In the afternoon, Jiang Wenbai's steward came to report: "The Second Master and Second Young Master Xue left the house and went to the Ancient Books Studio. Second Young Master Xue asked me to tell the old lady that she didn't need to wait for him when she returned."
Upon hearing this, Hong Yingrong nodded slightly. Jiang Wenbai was indeed a man obsessed with books. No wonder he and Xue Zhongfu got along so well and became friends regardless of age difference.
Mrs. Qiao stood up, her tone filled with complaints: "He finally got a few days off, but he either stayed at home reading books, or went out to visit the study halls and academies, and didn't know how to socialize with his colleagues."
As she enjoyed a pleasant conversation with Hong Yingrong, Qiao didn't hide anything and said frankly, "Old Madam, you don't know that a few years ago he even thought about resigning from his official position. As soon as he returned from the official bank, he clamored to go to Bashu to open a teaching ground and answer questions."
"Oh? The second master actually has such ambitions?" Hong Yingrong caught a hint of important information. She was worrying about how to help Jiang Wenbai avoid life and death disasters in the future, and she suddenly had an idea in her mind.
Mrs. Qiao was still talking non-stop. She had probably been holding these words in her heart for a long time, and today she was finally able to get them out.
"Old Madam, I'm telling you the truth. I had already written the resignation letter. Fortunately, I discovered it in time and stopped it."
Hong Yingrong nodded slightly, slowly put down the teacup in her hand, sighed softly, and wondered if she could make Qiao change her mind by thinking about this and that.
"When the old marquis was alive, he often told me about his desire to retire to the countryside," she began slowly, her thoughts seemingly drifting back to the past. "He always said he hoped one day to return to his old home in the north, to hunt in the mountains, to ride horses. How wonderful that life would be."
Mrs. Qiao listened to Hong Yingrong talking about the past and sat quietly aside, listening attentively, not daring to disturb her.
"But I always thought he was just joking, and since I'm not used to the northern climate, I never really discussed this matter with the old marquis."
"Now that the old marquis is no longer with us, I regret it every time I think about this. If I had truly supported him in retiring from the army, perhaps we wouldn't be in this situation today."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Qiao couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. She was not a person who was greedy for fame and reputation. Although she had expectations for her husband Jiang Wenbai's career, she hoped more that he could do what he wanted and live the life he really wanted.
After hearing Hong Yingrong's heartfelt words, Mrs. Qiao couldn't help but start to reconsider her husband's idea of quitting his official position to teach.
"Old Madam," Qiao took a deep breath and gazed into Hong Yingrong's eyes, "I understand what you mean, and I appreciate your guidance. My husband has always seemed a little out of place when it comes to official social interactions. If he's truly determined to resign, I'll be there for him until the end."
After hearing this, Hong Yingrong's eyes flashed with admiration. It was truly rare for Qiao to be so sensible.
At this time, in the Prajna Hall of the Marquis' Mansion, the time was peaceful. Guan Yan sat at the desk in the corridor, absent-mindedly copying a piece of calligraphy. However, he was not satisfied with his writing. After concentrating for a long time, he took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, and his heart seemed to relax a little.
Hanqiao was dusting the tables and chairs with a feather duster. Seeing him in a daze, she stopped what she was doing and asked with concern, "Guanyan, what's wrong with you? You've been absent-minded all day. Is something bothering you?"
Guan Yan looked at Han Qiao's concerned eyes, hesitated for a moment, and finally said what he was thinking: "Sister Han Qiao, I want to go to the border with Uncle Zhao Bai to transport grain."
Hanqiao was stunned for a moment after hearing Guanyan's words, but quickly recovered and said with worry, "You want to transport grain? This is not a child's play. The journey is long, and the western border has been uneasy lately. I guess there will be many dangers..."
"I know the old lady and Aunt Zhao are both good to me, but I don't want to stay in the yard all the time. I want to go out and see the world."
Guanyan thought back to the past. He was either sold from one place to another with his hands and feet tied, or locked up in the woodshed of the opera troupe, looking at the palm-sized sky through a skylight.
Hanqiao saw his determined look and knew he had made up his mind, so she encouraged him, "If you really want to go, you must tell the old lady and Aunt Zhao about it as soon as possible. If the grain transport team leaves, you won't be able to catch up..."
As she spoke, she smiled gently, as if trying to dispel the solemn atmosphere.
"Whether the old lady agrees or not, I will prepare your travel clothes first. The embroidery room is sewing new clothes for the people in the mansion these days for spring and summer. I will go and get two according to your size."
Guan Yan's heart ached, and his eyes became slightly moist. "Thank you, Sister Hanqiao."
As the evening sun was setting in the west, Hong Yingrong and Jiang Shuxiu returned to the Marquis' Mansion together. They had stayed in the Jiang Mansion for almost the entire day and were quite tired, so they each returned to the courtyard to rest.
When Jiang Shuxiu stepped into Tingyu Pavilion, the two maids Lai Xi and Bing Qiao immediately came forward, skillfully helped her change clothes, wash her hands, and gently removed the pearl and jade hairpins in her hair. The fatigue of the day seemed to dissipate a little.
Sitting in front of the antique dressing table, Jiang Shuxiu picked up the letter that she had not had time to read carefully before going out, and now she concentrated on reading it carefully.
In the letter, Shen Sanniang analyzed the business conditions of the Hou Mansion's shops in detail for Jiang Shuxiu and made pertinent suggestions.
As for the ginseng and antler shop, Sanniang thought it could continue to operate. After all, the ginseng and antlers in the shop were a fixed annual income for the old farmhouse in the north of the marquis's mansion. There was no need to increase the purchase cost, but it could add an income to the mansion.
As for antique shops, it is recommended to close them. The income of such shops is not stable, and they often rely on speculation and are more risky.
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