"How can it be the same if Pei Yanzhi confiscated it?"
"If he won't accept it, then you can't accept it either!"
Pei Lingyu was taken aback when she heard Jiang Yao's words.
He wondered why Jiang Yao was reacting so strongly. She had tolerated even Xiao Taohong's eldest son born out of wedlock, so why was she throwing a tantrum over the two things Shangguan gave her? It turned out she was comparing him to Pei Yanzhi.
Pei Lingyu was so angry that she laughed. However, when she saw Jiang Shuwan coming in from outside, she quickly asked Jiang Shuwan to reason with her.
"Big sister, you've come at the right time. Tell me about this. It's just two little trinkets, originally given to me by Shangguan. How could I refuse?"
That's how it is in officialdom.
"I really don't know what's so annoying about Jiang Yao."
Staring at Pei Lingyu, who had come to her for judgment, Jiang Shuwan felt for a moment that he was a stranger.
Pei Lingyu has always been a womanizer and pleasure-seeker. Whenever the topic of the imperial examinations and official careers comes up, he considers them to be traitors and parasites, and his mouth is full of contempt. Even though he is dressed in fine silks and satins, he never considers that these good days come from the "traitors and parasites" he speaks of.
Now he has improved; he knows how to please his superiors and how to secure his future.
He has indeed changed a lot since then.
At least the Pei Lingyu she knew before wouldn't like Shangguan, who treated women like objects and gave them away casually, nor would she accept these women.
He was lustful for women's beauty, and he wasn't satisfied with just one, two, four, or five.
This kind of husband isn't likely to break a woman's heart, but he has one advantage: he's considerate and gentle towards these women, and he won't skimp on their material needs.
Such a man is extremely rare in this day and age; otherwise, Xiao Taohong wouldn't have tried so hard to climb onto him and get ashore, and Jiang Yao wouldn't have been so infatuated with him.
Now he's even using phrases like "just two things" in his mouth, which shows he's definitely changed.
He certainly showed no respect to the two new women he had taken in.
Ignoring Pei Lingyu, Jiang Shuwan pulled Song aside and told her about the two women's identities.
Whether to stay or leave, Song Shi made her decision; she did not want to get involved in Pei Lingyu's affairs.
"How can we keep them? We should get rid of them as soon as possible."
Madam Song said with a shocked expression that she had obviously not expected that there were other forces involved behind the scenes in sending the concubine.
"How could anyone dare to keep someone like that by their side..."
As Song said this while holding her handkerchief, she glanced at Jiang Yao, who was sitting to the side with swollen eyes from crying, and another plan came to mind.
"Don't tell your second sister about this. She's stubborn. Lingyu's words were really harsh, but they weren't entirely unreasonable. You can't just do whatever you want in officialdom. She wants him to succeed, but she doesn't want him to get involved in any trouble. She's just too honest!"
"Men, as long as they are capable, being unfaithful is not a big mistake. They get used to it over time."
"Didn't my nephew also say that these two women can't cause any trouble? It's a good opportunity to use them to temper your second sister's temper."
“The Earl’s family already has three children born out of wedlock, but she hasn’t conceived at all.”
"She never thinks about anything serious, never thinks about getting pregnant, and just argues all day long, fighting with that lowly concubine like a child. I'll teach her a lesson this time..."
"You're such a grown man, why are you acting like a child!"
When Pei Lingyu and Jiang Yao left the Jiang residence, they were still arguing. Jiang's father had also finished his court session, so he asked Jiang Shuwan to come over while she was at home.
Just as Jiang Shuwan had predicted, the topic turned to land reform.
The land reform was proposed by Pei Yanzhi. The old emperor had not yet given his approval, but even the mere suggestion was enough to enrage the various powerful families.
Therefore, during this period, Jiang's father was often ostracized by his colleagues.
His purpose in calling Jiang Shuwan over was to persuade Pei Yanzhi not to pursue any land reform, as it was unlikely to succeed anyway.
Jiang Shuwan, however, had a different opinion.
Of the eight prominent families of the Great Jing Dynasty, the Chen State Duke's Mansion lost power when it was involved in usury. The head of the Pingzhou Gu family, along with his outstanding members, were killed by Li Chengyun. The Yun family returned to their hometown, and the Yun family was small in number.
Of these eight powerful families, only four remain capable of fighting.
One of the old emperor's maternal relatives was wealthy and powerful, but the entire clan acted like retired old men. They opposed everything, from commercial taxes to new land reforms, and when their opposition failed, they accepted it.
Other aristocratic families tried every means to place their children in the imperial court or to strengthen their foundation through marriage, but they did none of those things.
If they want to give me honor, I'll accept it; if not, then forget it.
She was in a semi-reclining position, quite obedient as a relative of the mother-in-law.
Of the remaining three powerful families, one has a major influence in Jiangnan Province, another is a literary giant with a vast body of work, and the third's members are indifferent to fame and fortune. Recently, there have been daily battles in the imperial court, but this family has remained completely silent.
Only the Guo family remains, and the current head of the Guo family is the Minister of Personnel.
The Guo family is the Hou family's mortal enemy, and with the death of Guo Yaqin's elder sister, they have also become enemies with the Jiang family in a roundabout way.
Since the old master returned to his hometown, the position of prime minister has been vacant. This Minister has become a figure second only to the emperor, with immense power and more followers than ever before.
It can be said that as long as Pei Yanzhi can withstand the pressure from the powerful families of Jiangnan, the Guo family, the Crown Prince, and the First Prince, the probability of success is very high.
Of course, ordinary people will be all smiles, while noble families will inevitably be furious, and even the assets of the marquis's mansion will shrink significantly, but this is definitely a system that benefits future generations.
Regarding the reform of the land tax, let alone the fact that Pei Yanzhi might not listen to her, even if she could influence Pei Yanzhi's decision, she wouldn't bring it up.
She was born in an era when land was distributed according to population density. At present, aristocratic families own large tracts of land, while ordinary people have no land to cultivate, which is already a very abnormal situation.
A distorted society will eventually perish.
Her current business is inseparable from a stable situation.
Logically and emotionally, Jiang Shuwan could not possibly go against Pei Yanzhi, even though she was basically hated by everyone in the capital because of the land reform.
"It's not a big problem, we can handle it."
Jiang Shuwan was in a good mood. After bidding farewell to her father, she did not return to the Marquis's mansion. It had been a while since she had inspected her properties. She strolled around the various food streets and then went to Donglai Street.
"Miss, these are the recent sales figures for our glass and perfume products. Sales have been dismal. Please punish us."
Meixue held the ledger and said with a sad expression.
She has been promoted to store manager. Glassware and perfumes are always in high demand in the store, especially perfumes. When the weather gets hot, people inevitably have body odor, and many wealthy people like to buy perfumes.
Recently, the store's sales have plummeted; both glass and perfume products are selling very poorly.
Even distributors of glassware from various regions say they are selling very little, and some people are causing trouble.
"It's alright, this matter has nothing to do with you."
Jiang Shuwan waved her hand.
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