Ximen Zhanying's request may be a bit bizarre in the eyes of others, and may even seem inappropriate at all, but to Qi Ning, it is really not a problem.
He originally thought that Ximen Zhanying would put forward more stringent conditions, but when he heard her say it, he almost laughed, but he immediately realized that in the era he lived in, Ximen Zhanying's ideas were really a bit ahead of his time.
He believed that if Ximen Zhanying came from a well-behaved official family, he might not even be able to think of such a problem.
But Ximen Zhanying lost her mother when she was young, and it was Ximen Wuhen who single-handedly raised him, and Ximen Wuhen was between the court and the rivers and lakes. It was even said that the aura of the rivers and lakes in him was stronger than that of the chaotang, and even more so in the Shenhou Mansion. A yamen that has been dealing with the Jianghu forces all year round has a style full of Jianghu atmosphere. Ximen and Ying are influenced by it, and their temperament appears to be relatively independent.
"Is this the only condition Miss Ximen has?" Qining asked with a smile.
When Ximen Zhanying put forward such a condition, Qining not only felt no pressure, but actually admired Ximen Zhanying from the bottom of his heart.
Ximen Zhanying thought that such conditions were very difficult for Qi Ning, but he did not want to change his temperament by accommodating Qi Ning, and said: "You... do you agree?"
Qi Ning smiled and said: "If this is the only condition, I can tell you now, it won't be any problem. After getting married, if you are willing to continue working as an errand in the Shenhou Mansion, I will never stop you in the slightest, but I will also mention one condition."
Ximen Zhanying knew that Qi Ning was quite cunning and thought he was going to make things difficult for her again. However, it would have been embarrassing to think of such conditions. If Qi Ning agreed, even if he put forward some harsh conditions, she would not be unable to consider them. Asked: "What are your conditions?"
"I know that the Shenhou Mansion is sometimes busy with official duties." Qi Ning said seriously: "But you must go back to the mansion every night. If there is any delay in official business, you must send someone to tell us, otherwise it will be difficult for the mansion to arrange dinner."
When the ministers heard this, their eyes almost popped out.
Qi Ning agreed very happily, and everyone was surprised. Hearing that he said there were conditions, Judu was thinking like Ximen Zhanying, thinking that he was going to put forward more harsh conditions to make things difficult. Who knew that it turned out to be such a sesame and mung bean condition.
Ximen Zhanying thought he was a footman at first, but when he was sure it was correct, his pretty face showed joy and asked: "You... did you really promise me?"
"If you promise me, I will promise you." Qining smiled.
Ximen Zhanying bit his lip and nodded: "You... you promised me, I... of course I will do as you say."
Ximen Wuhen turned his head and glanced at Qining, his eyes also showed a strange color, and then he said with a look of relief: "Jin Yihou is reasonable and admirable."
"Don't say that, God Marquis." Qi Ning said hurriedly: "Zhan Ying has always been determined to make a difference in Shenhou Mansion. If her ideals are ruined because of this marriage, she will not be happy in this life. The Holy One ordered me to take good care of Zhan Ying, and I also said that I would not let her suffer any injustice, so naturally I cannot make her unhappy all the time, otherwise how can I fulfill my promise?"
Ximen Wuhen smiled and nodded. Ximen Wuhen was even more elated when he heard Qining say this. He felt that these words were the most beautiful love words he had ever heard.
The officials around them all had their own thoughts, and some people sneered secretly, thinking that although Qi Ning agreed with his mouth, he might not be willing to do so in his heart. The Jinyi Qi family must be worried that the marriage will not work out, and they are simply forming an alliance with the Shenhou Mansion. That's why we have to compromise.
Longtai smiled and said: "Ximen Zhanying, since Jin Yihou has agreed, he will not dare to go back on his word with me as your witness. After getting married, you will still work as an errand in the Shenhou Mansion. If anyone stops you, just come and tell me that I am You decide."
Ximen Zhanying is naturally willing to marry into the Qi family, but she has always been worried about leaving the Shenhou Mansion after getting married. The thought of leaving the Shenhou Mansion after getting married one day makes her very troubled. Because of this , although she has already reached the age of leaving the court, getting married has always been her objection, and others dare not mention it.
But he didn't expect that what he had been most worried about could be solved so easily in Qining. Not only could he marry into the Qi family, but he could also continue to work as an errand in the Shenhou Mansion. His heart was full of joy, and his eyebrows naturally showed The expression of joy made the whole person look even more delicate and beautiful.
