Xiaozhu.

Chang En stood up with his body bowed.

Gu Jiu said, "Princess Duan asked you to buy a house for Ouyang Fu."

"Exactly! This matter has become quite serious in recent days, and I thought I should report it to Her Majesty."

"What families have offered?"

"There's the eldest branch of the Sun family, the Zhou family of Chuzhou, and the Pingnan Marquisate of the Gu family..."

Chang En mentioned more than a dozen families in one breath, all of which were rich and powerful.

Ouyang Fu was sandwiched among them and was really inconspicuous.

Gu Jiu asked, "Do you think Ouyang Fu has a chance?"

"Unless I'm shameless and force Liu Ping to sell the house, the chances are slim. Whether it's a competition of wealth or connections, Ouyang Fu is inferior and has no advantage at all."

Chang En seeks truth from facts.

Gu Jiu laughed, "You old thing, you're quite cunning. You knew you had no chance of snatching the house, so you came to me, hoping that I would help you."

"Nothing can be hidden from the Queen!"

Chang En generously admitted that he really did not have the confidence to snatch the house among so many competitors.

His face may not be that valuable.

After all, the late emperor has passed away.

Some people are willing to give him face, while others are not.

If Xiao Qin'er could ask Lin Shuping or Qian Fu for help, this matter would be 99% certain.

Don’t look at the monk’s face, look at the Buddha’s face.

Lin Shuping and Qian Fu are both people who are useful to His Majesty, and they must be given face no matter what.

Gu Jiu pondered for a moment, "Ouyang Fu is determined to buy the house, and I completely understand. How much money has she prepared?"

Chang En whispered, "It's only 320,000 taels. She really can't afford more. I've secretly inquired about the offers from several other families. Someone is so determined to get it that they've already raised the price to 350,000 taels. It shows that the house is really good. Many people are vying for it. In order to get the house, they don't care about bargaining."

Gu Jiu nodded. "That house is indeed very good. When Ouyang Fu chose that house, I said she had a unique vision. The location, layout, and interior structure are even better than the Duan County Prince's Mansion. Fortunately, they paid for the house back then, so when Liu Ping was stripped of his title, the house was not taken away."

"Your Majesty is right."

"I haven't seen Ouyang Fu for ten years. How is she now?"

"She lives in a three-story courtyard in the city. It's not a big house, but it's exquisitely decorated and has everything you need. The people who serve her are all elderly people who have been with her for many years."

"What about her son Liu Xun?"

"Liu Xun is studying at Shanhe Academy and making good progress. He passed the imperial examination last year, but unfortunately failed the imperial examination this year."

"As a member of the imperial clan, with the title of Juren, he can enter the government. Has he sought a post?"

Before Chang En came, he had already understood all the circumstances.

When the Queen asked, he could answer as soon as he opened his mouth.

"Your Majesty, Liu Xun is using his connections to find a job. It seems he's aiming to become a member of the Imperial Household. Since his parents' divorce, he's rarely returned home. He's settled directly with his wife and children in Xinmin County. In his early years, Ouyang Fu bought property for the family to live in. Perhaps to prevent Liu Ping from causing trouble, Liu Xun has claimed to be renting the house. He does visit Ouyang Fu often, so he's quite the filial son."

"From your tone, I can tell you have a good impression of Liu Xun?"

Chang En did not deny it. "From what I have seen of him, he is a down-to-earth man, not too ambitious or unrealistic. He studies diligently for the imperial examinations. I like his character. Rather than helping Ouyang Fu to snatch a house, it's better to say that he is helping him to snatch a house."

Gu Jiu was curious, "Does Eunuch Chang have any contact with Liu Xun?"

Chang En did not hide it. "While Liu Xun was studying at Shanhe Academy, he worked in the Audit Department for half a year. He was steady and practical in his work, and his skills were quite good. However, he wanted to work in the Ministry of Finance, so I did not force him."

Gu Jiu smiled and said, "You are a caring person. Just because you like his personality, you are willing to help him to grab the house. Well, don't show up for the house matter. You can't lose face. I asked Qian Fu to talk to Liu Ping. If he knows what's good for him, he will know what to do."

Chang En was overjoyed, "Thank you, Queen!"

Qian Fu’s presence would be much more effective than his.

