"Old man! At this time, Li Zhaoyi has to be called to bed."
Concubine Xue Gui was very irritable, walking up and down in the bedroom.
The old guy in her mouth naturally refers to the Son of Heaven, Emperor Kai Yao.
The confidant persuaded in a low voice, "Your Majesty, keep your voice down, be careful that the walls have ears."
Concubine Xue Gui's face was serious, "Whoever dares to spread half a word of this palace's words, this palace will punish her nine clans."
After finishing speaking, she walked up and down in the dormitory irritably, looking very irritable.
"I dedicated two beauties to the old man, both of whom had nothing to say after sleeping for one night. On the contrary, Li Zhaoyi was pregnant, and the old man did not forget her. He sent people to care about her every three days. Rewards are sent over like running water. How can the beauties presented by this palace be worse than Li Zhaoyi?"
The confidant thought about it for a while, and said: "I heard that Li Zhaoyi is good at piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, and likes to read. Could it be because of this reason that His Majesty treats her so differently.
Moreover, Li Zhaoyi was pregnant again, and people inside and outside the palace said that this child must be a prince. His Majesty is old enough to have a son, so he loves the house and the crow, and spoils Li Zhaoyi very much. "
Concubine Xue frowned, "I've only been sleeping all night, how can I tell if there is any ink?"
The confidant said: "Perhaps during the question-and-answer process of His Majesty, the essence of inklessness was exposed, which was rejected by His Majesty."
Concubine Xue thought for a while, "According to what you said, I have to prepare a talented beauty to present to Your Majesty. At this time, where would you ask me to find a beauty who has studied, played piano, chess, calligraphy and painting? Is this Palace selecting someone from the Xue family?"
The confidant whispered: "Madam, there is a ready-made candidate in Ganlu Palace. Although he doesn't know how to play piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, he can read books all day long. He can be regarded as proficient in literature and ink in his stomach. And he looks stunning, and he will definitely be accepted Pet."
"Oh? There are people like this around Bengong, why doesn't Bengong know?"
The confidant said: "Actually, she has shown her face in front of the empress. Among the five people selected by the empress, she is one of them."
"Don't be a fool, who is it?"
The confidant hurriedly said: "Jiang Yan! At the beginning, she entered the palace as an errand in the Clothes Bureau, and later worked as a sweeping maid in the Ganlu Palace. She is honest and responsible, likes to read, is proficient in writing and ink, and knows the truth."
"Oh? Go and call Jiang Yan here. I want to check it out myself. Is she as good as you said?"
"The servant obeys."
…
Soon, Jiang Yan was sent to the bedroom.
She felt uneasy, she didn't know why Concubine Xue Gui asked her to come here at this time.
Concubine Xue Gui lay on the Arhat couch, "Are you Jiang Yan?"
"Returning to your mother, the servant girl is Jiang Yan."
"I heard that you like to read books and have just mastered literature and ink, but is it true?"
"The servant girl only knows a few words."
Concubine Xue Gui smiled, "Can you play piano, chess, calligraphy and painting?"
Jiang Yan shook her head slightly, "I can only write, I have no chance to learn anything else."
"Write a few words to see."
The palace people prepared the four treasures of the study and put them on the table.
Jiang Yan stepped forward, pondered for a while, and wrote down the six characters "Greetings, Madam Shengan".
In the past two years, she has not forgotten Gu Jiu's teachings, and she will read and practice calligraphy when she has time. If you don't have ink, practice with water.
Six words, still neat. After all, the time to learn to write is not long, so it is not very good-looking. But it also dumped ninety-nine out of ten court ladies.
The little yellow door in the palace has the opportunity to go to the inner study to study and practice calligraphy, and cultivate it since childhood.
If you are lucky, you will be able to serve the emperor in close proximity, serving as a regular servant, a servant, or even a young prisoner.
Like Fang Shaojian and Chen Jianzheng, they climbed up from the inner study step by step.
But the court ladies did not have the opportunity to read and practice calligraphy, especially those from poor families.
The female officials in the palace do not belong to the category of court ladies, but are mostly the daughters of officials. They are plated with gold in the palace, so they will be easy to marry in the future. They are another matter.
