Chapter 532

Love Shenjing, Qingyu Ward, Xia Mansion.

Although the Guihua Xia family is a wealthy family, the mansion is also built spacious and grand, with heavy doors, beautiful and magnificent, but after all, there is no official title, so they dare not exceed the system.

In the hall of the inner courtyard, Mrs. Xia gently blew away the tea foam on the covered bowl, listening to the steward matron in the house reporting.

The matron said: "Mistress, according to your instructions, all kinds of precious seasonal flowers and exquisite gifts this spring have been sent to the noble families of the King's title. The princesses and ladies of all families have asked how Mistress is.

The Xia eunuch in the palace was also sent gifts and handled according to the usual practice of previous years. It was only two years ago that the young miss wanted to enter the palace for selection, so we made friends with the Xia eunuch.

Now that Mistress is reluctant to let the young miss go to that place, we don't need the Xia eunuch's power, do we still need to spend the annual reward gifts?"

Mrs. Xia drank a sip of fragrant tea and asked: "Although we don't need the Xia eunuch's power, we do business for the royal family, so having more eyes and more paths in the palace is always right.

We don't have anything to ask of the Xia eunuch, and he doesn't dare to take much. Sending this gift is respect. Regardless of how much, this kind of castrated person values this set the most, making a good relationship with each other."

The steward matron heard Mrs. Xia's words, and her face was also very convinced, so she stopped talking.

Mrs. Xia asked again: "What do the noble ladies of each family say, and what is the shape of each?"

The steward matron replied: "Returning to Mistress, the Old Matriarch of Nanan received the gift, and especially liked the two eighteen-scholar camellias that Mistress chose.

The Old Matriarch said that these eighteen scholars are very rare. She went to the palace to pay respects the year before last, and only saw them a few times in the Imperial Garden. It is also the first time to see them outside, and she is very grateful for Mistress's heart. The Beijing Princess received the gift and was very polite, specially returning the gift, sending two top-quality Korean snow ginseng to Mistress, and two pieces of top-quality tribute satin to the young miss.

We sent various kinds of famous flowers, she picked more than half, and sent them to the imperial mausoleum villa in the suburbs. The Princess said her sister is guarding the mourning for the Zhen Old Matriarch in the imperial mausoleum.

It is said that this Zhen Third Young Miss grew up in the palace since she was a child, and was most favored by the Zhen Old Matriarch, and even the current Emperor Taishang values her very much. She likes seasonal flowers the most, so the Beijing Princess sent them over."

Mrs. Xia was slightly stunned and asked: "Is this Zhen Third Young Miss the one who was once granted marriage to the Marquis of Lord Weiyuan of the Jia family?"

The steward matron replied: "It is exactly this young miss. Because it was at the critical moment of the marriage grant, the Marquis of Lord Weiyuan had to observe mourning for his father, so the marriage grant was withdrawn.

However, everyone outside says that although the marriage didn't happen, the Marquis of Lord Weiyuan takes great care of Zhen Third Young Miss, often sending gifts to the imperial mausoleum villa, and seems to be very concerned about her."

Mrs. Xia laughed: "Although the marriage between this young miss and the Marquis of Lord Weiyuan didn't happen, it is a real connection with the Jia family. Now the young miss is discussing marriage with the Xue family, an in-law of the Jia family, and there is a relationship involved.

This kind of favor is to be done. The precious flowers we sent are all delicate things, and ordinary people can't serve them.

You pick a reliable gardener, go to the imperial mausoleum villa to serve flowers and plants the day after tomorrow, and make this Zhen Third Young Miss satisfied. When the news spreads, the Marquis of Lord Weiyuan of the Jia family will also owe a favor."

Mrs. Xia asked again: "The gift for Zhao Wang's mansion was sent, what does the Princess say?"

The steward matron replied: "I sent the gift, but didn't see the Zhao Wang Princess herself. The Princess has been seriously ill since the beginning of the New Year. Although she was treated by the imperial physician of the Taiyi Academy, it has been intermittent and has not been well."

Mrs. Xia wondered: "The Zhao Wang Princess is twenty years old, just at the age of vigorous blood, and has always been healthy, why did she get seriously ill for no reason, and hasn't been cured for several months?"

The steward matron replied: "I heard rumors outside. It is said that the Zhao Wang Princess's brother was an official in Jinling. Although he was not a brother of the same father, they grew up together, and the brother-sister relationship was very deep.

Early last winter, Jinling broke the Guard Army case, and the Zhao Wang Princess's brother was involved, and was also identified as a main culprit, and died unexpectedly. It is said that the Princess was overly sad, so she fell ill.

