Less than half an hour later, the movement in the room disappeared. Bi Tao heard the summons and took two maids into the house to clean the bathroom.
Shen Changze sat neatly dressed in the outer room. After drinking a cup of tea, he stood up and said, "I have something to do at the winery. I have to go to the madam to discuss it, so I won't have dinner with you."
He looked at ease and had a smile on his face.
Xu Lingyi stood up to see him off, and reminded her thoughtfully: "Madam has not been feeling well these days. Lord Marquis will let her rest after discussing the matter, but don't drag her to play chess."
Shen Changze paused: "What's wrong with her?"
Xu Lingyi's face turned red and she said with shame, "There are a few days for women every month, and my concubine will arrive in a few days."
Shen Changze understood, suddenly felt embarrassed, and coughed uncomfortably.
"Mrs. Jin is feeling depressed after raising her baby. If you have time, Lord Marquis, please go and stay with her." Xu Lingyi said warmly.
Thinking of Cheng Jinchu, Shen Changze frowned unconsciously.
"Why did my aunt ask Mr. Hou to accompany Mrs. Jin?" Bi Tao asked in confusion after Shen Changze left.
Xu Lingyi sneered: "Could it be that if I don't let him go, he won't go?"
Bitao was stunned for a moment, then realized.
Since we knew he was going, why not just be accommodating.
The setting sun melts gold, and the dusk clouds close together.
Jiang Shu was leaning against the window to watch the sunset, when he suddenly heard someone entering the room.
"Madam, Lord Marquis is here." Chu Yu reminded.
Chu Yu lifted the bead curtain, Shen Changze walked in, and Jiang Shu, who was lying on the window edge, turned around.
Eyes facing each other.
Against the backdrop of the brilliant golden sunset, Jiang Shu's bright little face is soft and demure, which is pleasing to the eye.
Shen Changze's eyes flashed with surprise and he walked over slowly.
"Master Marquis." Jiang Shu lazily stood up to greet him.
Shen Changze said: "No need, sit down."
Jiang Shu didn't show any pretense to him and sat calmly.
Shen Changze stood beside her and looked out of the window, seeing the scenery she saw every day from Jiang Shu's perspective.
Unfortunately, we cannot see the complete sunset here, and today’s sunset is not perfect either.
Shen Changze felt pity and blurted out: "I will take you to see the complete sunset another day."
Jiang Shu was startled, slightly surprised and said, "Okay."
Since marrying into the Hou family, she rarely goes out. Even if you go out, you must return home before sunset.
Therefore, she has not seen a complete sunset for many years.
"Wen Xiangzui's business has gradually improved recently, thanks to you." Shen Changze looked at her with admiration.
Jiang Shu had expected it early and was not surprised. He said calmly, "As long as Mr. Hou is satisfied."
Shen Changze stared at her and said with some difficulty: "As the business of the winery improves, we need to continue to purchase grain to make wine. However, the price of grain rises and falls, causing the cost to be unstable. I wonder if Madam has a solution?"
This must be the reason why he came to her.
Jiang Shu was sarcastic in his heart, but his face showed no expression, looking like he was thinking hard.
Shen Changze did not dare to disturb her and stood quietly aside, waiting patiently.
Watching the sunset turn from gold to orange, and it was almost dinner time, Jiang Shu spoke leisurely.
"I remember that the Holy Spirit rewarded us with hundreds of acres of fertile land?"
"Well, it's more than a hundred miles away from Beijing. I've been busy with things and haven't checked it out yet." Shen Changze didn't know what she meant by the sudden mention.
Jiang Shu thought to himself: "Including the previous ancestral property of the Hou Mansion, there are more than a thousand acres of fields and mountains and forests. In previous years, most of them were left uncultivated. Only some fruit crops were planted randomly without careful care."
