Chapter 69 Lu Lingyun’s Trophies

Chapter 69 Lu Lingyun's Trophies

Lu Lingyun saw that it was Steward Qian who had entered and smiled, "Your daughter-in-law knows."

"Kneel to Young Lady and from today onward, all the financial records will be handled by her. All arrangements should be made according to her instructions."

This was the greatest reward that Lady Qin could give Lu Lingyun.

Another delegation of authority!

The first time she delegated authority, it was only to allow Lu Lingyun to place one of her trusted people in charge.

But this time, she handed over something significant—the most important financial matters of the estate!

Of course, this did not mean that the Marquisate was entirely given to Lu Lingyun.

There were four major stewards in the Marquisate, three of whom were loyal to Old Lord Marquis Qin.

Although Steward Qian would now report to Lu Lingyun, he was still ultimately Old Lord Marquis Qin's man.

Only when he was completely replaced by someone loyal to Lu Lingyun would the Marquisate truly be under her control.

Moreover, there was still Nurse Li who did not directly report to her, which meant that Lady Qin had not fully handed over management to Lu Lingyun. Nurse Li managed both internal and external household affairs.

Even so, it was an immense amount of power.

Lu Lingyun looked at Steward Qian, who was bowing on the ground, and gave him a faint smile.

"Steward Qian, please rise. You will have much hard work ahead."

"Young Lady, what are you saying? This old servant will do everything possible to serve you and the Marquisate."

Lu Lingyun then casually mentioned to Lady Qin and Old Lord Marquis Qin about discontinuing usury.

Both Lady Qin and Old Lord Marquis Qin were in high spirits and satisfied with Lu Lingyun's management, so they readily agreed without hesitation.

"Eryu, as you say, if we don't lend, we won't lend."

Steward Qian then said, "Lady, Lord Marquis, many families have been borrowing usurious loans recently. If we stop lending, others will quickly take our market share."

"Steward Qian, lending usurious loans is against heaven and reason; it invites disaster. We should avoid such things," Lu Lingyun said with a smile.

Lady Qin clapped her hands, "Eryu is right. Lending such money always harms the family's fortune. Our Marquisate has finally welcomed two children, so we must accumulate virtue for them."

Lady Qin believed in these principles to some extent.

With the sudden arrival of children in the childless Marquisate, it was seen as accumulating virtue for the Marquisate.

Hearing this, Steward Qian remained silent.

Stopping usury would mean that competitors would quickly take their market share.

Rich families were not kind-hearted; any quick-profit business was something they would engage in.

Usurious loans were one of the key gray areas that wealthy families focused on.

The annual profits from usurious loans were substantial, and they could also seize properties and shops, making it a highly profitable venture.

Their Ningyang Marquisate's exit from the market was immediately seized upon by others, causing Steward Qian considerable distress.

It was all their hard work.

But since Lady Qin and Old Lord Marquis Qin had agreed, there was nothing else to be done.

At this moment, Lu Lingyun looked at Steward Qian and said, "Steward Qian, rest assured, my choice will not be wrong."

Steward Qian was slightly taken aback but then nodded and smiled, agreeing.

After Steward Qian left the room, Lady Qin's rewards for Lu Lingyun were not limited to delegating authority.

She also received a pile of gold and silver.

Lady Qin bestowed upon Lu Lingyun a family heirloom jade pendant encrusted with emeralds, a top-grade Hetian jade necklace, five rolls of fine Jiangnan soft silk, a box of gold and silver ingots, a bag of exquisitely crafted gold leaves, deeds to a piece of farmland and a forest, and the profits from a pawnshop.

Gold and silver, along with the real delegation of authority, were given to Lu Lingyun.

Lu Lingyun accepted these items and thanked Lady Qin and Old Lord Marquis Qin repeatedly.

"Silly child, we're all family, why thank us?" Lady Qin pulled Lu Lingyun to sit beside her, "We only have Yunshuo as our son. Your dedication to this family means that everything in the Marquisate will eventually be yours."

Her eyes curved into a smile, and Lu Lingyun understood, "Your daughter-in-law will certainly manage the Marquisate well."

Lady Qin spoke very plainly.

The Marquisate had only Cheng Yunshuo as an heir. As long as Lu Lingyun managed the Marquisate well and aligned with its interests, it would be hers in the future.

Marrying an only son had its advantages.

Lady Qin, Old Lord Marquis Qin, Lu Lingyun, and Cheng Yunshuo chatted for a long time. At dinner, they called Aunt Qiu to join them for the meal.

Why didn't they call Xing Dairong? Of course, it was because Lady Qin and Old Lord Marquis Qin disliked her.

If she were the only one pregnant, perhaps out of consideration for the child, Lady Qin and Old Lord Marquis Qin might have called her to meet and dine together.

But now that Aunt Qiu was also pregnant, the child in her womb was no longer as precious.

Moreover, considering Xing Dairong's past actions, which nearly destroyed the entire Marquisate, it was fortunate that Lady Qin and Old Lord Marquis Qin did not make things difficult for her.

Everyone enjoyed a lively dinner, thus concluding the first day back at the Marquisate.

After finishing the meal, Cheng Yunshuo accompanied Qiu Ling back to the Autumn Fragrance Courtyard.

Seeing her son leave with the concubine, Lady Qin pulled Lu Lingyun aside to whisper to her.

"Lingyun, now that Aunt Qiu and the other one are both expecting, you should also hurry up."

Lady Qin's words were not just about urging her to have children; they carried a hint of genuine concern for Lingyun.

"Mother," Lu Lingyun smiled at her, "having children is a matter of destiny, and it cannot be forced. Now that the Ningyang Marquisate has two potential heirs, I already feel blessed. Ensuring their safe arrival is what matters most to me."

Hearing this, Lady Qin looked slightly surprised, then sighed and looked at her approvingly, "Having a good daughter-in-law like you is truly a blessing for our Ningyang Marquisate."

Lu Lingyun was telling her that having children in the marquisate had always been difficult, and it wasn't due to her lack of effort—a point Lady Qin understood well.

Furthermore, she was assuring her that she would take good care of both children and treat them as her own.

How could Lady Qin not be satisfied?

Which main lady of the house could do any better!

Immediately, Lady Qin secretly gave her a jade bracelet from her dowry box.

Lu Lingyun smiled as she accepted it, bid farewell to Lady Qin, and returned to take stock of her spoils from the day.

All the valuable items were locked in her dowry chest. Over the past half year since her marriage into the marquisate, her dowry had not diminished but rather increased.

Moreover, she had replaced many ordinary and inexpensive items with better ones. Now, every piece in her dowry chest was of high quality.

Lu Lingyun sorted out some lesser-quality items to give away later, locked everything else up, and then fell asleep in her warm room.

The next morning.

When Lu Lingyun woke up, she went to pay respects to her in-laws since they were at home.

"Lingyun, you've come at just the right time," Lady Qin said with a full smile upon seeing her.

"What is it, Mother?"

"Today, I'm taking you out to meet some of my friends."