At this time, listening to the emperor's decision, he was even more happy and encouraged, bowed his head and kowtowed.
Longtai smiled and said: "Today two marriages have been consummated, which is very gratifying. All my dear friends, please step aside first." He looked at King Huainan and said, "Uncle Wang, please stay for a while. I have something to discuss with you. "
King Huainan immediately raised his hands and said: "I accept the decree!"
Amidst the sound of drum music, Longtai rode up, and the officials sent the emperor off respectfully. Some of them came forward to congratulate Su Zhen, and many officials came to congratulate Qining and Ximen Wuhen. Ximen Zhanying was shy and could not stay longer. He didn't dare to look at Qining anymore. When he saw everyone congratulating Qining, he knew that the marriage was a certainty, so he hurriedly left with shame.
Qi Ning knew that many officials congratulating him may not really do it for his own sake. However, the Qi family and the Ximen family got married today and had become a force that cannot be underestimated in the court. All the officials knew it well, so Don't dare to offend, this superficial effort must be achieved naturally.
When Su Zhen saw Duan Shao, the crown prince of the Eastern Qi Dynasty, leaving without saying a word, he hurriedly chased after him and said with a smile: "Prince, please stay."
Duan Shao failed to achieve his goal today, so he was naturally very unhappy. More importantly, he also saw that there seemed to be some fishiness between Qi Ning and Ximen Zhanying, and he felt even more unhappy. At this time, Su Zhen caught up, although He was disdainful in his heart, but he still stopped and turned around, with a smile on his face, he cupped his hands and said: "Marquis of Wuxiang!"
Su Zhen thought to himself that after a while, I will be your father-in-law. Sooner or later, I will be the father-in-law of Dong Qi. His joy was beyond words, and he smiled and said: "Prince, I will prepare some wine for you tonight. I wonder if the prince is free. Want to go have a drink?"
Duan Shao felt unhappy in his heart and had no intention of eating or drinking. However, he kept a smile on his face and said: "Marquis of Wuxiang, your country has been very welcoming these days, with lots of food and wine. Duan Shao will rest for a few days. Today I won’t bother the Marquis of Wuxiang tonight.”
"Don't bother, don't bother." Su Zhen said with a smile: "The prince eats too much and is greasy. When I go back, I will have someone prepare some light flavors."
"You're welcome, Marquis Wuxiang. The days are long and there are plenty of opportunities." Duan Shao said with a smile, "The emperor's sister will be getting married in a few days. As the elder brother, I also have to make preparations. How about we talk about it some other time?"
Su Zhen said hurriedly: "It's important. In this case, before the prince returns to the country, I will hold a banquet to honor the prince."
Duan Shao cupped his hands, said nothing, and led the people away quickly.
Su Zhen looked at Duan Shao's leaving figure with a smile on his face and stroked his beard. At this time, several people came over to congratulate him. Su Zhen felt that his back seemed much stronger. He held his hands and smiled in return. Suddenly, he heard someone behind him say: "Wuxiang Hou, it’s still early, so there’s no need to worry, you can just send someone over at night.”
Su Zhen's heart sank when he saw that Qining had already passed by him. In a few steps, he had caught up with Dou Kui, the Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, who was about to leave. He stopped in front of Dou Kui and said with a smile: "Master Dou, you can't. Don’t forget to send the money over.”
Dou Kui looked ugly and sneered: "I am willing to admit defeat. Even if Jin Yihou doesn't tell me, I will not forget it. I can still get it for a mere five thousand taels of silver."
"That's natural. Let alone five thousand taels, even fifty thousand and five hundred thousand taels is not a big problem to Mr. Dou." Qi Ning said with a smile, then raised his finger and pointed at several officials and said: "Several adults Don’t forget, Mr. Liu, you are worth eight hundred taels, Mr. He over there, you seem to be worth five hundred taels, hahaha, Mr. Situ, you are also five hundred taels...!"
The faces of all the officials were very ugly. They originally thought that gambling with Qi Ning today would be no different from picking up silver, but they did not expect that it would turn out like this. They all looked disgraced, and they just bowed their hands to Qi Ning and walked quickly. leave.
Qi Ning then smiled at Su Zhen and said: "Marquis of Wuxiang, congratulations to Miss Su for marrying to Dong Qi. One day, when Miss Su becomes the Queen of Dong Qi, you, Marquis of Wuxiang, will be the head of the state of Dong Qi."
If someone else said this, Su Zhen would naturally smile, but Qining felt a little uncomfortable when he said it, but it was not a bad word after all. He smiled lightly and said: "I also congratulate you, Jin Yihou, for marrying Miss Ximen. , Jin Yihou, you have really good vision. If you have the old god to take care of you in the future, you will be able to honor your ancestors."