Everyone has to give Qian Fu face.

Regardless of the Sun family, the Zhou family, or the Gu family's Pingnan Marquis Mansion, they all have to take the initiative to withdraw from the house that Qian Fu wants.

"Ouyang Fu is very lucky this year. First, she received the righteous help of Princess Duanjun, and now she has the support of the Empress! Tomorrow, I will have her go to Xiaozhu to kowtow to the Empress and express her gratitude."

"Don't let her come over. It's not convenient for me to see her."

Gu Jiu refused.

"If she really wants to, she can go to Xiangguo Temple and burn two sticks of incense."

"I will tell her what the queen said."

Chang En left satisfied.

Liu Zhao came down from the second floor and said curiously, "I thought you wouldn't interfere in this matter, but I didn't expect you to be willing to stand up for the Ouyang family."

Gu Jiu smiled and said, "I'm not standing up for anyone. I just can't stand the way the second brother acts like a rogue. It's disgusting."

"How about I issue an edict to expel the Second Brother from the capital. After all, he is a prince and a grandson of the emperor. He has been a prince, but his actions are even more despicable and despicable. I don't even want to mention him."

"Just focus on your health and don't get involved in trivial matters like this. As for the second brother, I will arrange for him to guard the imperial mausoleum and cultivate his character for three years. If he doesn't change his temper, he will not be allowed to return to the capital."

Liu Zhao nodded repeatedly. "This is a good idea. Let him reflect on his actions in front of his father's mausoleum. He'll have food and drink, and won't be treated unfairly. But there won't be any women to serve him. By the way, he did injure his vital organs back then, right? What happened next? Lin Shuping, tell me."

Lin Shuping stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty and the Empress, it's true that Liu Ping, a member of the imperial clan, sustained a major injury to his vital organs. Even after the wound healed, it's said that part of his body never fully recovered. He should have been cultivating his character, but he's gone the other way, indulging himself in sensual pleasures. Over the years, he's spent at least tens of thousands of taels of silver on brothels, and at his peak, he kept four or five prostitutes at once."

"He has no money but still indulges in sensual pleasures, spending all day in brothels. It's really absurd. Sending him to guard the imperial tomb is not unfair to him."

Liu Zhao was obviously very dissatisfied with Liu Ping.

After all, he is a prince and a grandson of the emperor. Even if he has lost his title, he should at least be sensible in his actions.

Frequenting in brothels has never been a good reputation.

What's more, Liu Ping had no money and had to rely on borrowing to make ends meet.

It is ridiculous to use borrowed money to visit brothels.

It's like gambling with borrowed money and is not worth forgiving.

Fortunately, all kinds of casinos have been severely cracked down in recent years.

Casinos in Beijing have disappeared.

Otherwise, Liu Ping might really become addicted to gambling and lose everything.

"By banning the casinos, I can be considered as saving the second brother's life."

Gu Jiu said, "I heard that underground casinos are showing signs of resurgence."

Liu Zhao immediately decided, "Let the Embroidered Uniform Guard crack down on underground casinos. I will allow them to collect 30% of the gambling funds. If the Embroidered Uniform Guard can't handle this, let the Golden Guard do it."

Lin Shuping bowed and accepted the order, thinking that the Embroidered Uniform Guard would have good luck this year.

Can cracking down on underground casinos solve this problem?

The Embroidered Uniform Guards patted their chests and promised to complete the mission.

Your Majesty promised 30% of the gambling money, which means that the Embroidered Uniform Guard can take 30% of the confiscated gambling money openly.

How could such a good job that came right to his door be given to the Jinwu Guards?

All the underground casinos, no matter what, will be unable to escape.

The Jinwu Guards were extremely envious.

Thirty percent of the gambling money!

The Embroidered Uniform Guard became rich.

Why did Your Majesty give such a good task to the Embroidered Uniform Guard? I feel a little jealous.

Qian Xiang shouted, "Anyone can crack down on underground casinos. What's so strange about that? We, the Jinwu Guard, have more important tasks. The Xiuyi Guard are only fit to fight small thugs. We, the Jinwu Guard, fight high-ranking officials and dignitaries."

The Jinwu Guards are united in their determination to overthrow the high-ranking officials in the court.

