Chapter 394: Return
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
After successfully arranging the marriage of Qin Silong and Chen Shanshan, the year was drawing to a close, and everyone eagerly anticipated the upcoming New Year festivities.
In ancient times, it was tradition to consider the 25th day of the twelfth lunar month as the year’s end, effectively marking the beginning of the new year. The local prefectural school had a customary break starting on the 20th of December.
Both Su Bin’s and the Qin family were making preparations to return to the countryside for the New Year celebrations. Qin Zhenzhen’s parents had already traveled to the Qin Family Village along with her grandmother, and the rest of the family members were planning to join them before the 25th.
Su Qing and Qin Sanlong were the appointed representatives responsible for the family businesses, and they were also in charge of closing things down for the holiday season.
These two individuals were the last to depart, ensuring they could make it back in time for the New Year’s Eve dinner.
Qin Zhenzhen entrusted the management of the businesses in the provincial and prefectural capitals to Mr. Chen, who possessed a remarkable talent for organization and delegation.
On the surface, Mr. Chen appeared to be one of Qin Zhenzhen’s associates, but in secret, he held the role of vice hall master within the Dragon Phoenix Hall and served under Su Bin. His ability to effectively oversee matters on both fronts was a testament to his skills.
Qin Zhenzhen’s business activities were divided into two categories: public and confidential. The Dragon Phoenix Hall, however, required complete secrecy. In this regard, Mr. Chen excelled at maintaining discretion and confidentiality. Not only did no one in the palace suspect him, even did not suspect him.
The Old Marquis was aware of Mr. Chen’s background and the historical activities of the Chen family. However, he believed that the Chen family had retired long ago after facing a significant setback.
Witnessing the flourishing success of Su Bin and Qin Zhenzhen’s businesses under Mr. Chen’s management put the Old Marquis in a jovial mood. Mr. Chen even provided periodic updates about Qin Zhenzhen’s business ventures and Su Bin’s diligent studies at the prefectural school.
The Old Marquis couldn’t help but feel a sense of elation. He envisioned Qin Zhenzhen’s expanding businesses generating substantial wealth, which would ultimately become part of the Marquis Mansion’s assets. In just five or six years after Su Bin and the others returned to the Marquis Mansion, he believed it would become the wealthiest estate in the entire country, perhaps even surpassing the national treasury.
The Marquis Mansion would no longer rely on financial assistance; instead, they might even be in a position to contribute funds to the palace. Such a prospect filled him with pride. He anticipated a time when no one dared to mock the mansion’s decline, and all officials in the capital, including the emperor, would hold the mansion in high regard.
The Old Marquis anticipated that the Capital Examination would commence the following spring. When Su Bin’s name appeared on the Golden List, it would mark the return of his siblings to the Marquis Mansion. By then, Su Bin would have achieved significant success and established businesses across the country. Their return wouldn’t be tainted by accusations that they only sought the mansion’s wealth and status; instead, it would be celebrated as a return with accomplishments and prosperity.
This was in alignment with the agreement Su Bin had made with him in the past. The Old Marquis believed there was no need to publicly admit his fault in driving his son away from home and causing his first wife’s tragic death.
He didn’t need to acknowledge his mistakes, abandon his equal life, or expose his family’s scandals. This allowed him to save face.
As a result, he willingly provided Su Bin and Qin Zhenzhen with a substantial sum of money. He believed that such generosity deserved recognition and rewards.
In fact, the Old Marquis considered his reputation as important as Su Bin’s eventual inheritance of the Marquis Residence.
On one hand, he desired Su Bin to inherit the Marquis Mansion because the palace had not recognized his child with his peaceful wife as being from the first wife. He saw this as an opportunity to annul his family’s inheritance.
This way, the palace could save a significant amount of money each year..
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