Chapter 32: Tactics

Chapter 32: Tactics

As Shen Changze hesitated for a moment before stepping into Lanyun Courtyard.

Recently, Cheng Jinchu seemed to have become more understanding, no longer making a fuss or asking questions, behaving so gently that it made Shen Changze uneasy.

He quietly entered the room and saw Cheng Jinchu sewing new clothes for an infant.

Shen Changze was touched and said warmly, "These things should be done by seamstresses; you shouldn't strain your eyes."

Cheng Jinchu looked up and smiled softly at him, "But I want to do something for the child."

Shen Changze sat down beside her, his large hand gently caressing her abdomen.

"It's not even three months yet, you can't feel anything," Cheng Jinchu covered his hand with hers, warmth radiating from her touch.

Shen Changze held her hand tightly, pulling her into his embrace, "You've worked hard. Once the child is born, I'll take you out of the mansion to relax."

Cheng Jinchu leaned against his chest, giggling, "My dear husband, don't be silly. After giving birth, I need to rest for a month and can't run around."

"Then we'll go after the month is over. I must make it up to you." Shen Changze felt a deep sense of tenderness.

After all, they had shared a bed for six years, and she had borne him children, a bond too profound to express in words.

"Alright, my dear husband, you must keep your word." Cheng Jinchu wrapped her arms around Shen Changze's waist, closing her eyes to savor this moment of warmth.

She believed Shen Changze loved her, but his love was divided among others as well.

"Are you tired? Should you rest?" Shen Changze asked, stroking her back.

Cheng Jinchu shook her head, "I slept too much during the day, I'm not sleepy."

Then, as if realizing something, she considerately asked, "Does my dear husband have something important to attend to?"

"Yes, I need to handle some documents in the study."

"Let me accompany you, my dear husband, and grind ink for you."

Considering that grinding ink wouldn't tire her, Shen Changze agreed, and they went to the study together.

He focused on writing official documents while she quietly ground ink, creating a harmonious and peaceful atmosphere.

In the quiet of the long night, Cheng Jinchu rested her chin on her hand, watching Shen Changze work, recalling the days when they relied on each other for survival at the border, feeling a hint of nostalgia.

But the past is the past, and one must always look forward.

Time slowly passed as the candle flickered, and the pregnant Cheng Jinchu began to feel drowsy, covering her mouth with her hand as she yawned softly.

Shen Changze, engrossed in his documents, heard her and turned his head, "If you're sleepy, go back to sleep."

He was about to call Qiushuang to escort her back.

In a hurry, Cheng Jinchu reached out and covered Shen Changze's mouth, pouting, "I want to stay with my dear husband and rest together."

The warm sensation on his lips and the soft voice in his ear softened Shen Changze's heart, and he closed the document, saying, "Let's go, I'll accompany you back to rest."

"But my dear husband, haven't you finished yet?"

"It's fine, it's not urgent. I can finish it tomorrow." Shen Changze helped her up.

Cheng Jinchu smiled happily, returning with him to their main residence to rest.

Qiushuang watched, her heart settling.

A few days ago, they had a big argument, and Shen Changze moved out of the main residence, staying in Isatis Garden for several nights. Qiushuang thought Cheng Jinchu had lost his favor.

Now it seemed her worries were unfounded; the lady had her own tactics.

As raindrops pattered down, Bitao went to close the windows.

Hearing the rain, Xu Lingyi woke up, murmuring to herself, "The Marquis won't come."

It didn't matter; today she felt tired, and there would be plenty of opportunities later.

Thinking about how Shen Changze lost control and entangled with her during their bath, Xu Lingyi smiled seductively.

Since she had already captured Shen Changze's body, capturing his heart was only a matter of time.

The rain continued through the night and into the next day.

Jiang Shu stood under the eaves, listening to the rain, feeding Bu Bai with carrots.

With ample food, Bu Bai had grown significantly in just over a month, almost the size of a cat when held in her arms.

Ordinary wild animals are naturally wary and reluctant to approach humans, but Bu Bai showed no fear, allowing anyone to catch it.

"How stupid and greedy, how did you survive before?" Jiang Shu lowered her head, stroking Bu Bai's smooth fur.

Pure black wild rabbits are rare; if caught by someone else, they would surely be skinned and eaten, their fur used for various items.

Meeting her might be its fortune.

Shen Changze walked into the corridor with an umbrella, glancing at Bu Bai on Jiang Shu's lap, "This rabbit is indeed fortunate."

Most people keep cats, dogs, or birds as pets, rarely wild rabbits.

Jiang Shu smiled faintly, "It is fortunate. That day, I saw it when I returned from praying at Zhaojue Temple."

If she hadn't gone to pray, hadn't accompanied the Princess, hadn't benefited from Prince Jing's 'merit,' it might have already been reincarnated.

Shen Changze looked away, not caring about the rabbit.

Jiang Shu put down Bu Bai and asked, "My Lord, why do you have time today?"

Shen Changze gazed at the intermittent rain, like beads hanging from a curtain, and said deeply, "Rain is not suitable for training soldiers."

Jiang Shu understood and stood up, saying, "Since My Lord is free today, let's take the opportunity to select someone suitable to manage the estates."

The two went upstairs under an umbrella and stayed there for the entire morning.

The estate of the marquisate was divided into five sections, each with its own manager. However, due to years of neglect, their loyalty to the marquisate had waned.

Therefore, to manage the estates well, it was necessary to appoint new managers who were loyal and trustworthy.

"My Lord, do you think these few people will work?" Jiang Shu analyzed one by one.

After a moment's consideration, Shen Changze said, "Very good. I'll arrange this with my mother later."

Jiang Shu handed him a piece of paper with the names written on it.

Shen Changze took it, folded it, and tucked it into his sleeve.

Jiang Shu reminded him, "The estates are remote and arduous; no one would willingly go there. My Lord must use both kindness and authority to make them willing to go."

"Could you be more specific, Lady?" Shen Changze sounded somewhat confused.

Jiang Shu said, "Feng the steward's wife and daughter work in the kitchen. We could promote his wife Wang to the position of kitchen procurement and assign his daughter to serve in the back courtyard."

Shen Changze was not foolish and understood immediately.

However, he was unfamiliar with the personnel arrangements within the household and did not know where to start.

"The old servants are my mother's and grandmother's people. My Lord might want to ask for their opinions," Jiang Shu suggested.

Shen Changze nodded, finding Jiang Shu intelligent and reasonable, making it very comfortable to be around her.

"Suddenly replacing the managers will naturally upset the previous ones. Has My Lord thought about how to handle this?" Jiang Shu asked.

Although replacing managers is the right of the master, if mishandled, it could lead to resentment and unnecessary trouble.

Shen Changze frowned and said sternly, "Those who comply can stay; those who resist will be expelled."

Jiang Shu shook her head. "No."

"Though the managers' influence has diminished, they have been entrenched for years and have deep roots. As the saying goes, even a strong dragon cannot suppress a local snake. They need to be handled carefully."

"If we force the issue and provoke anger, they will certainly seek revenge. The people on the estate are all theirs, and it's impossible to replace everyone completely. Then the new managers will face insurmountable difficulties, and My Lord's plans will be hard to implement."

"Such trouble?" Shen Changze furrowed his brow, realizing the seriousness of the situation.

Jiang Shu raised an eyebrow. "Does My Lord think managing the household is an easy task?"

Shen Changze looked at her, speechless.

Indeed, he had thought so, never believing that managing the household could be difficult.