Rebirth and Reversal of Fortune

Chapter 345 Philanthropy, Widespread Reputation

Su Jinxiu vigorously promoted the Marquis's family's charitable work, helping the poor and vulnerable.

While the Marquis's mansion was busy cultivating talent and responding to external challenges, Su Jinxiu turned her attention to philanthropy. She knew that the prosperity of the Marquis's mansion lay not only in its own development, but also in its giving back to society and fulfilling its responsibilities.

“If we have the ability, we should help those in distress,” Su Jinxiu said firmly at the meeting at the Marquis’s residence.

Su Jinxiu first organized the servants of the Marquis's mansion to conduct an in-depth investigation into the impoverished areas surrounding the capital. They discovered that many people lived in poverty, lacking food and clothing, and some children were even unable to attend school due to poverty.

"Seeing this, I really can't bear it." Tears welled up in Su Jinxiu's eyes.

Therefore, the Marquis's residence set up a soup kitchen to provide free porridge to the poor every day.

"Thank you so much for the Marquis's great kindness!" The people were moved to tears.

At the same time, Su Jinxiu also launched a fundraising campaign, calling on everyone in the Hou Mansion and merchants who cooperated with the Hou Mansion to donate money and goods to bring warmth to impoverished families.

"This is just a small token of my appreciation, and I hope it can help everyone." Xiao Ling took the lead in donating a large sum of money.

The Marquis's residence also established a free school, allowing children from impoverished families to study and learn to read for free.

"We must give these children the opportunity to change their destiny." Su Jinxiu personally selected textbooks and stationery for the children.

However, the progress of philanthropy is not always smooth sailing.

Some people questioned the motives behind the Marquis's charitable work, believing it was merely a publicity stunt to gain a good reputation.

"The Marquis's mansion is just putting on a show."

Faced with these questions, Su Jinxiu did not offer much explanation, but simply continued her actions in silence.

Some unscrupulous individuals also set their sights on the supplies donated by the Marquis's residence, attempting to steal and profit from them.

"We must catch these despicable bastards and not let them succeed!"

Su Jinxiu strengthened the management and supervision of supplies to ensure that every donation reached those who truly needed it.

Just as the Marquis's charitable work was gaining popularity, some powerful figures in the court became dissatisfied with it.

"Is the Marquis's family doing such high-profile charity work to win people's hearts?"

They slandered the Marquis's family's charitable work before the emperor, saying that it might affect the court's rule.

The emperor had reservations about these remarks and decided to send officials to investigate the Marquis's charitable acts.

"Madam, officials from the imperial court have come to investigate. What should we do?"

Although Su Jinxiu had some worries, she firmly believed that her original intention was good.

"We have done nothing wrong and are not afraid of investigation."

During the investigation, the Marquis's family's charitable deeds were revealed to the officials, deeply moving them.

"The Marquis's charity is sincere and should be supported."

But the powerful and wealthy were not satisfied, and they came up with other schemes and plots to sabotage the Marquis's charitable work.

The Marquis's family's good deeds made them famous among the people and earned them their love and respect.

As the Marquis's charitable endeavors continued, their good deeds spread like a spring breeze throughout every corner of the capital and even further afield. The people's gratitude towards the Marquis's family was overflowing, and the family's reputation soared.

In the streets and alleys, people praised the benevolence of the Marquis's family: "The Marquis's family is truly our great benefactor, providing us with food to eat and our children with access to education."

Even farmers in remote villages would talk about the Marquis's mansion while working in the fields: "Thanks to the Marquis's mansion, we have hope for the future this year."

The Marquis's reputation spread not only among ordinary people but also attracted the attention of some literati. They took up their brushes and wrote poems to praise the Marquis's good deeds.

"The virtues of the Marquis's mansion shine like countless stars, illuminating the darkness of the world." These beautiful poems and prose pieces have made the Marquis's mansion's reputation even more deeply rooted in people's hearts.

However, the Marquis's fame also brought new troubles.

Some jealous factions began to sabotage the Marquis's household. They hired thugs to cause trouble and create chaos at the Marquis's porridge distribution area.

"Don't eat this! This porridge is poisoned!" the thugs shouted.

The people were initially quite frightened, but they quickly realized that someone had deliberately sabotaged the operation.

"How can you slander the Marquis's kindness like this!" the people angrily accused.

Meanwhile, these forces also spread rumors in the market, saying that the reason why the Marquis's business was able to grow so large was because it used charity to cover up its improper means.

"The Marquis's mansion has ulterior motives; don't be fooled by them!"

This raised doubts among some of the Marquis's partners, who demanded an explanation from the Marquis's family.

"My lord, this rumor is spreading so widely that it has greatly affected our business."

While reassuring their business partner, Xiao Ling and Su Jinxiu began investigating the source of the rumors.

During the investigation, they discovered that behind these conspiracies were the shadows of certain powerful figures in the imperial court.

"So it was them who were behind this. It seems our good deeds have affected their interests." Xiao Ling frowned.

Su Jinxiu firmly stated, "No matter what, we cannot give up charity, and we cannot let their conspiracy succeed."

In response to these challenges, the Marquis's Mansion decided to increase its publicity efforts to let more people know the truth about charitable work.

They invited some prominent figures to the Marquis's residence to observe the operation of the charity projects, allowing them to witness firsthand the Marquis's genuine dedication.

"So the Marquis's mansion has done so much real work; those rumors are truly despicable!"

At the same time, the Marquis's residence strengthened its cooperation with local officials to jointly crack down on troublemaking thugs and ruffians.

"With the government's support, let's see if they still dare to be arrogant!"

Just as the Marquis's mansion was struggling to cope with the crisis, the emperor also heard various rumors about the mansion.

"Is the Marquis's family truly doing good deeds, or do they have ulterior motives?" The emperor was filled with doubt.

Therefore, the emperor decided to travel incognito to personally investigate the true situation of the Marquis's charitable work.