One autumn rain and one cool.
After two consecutive days of rain, the autumn tiger retreated and finally ushered in a cool autumn.
Everyone also took off their summer clothes and put on slightly thicker autumn clothes.
Early in the morning, Xiao Qin'er came to Chunhe Hall to say hello.
She has been pregnant for more than five months, and her belly is slightly swollen.
People don't gain weight, they grow white.
Mrs. Pei looked at her for a while, and first asked with concern: "How is your appetite recently? Is the child fussy?"
Xiao Qin'er caressed her abdomen and smiled coyly, "The appetite is fine. The child is not very fussy. The imperial doctor said that the child will not be particularly fussy until the last two months."
Mrs. Pei nodded, and said: "You take care of yourself."
"The daughter-in-law listens to the concubine mother and will definitely take care of herself and add a golden grandson to the concubine mother."
Mrs. Pei smiled, she would like to have a golden grandson.
But there are more important things than Jinsun at the moment.
"Fourth daughter-in-law, you can hand over all the money that fourth brother entrusts to you."
Xiao Qin'er was dumbfounded at first, then emptied, her eyes rolled left and right, "What kind of money, my daughter-in-law doesn't understand. Cousin didn't give me any money."
Xiao Qin'er and Liu Yi were cousins married, and after they became husband and wife, they were often referred to as cousins.
Pei's face darkened, "The fourth child was ordered to go to the south of the Yangtze River on business, but he only sent back less than 40,000 taels of silver, which is more than half less than in previous years.
Because the prince was furious about this matter, he has already sent people to Jiangnan to investigate the matter, and it is estimated that the result has already been reached.
Do you keep the money that the fourth brother is greedy for? Before the prince notices you, you quickly hand over the money. This princess will cover one thing or two for you, so that the prince will not punish you. "
Xiao Qin'er's face changed slightly, and she tried to smile, but the smile was unnatural.
"My daughter-in-law really doesn't understand what the concubine mother said. What kind of money, my cousin really never gave me any money. Ever since I married my cousin, I have been using the dowry money to supplement my cousin's expenses."
Mrs. Pei snorted coldly, "You don't listen to what my princess says, but do you have to send someone to search your room?"
Xiao Qin'er looked left and right, not making eye contact with Pei's, "Mother Concubine's words are too scary. My daughter-in-law is still pregnant, and she is very uncomfortable when she is startled."
Snapped!
Mrs. Pei patted the table, "Don't act in front of this princess. This princess has given birth to three children. You can hide from me what happens when a woman is pregnant. Recently, you added a few thousand taels of jewelry. Where did the money come from? Came here? My concubine asked someone to investigate, everything is clear."
After a pause, she said earnestly: "Since the fourth child is confused, are you also confused? Is the prince's anger dissipated so easily? When the fourth child returns to Beijing, the prince will definitely punish her. Suffering from flesh and blood, you still hurriedly handed over the remaining money and took care of this matter for the fourth child."
Xiao Qin'er burst into tears suddenly, "My cousin really didn't give me any money."
"He didn't give you the money himself, but he sent someone to give you the money. Up to now, you still don't admit it. Are you determined to recognize the money but not the person?"
Pei's words were harsh, and her voice was extremely harsh, forcing Xiao Qin'er to spit out all the remaining money.
Xiao Qin'er stubbornly resisted, "Is the mother concubine trying to force the daughter-in-law to death? The daughter-in-law really has no money."
Mrs. Pei was not polite to her, "Since you are unwilling to accept it, my concubine will send someone to search your room. If a large amount of money is found, don't blame me for ignoring your pregnancy. Come, go to the fourth lady In the room, search carefully."
Xiao Qin'er became anxious, "Mother concubine, daughter-in-law admits it."
Pei waved her hand to stop the maid from searching the house.
She glared at Xiao Qin'er, "You don't shed tears when you see the coffin. You must force me to send someone to search your room."
Xiao Qin'er wept and cried, "Mother and Concubine Mingjian, my daughter-in-law is really poor."
Mrs. Pei frowned, "Is there any place in the palace that has less clothes than you, less food than you? I don't know why you are poor, my princess?"
