Chapter 403

Jin Ling, Jia family old mansion, Xuanhe Hall.

That day, the Old Lady of the Zhen family asked Hearing Zhen Fangqing to prepare a gift to thank Jia Cong for rescuing Zhen Shiwen from the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

In fact, Hearing Zhen Fangqing could just let Liu Xian handle the gift-giving, but in the end, she personally carried the gift to visit.

She managed the foundation left by her father and worried about the family's gold and silver wealth. She inevitably had to dress as a man to handle business in front of others, which was no longer comparable to ordinary boudoir daughters.

Others also habitually tolerated her behavior as a woman because of her outstanding talent.

Even so, a boudoir woman visiting a male of the same generation still seemed somewhat unreasonable and rebellious.

However, Hearing Zhen Fangqing was a woman with a plan in her heart and comprehensive consideration. Although she was talented and looked down on vulgar feelings, she was not so uninhibited to this extent.

She would personally visit to express her gratitude, and naturally she had considered the etiquette, not just reckless and impulsive.

Although Jia Cong was a male, he was also a young man who had not yet reached the age of fifteen, which could minimize the suspicion between men and women.

Just like when the Empress allowed Jia Cong to enter the inner palace to visit Yuanchun, it was based on the reason that he had not yet reached the age of fifteen and did not avoid suspicion.

Back then, the Old Lady of the Zhen family brought the Third Qing Niangzi to visit the Old Lady, and she was able to ignore the etiquette and propose to let Jia Cong come out to meet, which was also for the same reason.

Coupled with Hearing Zhen Fangqing visiting under the name of her cousin Zhen Shiwen, she had also avoided what could be avoided.

In fact, she shouldn't have done this. It was probably a strong curiosity and a desire to explore that was at work.

Whether in Jin Ling or the Divine Capital, she heard too many rumors about Jia Cong, and the people around her, for various purposes, always had all kinds of praise for Jia Cong in front of her.

Yesterday in the Yuhe Hall of the Zhen family, Zhen Shiwen, who had just been fished out of the Embroidered Uniform Guard by Jia Cong, was temporarily grounded in the mansion under Hearing Zhen Fangqing's suggestion.

Just when Hearing Zhen Fangqing left the Yuhe Hall and was busy checking business assets with Liu Xian and secretly allocating silver flows from various shops, taking advantage of the removal of Zhen Shiwen's restraint.

The personal maid Bei'er brought news from the Yuhe Hall.

She said that after the Third Qing Niangzi left the Yuhe Hall, the Old Lady praised Count Lord Weiyuan to the Old Master, saying he was a rare hero among noble families.

The Old Master also said that he was an official in the same court as the Rongguo Cunzhou Gong, and the rumors in the streets said that Count Lord Weiyuan had been raised under the knees of the Rongguo second branch Cunzhou Gong since he was ten years old, and the uncle-nephew relationship was extremely close.

The Old Master would write to Cunzhou Gong to communicate and would also mention the marriage of the younger generation in the letter, meaning he wanted to plan a marriage for the Third Qing Niangzi.

Hearing Zhen Fangqing naturally knew that this Old Master was best at this kind of thing. Back then, didn't he rely on this kind of planning, plus the mediation of the Old Imperial Consort in the palace, to form a marriage between the second sister of the first branch and the Prince Beijing?

Now the Old Master just wanted to repeat the old trick and pair her with Jia Cong. If this marriage could be successful, it would be a good thing for the Zhen family's first branch to kill two birds with one stone.

Hearing Zhen Fangqing had the bearing of a heroine, but after all, she was a woman. Although she had a strange experience since she was a child, the noble family education from childhood to adulthood still had a deep influence on her.

She also knew very well that as a daughter, she could not manage the family business for a long time.

She had so many elders above her, and one day she would get married and marry a noble family son of the same status, and from then on, staying away from the Zhen family was probably a fate she could not escape.

So, she wanted to control her own destiny and keep the foundation left by her father as much as possible, not by resisting and opposing everything, but by striving for the best possible result while maintaining balance.

So, she neither opposed nor hoped for the first branch to match her with Jia Cong, just watching the changes.

Until Jia Cong rescued Zhen Shiwen from the Embroidered Uniform Guard and won the appreciation of the Old Lady, the progress of the matter accelerated faster than she expected.

She didn't know to what extent the letter from the Old Master to Cunzhou Gong of the Rongguo mansion would advance the time.

