Chapter 347 A Plan to Turn the Tide

After Dongmai returned, before she could even exchange a few words with Aunt Xin, Shen Zhu, one of the guards who had gone out with Shen Qingjun, returned with the goods.

Because it was the first year after the mourning period ended, Shen Qingjun still attached great importance to it.

Even though he couldn't come back to reunite with his family, he still missed his relatives in Beijing.

Although Suzhou is not as prosperous as the capital, it has many local specialties.

Shen Qingjun sent back a lot of local beef and mutton, as well as other local specialties.

Oh, not only did they send them to their own family, but they also sent them to Qian Qingqing's maternal family and her maternal grandfather's family.

Shangguan Jin was very satisfied with Shen Qingjun's actions.

They are polite and courteous; judging from this, they are already able to support the Duke of Dingguo's mansion.

It seems the day I can travel and explore these beautiful landscapes is drawing near.

Thinking about it this way, Shangguan Jin felt very happy and felt especially close to Chen Zhu.

"Is the master settling in well in Suzhou?" Shangguan Jin asked the returning guard, Chen Zhu.

"Everything is fine. The local nobles and gentry treat you with great respect, sir," Shen Zhu said respectfully.

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Jin breathed a sigh of relief.

Shen Qingjun's trip to Suzhou to deal with the wasteland issue will inevitably infringe upon the interests of the local nobles.

Those nobles...

Hehe, he's probably good at putting on a good show.

Who could blame Shen Qingjun, who was an imperial envoy sent by Emperor Xiao Wu!

They even had the Imperial Guards with them; they couldn't afford to be disrespectful...

Qian Qingqing then asked some everyday questions.

Are you eating well? Are you dressed warmly? Suzhou is cold, has Shen Qingjun taken good care of himself...?

Chen Zhu answered all of them.

Shangguan Jin listened to all of this with a smile.

The newlyweds, who have only been married for a short time, have already gone on such a long business trip.

Qian Qingqing will definitely be thinking about it.

Seeing that she had almost finished speaking, but Shen Zhu showed no intention of getting up, Shangguan Jin understood that Shen Zhu must still have something he didn't want to say in front of Qian Qingqing.

"Qingqing, go and see if you can pack some things for Jun-ge'er to take with him."

Bring some food, clothes, and useful everyday medicines.

The supplies prepared in the capital are definitely better than those bought in Suzhou.

When Shenzhu returns in two days, it will be just right to give it to him.

"If they don't have them in the manor, let's see if they're sold on the streets on the last day before the New Year," Shangguan Jin suddenly said.

Upon hearing this, Qian Qingqing immediately stood up.

Yes, it's rare for me to come back, so I have to bring Shen Qingjun lots of things!

Bring plenty of food and clothing...

After watching Qian Qingqing leave, Shangguan Jin turned to look at Chen Zhu.

"Speak! What is it? What happened to Jun-ge'er?" Shangguan Jin asked calmly.

Upon hearing Shangguan Jin's question, Shen Zhu quickly stood up.

"Madam, the master is alright!"

"The master only asked me to pass on a few words to the madam," Chen Zhu said.

"A message? What message?" Shangguan Jin was even more puzzled.

"The old man said that if any news about him reaches the capital in a few days..."

Tell Madam not to worry.

"Just treat it normally, the old man will take good care of himself," Chen Zhu said.

Shangguan Jinxin immediately perked up.

What about Shen Qingjun? And they're telling me not to believe them? What could it be?

"Is the old man in danger?" Shangguan Jin asked seriously.

"There will be no danger. Some people want to harm the old man, but they will never have the chance."

The old man said it wasn't good for things to remain like this.

Why not just give that opportunity to those people?

"How can we make a scene without luring them into a trap?" Chen Zhu said in a low voice.

Shangguan Jin immediately understood what Shen Qingjun wanted to do.

Shen Qingjun wants to use himself as bait!

"You...remember to protect Jun-ge'er. Should His Majesty know about this?" Shangguan Jin asked.

"The master has already written a secret memorial and presented it to His Majesty."

But His Majesty disagrees.

His Majesty's intention is to proceed gradually and not to risk my life for those people.

Only then did the old man send the young man back to tell his wife about these things.

He said he asked the lady to mention to His Majesty when she entered the palace that everything was prepared.

"If we miss this opportunity, it won't be easy to find such a good one again," Chen Zhu continued.

Shangguan Jin didn't speak, she just nodded.

It seems that when this happens, I'll have to put on a big show for everyone with my eldest son again.

"Okay! I understand! You must have had a long journey. Go back and see your wife and children."

"Let's wait until after the fifth day of the lunar new year before we leave!" Shangguan Jin said.

Shen Zhu bowed and clasped his hands in a fist salute.

"Madam, let's leave on the second day of the lunar new year! There's something going on in Suzhou after the fifth day."

"I'll go home early so I can rest easy knowing I'm seeing my grandfather sooner."

Shangguan Jin nodded, then gestured to Dongmai to hand Chenzhu a purse.

There were two hundred taels of silver notes inside...

After Chen Zhu left, Shangguan Jin paced back and forth in the room.

What exactly is Shen Qingjun trying to do?

Suzhou is not like the capital. The people there are fierce and tough, and the local nobles and gentry have been entrenched there for many years.

Those officials who went to Suzhou to take up their posts were all extremely cautious.

Even if Shen Qingjun is a scholar, and he is the Duke of Dingguo, he still has to be wary of the local power.

"Let's go! Let's go have a chat with your Duke." Shangguan Jin suddenly thought of Shen Huaichen, who was going to spend the New Year at the Shen family's house.

Upon hearing this, Dongmai hurriedly grabbed a cloak to drape over Shangguan Jin.

But after looking at the sky outside, I gave him another reminder.

"Miss! The lamps have been lit!"

Shangguan Jin also realized what was happening.

Oh, it's already late. She's a widow now, and Shen Huaichen is a widower. It's not good for them to meet casually.

"Then... let's talk about it tomorrow!"

"He's not just my son, so as his father, he should also pay more attention to him!" Shangguan Jin said casually.

Winter wheat expressed its approval.

Although the Duke made great contributions to the household and sent back a lot of silver and jewels every year.

But the young lady also has a lot of things to do in the manor.

If the Duke's mansion didn't have a young lady, it would have fallen apart long ago...

"Yes! That's how it is. The Duke doesn't know the cost of firewood and rice when he's not in charge of the household..."

No, you don't know how many troubles there are in a household until you're in charge.

"It's time to let the Duke share your burdens," Dongmai said.

Shangguan Jin nodded, indicating that she would tell Shen Huaichen about it the next day when she went to deliver the New Year's supplies.

"How about... we let the Duke go outside the city, come in through the tunnel, and then come into your room?"

That way, others won't see it!

"You can talk to the Duke for as long as you want," Dongmai suggested.

Shangguan Jin thought about it and thought, "This is a great idea!"

Perfectly discreet!