Chapter 047
Shen Jin was sitting in the carriage at this time, arguing with Chu Xiuming about eating outside. Shen Jin felt that the matter in Rui Wangfu had been resolved, so there was no need to think about it anymore. "That time, it was really because I drank a bowl of ice after I came back that I had a stomachache."
Chu Xiuming raised his eyebrows and looked at Shen Jin. Shen Jin groaned a little weakly and said, "It's not that the food outside is not clean."
"Yeah." Chu Xiuming poured a cup of tea and asked, "Are you thirsty?"
"I'm thirsty." Shen Jin said coquettishly.
Chu Xiuming did not hand over the teacup, but held it and fed Shen Jin some. When Shen Jin stopped drinking, he drank the rest. Shen Jin grabbed Chu Xiuming's hand and said with some disappointment, "I didn't see my mother today."
"It's OK." Chu Xiuming said, "Now that we are close, we can go anytime."
Shen Jin nodded and said nothing more. She was thinking about Shen Zi, Shen Jing and Shen Rong today. Shen Rong was fine, but Shen Zi and Shen Jing were a little... different from usual, especially Shen Jing. She remembered that Shen Jing was not like this before she got married. Although Shen Jing always acted like a talented woman in front of King Rui, at least she could hold it together. Was she a little out of control today? The feeling of being too much is as bad as being too little. It was not as good as the previous feeling of being noble and artificial. This kind of tenderness always felt a little out of place.
Moreover, Shen Jing was very hostile to her. Shen Jin frowned. It turned out that she was not. Could it be jealousy? Jealous that she married well, and Yongning Earl was not as rumored? But if you really count, Yongning Earl's wife could not be Shen Jing, but Shen Zi? Thinking of what her elder sister had revealed intentionally or unintentionally about the eldest son of the Zheng family, Shen Jin felt that it was Shen Zi who should be disappointed and upset. But who made her cry and make a fuss about not marrying him?
Shen Jin did not feel the slightest bit of guilt towards Shen Zi. She had suffered a lot in the border town and survived many dangers to get the happiness she had today. It had nothing to do with Shen Zi. Shen Jin felt that she had to live her own life. If it were Shen Zi, he would probably ask to return to Beijing or even "die of illness" as soon as he arrived in the border town.
But this has nothing to do with Shen Jing. Shen Jin also has to admit that Princess Rui can see through men's minds but she disdains to do it. Concubine Xu grasps it very accurately, otherwise she would not be able to gain a foothold in the Rui Palace just by relying on her appearance. Of course, there is also the reason of Princess Rui's indulgence.
Among Concubine Xu's three daughters, Shen Zi is the most outstanding in appearance, and is ranked among the best in the whole capital, so it doesn't matter if she has a spoiled temper. Her delicate and beautiful appearance makes men feel that she is as beautiful as the sun. However, Shen Jing and Shen Rong are not as good as her, so Concubine Xu trained Shen Jing to be noble and talented, while Shen Rong is naive and well-behaved. If Concubine Xu hadn't gone too far and wanted to suppress Shen Qi, which angered Princess Rui and made her intervene, Concubine Xu might have succeeded.
Shen Jing has talent, but she also thinks highly of herself. She used to look down on Shen Jin, and even looked down on Concubine Chen. Except for helping Shen Zi to bully Shen Jin sometimes, she was not willing to embarrass her. Who would have thought that she would change her character today? Shen Jin glanced at Chu Xiuming's face. Who said that beauty is a disaster? Even if she is not a beauty, she is still a disaster. I don't know how Concubine Xu will end it after she finds out.
Chu Xiuming naturally noticed his wife's gaze, with a questioning look in his eyes. Shen Jin grabbed Chu Xiuming's fingers and bit them gently a few times and said, "I think it's not good to have too many people in life."
"Hmm?" Shen Jin's strength was not painful to Chu Xiuming, so he didn't care. However, he was looking forward to what his wife would say.
Shen Jin got into Chu Xiuming's arms and whispered, "Look, there are so many women in my father's backyard, but how many of them are really good to him?" Princess Rui put herself in the position of a princess, not the wife of King Rui. Shen Jin didn't know what kind of life Princess Rui expected when she first married King Rui, but she felt that it would not be like now. Princess Rui had a kind of enlightenment after disappointment. No matter how smart she was, she still wanted to have someone to rely on, instead of supporting everything alone like now. "I think mother is very tired."
