CHAPTER 400: CHAPTER 402: THE FAMILY DIVISION (PART 2)

Xiqiu nodded in agreement.

The Grand Dowager then turned to ask Fourth Master Xiao, "I heard that today in the morning court, the Emperor summoned you alone. Was there something he wanted?"

The affairs of the morning court were already known by the Grand Dowager at this time, and Xiqiu was secretly surprised. She heard Fourth Master Xiao respond, "It was about the canal transportation in Tongzhou. He asked if I had any thoughts after visiting a few times, and I roughly shared some ideas."

Xiqiu’s eyes lit up as she listened. So, the Emperor really has changed his mind about letting Fourth Master Xiao handle the canal transportation?

Sure enough, the Grand Dowager asked, "Whom does the Emperor intend to appoint?"

Fourth Master Xiao glanced at Xiqiu and then replied to the Grand Dowager, "He released Chief Lei and appointed the Director of the Maritime Trade Office."

Xiqiu was taken aback upon hearing this. She knew that in previous dynasties, the Director of the Maritime Trade Office was mostly a eunuch. However, during the late Emperor’s reign, due to rampant piracy in Fujian, an order was given to significantly close the Maritime Trade Bureaus in Guangdong, Fujian, and even Taicang, strictly prohibiting maritime trade. Now that the current Emperor is bringing up the Maritime Trade Bureau again, does this imply he intends to reopen maritime trade?

The Grand Dowager was also surprised to hear this and her expression changed slightly. This was because the sea ban had myriad connections with the Xiao Family. Xiao Yanji died in Fujian for reasons related to pirates, leading the late Emperor to decree the sea ban. Fujian had become much more peaceful in the past two years. What would reopening mean now?

Fujian might again face turmoil, and the Xiao Family, who were intent on remaining in the background, would be thrust into the limelight, becoming a symbol of the court’s direction.

That’s why the Grand Dowager was so alert.

As if sensing the tension between the Grand Dowager and Xiqiu, Fourth Master Xiao spoke again, "When the late Emperor abolished the Maritime Trade Office, most of the court fully supported it, and it was implemented quite smoothly. Thus, the current Emperor’s reestablishment of the Maritime Trade Office is merely a tentative move to test the waters. Reopening it won’t be easy, fraught with difficulties."

The Grand Dowager finally felt a little relieved and nodded, "The Emperor has just ascended the throne, the political situation is unstable, and it’s unwise to make too many changes or take bold risks."

The Emperor’s ascension is already not entirely justified, and though there is no public criticism, it’s impossible to predict what each person harbors in their hearts. Stability is of utmost importance right now.

Xiqiu, however, was filled with unease, as the matter of the Maritime Trade Office was too closely connected to the Xiao Family. Previously, Xiao Yanji perished in Fujian, and now the Teng Family monopolizes canal transportation in Tongzhou, with no one surpassing the Teng Family on the Canal. The Emperor harbors such resentment towards the Teng Family...

She glanced at Fourth Master Xiao again. Had he known of the Emperor’s intention all along, which is why he so firmly refused to go to Tongzhou?!

Fourth Master Xiao said a few more words to the Grand Dowager, who then showed signs of fatigue. Xiqiu and Fourth Master Xiao then rose to take their leave, returning to their own quarters.

After they left, the Grand Dowager called for Nanny Wu to inquire, "Go ask what’s happened with the Fourth Family at the Count Wujin’s Mansion." Nanny Wu was taken aback, as the Grand Dowager never meddled in such matters, nor interfered in the affairs between daughter-in-law and son. Why suddenly inquire about the Fourth Madam at the Count Wujin Mansion?

The Grand Dowager frowned and said, "Usually the two enter and leave together. Today, however, they came in separately. I noticed that the Fourth Family’s face didn’t look good."

Nanny Wu was slightly stunned upon hearing this and immediately nodded, "Although the Fourth Madam rode First Young Madam Tong’s carriage today, she brought a maid along, so I’ll go ask." The Grand Dowager nodded, saying nothing further.

Nanny Wu went out, and after a while, returned to the room, still looking surprised, and reported to the Grand Dowager, "They say that Third Young Madam Ren’s child was actually miscarried because Third Master Ren drunkenly hit her, which is why First Young Madam Tong asked Fourth Madam to accompany her. A few people went to the Ren Mansion and had a word with him. In front of her family, Third Master Ren even threatened to hit Third Young Madam Ren..." She paused before continuing, "Perhaps the Fourth Madam is upset because of this matter!"

The Grand Dowager frowned deeply and angrily exclaimed, "Third Ren Family is becoming increasingly unruly." She then asked, "Did nothing happen to Fourth Young Master?"

Nanny Wu’s eyes flickered as she replied, "It’s said he scolded Third Master Ren. After Fourth Madam left, I heard Third Master Ren went back to Third Madam’s courtyard and even sent people to Hongyan Building to specifically arrange a feast to apologize to Third Young Madam in the mansion."

"As expected," the Grand Dowager sighed. "With his wife being mistreated, how could he just stand by?"

Nanny Wu smiled, knowing that Fourth Master was always like this since young; once he considered something his own, he would protect it fiercely, regardless of right or wrong.

The Grand Dowager was also relieved, since it wasn’t a quarrel between the two of them, she no longer needed to worry.

Early the next morning, after sending off Fourth Master Xiao, Xiqiu and Min returned from paying respects to the Grand Dowager, when visitors came from several accompanied houses.

Jin Dairui appeared as honest as before, lowering his head as he reported to Xiqiu, "The estate in Shandong is nestled in a mountain valley. Though it’s not large, the annual harvest is quite good. Currently, it’s planted with maize, and since it’s in the mountains, it hasn’t been heavily affected by snow disasters. Its growth is quite promising." After he finished speaking, he seemed hesitant to speak further.

It seemed that while the Shandong estate was not as close to the Capital as Tongzhou, its harvest was considerably better than in Tongzhou.

Xiqiu said nothing and simply looked at Jin Dairui, indicating her attentiveness. Jin Dairui quickly glanced at Xiqiu before continuing, "However, I fear that land can only grow maize." He spoke cautiously, "Water access in the mountains is difficult, so it’s only suitable for drought-resistant crops."

Just as she thought, neither of the two estates was without issues.

Her gaze swept over Jin Dairui, Zou Bochang, and Zhu Sancheng, and she pointed at the small stool in front of her, smiling as she said, "Please have a seat; no need to stand." The three exchanged glances, and with Zou Bochang taking the lead, they sat down, the others following nervously.

After they were seated, Xiqiu smiled and said, "Now that you’ve all familiarized yourselves with the estates, houses, and shops, let’s hear your thoughts on where you’d like to be."

The three were stunned, not expecting the Madam to let them choose. They knew that in the mansion, the three married young ladies and their accompanying households were handled by Housekeeper Hu from the Marquis Mansion, while the two households of Third Miss were on the estates. Since both plots of land were sandy and hilly, Third Miss, realizing the meager income, leased them out to the accompanying households, requiring fifty silver coins from each place annually. However, that sandy land would take years for fruit trees to yield a harvest. But Third Miss wouldn’t relent even for half a year, charging rent every year.

The accompanying households, unable to survive in the mansion, were desperate to serve as dowries for the young ladies. However, who could manage fifty taels of savings with zero income annually—it was simply a fool’s dream. Thus, their days were tormented, worse than in the Tong Mansion!

Fourth Miss’s situation was a little better since the lands on both estates were excellent, allowing for relatively trouble-free living.