Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
It turns out that those words were specifically meant to infuriate her, and now seeing Xia Wan'er like that, she must have heard every word the maid said.
However, Xia Yuhan still pretended to be completely unaware, leisurely walking up to greet Xia Wan'er: "Sister, have you come to see me? What a coincidence! It's unfortunate that you arrived just as I was heading to Daddy's study, so I can't entertain you..."
"You're too polite; I just happened to pass by here!"
"In that case, I'll take my leave first!"
Such ordinary pleasantries sounded particularly grating in Xia Wan'er's ears at this moment.
If she hadn't just heard that General Xia was looking for her and needed to inform Madam immediately, Xia Wan'er definitely wouldn't let Xia Yuhan off so easily!
Xia Yuhan, consider yourself lucky this time!
Thinking of this, Xia Wan'er shot a furious glare at Xia Yuhan, swayed her waist, and left without looking back.
Xia Yuhan watched Xia Wan'er's retreating figure and smiled even brighter, making the flowers in the courtyard seem less vibrant in comparison.
...
When Xia Yuhan arrived smoothly at the door of Xia Manor's study, she happened to encounter General Xia sighing repeatedly, his face looking noticeably more haggard than usual. Xia Yuhan guessed he must have encountered a very troublesome matter.
"Yu Han pays respects to Daddy!" Although she had arrived without any obstacles, she still did not enter the study directly. Instead, she concealed her usual assertive demeanor and pretended to be timid as she quietly waited at the door.
She knew that General Xia was not looking for her just for a casual chat...
General Xia noticed Xia Yuhan and sighed again when he saw her: "Yu Han, you're here. Come in quickly! Remember to close the door behind you."
"Yes, Daddy, Yu Han understands!" She didn't expect General Xia's tone to be so much gentler than usual.
What exactly is General Xia hiding?
What does he want to use his kindness for?
In Xia Yuhan's eyes, there is nothing but coldness...
General Xia looked at Xia Yuhan's cold expression and sighed deeply once again: “Yu Han, after all these years, I truly feel sorry for you and your mother!”
“Why is Daddy suddenly saying this? Yu Han doesn’t feel wronged at all. Yu Han has been living quite comfortably with my mother. Daddy often takes care of me and my mother, which is already the greatest blessing for us.”
On the surface, her response was very obedient, understanding, and considerate; she appeared very easygoing. However, inside, her heart was icy.
After being wronged for so many years, what difference does one or two more make? What’s with this sudden display of compassion? Even without General Xia's care in the future, she would still live well in Xia Manor!
“Yu Han, even if you hate Daddy, this general will not blame you! Over these years, I have indeed let you down!”
Not giving Xia Yuhan any chance to speak, General Xia continued sorrowfully: “In the past, you were weak in character. Your mother was bullied and didn’t dare to stand up against it. I thought that no matter how much I pampered you and elevated your status in Xia Manor, you would ultimately fall down, and it would be worse than it is now!”
“Because I determined that you and your mother were not their match! That’s why I always neglected you. But now I realize that my approach was wrong. If I had supported your mother earlier, then this series of events wouldn’t have happened recently.”
“Is Daddy so sure that supporting my mother will prevent such things from happening? Just as Daddy said, even if Daddy showers me and my mother with endless affection, if Longhui Prince wants to marry Yu Han, it wouldn’t be such a storm!”
Regarding General Xia's words, Xia Yuhan was extremely surprised. However, deep down, she still dared not trust General Xia’s words...
Perhaps seeing the confusion on Xia Yuhan's face, General Xia replied: “To be honest, this general is not certain whether supporting her will prevent such incidents! However, what I can confirm now is that you have the ability to take on the entire Xia Manor, so this general does not want to wait any longer!”
Isn’t this too sudden?
Is all of this real or fake? Xia Yuhan found it hard to discern...
However, she firmly believed in one thing: opportunities would not simply fall into your lap.
Thus, throughout it all, her expressions changed so subtly that they were almost imperceptible.
But for some reason, General Xia seemed to understand her very well; every expression could be read clearly...
"Yu Han, you must have guessed that managing Xia Manor is not an easy task. Allowing an illegitimate child to take over the vast Xia Manor is something many people find hard to accept!"
"So you must make things look impressive in a very short time, so that people have no choice but to be convinced! The shorter the time, the better! Because I am not sure when I will receive the imperial order to secretly return to the border again. By then, I won't be able to protect you!"
Regarding General Xia's drastic change, Xia Yuhan was surprised—still surprised! However, after her initial shock, she quickly regained her composure.
If this were under normal circumstances, Xia Yuhan would have been moved to tears with gratitude. But unfortunately, just a few days ago, she had overheard Sun Liuxiang discussing matters concerning Xia Manor.
