Chapter 11 What would it sound like if it got out?
Lu Zhiran smiled nonchalantly, "It's not too late to recognize her true face now. We'll just have to wait and see. There will be trouble between them in the future."
After saying that, she buried her head and continued to use the abacus.
She knew very well what kind of people were in this marquis's mansion.
They treated her like a sucker who could take whatever she wanted. How could they agree to her leaving? It would be difficult for her to take her money when the time came.
Another major obstacle is the Lu family.
Even if she successfully obtained the imperial decree for divorce, her father would not dare to disobey openly, but in reality he would definitely not treat her well.
She has to plan everything early.
There were so many things going on that she had no time to be sad.
"Nanny, please ask Fugui to run a message to Uncle Tan for me. I have something important for him to do."
Fugui is the son of Nanny Jin, and now works in the outer courtyard of the Marquis' Mansion.
Tan Xuwen is also a capable old man under her, mainly responsible for managing the shop in the capital.
The only correct decision she made back then was to conceal her true financial resources from the Marquis's Mansion. The Marquis's Mansion had no idea how many properties she actually owned.
Among her dowry shops, the five with the best business were all replaced by new managers and staff members by Jiang for various reasons, and her original staff were excluded and neglected.
She knew that those people had dirty hands.
She wanted Tan Xuwen to start an investigation, find some evidence against them, and deal with them in a logical way, so as to prevent Jiang from finding out that she wanted a divorce and then instructing these people to cause trouble for her.
Nanny Jin immediately responded and went to do it.
On the other side, Chu Yian was called to Yongfu Residence by Jiang.
"Mother, you called your son here, but what's the matter?"
Jiang got straight to the point, "I heard Qing'er say that you and Shuning are planning to hold another wedding banquet."
When Zhao Shuning was mentioned, Chu Yian's face showed a touch of tenderness.
He nodded, "Yes, my son does have this plan. She is my equal wife and has an imperial decree, so my son should give her the respect she deserves."
This decision was made just yesterday, and he hasn't had time to mention it to his mother.
A hint of disgust flashed through Jiang's heart, but she didn't show it on her face.
"You're right, but... you know, the Marquis' Mansion may look glamorous on the outside, but it's actually in dire straits. We simply can't afford to throw a grand wedding banquet right now."
Chu Yian was silent.
How could he not know this? But this was Zhao Shuning's request, and he felt he owed her that, so he couldn't refuse.
Jiang sighed deeply, "Why not just forget it..."
Chu Yian said in a deep voice, "She helped me a lot in Xiping, I can't let her down."
Jiang blurted out, "You've already requested an imperial decree for her. How many women in the world can have such an honor? How can you say you've let her down?"
Jiang still feels a lump in her stomach when she thinks about it now.
He could have used his military merits to extend his title for the Marquisate, but he used it on this woman!
At worst, he could ask for an imperial decree for his own mother!
It must be that vixen who has bewitched his mind.
Chu Yian frowned, "That's different. What she wants now is what every woman would want. If there's no wedding banquet, her status as a co-wife won't be legitimate enough, and she won't have enough prestige in the mansion in the future."
The more he defended Zhao Shuning, the more angry Jiang became, and her expression became even uglier.
Chu Yian seemed to notice Jiang's displeasure and added, "Mother, this wedding banquet isn't entirely for her. My son will be working in the capital, and I'll inevitably be interacting with various families there. Our mansion can no longer remain silent as before; it's time to raise our profile. This is a perfect opportunity, and that's one of the reasons why my son agreed to hold a wedding banquet."
This reason finally softened Jiang's expression a little.
Thinking of something, Chu Yian spoke again, "Shunning has been working in the palace for the past two days. She is taking Concubine Li's pulse. With her ability, she will definitely be able to cure Concubine Li's old illness. Mother, Shuning is not an ordinary woman in the inner court. She can bring benefits to the Marquis' Mansion."
Jiang sat up straighter upon hearing this, "Really?"
Chu Yian said with a sense of pride, "Of course, if Shu Ning didn't have good medical skills, how could he have saved thousands of soldiers and civilians in Xiping?"
Jiang's eyes rolled slightly, and then a smile appeared on her face.
"I knew she was capable. If we marry her, our mansion will be glorious."
If Qing'er could take advantage of the opportunity to get in touch with the Li family, she would also be able to have a better marriage.
Thinking of this, Jiang began to like Zhao Shuning a little more.
But you still have to cry poor when you need to.
"According to what you said, this wedding banquet cannot be held hastily. It must be held with great fanfare. But given the situation of the Marquis' Mansion, there is really no other way."
The problem comes back again, and it all comes down to money.
Chu Yian pursed his lips and said, "I have discussed with Shu Ning that the Marquis' Mansion does not need to go through the formalities of betrothal gifts. We just need to do a better job in the ceremony and banquet. We have some properties in the Marquis' Mansion. If we sell some of them, we will definitely be able to raise the money."
Jiang flatly objected, "How can this be possible? If we sell those properties, how will the Marquisate cover its future expenses?"
Chu Yian wanted to say something else, but Jiang stopped him, "The Marquis's estate is our foundation. We absolutely cannot sell it off until we are completely broke. Otherwise, the Zhao family will become the source of our misfortune."
Chu Yian was speechless for a moment.
Jiang said tentatively, "Shuning has a lot of good things in her hands. If she is willing..."
Chu Yian's brows twitched fiercely. "How can I ask her to pay for my marriage? What will it look like if this gets out?"
Jiang had her own logic. "Mother isn't after her money. She simply feels that we're a family now, and the Marquis's Mansion is only temporarily facing difficulties. Naturally, everyone should contribute financially and physically, and work together to overcome this difficult time. Besides, this is her wedding banquet, and she can't just stand by and watch us embarrass her."
Jiang's words were very logical and seemed to make sense at first, but in fact they were just shifting the concepts and making far-fetched arguments.
Chu Yian's brows were tightly furrowed.
"Mother, this is inappropriate..."
Jiang sighed, "Mother naturally knows it's inappropriate, but do you have any other options? Our mansion won't take advantage of her. We'll just consider it a loan. After the banquet, we'll collect the money and return it to her immediately."
Chu Yian still disagreed.
After what happened last time, he became more cautious about money than before and would never pin his hopes on something uncertain that had not yet happened.
I had planned everything well now, but who knew if the money would be used for something else? If I broke my promise to Shuning, how could I hold my head up in front of her?
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