After about a stick of incense, Baihui went to the west side hall.
Ye Yinming, who had been waiting for a while, saw Baihui coming, but he didn't see the young man surnamed Shen. He already had some kind of speculation in his heart, and his face was not very good-looking.
Baihui blessed the remaining five people, and said politely: "I have kept you waiting for a long time, the candidate for the accountant has been decided, and I am bothering you!" She said, and gave the little maid next to her a look, then The little maid politely handed each of the five people a red envelope, which was also a little apology for delaying them for a long time.
Ye Yinming accepted the red envelope in humiliation, still feeling unbelievable in his heart, how could he lose the election!? He believed that he would never lose to anyone in terms of talent and learning!
Seeing the other four people walk out of the west side room under the guidance of the servant girl, Ye Yinming took two or three steps towards the door, but he still couldn't help but stop and called Baihui: "This girl, stay here!" !"
Baihui stopped, looked at him suspiciously, and said, "I don't know what advice Mr. Ye has?"
Ye Yinming took a deep breath, clasped his fists and asked, "May I ask you why I lost the election? I think I won't lose to Mr. Shen in arithmetic. Could it be... Could it be because of the Yellow Crane Tower..."
He gritted his teeth, but still asked. If he can't lose clearly, he is really not reconciled.
Baihui was startled, and immediately remembered the matter of the Yellow Crane Tower. It was just a one-sided relationship, she had long since forgotten Ye Yinming, but Que'er had some memorable skills in remembering people, so she had already mentioned it to her. Baihui had heard it before and didn't take it too seriously, but since the other party cared about the trivial matter that could hardly be called a quarrel at that time, of course she had to make it clear, so as not to spoil the reputation of the son and the concubine.
Baihui straightened her thoughts, and said, "Young Master Ye's arithmetic is indeed outstanding." The remaining six people actually answered all the questions on the previous paper correctly, and Ye Yinming and Shen Chengye were the fastest and fastest among them. good two.
"It's just that Bixiaotang is hiring an accountant today, not holding a math competition." Baihui said it implicitly but with profound meaning. Seeing that the other party was still confused, she simply made it clear, "Master Ye, after finishing the paper, did you check it again?"
Ye Yinming shook his head: "Girl, I have confidence..."
He wanted to say that he was confident that he would never make a mistake, but he didn't say anything further. He thought of Baihui's previous sentence that seemed to reveal a deep meaning.
Although it was only a few words, Baihui had already realized that this person was arrogant and arrogant, and seeing that he had realized it, she didn't say anything more.
Their Bixiaotang recruited Mr. Accountant, and they were not trying to do the calculations faster than anyone else. This Ye Yinming still had more than half a stick of incense when he finished the questions. He would rather hand in the paper early and leave the field than waste more time. After reading the papers, how can he be an accountant with his mentality. The accounting office deals with numbers and accounts every day. If you do too much, you will always make mistakes. What you need is not only self-confidence, but also care and patience.
But because he was indeed proficient in arithmetic, he was retained, but during the questioning just now, he always showed a little arrogance.
Again, Bi Xiao Tang recruited Mr. Accountant!
Ye Yinming was stunned for a long time, then clasped his fists together, and said in a stiff tone: "Thank you for your advice!" He followed him and left impatiently.
Baihui looked at his back and shook her head, thinking that there would be no more encounters in the future, so she quickly put this person behind her and went back to the east side hall to serve her.
Ye Yinming returned to a small house he rented in the west of the city with a low expression, and his younger sister Ye Yili immediately greeted him.
"Brother, you are back!" Ye Yili keenly noticed that her brother's expression was wrong. She had confidence in her brother's talent and learning, and always believed that he would be hired by the prince and concubine, but now it seems that something happened in the middle Unpredictable error.
Ye Yili thoughtfully did not ask any further questions, but showed a gentle smile and said, "Brother, lunch is almost ready."
The younger sister's considerate behavior only made Ye Yinming feel more guilty. Now that the family's food storage is running out, they rely on the younger sister to make some embroidery to supplement the family income. How can he rely on his sister to support his family!
"Sister..." Ye Yinming took a deep breath, and told the ins and outs of the matter again, with a trace of humiliation and unwillingness on his face.
He thought he had done his best, but he didn't see it... Hey, if he got the daughter, not only would his family finances not be a problem for a few years, but he could also change to a better house so that his grandmother and younger sister could live a better life...
Following Ye Yinming's narration, Ye Yili's eyes flickered, she didn't expect her brother to "lose" like this.
