhappy. They would wait until they had a grandson and then cancel the indenture of their daughter-in-law. Once that happened, she would be completely devoted to them for life.

Manager Jin's little scheme was going smoothly, and once he figured things out, his frustration suddenly dissipated, and he started walking with a spring in his step.

In the main courtyard, even in late autumn, the fragrance of plum blossoms still fills the air, as if they will bloom forever.

After witnessing her daughter-in-law set up a defensive array throughout the entire courtyard, Jiang Nuan nodded in satisfaction, "The defensive array is finally complete."

The daughter-in-law studied hard, but she was even more tired teaching.

"Mother," Madam Xie said excitedly, "Can I go to the Northwest to find my husband?"

"Have you learned the moves your martial arts master taught you?"

“I’ve learned it,” Xie said confidently, raising his fist. “I’m strong and agile, and I’ve also learned martial arts. Three or five petty thieves are no problem for me.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Nuan couldn't help but twitch her lips.

She discovered that this daughter-in-law always maintained a mysterious self-confidence.

"Take Xiao Liu with you, let it protect you."

“It is possible,” Xie Shi paused for a moment, “What will Mother do without Xiao Liu?”

“I don’t usually go out, and I can ride horses, so don’t worry.”

"Okay then."

Xie agreed after only a moment's hesitation.

Although Xiao Liu is a top-tier player, he provides an even greater sense of security than An San.

After saying this, Xie hugged Jiang Nuan tightly and then left in a hurry.

She couldn't wait to see her man.