Chapter 221 Only by having self-respect and self-reliance can one avoid being bullied.
The entire hall was deathly silent. Lady Changping looked at the group of people kneeling on the ground, feeling both smug and regretful at the same time, regretting her past compromises.
She suddenly thought of the Duke of Chu, and of herself, a divorced woman, who had accomplished things that even men couldn't. A woman, if strong, doesn't necessarily have to depend on a man.
She let out a long breath. From now on, Zheng Saiyang would no longer be the sole decision-maker in the Changping Marquis's mansion. And the second branch of the family could no longer act arrogantly.
A short while later, the person sent by Madam Mei to the Marquis of Changping's residence returned. As soon as she entered the hall, she saw the masters of the mansion kneeling on the ground, with the Marquis of Changping's wife sitting in the main seat. She didn't know how to report to Madam Mei.
"Speak, what did Zheng Saiyang say?" The Lady of Changping's voice rang out. The old woman knelt down with a thud, then cautiously looked at Madam Mei. Receiving no response, she could only stammer:
"This old servant...this old servant did not see the Lord, but the steward of the Lord's mansion said...that the Lord said that the decision made by the Lady of the Lord's mansion...is his decision."
The entire second wife's family slumped to their feet, while Lady Changping sneered, "Did you all hear that?"
The second branch of the family was so nervous that they were at a loss. They had always relied on Changping Bo, but now that Changping Bo was no longer taking care of them, what could they do?
“Lian committed adultery and was drowned.”
"No, I want to see the Lord, I want to see the Lord!" Lian Shi, who was tied up, knelt on the ground and struggled desperately, but those who used to fawn over her were now kneeling there, unable to protect themselves, and not a single person spoke up for her.
"Gag her." As soon as Lady Changping finished speaking, an old woman took out a piece of cloth and stuffed it into Lian's mouth. Lian struggled fiercely, but was held down firmly by several old women.
At this moment, the voice of Lady Changping rang out again, "The second branch of the family... shall be expelled from the clan."
Those kneeling on the ground, who had been completely bewildered, became like chickens with their feathers ruffled upon hearing these words. Lady Changping didn't give them a chance to object, and stood up to leave.
After leaving the second wife's residence, Lady Changping let out another long sigh. She had been holding this in for over ten years, and now she thought how foolish she had been, thinking that if she endured and yielded, Zheng Saiyang wouldn't despise her or her children.
I was so foolish back then! If you don't stand up for yourself, how can others treat you like a human being?
......
The news of the second branch of the Changping Marquis's family being expelled from the clan spread the next day. When Jiang Yu heard the news, she was stunned for a moment, then continued to bury herself in her work.
Only by being self-respecting and strong can one avoid being bullied. If you are like a soft persimmon, everyone will want to take advantage of you.
She was working on a reform plan for Jufeng Money Shop and Merchant Guild. After finalizing the basic framework, she instructed Xia He, "Go to the Xie family and ask Xie Ning'an to come to the Secretariat tomorrow."
"yes."
Xia He took her visiting card and went to the Xie family's residence. The Xie family's gates were now tightly closed, and there wasn't even a gatekeeper at the entrance. The tall gatehouse, however, exuded an indescribable desolation.
She stepped forward, placed her hand on the door knocker, and banged on it a few times. After a while, an elderly servant in his fifties opened the door. Xia He stepped forward and handed over Jiang Yu's visiting card. The old servant took it, glanced at it, and quickly bowed to invite Xia He inside.
The old servant politely and carefully had tea served before taking the visiting card to Xie Ning'an's study. He handed over Jiang Yu's visiting card and said, "A maidservant from the Duke of Chu's household has arrived and wishes to see you."
Xie Ning'an accepted the visiting card, and upon seeing the three characters "Duke of Chu" on it, his eyes lowered. After a moment of silence, he stood up and walked out. The old servant watched his thin figure and sighed heavily.
Who would have thought that the once-powerful Xie family would collapse so suddenly?
When Xie Ning'an arrived at the front hall, Xia He immediately stood up and bowed to him, "Young Master Xie, my master, the Duke, requests that you come to the Ministry of Personnel tomorrow."
"What is it?" Xie Ning'an asked indifferently.
Xia He: "This servant does not know."
"I will be there on time tomorrow."
Xie Ning'an had the old servant escort Xia He away. He glanced down at the name card in his hand for a moment, then got up to leave. At this moment, the steward came over, bowed, and said, "Young Master, several managers from Jufeng Money Shop and Trading Company have arrived."
With such a major incident involving the Xie family, and Xie Yun facing execution, the Jufeng Money Shop and Trading Company must be in a state of panic. However, the Emperor has not yet formulated a plan for dealing with the Jufeng Money Shop and Trading Company; all he can do now is appease them.
He glanced at the calling card in his hand again, then stood up and walked out. "Let's go, I'll go see them."
It's likely that the court's regulations will be released soon.
......
The next day, Jiang Yu got up early as usual. Although she didn't have to attend court today, it was the day she took office as the Left Assistant Minister, which was very important.
"Which official robe should we wear?" Xia He asked Jiang Yu.
As the Duke of Chu, Jiang Yu had the court robes befitting a duke. However, he also had the official robes befitting a fourth-rank official, so Xia He was momentarily unsure which outfit she should wear today.
Jiang Yu was having Dongxue comb her hair when she looked at the two sets of clothes in Xia He's hands in the mirror and said, "The cyan ones."
Xia He put the purple Duke's official robe into the cabinet and said, "I heard that Aunt Guo has been going to Madam's courtyard a lot these days, saying that she wants to arrange a marriage between the Third Miss and the Fifth Miss as soon as possible."
Jiang Yu paused for a moment after hearing this, then said, "That's fine too."
Every mother wants what's best for her children. Grandfather's health is failing, and he won't live much longer. Jiang Shan and Jiang Ling are both of marriageable age. Aunt Guo is worried that if Jiang Ling and Jiang Shan observe three years of mourning after Grandfather's death, they will miss their marriageable age.
However, her mother will arrange this, so she doesn't need to worry about it.
After getting dressed, Jiang Yu took a sedan chair to the Zhongshu Sheng (Secretariat) government office. Upon arrival, she had to go through the "onboarding procedures" as usual. Then, Ren Rui, the Zhongshu Sheren (Secretariat Attendant) who was in charge of her onboarding, led her to her study.
As a fourth-rank official, Jiang Yu now had his own office and study. Ren Rui led him into the study and said with a smile, "Duke of Chu, this is your study. Please take a look and see if there's anything you need. Tell me and I'll get it for you."
Jiang Yu glanced around the room; it was quite spacious, probably around 60 square meters. It included a tea room and a study, and she thought that adding a screen could create a simple lounge area. It was quite nice.
“Very good,” Jiang Yu said with a smile.
"I'm glad you're satisfied," Ren Rui said again. "Yesterday, the Grand Secretary instructed me to assign you four Secretariat Attendants to assist you in your work. Would you like to call them over now?"
“Okay, let’s meet him,” Jiang Yu said.
The Grand Secretary has made excellent arrangements; she has a lot of work to do and definitely needs a few people to assist her.
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