The 123rd person's biggest fear is wanting to have it all.
"The Great Han Dynasty has been established for over two hundred years, and our Chu State Duke's Mansion has also lasted for over two hundred years, during which time the entire clan was almost wiped out."
Jiang Yu's voice rang out, her voice was very soft, as if she were telling someone else's story, "But our ancestors of the Duke of Chu's family turned the tide and saved the Duke of Chu's family and the lives of the entire clan. This time, my father was tricked into smuggling salt. If it weren't for my grandfather's decisive action, our entire clan might be exiled now, or we might already be buried underground."
When Jiang Yu spoke of these things, she showed no emotion, nor any resentment towards Jiang Chengye, while Jiang Chengye's hand trembled slightly. He said, "I...I didn't know at the time."
“Hmm,” Jiang Yu hummed in a emotionless voice, then said, “In a large family like ours, a single misstep can have far-reaching consequences. A wrong decision by the person in charge could lead to the annihilation of the entire clan.”
“Father,” Jiang Yu sat up straight, one elbow resting on the armrest of the chair, her eyes fixed on Jiang Chengye. The posture seemed casual, but it gave off a great sense of pressure. Jiang Chengye did not dare to meet Jiang Yu's gaze, and he also shrank his feet inward.
Then Jiang Yu continued, "Do you think that if you became the Duke of Chu, you could ensure the stable development of your family? Or rather, could you protect your own life and the lives of your entire clan?"
Jiang Chengye lowered his head and remained silent. Jiang Yu relaxed and continued, "I understand. Father thinks I stole your limelight and your position. But Father, a person can't do nothing, can't do nothing, and still enjoy those undeserved accolades, can they?"
Her words were too direct. Jiang Chengye looked up at her, and their eyes met. Jiang Yu's gaze was indifferent, but it made Jiang Chengye immediately look away.
He said, “I know you…you are intelligent, and you have done a lot for this family, but I am your father, and you have to respect me. I never intended to make all the decisions. I can listen to you; whatever you ask me to do, I will do.”
To reiterate, he was willing to be a puppet.
"Father, do you know who will be the first to rush to the front lines, or rather, the first to die, if something big happens?" Jiang Yu asked.
Jiang Chengye mustered his courage and looked into Jiang Yu's eyes, only to hear her say again, "A puppet. Father, you've been to school, have you ever known a puppet emperor in history who had a good ending?"
Jiang Chengye's initial enthusiasm vanished instantly. Jiang Yu watched him slump dejectedly in his chair, and suddenly lost her patience, but she still patiently continued speaking to him:
"Does Father truly understand his own heart? Do you want to be a powerful person who issues orders, or a carefree person who eats, drinks, and has fun? I think Father knows better than I do how a person in power should act and how a carefree person can act."
"The worst thing for a person is to want more than they can do, and to insist on doing things they cannot do. The result is only one word—death."
Jiang Yu looked down at her fingernails and remained silent. She had said all she needed to say; if Jiang Chengye remained obstinate, even if he was still of use, she wouldn't hesitate to take drastic measures.
"Crack!"
The candle on the table flickered, its sound unusually clear in the quiet room. Jiang Chengye clenched his fist and looked up at Jiang Yu. "How will you treat me from now on?"
Jiang Yu raised her eyelids. "You are my father, so of course I must be filial to you. The food, drink, and other necessities you have are naturally the best in the mansion. If you want to take a few concubines, as long as you are not afraid of continuing to hurt my mother's feelings, I, as your daughter, cannot interfere. Of course, in my heart, my father is not as important as my mother."
The implication is that I'll take good care of you, but if you upset my mother, I won't let you off the hook.
Jiang Chengye stood up. "I understand."
He started to walk out, but stopped at the door. "I have never thought about taking another concubine. Don't talk nonsense in front of your mother."
He looked at Jiang Yu with sincere eyes, "I...I want to live a good life with your mother in the future."
Jiang Yu nodded, "I will tell my mother what I said."
"I...I was just telling you, I didn't mean for you to tell your mother." After saying this, he regretted it a little and looked at Jiang Yu, saying, "What I meant was...I can't control what you tell your mother."
Jiang Yu: "Yes, I will tell my mother."
Jiang Chengye was pleased with these words and said, "Then...you should rest well. I'm leaving now."
He strode away, his back view showing a hurried demeanor. Jiang Yu couldn't help but smile, then got up and walked outside. Xia Hechunxue and Granny Liao were both waiting outside. The three of them followed her into the bedroom to help her rest.
Granny Liao said, "Sometimes the young master is like a child."
Jiang Yu hummed in agreement without saying anything else, then lay down and closed her eyes. If he weren't her biological father, if he weren't still useful, she wouldn't have been so patient with Jiang Chengye.
Seeing that she had closed her eyes, the three women, including Granny Liao, turned off the light and tiptoed out. Once outside the door, Granny Liao sighed again for Jiang Yu's hard work.
........
Xie family
The Xie family was already aware of Jiang Yu's appointment as an investigating censor in the Ministry of Revenue. At this moment, Xie Yun, Xie Ning'an, Xie Zizhang, and Xie Zinan were discussing this matter in Xie Yun's study.
Xie Zinan said, "So what if she becomes the Censor of the Ministry of Revenue? First, we'll have her sort out several years' worth of tax documents, which will delay her for a year. Then we'll find a crime to pin on her and get rid of her."
Xie Zizhang nodded upon hearing this, but Xie Ning'an said, "Jiang Yu is not as simple as you think."
Xie Zizhang and Xie Zinan were somewhat dismissive of these words. No matter how capable Jiang Yu was, she was still a woman. In an officialdom full of men, what could she possibly achieve?
Xie Yun's expression was also somewhat solemn. She said, "Not only do we not want Jiang Yu to become an official, but there are others who don't want him either. So let's not make any moves rashly and let's wait and see."
Xie Zinan and Xie Zizhang disagreed, feeling that they should have acted before Jiang Yu had established himself in the officialdom.
Seeing their expressions, Xie Yun frowned and warned, "Don't forget we suffered a great defeat at her hands. Don't underestimate women."
Xie Zizhang and Xie Zinan nodded quickly; they were still very obedient to Xie Yun. Seeing this, Xie Yun gave the two a few more instructions, then let them leave, leaving Xie Ning'an to talk.
“Jiang Yu has entered the Ministry of Revenue. Although the Chu State Duke’s Mansion has little influence in the Ministry of Revenue, nothing is certain.” Xie Yun looked at Xie Ning’an and said, “I will find the right opportunity to get you into one of the Six Ministries.”
Xie Ning'an nodded, "Grandfather, please make the arrangements."
Xie Yun looked very pleased. He continued, "Regarding your marriage... I plan to have you marry Princess Yalin, the daughter of Prince Yong. Although Prince Yong is a prince with no real power, marrying Princess Yalin will not only allow you to connect with the royal family, but also show the Emperor that our Xie family has no ambitions."
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