The Madam of Xia Manor was the daughter of the Minister of Revenue of the Azure Dragon Kingdom, and this Minister of Revenue controlled household registration and finances. Almost all prices in the market were monopolized by them, especially rice prices!
And these rice prices were directly related to the economic source of Xia Manor!
Xia Manor indeed had thousands of acres of fertile land in the capital; that was somewhat exaggerated. However, it would not be an exaggeration to say that Xia Manor was the largest landlord in the capital in terms of tenant numbers!
Of course, this was still based on incomplete statistics...
The grain production at Xia Manor was quite good, but the money acquired from purchases each year was decreasing. Every time General Xia asked her about it, she firmly prevented his inquiries by claiming that market prices were too low.
Moreover, every time he pressed for answers, the Madam always had a pile of other explanations ready, so General Xia couldn't really press her further...
According to Sun Liuxiang, currently, General Xia and the Minister of Revenue had fallen out in court. Furthermore, General Xia was eager to remove the Madam because she had set a trap for him regarding her. However, now the entire economic lifeline of Xia Manor was completely in the Madam's hands.
Even if he forcibly reclaimed control over the household management rights, he could not regain control over the economic power!
The vast Xia Manor, if deprived of financial support, would surely decline within a few months!
Therefore, to remove Madam and reclaim the economic and managerial power she holds, he needs a pawn that is advantageous to him!
Coincidentally, the arrival of Xia Yuhan allows the soul of the owner of this body to transform, making her perfectly suitable to be his pawn in seizing the economic power of Xia Manor!
...
Thinking of this, Xia Yuhan couldn't help but chuckle, her laughter both charming and cold...
It turns out that all these actions were merely a ploy by General Xia. The grand facade was for her sake, but in reality, it was just a way for her to work tirelessly for him!
"Yu Han, what's wrong with you?"
Seeing Xia Yuhan's emotions getting out of control, General Xia assumed she was struggling to adapt to such a heavy responsibility and couldn't help but ask with concern.
But the more he cared, the more disgusted Xia Yuhan felt. She had always hated those who used familial affection as a performance and deceived their loved ones!
By now, she had seen through General Xia's intentions! What Guardian General? What patriotic and honest official? Wasn't he just doing profit-driven things behind the backs of the common people?
She feared that even the emotions she displayed when injured were just an act!
Now, in Xia Yuhan's eyes, among all the officials and nobles, only Jiang Tingyu was a truly competent official! The others were merely playing roles!
General Xia did not know that at this moment he had already been placed on Xia Yuhan's blacklist. If he knew, what would his thoughts be?
Xia Yuhan came back to her senses: "Daddy, Yu Han is fine. I just didn't expect you to value me so much; it makes me feel a bit overwhelmed. But I don't know what you want me to do?"
At this point, General Xia sighed deeply: "Here's the situation. With June approaching and a severe drought looming, this year's rent collection will likely be much lower than in previous years. Although Xia Manor is vast, its daily expenses are substantial. If this continues long-term, I'm afraid Xia Manor will face financial difficulties and decline."
"Daddy, when did Xia Manor rely on rent to maintain the entire expenses of Xia Manor? Moreover, according to Yu Han, although Xia Manor is large, the expenses for the servants' food and clothing are not extravagant. The master of Xia Manor may dress lavishly, but when calculated, the expenses are still quite reasonable."
Upon mentioning this, General Xia's expression became serious. He frowned and occasionally sighed: "Yu Han, these matters you shouldn't have known about. However, now that you've grown up and have the capability and responsibility, Daddy will no longer hide it from you!"
"Since the establishment of the Azure Dragon Kingdom, the war with the Barbarian Northern Kingdom has never ceased, and with the Southern Kingdom eyeing the Azure Dragon Kingdom covetously, it can be said that the Azure Dragon Kingdom has been in a state of constant warfare. How many families have been torn apart and how many people have lost their homes?"
"Although I am a general protecting the nation and enemies tremble at my name, I cannot end this war quickly. Instead, countless families have been torn apart. To compensate the soldiers, I will use the rent collected from Xia Manor to comfort those warriors stationed at the borders."
Xia Yuhan did not expect such a turn of events. If what General Xia said was true, then the complexities involved were beyond her understanding as a woman...
"Daddy means for Yu Han to go collect rent?"
"Yes, but where you will collect it is only in the most barren lands with the most difficult tenants—Xia Yang Village..."
Even without General Xia's further words, she understood that he intended to push her into Mountains and Rivers and then achieve an unexpected harvest to silence Madam and her group!
"Yu Han agrees!" Since he had explained so much to her, she could not refuse anything. Rather than decline, it was better to straightforwardly agree to General Xia's harsh conditions and demands.
Comment 0 Comment Count