…

Ouyang Fu never expected that such great luck would fall on her head.

Qian Fuhui will personally come forward to help her get the house.

"Pinch me, I'm not dreaming!"

Xiao Qin'er was not polite at all and pinched her thigh hard.

"ah……"

Ouyang Fu screamed in shock, "It's actually true! How could Eunuch Qian come forward on my behalf? What the hell is going on?"

"Of course it was the Queen who spoke."

"The Queen knows? Why is she helping me?" Ouyang Fu had too many questions.

"This honor was obtained for you by Eunuch Chang En. Afterwards, you must thank Eunuch Chang handsomely."

Ouyang Fu nodded repeatedly. "I don't have many valuable things on hand. If Eunuch Chang doesn't mind, I'd like to give him the house I live in now. Is that okay with you?"

"Don't give him a house! He doesn't need a place to live. If you really want to, give him something rare."

"What rare thing?" Ouyang Fu asked sincerely.

Xiao Qin'er suggested, "For example, famous calligraphy and paintings, or famous artifacts from the past dynasties. If you can get a painting and calligraphy by the great charlatan Ren Qiu, I guarantee that Eunuch Chang will be grinning from ear to ear."

ah?

"President Renqiu's calligraphy and paintings are so precious?" Ouyang Fu felt incredible.

Xiao Qin'er pursed her lips and smiled, "You're right if you listen to me. I won't hurt you."

"How should I thank Eunuch Qian?"

"It's easy to deal with Eunuch Qian. You just need to prepare a rare piece of gold and stone, which will definitely satisfy his taste."

Ouyang Fu nodded repeatedly. "How can I thank the Empress? I'm afraid the Empress won't be impressed by what I have."

"The Empress said that you should go to Xiangguo Temple and burn two sticks of incense."

"Then I will go to Xiangguo Temple to burn incense on the first day of every month."

When the rich man stepped forward, all the competitors who were vying for the house gave up on their own initiative.

Liu Ping, who originally wanted to take the opportunity to raise the price, was so upset after seeing this situation that he wanted to cry but had no tears.

He held Qian Fu's hand and said, "Eunuch Qian, you've really hurt me! If you need anything, just tell me in private. Why are you bidding publicly?"

Qian Fu used some skill to pull his hand back. "Second Master, I have something to tell you. The palace is very dissatisfied with your ridiculous behavior in recent years. Since Qingming Festival is coming, you can take the money and live in the imperial mausoleum to cultivate your character."

Liu Ping was dumbfounded. "The Imperial Mausoleum? They want me to guard the Imperial Mausoleum? Are they trying to force me to death?"

"Second Master, do you have any resentment towards the palace?" Qian Fu's eyes suddenly turned cold.

Liu Ping suddenly came to his senses and shook his head repeatedly, "No, no. I didn't say anything."

"Since the Second Master has no resentment, after receiving the money, we should set off for the Imperial Mausoleum immediately. Our ancestors appreciate the sincerity of our younger generations, so don't bring any women or maids with you. Just take two servants with you to show your sincerity."

As soon as Qian Fu finished speaking, Liu Ping's expression changed again and again.

He wanted to cry but had no tears, and even wanted to die.

He had a mournful look on his face. "Does it have to be like this? What have I done to offend the palace that they have to treat me like this? Did Ouyang Fu run to Xiaozhu to cry and complain about me?"

Qian Fu coughed lightly, "Second Master, be careful with your words! Are you dissatisfied with the palace?"

"I don't dare to complain to the palace. I just want to know what I did wrong to make the palace dislike me and send me to the imperial mausoleum. It would be worse than killing me to guard the imperial mausoleum."

"Second Master, there is no need to worry. As long as you are sincere and cultivate your character, you will naturally return to the capital when the time comes."

"Do I still have a chance to return to the capital?"

"It depends on the performance of the Second Master."

Liu Ping gritted his teeth and said, "I know!"

After sending Qian Fu away, Liu Ping felt more and more unwilling.

He found Ouyang Fu and cursed, "Bitch, was it you who did this? You're so cruel! I admit defeat this time, but I'm telling you, this isn't over between us. If you make my life miserable, you won't be able to live a peaceful life either."

"Come on if you dare, I'm not afraid of you!"