Chapter 12 Can’t even afford a banquet?
Jiang finally spoke hesitantly, "If it really doesn't work, I'll go find Lu. I'll bow to her, and she'll always give me some face."
Chu Yian immediately raised his voice like a cat whose tail was stepped on, "No! Absolutely not!"
If this matter were to get out, he would probably be laughed out loud!
He couldn't afford to lose face in front of Lu Zhiran!
Jiang looked at him helplessly, "This won't work, that won't work. Mother is really at her wit's end. Otherwise, let's just cancel the banquet. We can't risk the entire Marquisate's livelihood just for these empty formalities."
Chu Yian felt tired when he heard his mother's words which implied coercion.
When he first returned victorious, he was clearly full of energy and ambition, and had great ambitions to achieve great things.
However, within just a few days, he was exhausted by the difficult household chores, and the root of all this was the money that he had never cared about before.
Chu Yian was so annoyed that he just wanted to escape.
But avoiding the problem wouldn't solve it, so he had to compromise. "I'll discuss this with Shuning."
Jiang finally heard the answer she wanted and a sincere smile appeared on her face.
"Shuning is a sensible child. If you explain the pros and cons to her, she will definitely agree."
Chu Yian said a few perfunctory words and ran away.
Nanny Wen, Jiang's trusted confidant, asked, "Madam, will this make things difficult for the young master?"
Jiang snorted heavily, "He's a man, and a man should have the final say in front of a woman. I'm helping him. Otherwise, wouldn't he be completely controlled by Zhao?"
"What's more, a married woman should obey her husband. Since Zhao has entered our Marquis' Mansion, her money belongs to the Marquis' Mansion. Even if An'er doesn't ask, she should voluntarily hand it over. If she refuses, then she is a selfish person. It is a good thing that An'er can see her true face as soon as possible."
After hearing this, Nanny Wen thought it made sense and said nothing more.
However, Chu Yian did not ask Zhao Shuning for help immediately, but went to borrow money from his fellow soldiers.
When Jiang learned about this, she nearly had a heart attack. "He'd rather embarrass himself in public than ask Zhao for help. He truly treasures Zhao! Since he's unwilling to let her go, I'll have to be the villain."
When Zhao Shuning returned from the palace, he was invited to Yongfu Hall by Jiang's people.
Jiang rubbed her head, looking sickly. "Shuning, come and see me. My old illness has come back again."
Zhao Shuning did not suspect anything and went straight forward to diagnose Jiang's pulse and give her acupuncture. After some manipulation, Jiang's frown slowly relaxed.
By this time, Jiang's anger had subsided.
Zhao Shuning does have some abilities and will definitely be of help to the Marquis' Mansion in the future. We must not offend her at this moment.
Jiang held her hand, looking relieved, "Thank goodness you are here, otherwise mother's illness would be difficult to cure."
Zhao Shuning said, "I've been in the palace checking the imperial concubine's pulse these days and neglected my mother. It's my fault. From now on, I'll come and give my mother acupuncture and massage every day."
This was a beautiful statement, which not only elevated himself but also expressed filial piety and pleased Jiang.
Even though she didn't like Jiang, she was willing to humble herself and please her for Chu Yian.
Jiang's face immediately broke into a smile, "Good boy, you are really filial."
Jiang's expression was filled with worry again. "I've been busy planning your and An'er's wedding lately. I have to make every possible effort. I absolutely cannot let you down."
After hearing this, the smile on Zhao Shuning's face became more sincere.
"I've made my mother worry."
Jiang patted her hands and said, "Everything is for your own good. So what if I worry a little? It's just..."
Jiang stopped talking mid-sentence and waved her hand, "I won't let these trivial matters distract you. Just focus on doing your job in the palace."
How could Zhao Shuning not see through her tricks?
But this concerned her wedding banquet, so even though she knew that Jiang had deliberately left it open to invite her to ask further questions, she had no choice but to cooperate.
"Mother, are you facing any difficulties? This is your own business. Just tell me and I will definitely help you share your worries."
Jiang pretended to hesitate for a while before speaking.
"I'm not afraid of you laughing at me, but the Marquis's Mansion hasn't been doing well financially in recent years, relying entirely on the income from the farm to barely support itself. Mother also wanted to give you a grand wedding banquet, but she truly can't..."
When Zhao Shuning heard this, the expression on his face faded.
"Mother, please stop joking. The Marquis's Mansion is so huge, can't it even afford a banquet?"
Jiang said in a gloomy tone, "Three years ago, when An'er married Lu, he offered a generous betrothal gift, which seemed to have emptied out the family's wealth."
Zhao Shuning's expression suddenly became even uglier.
He emptied his family fortune when he married Lu Zhiran, but now it’s her turn, he can’t even afford a proper banquet?
This huge gap made Zhao Shuning feel choked up.
Jiang hit him with a stick, but then immediately offered him a sweet treat. "Don't worry, that Lu can't compare to you. You're not an ordinary inner court lady, you're someone with great abilities. An'er would even trade his military merits for a royal title for you, which shows how much you mean to him."
Zhao Shuning's originally ugly expression finally relaxed, and the jealousy in his heart was suppressed.
I have an imperial decree, so how can Lu compare? She was just lucky and got there first.
"An'er said that you are his most beloved woman and he wants to give you the greatest honor and dignity, so he wants to hold a grand wedding, at least not inferior to what Lu did. He is also determined not to ask you for money, but instead sacrificed his dignity and went to find his comrades in the army."
Zhao Shuning was stunned again, his heart seemed to be filled with something, and his eyes were hot.
Jiang saw all the changes in her mood and knew that the matter was almost certain to happen.
"An'er is a grown man, it's not easy for him to ask you for money. Today, I'm putting my pride aside and asking you for money. Don't worry, I won't embezzle your money. I'm just lending it to you. But if you really don't want to, I won't force you. At worst, I can find another way..."
Jiang retreated to advance and used Chu Yian to play the emotional card. Zhao Shuning fell into her trap unknowingly, and the reluctance in his heart completely disappeared.
"What are you talking about, mother? We are all family. It's just a matter of a little money. Of course I am willing to do it."
Upon hearing this, Jiang's brows relaxed.
"Good boy, you really know the big picture. Don't worry, your mother will keep a record of how much silver you took. When the Marquis' Mansion has more money in the future, she will definitely return it to you as soon as possible."
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