After leaving Bihua Hall, Chen Jiao couldn’t help but feel a cold sweat trickling down her back.
That old fox, her thoughts couldn’t escape his sharp eyes.
She had thought that being a woman would prevent Huai’an Wang from overthinking, but she was wrong.
Meanwhile, Huai’an Wang sat cross-legged on the couch, replaying his earlier eye contact with Chen Jiao in his mind.
Whether it was his imagination or something else, he felt there was something off about that girl.
Her approach seemed a bit unconventional.
“Gao Zhan.”
Gao Zhan entered the room, and Chen En instructed,
“Go and fetch Old Chang.”
Gao Zhan acknowledged and left.
Chen En thoughtfully stroked his beard.
That girl had made a significant contribution and indeed deserved a substantial reward.
Soon, Chang De arrived.
He was the manager of Bihua Hall.
Chen En instructed him to retrieve jewelry, farmland, and property deeds from the treasury to transfer to Chen Jiao.
It was the first time Chang De had seen him so generous.
He asked, “May I ask, my lord, if these items are to be taken from the public account?”
Chen En pondered for a moment,
“The money comes from my private account, the farmland and properties from the public account.” Chang De acknowledged
.
After he left, Chen En seemed to remember something and called out,
“Gao Zhan.”
Gao Zhan approached the door, “My lord.”
Chen En:
“Go and find Cui Jue, I need to discuss matters with him.”
About an hour later, Cui Jue arrived at the mansion.
He was dressed in official robes, having just ridden over from the government office.
Gao Zhan led him to Bihua Hall.
Cui Jue tentatively asked,
“Guard Gao, do you know why the lord summoned me?”
Gao Zhan shook his head,
“The lord didn’t say.”
Cui Jue softly said, “Oh,” and began to speculate.
Upon arriving at Bihua Hall, Cui Jue was led into the study.
Chen En was writing something.
Seeing him arrive, he beckoned,
“Wen Yun, come here, I have something to discuss with you.”
Cui Jue stepped forward, bowed, and knelt on the couch as instructed.
Chen En looked at him and asked,
“Earlier, Jiu Niang came to ask for a reward. Guess what she asked for.”
Cui Jue’s mind raced, and he replied,
“It must be something unusual, otherwise, my lord wouldn’t have urgently summoned me.”
Hearing this, Chen En slapped his thigh and pointed at him,
“The reward she asked for is indeed strange.”
Cui Jue raised an eyebrow but didn’t ask what it was.
Chen En said,
“She said she wants to farm.”
Cui Jue: “???”
Chen En meaningfully added,
“Farm, a whole county’s worth of land.”
Cui Jue: “…”
The two looked at each other and fell silent.
After a while, Cui Jue finally said,
“My lord, I have something to say, but I’m not sure if I should.”
Chen En stroked his beard, “Speak.”
Cui Jue carefully chose his words, speaking in an extremely tactful manner:
“There are many ways to farm. One is to only plant and not harvest; another is to both plant and harvest.”
The metaphor was quite interesting.
Chen En laughed and said,
“She is the former, only planting, not harvesting.”
Cui Jue fell silent.
What was the point then?
The topic was clearly sensitive.
Knowing Chen En’s suspicious nature, he chose to remain silent.
Chen En slowly stood up and posed a challenging question,
“Wen Yun, do you think I should allow it or not?”
Cui Jue’s mind raced.
He gently rubbed the scar on his thumb and replied:
“Jiu Niang used Chen’s mustard brine to control the spread of lung abscess and deserves a reward.
“But as for how to reward her, I cannot decide, but…”
Chen En pressed, “But what?”
Cui Jue passed the buck,
“I think Zheng Zhizhong would be willing to offer suggestions.”
Tsk!
Chen En stared at him without speaking.
Cui Jue kept his eyes downcast.
That wild approach of Chen Jiu Niang, he didn’t want to provoke her.
This pit should be dug by Huai’an Wang himself or the Zheng family.
If he got involved, he might end up in trouble.
More importantly, Chen Jiu Niang was useful to him.
Chen En suddenly pointed at him and criticized,
“As cunning as a fox.”
Cui Jue forced a laugh and deflected, “My lord is joking.”
Chen En said irritably,
“If you can’t even offer a suggestion, what use are you to me? Get out!”
Cui Jue stood up, bowed, and scurried away.
As he left, he adjusted his official hat and couldn’t help but grumble inwardly.
That Chen Jiao, her wild approach even extended to wanting a fiefdom.
She was truly daring!
This speculation wasn’t just Cui Jue’s; Huai’an Wang thought the same.
They both felt Chen Jiao’s appetite was too big.
Now the ball was in Zheng Zhang’s court.
