Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1190: Mrs. Duan

Emperors never play by the book. Suppose he suddenly sees the Dou Family's loans to farmers as a direct affront to his authority?

Master Ouyang declared, "Rest easy, I'll send word to my elder brother. Before news of our plans hits the Capital, he'll meet the Emperor face-to-face to clarify everything, blocking any sly opportunist from badmouthing us first."

Young Master Dou let out a deep breath of relief after these words. "Elder Ouyang has guided two generations of Emperors and stands as a top scholar. This junior places complete trust in him."

After expressing his gratitude to Master Ouyang, Young Master Dou consented.

Yet...

"Isn't two-tenths interest a tad too meager? Why not bump it to three-tenths?" Young Master Dou proposed, his eyes sparkling eagerly.

Master Ouyang shook his head firmly. "No, three-tenths is excessive. That would spoil the fine reputation the Dou Family could build and invite curses from the farmers."

Young Master Dou nearly spat blood in frustration. Lending to farmers truly brings headaches. It's far preferable to loan to rich families, merchants, or officials.

"Does Third Sister have words to share?" Noticing Young Master Dou's agreement, Gu Jinli turned to Ouyang Ming, who was furrowing her brows as if holding back.

Ouyang Ming nodded. "Grandfather remains a steadfast loyalist. He can vouch for us, yet I refuse to stain his legacy of loyalty... Thus, I propose partnering with you under my own name."

As an orphan without siblings, should she front this using her name and if the Emperor took offense, the Empress might dispatch punishment her way at worst, sparing Grandfather blame.

Ouyang Ming explained, "A young lady's folly differs from a courtier's calculated move. The consequences for each are worlds apart."

The first might claim her life, while the second could doom the entire Ouyang clan!

Gu Jin’an objected, "No, we initiated this idea. We won't allow Miss Ouyang to shoulder the danger."

Anxiety laced his voice, earning a quick glance from Ouyang Ming.

"Miss Ming, I took you for clever, but this notion is downright silly." Master Ouyang shot Gu Jin’an a look before addressing Ouyang Ming, "The Ouyang Family thrives. Can your grandfather and I not shield a mere girl like you? Must you step forward?"

Startled, Ouyang Ming rose and bowed in apology. "Grandfather, forgive me. It was my overconfidence."

"Sit. For great matters ahead, ponder deeply next time. Never speak so rashly again." Master Ouyang pressed his hand down, urging Ouyang Ming to resume her seat, then mulled over whose name to employ for the alliance with Young Master Dou and the Gu Family.

At last, he decided, "We'll proceed under your grandmother's name. Our silver alongside the Gu Family's shall count as her dowry assets."

Master Ouyang's late wife bore the surname Duan. Her kin now consisted solely of juniors in the Hanlin Academy, free of ties to mighty officials, so the Emperor held no cause for doubt.

Furthermore, his mother-in-law had once aided the current Empress Dowager, who remained indebted to her. The Emperor couldn't resent one who assisted the Empress Dowager, particularly the deceased.

Thus, employing Mrs. Duan's name for farmer loans proved ideal.

"My thanks, Grandfather." Ouyang Ming knelt to express her gratitude to Master Ouyang.

Truth be told, she had considered her grandmother's name too, but since her grandmother had cherished her deeply in life, she hesitated to invoke it and stayed silent.

Master Ouyang replied, "Rise. You're growing too ceremonial. No need for such gestures."

He gazed at her and added, "Before your grandmother departed, she wished half her private funds as your dowry. With this venture claiming some, your portion shrinks."

Ouyang Ming beamed. "Granddaughter cares not. Grandmother and Grandfather's affection has enriched my life forever."

As for dowry, her mother's share remained ample enough.

Young Master Dou inquired, "Which bank shall we utilize?"

Managing this requires a bank.

Master Ouyang responded, "A bank in He’an Prefecture forms part of my wife's dowry. We'll employ that one."

In truth, this bank was Ouyang Family property. His elder brother had bestowed it upon him, noting his distant travels demanded one—lest he run dry of funds and beg homeward.

Although he held official status, it wasn't fitting for him to handle it personally, so the bank got registered under his wife's name as dowry property.

He continued, "We ought to establish banks in Tianfu County and Luchang County as well, making it easier for farmers to secure loans."

Young Master Dou flashed a thumbs up and exclaimed, "No wonder you are the Second Old Master of the Ouyang Family. When you act, it's spectacular. I'm impressed, Elder!"

"Hmph, what's there to be impressed about? You have your tasks to do too." Master Ouyang had no patience for Young Master Dou's idle spectator vibe and cautioned, "Get the silver ready. We'll need it in three days. If you can't produce the money to lend to farmers, you won't gain any benefits."

Young Master Dou remarked, "Three days? Isn't that too short? We should wait ten more days before lending. Having them clamor first is beneficial to us."

"Ten more days? If you wait ten more days, you might have to hide in the cellar to escape the turmoil." Master Ouyang sneered. Villagers were already wailing in town that day. Prolonging it by ten days would surely see the government office swamped by furious crowds.

Young Master Dou pouted and said, "Three days it is. Rest assured, the silver will definitely be ready."

Silver was no big deal. The Dou Family possessed ample amounts, and as young master, he could readily transfer fifty thousand taels. Tossing in his personal reserves, assembling a hundred thousand taels presented no challenge.

"Master Ouyang, how much is your family contributing?" Young Master Dou inquired with a sly grin.

Master Ouyang cast a steady glance his way and replied, "Not less than what you're contributing."

Young Master Dou gaped in shock. "So wealthy?"

Master Ouyang kept quiet, though his look proclaimed: Yes, my late wife possessed vast riches.

Master Ouyang's wife came from a prestigious lineage too. Her dowry had been astutely overseen her entire life, yielding solid profits, plus Master Ouyang's own gains across decades, forming an impressive fortune.

"And your family? How much are you contributing? Don't think of getting something for nothing!" Young Master Dou fixed Gu Jinli with a stare that warned he'd spare no criticism if the Gu Family offered too little.

Gu Jinli answered with a pained look, "My family is very poor, at most, we can provide thirty thousand taels."

"Thirty thousand taels?" Young Master Dou furrowed his brow, feeling like he'd choked on an indigestible morsel... In truth, for the Gu Family—a fresh rural powerhouse—thirty thousand taels counted as generous, yet truly insufficient!

Gu Jinli nodded. "Yes, we can only spare thirty thousand for now. However, once our ham and liquor start selling, we will contribute more over time."

Great Chu already brimmed with unrest, destined to spiral further into chaos. She needed to hoard her silver for Brother Qin to acquire horses and sustain forces. It couldn't be depleted all at once.