Xiao Qin'er cried: "My cousin's monthly expenses range from one to two thousand taels to as many as four to five thousand taels. The money allocated by the public is not enough at all, and it is all subsidized by the daughter-in-law's dowry silver.
In less than a year, my dowry money was spent. When my cousin left Beijing, he promised that he would bring money back.
When I receive the money, I will just think that he found some kind of connection in Jiangnan, so he has the money. It never occurred to him that the money might have been corrupted by him from the public.
Concubine Mu, you are well aware of your cousin's temper. Although he is a bit lazy, he will definitely not be greedy for money from Mr. Mo. There must be some misunderstanding here. "
Pei's face was stern, "Is it a misunderstanding, the prince will investigate clearly. You first explain, how much money did the fourth brother give you?"
Xiao Qin'er wiped her tears with a handkerchief, "A total of 20,000 taels were given away, and the daughter-in-law used about 5,000 taels, leaving 15,000 taels."
Pei's heart was filled with anger, Xiao Qin'er could really spend money. One shot is five thousand taels.
She asked, "Did you report the wrong amount? Why is it only 20,000 taels? Could it be that you are playing tricks again?"
Xiao Qin'er shook her head again and again, "My daughter-in-law doesn't dare play tricks, she really only has 20,000 taels. The maids can testify to this matter."
Mrs. Pei stared at Xiao Qin'er suspiciously, "My concubine will believe your words for now. Hand in all fifteen thousand taels."
"Where is the father?" Xiao Qin'er looked at Mrs. Pei anxiously.
Pei said: "My lord, my concubine will take care of it for you."
Xiao Qin'er had no choice but to reluctantly hand over fifteen thousand taels.
The maid went back to her room to get the bank note, Pei was worried and sent her servant Wen Zhong to follow her.
When Wen Zhong returned to Chunhe Hall with 15,000 taels, Mrs. Pei smiled with satisfaction.
She accepted the bank note, "Go back to your room and have a good rest, be quiet, and don't make any trouble."
Xiao Qin'er bowed to accept the order.
She walked in the garden, spoiling the flowers and plants along the way.
She kept complaining, "My concubine is too much. This is the money my cousin gave me. Why should I confiscate it? If I had known this would be the result, I should have spent all the money when I got it. She won't get a penny."
"Madam, calm down first. Be careful of the baby in your stomach."
Xiao Qin'er snorted, "Having a child is not the same as being reprimanded by the mother and concubine, and forced me to take money out."
She was really wronged, complaining and crying all the way back to the room. Many people saw this scene, and things about her quickly spread throughout the palace.
…
Ouyang Fu served in front of Concubine Shen.
When Concubine Shen learned that Xiao Qin'er was being forced to take the money, she laughed three times, "It's what she deserves! Tell her to show off, and it's not cheap in the end, Princess."
Ouyang Fu said: "I really didn't expect that the fourth son would even dare to covet the prince's money. Isn't he afraid of the prince's questioning?"
Concubine Shen leaned against her weakness and smiled, "He has nothing to fear. He is the prince's son, the most favored son in the mansion, so what if he is greedy for the prince's money. The prince can't let him die. A meal. At that time, the money will be spent, and a meal will be worth it."
Ouyang Fu said: "It's just like this, how dare the prince arrange errands for him. Isn't it worth the loss."
Concubine Shen chuckled, "Maybe he was greedy for money because his brain was flooded. Maybe it was because his head was dazzled by the melodious sounds of the south of the Yangtze River, and he couldn't tell the seriousness. In short, the fourth child made a mess this time. After returning to Beijing There will definitely be a clean up. At that time, I will blow the wind in the prince's ear, and let the prince arrange more errands for the second son."
When Ouyang Fu heard this, she became happy, "These years, my husband has always done some idle errands, and only a few serious errands. The prince is really partial. Taking advantage of the opportunity of the fourth son's mess, it is time to fight for the husband. .”
Concubine Shen said with a smile: "Try to let the second son go to Jiangnan next year. Next time you go to Jiangnan, you don't need to be greedy for the money from Mr. Mo, but you can also hold ten thousand or twenty thousand silver."
