Gu Jiu coughed lightly, "Have you finished reading it all?"

"What are your instructions, Madam Zhao?"

Gu Jiu said, "The toll stations in Jingcheng and Luozhou generate the highest revenue and are our main profit points, so we must maintain these two locations to ensure that no trouble occurs. For the next few years, please refrain from assigning relatives or friends to these two locations, lest you use your power to offend others and bring shame upon everyone."

Everyone looked hesitant.

Gu Jiu glanced at everyone, raised his eyebrows and sneered, "Why, are you not satisfied with my arrangement?"

"Of course not. But can we be assured if they don't send their own people to these two places?"

"What's there to worry about?" Gu Jiu looked at the person who refuted her. "Half of the staff at the toll booth are retired Tianlang Army soldiers, and the other half are recruited from the capital and Luozhou. The accounts are separated, and someone is assigned to check the accounts every month. Tell me, what is it that worries you?"

"Madam Zhao has misunderstood. We are not worried. Madam's arrangement is very good. It prevents anyone from taking advantage of others. We definitely support it."

At this time, naturally someone will come out to smooth things over.

Gu Jiu chuckled softly, her expression softening slightly. "Everyone here is from a prominent local family. I believe you all understand the necessity of cracking down on bandits and bullies. This lady hopes that everyone can work together to not give these bandits any chance of survival and to eradicate this scourge completely. To achieve this, I need your full support."

After she finished speaking, her gaze swept across everyone's face, her tone suddenly becoming more stern. "I don't want to hear rumors of anyone colluding with bandits. Robbing passing merchants and getting something for nothing is indeed very satisfying. I hope that those who do this will bear the consequences and survive until next year."

There is something else behind this statement!

Everyone looked at each other.

"Madam, are you saying that some of us are colluding with bandits and thugs?"

Gu Jiu smiled, "Whether it's true or not, everyone knows it in their heart. Today, I'm going to leave it to you all, please take care of yourself."

So, there are really people colluding with bandits and thugs?

who?

Who is so desperate as to do such a thing?

Everyone looked at each other, and became wary of each other.

Seeing that the fire was burning well, Gu Jiu decided to adjourn the meeting.

The shareholders filed out of the round table conference room, shaking their heads.

"People's hearts have changed. Some of us are colluding with bandits and bullies."

"Who would think money is hot? I think everyone does this a lot."

"Don't talk nonsense. We are all good citizens who have passed down our traditions of farming and studying. How could we possibly collude with bandits and thugs? That's not possible."

"When bandits rob passing merchants, they have to find someone to sell the stolen goods. I'm sure everyone has a few stolen items at home."

"Ridiculous! Slanderous! Shameless! Don't even bother talking to me."

Some people walked away, some laughed at the joke, some looked confused and uncertain, and some remained calm...

Gu Jiu stood behind the window and saw all the different kinds of people.

She smiled sarcastically, her expression cold.

Deng Cunli bowed and stood behind her.

Gu Jiu said softly, "Keep an eye on these people and find an opportunity to kick a few of them out next year."

"I understand."

Many of these shareholders have bad reputations.

As long as Gu Jiu can catch the evidence, he can launch an attack at a later date next year, kick out a bunch of people, and purify the shareholder team.

It was cold, so Gu Jiu didn't stay for long. He got on the carriage and set off back to the palace.

In another fortnight, the Third Prince would be getting married. Everything inside and outside the palace had already begun preparations.

The big red lanterns hanging under the eaves look very festive.

Before the wedding, the three princes' two concubines would enter the house in advance to avoid causing trouble for the bride.

In fact, whether you enter the door first or last, it will cause trouble for the bride.

Who would be happy to have two concubines in the man's backyard right after the wedding?

All matters concerning the wedding were handled by the Shaofu.

Gu Jiu and his two sisters-in-law felt much more relaxed.

As soon as she returned home, Ouyang Fu sent someone to ask her if she wanted to visit her fourth brother's wife, Xiao Qin'er.

The fourth prince's two concubines gave birth one after another, and the fourth room had a concubine's son and a concubine's daughter.

With Xiao Qiner's temper, these days are naturally not easy for her. She's probably sulking every day.

Gu Jiu thought about it and agreed to Ouyang Fu's suggestion, "Let's go and take a look at the fourth room."

The two sisters-in-law agreed to meet in the garden, and Ouyang Fu arrived first.

"I'm sorry to have kept my second brother and sister-in-law waiting for so long."

"I just arrived too. My sister-in-law seems to be very busy lately, and I often see you out of the house."

Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Business matters still require me to personally handle them occasionally."

Ouyang Fu jokingly said, "Sister-in-law, you've worked hard. We're just sitting back and enjoying the fruits of your labor, not having to worry about anything. We're just waiting for your dividends."

Gu Jiu said casually: "As for me, I am destined to be a hard worker. I also want to sit back and enjoy the fruits of others' labor, but that is not suitable for me. Let's not talk about this anymore, let's go visit our fourth brother's wife first."

Gu Jiu ended the topic with a smile and pulled Ouyang Fu to the fourth room.

Xiao Qin'er was indeed in a bad mood.

Just because the child cried a few more times, she started to get angry.

"Cry, cry, cry. All you do is cry all day long. I gave birth to you to collect debts."

When she yelled, the child cried even harder.

How could a little girl who was less than a year old know so much? Seeing her mother yelling at her, she was naturally scared, and the more scared she was, the harder she cried.

The wet nurse wanted to take the child away, but the child stretched out his hands to kiss his mother.

Xiao Qin'er was very angry and was not willing to reach out to hold the child.