Jiang Yan is the real deal, she climbed up step by step from the lowest court lady, she can read and write, and she can also write, and her writing is neat, which is really rare.
With a charming cheek, Concubine Xue nodded in satisfaction.
However, this maid named Jiang Yan is indeed stronger than the others.
Concubine Xue Gui asked again: "What books have you read?"
Jiang Yan suppressed the fear in her heart, and reported the titles of more than ten books.
what!
Xue Guifei was very surprised, "Have you read the Four Books and Five Classics?"
Jiang Yan nodded, "I will recite a few chapters."
"Then you can recite it and listen."
Jiang Yan chose the one she was most familiar with, and recited it word by word with a crisp voice.
Concubine Xue Gui had already fully approved of Jiang Yan after hearing half of it.
She raised her hand, and Jiang Yan stopped reciting.
Concubine Xue Gui stared at her and said: "Read more books and practice calligraphy when you have time. I will arrange for you to serve His Majesty tomorrow."
Jiang Yan's face turned pale.
Concubine Xue Gui narrowed her eyes immediately, "Why, you don't want to?"
"Slave, I am willing!" Jiang Yan said with difficulty.
Concubine Xue laughed, "Okay, let's go down. I hope you won't disappoint Bengong."
Jiang Yan bowed and retreated, feeling very flustered.
She wanted to find a chance to meet Zhou Miao, but Concubine Xue sent someone to watch her, so she never had a chance to go out.
In just a few days, it was time to attend bedtime.
Jiang Yan was scrubbed clean, put on light gauze clothes, and sent to Xingqing Palace.
…
After that night, Jiang Yan was named Baolin.
The emperor summoned her to sleep with her for three consecutive days, and three days later, she was promoted to be Jieyu.
Concubine Xue Gui was very satisfied with this, and specially asked someone to tidy up a side hall in Ganlu Palace and gave it to Jiang Yan to live in. He also arranged for the servant Xiao Huangmen to wait on him.
At the same time, the reward of the emperor's flowing water was sent to the side hall.
She seemed to be the newcomer in the harem.
Since having Jiang Yan, the emperor no longer summoned Li Zhaoyi to speak with him. The euphemistic name is, I am afraid that Li Zhaoyi will be tired. They also specially sent someone to tell Li Zhaoyi to have a baby.
When he was free, the emperor called Jiang Yan to accompany him.
Jiang Yan read books for the emperor and served pen and ink. Sometimes I have to play the role of a student and listen to the emperor explaining historical allusions and celebrities.
Jiang Yan listened very carefully, and also had a point of view on taking care of Jiu.
I thought to myself, Gu Jiu's point of view is really close to the emperor's point of view. It's all stark reality.
Back then, when Jiang Nan served Gu Jiu, Gu Jiu praised her for being smart, diligent and willing to work hard. Is the teacher's favorite student.
Now that Jiang Yan is the emperor's "student", she works harder and harder, and the emperor is very satisfied.
This is better than Li Zhaoyi.
Li Zhaoyi likes piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, and is very talented. However, I don't like historical allusions, and I don't want to study hard. She prefers to spend her time on piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, rather than reading and literacy.
Jiang Yan made the emperor find a long-lost feeling of being a teacher, and he looked two years younger.
Because of this, his love for Jiang Yan increased by two points.
A month later, Jiang Yan was named Shuyi again.
In just over a month, Jiang Yan's life has undergone earth-shaking changes from a penniless court lady to Jiang Shuyi.
Her original goal of climbing high branches seems to have finally come true.
After being named Shuyi by the Jin Dynasty, Jiang Yan also had a little power in her hands.
The purpose of Concubine Xue Gui using her is to suppress Li Zhaoyi.
Jiang Yan completed the task very well, so Concubine Xue Gui would not interfere with her daily actions.
When Jiang Yan gained power, the first thing she did was summon Zhou Miao.
Zhou Miao works in Shangshan Supervisor, and worships Shangshan Supervisor as his godfather. That's why he had a way to arrange Jiang Yan from the Huanyi Bureau to Ganlu Palace as an errand.
Zhou Miao came to a side hall of Ganlu Palace.
"My little one, please greet Jiang Shuyi."
"Excuse me, get up and talk."
