The brother and sister met Lian Ding in the front hall, and humbly allowed each other to enter the flower hall and sit down.
After the greetings, Ruan Qingyan dismissed his servants and got to the point: "I have asked the butler, Uncle Ruan, to find out my aunt's dowry list. I wonder which share does the old concubine have?"
Lian Ding said hurriedly: "I also brought my aunt's list." After saying this, he glanced at Qiu Yilan and said, "The people recommended by cousin Qiu are very powerful, and I brought them with the box. My grandfather read it and said it was thousands of miles away. The distant, exquisitely crafted box doesn’t even have a seal. If I had known earlier, I wouldn’t have hired those escorts when I returned home.”
Ruan Qingyan coughed: "When I was in the south, I found out about it after being introduced to them by chance. I heard my cousin talk about it that day and I just mentioned it casually."
"So it was Brother Ruan who said that?" Lian Ding suddenly thought, "I wonder how Cousin Qiu knew about such an organization?"
Ruan Qingyan glared hard at his cousin, who was bowing his head in an obedient manner, and changed the subject: "Since the dowry list is here and Qiu Mengmin has recovered, we should agree on a date to visit."
Lian Ding nodded: "Before I came, my grandfather once said that Brother Ruan is a new scholar. If Brother Ruan takes the lead in this matter, the effect should be better than if my grandfather takes the lead."
"How can we do this without Mr. Lian being in charge?" Ruan Qingyan smiled, "However, there is no one of the same generation as Mr. Lian in the Xihe Palace now. He is not qualified enough for Mr. Lian to come to the door in person... In my opinion, there is no better way than you and I will do it." Make a copy of the list and visit him quietly first. If Qiu Mengmin is wise, there is no need to bother the elders. If he is not wise, then ask the elders to come forward and explain the interests to him. What do you think? "
Lian Ding said cheerfully: "What Brother Ruan said is true."
Next, they discussed the time to go find Qiu Mengmin - since Ruan Qingyan wanted to support Penglai Yue, he decided to go after the oiran competition.
Lian Ding had no objection to this date, and also gave some news: "My uncle was elected to be the magistrate of Kuacheng the day before yesterday, and my father was appointed to be the governor of Dali... I didn't dare to disturb the Jiang family any more, and I was planning to buy another mansion. This would be a good time." The affairs of the new house have been taken care of, so I can calmly discuss it with King Xihe."
"Have the eldest cousin and the second cousin filled the vacancy?" Qiu Yilan asked in surprise, "This is a happy event, why are you telling me now? If you had known, I should have gone over to congratulate you."
"Earlier, my uncle was actually the prefect." Lian Ding sighed a little, "My father also served in Dali Temple, but my great-grandfather passed away and returned to his hometown, but he never recovered... Now, fortunately, the empress has taken pity on her and ordered the officials to intervene. , to restore the original grade.”
The most promising person in the Lian family for several generations was Mrs. Lian’s father, Mr. Lian. When Mr. Lian was there, although his descendants were not very well-educated, they were all involved in the officialdom thanks to his activities and care. After his death, the Lian family was quickly brought back to its original state - it was honestly very common for Ding You and Ding to lose their official position and become a country squire because they had no backing in the court.
Therefore, four people from the Lian family came at once, not just to stand up for Qiu Yilan, but also to take advantage of this opportunity to seek revenge.
Now that they have achieved what they wanted without saying anything, they have also established a relationship with the Jiang family, which is at its peak. It can be said that they are overjoyed.
Ruan Qingyan and Qiu Yilan congratulated each other, and then Ruan Qingyan asked, "Have you found this new house yet? When I came to Beijing, I didn't expect to have an heir, but I had been looking for a house for a while, so I found an empty house in Beijing." If you know something, you might be able to help.”
Lian Ding smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern, Brother Ruan. The Jiang family has sent a steward to help us. According to my father's wishes, he already has an idea."
Ruan Qingyan nodded and said generously that if there was anything he could do to help, don't be polite - Lian Ding took advantage of the situation and asked that he could visit him for advice in his spare time in the future. After all, except for Mr. Lian, who is a Jinshi, the other members of the Lian family are mostly candidates, so they are in great need of guidance from experienced people like Ruan Qingyan.