After thinking for a moment, she comforted her: "Brother, your talented younger sister is the one who understands best, and she will definitely have a bright future." She comforted her elder brother softly, but she had some calculations in her heart...
Ye Yinming clenched his fist tightly, gritted his teeth and said, "Sister, don't worry, I will definitely support this family." How can he continue to rely on his sister as a majestic man! He doesn't believe in relying on his own talents, Can't find a suitable job!
Ye Yili secretly sighed in her heart, her elder brother is a scholar after all, he is arrogant and doesn't know the hardships of the world.
The two brothers and sisters entered the house side by side, and met Aunt Ye's kind and kind face, and the whole family lived in harmony...
After lunch, Ye Yili changed into a blue dress that was probably new, and quietly went out to Bixiaotang.
She intends to ask the crown prince Nangong Yue to intercede for her brother.
The elder brother never knew that she and her grandmother knew Zhennan Prince's concubine. At that time, her elder brother was seriously ill. She and her grandmother were worried that because of her elder brother's arrogant temperament, if he knew that the family had no money, he would be unwilling to treat the illness, so they discussed it. Well, let's hide it from him together.
Just like this time, if the elder brother knew that she was coming to beg the princess, he would definitely stop her.
But my brother didn't know that the family was really going to be unable to open the pot. Today's lunch was the rice noodles that my grandmother had bought back as her dowry. As long as you can find a suitable livelihood, dignity is nothing... Ye Yili said to herself, after all, when she was in the capital, the Crown Princess promised to help her...
An hour later, she entered Bixiao Hall through Baihui, and Baihui led her to the small flower hall.
The weather in June is hot and dry. Even though the sky is a bit gloomy today, it is very hot and hot without a trace of wind.
As soon as she entered the small flower hall, Ye Yili felt cool and refreshing, which made her refreshed. She scanned for a week without any trace, and found that there were several copper basins filled with ice cubes near the window and the door, emitting white smoke.
Nangong Yue was sitting on the mahogany armchair in the master's seat, drinking fruit tea leisurely.
Ye Yili straightened her back, stepped forward gracefully, and bowed her knees to Nangong Yue without being humble or overbearing: "I have seen the concubine. The concubine is safe and well."
"Miss Ye, please sit down." Nangong Yue looked at her with a smile and motioned her to sit down.
Nangong Yue probably guessed why Ye Yili came here. Although she didn't see Ye Yinming, after the first test today, Baihui showed her the list of the six people. I have to say that the name Ye Yinming surprised Nangong Yue, and later learned from Baihui that they had met once in the Yellow Crane Tower. Xiao Yi really has some "bad fate".
Ye Yili took a deep breath, and said straight to the point: "Concubine Shi, Yili is here today to ask for something, for Yili's elder brother Ye Yinming."
Nangong Yue showed a look of surprise appropriately: "It turns out that Mr. Ye is Miss Ye's elder brother, that's a coincidence."
Ye Yili bowed her body, and said again: "Concubine Shi, Yili is not arrogant, but elder brother is a man of great talent, can concubine Shizi be lenient and give elder brother a chance?"
Although she was begging for help, there was a trace of pride in her tone.
Nangong Yue pondered for a while, and said: "Miss Ye, brother Ling is indeed very talented, but I have already hired Mr. Shen as the accountant, so it is not easy to contradict what he said, or is brother Ling willing to give in and assist in applying for the accountant?"
Assist? Wouldn't that be helping others... Ye Yili frowned slightly. Nangong Yue was always kind to her. She thought that this time Nangong Yue would not reject her, but she didn't expect the other party to give her such a reply.
Her elder brother is going to be a Jinshi in the future, and his talent is definitely not comparable to that of a mere accountant. She would not bear to ask her elder brother to work for that accountant, even if he reluctantly agreed!
But the problem now is that there is no rice to cook at home, and the elder brother still needs to study. Even if the elder brother is smart, he was exempted from the apprenticeship by the head of Qingmao Academy, so they moved their family to Luoyue City, but they were in Luoyue City. After all, I am not familiar with the place of life. Although I do embroidery work for others, I still can't make ends meet, and my family is worrying.
If this continues, I'm afraid it will delay my brother's study...
Ye Yili bowed her head halfway, and didn't speak for a while, and Nangong Yue didn't urge her either.
Suddenly, Ye Yili raised her head, her face showed determination, she stood up, and said to Nangong Yuefu: "My concubine, Yili is willing to sell herself to the palace, sign a five-year living contract, and hope that my concubine will be fulfilled." !" She maintained her bent knees, half-cast her eyes, waiting for Nangong Yue's answer.