"Now that the Marquis Mansion has a winery, it needs a steady stream of grain, flowers and fruits to make wine. Why not make full use of these fields and mountains and forests. Plant grain on the fertile land, and plant flowers and fruits on the barren land and forests. In this way, it will take up to two or three years. We can be self-sufficient in the raw materials for making wine.”
Wonderful!
It not only avoids the waste of fields, but also solves the problem of raw materials for wine making, killing two birds with one stone.
Shen Changze looked at Jiang Shu with gleaming eyes, as if looking at a rare treasure.
Jiang Shu was horrified by his stare and frowned: "Does the Marquis think it's inappropriate?"
"No, it's fine." Shen Changze reached out and stroked the top of her hair, feeling honored and lucky to have a wife like her.
"This matter is very important. The Marquis must send capable people to do it. It is best to go there in person." Jiang Shu reminded.
Most of the high-ranking officials and nobles in Beijing own fields, mountains and forests. However, the noble families never cared about the meager profits from the fields. They usually rented them to local tenants or left them idle. The same was true for the Hou Mansion.
I haven't taken care of it for many years, but suddenly I want to take care of it carefully and cultivate it vigorously. I'm afraid it will be a bit difficult.
But there are not so many easy things in this world. Difficulties are the normal course of things.
Shen Changze also understood this truth and said cautiously: "After I finish the work at hand, I will take a few days off with the Holy Father to go there in person. But the general affairs lady in the mansion knows better than me, so I need the help of Madam Lao."
Jiang Shu did not agree.
Shen Changze was a little panicked.
"Ma'am, you don't want to?"
He had begged her for too much help recently, which was a bit shameless.
However, Jiang Shu handled everything properly and made Shen Changze extremely dependent on her and didn't want to let her go.
Jiang Shu blinked and said, "Now the Marquis Mansion is run by Mrs. Jin, and my mother is acting as the general secretary. I can't overstep her authority."
Shen Changze speculated: "What do you mean, Madam, to regain control of the Marquis Mansion?"
It’s not impossible.
"Master Hou misunderstood." Jiang Shu laughed and shook his head.
"Let's do this. If the Marquis really wants my help, I will write down the name of the suitable person, and the Marquis and mother will make arrangements."
The farm was far away from Shangjing, and it was remote and miserable. No one wanted to go there, so she didn't want to be such a hated villain.
Shen Changze had never dealt with general affairs before, so he naturally didn't understand the twists and turns, so he agreed without thinking.
While the two were talking, Tan Yu came in and said, "Master Marquis, madam, dinner is set."
Jiang Shu got up and had dinner with Shen Changze.
After solving his worries and spending a lot of energy, Shen Changze had a great appetite and ate two bowls of rice.
Jiang Shu looked surprised.
After the meal, Tanyu brought tea for mouthwash.
After Shen Changze finished washing, he stood up and said, "If you feel unwell, just rest more and I won't disturb you."
Jiang Shuqi asked: "How did the Marquis know that I was unwell?"
Is it so obvious to her? Or is his mind so delicate?
"Ling Yi reminded me specifically because he was afraid that I would disturb your rest." Shen Changze said truthfully.
Lingyi?
Judging from his tone, he must be very fond of Xu Lingyi.
Jiang Shu said with a half-smile but not a smile: "Aunt Xu is really a lovely person. Having her at your service will make the Marquis feel very comfortable."
Shen Changze nodded and said with emotion: "I have to thank Madam for everything."
Jiang Shu's smile didn't reach his eyes: "It's all the Marquis's own blessing."
Shen Changze's face was full of spring breeze, and when he left, his steps were brisk and his figure was carefree, all revealing his joyful mood.
"Leave after eating. Are you here to have some food?" Tan Yu muttered in a low voice.
Jiang Shu was amused by her and called Chu Yu with a chuckle.
"What are your orders, madam?" Chu Yu asked.
Jiang Shu looked at the fan in his hand and said, "Go check Aunt Xu's past. The more careful you are, the better."
Xu Lingyi cares about her so much, so naturally she also cares about her.
