Chapter 942 Summoning

Upon hearing this, Tang Ning said, "They dare to touch the government grain? They are so bold!"

"Don't be angry, sister."

Xue Ru quickly said, "They are just relying on the fact that they were once old people in the Taifu Mansion. My sister kept them in charge out of nostalgia and treated them with more leniency, so they have thoughts that they shouldn't have."

"I've already dealt with those who caused the most trouble. Those who should be sent to the authorities have been sent to the authorities, and those who should be taught a lesson have been beaten and driven out. They dared to covet money they shouldn't have and tarnish my sister's reputation among the people. I will not let them off easily."

The little girl, who has always been gentle, has clear eyes and eyebrows.

Fortunately, the trouble caused by those people was discovered early and did not lead to a big disaster. There was no real problem with the official grain, which made people talk about my sister. Otherwise, she would not only beat them half to death and take away all their property, she would definitely make them regret coming to this world!

The murderous look in Xue Ru's eyes flashed away, and when she raised her eyes again, she whispered to Tang Ning, "Don't worry, sister. I have already dealt with them and have instructed people to keep a close watch on them. This kind of thing will not happen again in the future."

Fearing that she would upset Tang Ning, she smiled and changed the subject.

"By the way, sister, I saw Zhu Xiyan at the academy today."

Tang Ning's attention shifted. "Is he okay?"

Xue Ru smiled and said, "I think it's going well. Didn't you order Eunuch Pan to deliver gifts to the students who passed the exam today? Zhu Xiyan was there at the time. I was worried that he would feel resentful and cause trouble, but I didn't expect him to be so open-minded."

She whispered to Tang Ning what happened after she met Zhu Xiyan today, and then said,

"He's quite an interesting person, open-minded, and knows how to relax. If it weren't for the cheating incident, he might have really caught the eye of Sister and His Majesty. I sent him to the library and chatted with him for a while. He has unique insights on many things, even surpassing those of Senior Brother Li Chi and the others."

Tang Ning was a little surprised when he heard this: "Why are you so optimistic about him?"

She had read Li Chi's articles, which were extremely outstanding. His insights into government policies far surpassed those of his peers. Even Cao Dejiang and Liang Guangyi had praised him before, but now Xue Ru actually said that Zhu Xiyan was better than Li Chi.

Xue Ru chuckled: "Sister, if you don't believe me, try it yourself."

She took out two pieces of paper from her sleeve and handed them to Tang Ning.

"After the final exam, the test questions on the paper were circulated. I got them from Mr. Tong."

"Mr. Tong said that Zhu Xiyan's talent was comparable to Li Chi's, but his vision and political views were all superior to Li Chi's. If he hadn't missed the exam the last time, Brother Li Chi might not have taken first place."

Tang Ning knew that Li Chi was Mr. Tong's favorite student. Even he said so, which made her even more curious. She opened the paper in her hand and started to read it. The handwriting on the paper was much better than that day in the restaurant, and what was written on the paper also made her look serious.

After a while, Tang Ning looked up: "Did he really write this?"

Xue Ru nodded. "Are you surprised, sister? I was surprised too when I first saw him. He looked so gentle and weak, but his writing was so sharp. It's a pity that his voice may not be cured. If he really becomes hoarse, he won't have the chance to serve as an official in the court."

Tang Ning folded the paper in his hand and said, "It's a pity."

She stroked the paper, wondering when she would meet Zhu Xiyan. If he was really that powerful, even if his injuries could not be healed, he might still be able to be used.

Talking is the job of the censors. If you can really get things done, you don't necessarily have to speak.

…

Xue Ru was chatting with Tang Ning in Yongzhao Palace, and Rong Yue didn't come over until dinner time.

Now Gu Helian and his men are busy setting up the mutual trade in the north. Although nominally led by the Ministry of Revenue, half of the responsibility actually falls on the Gu family. They have to open up trade routes in the north, coordinate with the various tribes in Beiling, and appease the major trading companies in the northwest to persuade them to join the mutual trade.

Most of the Gu family's elite personnel were transferred, and there was no one in charge in the capital, so almost all the business fell on Rong Yue.

Gu Helian doesn't trust others, and Rong Yue also knows how many people covet the Gu family's property, so even if she works hard, she dare not let others handle many things.

"Aunt, the Gu family's affairs are complicated. If it's really difficult, why don't I ask someone to help you?" Tang Ning picked up some dishes and put them into Rong Yue's bowl.

Rong Yue sighed softly, "You don't know, the Gu family is like a den of wolves. It's okay for others to covet the Gu family, but I didn't expect that the Gu family's relatives and branches are the most ruthless. Everyone is eyeing the position of family head with red eyes. I don't know how Gu Helian was able to suppress them when she first joined the Gu family."

Everyone knows that Gu Helian is the head of the Gu family and is as rich as a country. They know that he has the final say in Zuozhou and is extremely wealthy.

Rong Yue always thought that he lived a good life, but when she actually met the Gu family, she realized how difficult it was for Gu Helian to be the head of the family.

Xue Ru whispered beside him, "Money can move people's hearts. Even the small merchants in the capital would do anything to gain a fortune, let alone the Gu family."

Tang Ning agreed: "Yes, the Gu family is a piece of fat meat, even the other countries can't help but covet their wealth, who wouldn't want to take a bite?"

She had heard Xiao Yan talk about the Gu family before. There had always been disputes within the Gu family. Before Gu Helian went to Zuozhou, those people had been fighting each other to the death, but they had already decided that the position of the head of the family would be among the Gu family members in Zuozhou. No one expected that Gu Helian would appear halfway and finally intervene and "seize" the Gu family's property.

At that time, Xiao Yan didn't explain it in detail, but he probably mentioned that many people in the Gu family had doubts about Gu Helian's background.

Gu Helian had a very difficult time when he first entered the Gu family. Although the old patriarch of the Gu family valued him, he could not stop those people who tried all kinds of means to seize the family property. Gu Helian was in danger for a long time until he used ruthless means to suppress the other members of the Gu family, took the position of patriarch, and expanded the Gu family business several times in just a few years.

Those people from the Gu family have finally calmed down on the surface, but they have never stopped their secret tactics.

Gu Helian is nearly forty years old. He has neither married nor had children. Naturally, the people in the Gu family can't help but feel anxious. He has no blood descendants and now he has gone to the north. Some people in the Gu family are ready to make a move.

Tang Ning recalled the news from the north that Gu Helian had been assassinated. She frowned and said, "Aunt, the Gu family is in turmoil, and my uncle is not in the capital. I will send some people to protect you. If you leave the palace, you must bring guards with you to prevent anyone from taking advantage of you."

Rong Yue nodded: "I know, Gu Helian left someone for me. If the Gu family really makes a big fuss, I will show no mercy."

She poured a bowl of soup and handed it to Tang Ning.

"By the way, there will be a palace examination after the final exam. When do you plan to schedule it?"

Tang Ning took the bowl of soup and said, "I have discussed the palace examination with Cao Gong and others, and we plan to wait until His Majesty returns."

The army is approaching the capital, and it's time for Xiao Yan to complete the final selection. As for those people...

"I plan to summon them to the palace to see me in three days."