Chapter 906: Giving Birth to a Good Daughter (Large Chapter, New)
Wen Shoucai himself was even more confused.
Today, the father-in-law from above came to their company, and not only did he not cause any trouble or find fault, but he even came up to them with a shy smile on his face to talk?
"Oh, my Lord Wen, how can we let you do such a job? These servants are really going too far." After saying this, the eunuch immediately took the wood from Wen Shoucai's hand and said, "Master, please take a break. Be careful not to hurt your hands."
Wen Shoucai was stunned for a moment, then immediately smiled apologetically, "Eunuch Li, does Concubine Hui have any new ideas for this makeup basket? Just tell me, and I will definitely help her make it myself."
The Li Lu in front of me is not someone I can easily deal with.
Some time ago, Concubine Hui said that the original makeup was ruined, so the office made the best makeup basket and sent it to her. But before Concubine Hui could see it, Li Lu got very angry and said that how dare they send such a crude and shoddy thing to their Chuxiu Palace.
It took several skilled workers seven or eight days to make the makeup basket, but it was broken.
Not only that, he even specifically asked me, the head of the construction department, to personally create it. Now, because of this makeup, I haven't had a good night's sleep in a few days.
Today he came over again with a fake smile on his face, and I don’t know what I did to offend him.
However, Wen Shoucai knew in his heart that Concubine Hui always seemed to be at odds with Concubine De, and she had always targeted Concubine De in everything.
Li Lu was most likely chosen by Concubine Hui. This task was indeed a difficult one. However, he was also a veteran of Concubine De's service. This slight grievance was not a big deal. He could just bear it and it would pass.
"What are you talking about, sir? Our queen is the most kindhearted and naturally would not want you to suffer. The one you built before was quite good. I wonder if you can repair it?"
Wen Shoucai was stunned when he heard this, then he smiled apologetically and said, "What are you talking about? That one is indeed not good enough. Although it has been repaired, I dare not give it to Concubine Hui again."
"Your Excellency, don't be so modest. I think everything in your Construction Department is top-notch. Just take it."
Li Lu smiled and said, glancing to the side. "That's it, right? I'm carrying it back today. The Queen also said, 'Thank you for your hard work these past few days,' and asked me to bring you some rewards." As he said this, he stuffed a purse into Wen Shoucai's hand and walked out the door without looking back.
Even after Li Lu disappeared from view, Wen Shoucai was still a little dazed.
The young disciple beside him was so shocked that he couldn't close his mouth. "Master, what's going on? What medicine did Li Lu take today? And Concubine Hui actually rewarded us with silver?"
It was usually Concubine Hui's job that was the most difficult. Everyone in the department wanted to stay away from her. This reward was the first in many years.
"Okay, stop thinking about it all day. Let's just focus on doing our job. This reward came from nowhere, and it's a hot potato."
As Wen Shoucai spoke, he weighed the purse. The purse felt light, and his heart skipped a beat. It seemed that the silver was not light.
"Master, is there any conspiracy in Chuxiu Palace targeting you? You'd better be careful." The young disciple beside him looked at Wen Shoucai with some concern.
"Don't worry, Master knows what's going on." Wen Shoucai patted his apprentice's shoulder soothingly: "Help Master clear the table quickly."
Now that things have come to this, if I continue to sit here and work on making makeup baskets, I would be a fool.
If the enemy comes, we will fight him with our soldiers; if the water comes, we will block it with earth. If all else fails, we will go find Empress Defei.
Before the two of them finished cleaning up the things in front of them, they heard voices coming from outside the door again.
Wen Shoucai was startled, and immediately stood up to greet him. When he saw the person coming, he was stunned for a moment: "Oh, Eunuch Li? What brings you here? Please come in."
This eunuch Li is not that eunuch Li!
The person who came this time was Li Dequan, who served the Emperor. It was rare for him to even glance at such a person before, but he didn't expect that he would come in person today.
To be honest, he had some friendship with Li Dequan. Before, Eunuch Li went to work in the Fourth Master's Mansion for a while for some reasons.
Because he would occasionally return to the palace to reply to the emperor, Jiuer would always ask him to bring him some food during those days.
After a few interactions, they became familiar with each other, but the other person was a member of the imperial court, so Wen Shoucai didn't dare to make friends with him.
"Oh, Master Wen, I dare not be so polite."
Li Dequan took two quick steps and supported Wen Shoucai in front of him. His eyes narrowed with laughter as he said, "Master Wen, please pack up quickly. I will go up with this old servant to see the emperor."
