"Ahem..."
Master Gu coughed twice, "Second girl, be careful when you speak."
Gu Jiu was very respectful, "Father taught me that."
Master Gu glanced at Mrs. Xie again: "Okay, I know that you are planning for the second girl."
Xie said with a straight face: "Master knows that I have good intentions, so I am satisfied."
Master Gu said to Gu Jiu again: "My wife's words still make some sense. There are too many young and bright maids in the palace. If you don't have a capable maid by your side, you are afraid of losing money."
Gu Jiu lowered his head and smiled, Master Gu really thought straight.
She solemnly said to Mr. Gu: "What father said is true. But my daughter has a different idea, and I don't know whether to say it or not."
"tell me the story."
Gu Jiu said: "Father said just now that there are too many young and bright maids in the palace, it is true.
Thinking that Young Master Zhao was used to beauty since childhood, my father and wife kindly prepared maidservants for me to compete for favor. May I ask, what kind of stunning beauty can compare with the large group of young and bright maidservants in the palace? What kind of stunning beauty can catch the eyes of Gongzi Zhao
As far as my daughter knows, those young maids in the palace must have good looks, talent and talent, not to mention piano, chess, calligraphy and painting.
The daughter didn't know anything, so she brought two brightly colored maids to marry her. She was really not afraid of being compared to the maids of the palace, making a joke? "
"This?" Master Gu looked hesitant.
The palace lacks everything, except for beauties.
Seeing Mr. Gu wavering, Gu Jiu struck while the iron was hot, and said: "I appreciate the kindness of my father and wife. I thought it would be better to wait until I get married and understand the situation. If there is really a need for maids to compete for favor, then I will invite my father and wife to come forward. It is not too late to select two stunning maidservants and send them to the palace."
Mr. Gu nodded secretly, "Your thinking is very mature, there are too many beauties in the palace, you should understand it first, and then make a decision."
Xie was not reconciled, and said: "When the second girl needs maids to compete for favor, where can I find someone temporarily? Why not take advantage of the time now, quickly find two stunning maids, and bring them to the palace together."
Gu Jiu lowered her head and smiled sarcastically. Xie's biggest problem is that he looks too ugly.
She went straight to him, "I really don't need to be in a hurry for a few days when I really need a servant girl's solid pet. My wife really knows how to joke."
Gu Jiu looked at Xie Shi with a half-smile, and reminded Xie Shi not to forget Aunt Tan.
Xie was short of breath, "Second girl, I'm also planning for you. My kindness has fed the donkey's liver and lungs."
Gu Jiu said: "Thank you Madam for your kindness in planning for me, but I don't need it."
"you… "
"Okay, don't say a few words."
Master Gu didn't give Xie any face, and directly interrupted Xie's unspoken words.
Mrs. Xie frowned, complex lights flashed in her eyes, and she rarely let go, "I will listen to the master."
Master Gu said to Gu Jiu: "From what you said, it seems that you have thought it through very clearly."
Gu Jiu bowed slightly, "Father praised me, married into the palace, and became the emperor's grandson's wife. My daughter dare not slack off for a day. I don't want to help the family, at least I don't want to cause trouble for the family."
Mr. Gu said approvingly: "It's good that you think so. You didn't waste your father's expectations for you. When you arrive at the palace, you should be more careful, watch more and talk less. Do what the princess tells you to do. Temper Don't be too stubborn, and don't let people say that you have bad manners."
"A daughter listens to her father and must abide by the rules, and dare not make a wrong step."
Gu Jiu has a very good attitude, which is a typical example of actively admitting mistakes and never repenting.
Tell her to listen to the concubine, and do what the concubine says, how is it possible!
She's not a pissed-off little daughter-in-law, and she's the most pissed off person.
Master Gu took the dowry list and said, "There are fewer people, but if you think it's enough, I won't force you."
Gu Jiu laughed, "Thank you father for your support."
Master Gu warned again: "Taking advantage of the time before the divorce period, take good care of your body and don't get tired. When the time comes, you can marry in a happy manner."
The time has entered the coldest month of the year, the twelfth lunar month.
