In Jiang Wanru's room, the candlelight flickered weakly. Jiang Wanru sat quietly at the table with her eyes slightly cast down, her hands clasped together, and a calm expression on her face. For a long time, no one in the room had heard her speak. Mugen sat silently at the table, his eyes also cast down, staring at the tabletop. Fang Zheng looked at Mugen's two eyes, saw that his expression didn't change, and he felt a bit anxious, so he went to look at his own sister. But unexpectedly, his own sister's gaze would occasionally sneak a peek at Mugen.

  Fang Zheng glanced at Jiyuan, whose small face was flushed with a hint of affection in her eyes. He raised his head slightly, looking at the motionless Mugen with some displeasure. After glancing around for a moment, he couldn't help but stretch out his foot from under the table and kick randomly in Jiyuan's direction. Jiyuan turned to look at Fang Zheng after being kicked, but hadn't made a sound yet. Mugen, who had been inexplicably kicked by Fang Zheng, rushed towards him and said, "Fang Zheng, do you have something to say to me?" Fang Zheng looked at Jiyuan for a moment before turning his head to Mugen with a somewhat sulky expression and saying, "Sorry, I accidentally kicked you when I stretched my foot."

  After hearing Ji Yan's words, Fang Zheng felt a bit wronged and said in a low voice, "Brother, you also kicked me several times." Fang Zheng heard her words and couldn't help but gently touch his own head. Under Mu Gen's attention, he had to smile and say to Ji Yan, "Hmm, sorry, brother won't randomly stretch out his feet again." Ji Yan heard this and immediately smiled, turning her head to ask Jiang Wanru, "Miss, did my brother lightly kick you or not?"

  Jiang Wanmu raised her eyes to look at Jiyuan, shaking her head lightly, and said with a smile: "No." Fang Zheng groaned and rubbed his forehead, saying as if to himself: "Jiyuan, my foot isn't that long, so I naturally wouldn't kick the young lady randomly." Jiang Wanmu glanced at Fang Zheng, seeing his tangled expression. Then she looked back at Jiyuan's tense appearance. She smiled and asked: "Fang Zheng, Mugen, you two have been working outside these days, what do you think of the business in those two shops?"

  Mu Gen looked at Fang Zheng, hinting that he should speak first. Fang Zheng smiled and said: "The boss is willing to spend money in the store, and business is pretty good. We shop assistants can occasionally receive tips from customers. Thank you, miss, for introducing me to such a great job."

  Fang Zheng looked at Mugen after finishing his words. He often received tips from customers when working at Cha Ju Yi Pin, which added up to more than the monthly silver given by Dongjia. Mugen, who was also introduced by Jiang Wanting to work at Youjian Bookstore, didn't have such good luck. Mugen's job required hard work and patience, and he would be scolded or punished if he did poorly, but he never received any tips.

  Mugene glanced at Fangzheng and saw the same color in his eyes. He looked at Jiang Wanyu, who was waiting for him to speak, and said: "The business inside the store is naturally good. It's just that I'm a newcomer, so I have to learn how to distinguish between different types of paper first, and then learn to identify the pros and cons of various brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. Only after understanding all these can I be sent to the front of the store to greet customers. I've been here for a short time, there's a lot to learn, now I can only do my best, hoping that the boss will give me more time to learn." Jiang Wanyu listened to Mugene's words and looked at him deeply with her eyes.

  Mugene and Fangzheng are the same. They both didn't sign a long-term contract. Because of the New Year's time, the business of the two shops is particularly good, and there are many things to do. Some shop assistants have to hurry back home for the New Year, and the two shops can only temporarily hire shop assistants. Once the New Year is over and the business of the two shops returns to normal, this type of shop assistant is usually the first to be laid off. Fangzheng heard Mugene's words and immediately thought of reality, thinking about the money they had earned in these days. He felt a little reluctant to part with it. He had already heard from the shopkeeper that the several shop assistants who went back home for the New Year would return soon.

  Jiang Wanmu glanced at the two of them, then looked at Jiyuan and said calmly: "Jiyuan, tell Mugen and Fangzheng about what you told me earlier about Big Sister and Second Sister. There's no outsider here, so after listening, if you have any thoughts, feel free to speak up." Jiyuan gazed into Jiang Wanmu's eyes, nodded and said: "Alright, Miss asked me to say it, so I'll say it. I trust that Brother and Mugen won't spread it outside randomly."

  Ji Yan told Fang Zheng and Mu Gen the inside story of Jiang Wanru's marriage in detail. The two men were shocked after hearing it, and Mu Gen disbelievingly whispered, "How could the Wang and Jiang families do such a thing? This will ruin Miss's life." Fang Zheng, being older, immediately looked at Jiang Wanru's calm face, then turned to scold Ji Yan, "Ji Yan, you're not young anymore, don't speak nonsense, don't blindly believe people. The two elder misses don't like Miss, their words can't be trusted."

