Planning to marry the third master

A palace maid came to the General's Mansion to inform in advance that Concubine De would come to the General's Mansion today.

Feng Zhuohua found out and immediately went to find the two elders of the Xie family.

The Xie family also found out the situation in the General's Mansion in the past few days. Fortunately, the two elders on both sides were relatively friendly and greeted each other when they met.

Feng Zhuohua happened to be pregnant at this time, so she could avoid the awkward situation of paying respects. Otherwise, it would be useless to go to the Xie family's place instead of the Baili family's place, so she simply didn't go.

Fortunately, Wang Qingle was there, so she felt relaxed and happy.

Luo Mingshuang would occasionally come to talk, and Feng Zhuohua had to accompany her. What they talked about most was the Baili family.

Feng Zhuohua also didn't like gossipy women. Although she didn't like Baili's behavior, when asked about it, she simply summarized it in one sentence: she was just an ordinary woman in the harem.

The two first and second wives had no say in the general's mansion and did not come to show up or say hello, so the place was left in peace.

However, Mr. Xie was walking around and actually started talking to people, and even had meals and drinks with them at their homes.

How could they talk about this? According to Shuangxi, they should be birds of a feather.

Today, Xie Yunxiao was not at home, so she had to explain to the two elders in advance the purpose of the people from the palace.

Feng Zhuohua bowed to Mr. Xie and Mrs. Xie and said, "Father-in-law, mother, your daughter-in-law has something to say to you."

It was clear from the tone that something was wrong, so Mr. Xie said, "Go ahead."

"The Empress Defei will be here in a moment. I need to tell you why she is here."

Mr. Xie asked, "Do you know why you are here?"

Feng Zhuohua nodded and said, "She came here for the Third Master. Actually, she was afraid that you two elders would be sad, so the Third Master negotiated conditions with the court."

The two elders looked at each other, and Old Lady Xie asked, "But this family is not happy with us two old people, so they called the palace people here."

Feng Zhuohua shook her head and said, "Mother, don't think too much. Before you two elders came, Prince Yan always thought that Third Master was his uncle, and they got along well during this period. After you two elders came, in order not to make you two elders sad, Third Master decisively wanted to sever his relationship with the Baili family, but the Baili family disagreed.

After all... this huge general's mansion is supported by the Third Master, and the Third Master is the hope of this family.

These people have done favors for the Third Master, so he is in a dilemma."

Mrs. Xie said, "We will listen to whatever you want to say."

"The result of the discussion over there was to call the Third Master both surnames."

"What!" The two elders were shocked.

Old Mrs. Xie said in a deep voice: "I don't agree! It's not like they don't have sons. I think those two sons are not as good as my son, but they can still provide for them in their old age."

Old Master Xie also had a gloomy face. His son was so good, there was no need for him to take someone else's surname.

Feng Zhuohua knew this was the case, but fortunately he had a backup plan, so he said, "Don't worry, elders. Please listen to me."

Mrs. Xie said angrily, "No matter what you say, I don't agree."

But Mr. Xie said, "It is not up to you to decide who is coming from the palace."

Old Mrs. Xie got a little angry and said, "Then I'll go and reason with you, too."

Feng Zhuohua said quickly: "The Third Master exchanged the two surnames for a title and gave it to Yu'er."

"What!" The two elders were shocked again.

Feng Zhuohua said: "The Third Master has brought back the imperial edict. Yu'er is still young, so he will grant her a mansion first. When Yu'er grows up, he will be officially granted the title."

The two elders were speechless again.

This deal is not worthwhile for the imperial court. Old Master Xie asked, "How can a title be so easy to obtain? What does the third brother's surname have to do with the imperial court?"

Feng Zhuohua nodded and said, "Of course, the Third Master's bank was given to the court. He has his own ambitions, and the court values ​​the Third Master's ability. What the Third Master did today is also for his descendants."

In this case, Mr. Xie had nothing to say, and Mrs. Xie also felt that she had gained something, so she changed her tone and said, "Since you have done me a favor, it doesn't matter if we use both surnames."

Feng Zhuohua covered her lips, she was surprised that she could be so interesting despite her age. She said, "Then the two elders, come with me to welcome the Empress Defei."

