frightfiction Chapter 267 Spend as you please
Chapter 267 Spend as you please
Li Qianqian whispered to her maid, "Go!" Xiaoman and Liqiu stood up and made room for the maid.
Li Guangxing was supposed to be at the main table too, but he insisted on being with Gao Chi.
Ye Muchen poured wine for Qin Jing and the other two, saying, "Today is Xue'er's birthday. I've invited you all to join me in celebrating with Xue'er. Let's raise our glasses together and wish Xue'er peace and good fortune year after year! Come!"
"May you have a safe and smooth journey!" everyone said as they stood up.
Jingxue also took a sip of juice. "Thank you! Everyone, hurry up and eat some food, and try this cake!"
Yingying took a big bite of the cake she had been looking forward to and mumbled, "Sister, the cake is so delicious!"
Jingxue smiled and said, "If it's delicious, I'll make it for you again in the future."
After eating a few bites of food, Ye Muchen took out a small brocade box from his pocket. "Xue'er, this is my birthday gift to you!"
Jingxue knew he must have come prepared, but the box was really small; it could only hold a hairpin!
Qin Jing and Ye Musi exchanged a glance, about to speak, but Ye Musi stopped them with a look.
But after swallowing a bite of cake, Leap Moon said, "Miss, please open it and let us see what treasure it is!"
Jingxue had already taken the box. She opened it generously, and inside was a key.
"It's a key, but it doesn't seem to be made of gold." Leap Moon withdrew her stretched neck in disappointment and took another bite of cake.
Ye Muchen said, "Xue'er, we've been married for almost a year, and you haven't taken over the household affairs. I've put all my assets in a storeroom, and it will all be yours from now on. This key is for opening the storeroom. I've already given the household expenses to the steward. I know you're busy, so let the steward handle the household affairs."
Jingxue originally intended to refuse, but she had to save face in front of so many people.
In her modern days, she had heard a saying: "A man's heart is where his money is!" But she didn't want Ye Muchen's heart, nor did she want his money; she had plenty of money.
Seeing that Jingxue didn't speak, Ye Muchen thought she was going to refuse, so he quickly said, "Xue'er, I know you don't lack money, but this is really my heartfelt gift, please accept it."
"Okay, thank you!"
Qin Jing chimed in, "Great! I wish my cousin and his wife a speedy birth of their son!"
And so, everyone enjoyed the birthday banquet in a lively atmosphere. After the meal, the group went to the main hall for tea.
Li Qianqian didn't say much throughout the conversation, just listened quietly to their talk. Since getting engaged to Qin Jing, she hadn't said more than a few words to him. Seeing his cheerful and approachable personality today, she felt much more relaxed.
"Your Highness, you need to find someone to oversee things at the academy and help you with some daily tasks," Lu Zijing said.
Jingxue nodded. "I know that, but we haven't found the right person yet."
"How about letting my master go?" Ye Muchen said.
Jingxue wondered if Baili Zhan was reliable when he mentioned him.
“That’s possible, but will he agree? We need to find a reliable person to handle matters concerning the academy,” Jingxue said.
Ye Muchen said, "I will go to see him after court tomorrow. If he agrees, there will be no problem. My master is a reliable person."
"I went to the brokerage today, hoping to buy two educated women to teach at the academy, but unfortunately I couldn't find any suitable ones. Does anyone know any women who would be willing to teach at the academy? Please recommend some to me!" Jingxue said to the crowd.
Lu Zijing asked, "Didn't Her Highness say she was going to post a notice to recruit people?"
"If I were to post a notice to recruit female teachers, I'm afraid those censors would submit a memorial against me before my girls' academy even opens. I'm too lazy to deal with them."
After Jingxue finished speaking, everyone nodded in agreement, confirming that it was indeed true.
“Cousin, my wet nurse is quite knowledgeable. Why don’t you let her go and help you?” Li Qianqian said.
"Really? It's just teaching reading and writing. Girls don't take the imperial examinations, so they don't need to be highly educated. If some girls like reading, that's something for later." Jingxue didn't expect Li Qianqian to be able to help her.
“My wet nurse was originally a wealthy woman from Qingzhou. Later, her family fell into poverty. After she got married, her husband died first, leaving behind a posthumous child. However, the child died before he was a month old. Everyone said she was unlucky. It was my mother who took pity on her and made her my wet nurse. She has been taking care of me in our mansion ever since.”
“When we were little, my brother and I were both taught by her. I think she can meet the requirements you mentioned, cousin.”
Li Qianqian spoke at length, and when she saw that everyone's eyes were on her, she felt a little embarrassed.
"That's great! Hmm? Won't that delay your wedding?" Jingxue blurted out as soon as she thought of something.
Li Qianqian blushed. "No, it's alright. Let the wet nurse help you! I, I can manage. Besides, there are other nannies in the manor."
"Thank you! One person can be chosen for the task," Jingxue said with a smile.
Qin Jing said, "Sister-in-law, there's no need to worry too much. I'll keep an eye out for you too."
"Ok!"
"Is there anything I can do to help?" Yemus asked.
Jingxue smiled and said, "Your Highness, you are about to get married, and then you will be enjoying your honeymoon. We wouldn't dare to disturb you!"
Qin Jing smiled and said, "My cousin-in-law is right."
Although Ye Musi had a smile on his face, he couldn't help feeling lonely inside. Now his third brother and sister-in-law were also developing in a good direction. He clearly remembered how disdainful his third brother was of his sister-in-law when his third brother got married, just because she was Jing Zhiyuan's daughter.
I'm just like my third brother was back then, but Jing Zhiyuan has always been a loyal subject. And what about his future father-in-law, Gao Pengju, the Minister of War? He's just a fence-sitter, all pretense.
He himself doesn't know how to treat his daughter?
If I don't know how to treat her, I'll just keep her in the manor! At least she's married now, so no other woman will enter the manor for at least two years.
Just live life to the fullest!
After talking for a while, Qin Jing and the others got up to say goodbye, while Ying Si and the others loaded the return gifts that Jing Xue had prepared for them into the car.
Jingxue told Li Guangxing and Li Qianqian to return to the manor. When they arrived, the carriage had already gone back. Qin Jing offered to escort the brother and sister back, saving the Zhanwang Mansion's carriage from making another trip.
After seeing the guests off, Jingxue and Ye Muchen walked back slowly side by side.
"Xue'er, are you happy on this special day?" Ye Muchen asked cautiously as they walked. His gaze remained fixed on Jing Xue beside him, his eyes filled with anticipation.
At this moment, the moonlight, like water, fell on the ground, illuminating the path the two were walking on.
Jingxue turned her head slightly, her beautiful face appearing especially captivating in the moonlight. Her eyes sparkled like stars, and a smile played on her lips: "I'm so happy to have so many people here to celebrate my birthday! Thank you."
Hearing Jingxue say this, Ye Muchen finally felt relieved.
“I am truly entrusting my entire fortune to you. Don’t feel any pressure. You’re running a girls’ school to help veterans and their families, and I also want to do my part. I know you don’t lack money, but I just want to give it to you!”
Jingxue wanted to laugh. She remembered a popular saying from modern times: "I'll give you a flower, spend it however you like!"