"Miss Ye," Nangong Yue said slowly, her tone was gentle but firm, "Forgive me for not agreeing to this matter."
What?! Ye Yili shrank her pupils in disbelief.
rumble--
There was a burst of thunder outside, and then big raindrops fell down, hitting the eaves, leaves, and walls with crackling noises.
But Ye Yili didn't notice it at all, her attention was focused on Nangong Yue's words, she couldn't help raising her eyes to look at Nangong Yue, her eyes happened to meet Nangong Yue's clear and deep eyes, Ye Yili first Once, she felt a hint of sharpness in the other party's eyes. She always thought that the other party was a kind-hearted and soft woman. Only now did she realize that she was completely wrong...
"Miss Ye, the palace has its own rules..." Nangong Yue continued, "If Miss Ye needs a job, I can arrange it for you..."
"Thank you for your kindness!" Ye Yili interrupted Nangong Yue in a cold voice, with a hint of hatred in her suppressed eyes. She begged Nangong Yue like this, but she didn't expect Nangong Yue to reject her again and again! It was obvious that all this was just a matter of effort for Nangong Yue.
Ye Yili felt as if a hole had been broken in her heart, and the cold wind blew in.
That's right, she is the concubine of the Prince of Zhennan, when she is willing to help you, she will throw you a copper coin like a beggar; if she is not willing, there are thousands of ways to humiliate you!
Ye Yili blessed her body again, and looked away: "Then Yili won't bother the concubine, let's take my leave first!"
When she reached the threshold, she couldn't help but pause.
The bean-sized raindrops outside became more and more dense, and the ground was already half wet. The little girl in Tsing Yi who was serving at the side immediately opened the paper umbrella cleverly, and said with a smile: "Miss Ye, please come with the servant girl."
The little maid in Tsing Yi led Ye Yili out of the small flower hall, and the two gradually drifted away in the rain, and their figures quickly became blurred...
Que'er suddenly sighed at the side: "Concubine Shizi, this servant knows what it means to fight Mien or Mienhou!" It seems that he helped too much before, which made people fat.
Nangong Yue pursed her lips and did not speak.
Not to mention the palace, even any well-behaved family would not use a servant who only signed a contract of living.
Moreover, the deed of life and the deed of death are not the focus of this matter, and the attitude of this Miss Ye who "condescended to honor and bear the burden of humiliation" really does not look like she came to be a slave. Her self-esteem is so strong, she dare not be her master...
The little maid in Tsing Yi accompanied Ye Yili all the way out of Dongyi Gate, and then came to the corner gate.
"Miss Ye, this umbrella is not as good as..."
The little maid wanted to give this umbrella to Ye Yili, but before she finished speaking, Ye Yili rushed into the rain with her head covered.
The dense rain curtain made the surroundings look hazy, and the raindrops fell along the corners of her eyes and eyelashes, blurring her eyes, and even her mind was in a trance...
Although she resolutely rejected Nangong Yue's other arrangements just now, in fact, she has no idea what to do next!
Ye Yili was trotting with her head covered in the rain, but she didn't expect a red horse to suddenly appear at the intersection in front of her. rise…
Ye Yili staggered in shock, fell to the ground, raised her eyes and stared blankly at the tall horseshoe, unable to react at all.
"My lord!" The long follower who was riding behind also appeared, and was about to ask Zhennan Wang if he was safe, but he saw Zhennan Wang raised his hand to signal him to keep quiet.
Zhennan Wang jumped off his horse neatly, threw the rope into his long suit casually, looked at Ye Yili who was sitting on the ground with burning eyes, and asked softly, "Girl, are you okay?"
In the rain, Ye Yili's dress was almost wet, and a few strands of black hair were sticking wetly to her cheeks, she looked so pitiful, like a orchid in the wind and rain, even if the wind blows and the rain blows, it still blooms proudly .
Lord... Ye Yili immediately understood the other party's identity when she heard Chang Sui address Zhennan Wang, and stared at him with wide eyes in surprise.
The other party's frightened eyes like a deer made Zhennan Wang's heart tremble. He stared at Ye Yili's beautiful and elegant face and clear eyes like spring water without blinking, his eyes became more and more hot.
clatter--
The rain is still pouring down...
…
The next day, Nangong Yue had just finished her lunch when Que'er, who hadn't been seen all morning, suddenly came with a mysterious expression.
Looking at Que'er's expression, not only Nangong Yue knew it, but the other maids also guessed that Que'er must have some wonderful news to share, so they surrounded Que'er and listened with their ears pricked up.
