"Shangguan Wanning greets Master Zhang."
Zhang Yide was stunned. Although he couldn't see Shangguan Wanning's true appearance at this moment, he could tell from her clothes, temperament and posture that she was a real lady from a noble family.
"Mother, this Miss Shangguan is..."
"I met her when I went up the mountain to worship Buddha a few days ago. I almost fell down at that time, but she helped me. She came here to visit relatives, and she often came to talk to me before. Today is my birthday, and she also gave me a handwritten scripture and a picture of Guanyin that she painted herself."
Old Madam Zhang liked Shangguan Wanning very much.
"This child is really thoughtful. It's so rare that he copied all these scriptures by hand to pray for me."
Zhang Yide was not wary of the delicate girl in front of him. He bowed and said, "Thank you, Miss Shangguan, for your kindness to my mother."
"The old lady and I get along well, and I'm very happy to be able to accompany her." Shangguan Wanning smiled sweetly, and the veil could not hide her stunning beauty.
"By the way, I heard from Ning'er that it's snowing so heavily outside that it's become a disaster. Today is my birthday, so ask the kitchen to make some more birthday buns to distribute."
"Yes." In order to make his mother happy, Zhang Yide didn't mind spending a little more money.
"I'm going to the Buddhist temple to chant. Ning'er, you can have dinner with me later." Before leaving, Old Madam Zhang did not forget to remind Zhang Yide, "Take good care of Ning'er for me."
Zhang Yide sent his mother to the door and watched her back disappear from his sight, the smile gradually froze on his face.
He turned to look at Shangguan Wanning and found that her aura seemed to have changed as well.
"From Miss Shangguan's accent, it seems that she is from the capital?" Zhang Yide asked tentatively.
Shangguan Wan Ning didn't want to hide it, and said openly: "Yes, my father Shangguan Yue, I wonder if Master Zhang has heard of it."
"Shangguan Yue?" Zhang Yide's expression changed. "Prime Minister?"
"That's right."
Zhang Yide was a little surprised. "I didn't expect that my mother's friend of different ages is actually a lady from the Prime Minister's Mansion."
Shangguan Wanning felt that with Zhang Yide's experience in life, he might be able to see through her thoughts, so she didn't want to hide it.
Unexpectedly, before she could even open her mouth, Zhang Yide took the initiative.
"A few people from the capital came to my house just now. Do you know them, Miss Shangguan?"
"At this point, there is no need for me to lie. Master Zhang, the one who came to your house is the crown prince."
Zhang Yide's face changed slightly, and he was a little bit unbelievable.
"Master Zhang, you should know that the Crown Prince has arrived in the northwest region on the orders of the Emperor to provide disaster relief. However, the relief grain allocated by the court is far from enough. In addition, a war has broken out on the northwest border. If there is no more grain to distribute, the northwest will be in chaos due to internal and external troubles."
"No... Impossible..." Zhang Yide shook his head, frowning, "If he is really the prince, why would he be so humble? Wouldn't he use the power of the government to suppress him?"
"Master Zhang, this is the most valuable quality of the prince. He said that you are also a commoner and his people, and he does not want to use his power to oppress you. This time he came to provide disaster relief and brought silver with him. He is willing to use the silver to buy it."
Zhang Yide recalled the scene of his meeting with Xiao Yujue just now, and narrowed his eyes in thought.
"I also understand that asking you to use the stored grain for disaster relief at this time will cause certain losses. However..."
Shangguan Wanning paused and continued, "So far, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince still hopes to cooperate with you. However, if you insist on not doing so, I'm afraid he will be helpless when the time comes."
Zhang Yide understood that Shangguan Wanning's so-called helplessness meant that in the end, Xiao Yujue would still use official means to resolve the issue.
This is easy to understand. After all, he also needs to complete the tasks assigned by the emperor.
"Master Zhang, the old lady has a kind heart. She eats vegetarian food and chants Buddhist scriptures every day, hoping that the Bodhisattva can bless the Zhang family to be safe and sound. She normally can't bear to step on even an ant to death. If she knew that there were starving people everywhere outside and she held a grand birthday banquet, she would feel uncomfortable."
Shangguan Wanning paid attention to the changes in Zhang Yide's expression, and he seemed to be moved as well.
"I know you never told the old lady about the disaster outside, so I didn't say a word to her either. But, I don't know when the disaster will end, and she will know one day."
Zhang Yide’s frown deepened.
If the time comes for Xiao Yujue to enforce it, it will be difficult for the mother not to know.
"Master Zhang, the Crown Prince is the heir apparent of a country. Many people have tried every means to get close to him, but now this opportunity has come to us. The old lady has always hoped that the Zhang family could have an official who would bring honor to the family."
"I heard from the old lady that your child is smart and talented. Don't you want to help him find a good future? And your daughter is already old enough to get married. If you can get the prince to match her up with a good family, she will have no worries in her life."
Shangguan Wanning's last words completely touched Zhang Yide's heart.
Although the Zhang family was extremely wealthy, their status as merchants was not high after all, and they were not even qualified to take the imperial examinations.
Perhaps, this really is a great opportunity to change the fate of the Zhang family.
"But I just... have already rejected His Royal Highness, so he..."
Shangguan Wanning breathed a sigh of relief.
"How about letting me introduce you again?"
Zhang Yide showed a happy expression and bowed to Shangguan Wanning. "Thank you, Miss Shangguan."
"Then please lead the way, Master Zhang."
Zhang Yide immediately took Shangguan Wanning to see Xiao Yujue again. His thoughts were completely different from before.
If you can really use money to exchange for the future development trend of the Zhang family, then it would be worth it.
"Sir, why don't we go and think of another solution." Mu Jingyan couldn't stay any longer, and she didn't like having a birthday banquet here.
"Your Highness, we haven't discussed the serious matters yet, how can you leave in such a hurry?"
Xiao Yujue was startled when she heard the familiar voice. She turned around and saw Shangguan Wanning and Zhang Yide walking in together.
"Didn't you go back?" Mu Jingyan was also surprised. "If my brother knew, he would be so angry that he would beat people up."
"If you don't tell me and I don't tell you, how would he know?" Shangguan Wan Ning didn't care.
"I, Zhang Yide, pay my respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. I did not know your identity just now, so I am sorry for the offense. Please forgive me."
Xiao Yujue didn't expect that his identity had been known by Zhang Yide. When he saw Shangguan Wanning's playful eyes, he had to help Zhang Yide up.
"Ignorance is not a crime. Please stand up, Master Zhang."
"Your Highness. I am willing to donate all the food that can be mobilized in the northwest region and the surrounding areas for disaster relief."
Xiao Yujue was surprised and happy. From the corner of his eye he saw Shangguan Wanning's eyebrows slightly raised.
What method did this girl use to make Zhang Yide agree so readily?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