Ouyang Fu was surprised, "Is the money in Jiangnan so easy to earn?"
Concubine Shen said: "Jiangnan is a rich and gentle town. A small salt merchant can have hundreds of thousands of family assets. Those big salt merchants must have millions or tens of millions. Is the money good or not?"
When Ouyang Fu heard this, a secret worry arose in her heart.
Why do salt merchants give people money for nothing? They must be asking for something!
Either beg for a way out, or be a plug woman.
How many contacts does the Second Young Master have? If he goes to the south of the Yangtze River, there will be a ninety-eight chance that he will be stuffed with women.
Thinking of the next trip to the south of the Yangtze River, there will be another woman in the backyard, Ouyang Fu feels bad.
She really didn't have much confidence to clamor that the Second Young Master was not allowed to take a concubine.
She has been in the house for more than two years, nearly three years, but she has no children, not even a daughter.
For more than a year, she has been taking medicine to take care of her body, but she has been unable to conceive.
Sometimes she would secretly wonder if it might be the second young master's health problem.
But she dared not say it out loud.
After all, she had a bad pregnancy before, but she couldn't keep it.
Ouyang Fu could only echo Concubine Shen's words and smiled appropriately.
Concubine Shen seemed to have guessed what she was thinking, and said something to beat her, "What about you, don't be so heavy-hearted. Take good care of the house and take care of the housework for the second son. There will be a child sooner or later. If it doesn't work, you just want to leave point, let the life that can be born."
The implication is to be the master and give the second son a concubine.
Ouyang Fu lowered her head and whispered, "My daughter-in-law's health has improved a lot. The imperial doctor said that she should be able to conceive smoothly next year."
Concubine Shen looked at her with a half-smile, "Really? The imperial doctor really said that you can conceive next year?"
Ouyang Fu nodded heavily, "I will definitely conceive next year."
Concubine Shen's face was indifferent, "It's best to conceive. If you can't conceive, I will give the opportunity to others. The second son is not young, and he should have had a child long ago."
Ouyang Fu said weakly: "My daughter-in-law has always followed the doctor's orders and dare not relax in the slightest."
Concubine Shen hummed, "Remember, you are the second wife, and you want to spread the branches and leaves for the palace. If you are unable to have children, then don't be jealous, and don't let the second son take concubines."
"My daughter-in-law knows." Ouyang Fu was wronged, but she didn't dare to show it.
Concubine Shen said with emotion again, "I don't know if there is really a problem with the feng shui of the palace. You and the third wife have been in the door for so long and have not given birth. Only the fourth wife finally conceived a child. And Gu Nine, nothing happened."
Ouyang Fu defended Gu Jiu, "Eldest sister-in-law didn't move, so I can't blame her. The eldest son has been away from the palace since the opening of the new year, and he just came back a while ago."
Concubine Shen said: "Then wait until next year. If there is no movement from Gu Jiu next year, I really want to mention to the prince, find Mr. Yin Yang to visit the palace. Is there something too evil that is not good for the heirs?"
…
Gu Jiu didn't know that someone was already thinking about her belly.
She is busy with jewelry design.
Liu Zhao is very trustworthy, saying that three days will be three days.
One day is not much, one day is less, 15,000 taels plus three skilled jewelry craftsmen were all delivered to her hands.
With money and people, Gu Jiu is ready to do a big job.
The original teahouse was closed for renovation.
The artisans live in the backyard of the tea house, which will also be a jewelry workshop in the future.
Gu Jiu ordered Song Zheng to select reliable personnel to guard the workshop to ensure the safety of property.
Since the morning, Gu Jiu has already drawn five jewelry design drawings.
The sketches I learned in my previous life came in handy again.
The five design drawings have long been hidden in my mind. When writing, if God helps.
Each one is colored and looks lifelike.
"So lovely!"
Several servant girls surrounded Gu Jiu, looking at the colored design.
"Such jewelry must be very expensive."
Gu Jiu nodded, "Based on the positioning of Zhenbaozhai, the cheapest jewelry costs one hundred taels. The most expensive jewelry is worth ten thousand taels."
