However, now is not the time to think about this.
Because of Su Luo's harsh display earlier, the subsequent tea-serving ceremony went smoothly.
The only unpleasant thing was that apart from the Madam presenting a pair of bracelets with excellent water-like luster, the welcoming presents from everyone else were unsightly.
Su Luo quietly asked Jiang Shu, "Is the aesthetic sense of your Duke Residence this poor?"
Jiang Shu, having dealt with a crowd of relatives, spoke a bit breathlessly, "Elders must have thought you suit these pure gold headdresses, pure gold bracelets, and pure gold hollow fans..."
Su Luo rolled her eyes.
Just when the tea ceremony was about to end, the Madam suddenly said to Princess Pingning, "Shushu still has two paper mills. You have been managing them before, now that the new bride is here, you should hand them over to her!"
At these words, everyone was astounded, even Jiang Shu was taken aback.
The third Madam tried to say something, but the third master tugged at her, and she reluctantly swallowed her words.
Princess Pingning, well-preserved and not showing her age near forty, let her eyes wander over Su Luo's face, then murmured warmly, "This should rightly be returned to him. However, as his bride, she is from South Border, where they adhere to the belief that a woman without talent is virtuous. I heard she is not very literate, let alone looking at complicated accounts. I fear giving it to her would leave her at a loss. Shushu's health is not good, these trivial matters shouldn't drain his energy, so why don't I help manage for a few more years..."
Look at the art of her speech.
Several levels above the third Madam.
This was Jiang Shu's birth mother after all. Su Luo glanced at the man and found him looking down with a slight scornful smile at the corner of his mouth, although it vanished instantly.
The Madam snorted, "You are not good at managing these either. The paper mills haven't made much profit in recent years, so let's just let the new bride give it a try. When a child grows up, you need to let go!"
Su Luo felt something was wrong at this point.
The paper from Ye City was the best in all of Yue Country, and particularly favored by scholars. Every year, merchants from all over the country bought paper from Ye City. Moreover, the paper mills of the Duke Residence were huge, even supplying paper for royal use. It was ranked among the top in the whole of Ye City.
Such a large paper mill, how could it be making little profit?
Princess Pingning showed a slight embarrassment, "I indeed do not excel in management!"
Saying this, she silently cast a glance at the third Madam.
Upon receiving the signal, the third Madam promptly interjected, "Madam, Shushu's bride is illiterate, she can't even understand accounts, this is not appropriate!"
The Madam said, "Find a competent accountant!"
The second Madam chimed in, "Still, the manager should be able to read basic account books. What if she is fooled by the workers and doesn't even realize when the whole paper mill goes into deficit!"
Jiang Shu, who had been silent for a long time, spoke at this point, "After all, the paper mill is something grandpa left for me. Let Luoluo give it a try. If there's a loss, then so be it. I don't lack money!"
Having said that, he coughed until his ears turned red, but still managed a doting look at Su Luo.
Su Luo felt her skin crawl.
Princess Pingning frowned discontentedly and rebuked, "Shushu, how can you be so reckless, that is our ancestral property, established to support our future, not to bring ruin! Madam, I suggest we consider this matter slowly!"
Su Luo furrowed her brows, this matter seemed fishy.
Was her mother-in-law really reluctant to let go of this property, fearing that she couldn't handle it?
Su Luo glanced at Jiang Shu's expression, softened her voice and said, "Mother, Grandmother, rumors outside shouldn't be trusted. In fact, I can not only understand account books, but I'm also good at calculations!"
The moment her words fell, the hall fell silent.
All eyes turned to Su Luo, including Jiang Shu's.
Could this barbarian woman who snatched a husband on the street actually do calculations?
The third Madam scoffed, "Shushu's bride, don't boast!"
Princess Pingning also said, "Shushu's bride, if you can't, you can't, the elders won't blame you!"
Doubt appeared on the Madam's face. Just as she was about to say something, Jiang Shu had a fit of coughing.
"Cough, cough, cough ... "
He coughed until he was out of breath, his face flushed.
The Madam was so worried and Su Luo hastily soothed him. After a while, his breath stabilized, his cheeks were flushed, and his eyes were sparkling. He said, "Grandmother, just get a few account books, then we would know!"