  Ji Yan said with a look of grievance, hanging his head in silence. Jiang Wan saw this and the other person was shaking his head saying: "The two young ladies must not have deceived me about this matter. A while ago, they already mentioned to me that there is a big secret behind my marriage. At that time, they didn't dare speak directly to me, probably because they were afraid I would cause trouble during the New Year when there are many people around. Actually, they thought too much, in the Jiang family, I don't even have the right to speak, how could I dare cause trouble? And from then on, I've been guessing what is hidden behind my marriage?"

  Jiang Wanru smiled wryly, saying that the Jiang family was like an ice cellar, trapping her for many years and never making her feel warm. She looked up at Mu Gen and Fang Zheng, who were stunned, and thought to herself with a smile: "Actually, nothing has absolute advantages or disadvantages. Even in the marriage between the Wang and Jiang families, I seemed to be the most important piece, but in reality, I was the most useless one after it happened. But that's good too - the Wang and Jiang families used this marriage to further their interests, while I will gain my freedom three years later."

  They exchanged a look and simultaneously understood why, after the engagement between Wang Fu and Jiang Wanru was announced, the Jiang family had been cold towards her. Mugen let out a light sigh and said: "Alright, you can figure it out yourself, I won't say more. You've found us to tell us something, just go ahead and say it, we'll listen." Fang Zheng nodded on the side and said: "Miss, please speak. In the future when we enter Wang Fu's residence, how should we act in order to help you?"

  "Except for the auspicious words needed by my side, none of you need to follow me into the Lian Wang Fu. You can stay outside, I have other arrangements. Of course, if you have any thoughts in your mind, you can directly tell me, and I will try my best to do it. If it's really impossible, let's see if there's a way later." The three people by the table simultaneously exclaimed in surprise: "How can we not all go into the Lian Wang Fu? Miss, it will cause gossip later."

  Jiang Wanmu smiled bitterly and said: "If it weren't for the three-year deadline, you would all follow me in. Now it's not possible, don't let me leave at that time and instead trap you alive inside. By the end of this year, Fang Zheng and Mu Gen, you two must think of a way to save money and redeem your family members' contracts. Only when you become free people can I have no worries and plan for myself."

  Fang Zheng and Mu Gen stared at Jiang Wanru with a look of shock and panic, while Jiyuan's eyes had a hint of relief. The three of them looked at Jiang Wanru's face, which clearly showed her determination. Fang Zheng and his sister exchanged a glance, and then Fang Zheng kicked Mu Gen heavily on the foot. Mu Gen rubbed his sore foot and said to Jiang Wanru: "Miss, this is extremely inappropriate. Not to mention how the Fang family will decide, but even if we follow you, it's my parents' and my decision."

  I've always secretly called you sister because in my heart, I've always treated you like a real younger sister. You're worried that after entering the Wang Manor, your days won't be good. Wanting us to leave safely as a family, I brought Father and Mother along, but we still have to follow you." Mu Gen said, looking at Jiang Wan with an unyielding expression.

  "Miss, we've decided to leave the Jiang family with you, so naturally we'll share the same fate. Miss, that ransom money isn't as little as you think. Neither I nor Mugen have the ability to gather such a large sum of silver in a short time. Our family members can't just follow your arrangements either. Since our two families are your dowry, it's only natural that we'll be where you are. When you leave the Lian Wang Fu, we'll naturally follow you out."

  Miss, Brother and Moku's words are reasonable. This matter of being free, you must not mention it again in the future." Jiang Wanru reached out to gently pat Jiyuan's head, saying: "Foolish child, if you two regain your freedom, I would be overjoyed if you were willing to follow me. Even if you are freed, Jiyuan, you will still have to accompany me at Lian Wangfu. The ransom money for you and the wet nurse's share will naturally be paid by me."

  Jiang Wanmu looked at Mugen and Fangzheng again and said, "After you are free, your sons can participate in the imperial examination held by the imperial court to seek a good career if they have the heart to make progress. Now, learn well from the people around you in your respective shops. Later, I will arrange for you to do things, and as long as you do well, you will be able to pay off the ransom silver." Jiang Wanmu gave them a reassuring nod.

  Fang Zheng and Mu Gen had a joyful look in their eyes, they had always thought that freedom was an illusion for them, never thinking that it would fall upon their heads. Mu Gen smiled at Jiang Wanru and said: "Miss..." He called out to her, Jiang Wanru rolled her eyes at him and said: "Brother, you're not calling me sister again? Brother, are you worried that after I've finished those three years, you'll have to support another sister in the future and it will be too tiring for you? That's why you don't want to acknowledge me as your sister now. Hmph."

  "As soon as he heard, he hastily shook his head and nodded, saying: "I won't regret it. Sister, I will work hard to learn how to do things, and in the future, I will work hard to make a living. You can rest assured that I will be able to support you and our parents. Although we may not eat or dress well while together, but as long as our family is together, we will definitely live happily."

  Currently busy outside, can only try my best to maintain one update per day, thanks for everyone's support!

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  Hard study