Chapter 5 Prince Jing

Chapter 5 Prince Jing

When Shen Changze woke up, he noticed that the two children were there but Cheng Jinchu was not. After inquiring, he learned that she had gone to consult her mother, so he did not give it much thought.

Having just returned to Shang Jing, he had many matters to attend to, and the most pressing task was to visit the elders of his clan.

By the time he finished his tasks and returned home, it was already late at night. The two children had long since gone to sleep, but Cheng Jinchu was still awake, tallying accounts by candlelight.

"Count them tomorrow; don't strain your eyes," Shen Changze said, taking the ledger from her hands.

Cheng Jinchu asked him with a somber expression, "Do you know the state of the marquisate?"

Shen Changze thought for a moment and understood, "Is the treasury empty?"

It was more than just empty; this grand marquisate was nothing but a hollow shell!

Whoever stepped into this shell would have to support it themselves. Once they took on the burden, they could not let go, or else the entire structure would collapse, causing irreparable damage, leaving no chance to escape.

This was not an honor but a scalding yam.

After hearing Cheng Jinchu’s explanation, Shen Changze looked embarrassed, "I didn’t realize the marquisate had become so impoverished."

Six years ago when he left Shang Jing, the marquisate still had some reserves. Could it be that...

Before leaving the mansion the next day, Shen Changze sought out Mother Shen to inquire about the reserves.

"It has nothing to do with Shu'er," Mother Shen sighed. "Half of the family assets were used as Qingrong’s dowry, and the other half went towards Changhuai’s marriage proposal."

Shen Qingrong was Shen Changze’s full sister, while Shen Changhuai was his younger half-brother.

The marquisate had few heirs, and this generation only produced Shen Changze and Shen Changhuai.

Although Shen Changhuai was born of a concubine, he had always been diligent, studying hard and earning a government post. Two years ago, he was appointed as a local official in Hengzhou.

Though the position was not high-ranking, it provided a stable income and great potential for advancement, ensuring a promising future. Both the marquisate and Shen Changze would rely on his assistance, which is why Mother Shen was quite lenient with him.

"I understand. Please assist Jinchu with managing the household," Shen Changze said, getting up to leave.

Mother Shen called him back, saying helplessly, "Even a skilled cook cannot make a meal without rice. Perhaps you should return the management of the household to Shu'er."

"If you apologize to Shu'er and stay in her courtyard for a night..."

"Mother, please spare me some dignity," Shen Changze said, leaving with a pained expression.

Mother Shen watched him leave, murmuring bitterly, "Dignity doesn’t put food on the table..."

Jiang Shu preferred quiet, but the noise from the children in Lanyun Courtyard next door was disturbing her peace. She wanted to step outside the mansion for some fresh air.

She sent Chuyu to inform Mother Shen and then left wearing a veil.

Shang Jing was as bustling and prosperous as ever, unaffected by anyone’s mood.

"Lady, ahead is Nine Fragrance Confectionery. Would you like some lotus seed pastries?" Tanyu asked.

Jiang Shu, who had been lost in thought inside the carriage, quickly replied, "Stop the carriage."

After the carriage stopped, Jiang Shu insisted on going in herself to buy the pastries.

Tanyu said, "Lady, I can go in and buy them for you."

A lady of the marquisate should not show her face in public; if seen, it would invite gossip.

"Tanyu, I’m wearing a veil." She felt suffocated and needed some air.

Tanyu had no choice but to accompany her into the confectionery shop.

Nine Fragrance Confectionery was a well-known pastry shop in Shang Jing, famous for its nine exquisite varieties of pastries.

"Two pounds of lotus seed pastries, three pounds of osmanthus cakes, and one pound of plum blossom pastries."

"I’m sorry, Lady, we’ve sold out of the lotus seed pastries," the shopkeeper apologized with a smile.

Tanyu frowned, "Not even a bit left? My lady has been craving these lately."

"The last pound was bought by that young master over there," the shopkeeper pointed behind them.

Jiang Shu turned around and lifted a corner of her veil, seeing a young master and a child, both dressed in fine robes, sitting at a small table. The child, around six or seven years old, was eating a lotus seed pastry.

She recognized them; they were Prince Jing Yu Zheng and Young Master Zhuang from the Pingxi General’s Mansion.

Both exuded a noble aura, which seemed out of place in the confectionery shop.

As Jiang Shu looked at them, Yu Zheng also raised his head.

With clear and distinguished features, he wore an indigo robe embroidered with golden patterns, exuding a dignified and composed demeanor. Even seated, his noble presence was overwhelming.

"Excuse me," Jiang Shu quickly lowered her veil and bowed in apology, asking Tanyu to buy other pastries and leave.

"Lady, wait," Yu Zheng called out, his voice cold like morning dew in the mountains.

Jiang Shu was puzzled, "Young Master, what is it?"

She did not reveal Yu Zheng’s identity to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Yu Zheng stood up with half a bag of lotus seed pastries, maintaining proper decorum, and said calmly, "My nephew is too young; eating a whole pound of these will cause indigestion. Could you help him eat half a pound?"

"This..." Jiang Shu was at a loss, unable to refuse such a request.

"Thank you for your generosity," Jiang Shu reluctantly accepted the pastries.

"Madam, please walk slowly." Yu Zheng smiled, watching Jiang Shu board the carriage and depart.

She still hadn't recognized him, but he could recognize her even through the veil of his hat.

Raising his hand to touch his face, Yu Zheng was somewhat puzzled. They say a woman changes greatly as she grows up, but do men change just as much?

Inside the carriage, Jiang Shu opened the paper package and picked up a lotus seed pastry, taking a light bite.

"Crunch—" The crisp sound exploded in her mouth, causing her to involuntarily squint her eyes and curve her lips.

Eating her beloved lotus seed pastry, Jiang Shu felt much better.

Indeed, it was right to go out for a walk.

"Madam, do you know that young master?" Tanyu asked curiously.

Jiang Shu shook her head. "Not really; I've only seen him twice from afar at banquets."

"Which family's young master is he?" Tanyu pressed further.

Jiang Shu lightly tapped her forehead with her index finger, teasing her. "If I tell you, you'll be scared to death."

"Nonsense, this servant has seen many nobles with Madam," Tanyu pouted, unconvinced.

"Prince Jing."

"Cough, cough, cough... Madam, did I hear that right?" Tanyu was so shocked that she choked on her own saliva.

Jiang Shu enjoyed her lotus seed pastry, amused by Tanyu's reaction.

It wasn't surprising that Tanyu was so shocked, given Prince Jing's exalted status.

The current emperor has seven sons, and Prince Jing, born of the imperial concubine, ranks third and is the most favored prince, even the crown prince must show him respect.

For such a noble person to appear at a street-side pastry shop was indeed rare.

Shen Changze had been busy for several days and finally had some free time.

Cheng Jinchu, after reviewing the accounts for days, also sorted out the internal affairs of the marquisate.

That evening, Cheng Jinchu said to Shen Changze, "After careful calculation, the silver in the treasury, along with the emperor's rewards and the banknotes my father left me, can barely cover the expenses of the marquisate for half a year. Therefore, we cannot live off our savings; we need to cut unnecessary expenses and find new sources of income."

"What do you propose?" Shen Changze put down his teacup and listened attentively.

Cheng Jinchu spoke with the authority of a household mistress. "First, reduce unnecessary expenditures in the house, then buy shops to start businesses for additional income."

"But Shang Jing is filled with wealthy merchants, and all kinds of businesses are already saturated. Making money will be very difficult," he had thought about it but found it impractical.

"I have a plan," Cheng Jinchu smiled cunningly.