The Third Lady faintly saw a glimmer of hope.
She immediately winked at the Second Lady, who quickly chimed in, "Eldest sister-in-law, the Third sister-in-law is thinking about our Zhennan Duke's Mansion. Jiang Fuying is new here and doesn't know much about the affairs of the mansion yet. This matter of taking charge of the household... can't be rushed."
Madam Lu nodded in agreement, "What the Second sister-in-law said makes sense."
The Second Lady couldn't wait to say, "Eldest sister-in-law, then let the Third sister-in-law and I continue to hold the power of managing the mansion?"
She originally thought Madam Lu would readily agree.
Unexpectedly, Madam Lu pursed her lips, spread her hands, and looked utterly helpless, "But I really can't make up my mind."
The Second Lady was left speechless.
Why was Madam Lu so hard to persuade today?
She glared at Jiang Fuying fiercely: It must be that Jiang had filled Madam Lu's head with some kind of nonsense beforehand!
Receiving her glare, Jiang Fuying gave a faint smile.
From the very beginning, she knew that if she directly asked the Second and Third branches to return the power of managing the household, they would surely refuse and even put up many obstacles.
So her goal wasn't to get the power back right away, but rather -
First, lower their expectations and then obtain what she really wanted!
She quietly rubbed her eyes.
Madam Lu, who had been paying close attention to her actions, immediately understood: It was her turn to play her part again!
This time, she needed to put on the airs of a mother - in - law and scold Fuying!
In fact, facing such a smart and charming daughter - in - law, Madam Lu liked her more and more and simply couldn't bring herself to say a single scolding word.
But as soon as she met Fuying's gentle, watery eyes, she felt more confident.
Anyway, she couldn't let Fuying down!
Madam Lu tried to sound as serious as possible, "Fuying, I've thought about it. What your two aunts said is right. You've been too hasty."
"You're a new bride and know nothing about the affairs of the mansion. How can you take charge of the household?"
Strictly speaking, Madam Lu's words couldn't really be considered a scolding.
But the Second and Third Ladies still stared in shock.
Did these words really come from the gentle - natured Madam Lu?!
The light of hope grew even brighter.
The Third Lady no longer bothered to hide her feelings and directly put on the airs of an elder, "Fuying, you heard what your eldest sister - in - law said, right? Even if you don't listen to us, you can't disobey your mother - in - law, can you?"
Trying to label her as unfilial?
Jiang Fuying didn't answer but instead lowered her head.
In the Second Lady's eyes, this was a sign of her fear.
The Second Lady seized the opportunity and put on an expression of concern, "Fuying, we elders aren't being stingy or reluctant to return the power of managing the household. We truly have your best interests at heart."
"You're newly married. You didn't learn how to manage a household when you were in your boudoir. If we suddenly handed over the huge Zhennan Duke's Mansion to you, it's inevitable that something might go wrong."
At this point, the Second Lady even let out a long, feigned sigh, "Fuying, we're all family. Do you think we would harm you?"
A hint of coldness flashed through her autumn - water eyes.
Truly have her best interests at heart? Wouldn't harm her?
Not even a ghost would believe such nonsense!
"I understand what the Second Aunt said," she suddenly looked up at the Second Lady, "Then I won't ask for this 'gift' anymore."
The Second and Third Ladies heaved a huge sigh of relief.
Jiang was just a paper tiger. Inside, she was as easy to deceive as Madam Lu!
Just then, Jiang Fuying changed the subject, "I have another request."
The breath they had just exhaled got stuck in their throats, neither going in nor coming out.
"Fuying, you..."
"I really didn't learn how to manage a household before I got married, but everything has a first step."
Jiang Fuying continued on her own, "So I'd like to start by running one of the mansion's shops. If I achieve some results, I'll come back to manage the household."
Hearing this, the Second and Third Ladies exchanged a look, and both saw a glimmer of surprise in each other's eyes.
As a duke's family, the Zhennan Duke's Mansion had accumulated wealth over generations. They might not have much of some things, but they had plenty of shops!
Giving one shop to Jiang would allow them to keep the power of managing the household. It was a sure - fire deal!
As for Jiang's delusion of coming back to manage the household later?
That was even more impossible!
Managing a shop would bring up countless problems at any time. If Jiang was obedient, they wouldn't mind turning a blind eye. But if she wasn't...
They could also cause trouble in the shop Jiang managed at any time, so that Jiang would carry the reputation of being "incompetent and unworthy of being a noblewoman" for the rest of her life!
Thinking of this, the Second and Third Ladies had already made up their minds.
"Fine, your Third Aunt and I will grant your request." The Second Lady ordered the maid, "Go and fetch all the deeds of the mansion's shops."
"Yes."
In a short while, the maid brought a thick stack of deeds and placed them in front of Jiang Fuying.
The Third Lady was extremely generous, "Fuying, pick for yourself. If you like any shop, just take it to practice!"
"Thank you, Aunts."
Jiang Fuying politely thanked them and then carefully studied the deeds.
The shops of the Zhennan Duke's Mansion were located in different areas, some good and some bad. Their sizes also varied, and the types of business were extremely diverse.
But one thing caught her attention: Most of the shops were clustered together in groups of three or five.
Her gaze gradually fixed on one of the deeds.
Her slender hand suddenly picked up that deed, "Aunts, I want this shop."
The maid presented the deed to the Second and Third Ladies.
They took a look and almost burst out laughing.
Instead of choosing a prosperous, well - located, and large - sized shop, Jiang had picked out a shop that was completely useless and even vacant!
Jiang's taste was truly abysmal!
"Fine. Just as you wish. Take this shop to practice."
Afraid that she might change her mind, the Second Lady specifically told the maid, "Take this deed to the government and transfer the ownership to Fuying."
"Yes."
...
As soon as Lu Huaizhou returned to the mansion, he was stopped by the anxious Caizhi.
"Your Highness, the First Lady and the Madam went to the West Garden and haven't returned yet. I'm worried that something might have gone wrong. Please go and check!"
Lu Huaizhou's face darkened.
The Second and Third branches were so cunning and devious. His mother and she might have been held back by them!
"Come with me to the West Garden!"
Lu Huaizhou led his attendants and rushed there. Finally, they arrived at the West Garden.
Even before entering the front hall, he was sharp - eyed enough to see what was going on inside.
The Second and Third Ladies were sitting in the upper seats, looking arrogant and disdainful.
And she was standing in front of his mother, with a proper smile on her lips, calm and composed, neither overbearing nor humble.
She waved the document in her hand like a victor waving a flag, "Fuying thanks the two Aunts for their kindness."
A feeling welled up in his heart: Their big branch, the house of honest people, had finally welcomed a true decision - maker.