"Madam, the three estates belonging to our direct branch are in fair condition. Spring plowing is proceeding smoothly, with no major issues."
"There are eleven shops in total within the Capital City. Most are doing adequately, except for two that reported a loss this month. We conducted a preliminary investigation and found no obvious corruption."
Xie Hongdao stood with lowered eyes, listening as the countess interrogated each steward. Once the stewards withdrew, another batch of people stepped forward—these were the individuals managing the agricultural estates, shops, and other assets.
After questioning them on their status and dismissing them as well, the countess finally looked toward Xie Hongdao, who stood at her side. "Hong Dao, even though the estate has been stripped of its title, it still retains its Subordinate Third Rank official status. Furthermore, the palace has not pressed the issue any further, so our assets remain largely intact and should be able to sustain us for the time being. However..."
She knew that the reason these assets had managed to run smoothly all these years relied not only on the efforts of these people, but even more so on the backing of the Earl's Residence as a member of the nobility.
Without the Earl's Residence as backing, and without being part of the nobility, many businesses would inevitably be suppressed, restricted, and forced to take losses.
Hence, she sighed and continued, "...We cannot say the same for the future."
Xie Hongdao naturally understood this logic as well. Titles sustained assets; without a title, these properties could not be guarded.
Xie Hongdao glanced around the hall. Aside from himself and the countess, there were only a few attending servants.
People were passing by one after another out in front of the hall.
The scenes he had witnessed along the way