The wind was howling, and it snowed early this year.
In such weather, I wish I could stay in the room twelve hours a day.
There was a brazier burning in the room, and it was very warm.
With only a few days left before the wedding, the eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang, and the eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang, have already started preparing for the wedding.
For Gu Jiu's big wedding, Mr. Gu reserved fifty tables for the banquet, and invited all his classmates, friends, and colleagues from the officialdom. It was lively and lively.
It is not easy to prepare a banquet for fifty tables and it is winter.
Banquets cannot be placed outdoors, only indoors.
The three flower halls can only accommodate thirty tables at most.
Fortunately, the male guests dined in the outer courtyard.
The flower hall in the outer courtyard can also accommodate thirty tables.
It is estimated that some guests will not come, but some guests may come uninvited. The eldest wife Zhang asked the kitchen to prepare three extra tables for banquets.
Mrs. Xie picked up the guest list and looked at it, "All members of the family who are far away from each other should be invited? Is it necessary?"
The eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang, said: "The list drawn up by your lord, if the siblings have any objections, please go to your lord."
Mrs. Xie snorted, "These tribesmen come to the door, and they have to fight the autumn wind. Sister-in-law, are you ready?"
The eldest wife Zhang said: "Don't worry, I have already prepared."
As for which clansmen will take the opportunity to fight the autumn wind, Zhang's heart is clear.
After all, having been the housewife for so many years, she is able to deal with these poor relatives with ease.
Mrs. Xie continued to browse the guest list, "Minister of the Ministry of Rites, the whole family is here. Why haven't my master mentioned this family before?"
The eldest wife Zhang laughed, "I don't know about that."
Mrs. Xie saw a familiar name on the list, "Su Zheng, I can understand, what's the matter with this Second Master Su? When did the Su family come to the capital, why didn't I know?"
Seeing Master Su's name, Mrs. Xie's expression changed.
The eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang, glanced at the list, "It is indeed the second master Su. I heard that I just arrived in the capital, and I have already met my second brother at the yamen."
Xie's face turned ashen, "The Su family is ashamed to call themselves a scholarly family. When they come to the capital, they don't know how to come to say hello."
"The Su family's uncle and nephew are in the capital, and they don't have any female relatives by their side. How can they come to see the younger brother and sister. It's very suitable to go directly to the yamen to meet the second brother."
Xie gritted her teeth, "Even if you don't come to see me, shouldn't you ask about the second girl's situation? Shouldn't you ask about Gu Ting's situation?"
The eldest wife, Mrs. Zhang, looked at Mrs. Xie with a half-smile, "Why did the younger brother and sister react so strongly when the second master of the Su family went to the capital? Gu Ting was trained in the military camp. When the second girl gets married, the uncle and nephew will see each other for themselves. As for the situation of the second girl, you can ask the second brother if you don't know."
Xie was so angry that he threw the list on the table.
"This list includes the Su family, all relatives and friends, except the Xie family."
Mrs. Zhang picked up the list, "When Shan'er gets married, the younger siblings will invite all of the Xie family, but the Su family doesn't know any of them, so it's just fine. There's nothing to be angry about."
Mrs. Xie stared at Mrs. Zhang, "Sister-in-law said it simply. You are not in my position, how can you understand my difficulties. When the second girl got married, the relatives and friends saw that there was no one in Xie's family. How will everyone talk about it? How can I have any face?"
Mrs. Zhang advised Mrs. Xie, "Just tell everyone that Xie's family is in the filial piety period, and it is inconvenient to attend the wedding banquet."
Mrs. Xie was stunned for a moment, Mrs. Zhang was right, the Xie family is in the filial piety period, and it is indeed inconvenient to attend the wedding banquet.
It's just that Xie's heart is still very upset.
She grabbed the handkerchief, which was almost torn by her.
"Second Master Su didn't even say hello, but ran to the capital. Could it be that he came to fight the autumn wind?"
Mrs. Zhang rolled her eyes, despising Mrs. Xie in her heart.
"Even if the Su family is down and out, they won't come to our Gu family to play the autumn breeze. Brother and sister, you are thinking too much."
