[Red House] Raiders of life

"Although Lao Jiu is arrogant and self-willed and has a perverse temper, he has a good heart. Since he is going to help, it is naturally up to you to decide. If he wants to learn from the scriptures, he must show some sincerity. You can rest assured, Lao Jiu People, others can't control it, but I and the third child can still control it. If he really gets too much trouble, you can just tell me, or tell the third child."

Speaking of which?Can Lin Ning refuse?Absolutely not!

Lin Ning bit the bullet and responded, "Your minister should teach you everything, and you can say everything you know."

Only then was Tu Yuanhai satisfied, and he let Lin Ning go.However, Lin Ning's heart seemed to be filled with turbulent waves. Even after leaving the palace and getting on the carriage, he was still a little terrified.

He took refuge in accordance with the order, and since then he has been labeled as the party of the three princes?

Now that the battle for the heir is in full swing, Lin Ning doesn't think that he is simply asking the Ninth Prince to teach the Ninth Prince about glass auction houses.The currently adult princes with some abilities are nothing but the eldest prince, the third prince, and the fifth prince.The family of the three princes and sons and mothers is declining, and it seems that they are the weakest with or without the help of money.In the past few years, the eldest prince and the fifth prince have been fighting like black corns.

Based on the news from Lin Ruhai, I'm afraid that the Jiangnan incident will only happen within half a year.Jiangnan Zhen's family collapsed.The fifth prince is bound to be pulled down.The eldest prince has the support of his mother's family, and he also holds osmanthus in his hand, the Xia family, the Chen family in Lingnan, and the Zhang family in Yancheng, the three major imperial merchants.Without the restraint of the fifth prince, she will only show her edge even more.

What Tu Yuanhai did today was obviously to let his Xue family be the pocketbook of the Three Princes' Party.There is no doubt about this.But what Lin Ning was a little uncertain about was whether Tu Yuanhai had valued the Third Prince a long time ago and paved the way for him step by step, or he simply wanted to support him to confront the First Prince.After all, without the restraint of the Fifth Prince, the Emperor needs such a person to balance the power of the First Prince.

However, when he returned to Xue's house, he didn't think about this question clearly. He was not a roundworm in Tu Yuanhai's stomach, and Lin Ning didn't know how to be a trapped animal, so he threw it away when he couldn't get an answer.Right or left, he knows the Ninth Prince Tu Mingyi fairly well, at worst, he can just rediscover those things from his previous life.

After entering the mansion, Lin Ning went to see Xue Pan, but was blocked by Ping An in the yard. Lin Ning walked all the way in, and Ping An asked him nonsensical topics all the way, and then said, "Master is asleep."

Lin Ning knew there was a ghost when he saw it, and when he opened the door, he saw Xue Pan crawling in through the window.Xue Pan was caught, gave Pingan a look, poured Lin Ning a glass of water, and flattered Lin Ning, "Father, I'll just go out for a while, just a little while!"

"How do I remember that I just said that you are not allowed to go out these days? Why, now that your wings are stiff, you don't listen to me anymore."

Xue Pan drooped his head, Lin Ning turned sideways and lightly kicked his ass, Xue Pan jumped a foot away.Lin Ning sneered, "Isn't that neat? Being able to run, jump and go out seems to be too light."

Xue Pan shook his body, and hurriedly took another step back, "Father, I have something to do, I have business to do!"

"Can you still have business? Isn't your business just eating, drinking and having fun?"

Xue Pan was unhappy, "Father, you look down on me too much."

Lin Ning snorted, but didn't say anything else.Seeing that Lin Ning's expression softened, Xue Pan ran over with a smile again, "Father, I bought a Zhuangzi. It's the Zhuangzi that Cousin Wang Xin mentioned earlier."

Lin Ning's expression froze, and he patted Xue Pan on the head, "Did I ever tell you not to be with him!"

Xue Pan shrank his neck, "I know, Dad, I remember everything you said."

"Remember you still dare to move forward?"

