This Life, I'm Raising the Right Man

Half an hour later.

Xiao Yanci looked at the mansion in front of him. Seeing even the plaque covered in cobwebs, it was clear that no one had lived here for a long time.

The servant beside him used a key to open the door, then placed the key in Xiao Yanci’s hand, saying, ”Xiao Tanhua, this place is yours now.”

Xiao Yanci pushed the door open, immediately overwhelmed by a stench so strong it nearly knocked him out.

He now had no silver and could only rely on his own abilities to clean the estate. But what would happen after he cleaned it? Obviously, it was dirty, messy, and dilapidated. If he were to welcome Wang Ruyan into such a place, even if she didn’t say anything, she would probably look down on him in her heart.

He had to make her willingly and obediently follow him, utterly devoted to him.

He was now the Tanhua, and his calligraphy and paintings might earn some money. But earning enough silver to renovate the estate in the shortest possible time wouldn’t be easy.

Apart from talent, he only had his handsome appearance, decent physique, and the empty title of Tanhua Lang.

If making money from selling calligraphy came slowly, then he should find quicker ways, like leveraging his future status as Prime Minister Wang’s son-in-law. Surely, there were many people wanting to curry favor with him.

Yes, as long as the news of his engagement to Wang Ruyan spread, many people would send silver to him, and then he could use that silver.

Xiao Yanci was about to enter when he saw the gate of the National Guardian General Mansion across from him open.

Though they were neighbors, the National Guardian General Mansion was much larger in scale than his own. Even just standing at the entrance, he could tell that this estate was definitely larger than the Prime Minister Wang’s residence.

”Quickly, quickly! Our Great General has finally recovered his memory and recognized his wife and daughter. Soon, our mansion will have a mistress and a young lady, so we must tidy it up. The General has invited an official from the Ministry of Industry to come over. However the official says our mansion should be changed, that’s how we should change it.”

Xiao Yanci was astonished.

In the past life, the National Guardian Great General did not recover his memory, nor did any so-called wife and daughter appear. In this life, things had truly changed greatly.

Because the changes were so significant, the experiences from his past life were no longer useful. For instance, several important events from the past life did not occur in this life.

Who was this daughter of the National Guardian Great General and whether she was married or beautiful remained unknown. Prime Minister Wang was the head of civil officials while General Su was the head of the military officials. Although they seemed similar, there was actually a huge difference. The current Emperor greatly favored General Su, making his words more influential.

Xiao Yanci entered the mansion with questions in his mind.

”Cough cough... it’s too stinky.”

Who knows where the stray cat that died inside came from.

Su Rende, after nursing his injuries for half a month, was summoned to the palace by the Emperor.

The Imperial Eunuch who summoned him came directly to Taoyao Square to find him, evidently knowing where he had been recently. Additionally, he even used a carriage from the palace to pick him up.

Zhang Zhaodi was a bit worried when Su Rende was summoned to the palace. But she didn’t worry for long, as soon someone from the palace came again, and this time it was to announce an imperial decree.

”...Zhang Zhaodi has been loyal to her husband and filial in raising her daughter, earning a distinguished name. She is hereby granted the title of First Rank Imperial Lady, bestowed with a Seven Feathered Golden Cloud and Brocade Robe, granted a Red Silk Robe with Green Edges, with an annual salary of 800 shi. Honor this...”

The people kneeling in the Taoyao Square shop exchanged glances, then turned to look in Zhang Zhaodi’s direction.

Zhang Zhaodi listened in a daze, not knowing what was happening.

Zhou Wangshu reminded her, ”Mother, this is the Emperor’s decree, granting you the title of First Rank Imperial Lady! No doubt Father petitioned the Emperor on your behalf, you must accept the decree and express your gratitude.”

Zhang Zhaodi hastily offered her thanks in the style seen in operas.

Su Yaoguang handed a pouch to the Imperial Eunuch, expressing words of thanks.

After the people from the palace left, Su Yaoguang opened the decree and examined it again, saying to Zhang Zhaodi, ”Mother, Father is really something, he got you the title of First Rank Imperial Lady, which is quite hard to come by, many noblewomen from aristocratic families don’t even have it! Most importantly, you also receive a salary, higher than many officials.”

Zhang Zhaodi touched the decree, looking lost in thought, ”Am I dreaming?”

”Such a beautiful dream isn’t something we can dream,” Zhang Yingdi said, ”Congratulations, eldest sister, after so many years, you’ve finally found happiness after hardship.”

”As soon as brother-in-law returned, you had someone to rely on. Having a man at home makes a difference.”

”I have some other thoughts about what second aunt said,” Su Yaoguang noted, ”Lately, that Boss Li from the general store across the way often comes to buy our goods. When he buys, he only buys from second aunt; if anyone else tries to approach him, he doesn’t respond. I’ve heard that the tofu seller approached him a few times, but he paid her no attention.”

”Don’t talk nonsense,” Zhang Pandi said. ”We’re discussing your mother’s matters, why are you teasing your second aunt?”

”There’s nothing much to say about my mother. My father now just wants to make it up to her. Whatever he can give, he wishes to give. My mother’s situation is resolved already; now we need to address second aunt’s situation. I see that Boss Li has sincere feelings for second aunt, and I hear that he once had a wife, but she died in childbirth along with the child, and since then he hasn’t been inclined to remarry despite many introductions.”

Zhang Yingdi nodded, ”I’ve heard the same. This Boss Li is known for being deeply affectionate. Apparently, many people have tried to introduce him to new partners because he’s not very old, looks decent, has a gentle temperament, and is famous as a good man on this street.”

”Stop it, someone like me wouldn’t match up to him,” Zhang Pandi awkwardly stated.

”What do you mean someone like you? You’re hardworking, kind, sincere, have a good rapport with people, and are beautiful.”

”Me? Beautiful?” Zhang Pandi burst into laughter, ”Sister, you can’t just openly fib, even if you do favor me!”

”My aunt isn’t wrong, second aunt is indeed beautiful,” Jiang Jing added, ”Second aunt, how long has it been since you looked in the mirror? Do you know how radiant you look now?”

Jia Chunni clung to Zhang Pandi’s arm, ”Mother, I also like that Uncle Li and think you should consider him. You’ve never been cherished by a man in your life, maybe marrying Uncle Li would allow you to experience a new life. You needn’t worry about me, I’ve saved quite a bit of silver from doing business with cousin!”

”I’ll think about it,” Zhang Pandi wavered.

Both her elder sister and younger sister found happiness; she was just an ordinary person, how could she not be tempted?

Most importantly, that Boss Li truly treated her well. He was the first man to ever treat her so gently. If she hadn’t constantly reminded herself not to easily trust men, she might have already agreed to marry him.

Once bitten by a snake, ten years afraid of ropes, as they say. She had been frightened by Jia Chunni’s scoundrel father.