At this stage, she felt that she should not be completely passive and let things take their course.

Just like investment and gambling in the business world, you have to understand enough information before making a judgment.

And a person with a legendary experience like Jia Cong also made her feel curious.

Until Jia Cong entered the Xuanhe Hall and the two eyes met, even though she had a plan in her heart and extraordinary knowledge, she still felt a slight brightness in front of her eyes.

The youth who entered the hall had a straight posture, like a jade tree and orchid, wearing a moon-white thin silk round-collar long robe, a cloud rhinoceros seven-treasure leather belt around his waist, and white-soled black-faced step-cloud boots.

His eyebrows were handsome, his bearing was clear and elegant, and he was as beautiful as jade.

Hearing Zhen Fangqing had heard rumors in the streets that Jia Cong was born like his mother, and his appearance was extremely proud, which was indeed correct.

She came mostly out of curiosity, as well as planning for her own future, and with the mind of long-term gambling in the business world.

Until she truly met Jia Cong, she felt that this was a pleasing person, at least much better than the arrogant noble family sons she had seen in Jin Ling City.

The strange calmness about the future and the mentality of examining and planning faded away a lot.

Hearing Zhen Fangqing smiled slightly and asked, "Is this the Count Lord Weiyuan Jia Shao Xiong?"

Jia Cong always remembered Daiyu's evaluation of the Third Qing Niangzi Zhen, saying that she was an extremely outstanding woman.

This person in front of him was not in a graceful woman's dress, but in a green robe, dressed as a man, without powder or makeup. Although she was extremely handsome and elegant, she did not see the beauty of a woman.

It was just that when she smiled slightly, the pear vortex on her white-as-jade cheeks appeared. In just an instant, the unique pretty and charming beauty of a daughter shone in the room, making Jia Cong look dazed for a moment.

He smiled slightly and said, "I saw Zhen Shixiong yesterday, so I naturally remember his appearance."

"I recognize Steward Liu of the Zhen mansion outside the hall, so I think it is the Third Qing Niangzi Zhen who has arrived. The steward in the mansion did not understand the situation and was negligent. I hope the Third Qing Niangzi will forgive me."

Hearing Zhen Fangqing was broken by Jia Cong, and her expression was as usual. After all, Jia Cong saw Zhen Shiwen yesterday, and she visited under the name of Zhen Shiwen, so she didn't intend to hide her identity.

"Jia Shao Xiong, don't blame me. Yesterday you rescued my brother, and the Old Lady in the mansion asked me to prepare a gift to thank you. My brother is currently grounded in the mansion, so I have to come to visit on his behalf."

"A boudoir woman has many inconveniences, so I borrowed my brother's name to visit."

Jia Cong smiled, "The Jia and Zhen families are old family friends. Helping when you can and expressing gratitude with gifts seems too distant."

Both were intelligent and wise people, and naturally would not talk deeply when meeting for the first time.

She came this time because her family planned her marriage and involved her with Jia Cong. She really couldn't help but be curious and wanted to see what kind of person he was. Now she got her wish.

Jia Cong kept the matter of the Zhen family shop hiding Ottoman refined iron in his heart, and was vigilant about the Zhen family, so his words were more cautious and restrained.

Hearing Zhen Fangqing had a strange experience. Over the years, she had managed the family's maritime trade business and was a knowledgeable woman, not comparable to ordinary boudoir daughters.

Jia Cong had lived two lives, and his strange and broad knowledge was probably not surpassed by many people in this world.

The two exchanged greetings, chatted aimlessly about the world, their words were harmonious, their thoughts were connected, and although it was their first meeting, they chatted very speculatively.

Liu Xian, who was guarding outside the hall, saw that although the two were meeting for the first time, their conversation was tacit, and they seemed to be very compatible, and a smile appeared on his face.

Hearing Zhen Fangqing had noticed her since Lingguan followed Jia Cong into the hall. Seeing that although she was young, her eyebrows were like spring mountains, her eyes were like autumn water, her face was thin and her waist was slender, and she had already grown up extremely outstandingly.

Her attire did not look like Jia Cong's maid. Hearing Zhen Fangqing was born in a noble family, and it was common for noble children like Jia Cong to have a good-looking female companion by their side.

Seeing that she was so pretty, she suddenly thought that her appearance seemed familiar.