Seeing this, the child cried even more sadly.

"What's wrong? Even if Fourth Sister-in-law is upset, she shouldn't get angry at the child. Niuniu is just a little kid. Look how aggrieved she is crying. Don't you feel bad for her?"

Gu Jiu walked into the upper room, took the child from the wet nurse's arms, and handed it to Xiao Qin'er.

Xiao Qin'er didn't want to pay attention to the child at first, but the child was crying so pitifully and looking at her eagerly.

Her heart softened and she subconsciously reached out and hugged the child.

The child returned to his mother's arms and his crying instantly subsided.

It's just that I cried so hard before and I'm sobbing a little.

Xiao Qin'er patted the child on the back to help him calm down.

"Sister-in-law and sister-in-law are here, please sit down. My place is a mess, and I didn't clean it up myself, so I made you laugh at me."

"You're too polite, Fourth Sister-in-law. We're all family, there's no need to be so formal. Why is Niuniu crying so hard?"

Xiao Qin'er pulled the corners of her mouth and said reluctantly, "Children are naughty. I was in a bad mood and said a few words to her. I didn't expect such a young child to understand and started crying."

Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Of course the child understands. She is close to you, and your emotions will easily infect her. When you are happy, she is happy. When you are unhappy, she will naturally be sad."

Xiao Qin'er smiled when she heard this and changed her position to hold the child to make him more comfortable.

"Fourth sister-in-law is in a bad mood. Why not go out and relax?" Ouyang Fu suggested.

Xiao Qin'er raised her eyebrows and rolled her eyes at Ouyang Fu. She obviously didn't appreciate it.

"Second sister-in-law, you're joking. How could I be in a bad mood? I haven't even congratulated you yet. In a few months, your courtyard will have another child."

Xiao Qin'er looked at Ouyang Fu with a half-smile.

Some time ago, one of the Second Prince's concubines was found to be pregnant. By next year, the Second Prince's wife would have another child.

Ouyang Fu actually laughed, seemingly unconcerned. "My Highness is blessed, so naturally I enjoy the good fortune as well. Fourth sister-in-law should learn from me and be more open-minded. Just consider it a blessing."

Xiao Qin'er snorted, "I dare not take advantage of such a blessing. I am not as open-minded as my second sister-in-law."

Ouyang Fu pursed her lips and smiled, "Now that things have come to this, if Fourth Sister-in-law doesn't want to be more open-minded, these days will be very torturous. Unless you have the ability of the eldest sister-in-law, and can control the Fourth Prince like the eldest sister-in-law controls the First Prince, you can control the Fourth Prince."

Gu Jiu laughed heartily, "Don't make fun of me. Every time the Queen Mother sees me, she urges me to find a concubine for His Highness. My life is not easy either."

"I live my own life. No matter how much the Empress Dowager urges me, my sister-in-law will continue to live her good life as usual."

Ouyang Fu was envious, but not jealous.

Everything has its pros and cons.

Xiao Qin'er was really jealous of Gu Jiu's good life.

She sighed quietly, "It's a pity that I don't have the ability of my sister-in-law."

Ouyang Fu continued, "Since Fourth Sister-in-law doesn't have that ability, just be more open-minded."

Xiao Qin'er snorted, "Why?! Do I really have to smile and watch him go to sleep with his concubine?"

This is rude, but it is also the truth.

Ouyang Fu picked up the teacup and took a sip. "Just because you don't want to be happy, you'll only be in trouble and sad. So, for your own sake, why not be happy? You have children, and if you manage your life well, you might be able to live a happier life."

This is what I mean sincerely.

Unfortunately, Xiao Qin'er didn't listen completely.

She and the Fourth Prince Liu Yi were cousins ​​and childhood sweethearts, and their bond was extraordinary.

It’s not that you can easily let go just by saying “let it go”.

Xiao Qin'er smiled.

The child was tired of crying and fell asleep in her arms.

Her hands were sore, so she gave the child to the wet nurse.

The child was soundly asleep and luckily didn't wake up.

She loosened her arms and looked at Gu Jiu, "Sister-in-law, do you also want to persuade me to be more open-minded?"

Gu Jiu raised his eyebrows and smiled, "Fourth sister-in-law is not a child. It is up to you to decide how you want to live your life."

"Do you think I'm stupid, sister-in-law?"

Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Fools have their own luck."

Ouyang Fu smiled and lowered her head. Xiao Qin'er was not really stupid, so she naturally would not be lucky.

Xiao Qin'er was a little unhappy. "I know what you mean. Since you can't stop it, you might as well let it go and not care so much. But people's hearts are sometimes out of their control. Just because you say you don't care doesn't mean you really don't care in your heart. Second sister-in-law should understand this very well."

"I'm quite open-minded." Ouyang Fu said with a relaxed expression, "It's just a few concubines and a few illegitimate children. I don't have to worry about them anyway, so I'm naturally open-minded. But do I have to worry about the Fourth Prince's concubines and his wife?"

"I don't care about anything." Xiao Qin'er said angrily.

"Don't worry about it, then don't care. Fourth sister-in-law should be more open-minded." Ouyang Fu pursed her lips and smiled.

After all that talk, the topic still returns to the starting point.

This is a confusing topic.

It seems that Xiao Qin'er will be unable to get over the situation for a while.

－－－－－－Digression－－－－－－

I get a bad cold every year after New Year’s Day, and it seems to have become a regular occurrence.

When I have a cold, my thoughts are not clear and I type more slowly.

However, I will still update three times a day, but the update time will be a little later.