Chu Xiuming simply held Shen Jin in his arms and let her sit on his lap. Shen Jin's weight was almost nothing to Chu Xiuming, "Yeah."
"My mother... I don't think she likes my father." Shen Jin whispered, "My mother is so beautiful."
"Yeah." Chu Xiuming actually understood Shen Jin's meaning, and knew what Shen Jin wanted to say, but there were some things he just wanted to hear Shen Jin say. In fact, sometimes Chu Xiuming felt that he couldn't see through Shen Jin, as if she could live happily no matter what kind of life she lived. Sometimes Chu Xiuming would also wonder, what would happen if Shen Jin didn't marry him? Would she be happier if she married a simpler person?
Shen Jin thought Chu Xiuming didn't believe her, so she turned her head and put her face closer, "I look a lot like my mother."
Chu Xiuming chuckled, "Aren't you saying you're beautiful?"
Shen Jin smiled with his eyes curved, "Yeah."
Chu Xiuming's eyes flickered. Even if Shen Jin would be happier if she married a simple person, so what? She was his wife, and could only be his wife. "Yes, I also think my wife is outstandingly beautiful, and no one can compare to her."
Shen Jin nodded without any shyness, and suddenly thought of what she wanted to say. She grabbed Chu Xiuming's hand and took another bite, "It's all your fault. I almost forgot what I wanted to say."
"You talk, I'm listening." Chu Xiuming was not angry. He held Shen Jin's hand with his backhand, and his hand was just big enough to cover Shen Jin's hand.
"I don't know about Concubine Xu, but she has her own thoughts." Shen Jin said, "After all, she has a son and a daughter."
"Yeah." Chu Xiuming thought of Shen Zi and the other two. How could they be better than his young lady? King Rui's eyesight was really bad. He mistook a dead fish for a pearl and ignored the real treasure. But it was okay. If it was Shen Zi who married here? He couldn't stand it at all.
Shen Jin said, "Mother actually doesn't like the life in the palace. Mother... doesn't want to give birth to a child for father." This was said by Concubine Chen herself. At the beginning, Shen Jin envied Shen Zi for having a sister. The sisters were together every day, so she asked her mother. Her mother did not hide anything. She just said that having Jin Niang as her child was enough in this life. "Mother said that giving birth to a loved one is a kind of happiness, giving birth to a child for a husband is a responsibility, and for her, a concubine, to have a child is a blessing."
Chu Xiuming responded. He felt that his mother-in-law was a very insightful person. Only such a person could cultivate a contented character like Shen Jin.
Shen Jin was not sad, her tone was calm, she leaned in Chu Xiuming's arms, swaying her feet, the pair of colorful butterflies embroidered on her shoes looked like they were about to fly, "And the rest who don't even have a name, how much sincerity can they have towards their father?"
These words seemed to be asked to Chu Xiuming, but more like they were asked to herself.
Chu Xiuming felt that Shen Jin's hand was a little cold, so he held it a little tighter.
Shen Jin looked down at the hands of the two people and said, "So it's not that more people mean more affection. On the contrary, the more people there are, the thinner the affection. So, husband, can we just be at home?"
At the end he sounded embarrassed and uncertain, his voice trembling slightly. He was obviously afraid, but he was holding on and was unwilling to give in.
"Okay." Chu Xiuming's heart softened, and he no longer wanted to tease Shen Jin, "It's just us, there won't be anyone else."
Shen Jin didn't react for a moment. She didn't expect Chu Xiuming to agree to her words so easily. However, she got up from Chu Xiuming's arms, and then sat on Chu Xiuming's legs face to face, with her arms around his neck and her forehead against his, "Well, I want to give birth to a child for my husband."
Chu Xiuming's eyes were full of smiles. His shy little lady was so reserved even when she confessed her feelings. "Yes."
