Wealth and glory seek stability

Jian Xi:......

It must be said that age is always more important.

She thought she was quite smart, and compared to a real old fox, playing with her was as easy as moving beads on an abacus.

"Thank you, Sister Qiangwei, for telling me. I really don't know how to thank you."

Qiangwei took out a white handkerchief and opened it carefully, revealing a gold and jade pendant inside.

"This was given to me by the girl. Now it is returned to its original owner."

Jian Xi picked up the chain and gently put it on Qiangwei's neck, saying to herself, "I haven't done this yet, so I won't accept it. Besides, my sister told me such important news, so we can only say that it is mutually beneficial. I'll leave a message. If my sister doesn't know where to stay after leaving the palace, you can come to General Shen's house with this item to find me."

If Qiangwei hadn't reminded her, she would have really worn that set of jewelry and walked around the city.

She herself didn't care. The worst that could happen was that she wouldn't get married. But she couldn't help but consider Shen Nanxing. She didn't want to see Shen Nanxing's reputation damaged because of this matter.

After all, she owed Qiangwei a favor.

Heavy snow began to fall again. Qiangwei looked at Jian Xi steadily. She stood in the snow, dressed in a rich red, like the brightest sun in winter.

"Thank you girl."

"It's snowing. Sister, please go back soon. I'm leaving too."

Jian Xi patted Qiangwei's hand before leaving.

We need to draw up a careful set of rules for this matter. If we fail to do it well, we will offend the Xia family for no reason.

As for the matter of the Hanmei Banquet, she didn't get any information. How did Qiangwei know about it?

General's Mansion.

Shen Nanxing got off work early today and waited for Jian Xi to have dinner together.

When Jian Xi came back and saw Shen Nanxing acting so mean, she knew he was holding it in.

"Say it!"

"What?" Shen Nanxing was confused.

"Didn't you accept the invitation for the Hanmei Banquet? If I don't ask, are you planning to do it again tomorrow?"

Shen Nanxing scratched the back of his head, "Oh, you said this, it was the housekeeper who reminded me that Xi'er would soon be 15 years old, and as your elder brother, I should also consider your lifelong affairs more. So I accepted the invitation from Lady Korea. Fortunately, Xi'er, you came back in time, otherwise I would have to go to the banquet alone."

Jian Xi glanced up and down at Shen Nanxing, "You're going?"

Although Shen Nanxing is only sixteen years old, his physique is no different from that of an adult man, with sharp eyebrows, bright eyes, and a healthy wheat-colored complexion. In addition, he has practiced martial arts for many years and has lived on the battlefield for a long time, which adds a sense of manliness and heroism to him.

"Xi'er, why are you looking at me like that?"

"I see that you have grown up, and it is time for me to help you find a partner. When you reach the age of twenty, I will arrange your marriage."

"Hey? My eldest brother is my father, why are you arranging my wedding for me? What about your own wedding?"

"Me? None of your business." Jian Xi sat on the chair, blowing on her newly painted nails.

If you are not careful, the rouge flower will dye your fingers with color. I will not dye my nails anymore.

Shen Nanxing turned into an old maid, sitting next to him and started to mutter, "Xi'er, girls can't do this. It's said that parents decide, matchmaker decides. You are old enough, it's time to get married. Don't worry, when you get married, I will spend all my family wealth to make sure you get married in a grand ceremony."

Jian Xi looked at her with disdain and said, "With that little money you have, it will be difficult to find a wife in the future. I will have to give you some more. Don't worry about things that you shouldn't worry about." Jian Xi grabbed a handful of melon seeds and cracked them vigorously.

Shen Nanxing: ...

There's no need to be so direct. Is he that poor?

He raised his hand weakly and retorted: "I'm not that poor. I still have ten thousand taels of gold awarded by His Majesty, and a farm of one thousand acres."

Jian Xi glanced at him and began to calculate, "Let's do the math. Ten thousand taels of gold is equivalent to one hundred thousand taels of silver. The food, clothing, shelter, and transportation for the servants in the mansion, as well as clothes for all four seasons, festival gifts, and rewards, will cost at least ten thousand taels of silver in a year.

Let’s not talk about anything else. Just the gifts we gave during the last New Year’s Festival cost us over a thousand taels. When you get promoted, you will have to give more gifts during the New Year’s Festival. Based on the current output of the farm, the maximum we can produce is over two thousand taels a year.”

Shen Nanxing calculated in his mind. He thought that he would never be able to spend all the money in his lifetime. However, after Jian Xi's calculation, he found that it would be spent in just a few years. He couldn't help feeling dejected, like a shocked puppy.

Jian Xi's tone softened a little, "Come on, it's shameful to be depressed by such a small matter."

Shen Nanxing said in a depressed tone, "Xi'er, I thought I could let you live a good life, but I didn't expect that I'm so useless. I'm afraid it won't work with my salary. I'll get more money after I suppress more bandits in the future."

Jian Xi rolled her eyes. "That's not what I meant. Have you forgotten that when I opened the shop, I gave you 30% of the shares? I have kept a record of all this. After four years, I have two hundred thousand taels. This time when I went to Pingjiang Prefecture, I opened up sales channels and established contacts with the Chamber of Commerce there. I also bought a farm and a house there. In the future, whether you want to stay in the capital or return to your hometown, you will have a place to stay. In a few years, your betrothal gifts will be gathered together, and I will give you a little more. I can marry a wife to help you manage your business, and then I can let go."

She has always been the type who would return tenfold any kindness others showed her. This cheap brother really cared about her, so she naturally would not treat him unfairly.

It was the first time that Shen Nanxing heard Jian Xi talk about the business situation of her people. When he heard the figure of two hundred thousand taels, he couldn't help but be surprised.

"Xi, Xier, you are really amazing."

Shen Nanxing praised dryly.

He accumulated such a huge fortune without making a fuss.

"You think that the dignitaries in the capital are all arrogant. Life in the army is hard, and many of your colleagues have financial difficulties. If you send them gifts from time to time, even if they are careless, their families will remember your kindness and may be able to help you in the future."

I remember that the servant who went to deliver the gifts came back to report that some of the soldiers' families lived in the remote suburbs of Beijing, and their homes were still thatched huts. One woman was raising a large family, and the children were so hungry that they were pale and skinny.

Jian Xi sighed slightly. She was not a savior and could not save so many people. She could only help as much as she could.

I unconsciously touched the bracelet given by Abbot Huiqing. It is always a good idea to make more good connections.

Shen Nanxing knew that Jian Xi had a strong opinion, so he stopped trying to persuade her. "Since you have your own plan, I won't say anything. If you don't want to go to the Hanmei Banquet, just cancel it."