Seeing Lin Ning reaching out to call again, Xue Pan hurriedly hugged his head, "Father, listen to me!"

Lin Ning said sharply, "Say!"

"I was thinking, my cousin is asking for something from me now, so he is thinking of ways to please me and plot against me. But the Zhuangzi is really good, the location is good, it's in the suburbs, and you can make a round trip from the city in a day. Especially the hot springs in the basement. It is difficult to buy a hot spring village in such a location even if you have money. Since there is such an opportunity, why don’t I take advantage of it? I went to see the owner's house and directly transferred the land deed and other things to the yamen. There is no dispute. As for what my cousin wants, don't say I don't know, even if I know, I can't give it to him."

Lin Ning glanced at him, heh, he's promising.This is getting cheap for nothing, but you don't want to do things for others.

Xue Pan looked at Lin Ning's face, swallowed his saliva, "Anyway, my cousin is in the name of relatives, and when he sees that I want to buy, he wears a thread, and he doesn't say it's a transaction. I just pretend that I don't understand what he said. I didn’t understand. Didn’t daddy tell me about it later?”

Lin Ning sneered, but acquiesced in his behavior, and then said: "What do you plan to do with Zhuangzi?"

"Father, didn't you tell me a lot before? I remember the club you mentioned. It is only prepared for the rich and powerful, and privacy and security are guaranteed. I thought that if you want to do it, you must have a special feature." It just so happens that there is this hot spring Zhuangzi. I plan to rectify it and make use of the hot spring under that Zhuangzi.”

Speaking of this, Xue Pan became excited. After all, it was his first serious career. Xue Pan was very attentive, and hearing him talk about decoration, construction, service, management, etc., he knew that he had worked hard.

Lin Ning lamented that this kid actually had such a straight line and eloquence, and he was relieved that although he was not good at calculating people's minds in official careers, but at least his words and deeds for so many years have not been in vain.

Seeing that Xue Pan was talking vigorously, Lin Ning did not interrupt him, and even handed him two glasses of water halfway through.After Xue Pan finished his plan, he felt a little nervous, "Father, it's just that I don't have enough money here."

It turned out to be asking for money!

Lin Ning rolled his eyes, "I'll talk to the accountant."

Xue Pan danced with joy.Lin Ning thought for a while, and then said: "You only care about doing business to make money, but have you ever thought about the situation of the club you are positioning, and it can even be said to be a place where dignitaries gather, where you can be sensual and sensual, and you can be sunny... like this The place is full of such people. The so-called privacy and security are only for outsiders. As a host, you can always find out a thing or two. If the construction and personnel are properly arranged, it may become information. The perfect place to collect and trade."

Xue Pan was a little confused, "What?"

"In this way, the Xue family can't do it. Unless..." Lin Ning stared at Xue Pan, "You make the plan for this thing today, and tomorrow King Kang will visit the mansion, you tell him Bar."

"Ah? Kang... Duke Kang? The Ninth Prince?"

Lin Ning closed his eyes and hummed lightly.Whether he voluntarily or by order, he is already a member of the Three Princes' Party, so he has to do something.He doesn't want to be just a "money bag".If that's the case, even if you have the power to follow the dragon, it's limited.

The next day, Tu Mingyi really came to visit Xue's residence.Even though it was a "visit", it was the prince after all, especially with his temperament of being a disciple, he couldn't be a virtuous and virtuous sergeant. Therefore, even though the emperor said to "accept an apprentice", Lin Ning didn't think he could really be regarded as an apprentice.

Tu Mingyi was very arrogant, seeing that it was not Lin Ning but Xue Pan who came to see him, he dropped his glass on the spot.If he wasn't really interested in the auction house, and the eunuch accompanying him kept reminding the third prince, he would probably have left on the spot.

Xue Pan didn't say anything else, and according to Lin Ning's instructions, he directly took out the plan.Tu Mingyi was shocked when he saw half of it, and directly pulled Xue Pan into a heated discussion.