Ruan Qingyan, who originally wanted to use him to cover his cousin's blind date, naturally agreed wholeheartedly.
The conversation was coming to an end. Ruan Qingyan looked at the copper leak in the corner of the room and was about to leave a message for dinner. However, Lian Ding pondered for a moment and then said to Qiu Yilan: "I heard that cousin Qiu has opened a boudoir school there. I invited you. Is it Mr. Shao, the most famous female teacher in Beijing?”
Qiu Yilan said unexpectedly: "Cousin Lian also knows? Mr. Shao is so famous?"
"We haven't been to Beijing for more than ten years, but we heard what others said." Lian Ding explained, "It is said that Mr. Shao is very good at teaching his disciples. The ladies who come out of her sect are all elegant and virtuous, and are praised by others."
Uh, I shouldn't have smashed this female gentleman's sign... right...
Qiu Yilan felt guilty for no reason, and was about to speak when she heard Lian Ding ask a little embarrassedly: "This time my aunt went to Beijing to seek medical treatment, and she also brought her daughter... I don't know if cousin Qiu is willing to let her come to you. This boudoir school?”
Qiu Yilan was stunned, but Ruan Qingyan spoke first: "I'm afraid this is inappropriate."
"I'm Meng Lang..." After all, Lian Ding was young and didn't have much wealth. When he was rejected in person, he looked extremely helpless.
Just as he was ashamed and wanted to apologize, Ruan Qingyan said again: "Brother Lian Xian, please don't get me wrong. There is a reason why I say this: Mr. Shao may indeed be a good gentleman. But the boudoir school is located in the Prince's Palace in Xihe. Not to mention Qiu Mengmin and his wife have always been unkind to their cousin, so they said that after the oiran competition, we would go and talk to Qiu Mengmin about returning the dowry... My cousin is from Qiu's family, and there is nothing we can do about living in the palace. If my cousin goes, I’m afraid I’ll be harshly treated!”
My cousin lives alone in the palace, and I am already worried about her! You still want to send your cousin over - no matter what your family's purpose is, if something happens to your cousin in the palace, my cousin will most likely be dragged into the mess! How is this possible!
Lian Ding didn't know what he was thinking, and continued to say: "Actually, this is because my grandfather was worried about Cousin Qiu. Although Cousin Wang was one year younger than Cousin Qiu, because my uncle died early and had always been calm, If I go to boudoir school with my cousin Qiu, I can take care of her."
Ruan Qingyan didn't like hearing this even more: Your twelve-year-old cousin has a stable temperament? Can you be more calm than my cousin who was talking in court at the age of thirteen? ! Doesn’t this clearly mean that my cousin is not as capable as your cousin? !
"But whether my cousin can enroll in a boudoir school is not decided by my cousin. I have to ask Princess Yang for her opinion." Ruan Qingyan said lightly, "This... when do you plan to say it?"
Without waiting for Lian Ding's answer, Ruan Qingyan already thought to himself, "If I go to talk to Princess Yang now, I think Princess Yang will not object. But after I come to visit after the Oiran competition, I'm afraid my cousin's face will not look good. If I were After Dengmen and Qiu Mengmin show off their cards, if your cousin is allowed to enroll, even if your family can make the offer, Princess Yang may not be willing to agree, right?"
Lian Ding was stunned and realized that Ruan Qingyan was doubting the sincerity of the Lian family in getting back the dowry for Qiu Yilan. He couldn't help but said awkwardly: "It's not what Brother Ruan thought..."
"Please give me some advice, Mr. Lian!" Ruan Qingyan turned around like turning the pages of a book, and suddenly even his title changed to alienate him.
Qiu Yilan only interrupted at this moment: "Cousin! If my uncle doesn't feel sorry for me, why did he let cousin Lian come to the door today? What you said is too outrageous!"
She handed him a step, and Lian Ding took it with a wry smile: "Brother Ruan, it's really not what you think - okay, I'll just say it bluntly. Although the purpose sounds unpleasant, we really don't want to harm Cousin Qiu or anything. ”
He opened his mouth and then said helplessly, "I heard that Mr. Shao taught many famous ladies, and even Princess Chunfu was his disciple... I just want Cousin Wang... to get to know more people."
To put it bluntly, I want to use backyard diplomacy.
