The Marquis looked at the attentive crowd and continued, "I've discussed it with the Old Madam and the Second Master. We'll take out a few shops and estates for you to manage yourselves. Of the profits, a portion will go to the manor, and the rest will be yours. What do you think?"

This is naturally a good thing. The only one who is unhappy is Ning Shi. The shops and estates in the mansion are now all public funds. Every year, the money earned is handed over to the public funds. Apart from what is saved each year and what is set aside for the betrothal gifts and dowries for the children in the mansion, how to spend the rest is up to the head of the household.

Seeing that Ning's expression was not very good, the old lady said with a smile, "Your father and uncle are doing this for your own good, and I also agree with this matter. However, the estates and shops in this manor will be divided when you divide the family property in the future. If we just take them out for you to manage, there might be some conflicts in the future because of these estates and shops, which could damage the relationship between you brothers and sisters-in-law. So I've decided to take out a few estates and shops under my name for you to practice with."

Everyone was quite surprised to hear the old lady say this.

The old lady sighed and said, "You are all my grandchildren, and I will treat you all the same. There are five shops and five estates in total. The managers, clerks and estate managers are all ready. My requirement is that these people cannot be touched. Then you should pay attention and learn how to manage the affairs. I will keep 20% of the annual profits and you will take 80%."

After listening, the group looked at each other, unsure of what to say.

Upon seeing this, the old lady chuckled and said, "These things of mine will all be left to you sooner or later, won't they? Don't worry that I'll favor one side or the other. We'll draw lots among the five of you, and whoever's lot we draw will be ours. What do you think?"

Zhang Zhaoci stood up, smiled and said, "Grandmother, Father, Second Uncle, our family doesn't know how many more days we'll be staying in Hexi, so we won't arrest you."

The old lady smiled and said, "I knew you would say that. Don't worry, you just follow along and I'll personally keep an eye on things for you. As for the money you make, I'll save it for you and give it to you when you come back."

Since the old lady had already said so much, Zhang Zhaoci didn't say anything more. Granny Shen wrote down the names of the five shops and five estates on small slips of paper and put them into the two celadon brush washers. Then she placed the two brush washers on the kang table above the daybed.

The Marquis smiled and said, "Don't be shy, let's start with the smallest one. Qu'er, you and your wife come here, let's start with you two."