"Miss Xie Shuyi."
Zhou Miao got up, and secretly blinked at Jiang Yan.
Jiang Yan found an excuse and sent out all the maids serving around her.
Then Zhou Miao said with a smile: "Congratulations, you have grown from an unknown maid to the status of Shuyi in just one month. It is not impossible to become a concubine and become the master of the first palace in the future."
"Stop laughing at me." Jiang Yan beckoned Zhou Miao to speak.
"Li Zhaoyi now regards me as a thorn in the side, a thorn in the flesh. I'm afraid she can't help it. Please help me, what should I do?"
Zhou Miao stiffened her neck, "She is Zhaoyi, you are Shuyi, and you are both of the same rank, third grade. What are you afraid of her doing?"
"She is pregnant with a dragon seed and has her mother's family as her backer. Can I not be afraid? I don't have her mother's family as her backer."
Zhou Miao asked, "Where's your natal family? You didn't let His Majesty reward your natal family?"
"I have lost contact with my natal family for several years. I don't know whether they are dead or alive. Even if you want to award a reward, you have to find my natal family first."
Zhou Miao frowned, "Your problem is difficult. Why don't you go to Concubine Xue Gui, she held you up with one hand, and she must be reluctant to lose you. If you tell her the truth, she must have a way to deal with Li Zhaoyi."
Jiang Yan snorted and breathed out through her nostrils.
"If the imperial concubine really has a way to deal with Li Zhaoyi, she doesn't have to hold me up and fight against Li Zhaoyi."
Zhou Miao stared at Jiang Yan, and asked in a low voice, "Are you having two minds? You don't want to be at the mercy of Concubine Xue?"
Jiang Yan also lowered her voice, "Who wants to be at the mercy of others for the rest of their lives. I have no choice but to attach myself to the imperial concubine. When I have full wings in the future, I will definitely separate myself from her."
Zhou Miao giggled, "I knew you were evil-hearted, and you don't miss old love."
"Fart! Ben Gong also misses old love, but it depends on what kind of old love it is."
Zhou Miao said with a smile: "It doesn't matter, anyway, I appreciate your black-hearted, ruthless temper.
In fact, the inside and outside of this palace are the same. If you have money, you can eat all over the world, but if you don't have money, you can't move a single step.
If you want to protect yourself, and you want someone to command you, you must have money.
You and Li Zhaoyi are equally favored, so what does she rely on to deal with you, not on people.
She has someone rich, and she will frame you in a few rounds, and then let someone slander and slander you in front of His Majesty, and she will be able to put you in the cold palace.
After all, Li Zhaoyi wants money and money and people, and it has become a momentum. Although your status is the same, in terms of power, you are not even as good as her little finger. "
"You said so much, what exactly do you want to say?"
Zhou Miao said: "If you want to protect yourself and form your own power network, you must first have money."
Jiang Yan frowned, "I don't have any money. Your Majesty has rewarded me with many good things, but these good things cannot be sold outside the palace for money."
Zhou Miao said: "So you have to have a natal family, let your natal family use your power to hold money for you."
Jiang Yan said with a straight face, "Even if I find my natal family, I won't be able to get money for a while. I should be thankful for not being tricked and dragging me down."
Jiang Yan is very contemptuous of her own family, just because she knows who her natal family is.
With her momentum, chickens and dogs ascended to heaven. 100% want her to use money to supplement their lives. Counting on taking money from her natal family, I don't know how many years of accumulation it will take.
It was also for this reason that she was not in a hurry to send someone to find her natal family.
Zhou Miao spread his hands, "If you don't have money, it's really hard to move an inch. If you don't have money, you can only reward people with small objects or jewelry that His Majesty bestows on you. It's as convenient as real gold and silver." .”
After all, it is a gift from the imperial court, and Jiang Yan can't openly reward the imperial gift to the palace, which is a taboo.
Jiang Yan bit her lip with a troubled expression on her face.
Zhou Miao gave her an idea, "Aren't you in touch with Mrs. Zhao of Prince Ning's Mansion? You asked her for money."
Jiang Yan was stunned, "Ask for money from a girl?"
"Don't call me a girl, you have to call her Mrs. Zhao now."
