Chapter 663 The King of Qin Forcibly Moves In

Cheng Wanwan inquired about Li Xiuhong's situation.

It wasn't that she was being gossipy... cough cough, there was a tiny bit, but the most important reason was that Granny Zhang had mentioned this niece from her maternal family many times, saying that she hadn't heard from her for a very long time.

Two years ago, Granny Zhang was the most disliked woman in the village.

But after suffering from coal poisoning and having difficulty speaking, his popularity gradually improved.

"You mean that concubine who bore the eldest son of the Zheng family? Alas, what a miserable life..." a woman skilled at gathering information whispered. "After Young Master Zheng passed the imperial examination and became a scholar, this concubine and her child were sent to the estate. However, I heard that the concubine was very unruly and kept causing trouble. At first, the Zheng family tolerated it, but after Young Master Zheng entered the court as an official, the Zheng family was afraid that she would affect his future, so they sold the concubine. As for the child, it is said that he was adopted by someone else in the clan long ago..."

Cheng Wanwan asked softly, "Where was that concubine sold off to?"

"Who can say for sure?" The lady shook her head. "Young Master Zheng's other concubines have also been sold off, and the backyard is now spotless."

Cheng Wanwan sighed.

It was Li Xiuhong who schemed against Zheng Wangfeng. She succeeded in becoming Zheng Wangfeng's concubine and even became pregnant with Zheng Wangfeng's eldest son, but she never expected to end up like this.

In those days, although things were relatively peaceful, women in feudal society who had no freedom could have their fate decided by a single contract of servitude. Li Xiuhong's life was probably over.

Cheng Wanwan didn't want to tell Granny Zhang about this, so she just pretended she hadn't found out anything.

After the meal, Cheng Wanwan returned to the courtyard and saw her family sitting in the house chatting happily. She felt satisfied; there was nothing happier than being with her family.

Wu Huiniang was discussing the specifications of the New Year's gifts for each workshop with Granny Qi. In previous years, Cheng Wanwan would review these matters, but starting this year, all these household chores will be handled by Wu Huiniang. Cheng Wanwan intends to train her eldest daughter-in-law to be the head of the household so that she can finally relax and not do anything.

"Mother, is this gift list acceptable?" Wu Huiniang handed over a piece of paper. "Last year's standard was two taels of silver. This year's profits have tripled, so I was thinking of raising the standard to three taels of silver. Two taels of silver for red envelopes, and another tael of silver to buy rice, flour, oil, salt, chicken, duck, fish and meat. We still have some winter clothes and quilts in our storeroom, so we can distribute them to everyone."

Cheng Wanwan glanced at it and found everything to be perfect. She nodded and said, "Let's do it your way. You can personally distribute the New Year's gifts tomorrow."

Wu Huiniang understood that her mother-in-law wanted her to stand out in front of everyone in the workshop, and that if she wanted to stand shoulder to shoulder with Dashan, she had to learn how to handle these matters. She was grateful to her mother-in-law for giving her this opportunity, and at the same time, she would take on the responsibility and continue to work hard...

“Then let’s follow the list that my sister-in-law made,” Cao Yingying said with a smile as she sat down. “My father always follows my mother’s lead, so he will definitely distribute New Year’s gifts to the Cao family workers according to the list. In this way, the whole Hekou County will be influenced, and many workers will be grateful to my mother.”

In the past, workers were already very happy to have a holiday during the Lunar New Year.

But now, because the mother-in-law generously distributes New Year's gifts, merchants from nearby counties and towns have followed suit. After the merchants roll up their money, the workers at the bottom of society benefit. When those workers mention Sui Gongren's name, they are all moved to tears of gratitude.

Cheng Wanwan looked at Cao Yingying's pregnant belly and said, "Since you're pregnant, you shouldn't go with us to deliver New Year's gifts. It's cold, so just stay indoors."

Cao Yingying nodded: "I can take care of the child at home... Oh, how can little Zhenzhen sleep so much? She looks so cute when she's sleeping. I wish I could have a daughter too."

Her daughter is well-behaved and considerate, but her son is too naughty. Her son Chenchen is always making a fuss, and she can't handle him at all.

The family was chatting idly when Yan Hong suddenly rushed in: "Gongren, the Prince of Qin has arrived."

Cheng Wanwan frowned slightly.

Today is the canal completion ceremony, and many adults have come to accompany her. What is the King of Qin doing here?

But the King of Qin's status made it impossible for her to ignore it.

She had no choice but to hand her granddaughter to the maidservant and get up to walk towards the waiting room.

There were two plum trees planted right at the entrance of the reception hall. King Qin stood by the plum trees, reached out and picked a plum blossom to play with.

"Greetings, King of Qin."

Upon hearing the sound, the King of Qin slowly turned around.

He smiled and said, "I'm quite familiar with Sui Gongren, so there's no need to stand on ceremony when we meet again."

Cheng Wanwan: "..."

Who said we're old acquaintances? Stop being so familiar, okay?

She chuckled twice, "I wonder if the King of Qin has come to my humble abode on some important matter?"

The implication is that unless it's something important, there's no need to visit again.

"There are indeed some important matters." King Qin spoke slowly. "Just now, the person in charge of Dahe Town took me to the largest inn. Even the most luxurious superior room was a bit shabby and not worthy of my status. Looking at the whole of Dahe Town, only the place where Lady Sui is staying is somewhat decent. I have been staying at Lady Sui's place during my time in Dahe Town."

Cheng Wanwan looked up in surprise: "You live here?"

The King of Qin glanced at her sideways: "What, does Lady Sui seem to be less than welcoming to me?"

"No, how could that be?" Cheng Wanwan gave a fake smile. "Since Your Majesty doesn't mind the cramped courtyard, then I will arrange for someone to prepare a new one. Oh, by the way, how long will Your Majesty be staying in Dahe Town?"

"That depends on my mood."

The King of Qin continued picking plum blossoms while fanning himself, until the plum branch was almost completely bare.

Cheng Wanwan clenched her fingers, curtsied, and withdrew, quickly ordering someone to clean up the largest courtyard in the first section of the house.

This used to be her office, a bright and quiet place where she would usually spend her free time. Now, however, she has to give up this courtyard.

However, she guessed that the King of Qin was unpredictable and probably wouldn't stay in Dahe Town for more than a few days.

Besides, the Lunar New Year is just around the corner, so I can't stay here during the holiday.

Cheng Wanwan's storeroom contained many fine items bestowed by the Emperor and Empress. She didn't usually need these luxuries, but now that they were all displayed and decorated with various exquisite ornaments, the style of the courtyard instantly improved.

After everything was prepared, Cheng Wanwan asked Cheng Jia to invite the King of Qin over.

Besides the King of Qin, two of his trusted confidants also stayed here. The three of them had plenty of room in the large courtyard.

"Excellent, very excellent." The King of Qin was quite satisfied. "This coral seems to be my sister-in-law's favorite possession. I never expected that she would bestow it upon Consort Sui... Hmm, this screen is a fine item from my brother's private treasury. I shamelessly asked my brother for it before, but he was reluctant to give it to me. Consort Sui certainly has more influence..."

He had seen many of the decorations here before, which made him feel familiar and even more satisfied.

He was satisfied, but some people were not.

At the entrance to the courtyard, Zhao Sidan peeked out, clenching his fists angrily.

A few months ago in Huzhou, he heard that the King of Qin had given his mother an extremely expensive set of jewelry. He was no longer a naive child, and he knew very well what giving jewelry meant.

Never let this kind of person get close to my mother!

Zhao Sidan's eyes darted around, and he suddenly had an idea.