Wen Shoucai was completely stunned: "This...Eunuch, please don't be ridiculous. Why would the emperor want to see me?"
Even Wen Shoucai himself found it a little funny when he heard it.
Li Dequan saw his expression and knew that he was a little unconvinced. He smiled and said, "Sir, do you think we are joking? Please pack up quickly and change your clothes. Please hurry up and don't keep the emperor waiting."
This time, not only Wen Shoucai was shocked, but everyone in the temple was stunned for a moment.
Soon after, the news spread throughout the Imperial Household Department as if it had legs. Upon hearing the news, the heads of the seven departments and three courts in the Imperial Household Department dropped their work and went to the Construction Department in groups of three or four.
The purpose was to make himself familiar to Eunuch Li Dequan.
But when I got here, I didn't see anyone at all.
"Where is your master?" Director Shenxing asked Wen Shoucai's little apprentice while holding his hand.
The young disciple was also confused for a moment: "Master followed Eunuch Li and left, saying that the emperor had summoned him.
The head of the Shenxing Division's eyes widened. "The Emperor summoned you? What's going on? Is there something important here for the Construction Division?"
After a moment's thought, he frowned and looked at Wen Shoucai's apprentice. "I heard that your Construction Department hasn't had any major renovations lately, and your director has even been making makeup baskets himself. So why is he summoned by the Emperor now? Could it be that his makeup baskets are so good?"
Young disciple: “…”
How come their private affairs became known to others so quickly?
The chief ceremonial officer beside him immediately stroked his beard and said bluntly, "Old Ma, you are just not very smart. You are a gentle and thrifty person, but things are different now."
"What? Did he grow an extra pair of eyes, or an extra pair of ears?" The Ministry of Punishment and the Ministry of Ceremonies had always been at odds with each other. Upon hearing this, the head of the Ministry of Prudence suddenly widened his eyes.
The head of the ceremonial department listened to his angry words, but he did not seem angry. He stroked his beard with a smile and said, "Do you know where Wen Shoucai's daughter is now?"
The head of the Ministry of Punishment was taken aback. Before he could say anything, the head of the Ministry of Armaments next to him said, "This is what they call one person's success brings prosperity to the whole family.
Miss Wen Shoucai was really ambitious. Back then, everyone laughed at her, saying that she had high aspirations but a fragile life. But now, look at her again. Although she was ambitious, she was indeed the concubine of the Fourth Master.
Her belly was even more prosperous, and she gave birth to four sons in one go."
"I heard that the girl from the Wen family is very pretty, is it true? You have worked with Wen Shoucai for many years, have you ever seen her?" The head of the Ministry of Punishment couldn't help but ask again.
"Of course. That girl has been prettier than others since she was little. Otherwise, how could she be favored?"
"Eh? I don't think so. Look around and see if there is anyone in this palace who isn't beautiful.
I don't believe that beauty alone can win favor. This girl must have some talent. She once worked in my ceremonial office for a while, but back then, I didn't see anything special about her. Fortunately, for the sake of her father and aunt, I took care of her and didn't make a fuss.
Who could have imagined that she would have such good fortune today? If I had known earlier, I would have made more good connections back then."
"You're right. This girl is now the sole heir in the Fourth Master's household. The Fourth Master has doted on her over the years. Before she gave birth, he personally came to our company to select someone to take good care of her. It seems he must have put some care into this concubine."
"Good boy, what a skill! I thought it was because of Consort De that the Fourth Master treated him differently.
"Oh, right. A couple of days ago, I went to the Empress Dowager's palace to deliver something, and I saw Consort Wen chatting and laughing with the Empress Dowager. All the other ladies in the palace stood far away, but she was the only one who could stay close to the Empress Dowager. What an honor!"
"Oh, I have some personal connections with the head of the Imperial Kitchen. I also heard that she inherited the cooking skills of her old man. Even the Emperor often summons her to the palace because he loves the meals she cooks."
As he spoke, he suddenly waved to the people around him.
Several managers who were stunned by what they heard immediately came forward.
The chief official lowered his voice again and said, "I heard that the Fourth Master has gone out with this concubine on some business. The young princes are all raised by the Emperor. I also heard that the young princes seem to have a very good relationship with Wen Shoucai. In the past two days, the young princes have been thinking about him and even sent him food."
As soon as these words came out, the other managers looked at each other, all of them were so shocked that they were speechless.