Jiang Yan frowned, with a conflicted look on her face.
"Madam Zhao is the daughter-in-law of King Ning, and King Ning is the son of Concubine Shu. I was picked up by Concubine Concubine Shu, which means that I am at odds with Concubine Shu. How can I ask Madam Zhao for money? If Concubine Knows I have a relationship with Mrs. Zhao, and I don’t know how much right and wrong will arise. Don’t hurt me."
Zhou Miao said: "You don't need to find Mrs. Zhao yourself. I have the opportunity to go out of the palace every month. You write a letter, and I will pass it to Mrs. Zhao for you."
Jiang Yan was dubious, "Madam Zhao will really give me money?"
Zhou Miao smiled mysteriously, "It depends on your position."
Jiang Yan's face was serious.
She is the one who was held up by Concubine Xue Gui, and she should be on the side of Concubine Xue Gui and King Zhao.
What position should she use to ask Mrs. Zhao for money
Is she going to say spy
Jiang Yan was entangled and couldn't make a decision.
Zhou Miao reminded her, "Li Zhaoyi is young and impatient. She will attack you sooner or later. You should make a decision sooner. The sooner you have more chances of winning."
Jiang Yan frowned, "Let me think again. Mrs. Zhao may not be rich."
"That depends on whether Mrs. Zhao gave you the money in her own name, or in the name of Prince Ning's Mansion."
"What difference does it make?"
"There is a big difference. If Mrs. Zhao gave you money in the name of an individual, it means that she is still thinking about the old relationship and has not drawn a clear line because of your different status. Furthermore, she is planning for herself, not for the palace. Plan. If you are sending money in the name of the palace, then you have to be careful. Be careful that King Ning uses you as a spy."
Jiang Yan thought over and over again, and finally made up her mind to write a letter to Gu Jiu, asking Zhou Miao to take her out of the palace.
She told Zhou Miao, "You must ask Mrs. Zhao what she thinks for me. If you give me money in the name of the palace, then I cannot accept the money."
Zhou Miao nodded, "Don't worry about my work. I definitely can't let you sell your life to Prince Ning's Mansion."
Zhou Miao left the Ganlu Palace with the letter in his arms.
Jiang Yan's body softened, and she sat down on the chair, her back already soaked in sweat.
After making this important decision in such a short time, she was so nervous that she had stomach cramps and felt uncomfortable all over.
It took a long time to recover.
On the holiday, Liu Zhao returned to the palace.
Gu Jiu sat at the desk to settle the accounts, while he held a book by the bed and read it quietly.
A gust of cool autumn wind blows in, facing the desk.
Liu Zhao closed the window a little.
Neither of them spoke, but they had a tacit understanding.
In the small study, there is an atmosphere called sweetness.
After Gu Jiu finished the calculation, he threw the abacus aside. She is still satisfied with last month's earnings.
Zhuhua, medicine shop, dowry shop, and Zhuangzi's income are not bad. Although the money is not much, at any rate they are in a state of profit, there is no loss.
Zhen Bao Zhai opened at the end of last month and got off to a good start.
Recently, the daily turnover has been several thousand taels, which is very gratifying.
Sure enough, there is still money to be made in the luxury and profiteering industry.
The profits of cloth shops, soy sauce tea, pearl flowers, and medicine stores are simply weak compared with the luxury and profiteering industries.
She took a pen to write down the work schedule for the next month, and prepared to let Bai Zhong take it out and hand it over to the shopkeepers of each shop.
By the time she finished her work, the sun had shifted a bit.
The servant girl brought a cup of tea, "Madam, let's rest."
Gu Jiu picked up the teacup, the temperature of the tea was just right, and she let out a very pleasant sigh, it's so comfortable.
Liu Zhao closed the book, "Do you still remember the maid you sent into the palace?"
Gu Jiu froze for a moment, then sat up.
Jiang Yan has been imprisoned for just over a month, and she has heard about the miraculous experience of Empress Shuyi from being penniless.
She waved her hand and told all the maids to retreat.
"Of course I remember. Now I have to call her Jiang Shuyi."
Liu Zhao's face was so cold that it was impossible to see his inner thoughts.
He only heard him ask: "Did she contact you?"