Jiang Shuangyue's face stiffened, and she lowered her head to look at the little dumpling in her arms. At this time, the commotion outside became even louder.

"Chirp chirp, it's windy outside. You wait for Auntie in the car, okay?"

Fu Jiujiu understood Jiang Shuangyue's worry, so she simply looked at the situation in the car and then said, "Okay."

Ginger Shuangyue pursed her lips and put a cloak on her before going down.

"Look, isn't that the County Magistrate's wife? Be quiet and listen to what she has to say."

Ginger Shuangyue watched the men before her. It was freezing outside, yet some were barely dressed, with some even shirtless. They were arguing loudly with Duan Shiye, the foreman.

"What's the matter?" Jiang Shuangyue's voice was low, but full of authority.

For a while, he waved his hand to silence the chatter of the workers, giving them a warning look. After they quieted down, he replied, “Madam, there's nothing important. It’s just some troublesome people. What brings you here today?”

Jiang Shuangyue is not an ordinary woman confined to the boudoir, nor is she someone who buries her head in the sand. How could she be easily pacified by a few words from Duan Shiye?

She sighed and looked at the man at the head, "There's no need to be afraid. What's going on?"

The man glanced at Duan Shisheng. Jiang Shuangyue looked unhappily at Duan Shisheng who was about to threaten the man not to speak nonsense.

"Madam…hehe…it's nothing really, you see how messy it is here. The wind is strong today, why don't you go back? When it's finished, come and have a look then."

Ginger Shuangyue didn't look at him, only coldly said: "Master Duan, academy affairs are important. Hiding things one-sidedly when something happens is not the style of the lord. If he knew, I'm afraid you…"

Others may not know, but Duan Shisheng certainly does. The county magistrate is a pushover for his wife. Of course, this isn't because the wife is domineering and unreasonable; rather, it's because she is incredibly well-mannered and understanding.

He let out a long sigh, "Madam, please don't ask. The County Magistrate himself forbade me from telling you, so please don't make things difficult for me."

"Master?" Jiang Shuangyue narrowed her eyes, what was going on?

The shirtless man didn't care about any of that, as long as someone in charge could get things done.

"Madam, since you ask, I'll be straightforward. This academy won't be built."

Ginger's heart skipped a beat. At the same time, the little milk dumpling sitting in the car waiting to eat melons also straightened up and listened seriously to what was next.

"Oh...Didn't I tell you not to say it?"

The man glared at Duan Shisheng, "It seems like the one waiting for the rice to cook isn't you."

The man muttered, "Madam, I know you and the County Magistrate are good people. We would never have come to this if we had a bit of money and were comfortable. But there's really no way out. Without wages, my family will starve."

"No money?" Jiang Shuangyue's eyebrows shot up, and a stone in her heart instantly loosened. She had thought the academy wouldn't allow it to be built.

Master Duan was awkwardly bowing his head. The lord was an upright official who lived a simple life, but if he had been as corrupt as others, this wouldn't have happened.

As long as we can still build schools, it's not a problem, is it just about money?

Ginger Shuangyue smiled again and said softly, “Everyone, rest assured, the wages will be paid tomorrow. You can work with peace of mind. If you're not reassured, well...this afternoon will also do.”

She said this, making the workers feel embarrassed. They all said they'd do it tomorrow and there was no need to rush.

Ginger Shuangyue nodded, then turned to ask Duan Shiye, "How much silver do we still need?"

The master sighed because this school was originally a losing business. Even if poor families had money, they wouldn't spend it to send their daughters to study and learn literacy. So even if the school was built, it would basically be impossible to make any money.

Building materials, tables and chairs, plus the workers' wages, and some miscellaneous expenses, are currently short of two thousand taels.

This is not even counting the things that will be needed for Mr. to teach his craft in the future.

Girls' school, it's a bottomless pit.

Two thousand two is not much, but it's also not little.

Originally, Zou Guangquan could have acted like other officials and reached out to wealthy merchants and gentry in the county town for favors. However, he didn't want to abuse his power, and those people also felt it wasn't a profitable venture, so they didn't reach out either.

"Godmother?"

Ginger Shuangyue's thoughts were interrupted by the sweet, milky voice. Even with all her sorrows, seeing this innocent face made them vanish like smoke.

If it's just about money, then go find some.

Jiang Shuangyue beckoned to the little ball of fluff, "Jiujiu, do you want to come down?"

Fu Jiujiu nodded. She saw a faint sadness between Jiang Shuangyue's brows.

The distance was quite far, and she guessed through her master's lip reading that they were still short two thousand taels of silver.

The county magistrate was actually stumped by a bribe of two thousand taels of silver.

If I said it out loud, the officials would probably laugh me out of office.

However, this also indirectly shows that her godfather is a good official.

After getting out of the car, the little ball ran towards Jiang Shuangyue, reaching out her small hand to hold her cool big hand.

Jiang Shuangyue didn't want these troublesome matters to affect the little dumpling's mood, so she took her for a stroll through the schoolhouse that was still under construction.

She raised her slender hand and introduced each part of the place to the little milk dumpling, explaining what it was used for.

It's not finished yet, and there's nothing to look at. Besides, Ginger Double Moon is a person who keeps her word. Since she promised to pay tomorrow, she has to pay tomorrow.

She still has half a day to raise money.

On the way back, Fu Jiujiu would always look at Jiang Shuangyue, lost in thought.

Probably thinking about money.

Ginger Shuangyue went back to her room as soon as she got home, rummaging through everything.

In a short while, Zou Guangquan, who had received the message, came back.

He looked at the jewelry on the table, a mix of satisfaction and heartache in his eyes. "Madam," he asked, "what are you doing?"

Jiang Shuangyue didn't even glance back at him. "Where did my jade bracelets, the ones given to me by my mother, go?"

That was a dowry item given to her by her mother-in-law.

"Madam, madam, please stop! I'll find a way to handle the money. There's no need for you to touch these things."

Zou Guangquan pulled Ginger Shuangyue over, pressed his shoulder against hers and sat down. “I didn’t tell you because I was afraid you would get ideas about getting rid of these things. If Mother Yue knew, I... how could I ever face her again?”

Ginger Shuangyue scoffed, "How can you say that? My lord, these are all material possessions. Moreover, you built the academy to help me fulfill my dream. How could I let you face this alone?"

Zou Guangquan shook his head. "These things can't be moved either. I said I'll find a way."

If you had the means, you wouldn't have waited until today.

Then I'll go…

Before she could finish her words, Jiang Shuangyue covered his cool lips with hers. "Don't go, my man wouldn't bend for five buckets of rice, let alone two thousand taels. Listen to me, that's settled."

At this time, there was a knock at the door, and at the same time, Fu Jiujiu's childish voice came along with it, "Auntie, can I come in?"

This novel is first published on the Traditional Chinese Novel Network.