Mrs. Xie laughed mockingly, "How is that impossible? Back then when we were still in the northwest, that kid Su Zheng made a deliberate detour just to come and beat the autumn breeze."
Mrs. Zhang asked, "Did the siblings give you money?"
Xie choked.
Although she knew that Su Zheng came to the door to beat the wind, but she really never gave a copper coin.
Xie said stiffly, "I didn't give it, but my master definitely gave it."
Mrs. Zhang sneered, "I don't know how much money the second brother gave Su Zheng?"
Xie said, "It's just more and more."
Mrs. Zhang laughed, "Brothers and sisters, I advise you not to talk nonsense about things you don't understand, so as not to cause misunderstandings. How did I hear that Su Zheng was only busy copying books every day when he was in Jinzhou. I want my second brother to prepare the money."
"Who did you hear that from? Is the second girl talking nonsense in front of you to save face for the Su family?"
Mrs. Zhang shook her head, "Two days ago when I was checking the list with Gu Quan, we talked about the Su family. Gu Quan told me that Su Zheng didn't even want a second brother for a penny."
Mrs. Xie frowned, "How is it possible? Su Zheng is a poor man, he pretends to be noble and doesn't bother him, is he trying to starve to death?"
Mrs. Zhang said with a smile: "Young master Su did not starve to death. I heard that I rented two rooms in the capital, so I can study with peace of mind."
Mrs. Xie sneered, "These scholars like to pretend to be noble, and they want to save face and suffer."
Mrs. Zhang is too lazy to gossip with Mrs. Xie, "Since I have read the list of brothers and sisters, if there is no problem, I will go to work first."
Xie Shi nodded.
After Mrs. Zhang left, Mrs. Xie called Gao Sanfu, "Go and find out where that kid Su Zheng lives. I heard that the second master of the Su family also went to the capital. You should try to find out why the second master Su went to the capital." thing."
"Little one obeys."
When Mrs. Xie was thinking about the matters of the Su family, Gu Jiu sneaked out of the mansion and came to the courtyard that Su Zheng rented in Nancheng.
It turned out that Su Zheng rented two rooms, and the rent was cheap.
Master Su Er went to the capital, and Su Zhengcai rented a small courtyard to live in again.
When Gu Jiu saw Second Master Su, he hurried forward to salute, "I've seen Second Uncle."
Master Su Er was very excited, "Get up, get up quickly. As soon as I received your letter, I was in a hurry, and finally arrived in the capital before the canal froze."
Gu Jiu smiled sweetly, "Second Uncle, I am so tired that you still have to go to the capital in winter."
Second Master Su waved his hands again and again, "I should thank you. If it weren't for your help, the whole family would not have a good New Year."
Gu Jiu said with a smile: "If the fat and water don't fall into the field of outsiders, there will be good things. Naturally, I should think about the two uncles."
This time Master Su came to the capital mainly to deliver medicinal materials.
The ancestral home of the Su family is rich in medicinal materials.
Gu Jiu wanted to open a medicine shop, and at that time, he thought of the two uncles who were idle at home.
She asked Song Zheng to go to the ancestral home of the Su family with money and find the two uncles.
Although the Su family was in decline, there were several generations of good and bad people back then, with a very wide relationship and acquaintance with many people.
The Su family came forward to buy medicinal materials for Gu Jiu, which not only guaranteed the quality, but also lowered the price, and they didn't have to worry about being oppressed by local snakes, which naturally saved a lot of work.
Gu Jiu wanted to take care of the two uncles, and she had agreed at the beginning that she would make a profit for the two uncles, and approve the medicinal materials for her according to the market price.
Worried that the two uncles would not accept it, Gu Jiu deliberately wrote a long letter. He also encouraged Su Zheng to write a letter home to persuade the Su family.
Then there was the matter that Master Su Er went to the capital to deliver medicinal materials in person.
With Song Zheng escorting them all the way, and the official documents that Gu Yu obtained for Gu Jiu, they arrived in the capital smoothly.
With Gu Jiu taking care of them, the Su family finally got better this year.