That day, Hearing Zhen Fangqing visited the Old Lady at the Rongqing Hall, and Lin Daiyu was also present.

Hearing Zhen Fangqing had left a deep impression on that beautiful Lin girl.

Now, after thinking about it, she realized that the appearance of this little girl in front of her was actually very similar to the Lin girl of the Jia family that day.

This aroused Hearing Zhen Fangqing's curiosity about the nature of women, so she asked, "Is this girl a relative of the mansion?"

Jia Cong smiled, "Her name is Lingguan, and she is living in the mansion now. I guessed that the Third Qing Niangzi was visiting today, and there were no other women in the mansion, so I asked Lingguan to come and accompany her."

Hearing Zhen Fangqing was thoughtful and heard Jia Cong say that Lingguan was asked to replace the women in the mansion to accompany her, so she realized that this little girl was not ordinary in Jia Cong's heart.

She smiled, "This sister is really good-looking. I didn't know I would meet her when I came, so it was a bit rude."

She said to the maid standing beside her, "Bei'er, go to my carriage and take my spring orchid pearl-inlaid gold hairpin."

Because Zhen Qingfang often appeared dressed as a man, her carriage was specially made, and there were her clothes and jewelry in the car.

Before long, the maid took a delicate purple sandalwood box.

Hearing Zhen Fangqing took a gold hairpin from the box. The gold light was restrained, and the hairpin head was carved with a half-open spring orchid bud, wrapped in gold thread, elegant and rich.

Five spring orchid petals embraced a pearl as big as a dragon's eye, the pearl color was milky white and flawless, shiny and moist.

She smiled at Lingguan, "I saw this gold hairpin in Ziyun Pavilion a few days ago. I bought it but haven't worn it yet. I give it to the little sister as a meeting gift. It's just a little thing, don't be an outsider."

Lingguan saw that the gold hairpin was elegant and not vulgar, and blushed and refused, "The Third Qing Niangzi's jewelry is too precious, I dare not accept it."

Hearing Zhen Fangqing smiled and looked at Jia Cong. Jia Cong naturally understood what she meant and smiled, "The Third Qing Niangzi and I are old family friends of the same generation. You should accept the gift she gave with sincerity."

Lingguan listened to Jia Cong and stopped refusing with a red face.

Hearing Zhen Fangqing was thoughtful and felt that her guess was indeed correct. Jia Cong was unusually caring and protective of this little girl, and Lingguan was full of obedience and trust in Jia Cong.

With an extra Lingguan in the hall, who was young, pretty, and pleasing, the two who met for the first time had much less distance and scruples between men and women, and the atmosphere in the hall became more and more harmonious.

Hearing Zhen Fangqing smiled and personally inserted the gold hairpin into Lingguan's hair bun, then said goodbye with her maid Bei'er and steward Liu Xian.

Jia Cong and Lingguan sent them to the west corner gate.

He watched the carriage leaving Xinglong Square, and had an extra layer of understanding of this Third Qing Niangzi Zhen in his heart.

She was not only a girl with an outstanding appearance in Daiyu's mouth, but also a magnificent heart that was extremely extraordinary.

A boudoir daughter, facing him, talked freely, without the restraint and embarrassment of ordinary women, meticulous in thought, treating people and things, sophisticated, and every word and action made people feel moved and appropriate.

She saw that he cared about Lingguan, so she gave Lingguan elegant jewelry, her words were sincere, from the heart, even if this was a way of making friends, it made him have a lot of good feelings for her.

A noble family daughter under the rules of etiquette, managing the family business, maneuvering, had a kind of chest and style that only modern women of later generations had, which made Jia Cong feel very refreshing.

Jia Cong thought of the abnormalities found in the Zhen family shop a few days ago, which was hard to connect with the person in the Xuanhe Hall just now.

Hearing Zhen Fangqing was intelligent and wise, meticulous in thought, every word and action, knew the method of advancement and retreat, and was good at planning and mediation.

Women have one advantage that men don't have, that is, no matter how outstanding a woman is, compared to men of the same level, her ambition and delusion will always be much less.

A woman like Hearing Zhen Fangqing, with her wisdom, would definitely not rashly touch deep and dangerous things like private transport or secret manufacture of firearms, so as not to bring a top-down disaster to the family.

Therefore, although Hearing Zhen Fangqing was the person in charge of the Zhen family business, the Zhen family shop's involvement in firearm prohibition was mostly unrelated to her.