Cui Jue didn’t want to offend anyone, and neither did Huai’an Wang.
Chen Jiao’s contribution was evident, and Chen En couldn’t suppress her, but he had to curb her ambition.
Using Zheng Zhang to do so was the best option.
Thus, the problem was thrown to Zheng Zhang, who privately discussed it with his nephew, Chen Sanlang, Chen Xianrong.
Chen Xianrong was twenty-seven, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, exuding a heroic aura, inheriting the Zheng family’s good looks.
As the legitimate son, he currently served as the Chief Officer of the Capital, overseeing the appointment of officials in the province, wielding significant power.
Hearing that Chen Jiao wanted to claim a county’s land, Chen Xianrong was clearly surprised.
He was utterly confused and asked the crucial question,
“What does she want so much land for?”
Zheng Zhang snorted,
“Who knows.”
Chen Xianrong thought it was reckless and, biased against Chen Jiao, asked,
“Did father agree?”
Zheng Zhang:
“He didn’t. Yesterday he asked me whether to give it or not.”
“If I say no, he will think our Zheng family is blaming Chen Jiu Niang for Wu Niang’s matter.”
“Now that she’s leveraging her contribution to ask for land, if our family obstructs, we’ll surely earn resentment.”
Chen Xianrong was full of questions,
“We won’t be the villains.”
Zheng Zhang nodded,
“But we can’t let her off easily either.”
Chen Xianrong: “Uncle’s meaning is?”
Zheng Zhang meaningfully said,
“Since she wants a county’s land to farm, I’ll grant her wish and give her Wei County in Zhangling Prefecture.”
Hearing Wei County, Chen Xianrong immediately showed a subtle expression.
Within two days, Bihua Hall sent over a considerable amount of jewelry and valuables, along with two shops, a manor, a hundred acres of farmland, and a two-courtyard residence.
These assets were all transferred to Chen Jiao’s name.
Moreover, Lady Xu received a concubine certificate, officially becoming a legitimate concubine in the mansion.
After sending away Manager Chang who delivered the items, Lady Xu was ecstatic.
She had never seen so much wealth in her life.
Picking up one item after another, she marveled,
“Heavens, we’ve struck it rich!”
Chen Jiao sat on a stool, amused, and picked up a cup,
“Look at you, mother, so easily impressed.”
Lady Xu turned to her, eyes shining,
“Manager Chang said your father has never rewarded any of his children so lavishly before. You’re the first.”
Chen Jiao wasn’t interested and simply said,
“If you like them, keep them.”
Lady Xu: “I’ll save them for your dowry.”
As they spoke, Old Lady Jiang’s voice came from outside, saying Gao Zhan had arrived.
Chen Jiao went to the front hall.
Gao Zhan saw her and bowed, smiling kindly:
“The lord sent me to inform Jiu Niang that he has agreed to your request for land.”
Hearing this, Chen Jiao perked up and asked joyfully, “Really?”
Gao Zhan nodded,
“The lord said he will give you Wei County in Zhangling Prefecture to farm.”
Chen Jiao was genuinely happy, her eyes sparkling with joy.
Gao Zhan also smiled, but his expression was enigmatic.
After he left, Chen Jiao immediately sent someone to find Old Lady Jiang’s son, Ma Chong, to ask some questions.
Ma Chong worked at the gatehouse, dealing with arrivals and departures, and knew many things.
He was invited to the side room by a maid.
Chen Jiao glanced at Old Lady Jiang, who understood and went to guard the door.
Ma Chong bowed respectfully.
Chen Jiao got straight to the point,
“Tell me, does the Commandant Xu have real power in the provincial government?”
Ma Chong was momentarily stunned, then replied,
“To answer the young lady, as far as I know, the real power of the commandant is all in the lord’s hands.”
“The Elder Young Master and the Zheng family have some influence, but for military and administrative matters like the commandant, the lord doesn’t delegate to outsiders.”
Chen Jiao nodded, slowly stood up, and thoughtfully said,
“What about Sir Cui? Does he have real power?”
Ma Chong: “Sir Cui is the lord’s favorite, even more so than the Zheng family.”
Chen Jiao smiled, satisfied,
“You’re quite clever. You’ll have a bright future.”
Ma Chong quickly said,
“Thank you, Jiu Niang, for your favor. During this epidemic, we all owe you a great debt. If you have any commands in the future, just say the word, and I will do my utmost.”
Chen Jiao nodded, then asked more about Xu Zhao and Cui Jue’s relationship and background.
Ma Chong told her everything he knew.
Soon, Old Lady Jiang entered the room.
Chen Jiao looked at Ma Chong, and he left.
Chen Jiao said,
“I need to visit the Cui residence.”
Old Lady Jiang tentatively asked,
“Will the young lady go openly or…”
Chen Jiao: “Openly.”
