"Also, you've seen Yun's personality; she's absolutely unwilling to be just a concubine."
“I know all too well how my child died back then, and I can’t let Wan’er follow in my footsteps.”
"Then why don't you talk to Miss Cousin frankly? If Miss Cousin knew your good intentions, she might turn back from her mistake," Madam Chang said in surprise.
"Look at how she tries to sow discord with Wan'er whenever she gets the chance. Is it possible to reason with her? If we could find a handsome and well-mannered young master from a prestigious family and make her pull her heart away from Yanzhi, it would be much more effective than a few words of comfort."
"Although Yun'er is not good enough, I still can't let her go. Tell Wan'er that once Yun'er recovers, take her out to meet more ladies. If she finds one she likes, my Marquis's mansion will definitely not skimp on her dowry."
As the old lady spoke, she lowered her head and began to ponder Liu Yunyan's dowry.
Previously, Pei Yanzhi sent people to Luoyang to help the Liu family with the matter of adopting a son to continue their family line.
It is highly improper for outsiders to interfere in the affairs of other clans. However, with the title of the Marquis's Mansion, the Liu family's collateral branches, though unwilling, ultimately could not resist the powerful.
However, although the Liu family's assets were recovered, most of them were still squandered by those clansmen.
In addition, they also had to appease the elders of the Liu family, so the amount of gold and silver jewelry they were able to bring back to the capital was pitifully small.
They do own quite a bit of farmland, and even a house in the capital, but they would never sell these unless absolutely necessary.
Liu Yunyan understood this principle, so these businesses were all managed by her servants.
If the marriage arrangement goes smoothly, Liu Yunyan's dowry will be quite unappealing.
Therefore, she had no choice but to help her raise the money.
"Go to the storeroom and get my dowry list."
As soon as she returned to the house, before the snow had even been shaken off her clothes, she gave instructions to Chang Mama.
It seems that the old lady really does not agree to the marriage between the young master and the young lady.
Mother Chang's eyes lit up. She responded to the old lady and beckoned a young maid over.
Jiang Shuwan's courtyard.
Jiang Shuwan had just returned from Liu Yunyan's place and hadn't even had a chance to sit down properly when she heard the news from Chang's mother.
"The old lady doesn't agree to Liu Yunyan marrying into the family..."
"But I didn't ask Aunt Chang to find out these things for me!"
Jiang Shuwan was both amused and exasperated.
However, she still thanked Madam Chang for her kindness, not only rewarding the little maid who delivered the message, but also asking Granny Tao to send some food and fabric to Madam Chang's house.
“Miss, Chang Mama is so kind. It’s no wonder you recommended Chang Mama to be our household’s head etiquette lady.”
After seeing the little maidservant next to Mama Chang out, Qingxing skipped back.
She leaned close to Jiang Shuwan's ear and whispered, "I was worried before that the old lady was just trying to appease you by asking you to find a husband for Miss Jiang, but she was actually planning to strengthen the family ties through marriage."
"After all, the old lady treats Miss Cousin better than Miss Fourth."
"Now that the old lady has started preparing the dowry for Miss Cousin, it seems she really doesn't agree to Miss Cousin marrying into the family."
"If the old lady doesn't agree, Miss Biao's plans will be in vain."
Jiang Shuwan remained indifferent after hearing these words.
She didn't say anything, but picked out a few posts from the table and looked at them all, including those about appreciating chrysanthemums and drinking wine.
Although the old lady had spoken on Liu Yunyan's marriage, the final outcome depended on Pei Yanzhi's determination.
If Pei Yanzhi truly had feelings for Liu Yunyan and wanted to take her into his family as he did in the previous life, could the old lady really stop him?
Of course, she couldn't say this to the old lady.
Anyway, whether it's Liu Yunyan's marriage or Pei Yunzhou's marriage, the old lady has spoken, so she should just do her best to handle it.
As for the rest, she couldn't care less.
On the other side, the Ministry of Revenue was brightly lit.
It was already dark outside, but Pei Yanzhi was still working overtime. He had originally left work long ago, but an unexpected matter at the government office forced him to come back and work overtime.
Just as they had almost finished dealing with the affairs, they heard Liu Yunyan's maid come to report.
"Your Highness, Miss Biao is ill. Please return home."
"Sick? When?"
The young man, engrossed in writing official documents, spoke without looking up.
“Just after I delivered the snow fungus and pear soup to the Crown Prince yesterday.”
"Okay, I understand."
Pei Yanzhi didn't say anything more and waved for the person to leave.
Seeing that he hadn't moved an inch, the maid remembered her mistress's words that she must invite the young master over. After hesitating for a long time, feeling uneasy, she finally mustered up her courage.
"Your Highness, the young lady is in terribly pain—"
She was interrupted by the boy's cold and sharp gaze as soon as she opened her mouth. Her heart trembled, and she thought that the prince's eyes were too terrifying. She dared not say anything more, kowtowed, and fled as fast as she could.
"Wow, that's fierce!"
"That little girl is so clever and beautiful. You don't even know how to speak more gently. Maybe you can even take her in as a concubine later."
A teasing voice came from outside.
Why are you here?
Pei Yanzhi finally looked up and stared at Yao Zhijie, who was standing casually by the door. Yao Zhijie wasn't even wearing his official robes; he was dressed in ordinary clothes, indicating that he had come from home.
"I came to see you. I heard that there has been a lot of resistance to collecting commercial taxes these past few days?"
As Yao Zhijie spoke, he stepped in. He stopped teasing Pei Yanzhi and picked up the report on the table to read it, frowning.
"So many merchants are falsifying their accounts and writing false ledgers. With these fake accounts, let alone doubling the commercial tax, they probably won't even collect half of what they used to collect."
"Damn, these fake accounts have turned profits into losses."
Yao Zhijie clicked his tongue in amazement, but his eyes were also filled with anger, after all, he also supported the tax increase.
Looking at Pei Yanzhi, he remained remarkably calm.
"It was expected, why get angry?" the young man said calmly.
"So what do you plan to do?"
"Make an example of someone!"
Pei Yanzhi said calmly, "With a stroke of the brush on the paper, the young man's well-defined hands decided the fate of many people."
"Well done! Decisive and ruthless, you truly live up to your reputation!"
Yao Zhijie gave him a thumbs up. Seeing that Pei Yanzhi was packing up to leave, he quickly said, "Want to go for a drink? There's a new tavern that just opened in the south of the city. The strong liquor from the north is really delicious."
"From the North?"
"What? Is there a problem?"
“That should be Aunt Jiang…my wife,” he corrected himself, “That’s my wife’s property. Aren’t you at odds with her?”
"...Holy crap, she's everywhere!"
Yao Zhijie was speechless. "My aunt's favorite glass jewelry is made by her, and even the wine I like to drink was brought in by her. She really has a way of infiltrating everything."
"Thank you for the compliment."
"!"
Yao Zhijie was even more speechless. Seeing Pei Yanzhi get up and walk out, he quickly chased after him, "Who praised you? Can't you understand good or bad words? Are you doing this on purpose...?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