Lin Ning heaved a sigh of relief after listening to the report.It's not that he puts on airs and refuses to meet Tu Mingyi, it's just that when he thinks of Tu Mingyi, he can't help but think of his ending that he saw in the system in the last world.Aware of his thoughts on himself, even though he knew that this was just a parallel world, and that one person was clearly not the other, Lin Ning felt a little uncomfortable after all.

Several days after this, Tu Mingyi asked Xue Pan to go out to investigate the village.Lin Ning quietly revealed the principle of the sound transmission tube to Xue Pan unconsciously. Xue Pan was persuaded by this point, and after arguing with Tu Mingyi, he immediately used it in the transformation of the club, increasing the strength of the club. Monitoring of various rooms.

It took the two of them more than ten days to finalize the general layout of Zhuangzi, and Tu Mingyi waved his hand, "You have already paid for this Zhuangzi, so I will pay for the construction and renovation."

How dare Xue Pan ask for his money, "No, no, Master Ninth, let's come from the Xue family."

Tu Mingyi snorted, "What do you mean? Do you think I can't afford the money, or do you not want to do this business with me?"

"what?"

Xue Pan's mind was dumb, and he didn't understand Tu Mingyi's words at all.

Tu Mingyi sneered, "You're still a little promising on this point. Forget it, I'm too lazy to argue with you. It's decided like this."

After finishing talking, he patted his ass and left Xue Pan with a mournful face. Why did he feel like he was being scolded again?Uh... well, I was indeed scolded.

In the blink of an eye, it was the New Year's Eve, and the Xue family had a lively and lively New Year's Eve.On the twelfth day of the first lunar month, people came from Yangzhou.It was Mr. Bai, the first staff member next to Lin Ruhai, who came.Taking advantage of this matter, Lin Ning asked Xue Wang to go to Jia's house to pick up someone as agreed before.The Jia family is currently concerned about their concubine's family visit, so they don't have so many scruples at all.Lin Daiyu and Lin Nuo's arrival went smoothly.

Even if it's an excuse, it's not all.Lin Ruhai did confess to Mr. Bai.Therefore, after Lin Nuo came over, Mr. Bai seriously tested and taught him. Seeing that he answered fluently, he couldn't help sighing again. He is worthy of being a descendant of the Lin family.After the child had gone out, Lin Ning talked to Mr. Bai about Yangzhou.

"Years ago, my lord was poisoned once and assassinated twice. It can be said that he escaped from death. Fortunately, there was Hou Ye's Baoming pill. My lord said that I would not thank you for your kindness, and he would not say polite words. He will keep it in his heart."

Lin Ningxin raised it, "How is Yangzhou now?"

Mr. Bai smiled, "The Zhen family has used all the means available. Now it is the end of the battle, everything is under the master's control, so you can rest assured. According to the master's plan, it will be closed within three months." net."

Lin Ning breathed a sigh of relief, "Mr. Bai has always been Brother Ruhai's right-hand man. I don't know why he came to Beijing this time?" After finishing speaking, he felt that it might have something to do with politics, so he asked too directly, and said again: " Sorry. Just pretend I didn't ask."

But Mr. Bai waved his hands and laughed, "It might be hard to say before, but it's okay now."

Lin Ning was taken aback, only to hear Mr. Bai say again: "My lord recommended me to the third prince."

Bang dang, the wine glass in Lin Ning's hand fell on the table, but fortunately, the wine in the glass had already entered his stomach and did not get wet.Lin Ning straightened the wine glass with a solemn expression, "Brother Ruhai's seat..."

Mr. Bai naturally understands the unfinished meaning in it.

"That's what the emperor meant."

Lin Ning was even more astonished. He arranged him as the "financial resources" of the third prince's party, and made Lin Ruhai the "manpower" of the third prince. It seems that he guessed right, the emperor's favorite is the third prince.

Mr. Bai sighed: "Now it seems that the first prince, the fifth prince, is just a target set up by the emperor. Of course, it is also the two knives that the emperor uses to sharpen the third prince."

