After being scolded and returning home, Li Wen was not convinced by Shen Meng. The more she thought about it, the more she felt that Shen Meng was the kind of corrupt official who plundered the people’s wealth.

They said three years as a clean prefect was worth a hundred thousand taels of silver. Shen Meng being able to produce so much money definitely wasn’t solely relying on her meager salary. Who knows how much money she had squeezed out of the people.

In her eyes, her sister-in-law’s vision was somewhat short-sighted. People like Shen Meng could just kill someone, and then money and more grain would come.

However, she dared not say such things in front of her sister-in-law. She found an opportunity to badmouth Shen Meng in front of her brother.

Li Wen’s brother had grown up in a remote and poor village. He was generous, honest, and hardworking. As long as he was around, Meng Zhai and the child would be taken care of properly. In his mind, his sister Li Wen had always been a clever and good girl. If she found something wrong with Shen Meng, then it must be Shen Meng’s fault.

Moreover, Li Wen was right. Shouldn’t corrupt officials be killed? Wasn’t their uprising meant to ensure a good life for the common people and to rid the world of corrupt officials?

Thinking like this, when he talked to Meng Zhai, he deliberately mentioned a few words, not about Shen Meng, but about Liang Jue: “I heard that the new strategist’s husband is particularly delicate. Isn’t it said that the soldiers can’t bring their husbands and children with them? Many of us in the army have left our hometowns, but she’s making exceptions. Will this cause any trouble?”

Meng Zhai didn’t respond to Li’s words directly but asked, “Who did you hear this from?”

Li rubbed his hands, feeling uneasy and guilty. “I just mentioned it casually when everyone was complaining.”

Meng Zhai’s tone became serious. “Was it everyone or your own sister, Li Wen?”

“Everyone,” Li replied, his voice even more hesitant, but he still refused to betray his sister.

Disappointed, Meng Zhai said, “Whoever said it, do you really think I can’t figure it out? You’ve never been one to meddle in others’ affairs. Next time you wag your tongue like this, you can go live with your sister. Shen Meng is the strategist I worked hard to bring here. She can draw military maps, analyze battle plans, knows the terrain of most of the Qiong country like the back of her hand, and can even observe the stars to predict fortunes. How many people in our army can do all that?”

Meng Zhai respected Li Wen as her sworn brother and pitied her for enduring hardships alongside her. But the more they fought, the more she felt that Li Wen was inadequate. Her ambitions were great, and at this point, regardless of whether she could conquer the world, she had to go all out.

Li Wen’s vision was too shallow. Although she was simple-minded, she was unlikely to provide any good advice or fight alongside her. She could only leave her behind. But now, seeing someone like her husband, who was easily influenced, she was worried that she might cause trouble for her in the future.

Although Mr. Li felt sorry for her sister, the wife was his heaven. Moreover, Meng Zhai was becoming more and more powerful, and in front of her, he had even polished away the slightest bit of his past rudeness. After being scolded, he kept his head low, looking as dejected as a quail.

Meng Zhai didn’t say much to him at that moment. However, the next day, when she discussed the battle strategy with Shen Meng, she casually mentioned the matter.

Shen Meng knew that Li Wen probably wanted her brother to help her sow discord, but she had already discussed everything in detail with Meng Zhai earlier, so she wasn’t afraid of Li Wen’s mild slander.

She chuckled, “If the lord is upset about this matter, it’s easy. The lord can just marry another virtuous husband.”

Meng Zhai immediately flew into a rage, slamming the wooden table hard, causing it to split in half. “Nonsense!”

Despite her fierceness, Shen Meng remained unfazed. After carefully observing Meng Zhai’s expression and confirming that she had no intention of abandoning him, Shen Meng continued, “Well, I have an idea, but I’m not sure if the lord would agree.”

Meng Zhai replied, “If you don’t say it, how would I know if I agree?”

“Boldly, I propose a job for Lord Meng Zhai’s husband…”

Shen Meng explained her idea to Meng Zhai in detail, listing all the pros and cons and possible outcomes, even hinting at Li Wen’s potential reaction.

After pondering for a moment, Meng Zhai agreed.

When they returned, Shen Meng shared the news with Liang Jue, “Ah Jue, come here, I have something to tell you.”

Shen Meng had rarely worn such a serious expression in the mansion lately. Liang Jue closed all the doors and windows before approaching Shen Meng and asked softly, “Wife, is there some secret matter you need to tell me?”

Shen Meng chuckled at his nervous expression, “Nothing serious, just that I’ve asked Meng Zhai to arrange a job for you.”

“What kind of job?” To be honest, Liang Jue had been busy with the children lately, and he hadn’t expected Shen Meng to suddenly come up with such an idea.

“I will be teaching the lord’s children, and you will be teaching the lord’s husband. Of course, I’m not asking you to teach him how to march and fight.”

“Alright.” Liang Jue agreed without hesitation. “I won’t let Wife down.”

In fact, since marrying Shen Meng, he had never done anything to disappoint her. It’s just that there were too many other things to handle, which had hindered his progress. Now that he had the opportunity to prove himself more than just slightly better than others, he was naturally willing.

To avoid gossip, Liang Jue went to Li Wen’s residence to teach her.