Chapter 34 Lifeline
When Lu Mingke came to the capital to marry, the betrothal gift she presented was very generous, almost as generous as the prince's marriage.
With the generosity of the Lu family, the return gift this time must be very generous.
Thinking of this, Old Lady Shen and Shen's mother were relieved.
Jiang Shu carefully observed their expressions, and the sarcasm in her heart became more and more severe.
Why didn't she realize that they were so greedy and selfish before?
After tearing off the veil of foolish filial piety, Jiang Shu really saw Old Lady Shen and Shen's mother clearly.
Thinking of living with them for the rest of her life, Jiang Shu felt a strong disgust in her heart.
She regretted that she only saw the honor and dignity of the Marquis's Mansion on the surface, but did not see the corruption and stench hidden inside.
After returning from Shouyong Hall, Jiang Shu's face was not very good, and he didn't eat much for lunch.
Chu Yu asked worriedly: "Madam, what's wrong? Let's ask Doctor Fang to take a look."
Jiang Shu shook his head and said gloomily: "I'm fine, just a little upset."
Diseases can be cured, but mental illness cannot be cured .
Shen Changze was very concerned about the farm, so he took a leave after three days and went to the farm with Jiang Shu and a few selected people.
According to the distance, they went to the nearest Sangyan Farm first. They
set out in the morning and arrived in the afternoon.
"I have met the Marquis, Madam." The farm manager Yang Laofu was very surprised and unprepared for their arrival.
But Shen Changze came prepared.
As soon as he entered the manor, Shen Changze asked about the situation on the manor, ordered Huo Chong to take people to inspect the fields, and asked for the account books.
Yang Laofu said with a guilty conscience: "The Marquis and his wife must be tired after the long journey. Why don't they rest for a night and look at it tomorrow?"
Shen Changze ignored him and started to look through the books with Jiang Shu.
As Jiang Shu expected, the records of the account books and fields were vague and confusing.
If he wanted to investigate, it would take three to five days, and it would be difficult to make up for the holes.
Shen Changze didn't have the time to do so, and he didn't bother to delve into such a fruitless matter.
He walked down from his high seat, crossed the screen, and threw the account book in his hand to the ground.
"Let's forget about all the things that happened in the past. Replace the manor manager and redistribute the land. Starting tomorrow, re-create the records. All tenants on the manor will be managed together, and the crops they produce will be handled by the Marquis's Mansion. If there are those who commit riots for personal gain again, they will be dealt with according to the law!"
Shen Changze was a general who returned from the battlefield covered in blood. He was decisive and cold in killing. When he was angry, his face was terrifying and intimidating.
The head of the manor, Yang Laofu, who made the mistake, knelt on the ground and said tremblingly: "Thank you for your mercy, Lord Marquis. In the future, I will be honest and do my best for the manor."
Shen Changze glanced at Jiang Shu behind the screen and said according to what the two had agreed: "Yang Laofu will be demoted to deputy head of the manor, and his son Yang Youcai will be transferred to the manor to work."
The new manor manager knows nothing about the situation in the manor, and must need someone who is familiar with the affairs of the manor to assist him in order to take over quickly, and Yang Laofu is undoubtedly the best candidate.
However, Yang Laofu has a criminal record, so in order to prevent him from fooling and bullying the new head of the manor and inciting the farmers to riot, his son was transferred to the manor as a hostage.
If he dares to have evil intentions or be disloyal, it will ruin his son's future and life.
Parents in the world work hard for their children and grandchildren. Jiang Shu's plan is not invincible, and it directly grasps Yang Laofu's life.
"This..." Yang Laofu was shocked.
Shen Changze's face sank, his eyes were fierce: "Why, are you dissatisfied?"
"I dare not, I obey your orders, thank you, Lord."
Yang Laofu was just a paper tiger who was bullying others. But Shen Changze was a beast who really dared to pick up a knife to kill people. Just a look made people shudder.
After dealing with the affairs of Sangyan Manor, it was dark.