Lin Ning nodded, "Looking at it now, it is indeed the case. Otherwise, the three princes, mother and concubine died early, and the Mo family declined. The three princes and the nine princes have always been in the palace, and their status is not obvious. But regardless of the favorite concubines in the palace How, what about the children born to the beloved concubine. Except for the eldest prince who occupies a long word, and the fifth prince who was supported by the Zhen family and the four kings and eight princes in the early years, only the third prince has caught everyone's attention. Although He is not powerful enough to compete with the First Prince and the Fifth Prince. But it is precisely because of this that he has been saved from many dangers and troubles. Especially in these years, the Third Prince has gone through all six parts. I really didn't find it."

Speaking of this, Lin Ning sighed again: "However, it is true that only the third prince is the most suitable. The third prince has means, ambition, strategy, and more heart. He can tolerate people and things. The eldest prince Violent, the fifth prince is domineering, if these two really succeed to the throne, no matter whether it is the government and the people or the people, I am afraid that bloody storms will be unavoidable."

Lin Ning wandered around the world of the Red Chamber for three lifetimes, and only now did he realize that the Fifth Prince was nothing but the Zhen family fell early.But later on, it was clear that the eldest prince was not weak, but he was unable to do so in the later stage, allowing the third prince to ascend the throne smoothly.Even after the new emperor ascended the throne, the eldest prince still became a leisure king in peace.

Presumably there are quite a few emperors behind the great prince's power.When the minions are gone in the later stage, the third prince is not someone who will kill them all, so he is naturally willing to support such a rich and idle person, but he can only be an idler.

********

On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the imperial concubine visits relatives, and the capital instantly boils.Xue's family did not go after all, and Lin Daiyu and Lin Nuo never returned to Jia's residence, which made Wang's and Jia's mother dissatisfied for a while.I planned to come to pick up the Lin family back to the mansion, but because it was the big day for the noble concubine to return home, the whole mansion was so busy that the masters were worried even if they didn't care about their affairs. .

After the fifteenth day, the glass workshop was expanded to increase output.Lin Ning also got busy.The club of Xue Pan and Tu Mingyi also started construction.Mr. Bai didn't live there for two or three months, and within a few days, he moved to the third prince's residence.

In April, as expected, news came from Yangzhou.There were also waves of turmoil in the capital.The matter went on and on for more than a month, and in the end, the Zhen family ransacked the house, the fifth prince took away the title, and Concubine Zhen was thrown into the cold palace.

In July, Lin Ruhai wrote a letter saying that the emperor intends to let him return to Beijing next year.This is also expected.When something happened in Yangzhou, Lin Ruhai also retired.Besides, since the emperor intends to give Lin Ruhai to the third prince, it is naturally more important for Lin Ruhai to come to Beijing.

In August, the club officially opened.Because many things inside are very fresh, and there is also a flower shop surrounded by glass, all kinds of novel food, special wine, and transparent and clear glass goblets.

There are troupe beauties that dudes like.There is also the Qushui Liushang, which is loved by literati arty.In short, it can be vulgar and elegant.There are many tricks.For a while, it became the favorite place of the people in the capital. Even though the membership fee here is surprisingly high, some people still flock to it.

No way, it's really delicious and fun when you come here, and the sound insulation effect is excellent, and it's the most suitable place for "chatting" without the slightest sound from outside.Second, the threshold for membership is not only high dues, but also high requirements for membership.In this way, it seems like you don't have such a club card, which doesn't reflect your identity.

How can this work!Give money, and you must enter!

********

It was the first month of the year again, Lin Ning just came back from the outside, the fox fur was covered with snow beads, and a gust of wind came in as soon as he entered the house.Xue Wang didn't care too much anymore, and sent all the servants to help Lin Ning take off the sash.