The Zhao Wang mansion was also implicated because of this. Everyone outside says that many of Zhao Wang's students and deployments were implicated.

Now the Zhao Wang mansion is basically closed to guests. If it weren't for the business between the mansion and our Xia family, I wouldn't have been able to enter the mansion to send gifts this time."

Mrs. Xia listened to these words, thought for a while, and said: "You prepare some top-quality nourishing medicinal materials later and send them to the Zhao Wang mansion for the Princess to use, which is also our meaning.

For these years, the Xia family has been left with orphans and widows. Originally, without men supporting outside, it would have long since failed.

But these years, not only did it not fail, but it was even wealthier than before. In the final analysis, it was because the old master made friends with these old people when he was alive.

These years, they all invested silver in the Xia family's business. Although they took away a lot of profits, the rest was enough for the family to chew and save, which is already a great blessing.

So these families and several other noble people must be treated with etiquette on weekdays, and there must not be the slightest neglect. We mother and daughter only have this little reliance..."

The matron said again: "I sent the gift to the Ning Wang mansion, but didn't see the Ning Wang Princess herself. The mansion matron came out to receive it. Because the Prince and Princess were not in the mansion, she didn't dare to accept the gift rashly.

Today, the shopkeeper of the shop in the east of the city sent word that the Ning Wang Princess's cousin, Du Dajie, had 50,000 taels of stock money in the shop and was in a hurry to withdraw it, but the contract between the two families had not expired, so the shopkeeper asked Mistress to make the decision."

Mrs. Xia's expression was unexpected, and she said: "Du Jizong took away a considerable dividend at the end of last year. Because he is an in-law of Ning Wang, we gave an extra half percent, how could he be willing to withdraw the money?"

The steward matron replied: "The shopkeeper of the East City shop also found someone to inquire about the reason. It is said that Du Jizong borrowed the name of the Wang mansion to invest in our family to make silver. Ning Wang didn't know about it.

Recently, because of the Zhao Wang Princess's brother's matter, the Zhao Wang mansion was implicated, so Ning Wang became vigilant, and just happened to know about Du Jizong's matter, fearing that he would ruin his reputation, so he let Du Jizong withdraw the stock money."

Mrs. Xia sneered slightly: "He really cherishes his reputation, and doesn't want to leave any handle, but what's the use of cherishing his feathers so much.

Zhao Wang has great merit, high ability, and a loud reputation. Even if he is implicated because of the Princess's matter, it will pass. No matter how good Ning Wang makes his reputation, what can he do.

The noble titles and princes of the Love Shenjing have various ways of getting silver, borrowing the ways of imperial merchants and folk merchants, investing money to make profits, and washing silver, which are all common things in the market. He is really making a fuss."

The steward matron said again: "A few days ago, Mistress asked to prepare the dowry for the young miss to see. These days, the items found are almost the same, and all kinds of items are the best in the Love Shenjing.

In two more days, I will be able to produce a proper dowry list. When Mistress has seen it, we can start preparing."

Mrs. Xia heard this, thought of her precious daughter, and felt a headache.

She was absent-minded for a moment, and gave the steward matron a few more instructions, sent her away to do things, and then left the hall and went to her daughter's boudoir.

Mrs. Xia just walked to the door of her daughter's boudoir when she heard the noisy talking inside. She recognized it was the voice of her daughter's personal maid, Baochan.

But heard Baochan say: "Young Miss, I took your silver and asked the servant in the outer courtyard to inquire. Since the Marquis of Lord Weiyuan broke off the marriage with the Zhen family, I haven't heard of any other romantic entanglements.

Now he is observing mourning at home, usually studying at home, and never goes to brothels or flower buildings, which is a very regular person.

Everyone outside says that the Marquis of Lord Weiyuan will take the spring imperial examination at the end of spring, and he was originally the Jieyuan, this time as long as he takes the examination, he will definitely be able to be a Jinshi.

And everyone says that his learning is extremely good, who knows he might even take the top scholar back.

Young Miss, you say there is such a person in this world. I saw it that day, he really looks so good, how old is he and he was granted a title, and he actually has the ability to be listed on the Golden Roll.

All the good things in this world are occupied by him.

That day I followed the young miss and really saw a rarity. The young masters of the Jia family are all outstanding.

Not only is the Marquis of Lord Weiyuan outstanding, but that Baoyu also looks so handsome, looking very gentle and happy, as if he is good to women..."

Only heard that Xia Gu Niang said with some disdain: "You little hoof, what do you know about handsome and good-looking.