After a simple dinner, Jiang Shu looked at the big bed in the room after taking a bath and fell into deep thought.
They came in a hurry, and Yang Laofu had no preparations, so everything was done in a hurry. There was only a big bed in the house, but no couch.
This meant that Jiang Shu could only sleep with Shen Changze tonight.
Although there were other guest rooms in the manor, she could not offend Shen Changze's face outside.
Jiang Shu stood in front of the bed, not knowing what to do.
When she married into the manor with a girlish heart, she hoped to be a loving couple with Shen Changze.
When Shen Changze returned after waiting for six years, she also thought about treating him with respect.
But since when, she no longer had any expectations for Shen Changze and refused to get close to him.
On weekdays in the mansion, she could still find ways to avoid him.
But these few days, there were only the two of them patrolling the manor, and there was no way to avoid him.
"What's wrong? Is this bed not to your liking?" Shen Changze appeared behind her with the steam of bathing.
Jiang Shu was startled, but his words also gave her a quick wit.
"Well, I'm a little picky about my bed. I'm afraid I won't be able to sleep well these days, and I'm afraid I'll disturb the rest of the Marquis."
Shen Changze had developed a habit of being alert when being cared for by the side, and he would be easily awakened by the slightest movement at night.
But if they live in separate rooms, it would cause criticism.
"I'll sleep on the floor, so the Marquis can have a good rest. We'll be busy these days, so we need to be refreshed." Jiang Shu took the initiative to give in.
Shen Changze watched her spread the quilt on the floor, took a pillow and prepared to lie down with her clothes on.
He grabbed her arm.
Jiang Shu's heart tightened, and she looked back at him cautiously.
"The floor is wet and hard. You sleep on the bed and I'll sleep on the floor." Shen Changze let go of her hand.
Jiang Shu secretly breathed a sigh of relief and lay down on the bed obediently.
Jiang Shu didn't recognize her bed at first, but it was her first time sleeping in the same room with a man. She was not used to it and tossed and turned and couldn't fall asleep.
Shen Changze leaned on his side and listened to the movement on the bed, and believed the fact that Jiang Shu recognized her bed.
"Can't sleep?" he whispered in the dark.
Jiang Shu was startled by hearing him speak unexpectedly, and said apologetically: "I will try not to move."
Shen Changze knew that she had misunderstood and thought: "How about I tell you a story"
"Puchi." Jiang Shu couldn't help laughing, "You are treating me like a child, Lord?"
She was not interested in stories for coaxing children, but she could listen to what she saw and heard at the border.
"Lord, tell me about the border."
Shen Changze thought for a moment, his mind sank into memories, and he spoke slowly.
Jiang Shu tilted her ear to listen, gradually becoming absorbed.
She had never left Shangjing, and could not imagine what the desolate northern frontier that Shen Changze was talking about was like.
She had been wealthy and well-fed since she was a child, and it was difficult for her to understand how hard it was that Shen Changze sighed about.
She had never seen death and killing, and did not understand how cruel the battlefield that awakened Shen Changze from his nightmare was.
But from Shen Changze's tone, she understood that he never wanted to return to the northern frontier again.
"Of course, the northern frontier also has its beautiful moments. In late spring and early summer, everything comes back to life. The tender green grass is full of wild flowers of various colors, and the shepherds wave their whips and hum unknown tunes..."
Jiang Shu closed his eyes, followed Shen Changze's voice and imagined falling asleep, his breathing gradually steadied.
People who practice martial arts have excellent hearing. After hearing the person sleeping on the bed, Shen Changze stopped talking, and a doting smile appeared on his lips.
Recently, he has been staying at Songlan Garden every night, and his bed affairs have been a bit excessive. In addition, he had important matters to attend to this trip, so he didn't have any romantic thoughts.
Sleeping in separate beds like this, and falling asleep with a calm and peaceful conversation, also has a different kind of warmth.
Shen Changze felt that Jiang Shu might not be a satisfactory wife, but she must be a satisfactory and virtuous wife.