Seeing her anxious and flustered expression, Lin Ning was a little bit excited, and couldn't help thinking in his heart, what's the matter.Then I heard Mrs. Xue say, "Today I took Baochai to Nan'an Palace for a banquet. Coincidentally, Princess Chengjun was also there, and she took off her bracelet to give Baochai. At first I thought it was just an ordinary meeting gift, Master now has a good relationship with King Kang and King Cheng. Pan'er was still doing club business with King Kang, so he didn't think much about it. Unexpectedly, King Cheng kept pulling me to talk, praising Baochai every sentence, He also asked about Baochai's marriage. Hearing that Baochai's birthday was just two days ago, he said that he would give her a gift later. Someone sent something here, which is a set of peony flower-style Diancuitou noodles."

Lin Ning was stunned for a moment, peony is the king and peony is the phase.Princess Chengjun means...

Lin Ning couldn't help but hear what the emperor said when he entered the palace today.

"Xue Aiqing's daughter is twelve years old, right? Has there ever been an engagement?"

"My sons and daughters are all debts. My sons also have a lot of headaches. Now it's easy for the old nine to settle down a little bit, and point him to the concubine, who will only wait for the year to get married. But the third one ... He has been married for many years, and the concubine has never had anything to do. But now the concubine is finally pregnant, but she is gone. Hey!"

The emperor just mentioned such a sentence, and he didn't mention it again. He was not sure what the emperor meant, so he could only laugh and muddle along.Now hearing Xue Wang's words, my heart sank.

Xue Wang said again: "Later, Baochai told me that a few days ago, when she went to Jinyu Pavilion, she met King Chengjun."

Jinyu Pavilion is a jewelry shop, because Xue Baochai had managed it in Jinling, after coming to the capital, Lin Ning gave her the same shop in the middle of the capital.

"Let me just say, Baochai is a daughter's family, and she hasn't left the cabinet yet. How can she manage any shops. If she wants it, the master will let her. Master, tell me, is the king of Chengjun..." Xue Wang was momentary. I have mixed feelings, and I don't know whether it is a blessing or a curse.

Lin Ning frowned, "Where's Baochai?"

"In the room!" After finishing speaking, Xue Wang saw that Lin Ning's face was not very good-looking, and hurriedly said, "Baochai didn't do it on purpose, wasn't it a coincidence? She didn't expect to bump into Prince Cheng. It's right. It's not her fault."

With something in mind, Lin Ning nodded casually and turned around to go to Xue Baochai's room.At that time, Xue Baochai was making tea, as if she had expected him to come, she sent the girl out, and the tea was boiled just right.

"Mother told Dad?"

Xue Baochai is a smart person and has his own opinions.Therefore, Lin Ning didn't say much, and went straight to the point, "The Ninth Prince just pointed at the main concubine, and he wouldn't point out the side concubine so soon after the main concubine didn't come in. The third prince has a wife and a concubine, and now there is only one side concubine who is vacant." Xuan. According to my father, neither of these two is a good candidate."

Xue Baochai lowered her head, Lin Ning didn't know what her expression was, but only heard her voice saying: "Is the third prince the emperor's favorite?"

Lin Ning's heart skipped a beat, and the tea in the cup spilled out onto his hands.Lin Ning wiped it away quietly, and couldn't help sighing that Baochai's talents and means are all lacking in the original work, only the sight and opportunities are missing.In this life, he took great pains to teach Baochai, she was already smart, and with Lin Ning at the side to guide her, her knowledge was incomparable to what she had in the past.In particular, Lin Ning sometimes does not shy away from her and Xue Pan when discussing political affairs.It is reasonable for her to draw such a conclusion from this, but it also shocked Lin Ning.

First, it shocked her to have such acumen, and second, it shocked her focus.Lin Ning has always known that she is proud and has the ambition to reach the top.But the world is harsh on women, even if she is in charge of the Jinyu Pavilion, it can only be a Jinyu Pavilion, and the form is still very inconvenient.only……

"Yes!" Lin Ning sighed, "The third prince's house is not peaceful, the main concubine has nothing to do, and the side concubine has a miscarriage when she is pregnant. It's just a coincidence. Now the third prince has just met you, and the princess has revealed I mean. Is this the princess wanting to use you to win the favor of the third prince, or the third prince himself has this intention? Even if it is the third prince's own intention, you are still young, and it will take a few years. Three The prince is not a womanizer, and he will not force it."