She paused, “I want to ask him for someone.”
Old Lady Jiang fell silent.
Chen Jiao suddenly added,
“In a few days, I will leave the mansion. I entrust my mother to your care. With you and Ma Chong in the mansion, I am at ease.”
Old Lady Jiang worriedly said,
“It’s not as safe outside as it is in the mansion. Are you really planning to leave?”
Chen Jiao didn’t answer, only said,
“Your daughter, Ma Chun, is steady. If she’s willing, she can come with me to seek her fortune. I won’t mistreat her in the future.”
Old Lady Jiang had already seen her capabilities and quickly agreed,
“As long as the young lady values her, she will surely be willing.”
Chen Jiao:
“Discuss it with her yourself. I won’t force her.”
Old Lady Jiang nodded.
The next day was a government official’s day off.
Chen Jiao openly visited the Cui residence.
Cui Jue, knowing she was coming, naturally understood her purpose, as he had already heard about Huai’an Wang granting Wei County.
The master and servant were invited into the courtyard by a servant.
It wasn’t large, but the layout was exquisite, exuding scholarly elegance.
Chen Jiao walked gracefully, observing her surroundings, dressed in a yellow gown with flowing sleeves and a sash that swayed with her steps.
Her high bun was adorned with two gold hairpins and a jade comb, with no other accessories.
She held a finely crafted peacock feather fan, her eyes darting around, exuding a clever charm.
Last time Cui Jue had been threatened by her, he was now on guard, determined not to be manipulated again.
They were led into the front hall, where Cui Jue had been waiting for some time.
Today, Chen Jiu Niang had enough weight to earn his attention.
Cui Jue bowed.
Chen Jiao returned the gesture.
Cui Jue gestured for her to sit.
They each took their seats.
After the maid served tea, Chen Jiao glanced at Old Lady Jiang, who tactfully withdrew and stood guard outside.
Servant Wang Ni also stood guard outside, not allowing anyone to eavesdrop.
Chen Jiao spoke first,
“Today, Jiu Niang has come uninvited to ask Assistant Cui for a favor.”
Cui Jue looked at her coldly.
The word “ask” was used very subtly.
Last time she came to ask, she had taken shamelessness to the extreme.
Today she was here to “ask” again, it boded ill.
Cui Jue forced a smile and said,
“Jiu Niang flatters me. You are now the favorite of Huai’an Wang’s mansion. Is there anything the lord wouldn’t agree to?”
Chen Jiao played with the jade pendant on her fan handle and raised an eyebrow,
“I want to ask you for someone.”
Before she even said who, Cui Jue refused, “No deal.”
Chen Jiao snorted and employed the same tactics she used on Huai’an Wang, coquettishly saying,
“Assistant Cui is so stingy.”
Cui Jue knew this wicked woman’s true nature and wasn’t fooled.
He issued a dismissal:
“I have important matters to attend to. If Jiu Niang has any issues, please take them up with the lord. I’m afraid I cannot help you.”
Chen Jiao lifted her chin, dropping the act, and got straight to the point,
“I want Xu Zhao to accompany me to Wei County.”
Cui Jue remained silent.
Chen Jiao:
“He is an old acquaintance of Assistant Cui. If you speak, he will surely protect my safety.”
Cui Jue’s temple twitched.
Wei County was a huge pit, and one dug by the Zheng family and Huai’an Wang themselves.
If Xu Zhao got involved, it would surely lead to trouble.
“Why is Assistant Cui silent?”
Cui Jue remained silent for a long time before saying, “Xu Zhao won’t go.”
Chen Jiao was clear-minded,
“Of course he won’t go. What good place would Zheng Zhang pick for me?”
Cui Jue: “…”
Chen Jiao calmly said,
“But it doesn’t matter. I like to force things.”
Cui Jue: “…”
Even though he had seen her shamelessness before, today’s level still managed to surprise him.
Faced with such a domineering and unreasonable wicked woman, if she wouldn’t leave, he would!
Without hesitation, Cui Jue stood up to leave.
However, he underestimated her despicable methods.
To drag him back to the negotiation table, Chen Jiao decisively stood up and pushed a door shut.
Cui Jue abruptly stopped, not daring to move forward.
Because the woman had suddenly pulled open her collar, revealing half of her chest.
Her hair fell to her beautiful collarbone, her slender neck, smooth shoulders, and fair skin exuding youthful charm.
It was truly striking.
Chen Jiao looked at him with a charming smile and challenged,
“Assistant Cui, take another step forward and see what happens.”
Cui Jue stared intently at her face, his amber eyes filled with an unfathomable gloom.
“What will you do if I refuse?”
Chen Jiao smiled sweetly,
“Guess.”