That Baoyu looks handsome, but he is powdery, and I don't know if he is useful... Jia Cong is different. He can write magnificent articles with his pen, and he can stand horizontally with his sword. His style and romance, that Baoyu can't catch up even if he rides a horse. He only deserves to be the rotten mud under his feet!"

Baochan heard this and was confused. Is there such a happy and upright rotten mud in this world...

Mrs. Xia at the door heard her daughter's arrogant words, and couldn't help frowning. Her daughter has an outstanding appearance and decent conduct. In front of people, she is a good selling appearance of a boudoir lady.

But behind her back, she speaks and acts in a sharp and mean way, domineering and aggressive. It's fine to be a young miss in her own home, but if she becomes someone else's daughter-in-law, she will be afraid of having a headache and causing trouble.

Mrs. Xia was about to enter the room, but heard Baochan say: "Young Miss, you won't have taken a fancy to that Jia Cong, right?"

Xia Gu Niang hummed, quite proudly: "I just took a fancy to him, so what, is the appearance not a match, or is the family wealth not a match!"

Baochan said: "Young Miss went to the Jia Prefecture last time to see the marriage with that Xue eldest young master. How can you turn to Jia Cong? Mistress will definitely not agree if she knows."

Baochan was talking when she heard a cough at the door. Mrs. Xia entered the boudoir with an unhappy face and said: "Baochan, go out first, we have something to say."

After Baochan left the room, Mrs. Xia said unhappily: "I said that after returning from the Jia Prefecture that day, I asked you about the Xue family's marriage, and you were hesitant and pushed around.

Until now, there is no accurate news. It turns out that after seeing that Jia Cong in the Jia Prefecture, you became fickle. A daughter, how can you be so absurd, what does it look like if outsiders hear it.

Is what Baochan said just now true? Did you really take a fancy to that Jia Cong?"

Although Xia Gu Niang was spicy, she was a girl after all. Hearing her mother's words, her face was also flushed with embarrassment.

But her words were not ambiguous at all, still bold and spicy: "Mother, this matter can't blame me. You let me go to the Jia Prefecture to see the marriage, and you also promised to let me stroll in the Jia family's mansion lanterns, it's not that I provoked it myself.

Besides, you didn't see Jia Cong. As long as it is a woman, as long as she sees his appearance, it is impossible to choose that Xue big fool!"

Mrs. Xia scolded: "You broken mouth, what kind of words are you saying that are not decent. The Xue family and our Xia family are well-matched, and the Xue eldest young master is also handsome, how did he become a big fool.

You must not be confused. There are many good things in this world, but the same rice feeds a hundred kinds of people, and you can't expect all the good things to be yours.

Although our Xia family is wealthy, that is decent in front of the poor and bitter, but in front of the noble families, the wealth of the Xia family is not in people's eyes at all.

These years you have reached the age of fifteen, and your eyes are high and you can't reach the low, and you don't have a good place to settle. Now it is not easy to find this marriage with the Xue family.

Their family and our Xia family are both imperial merchants, and they don't have official titles. It is just a well-matched family. What's more important is that the Xue family has this relative of the Jia family, which is a reliance that others don't have.

That Xue eldest young master is also handsome, and the Xue family lady has a gentle personality. In the future, she will definitely be a good mother-in-law.

Good daughter, such a marriage is hard to find even with a lantern. Don't miss this village and don't have this shop. Don't be confused and take a fancy to which Jia Cong and don't know southeast and northwest."

Xia Gu Niang said: "Mother, it's not that I'm making trouble. When Xue Pan came in to toast that day, his eyeballs almost fell out when he looked at me.

That wretched look of his must be raised from visiting brothels, which makes people feel disgusting when they see it. I would rather not marry, than marry this wretched big fool!"

Mrs. Xia frowned and said: "The masters of the great families, even if they are a bit lustful, it's not a big deal. They will restrain themselves after marriage. Everyone in the world has passed through like this, so this is not a matter."

Xia Gu Niang still didn't give up and said: "Mother, since you say the Xue family is so good, isn't the Jia family even better.

It's not that I'm making trouble, but as long as you have seen Jia Cong's appearance, even a blind person can see that he is a hundred thousand miles better than Xue Pan. Why don't you choose the good one, but choose a crooked melon and cracked date."

Mrs. Xia said helplessly: "I said you girl, even if you take a fancy to that young master of the Jia family, that's fine, but you have to take a fancy to this one.

Not to mention that the Jia family is a noble family, and our Xia family can't match it.