After a while, the head of the Ministry of Punishment said, "From now on, we may have to curry favor with Wen Shoucai. You said that the wife of the Fourth Master is very sick. She didn't even come to the Virtuous Consort's birthday celebration. I heard that she is about to die.
If Wen Shoucai's daughter can be made the legal wife in the future, then wouldn't he be the Fourth Master's legitimate father-in-law?"
"Old Ma, please stop kidding." A manager next to him smiled and shook his head.
"How could we, with our background, possibly have a legitimate wife? Just being a concubine is already a great honor for our ancestors. That girl was lucky enough to give birth to four children in one go, and those children were truly blessed. The Emperor made an exception, and that's enough for us to be able to have one."
She was just the daughter of a small camp manager and came from a bannerman family. Even if she had more abilities, she probably wouldn't be able to move up any further.
If you were a prince, would you marry a famous noblewoman as your first wife, or leave the position to this concubine?"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone around him nodded.
"It's not impossible. What if Old Wen becomes successful and becomes the head of the Imperial Household Department, and then enters the imperial court? Wouldn't that be enough for him?"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone laughed, knowing that it was a joke.
Although they were all a little disappointed, they also knew that among their daughters of this background, the most capable one was the girl from the old Wen family.
If I want to go any further, I'm afraid it's impossible.
…
On the other side, Dabao happily brought over a grilled skewer.
"Grandpa, please eat it. We all ate it. It tastes delicious."
Wen Shoucai was a little confused when he saw the scene in front of him.
As soon as he entered the house, he saw the Emperor grilling skewers with several young princes.
He was so stunned that he didn't even have time to pay his respects. But when he heard this, he fell to his knees, trembling with fear.
"I dare not, Your Majesty. I will die a thousand times. Please punish me, Your Majesty."
Dabao looked at Wen Shoucai, blinking his big eyes in confusion, and squatted down: "Grandfather, you...!"
"I dare not, I dare not." Wen Shoucai's cold sweat dripped down his forehead and he kowtowed immediately: "Please, Brother Hongyun, please don't call me grandfather. I don't deserve it."
"Why can't I call you that? But you are my grandfather." Dabao frowned and glanced at Wen Shoucai, then ran to Emperor Kangxi and said, "Your Majesty, why did my grandfather say that? Mother also said so, but Dabao doesn't understand. The book says that as a younger generation, we should respect and love the elders in the family. There is absolutely no reason for the elders to kneel while the younger generation sits."
Emperor Kangxi was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Dabao is right, Wen Shoucai, get up and sit over there. Today we're not talking about master and servant, but only about family. Actually, I have something to ask you."
When these words came out, Wen Shoucai's hands trembled with fear, and he immediately kowtowed: "Your Majesty, please give your orders. I will not refuse even if it means death."
Emperor Kangxi frowned as he looked at him, and asked in confusion, "With a personality like yours, how did you become so bold as to drink wine?"
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. Concubine Wen is still young and was indeed reckless. It is all my fault. After all, I have been spoiled since childhood, and I am sure this has caused you, Your Majesty, a lot of trouble. I kowtow to you and admit my mistake."
"Extremely audacious?" Erbao took a bite of the skewer and suddenly laughed. "Holy shit, even mother said Erbao was extremely audacious." After thinking for a moment, he looked at Wen Shoucai in confusion. "But why did grandpa apologize?"
Emperor Kangxi glanced at Wen Shoucai and said, "Your grandfather is very smart."
When it comes to himself, he is willing to die. When it comes to Wenjiu, he only says that he kowtowed and apologized, but he does not mention Wenjiu's fault at all, nor does he ask Wenjiu to apologize.
"Come on, hurry up and have your meal together. Don't spoil the fun for me and the children. Hurry up." Emperor Kangxi said with a bit of impatience, pointing to the seat next to him.
Wen Shoucai carefully glanced at Emperor Kangxi's expression, but ultimately responded with a "Thank you, Lord, for your grace." He then quietly walked to the nearby shelf. Hammer Hand served.
"I told you to sit down. You're blocking my light."
After hearing this, Wen Shoucai took two deep breaths and then sat down with his head held high.
For a moment, I felt a bit dazed.
He was dining at the same table with the emperor! Someone pinched him, wondering if he was dreaming!
"Grandfather, this is what the child gave you, just eat it."
Emperor Kangxi looked at the faces of Wen Shoucai and Wen Jiu, which were quite similar, and then looked at the tense expressions on these faces. Somehow he found it a little funny and pointed at the skewers of meat.
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