Nanny Tan supported Old Madam Xie, and Old Master Xie said, "Let's go."

Feng Zhuohua said to Ruyi: "Go and inform the whole palace to welcome the Empress Defei."

"Yes."

......

Xie Yunxiao had a lot of things to do over there, and was very busy. Of course, he was also preparing to leave Beijing. He needed an excuse not to confront Prince Hui, and it just so happened that he had a legitimate reason at this moment.

Xie Yunxiao said to Gu Xingyan, "I need someone who can do math and accounting. Go and promote someone yourself."

Gu Xingyan asked in confusion: "Why am I the one who promoted me? Can't my uncle just make all the arrangements himself?"

Xie Yunxiao wanted to hold his forehead and said, "Since I have given the bank to the court, the person in charge must naturally be promoted by the court. You should also know that no matter how much you trust me, the matter of promoting people should be in your own hands. Only in this way can they know how to be grateful to the court."

Gu Xingyan was taught, and said, "I don't know who to promote?"

"That's your business. I'll give you two days to find the person in charge. I have to go to the military camp and don't have time."

"Oh."

"Can an official from the Ministry of Revenue do this?"

"It would be OK if you are familiar with the Ministry of Revenue or have someone you trust. After all, money houses are related to the lifeblood of merchants all over the world, and also to the prosperity and decline of the world. You can't be careless, you must get close to someone you trust."

Gu Xingyan couldn't help but say, "Then it would be perfect to give it to my cousin."

As soon as these words came out, Xie Yunxiao wanted to beat someone up. How old was his son, yet he wanted to throw the blame on him? Who was the person behind this? It must be him. It was just a beautiful thought. He turned around and left with a cold face.

Gu Xingyan immediately apologized: "Don't be angry, uncle. I'll go find someone right away."

Xie Yunxiao ignored him, got on his horse and left.

Gu Xingyan was sad. His interpersonal relationships were not very good. The only person he trusted was Gu Xingzhou. Thinking of Gu Xingzhou, he immediately went to find someone.

When Gu Xingzhou heard about Gu Xingyan's intention, he immediately refused and said, "I can't do this job. Not only will I have to walk around everywhere and live in peace, but my wife is about to give birth, so I can't leave."

Are women less important than court affairs? Well, he knew Gu Xingzhou's personality. If he could lie down instead of standing, who would he go to? He immediately became worried.

Gu Xingzhou suggested, "Start with the people around Xie San. Although not all of his people are very capable, they are all good at managing money and business."

Gu Xingzhou clapped his hands, thought of someone and said, "I'll go and ask for someone right away."

Hence, Gu Xingyan appeared in the Qipin Building not long after.

......

Two rows of people stood neatly in front of the general's mansion.

The imperial carriage in the palace came closer and closer. Today's scene was grand and it was obvious that an important person was traveling.

When the carriage stopped, Feng Zhuohua personally stepped forward to greet people.

Helped Concubine De get off the carriage.

Then he led everyone in the General's Mansion to pay their respects, "Greetings to Her Majesty the Virtuous Consort."

Concubine De curved her lips and said in a kind tone, "Stand up."

"Thank you, Madam Defei."

Feng Zhuohua said, "Madam Defei, let's talk inside the room."

Concubine De nodded.

Those who should disperse dispersed, and those who should follow followed. Feng Zhuohua led his people and walked in front and entered the living room.

After Concubine De took her seat, she first asked Baili Cheng'an, "Is my uncle living well in the general's mansion?"

Baili Chengan said: "Thank you, Concubine De, for your concern. Everything in the General's Mansion is fine."

Concubine De nodded and said to Mr. Xie: "Are you the head of the Xie family?"

Xie Jianglin nodded and said, "Yes, I have been retired for many years and have been idle at home."

De Fei asked: "What kind of official position did you hold before?"

"It's not an important position. I just do some clerical work in the Court of Rites."

De Fei nodded, and she understood what was going on. She said, "He is also a learned person."

Baili couldn't help but say: "Since he is educated, why don't you teach him to write? The general's handwriting is excellent because my master taught him personally."

