With a narrow waist and flowing black hair, half-down and half-tied up, he looked out the window as snow fell heavily, large flakes dancing in the air, and a cold wind blew up from the window, ruffling a few strands of the boy's black hair.
"Should we close the window?"
As he was writing, Pei Yanzhi suddenly turned around and asked.
Jiang Shuwan paused for a moment before shaking her head, "No need."
He nodded without saying anything. He had visited Jiang Shuwan's courtyard several times last winter, and the windows were usually closed each time.
"It's not too late to keep it open now, but it will have to be closed later."
His words of advice only made Jiang Shuwan clench her fists even tighter.
Winter has arrived, but the house is as warm as spring.
Her intuition told her that this was not a good sign.
"It's written. Can you take a look and see if it's feasible?"
He had finished copying it down and came over to show it to her.
Jiang Shuwan took it and glanced at it haphazardly. Finding no problem, she nodded. Dinner was also set out over there.
She and Pei Yanzhi had eaten together countless times, mostly at the old lady's place. He usually didn't talk much, but now he was talking about her business.
"I am now in charge of commercial taxes, which has offended many powerful families and merchants. They hate me to the bone. If there are any banquets these days, you can simply decline if you don't want to go."
"Just say that Madam is not here, and that she has too many affairs to attend to. I don't think they can say anything. As for the old lady, I have already taken care of her. You don't need to worry."
"Thank you, the old lady is very kind to me, I'm not worried."
Jiang Shuwan buried her head in her food and ate silently, glancing at the person opposite her as she ate.
He ate with his back ramrod straight as always, every movement measured and disciplined. Perhaps he had just finished writing, for he smelled of ink, which was quite pleasant.
Perhaps it was because he was in a good mood, his expression was much more relaxed than his usual serious demeanor, his eyebrows were relaxed, and his eyes seemed to have a gentler feel to them.
If one hadn't witnessed him arresting people with his own eyes, who would have imagined that the newly appointed head of the Ministry of Revenue, who was so sharp and ruthless outside, would be like this at home?
A thought struck her, and Jiang Shuwan asked casually, "Coming back today reminded me of something. How did the young master deal with that coachman from last time?"
Which groom?
"The one at Xiangguo Temple."
"He was sent to the estate."
Jiang Shuwan thought he was going to say something, but it ended there.
"Just sending the estate?"
“Otherwise—we can’t just hand him over to the authorities, and sending him back is even more impossible. He wasn’t born into the household; he was sold into the Marquis’s mansion. He has no relatives in his hometown, so sending him to the estate to do hard labor is a punishment for him.”
"..."
Is this all the punishment you're going to give me?
I just can't believe it.
Jiang Shuwan chuckled awkwardly twice, then asked casually, "I wonder which city Your Highness caught him in? He was quite fast, yet it took Your Highness half a year to catch him?"
"Rats have their own ways, and since you don't go out much, you naturally don't know their ways."
That makes sense.
Even with modern surveillance, criminals can disappear without a trace once they run away.
"I finally trust the Crown Prince. He is a man of his word and would never lie to me, would he?"
As she spoke, she slowed her breathing, her eyes fixed on the changes in his eyes, which reflected her beautiful face.
His gaze towards her was sincere and transparent, without a trace of deception.
"Of course, you've helped me several times, why would I lie to you?" His voice was clear and pure.
"Then what do we do?"
"What do you mean, what to do?"
"Of course it's our marriage. You and I both know that without my second sister, we wouldn't be able to get married. Noble families don't have divorced women. My father always tries to emulate the noble families. But now I have some property, so even if we divorce, my father will definitely still love me as before. So you don't need to worry about me. Last time I was almost hit by a vase, you saved me. I have no way to repay you. If you want a divorce, I will definitely not pester you. I will also return the betrothal gifts given by the Marquis's mansion in their entirety."
"Miss, what did you say?!"
Qingxing, who was serving tea nearby, almost burst into tears when she heard what she said.
In the young maid's eyes, her young mistress had finally secured her position as the young mistress. Although the cousin was annoying, the young master was becoming increasingly affectionate towards her young mistress.
If things continue like this, they might become a real couple before long.
With the old lady backing her up, even if Liu Yunyan enters the mansion, she will only be a lowly concubine and will not be able to threaten the status of her young lady.
If that's the case, why bring up divorce?
The lady dislikes the young master so much that she hates her young lady as well. She doesn't believe that anyone else can outmaneuver the lady in three moves.
The wives were all sent to the estate to reflect on their past.
If we divorce now, wouldn't we be doing all the work for someone else?
Moreover, it's quite possible that this wedding dress was made for the neighbor's cousin.
"Miss, why are you bringing up divorce all of a sudden? A woman's reputation is as important as her life. Even if the divorce is successful, it will still damage your reputation."
Qingxing said hurriedly, fearing that Pei Yanzhi would agree to the divorce, the little girl was very flustered.
"What do you want to do? What do you want?"
Hearing Pei Yanzhi's words, Qingxing breathed a sigh of relief, and Jiang Shuwan's mind calmed down as well.
She stared straight at him, her gaze almost piercing his heart.
"I want to be the young mistress of the Marquis's mansion."
She schemed and struggled in the Marquis's mansion, overcoming numerous obstacles, not seeking a peaceful retirement.
Moreover, the commercial tax was introduced a few years ahead of schedule. Once this tax is collected, the eldest prince and the crown prince will definitely be extremely poor. However, she has properties that attract envy. What if they start fighting over them?
Her father's official rank was too low; he was not a force that could be combined with the support of the Crown Prince's faction.
Although she had the old emperor's backing, in truth, Pei Yanzhi was the one who had the last laugh.
She really didn't want to give up this thigh.
Not only for herself, but also for those under her command.
She is no longer the person she once was; she now has many people to support.
The maids in her courtyard, and the soldiers in the north who had lost their health due to the war and were working in factories, all depended on her.
She is but a ghost of this era.
But now that she's in this position, she should shoulder her responsibilities.
She gave those people hope, so she couldn't abandon them halfway.
"good!"
I promise you.
Hearing him say that, Jiang Shuwan still asked for confirmation again and again.
"real?"
"Really, I swear every word I said today is from the bottom of my heart."
He spoke sincerely. Jiang Shuwan looked at him but couldn't see any flaws. She thought, "He's a powerful minister, someone who plays high-level political games. He wouldn't lie to me."
"Alright, from now on we're allies. If you need anything, just let me know and I'll help you."
Jiang Shuwan said boldly.
But what I really wanted was to trust her one more time.
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