But this Jia Cong is even more extraordinary. He has such a great reputation at a young age. Not only was he granted a title, but he also has a proper official body, and even the marriage goes through the path of imperial bestowal.

His card face is too big, his status is precious, even if he marries a princess or county princess in the future, it is not a difficult thing. Why would he take a fancy to a daughter of our family.

You don't like the Xue eldest young master, so let's slow down this matter. Mother will help you see other pleasing families. As for Jia Cong, that's something without a shadow. This kind of delusional heart of yours is just looking for trouble for yourself."

Mrs. Xia saw her daughter's face turn pale, sitting there alone and sulking, and didn't go to persuade her, just waiting for her to think clearly alone, think through, and then this matter could be put down.

Mrs. Xia saw her daughter, she knew her best. Because the Xia family is wealthy, and she is the only daughter, she has been spoiled and pampered since she was a child, wanting wind to have wind, wanting rain to have rain.

Her daughter has been a stubborn and strong personality since she was a child, but as long as she cares about something, even if she cries and makes trouble, begs and softens, she must get it into her hands before she is willing to stop.

It's just that when she was a little girl, this kind of spoiled and mischievous behavior was not a big deal, but now that the marriage is also making trouble like this, what does it look like.

Moreover, Jia Cong's status is precious, and for the Xia family, it is unreachable. Her daughter's delusional thinking is just a void, so she can only say the words harshly to make her die of this heart.

Mrs. Xia saw her daughter's face was ugly, sitting there alone and sulking, and didn't go to persuade her, just waiting for her to think clearly alone, think through, and then this matter could be put down.

Mrs. Xia walked out of the room and saw the maid Baochan shrinking at the door, not knowing if she had eavesdropped just now.

Thinking of her daughter's confused mind, Mrs. Xia said unhappily: "You serve the young miss well, don't say those words that shouldn't be said to provoke her, if I know, be careful of your skin!"

Baochan was startled when she heard this, and answered carefully.

Mrs. Xia didn't walk far before she heard the sound of her daughter smashing things in the boudoir.

Mrs. Xia's face twitched slightly, sighed, and could only pretend not to hear.

Mrs. Xia walked while thinking about how to deal with the Xue family lady. The Xia family was invited to see the marriage, and whether it worked or not, there had to be an explanation.

If it was silent like this, not only would it be unreasonable in etiquette, but it would also offend the Xue family, and offending the Xue family would offend the Jia family, turning good things into disasters, which was really not worth it.

Mrs. Xia weighed it in her heart, and couldn't care about her daughter making trouble and dismantling the house.

After all, she is an imperial merchant's wife, supporting the family business alone after her husband died, and is best at interest dealings, human sentiment planning, just thinking for a while, and she had an idea in her heart.

That day, the mother and daughter went to the Xue family to see the marriage. The Jia family lady who accompanied them was a kind person, and she seemed to look at her daughter pleasingly, and she was a sister with the Xue family lady, so she didn't need to avoid suspicion when talking.

It is better for her to carry gifts to the door, tell her the twists and turns, beg the Jia family lady to tell her sister tactfully, and then prepare a gift to pay respects to the Xue family lady.

In this way, the Xue family will not be too hurt, the Xia family will be well-placed, and they will owe the Jia family lady a favor, and they can be warm with each other, and they can be considered to have one more human connection in the Love Shenjing in the future...

In Xia Gu Niang's boudoir, Baochan was cleaning up the broken vases and tea dishes on the floor.

She was used to this matter. As long as the young miss was uncomfortable in her heart, everything in the room that could be moved and smashed would be smashed by the young miss. Anyway, the Xia family is wealthy and doesn't care about these few copper coins.

Baochan followed Xia Gu Niang, she didn't dare to learn Xia Gu Niang's domineering and sharp, but she learned Xia Gu Niang's cunning mind, and always liked to sell well and please in front of her own young miss.

"Young Miss, don't be angry. Mistress is also planning for Young Miss. Mistress's words are also reasonable. It's fine if the Jia family young master takes a fancy to it, but that person's card face is too big, and it's a bit difficult to settle."

"Young Miss, don't think about this person anymore, so as not to suffer yourself. With Young Miss's character and appearance, it's hard to find even with a lantern, so are you afraid of not finding a satisfactory husband."

"Even if Young Miss takes a fancy to the Jia family's family background, this kind of opportunity is not just this one person in the whole Love Shenjing, why let him be proud alone..."

Xia Gu Niang smashed the whole room, and was sulking on the bed, hearing Baochan's casual flattering words, suddenly touched her mind, and a pair of phoenix eyes flashed charmingly. (End of chapter)