"Wow! But where does Madam get the rough jewelry? Without the rough jewelry, these jewelry can't be made."
Gu Jiu smiled softly, "Currently Zhenbaozhai mainly focuses on red gold jewelry, and Zhenbaozhai will launch various kinds of jewelry in the future."
Meals have to be eaten bite by bite, and business has to be done slowly.
It is not realistic to expect to become fat with one bite.
Gu Jiu designed two ways for Zhenbaozhai.
The first way is to focus on red gold jewelry in the first half of the year, supplemented by jewelry. Raw jewelry stones are purchased from jewelers in the capital. Although the price is high, which reduces their own profits, it can help Zhenbaozhai quickly open up the market.
At the same time, they sent people down to the south of the Yangtze River to look for sea merchants. Establish a long-term cooperative relationship with marine merchants, purchase goods from marine merchants, reduce costs and increase profits.
When she has enough capital, the next step is to organize cargo personnel to go to sea, and she will also do sea trade.
As a result, the people in her hands are simply not enough, and she has to train more talents.
If given the chance, she would also get involved in the salt and iron business, transforming from a young rich woman into a rich woman.
From morning to evening, Gu Jiu drew ten design drawings in one go.
Continue tomorrow.
Collect enough 20 design drawings, and then ask the craftsmen to build and tidy up according to the design drawings.
After the decoration of Zhenbaozhai is completed, it can open for business.
Xiao Cui said to her: "My servant heard that the Fourth Madam cried all afternoon."
Gu Jiu laughed, "I lost fifteen thousand taels, so it's no wonder she didn't cry."
"Fourth Madam is pregnant, won't it hurt the baby in her stomach if she cries like this?" Qing Mei was a little worried.
Gu Jiu said: "Don't worry about it, the princess won't just sit idly by if the Fourth Madam continues to cry like this. She will definitely send someone for the imperial physician and visit her personally."
Gu Jiu was right, when the imperial physician came in, Mrs. Pei followed the imperial physician to visit Xiao Qin'er.
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law closed the door and talked a lot.
When Mrs. Pei left, Xiao Qin'er laughed through tears. Obviously, Mrs. Pei coaxed her.
Early in the morning, Gu Jiu drew two design drawings, the concierge came to report, and the wife of the Daihou Mansion sent someone to deliver a letter.
"Sister Mei's letter, bring it in quickly."
Xiaocui put the letter in Gu Jiu's hand.
Gu Jiu hurriedly opened the letter and read it.
She frowned.
Sister Mei's daughter had a persistent high fever and cough, and the imperial physician was helpless. She rushed to the doctor in a hurry and begged Gu Jiu. Please Gu Jiu must go to the mansion to treat the child.
Gu Jiu didn't dare to delay.
Immediately ordered someone to pack her luggage and followed her to the Daihou Mansion.
He arrived at Daihou's mansion in a carriage, and got off the carriage at the second gate.
The people in Daihou's Mansion only thought that she came to visit Gu Mei, but they didn't know that she was good at medicine.
Gu Jiu didn't bother to chatter with the people in Daihou's Mansion, "Lead the way ahead, take me to see Sister Mei."
The mother-in-law didn't dare to delay, and led Gu Jiu to the backyard.
"Sister Xiaojiu, you are here."
"Sister Mei, how long have you not rested? Is the child okay?"
"The child is not good, please take a look at the child."
When the two met, they didn't bother to exchange pleasantries. Gu Jiu followed Gu Mei directly into the bedroom.
The little child was lying on the bed with flushed cheeks and hot forehead.
She immediately ordered, "Open some windows for ventilation, prepare boiling water, and high-strength wine. All irrelevant people go out."
Gu Mei was anxious and at a loss, "Sister Xiao Jiu, is the child still alive?"
"Sister Mei, don't be in a hurry. Tell me first, how long has the child been burned?"
"I had a fever since yesterday morning, and it hasn't subsided until now. I started coughing again last night. The doctor tried various methods, but failed to reduce the child's fever. I am almost dying of anxiety. What if the child has something wrong? , what should be done."
Gu Mei started to cry as she spoke.