In fact, just after dinner in the Rui Palace, when Shen Qi asked Shen Jin if Shen Zi would be anxious when she returned, Shen Jin knew what Shen Qi meant, but she pretended to understand nothing, because this matter involved Chu Xiuming. The fact that Shen Zi did not want to marry Chu Xiuming and finally chose Zheng Jiaqu was no secret in the Rui Palace. Although Shen Zi was the one who suffered in the end, it was a matter of Chu Xiuming's face after all, so Shen Jin could not understand.
There was nothing disgusting about Shen Qi, but she felt a little depressed in Yongle Marquis' Mansion, so when she returned home, she could act a little more freely with the support of her father, mother and two younger brothers. But Shen Jin was not like that. The only one who really cared about her in Rui Wang Mansion was Concubine Chen, and Concubine Chen had no status and no say.
But thinking of how good Shen Qi was to her, she lowered her eyes slightly and whispered, "I hate my brother-in-law."
"Yes?" Chu Xiuming patted Shen Jin's back gently and said, "I understand."
Shen Jin felt that after she filed the complaint, Chu Xiuming would naturally help her vent her anger, so she didn't care.
When they arrived at the Yongning Marquis's Mansion, Shen Jin got off Chu Xiuming's body. Chu Xiuming got off the carriage first, and without using a stool, he directly reached out and carried Shen Jin down, holding her hand and walking inside. Shen Jin's wish was fulfilled, and Chu Xiuming agreed to help his eldest sister vent her anger. At this time, she was particularly happy and said, "By the way, why did father ask you to go to the competition?"
"Heh." Chu Xiuming chuckled, with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
"I don't think my second brother-in-law should be so stupid. Did you do anything?" Shen Jin asked after hearing the meaning behind Chu Xiuming's laughter.
Chu Xiuming neither admitted nor denied it, but some people who think highly of themselves, if it wasn't for venting their anger for their wife, they wouldn't bother to spend all this effort. Even if his wife is a little stupid, she won't tolerate others pointing fingers at her. So what if Prince Rui is his father? It still won't work.
Shen Jin didn't care when he didn't get an answer, "Why aren't they injured?"
Chu Xiuming stopped and looked at Shen Jin, and said, "Those are your father and brother-in-law, so they must not be injured." It is always bad to be discovered. Besides, who said that when dealing with someone, you must make it visible that they are injured? Wouldn't that give people a handle?
Shen Jin blinked, his face full of doubt. Chu Xiuming raised the corner of his mouth slightly and said, "Don't ask any more questions."
"I always feel that if you bully them, they might still remember your kindness." Shen Jin wrinkled his nose and muttered softly.
Chu Xiuming heard it, and it turned out that his wife was smarter.
Nanny Zhao was already waiting in the mansion, and she had made some hangover soup for Chu Xiuming. Anping went to pack up the things that Princess Rui had sent today, and registered what needed to be stored. Nanny Zhao and An Ning helped Shen Jin change into her casual clothes, "Madam, are you having fun in the mansion?"
"Yes." Shen Jin sat in front of the dressing table in a good mood, asked Zhao Ma to take off her headdress, tied it up loosely with a simple silk ribbon, and took off the bracelet on her wrist. She said, "My mother asked the kitchen to prepare the dishes I like, and my elder sister said many kind words to me." She turned her head and smiled at Zhao Ma, "I was very happy. It's a pity that I didn't see my mother, but my husband said that I can go anytime when I am close to her in the future."
In Shen Jin's words, almost everyone Zhao Ma was a good person, and they wouldn't feel anything even if they were bullied, so she glanced at An Ning. Although she believed that the general would protect the lady, there were some places where the general was not. If it was not inconvenient, she would definitely go with him, so as to prevent the lady from being wronged in a place where neither the general nor she could see.
Unexpectedly, Shen Jin's face suddenly darkened and said, "But fourth sister is very annoying." She had never fought for anything. Even if something in the palace belonged to her, she would give it up if Shen Zi and others wanted it. But not her husband. Her husband had already promised to only have her in this life, so she would never give her husband away, even if that person was her sister.
"Huh?" Nanny Zhao didn't expect to hear the lady say that she hated someone. It seemed that the fourth sister really irritated Shen Jin and made Shen Jin unhappy. Nanny Zhao's face changed. She glared at An Ning sharply and said, "But she bullied the lady?" As expected, if she didn't follow, someone would bully the lady. It was really too much.