Therefore, Second Master Su is grateful to Gu Jiu, his niece, from the bottom of his heart.
Su Zheng made and poured tea himself.
"Cousin Xiaojiu, please drink tea."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Cousin Su is polite. Cousin Su should also sit down and talk."
Su Zheng nodded, and sat down beside Master Su Er.
Master Su Er was very concerned about Gu Jiu's medicinal shop, worried that Gu Jiu owed money.
"Xiao Jiu, has the patent medicine shop mentioned in your letter opened yet?"
Gu Jiu shook her head, "Not yet."
Master Su Er suddenly became worried, "There are so many herbs, what should I do?"
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Second uncle, don't worry, the shop has already been found, just wait for your batch of medicinal materials to arrive in the capital, and it will open on an auspicious day."
Second Master Su heaved a sigh of relief, "Xiao Jiu, don't blame uncle for talking too much, the off-the-shelf medicine business is not easy to do. You have to have an experienced doctor in charge and a few prescriptions in the shop."
Gu Jiu said: "Uncle, don't worry, an experienced doctor has been found, and it is guaranteed to be reliable. We also have prescriptions for the town store. We can open for business only on auspicious days."
Master Su Er was completely relieved now, the muscles on his cheeks relaxed, and even his gray beard looked relaxed.
Su Zheng refilled Master Su's teacup and said softly, "Uncle, don't worry about sister Xiaojiu. Sister Xiaojiu will marry into the palace soon. With the status of the emperor's grandson wife, no one dares to disturb her medicine shop." , business will start soon.”
Master Su Er is not as optimistic as Su Zheng. He has seen the struggle in court and how Emperor Kaiyao brutally suppressed the royal family back then.
In those years, the blood shed by the royal family could fill the entire Xingqing Palace.
The downfall of the Su family can be said to be inextricably linked to the purge of the royal clan.
Master Su Er stroked his beard, and the sleeves of his white-washed robe were already unthreaded.
He said: "I still have some impressions of King Ning. He was also a very talented person back then, and he had a tendency to overwhelm the Crown Prince. Later, something happened, and King Ning became more and more absurd. The most absurd Once, he put the maid of Xingqing Palace to sleep."
ah
King Ning really wanted to die. He even dared to touch the maids around the emperor.
Master Su Er continued: "That time, King Ning was beaten half to death and locked in a small room in the imperial mausoleum for a whole year.
Later, it was King Ning who bribed the people around the emperor, and was able to return to the capital.
Because of this incident, no matter how many ridiculous things King Ning did later, the emperor didn't care.
Now that I think about it, it might not be absurd for King Ning to get involved with the maids of Xingqing Palace, and it might be intentional, to put them to death and reborn later. "
"And this?"
Gu Jiu was speechless, and at the same time, he was deeply impressed by King Ning's courage and strategy.
King Ning refreshed his lower limit from the very beginning, which is equivalent to inoculating the emperor in advance. Since then, all his absurd behaviors are nothing compared to the maids of Xingqing Palace.
The emperor has accepted King Ning's lower limit. As long as he does not break through this lower limit, the emperor will not do anything to King Ning's death. Instead, she will pamper him.
This is like a person who is a pornographic, gambling and drug addict, who is full of five poisons. Suddenly he does not gamble or take drugs, and only pornography is left. At this time, there is nothing his family and friends can tolerate.
Not only tolerant, but also said that his prodigal son turned back.
King Ning made a bold gamble back then, and he was right.
Second Master Su solemnly reminded Gu Jiu, "Prince Ning, your grandfather said back then that the city is deep and ruthless. If you are ruthless to others, you are even more ruthless to yourself.
Xiao Jiu, when you marry into the palace, you must remember that you must never offend His Royal Highness Ning Wang. For anything related to King Ning, you should not come forward, let Young Master Zhao come forward. "
Gu Jiu stood up and thanked Master Su, "Thank you for reminding me, Uncle Second, I will keep it in mind."
Even Nanny Fang didn't know what Second Master Su said just now.
After all, Nanny Fang's eyes were only on the harem, the inner house. She doesn't know anything about the court affairs.