His words were full of sarcasm, which meant that you, Qining, wanted to marry Ximen Zhanying because you just took a fancy to the power of the Shenhou Mansion.
Qi Ning laughed and said: "Guang Zong Yao Zu can't be mentioned, but to be able to receive the grace of the saints and get the permission of the gods to have this marriage, it is naturally a blessing for my Jinyi Qi family. The emperor said that when marrying Zhan Ying, you should be graceful. Guang, originally the Jinyi Qi family has always been simple, and there is not much money in the treasury. If it were not for the sponsorship of Wuxiang Marquis and other adults, I am afraid that it would not be a great success. Hehe, now that you are helping me, it will naturally be a great success. Yes, Marquis Wuxiang must have a few more drinks by then."
Ten thousand taels of silver were thrown out at once, and even Su Zhen felt his body aching. He snorted coldly and walked away with his hands behind his back. Qining reminded himself behind him: "Don't be too late when the Marquis of Wuxiang sends someone to deliver the silver. If it's the middle of the night, Send it over, I'm afraid everyone in the house will fall asleep."
After leaving the palace, Qining rode back to his home and turned near Dewende Bridge. Thinking that the Qinhuai River was not far ahead, he immediately thought of Zhuo Xian'er.
Before going to Qi as an envoy, Qi Ning had met Zhuo Xian'er once, but he had never been there since. At this moment, he couldn't help but think of the seductive smell under Zhuo Xian'er's pretty face, and wanted to go and see him. But then he thought that he had just been given a marriage in the palace today, and it seemed a little inappropriate to see a singer on the Qinhuai River at this time.
But thinking about Zhuo Xian'er's reluctance every time he left, he couldn't help but sigh, thinking that if Zhuo Xian'er continued to make a living in the Qinhuai River, his future would be bleak and there might not be any good results. She couldn't ignore her affection.
This time I gambled with Su Zhen and others, and gained more than 20,000 taels of silver all at once, which was a lot of money. After thinking about it, I couldn't, so I used some of it to redeem Zhuo Xian'er's body, and then find a place to settle down.
While thinking about it, I couldn't help but go to the Qinhuai River.
The emperor's wedding is coming soon, and everyone in the capital knows that red lanterns have been hung up in many places. However, a long row of red lanterns has been hung up on the Yiyi trees on the bank of the Qinhuai River, although it looks more conspicuous when lit at night. Beautiful and spectacular, but also a scene unto itself during the day.
The Qinhuai River during the day is naturally not as lively as it is at night. Many boats are resting on the shore, and tourists can't compare with the people coming and going at night.
Qi Ning vaguely remembered the place where Zhuo Xianer's Painted Boat stopped before. He was riding a horse and walking by the river. His eyes swept over the boat near the shore. After walking for a while, he saw Zhuo Xianer's Painted Boat at the place where it stopped last time. He couldn't help but look at the boat on the bank. While reining in his horse, he saw someone on the bow directing a few people to do something, and whistled over there.
The man turned around and saw clearly that it was Qi Ning. He ran over quickly and jumped from the side of the boat to the shore. It was Wang Xiang, the owner of the boat, who quickly stepped forward and raised his hands: "Master Hou, you... why are you here?" "
Qi Ning smiled slightly, glanced at the boat, and asked, "Is your Miss Zhuo on board?"
"Yes!" Wang Xiang nodded immediately, but immediately showed an embarrassed look and whispered: "Master Marquis, the girl just fell asleep not long ago and looks very tired. Do you... want to wake her up?"
"Just fell asleep?" Qining frowned and said, "There are often guests on the ship recently?"
"Master Hou, the girl never sees guests." Wang Xiang said: "If there is a guest who is willing to listen to the piano, the girl can let him board the ship, but he must be outside the cabin and cannot enter the cabin. Otherwise, he will not receive the guests." He smiled bitterly and said: "Master Hou , this ship also has a lot of people to feed, so...!"
Qi Ning nodded, knowing Zhuo Xianer's difficulties, and asked: "Did Miss Zhuo play the piano for others last night?"
Wang Xiang hesitated to speak. Qining saw something was wrong and frowned: "You can't hide what you have to say. What is going on?"
Wang Xiang looked around, then stepped forward and said in a low voice: "Master Hou, girl... the girl was not on the boat last night. Not long after dark, she was... picked up by someone. At the third watch, It’s time to come back.”