Shang Mingyuan hadnt expected Lin Qingwan to be in Lin Jiangs room as well, and he couldnt help but hesitate. After all, the old ancestors letter involved the arrangement of the Lin familys property, and Lin Qingwan was also a daughter of the Lin family. At this point, she should have conflicting interests with Yubin, right?

  Shang Mingyuan hurriedly went to see Lin Jiang.

  Lin Jiang leaned on the couch and couldnt help but cough a few times, looking at Shang Mingyuan and saying, "Wheres Old Ladys letter?"

  Shang Mingyuan could only pull out a letter from his bosom.

  Lin Jiang had already seen the letter once in the Celestial Mirror, but he still solemnly opened the envelope. His expression was somewhat complex, and this letter was identical to what he saw in the Celestial Mirror, even the wording, sentence structure, and tone were exactly the same, demonstrating the incredible power of the Celestial Mirrors predictive function.

  He slowly clenched his fingers and handed the letter to Lin Qingyuan after a while.

  Shang Mingyuans eyes widened in shock as he sat beside him, almost unable to bear jumping up, how could this letter be given to Lin Qingwan?

  He has seen the contents of the letter.

  Mrs. Shang Lao was busy after hearing that Lin Jiang wanted to sell the family business, in her opinion, the value of Lins industries still lies in production.

  Selling out would indeed bring in a large sum of money, but not selling it, she could get a very substantial income every year, so she thought Lin Jiang shouldnt be so reckless and sell off all the industries.

  If Lin Jiang is worried about the Lin familys business, she can hand it over to the Shang family. She is Yubins maternal grandmother and wont mistreat her.

  She had long wanted the two families to be related, Yu Bins body was weak and her personality was sensitive. When she went to someone elses house, without a brother to support her, it would definitely be difficult for her. Its better to marry into the Shang family instead.

  With her around, the relationship between the in-laws and relatives is even closer. Moreover, Yubin and Mingjie have been childhood sweethearts, playing together since they were young, their feelings for each other are exceptionally good.

  Yu Bin had the idea of being a close relative when he came to Shangs house, and now it was just a matter of time before it happened. So Old Lady Shang quickly found Second Lady Shang, after all, it was her son, she had to ask her about it.

  But Second Mistress seemed dissatisfied with this marriage and hesitated without giving a definite answer, thus delaying Shang Mingyuan for two days.

  However, before he left, the second lady had already come around, and it was only then that the old lady handed him this jade scepter.

  Although they didnt say it out loud, Shang Mingyuan knew in his heart that the reason why the two madams agreed was because of Lins enormous inheritance.

  The Lin familys property will be Lin Yuhuans dowry, which will be handed over to the Shang family before she enters the door and will be kept by the Shang family.

  Mrs. Shangs letter was about this matter, she might really love her granddaughter very much, the letter was all about Yu Bins pity and arrangement, she said that after Lin Jiang passed away, she would take Yu Bin to the Shang family to raise personally, and when Yu Bin turned sixteen, she could marry Shang Ming Jie.

  Emotions are overflowing, but they seem to have forgotten that there is still one more person in the Lin family - Lin Qingyuan. If Lin Jiang gives all of the Lin familys assets to Lin Yuhong and has them managed by the Shang family, what will happen to Lin Qingyuan?

  Shang Mingyuans forehead was slightly sweaty. Before they came, they had really forgotten about Lin Qingyu because she seemed to have already gotten married and returned to the clan.

  But the mistake has been made, and Shang Mingyuan can only think of a way to get rid of the old ancestor. Just as he was about to speak, Lin Qingwen folded up the letter and asked him, "Did you bring Mingjies birth eight characters?"

  Shang Mingyuan blinked and held up the box, saying: "Grandmother asked me to bring this jade Ruyi, its one of our ancestors dowry, meant to be passed down to future generations of younger siblings."

  Lin Qingwan lowered her eyes and it seemed that the Shang family was not very sincere about this marriage either.

