Chapter 552 Proposal
Swords, spears, halberds, armor and horses are all indispensable.
But these things are only available in the imperial court and the Ministry of War. Xiao Yan cannot blatantly take them for personal use. If he uses other methods to raise them, it will cost a huge amount of money.
But if they have an iron mine with a high output, and then build some iron smelting and tool-making workshops, then they won't have to ask others for help from them from now on.
My brother will also be more confident in dealing with future wars.
Tang Ning's mind raced, and he put away his smile and said seriously, "Mrs. Cui, you should understand the meaning of 'no reward without merit.'"
Madam Cui said, "As I said, this is our apology gift to Governor Xiao."
Tang Ning looked at her steadily: "The Cui family has already paid compensation. The price is enough to offset Cui Lin's mistake that night. If we accept this thing again, it would be greedy."
Seeing that Madam Cui was about to speak, Tang Ning's voice became slightly deeper.
"Madam Cui, I admit that I am very tempted by this thing, and my brother would also like it. If I had known that the Cui family was willing to part with it, I would have been willing to give up all the things that Grand Tutor Liang promised you. But now that my brother has already accepted the gold as an apology from the Cui family, there is absolutely no reason for him to ask for it again."
"A man without integrity cannot stand. If this is just to make amends for Cui Lin, then you should take it back."
Madam Cui looked at Tang Ning's serious expression, and it was obvious that she was not joking. If she couldn't explain it clearly, even if the profits of the iron mine were very attractive, Princess Xiangning would probably not take it over today.
Madam Cui hesitated for a moment before gritting her teeth and saying, "My princess is intelligent. You are right. This iron mine is indeed not just for apology. I have a favor to ask of you and Governor Xiao."
Tang Ning thought to himself, "As expected," he said.
Madam Cui: "I want my husband to be the head of the Cui family."
Tang Ning was stunned for a moment, then heard the young woman opposite say:
"My father is old and confused, and he has long forgotten the noble family's integrity. He committed such a shameful act with Xuan Qin and refused to repent. He has brought shame upon the entire Cui family, and made everyone lose face."
"As long as he remains in the position of Patriarch, this matter will be brought up. Furthermore, he hates Governor Xiao and is trying every way to cause trouble, which makes me very uneasy. I would like to use this iron ore as a token of gratitude and ask Governor Xiao to help my husband take charge of the Cui family as soon as possible."
Tang Ningwan never expected that Madam Cui would have such thoughts. She frowned and said, "Master Cui is the eldest son of the family. The Cui family will naturally belong to him in the future."
"I know, but I don't want to wait."
Perhaps Tang Ning's words just now made her realize that it would be difficult to get what she wanted without telling the truth. Madam Cui said in a deep voice:
"Father lost his official position and is bedridden, yet he still clings to the Cui family. The Xuan family is even more obsessed with us because of Xuan Qin's affair with my father."
"I just tried to persuade my husband a few times, but my father got so angry that he beat me with family rules. He knew that the accusation at the palace banquet was wrong, and the Cui family is already in trouble, but he still refused to give up and is still secretly investigating the He family's past."
When Madam Cui talked about Cui Lindong's violation of family rules, her face turned extremely ugly.
Cui Lin was originally angry at her for having him imprisoned in Zichen Palace to protect the Cui family. He had to agree due to the circumstances at the time, but after he was released from prison, he regarded her as a thorn in his side.
Later, because the Xuan family came to harass her, her son was ashamed and angry and cursed the Xuan Qin family for being shameless, and blamed his grandfather Cui Lin for misconduct. Cui Lin became angry and ashamed.
The family law that Mrs. Cui mentioned was not directed at her uncle Cui, but at her son. If she had not been standing by at the time, she could have pulled the uncle Cui, who was watching coldly, to block it.
With that whip, her thirteen-year-old son's face would have been disfigured and his life would have been ruined.
Mrs. Cui's eyes were filled with extreme resentment and a hint of cruelty.
"The princess must know how the He family perished. Although our families have paid some compensation, will Governor Xiao really let it go?"
"My father has been constantly provoking trouble, and I'm unwilling to give up. If he continues to lead the Cui family, it will sooner or later cause disaster. I don't want my children and relatives to be buried with him and the Cui family. I want Governor Xiao to help me so that my husband can inherit the Cui family as soon as possible. I also want Governor Xiao to agree to let my son become the young master of the Cui family."
"I can swear on my mother's family that no matter what Governor Xiao does in the future, the Cui family will never be his enemy. This iron mine is my sincerity."
Tang Ning listened to what Mrs. Cui said and looked at her for a long time with his eyes slightly narrowed.
"That's all?"
"That's all."
Madam Cui pushed the brocade box to Tang Ning's hand and said, "Superintendent Xiao has great means. He only needs to send someone with this item to Yuanzhou to take over the iron mine."
"This iron mine was discovered not too long ago. Although it has been mined for a while, it is still rich in minerals. The indentured miners currently in the mine are all experienced miners. I can send them all to Governor Xiao. As for the Cui family's matter, you can wait for Governor Xiao to confirm it before helping me."
"You can take this thing back to Governor Xiao first. I trust Governor Xiao and you, the princess."
Tang Ning looked at her quietly for a moment before closing the brocade box. "Okay, I'll give the thing to my brother and relay your words to him word for word. If my brother agrees, I'll get back to you. If not, I'll have this thing returned to you."
Madam Cui's face lit up with joy: "Thank you, Princess."
Tang Ning put the brocade box aside and said, "Young Madam just said that she kept me here for two reasons. One is this, what's the other one?"
Madam Cui glanced at Xue Ru and said, "I have a thirteen-year-old son in my house. He is handsome and gentle. Although his academic performance is not outstanding, he is intelligent and upright. I would like to propose marriage to the princess on his behalf."
"Propose to me?!"
Tang Ning's hand slipped and the box was almost knocked to the ground.
Xue Ru, who had been quiet at the side, also widened her eyes. Madam Cui actually wanted her son to marry her elder sister?!
Seeing the two's shocked expressions, Madam Cui knew they were mistaken. She quickly said, "No, no, I'm not asking to marry the princess. I'm asking to marry Miss Xue on behalf of my son."
"I?!"
Xue Ru's eyes widened.
Tang Ning was stunned: "You want to ask for A Ru to marry you on behalf of Mr. Cui?"
"yes."
Madam Cui said, "Ms. Xue is beautiful and dignified, with excellent character. She is of the same age as my son. I fell in love with her the moment I saw her today. Originally, I should have discussed this matter with her parents and elders, but the Song family..."
She paused, and did not mention the troublesome incident at the Song family. She just looked at the two of them and said:
"I know that Miss Xue and the princess have a deep sisterly bond. An elder sister is like a mother. It would be more appropriate to discuss her marriage with the princess. Since Miss Xue is here today, I won't beat around the bush."
"I want to marry Miss Xue to my son, and have her help him manage Cui's household affairs. I wonder if Miss Xue is willing?"
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