Zhao Luoning smiled and continued, “Previously, we required each household to contribute a fixed amount of grain, which was rather inhumane. I'm thinking of a 30 - 70 profit - sharing system. Whether it's a lean year or a good year, everyone's interests will be tied together.”
Tian Cheng lowered his head and thought for a while, then burst into laughter. “Young Master Ji of the Ji family is really lucky to have married such a smart and capable young mistress like you.”
After all, Tian Cheng was over fifty. Zhao Luoning's proposal seemed to be for the good of the people on the farm, but it didn't let the Ji Mansion suffer any losses.
Once the profit - sharing system was implemented, not to mention that the Ji Mansion would earn a lot more silver in a good year, even in a lean year, the Ji Mansion didn't have to worry about the peasants being unable to pay the rent, which would lead to a lose - lose situation.
In this way, the Ji Mansion would truly gain both fame and fortune.
Moreover, Zhao Luoning's method would surely motivate the workers more.
It should be a win - win situation.
The discussion was unexpectedly successful, and Zhao Luoning felt much more relaxed.
After the conversation, the Tian couple got busy cooking. Zhao Luoning was admiring the apricot blossoms.
“Good move!”
An exclamation interrupted Zhao Luoning's train of thought. She turned around and found a man standing outside the fence at some unknown time.
It was none other than Ji Shisu, who had just returned from collecting rent.
He should have rushed to the next farm before nightfall, but when passing by here, he hesitated for a moment and finally asked Yu Chi to stop the carriage.
He was about to walk in directly when he happened to hear Zhao Luoning explaining the new policy to the Tian couple.
To be honest, he had never seen Zhao Luoning like this before. He even thought she was a bit charming.
When communicating with the tenants, she didn't show any contempt. She was serious and focused, and her suggestion was truly a win - win one.
“I really didn't expect you to be so talented,” Ji Shisu sincerely admired Zhao Luoning, but it sounded different to Zhao Luoning.
Zhao Luoning thought Ji Shisu was mocking her for being uneducated. She was quite angry. Just then, she heard Mrs. Tian calling them for dinner. Without looking back, she walked into the house, leaving Ji Shisu looking stunned.
He really couldn't figure out when he had offended her again.
Was it wrong to praise her?
Ji Shisu was really a heavy drinker. During dinner, he played finger - guessing games and drank with Old Tian. After getting drunk, he fell asleep, but woke up in the middle of the night.
This time, it was because of Zhao Luoning.
He didn't know what was wrong with himself. He not only didn't reject getting along with Zhao Luoning but also felt his heart in turmoil.
While Ji Shisu was in a daze looking at the nine - bell under the eaves, Yu Chi rushed in in a hurry.
“Second Young Master, something has happened in the mansion.”
Hearing this, Ji Shisu's face changed greatly. Without caring about anything else, he left the Tian family that very night.
When Zhao Luoning woke up, Caixue was coming in with the washing water.
“Miss, wash up. It's time for us to go back.”
Zhao Luoning was still sleepy. Half - closing her eyes, she walked up to Caixue, scooped up a handful of water, and washed away her drowsiness before feeling a bit more awake.
Caixue picked up the wooden comb beside and led Zhao Luoning in front of the bronze mirror to comb her hair.
In the mirror was a delicate face without makeup. Seeing this, Zhao Luoning's face changed greatly.
“Caixue, did Ji Shisu come into my room?”
Ji Shisu had seen her without makeup. She was afraid that he would recognize her.
“Don't worry, Miss. Second Master left last night. He won't recognize you,” Caixue said.
Only then did Zhao Luoning feel relieved and let Caixue serve her to comb her hair.
When Zhao Luoning returned to the Ji Mansion, it was already late in the morning. She planned to go back to Furong Courtyard first, touch up her makeup, and then go to the old matriarch's room to report.
In Furong Courtyard, while drawing her eyebrows, Zhao Luoning asked in confusion, “Caixue, why do I feel that the maids in the mansion are acting strangely today?”
On her way back to Furong Courtyard, the maids all stared at her. The whispers behind her made her feel very uncomfortable.
Caixue just smiled and didn't answer. The answer was obvious. Zhao Luoning's beauty was captivating.
Having been with Zhao Luoning for so many years, Caixue wasn't bothered by it.
Zhao Luoning always felt that something was off, but she couldn't put her finger on it. She had no choice but to change her clothes, tidy up her makeup, and go to the old matriarch's room to pay respects.
Zhao Luoning briefly explained the new policy to the old matriarch and presented the rice wine brought by the people on the farm to thank her.
Before this, the servants of the Ji family and the people on the farm had been at odds over the rent.
Although the Ji family had a bad reputation, they weren't really the kind to bully the villagers. Outsiders thought the Ji family was extremely prosperous and even the court was wary of them. They were scolded as villains with hidden motives.
But in fact, in such an environment, the Ji family had to be even more cautious. One slip - up and they would be caught with a handle.
So the affairs on the farm had always been a headache for the old matriarch. Unexpectedly, Zhao Luoning had resolved the issue in just a few words.
The old matriarch seemed to have found a treasure. She was very satisfied with Zhao Luoning, her granddaughter - in - law.
“Ning'er, you're really a lucky star for our Ji family. Ning'er, I heard that you and Shisu went to the spring sacrifice last night. Was it fun?”
Zhao Luoning was startled by the old matriarch's words. She didn't expect the old matriarch to know every move of hers.
“I know Shisu has done many excessive things to you, but it takes a hundred years of cultivation to cross a river in the same boat and a thousand years to be husband and wife. Since you're fated to be married, you should cherish each other,” the old matriarch said.
Zhao Luoning lowered her head and replied softly, “Ning'er remembers.”
Hearing this, the old matriarch heaved a sigh of relief and her tone was no longer as solemn as before.
“That's my good granddaughter - in - law,” the old matriarch said happily. She rewarded Zhao Luoning with some jewelry. Unable to decline, Zhao Luoning had to ask Caixue to accept them on her behalf.
After leaving Cihua Courtyard, Zhao Luoning was thinking about the old matriarch's words all the way.
Through the issue of the land rent, she had finally reassured the elders. Could she start to implement her own plan next?
Zhao Luoning was deep in thought when Caixue interrupted her.
“Miss, look over there.”
Zhao Luoning looked in the direction Caixue was pointing. She saw that white lanterns were hung on a villa called Green Lotus House not far from Fengti Xuan. The main gate was closed, and only people were going in and out through the side door.
“Who lives in this Green Lotus House?” Zhao Luoning asked Caixue beside her. Caixue stammered for a long time before finally saying a complete sentence.
“It's the concubine that Second Young Master married three years ago. Her name seems to be Green Lotus.”
Green Lotus. It was a very nice name. Zhao Luoning's already wavering heart sank again.
“Miss, why are they hanging white lanterns in broad daylight?”
Although it was daytime, the sudden appearance of the white lanterns and the expressionless people going in and out made the scene rather creepy.
Caixue thought of the rumors she had heard about Ji Shisu.
“Miss, I heard that the Second Young Master of the Ji family is not only promiscuous but also very cruel. His means of torturing people are terrifying. Miss, could it be...”
The more Caixue thought about it, the more scared she became, and she let out a scream.
Her nervous look made Zhao Luoning scared too.
“Could it be what?”
“Could it be that Second Master has tortured this concubine to death?”