  Lin Qingwans eyes had been observing Lin Jiangs expression, seeing that his face was gloomy but he didnt refuse outright. She raised her head and smiled at Shang Mingyuan: "My nephew doesnt know, the silver from selling these industries of the Lin family is to be handed over to the national treasury. Moreover, my brother has already submitted a memorial to His Majesty, its probably on his desk by now. If not, handing over the industries to the Shang family to manage wouldnt be a problem either. After all, our two families are not only relatives but also in-laws. Old Madame is also Yubins grandmother, this point my brother and I can trust."

  Shang Mingyuans mouth was agape for a long time before he found his voice again, "To the national treasury? Why, has Uncle committed a crime?"

  Lin Qingwan didnt answer, but instead said: "Its best if you ask Old Lady again, whether she is still willing to marry into this family."

  Would you still be willing to let the two children get married without these properties?

  Shang Mingyuan stretched his mouth and retreated with a smile, holding the jade Ruyi.

  Lin Qingwan put the letter on the table, climbed onto the couch and sat down in front of Lin Jiang, looking at his expression and asked: "Do you want to make this marriage?"

  Lin Jiang raised his eyes and stared at Lin Qingwans eyes, revealing: "No matter how Mrs. Shang Er and Zhao Jia are, Old Lady and Shang Mingjie are indeed very good to Yutai, Yutai," he said cautiously: "She is very similar to Wan sister."

  Lin Qingwans mind flashed back to the expression on her sisters face on the day of her wedding, for Xie Yiming, she was willing to give up her life.

  Lin Qingwan couldnt help but furrow her brow, hesitating as she said, "But theyre cousins."

  Lin Jiang looked at Lin Qingyuan with a puzzled expression, whats the connection?

  "In our place, cousins are not allowed to get married because the blood relationship is too close. After getting together and having children, theres a high possibility of genetic diseases or even birth defects."

  Lin Jiang slightly frowned and said: "In our Great Liang, there are many cases of relatives marrying each other, especially among the aristocratic families. Ive never seen any family with a deformed child."

  Lin Qingwan was about to explain in detail, when Lin Jiang said: "My grandfather and grandmother were cousins, the two of them had a deep affection for each other. My uncle and father were not only healthy but also intelligent, able to bring peace to the country through literature and stability through military power. Even before the coup of Gengyuan, they surpassed the old Duke Shang."

  Lin Qingwan opened her mouth, but finally had to close it in resignation. Alright, even in her time, there were not a few people who married their relatives. She knew it would be hard to convince Lin Jiang, so she could only start from another angle.

  "Shang Ers wife is actually Shang Ming Jies mother, she doesnt like Yu Bin, what good days can Yu Bin have after marrying into their family? You think about it."

  Lin Jiang sighed, "I knew that all along, but one is their feelings are there, after what happened with Wan Jie, I understand that some things cant be changed by force, two is Shang Mingjie this person..."

  Lin Jiang paused for a moment and said: "Youll understand when you see Shang Mingjie."

  Understand why he hesitated despite knowing that Shangs family was not a good match.

  He rubbed his forehead and said: "Anyway, you handle it yourself, if you can stop them, then stop them, if you cant stop them, please make arrangements for Yubin."

  Lin Qingwan couldnt help but twitch the corner of her mouth, "Shes your daughter, and youre being so casual about her marriage?"

  Lin Jiang looked at her, what could he do?

  He is also helpless, his two daughters at home are both sentimental people, if the person they love is not good, he still has an excuse to stop them.

  It doesnt matter whether its Xie Yiming or Shang Mingjie, they are both good people. Whats not good is the family behind them. Lets not mention Baos sisters marriage, that was decided by him.

  Yu Ham, that child is as stubborn as Wan Jie, if he were a person who easily gives in, the result deduced from the Tiān Jiàn would not have turned out so bad.

  After all, it was he who raised the children wrong, unable to make them flexible and adaptable, with bones that were too hard and too proud, but easily broken.

  Lin Jiang looked at Lin Qingwans painful expression and couldnt help but close his eyes in embarrassment, thinking that out of sight, out of mind.