After bowing his knees and saluting, Que'er reported, "My concubine, that Mr. Ye, Mr. Ye Yinming was appointed by the prince as the secretary of the palace early this morning."
Shu Zuo, although the writing of the main document is not a small official, but for a scholar without fame, it can be regarded as "reaching the sky in one step".
Nangong Yue raised her eyebrows slightly with difficulty concealing her surprise. Although Ye Yinming in the previous life was named the No. 1 scholar on the gold list, it was several years later. How could he suddenly be appreciated by the prince now
The other maids also showed suspicion, looked at each other, and followed them all to focus on Que'er.
Que'er couldn't help puffing out her chest proudly. After sorting out her thoughts, she said with a strange expression: "Yesterday, after Miss Ye went out from the gate of the East Street, the prince just came back, and Miss Ye was almost hit by the prince's horse. On the morning, after being a little frightened, the prince ordered someone to help Miss Ye go back to the palace, and also sent someone to invite Mr. Ye to pick up Miss Ye... According to Bai Shao, who was serving in the study outside the prince, the prince and Mr. Ye were in the study yesterday. After talking for an hour, I was impressed by Mr. Ye's talent, so I made an exception for the appointment!"
The maids looked at each other again, with different expressions, either surprised or suspicious, sarcastic or laughing.
Nangong Yue raised her brows even higher. It has to be said that the development of this matter was beyond her expectation.
But she didn't care too much. Anyway, what happened to Ye Yinming's brothers and sisters in the future has nothing to do with her.
Magpie...
Nangong Yue took another look at Que'er, and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly. It seemed that this girl was already at ease in the palace.
At this time, Baihui came back from the front yard, blessed Nangong Yue, and said: "Concubine Shizi, the accounting room has been settled."
After talking with Shen Chengye yesterday, Nangong Yue asked Zhu Xing to arrange for him to live temporarily in a small courtyard in the back room, and also assigned a maid to take care of her.
When Shen Ping, the steward of Shen University, died, Shen Chengye was only in his teens, and he didn't know about the old prince's care of his orphan. The only thing he knew was that his father committed suicide and his mother left Southern Xinjiang with him in a hurry.
Although Nangong Yue was a little disappointed, it was more or less expected. Anyway, there would always be a day when things would come to light, so she was not in a hurry.
Shen Chengye also asked about the cause of his father's death at that time, but Nangong Yue didn't say anything clearly, only said to let him settle down first.
At this time, after hearing Baihui's reply, Nangong Yue nodded slightly and said, "Go and get the account book on my desk and send it to the accounting office. return."
Baihui responded and went to do it.
And Nangong Yue leaned on the beauty's couch and read "Southern Border. Geography". Although she had read this book once after she bought it, she just skimmed through it. Now that Xiao Yi went to the southeast border, Nangong Yue He took out the book again.
Turning to the page with the bookmark, Nangong Yue looked down carefully, and when she saw "the southeast swamp is densely covered with miasma...", she frowned slightly, and said, "Thrush, go to my study and read the book" "Southern Border Baicao" brought here."
"Yes, Crown Princess."
Soon, "Southern Border Baicao" was in Nangong Yue's hands. She was flipping through it when Baihui came back.
"Shi Zifei." Bai Hui said, "The accounting office has already checked the account books."
Nangong Yue put down the book in her hand, raised her eyes and asked, "What did he say?"
Baihui answered in a straightforward manner: "The accounting office said that this is a fake account."
Nangong Yue laughed. It was less than an hour before Baihui took the account books to the accounting office. In other words, the accounting office did not actually check the account books carefully one by one to come to this conclusion.
Nangong Yue asked, "What else?"
Baihui conveyed word for word: "Looking from the book, this should be the account book of a Zhuangzi in the south of the Yangtze River. It is absolutely impossible for a Zhuangzi with 300 mu of paddy fields to earn only 520 taels of silver back then."
Nangong Yue nodded slightly in agreement, thought for a while and said: "You take all the account books of Tianshuizhuang over the years to the accounting office, and then ask Zhu Xing to find the local county annals and hand them over to him..." She paused , said, "Let him rewrite the account book of Tianshui Village in the third year of the Ming calendar."
Baihui was slightly surprised, but didn't ask any more questions, and bowed to answer.
"Que'er." Nangong Yue waved to Que'er with a smile, and said, "You can get some snacks and pearls to give to the little sisters you know, and the son of the steward of Shen University is checking the accounts in Bixiaotang Things got out..."