This set a bad precedent, and the intention was obvious. She was also afraid that the Xie family would not agree, so she said it in advance.

Concubine De didn't say anything and picked up the teacup.

Mr. Xie didn't know all this, but he found that Xie Yunxiao's handwriting had the style of a master.

Mrs. Xie said, "He started studying business outside when he was seven years old, so he didn't stay in your house for long."

Baili said, "The Xie family didn't do anything to him. When he came to my Baili family, he was penniless and had no money. My master treated him as his own son and took care of everything for him, including finding a teacher and preparing for the military examination. That's how he became a general. Before he left for the army, his two brothers and sister-in-law prepared food and clothes for him. My master sold his ancestral possessions to prepare money for him, and that's how he got to where he is today."

Baili's words made it very clear that Xie Yunxiao's current status did not come out of nowhere, and it is not so easy to take advantage of it.

Mrs. Xie looked unhappy, but Mr. Xie stepped forward, bowed deeply and said, "You have done him a favor, you should accept this gift."

Baili Chengan said: "No need, I treat him as my own son."

As the topic started, Concubine De said, "You all treat him as your own son. It's his blessing."

Then he said to Feng Zhuohua, "Tell them all to sit down. How can we talk while standing?"

Feng Zhuohua nodded and asked the two elders who had stood up to sit down.

De Fei said, "I think the two elders of the Xie family also know the purpose of coming. To show respect, Prince Yan should come in person, but he doesn't want to use his status to pressure others." She smiled and said, "He is young, so I am here. I think the two elders already know about this matter. It depends on their opinion."

With Mr. Xie speaking up, Mrs. Xie stopped talking. Xie Jianglin said, "Since they are all good to him and have done him a favor, it doesn't matter if they have one more pair of parents."

Concubine De didn't expect her to be so easy to talk to. She looked at Feng Zhuohua, thinking that she had convinced the two elders of the Xie family, and said with a curved lip, "Mr. Xie is open-minded."

Over there, Baili Chengan and Baili Shi also had smiles on their faces.

Concubine De said: "I will act as a middleman. This matter is good for both the Xie family and the Baili family."

Baili said: "The Xie family is also a big family. I don't think they would care about a small mansion like the General's Mansion."

Defei's face turned cold. This woman only cared about the little benefits in front of her. How could she be a lady of noble character?

Baili Chengan scolded: "We are one family, why do you care about these things?"

Baili stopped talking immediately. It was not a good idea to have so many people living in the house. She was not comfortable anyway.

Mr. Xie said, "The Xie family has a mansion in Bianjing. We haven't seen San'er for a long time and miss him very much, so we will stay for a few days."

Old Mrs. Xie thought that the Baili family was not very good. They could not be considered a wealthy family, but at most a small family.

Concubine De said, "I will ask the elders to come over some other day."

Baili Chengan said: "Yes, yes, some things need to be clarified so as not to let outsiders talk about it."

Concubine De stood up and said, "Now that the matter has been explained, I will not stay any longer."

Feng Zhuohua said: "This subject is sending the Empress Defei off."

Concubine De nodded.

Feng Zhuohua sent Concubine De out of the general's mansion.

The Defei's visit lasted only two cups of tea and there was no need to waste any words.

Before getting on the carriage, he patted Feng Zhuohua and said, "You are so thoughtful."

Feng Zhuohua curved her lips and said, "I just want to avoid being laughed at by outsiders."

Concubine De nodded and said, "I'm back. Prince Yan's wedding will be in a few days. I'll have to trouble you to help me make some arrangements."

"Okay, I will visit my aunt from time to time and help her share some of the burden."

Concubine De nodded. With her outside the palace, she had much less trouble.

Feng Zhuohua watched Concubine De leave and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Things still need to be done one by one, and I don’t know how King Hui feels when he knows that the Baili family and Xie Yunxiao are on the same side.

Qipinlou

Lu Chengfeng was finally persuaded by Gu Xingyan to work as an official in the Ministry of Revenue. He was ultimately bound by the secular perspective and thought that instead of being a shopkeeper, he might as well do something bigger and bring honor to his family.