In fact, Qiu Yilan had already guessed the purpose of the Lian family when Lian Ding opened his mouth, but she was really reluctant. Lian Ding swore that cousin Wang was so calm... How calm could a twelve-year-old girl be? Even if she is really calm, there are already fourteen-year-old Sheng Shishui and fifteen-year-old Qiu Mingzhu in her school.
Even if no more people are added in the future, will these two be fuel-efficient
Qiu Yilan was already very busy, and she had to take care of Wang Qingqian, which was troublesome just thinking about it.
After all, he is his cousin - Qiu Yilan. Before he could think of the appropriate words to refuse, Ruan Qingyan said: "Since brother Lian Xian has mentioned this, I also have a simple question: Dare you ask this Wang family Miss, can you be taken seriously at home?"
"Of course." Lian Ding was stunned, "Our family doesn't have many children in these generations, especially girls. Regardless of their mother, my little aunt, or cousin Wang, they are all treated as the apple of their eyes in the Lian family."
Ruan Qingyan put on a persuasive expression: "Then your family chose Mr. Shao as a teacher for Miss Wang. Of course, you love your daughter very much. But I think this move is not very appropriate... I also have some experience with the female disciples that Mr. Shao has taught. I heard: The cousin is now the princess, not to mention the honor of Princess Chunfu, as well as the eldest granddaughter and eldest daughter of Uncle Qiaocheng, the sacrificial wine from the Imperial College, the daughter of the Siye family, and the lady of the Tao family of the former dynasty... "
The more he talked about Lian Ding, the uglier his face became, but just when Lian Ding was about to have an attack, Ruan Qingyan changed the subject at the right moment, "I don't mean to belittle Miss Wang when I say this, but there are many people in the world who are like Wang. If the father of the young lady has no official position and rashly puts her among the noble ladies, even if the cousin wants to protect her, she may not be able to take good care of her. I am afraid that Miss Wang, who is accustomed to being the apple of your eye, may not be able to bear it!"
Everyone is a princess party, how can you, a little girl, get in there and live a good life? !
"Cousin Wang is calm, but noble ladies may not be so." Qiu Yilan answered knowingly, "To be honest with Cousin Lian, in the past two days, three young ladies from the Yang family came to the palace and treated me in front of me. My father, the queen, my mother and my concubine made rude remarks - I was so angry that I got into a fight with them, but when the news spread, it turned out to be my fault! "
Frowning slightly, "I heard later that the three Miss Yang wanted to join Mr. Shao's disciples."
After hearing these words, Lian Ding's expression changed: "That's true, but we didn't take it into consideration... Well, I feel ashamed to say it. Since my great-grandfather, there has been no Jinshi in the Lian family, and my grandfather is getting older, so I'm afraid... …”
At this point, he shook his head and did not continue. However, Ruan Qingyan and Qiu Yilan were astute and knew as soon as they heard the words. Lian Chen must be afraid that if he died one day because of his old age, his nephew and son would resign and observe filial piety. He was beaten back to the ranks of country squires.
"But it's not impossible." Ruan Qingyan secretly thought that the Lian family could still be used. Lian Ding was easy to fool, but Lian Chen and others were older, so they might not be without resentment, so he added, "In my opinion , now there are two strategies that can be used together: one is that your uncle and your father now have official positions, and they have no time to continue the scientific examination. But brother Lian Xian is still young, and if he studies hard, it will not be difficult for Miss Wang to treat him as his brother in the future; Since my aunt is here to seek medical treatment, I can ask Miss Wang to serve at the bedside. If the name of pure filial piety is known... there is no need to bow in front of the noble lady. What do you think, brother Lian Xian?"
This guy from the Lian family is not even a scholar. If Miss Wang wants to get ahead with him, she might have children!
What if we take the path of a filial daughter... Since we are all filial daughters, how can we not always be with our biological mothers, and how can we have time to go to some boudoir school
So I still can’t disturb my cousin!
Ruan Qingyan narrowed his eyes and thought to himself: "But I took all the trouble to give them an idea, so I have done my best. If they still want to put Miss Wang into the cousin's school, it is equivalent to admitting that Miss Wang is not taken seriously. , in this case, if something happens, don’t think that my cousin didn’t take good care of her—it’s the Lian family who don’t feel sorry for their niece!”