"But it doesn't matter." Shen Jin quickly regained her smile, changed her shoes, and stood up feeling a lot lighter. "My husband said that we don't need to see each other anymore. By the way, Nanny, my husband and I are going to my elder sister's place tomorrow. Please help me prepare a gift for Marquis Yongle and his wife."
"Yes." Nanny Zhao concealed the look in her eyes and said respectfully.
Shen Jin walked out with a smile and asked, "Mammy, did you prepare some snacks for me? I don't think the cakes made in the palace are to my liking."
Nanny Zhao followed Shen Jin out. An Ning packed up the clothes that Shen Jin had worn and handed them to the maid beside her. She also packed up the jewelry and then left the house.
"I calculated the time and thought that the general and his wife would be back soon." Zhao Ma said with a smile, "It's just the right time to take the pot out."
Shen Jin nodded and walked faster involuntarily. When he arrived in the hall, he saw Chu Xiuming had already bathed and changed his clothes. He was talking to the guards in the mansion. When he saw Shen Jin coming, he nodded to the guards, gave a few instructions, and sent them down.
Nanny Zhao went to the kitchen to get the things herself, and An Ning packed up and came out to serve again. Shen Jin saw this and said, "An Ning, you and An Ping should go and have a rest. You've been standing all day." In Prince Rui's Mansion, An Ning and An Ping never left Shen Jin's side and were still standing.
An Ning smiled and said, "Madam, it's alright."
"Then you and Nanny Zhao, please sit down." Shen Jin said after thinking for a while.
Seeing that the general did not speak, An Ning bowed and helped Madam Zhao to set the table with fruits and tea. She then moved the small round stool and waited until Madam Zhao sat down before she sat down herself.
Nanny Zhao ordered the kitchen to make cakes according to Shen Jin's taste, with only a little sugar in them and more honey for flavoring. Some cakes were also added with milk and mint, which was particularly refreshing. Chu Xiuming poured Shen Jin a cup of flower tea and then asked, "Didn't you eat well in the palace?"
"I just think the food at home tastes better." Shen Jin said with a smile.
Chu Xiuming nodded and asked directly, "Did you get into trouble in the backyard?"
Shen Jin shook her head and took a sip of the tea. "You and Aunt Zhao just like to worry about me. I won't be bullied. Besides, the Rui Palace is my mother's home, not a dangerous place."
Chu Xiuming narrowed his eyes and said, "Silly girl, I'm afraid you won't even know you're being bullied."
"No way." Shen Jin retorted, "I have my elder sister to protect me."
Chu Xiuming's eyes flickered, afraid that she was still being bullied, otherwise how could she come to protect her? However, seeing that Shen Jin didn't want to say anything, he didn't ask any more questions. After seeing that she had eaten a few pieces, he moved the plate aside and said, "Go play with the little one."
"Okay." Shen Jin also thought about not seeing the little one today, so he stood up and said with a smile, "I miss it too."
Who knew that before she even left the house, she saw Butler Zhao coming over with his apprentice. Shen Jin smiled and said, "Butler Zhao, are you looking for the general?"
"No, I'm here to see the madam." Butler Zhao said seriously.
Shen Jin looked at Chu Xiuming and then Butler Zhao with doubtful eyes, then sat back in his seat, "Looking for me?"
Butler Zhao took the account book from his apprentice and said, "Could it be that Madam has forgotten that there are several stewards in the mansion?"
I really forgot about it. Shen Jin put it out of his mind after he dealt with the matter, "Oh."
Butler Zhao didn't want to embarrass Shen Jin, so he handed over the account book with both hands and said, "I have rechecked all the account books, and the discrepancies..."
Shen Jin was listening while flipping through the account book sorted out by Butler Zhao. She also looked at Chu Xiuming distractedly. When Butler Zhao stopped, she said, "Husband, you go ahead and do your work. I think it will take me a while to finish this."
Chu Xiuming nodded and said, "I'll go to the study."
Shen Jin agreed and continued to reconcile the accounts according to what Butler Zhao said. Nanny Zhao frowned as she listened. An Ning didn't dare to sit down anymore and stood behind Shen Jin. An Ping had already registered everything. When he came over and saw the situation, he stood aside silently.