  Lin Qingwan ground her teeth and finally returned to the topic: "Is the dowry for my sister-in-law in my hands or should it be handed over to the Shang family for safekeeping?"

  Lin Jiang finally opened his eyes, "Id like to hand it over to you, but Im afraid the Shang family wont be at ease."

  "So?"

  "So Ill fight for it with the old lady, and manage the dowry for you. The old lady can send someone to check the accounts every year, and if there are losses for three consecutive years exceeding the previous average, the old lady can take back the management. At that time, all the income from the dowry will be given to the old lady as a labor fee, and it will be returned when Yubin gets married."

  Lin Qingwan rolled her eyes and said, "You really trust my business skills, Ive never done business before."

  "It doesnt matter, lets just take the loss. The Lin family has a lot of collections too, and selling those would be enough for you two cousins to live well for several generations."

  "Arent you afraid of losing the family business and having nothing to show for it when you meet your ancestors in the afterlife?"

  "What does it matter whether the family business is still around or not when everyones gone?" Lin Jiang looked down at the letter on the table and said, "These things are all lifeless objects, their purpose for existing is to be used by people."

  Lin Qingwan saw that he was feeling sentimental, so she changed the subject and said: "Tell me about Old Lady Shang, what kind of person is she? When we return to Suzhou, we will inevitably have to interact with her."

  Lin Jiangs feelings towards her mother-in-law were much more complicated. She truly loved Yu Bin, but she loved Shang Jia even more.

  When Lin Jiang and Lin Qingyan said that Old Lady Shang was still alive, the Emperor in Kaifeng finally received Lin Jiangs memorial.

  He was shocked and stood up from his chair, frowning, "Lin Jiang is seriously ill? Didnt he already recover?"

  The study was silent, and no one could answer his words.

  The emperor walked in silence for two rounds, then turned around and ordered: "Summon Fourth Secretary."

  Liu Gonggong immediately bowed and retreated, instructing the eunuchs waiting outside the palace to hurry to the Qínhéng Temple to summon someone.

  At this time, all four Shangshu were in the Qínhéng Temple handling official duties, one calling out to another.

  The Left Chancellor was recently demoted and sent out due to his incompetence in raising military rations, while the Right Chancellor has not been replaced since he was dismissed two years ago due to the war with Chu. As a result, the six Shangshu are currently the highest-ranking officials in the imperial court.

  Nowadays, some of the work of the two chancellors is divided by the emperor, and the rest is handled by the six shangshu, who take turns on duty, with four shangshu each time.

  Today, Gong Hu Xing Li and others of the four Shangshu departments were on duty. As soon as they arrived, the Emperor showed them Lin Jiangs secret memorial.

  "Have you four gentlemen received news from Hao Yu recently?"

  Lin Jiang, with the courtesy name Hao Yu, was given this name by the emperor himself.

  The four officials looked at each other, and finally the Minister of Rites spoke up: "Three months ago, I heard that Secretary Xies second son died young, and Lord Lin had a conflict with Secretary Xie, even smashing his head open. In the end, he claimed to be ill and didnt go to the yamen, we thought he was reflecting on his mistakes."

  The emperor frowned and looked at the Minister of Rites with displeasure: "Hao Yu would never stoop to such a thing as pretending to be ill."

  The Minister of Rites bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty is right, I was being petty."

  The Minister of the Ministry of Revenue looked at the secret letter repeatedly, and finally sighed: "Your Majesty, Mr. Lin is probably really seriously ill, otherwise he would not have arranged his legacy. The military grain task allocated to Jiangnan was completed first, and Mr. Lin was probably already seriously ill at that time, but it wasnt until the grain arrived at the border that he submitted the letter."

  The emperor also felt a little sad when he heard this, and bowed his back: "Hao Yu has always been proud of himself, but this time he cant help showing weakness."

  This letter is very moving. The Minister of Revenue and the Minister of Works, who were both good friends with Lin Zhi, couldnt help but have tears in their eyes at this time, lowering their heads without speaking a word.