Xue Baochai smiled, "I'm young, so I think I'm good-looking, but it's far from being memorable. Besides, King Chengjun is open-minded, and my father also said that he is not a womanizer, otherwise It's not like there are only two women on one side and two concubines in the mansion now. I think what he values ​​is our family's status, or to put it more obviously, my Xue family's wealth and my father's ability. The profit from glass has enriched the national treasury, and there is also a club in the hands of my brother. Come to think of it, these things are not the only things in my father's mind. The third prince wants to tie the Xue family tightly, and the in-laws are the best bond."

Lin Ning opened his mouth, but he didn't know how to refute, it was true.Especially if others can't figure it out, the third prince will know that turning the club into an information exchange center, and using the principle of the microphone to hide the mechanism to renovate the house, all these are definitely not something Xue Pan can do.

"That's the case, and it's not just the way of in-laws. Dad has his own way, so you don't have to worry. If the third prince can only use the means of in-laws to control the courtiers, then he doesn't have to take his seat. As long as you don't want to, Father went to reject him, and he wouldn't blame the Xue family for this, so you don't have to worry about the impact on the family."

Xue Baochai froze, feeling a little disappointed in her heart. When she found out before, she was a little surprised and flustered, but at this moment, even she didn't know whether she would be more happy or disappointed if she really refused.She had mixed feelings in her heart and couldn't make up her mind.

After all, she was only a 12-year-old child, Lin Ning eased his attitude, and talked to her carefully.

"If you don't want to, just ignore it and leave the rest to Dad. If you have this idea yourself, Dad can help you. But, you need to understand that intrigues in the palace and backyard are inevitable. Even if the third prince ascends to the throne in the future, the battles in the palace will only become more intense. Of course, father and your brother will be your backers. But if you..."

Lin Ning paused, staring at Xue Baochai and said, "If you reach that point, no matter how important you are, you will not be as important as the entire Xue family. At that time, you will become an abandoned son of the Xue family."

Xue Baochai turned pale.Lin Ning looked away, he respected everyone's aspirations and choices.But he also wanted to let her know about the situations she might face.In this era, no matter how much love and preciousness a daughter has, she is far from being able to compare with the whole family.He had to tell her that the path he chose had to be walked on his knees.

"Baochai, in terms of wives and concubines, my father has always believed that I would rather be a beggar's wife than a rich man's concubine."

Xue Baochai pursed her lips tightly, "Even if I marry someone else, can I be separated from my wife and concubine? Will he be able to treat me as a couple for the rest of my life, and let me fly like a fish and a bird? But it's still around a man, It’s the same three-inch-square courtyard. What difference does it make if it’s a wife or a concubine? Only when I stand on the top, with power and status, maybe I still have a chance..."

Lin Ning shook his hand. If Xue Baochai wanted a platform to show his talents, then it would be difficult to do it no matter who he married in the current social environment.And the highest point... Lin Ning's heart tightened, she couldn't be thinking... no, no, he still understands the child he raised.Xue Baochai has the ability, but it is far from enough to be a queen.Then she might be thinking about the queen, the queen mother... As long as her son becomes the emperor, she will naturally have a certain degree of autonomy and the right to speak.

Lin Ning only felt that her throat was tight, and she began to reflect, should she take Xue Baochai out to see the world, should she not indoctrinate her with the idea that her daughter's family can't confine her vision to the inner courtyard?He just wanted to tell her that a woman must be independent and have enough foresight so that she can stand side by side with her husband in the future and read the mansion newspaper and discuss current affairs with him.Could she have gone a little too far?

Looking at Xue Baochai, Lin Ning turned his head with a guilty conscience, "Don't worry, this is a matter of your life, you should think about it for yourself."