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Who is this Jiang Junli, casually giving away a small estate?
And all just to express gratitude for two small canisters of tea?
“Brother Jiang, you’re being too kind…” Song Jingyun hurriedly declined.
“If Brother Song refuses, that would be overly courteous,” Jiang Junli insisted. “I’ll be honest with you, this estate is really nothing grand, just a typical 200-mu water field estate for growing rice and such. It doesn’t yield much, and I was actually pondering how to deal with it. By accepting it today, Brother Song, you’re helping me solve a little dilemma.”
Song Jingyun, “…”
Jiang Mixia, “…”
Is this the epitome of being outrageously generous?
“But this is far too valuable; I really can’t accept it,” Song Jingyun still refused to take it.
“This tea is quite rare, and just by smelling it, I could tell it’s fragrant and unique. I genuinely like it. I enjoy such things, and if I deem it valuable, it is indeed worth it, regardless of what others may price it at,” Song Jingyun expressed.
Jiang Junli responded, “Moreover, Brother Song, your outstanding scholarship leads me to believe that you will surely excel in this year’s Autumn Examination. When you become a successful candidate, many will seek your favor. I might not get a chance to approach you then. By offering these gifts in advance, I hope to establish a good relationship with you.”
“Furthermore, I’ve heard that you have insightful views on current affairs, particularly regarding this year’s examination topics. I would like to seek your guidance and see if it can be beneficial. Consider it as my tuition fee.”
In any case, it was imperative for Song Jingyun to accept.
Without waiting for Song Jingyun’s response, Jiang Junli instructed Xinghe, “Have someone bring the deeds and documents related to the estate here and transfer the ownership directly to Master Song’s name.”
“Yes,” Xinghe hurriedly went off to carry out the task.
Song Jingyun, “…”
Jiang Mixia, “…”
Speechless reactions all around!
In just a short while, Song Jingyun found himself the owner of an additional estate.
Moreover, it was even larger than the estate his family previously owned.
After Jiang Junli left, Jiang Mixia closed the door and pondered, “Last time, someone inexplicably sent that piece of jade. Could it also have been a gift from this Mr. Jiang?”
After all, that jade was quite valuable, and among the people around, only Jiang Junli seemed capable of such extravagant gestures.
“Perhaps?” Song Jingyun scratched his ear. “But it’s not a bad deal.”
“How so?” Jiang Mixia was a bit puzzled.
“It’s quite good, isn’t it? Getting all these things for free,” Song Jingyun grinned mischievously.
Jiang Mixia rolled her eyes at Song Jingyun.
While they did receive a lot of items for free, it’s commonly said that one should not accept rewards without contribution. Upon careful consideration, they didn’t have a deep relationship with Jiang Junli, nor did they offer him any benefits in return for his generosity. Accepting so many valuable items left them feeling somewhat uneasy and apprehensive.
“Don’t worry too much, young lady,” Xun Yuanbai reassured with a smile. “After all, Jiang Junli is likely the legitimate son of the Jiang family. These items are probably just pocket change for him, nothing he would fret over.”
Over 200 mu of water-field estate, a large piece of jade, all just pocket change?
Jiang Mixia widened her eyes, “Is the Jiang family really that wealthy?”
“They are not just wealthy; they are exceptionally wealthy!” Xun Yuanbai stroked his beard. “Describing them as ‘wealthy enough to rival a nation’ is not an understatement. The reason our dynasty could unify the nation, establish peace and prosperity, and maintain stability on the borders is partly due to the Jiang family’s contribution of their entire wealth to support the founding emperor.”
“The Jiang family originally started as merchants. Once they accumulated a substantial fortune, they encouraged some descendants to continue in business to generate wealth while pushing others to study diligently, enter government service, aiming to balance wealth with education and public service.”
“After over a century of this approach, the Jiang family has grown extensively, with thousands of direct and collateral descendants. Their businesses span across the country, and their influence in the government is deeply rooted, making them the undisputed top family.”
“However, after supporting the founding emperor to ascend the throne, the Jiang family has become much more low-key and declined the noble titles offered by the emperor. Perhaps this was to avoid suspicion. They focused on business endeavors, and their descendants continued to study diligently and strive for success in the imperial examinations, though not as overtly as before.”
“The founding emperor, in his benevolence and gratitude, granted the Jiang family a pardon decree. Any head of the Jiang family or the next in line would be immune to capital punishment. When it comes to appointing officials, the imperial court has shown considerable favor to the collateral branches of the Jiang family. Today, the Jiang family continues to maintain its prestige and influence.”
“In recent years, it’s been rumored that the legitimate son of the Jiang family has been neglecting family business, showing little interest in the family’s assets, spending lavishly, and solely focusing on preparing for the imperial examinations to become an ordinary official, serving the people. He seems determined to break free from the future headship of the Jiang family. This legitimate son is likely Jiang Junli.”
“The Jiang family’s wealth is such that it’s said Jiang Junli used to spend over a thousand taels of silver daily on his expenses at home, not to mention his leisurely expenditures. Therefore, for him, these items are just pocket change. Young lady, you need not worry.”
So it seems!
The affluent son of a landlord, casually tossing around a few coins.
Upon learning the reasons behind these events, Jiang Mixia’s heart settled slightly, and she let out a sigh of relief.
“However…” Xun Yuanbai paused.
“What is it?” Jiang Mixia raised an eyebrow. “Is there something wrong?”
“Nothing wrong, just that this individual, being born into such an influential family, naturally has a unique destiny, much stronger than the average person. I can’t help but notice that Jiang Junli’s destiny seems to align quite well with your young master’s destiny,” Xun Yuanbai said, stroking his beard once again.
Perplexed, Jiang Mixia tilted her head and asked, “What does it mean for destinies to align?”
“It means that these two individuals’ destinies complement each other. If they become close, their respective destinies are likely to enhance each other,” Xun Yuanbai explained.
Enhance?
Could it be that her young husband’s luck is already exceptional, and it might become even better?
As for Jiang Junli, his innate destiny seems to involve wealth, indicating that he might accumulate even more riches?
Jiang Mixia scratched her head, pondering the implications.
Meanwhile, Song Jingyun, starting to doze off, rubbed his stomach. “My dear, after all this talking, I’ve gotten hungry. Shall we order some food?”
“Sure,” Jiang Mixia nodded. “What would you like to eat?”
“I’m craving pan-fried dumplings, accompanied by a rich lamb bone soup,” Song Jingyun replied, sounding a bit dejected. “But I asked the waiter earlier, and they don’t make pan-fried dumplings here, nor do they have lamb bone soup…”