Chapter 27
Integrity

Jiang Xingjian smiled and lowered his head, fiddling with the abacus.

Lin Jiayue, dissatisfied with his actions, slapped her hand on the abacus beads. Jiang Xingjian frowned slightly but didn’t react.

“I said I have a way to increase the marquis’s income, and you don’t believe me?”

Inspired by Jiang Xingjian’s indifferent demeanor, Lin Jiayue said, “I have managed several shops, so I have some experience. I may not be better than others, but I should be much more capable than a sheltered lady who never steps out of her home.”

Jiang Xingjian took a deep breath and said, “Do not mention this again in the future. It is not proper for women to show themselves in public, let alone be involved in business matters.”

“Why can’t women be involved in business? From Suhe to Shangjing, we’ve seen many women walking outside, and there are plenty of women selling soy milk and cosmetics on the streets.”

“Women from noble families are different from commoners. Just remember that.”

Seeing that he was impatient with these rules, Lin Jiayue pouted. But when she saw Jiang Xingjian’s gaze, she suddenly remembered the horn ruler Mama Li used to hit her for “making faces.”

Lin Jiayue felt inexplicably irritable, fiddling with the charcoal stick in her hand, and finally couldn’t help but speak: “Actually, I have an excellent idea that can make the marquis’s mansion earn a lot of money.”

“The Marquis’s mansion can open a brothel, then gather beautiful women from all over the world. I can help them gain fame, making all the men in the capital flock to them and spend a fortune just to see them.”

“Not only can a brothel make money, but it can also gather a lot of intelligence. After all, this place is a mix of different people, with countless high-ranking officials and commoners coming and going. In this way, all the major and minor events in the capital, as well as various rumors, can be controlled by the Marquis’s mansion. By selling this information, the Marquis’s mansion can also make a fortune.”

“Of course, the brothel of the Marquis’s mansion must be positioned as elegant, and not just anyone can…”

“Enough.” Jiang Xingjian slapped the table, his forehead veins bulging.

Lin Jiayue blinked innocently, “What’s wrong?”

“You all leave.”

The people in the room left one after another, their faces still showing shock and disdain as they exited.

Jiang Xingjian pressed his temples, looking irritated.

“Do you even know what you’re saying?”

“Wha… what’s wrong?”

Given her status, wasn’t it normal for her to suggest opening a brothel? Why was Jiang Xingjian reacting so strongly?

“To exchange the Marquis’s mansion’s prosperity for flesh and blood, I’d rather see the mansion fall apart tomorrow. Never mention such disgraceful words again.”

Lin Jiayue’s face turned red, “I didn’t say those women should engage in flesh trade. I just suggested creating a place where officials in the capital can relax, listen to music, and watch performances…”

Jiang Xingjian felt a severe headache, “As a woman, you talk about brothels and flesh trade. What did Mama Li teach you?”

“Such a morally corrupt business…” Jiang Xingjian suddenly understood why his grandmother and mother had reservations about Lin Jiayue.

He used to think she was just overly lively, lacking in manners, but pure-hearted and kind. Her slightly intimate actions were not out of frivolity but due to her emotions. But today, hearing her speak so confidently about opening a brothel, Jiang Xingjian realized she lacked integrity.

Jiang Xingjian’s jaw tightened, and after a long pause, he said, “Wealth and honor gained through unrighteous means are like floating clouds to me. Never mention this again.”

Lin Jiayue was unconvinced, repeatedly explaining that she didn’t mean for the women to engage in flesh trade.

Annoyed by her persistence, Jiang Xingjian said, “In the previous dynasty, officials consorting with prostitutes became rampant, leading to the decline of the court. Therefore, in our dynasty, all brothels are state-run, and the women in them are all family members of serious criminals.”

“Our laws strictly prohibit officials from consorting with prostitutes. Whether at public or private banquets, those who seek the company of singing girls face two years of imprisonment and eighty lashes. Officials consorting with prostitutes are guilty of a crime second only to murder. Even if pardoned, they are dismissed from office.”

“You said: all major and minor events and various rumors can be controlled by the Marquis’s mansion. Do you know that if even half a word of this is leaked, the Marquis’s mansion will be accused of treason tomorrow?”

“Investigating and spying on officials’ misconduct and rumors in various government offices is the exclusive duty of the Eastern Depot. Then, the Marquis’s mansion will overstepping its bounds. What are you trying to do?”

“Lin Jiayue, before you speak nonsense, can you consider the safety of nearly a thousand people in the Marquis’s mansion?”

Jiang Xingjian’s face turned ashen, his anger surging within him with no outlet.

“I’m sorry, I… I didn’t mean it. I really don’t understand.”

“I just saw others doing it, so I thought it was possible…”

“In the next few days, I’ll have Huai Su teach you what can be said and what cannot be said. You are still ill, so take care of your health.”

After saying this, Jiang Xingjian left with a flick of his sleeve.

Lin Jiayue choked up, “I really didn’t mean it. I just wanted to help you.”

Jiang Xingjian paused for a moment but did not stop. He walked all the way to the main courtyard of Lanting. Heng Zhi and Heng Wu were sunning books in the garden. When they saw him coming, they both lowered their heads as if they hadn’t seen him.

Although treated this way by the maids, Jiang Xingjian didn’t know why, but as soon as he entered the main courtyard, the frustration in his heart dissipated significantly.

After a brief thought, he stepped inside.

Song Wan was reading in the study with a plate of red bean pastries beside her. Jiang Xingjian noticed that the top piece had a small semicircle missing, indicating she had tasted it earlier. He cleared his throat, dispelling a slight sense of unease.

“Do you need something, husband?”

Song Wan put down her book and stood up, giving up the main seat in the study.

“Nothing.”

Seeing his serious expression, it was clear he was somewhat displeased, but since he didn’t say anything, Song Wan didn’t intend to ask.

She brewed some tea and placed it by Jiang Xingjian’s hand. Just as she was about to find something else to do, she heard him say, “There is something I want to ask you.”

“Is it about the mansion?” She turned around and sat down, but not beside him.

Jiang Xingjian slightly clenched his fist and said in a low voice, “Someone suggested that the Marquis’s mansion should find new sources of income and start some businesses.”

“Is that all?”

“Yes.”

“If it were just that, you wouldn’t react this way. Is it because the proposed business is not very appropriate?”

Jiang Xingjian did not answer her. He just looked at Song Wan, feeling that all his anxiety and frustration were washed away.

Jiang Xingjian suddenly wanted to know how she would view this matter of finding new sources of income.

“If you were to say, what kind of business should the marquis’s mansion pursue?”

Song Wan thought for a moment and then said, “Where there is virtue, the world will follow. I think the same applies to profit.”

“If you want to engage in long-term profitable businesses, they should generally involve saving lives, solving difficulties, alleviating suffering, and helping those in urgent need.”

Her words deeply moved Jiang Xingjian.

He thought that a woman’s integrity should be like this as well.