And it was highly likely that before Zhen Shiwen's incident, Hearing Zhen Fangqing didn't even know about it, otherwise with Hearing Zhen Fangqing's wisdom, I'm afraid she wouldn't have let the Embroidered Uniform Guard find flaws in the shop.

Jia Cong had a verbal contact with Zhen Shiwen when he brought him out of the Embroidered Uniform Guard that day, and he also had some judgment about this person.

According to Liu Yong, after Zhen Shiwen entered the Thousand-Household Office, although his behavior was considered calm, his words were meticulous and leak-free, but the panic and chaos in his expression were difficult to hide.

If it weren't for the fear of keeping him in the Thousand-Household Office for too long, startling the snake, and scaring away the person behind the scenes, it shouldn't be too difficult to get the truth out of his mouth.

Therefore, Zhen Shiwen might have some talent, but his strategy and city government were slightly insufficient, lacking the city government and courage to independently operate the prohibition of firearms.

He and the woman in the hall just now were more than a step behind in talent...

Just like Jia Cong's original analysis, Zhen Shiwen should be directed by someone.

Although there was no clue to trace the source, if this person behind the scenes did not come from the Zhen family, then there was another origin...

Jin Ling, Chongsheng Square.

In Jin Ling City, there were rich squares where noble families gathered, such as Xinglong Square and Rongyu Square, and there were civilian squares where the poor lived, such as Chongsheng Square.

In an old and narrow courtyard in Congsheng Square, a woman who had been busy all day pushed open the courtyard door with a tired face.

She put down the box for selling rouge and powder on her back, scooped a ladle of cold water from the water tank in the courtyard, and drank it in one gulp.

She returned to the kitchen to prepare the evening meal for the day, but opened the rice jar, and the bottom was already visible, with only less than half a spoon of old rice left.

It was only enough for her to cook a meal of thin porridge, and she would be broken tomorrow.

She had been a cook in the Zou mansion for nine years, which was probably the most nourishing and worry-free time of her life.

The Old Master of the Zou mansion was a Battalion Commander of the Water Supervision Office, a rich official. When she was a cook in the mansion, she could get two taels of silver a month, which was a very generous income in Chongsheng Square.

As long as she saved some, two taels of silver were enough for a family of four to live without worry about food and clothing for two months. At that time, Wu Sao felt that life was satisfied and had something to look forward to.

It was a pity that good days were always limited. No one expected that the Old Master of the Zou mansion suddenly encountered a great event, and the official army surrounded the mansion. The Old Master cut his throat on the spot.

Wu Sao lost this first-class good job, and the family's life began to tighten from then on.

Unexpectedly, misfortunes never come singly. Wu Sao's man suddenly fell ill with a serious illness. In order to treat her man, she spent all the savings in the family.

But it still couldn't fill the medical expenses. She had to give her daughter, who had been raised for fifteen years, to a big family as a concubine, and got a gift money to continue her husband's life.

Unexpectedly, her husband finally died of illness, and the family also fell into poverty from then on. Wu Sao's son had to go to sea to be a sailor for a living, and he couldn't return a few times a year.

The Old Master of the Zou mansion committed the serious crime of murder and looting ships, not only destroying his family, but also being scolded by everyone in the city. Wu Sao had worked as a cook in the Zou mansion for nine years, so she also ruined her reputation and was stained with bad luck.

Although she had a kitchen craft, no big family invited her to be a cook anymore, so she could only find a job selling rouge and powder to barely support herself.

Compared to the nourishing days of being a cook in the Zou mansion in previous years, Wu Sao felt that she was living worse than a dog now, which was really boring.

She didn't expect to meet the Qing Niangzi of the Zou mansion at the entrance of the Qinyin Pavilion. But it was clearly her, but the Zou Qing Niangzi didn't recognize her, and said she was a song and music lady in the pavilion.

Later, Wu Sao also came to her senses. After the Zou mansion had an accident, the Zou Qing Niangzi was sold to the Teaching Workshop, so she became a song and music lady.

A good noble daughter, being trampled on like this, should be ashamed, so she didn't dare to recognize her?

Wu Sao was thinking about this, but saw someone knocking on the door gently. She opened the door and saw a young man, medium build, ordinary appearance, with half of his little finger missing on his left hand. (End of chapter) *** **【404-0】 Zou Family's Secret Account**