Although Nanny Zhao knew that the people in the Yongning Marquis' Mansion in the capital had embezzled a lot of silver, she did not expect it to be so much. It was a bit too bold.
Shen Jin nodded from time to time. When Butler Zhao finished speaking, Madam Zhao asked, "What are your plans, Madam?"
"What do you think, Ma?" Shen Jin asked.
Madam Zhao said in a deep voice, "Ask them to return the silver and the things. If the things are not returned, just convert them into cash."
After Housekeeper Zhao finished speaking, he stood aside and did not speak any more. Madam Zhao knew that there must be spies among these housekeepers, so she said, "Send a few of the housekeepers' children to the mansion as guests, and inform the family that if the things are returned within three days, they can be taken back home."
"What about those that haven't been paid back?" Shen Jin asked.
Madam Zhao said, "Search the house."
Shen Jin thought for a moment and said, "It's a bit troublesome. There are only so many people in the mansion, and there are not enough manpower. Just send the people and evidence to the government."
Nanny Zhao was stunned for a moment and looked at Shen Jin. Shen Jin thought that his idea was not bad. "Tell the government how much each manager has embezzled and ask them to help recover it." Thinking of what Princess Rui said, if you want people to work, you must give them benefits. "I will take one tenth of the amount recovered and give it to them as a reward for their hard work."
Manager Zhao's eyes lit up when he looked at Shen Jin. Shen Jin's method was simple and direct. Although Nanny Zhao's method was also appropriate, it would inevitably make people who were not in the know feel that the mansion was too much. However, Shen Jin handed over everything, and with solid evidence, he let the government officials help deal with those people without any effort.
These stewards took the money and things, and they didn't know how much they had spent and how much was left. If they really wanted to make them pay back without mercy, they would have to sell their property. The Yongning Marquis's Mansion could do this, but what would people outside think? They didn't think that these people had embezzled the things of the Yongning Marquis' Mansion, and it was reasonable for them to hand them over. They would only think that the Yongning Marquis' Mansion was bullying others by taking advantage of their power. People were more sympathetic to the weak. The Yongning Marquis' Mansion naturally didn't want this evil man, but they felt disgusted if they didn't do it and kept him.
Shen Jin handed the matter over to the government. How to recover the money was the government's business. There was no need to worry that the government would not help. Money makes people tempted. This was clearly stated. Even if the officials were not tempted, how could the petty officials and soldiers not be tempted? They would naturally work hard to help collect the money. After all, the more money was handed in, the more money everyone would get. There was no need to worry that these people would hide it secretly, because it would harm the interests of everyone, and naturally their colleagues would be watching.
"Madam, you have good means." Manager Zhao praised sincerely.
Shen Jin looked at Butler Zhao with some doubt, then accepted the compliment without hesitation and nodded, saying, "It seems Butler Zhao also agrees, so let's do it this way."
"Yes." said Butler Zhao.
Nanny Zhao also thought of these things, and sighed in her heart that she had served... for a long time, and realized that some things were indeed not as straightforward as Shen Jin thought. After all, when facing the first crisis, one has to think carefully before saying anything, and one has to be roundabout in order to achieve one's goal.
Manager Zhao asked, "Madam, could you tell me why you thought of sending him to the government?"
Shen Jin looked at Manager Zhao in confusion and said, "First of all, there are not enough people in the mansion. According to Madam Zhao's method, at least seven or eight people should be assigned. If there are fewer people to serve, it will affect the normal life of the mansion. Secondly, my mother said that things that are difficult to handle should be handed over to the government. As a princess, the government should also take care of me."
Manager Zhao looked at it carefully for a long time and found that Shen Jin was serious. She really thought so! Manager Zhao just felt that it was hard to accept in his heart. He thought of so many reasons. As long as Shen Jin could say any one of them, Manager Zhao would feel that it was acceptable. But Shen Jin just felt that because there were not enough people around her to serve her and she was a princess who could bully others, she thought that the matter should be handed over to the government?
For some reason, Manager Zhao could only think of one sentence: Could it be that God loves fools?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
