For several days in a row, Gu Yaoniang had to report to the Ministry of Revenue every day.
Prince Qing is now in charge of all matters related to the production of commercial bills, and he is riding high. He works diligently in the Ministry of Revenue, studying this initiative in detail with officials of all ranks.
This was the first major matter that Prince Qing had taken charge of since he began observing the administration of the Ministry of Revenue, and he naturally took it very seriously.
Commercial drafts were originally used in business dealings between the Gu and Lu families. Since the imperial court intended to use this as a foundation to promote and develop commercial drafts, making them universally accepted throughout the country, summoning representatives from the Gu and Lu families for inquiry was naturally essential.
That day, Prince Qing personally escorted Gu Yaoniang and Lu Zhaoan out of the Ministry of Revenue. To be precise, it was to see Gu Yaoniang off. Lu Zhaoan followed behind them, seemingly completely forgotten by Prince Qing.
Gu Yaoniang looked extremely apprehensive and repeatedly said, "No need," and "I dare not." Prince Qing, however, continued walking forward, saying, "Madam Gu has worked hard these past few days, why be so polite?"
He gazed at Gu Yaoniang's serene profile and smiled warmly.
The sky was already dimming, and Gu Yaoniang had a light smile on her lips, as if she were born with a smile.
Upon careful reflection, Zhao Yang realized that since they met two years ago, he had never seen Gu Yaoniang speak harshly or sternly. Even when she rejected him, her words were always cold and distant, yet the corners of her lips always turned up in a smile.
"How could that be? Your Highness needs the Gu family's help. Such a good deed for the country and the people is something the Gu family would be more than happy to do. Besides, sharing the emperor's burdens is the duty of a subject, so how can it be considered hardship?"
Hearing Gu Yaoniang's understanding and sensible manner, Prince Qing's smile became even more genuine: "If the commercial bills are successfully implemented in the future, the Gu family will surely be credited with the greatest contribution! Has Madam Gu thought about what she wants?"
Gu Yaoniang bowed slightly and said cautiously, "This is the Gu family's duty, how dare I take credit?"
She knew her limits and didn't dare to become arrogant just because the Gu family had contributed a little.
Gu Yaoniang's aloofness was very clear, but Prince Qing seemed completely oblivious, still smiling amiably.
He turned his head to look at the orange-red light of day; the dark night was gradually approaching.
He made it sound like a casual remark, asking, "Madam Gu, it's getting late, and the house must be deserted. Would you like to come with me to the city for a simple meal?"
After his coming-of-age ceremony, Prince Qing moved out of the imperial city and established his own residence outside the city. This was one of the signs that a prince of the Dacheng Dynasty had officially come of age.
He was the most powerful master in the Prince Qing's mansion, so how could the kitchen not prepare meals for him? Even if he suddenly had the idea in the dead of night and specifically asked for the second carp from the third ditch in the river bend outside the city, the cooks in the Prince Qing's mansion would definitely carry knives and find a way to cross the city gate and cook it for him as fast as they could.
Gu Yaoniang naturally knew that the excuse of not having a meal at the mansion was just that—an excuse; it was simply that Prince Qing wanted to dine with her.
However, today's discussions at the Ministry of Revenue were far from pleasant. The officials there still wanted to use pearl-embroidered paper as the medium for official commercial notes, but they felt it would be undignified to involve merchants like the Gu family, and the debate continued incessantly.
Gu Yaoniang had something on her mind. She knew that if the court had any designs on her, the Gu family would have to offer up the pearl. However, she couldn't just hand it over without any objection, as that would be too humiliating.
She was preoccupied with going home to discuss the matter with Gu Xingzhi, so she had no interest in having a meal and idle chat with Prince Qing to feign politeness.
She smiled and said, "Your Highness, my family is very strict. My second uncle will definitely be waiting for me to have a meal at home, so I dare not not go back. If your family doesn't have any food for you, why don't you go to Jin Yu Lou? Just put it on my tab, and I'll treat you."
Gu Yaoniang smiled broadly, her attitude very sincere and genuine.
Prince Qing did not insist, and waved his hand: "Very well! Very well! I will not force anyone."
After the New Year, Gu Pingsheng went to the mountains and personally used clay he collected from the mountains to make a small wind chime for Gu Yaoniang, which he then hung on the eaves to bring good fortune.
At this moment, the sound of bells rang out, and Bi Shuang sat cross-legged on the carriage shaft, swaying with Zhao Cai as she came to the two of them.
She jumped down lightly, bowed to Prince Qing, and then said to Yao Niang with a smile, "My lady, let's go."
Prince Qing found it quite amusing: "Lady Gu is quite unique; she actually has her own maid drive the carriage herself."
Gu Yaoniang showed no discomfort whatsoever. Instead, she looked at Bishuang with affection and said, "She's active and likes to do these things. The Gu family doesn't have many rules, so we just let her be."
After saying his farewells to Prince Qing, he boarded the Zhaocai and headed outside.
Prince Qing stood still, looking at the bluestone slab. The magnificent carriage was no longer visible, but the clear sound of the wind chimes seemed to still echo in his ears.
Lu Zhaoan then stepped forward to bid him farewell.
Prince Qing seemed to have just remembered that Lu Zhaoan was also there, and rubbed his hands in annoyance: "I've neglected my cousin! I hope he's not angry."
Lu Zhaoan remained expressionless and replied simply, "No."
Prince Qing wasn't angry. He'd long been used to Lu Zhao'an's behavior over the years. He was like that with everyone, completely oblivious to flattery or ingratiation.
The attendant brought over the horse, and Lu Zhaoan mounted it with ease. Prince Chaoqing bowed and took his leave, then departed from the quiet alley outside the Ministry of Revenue.
Prince Qing stood there, muttering to himself, "How could he be so... clueless?"
It's unclear whether they were referring to Gu Yaoniang or Lu Zhaoan.
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Bi Shuang drove the carriage steadily but not fast, and Lu Zhao'an quickly caught up. Gu Yaoniang heard the sound of horses' hooves, lifted the curtain to look outside, and met Lu Zhao'an's eager eyes.
Her heart skipped a beat. She looked up and could see Lu Zhaoan's taut jaw, which seemed to be straining, and the muscles on his cheeks below his ears were bulging.
Lu Zhaoan caught up with Zhao Cai and slowed down. He didn't say anything. The two of them, one on horseback and the other in the carriage, seemed to be traveling side by side.
Gu Yaoniang thought he had something to do, but after waiting for a long time without him speaking, she felt inexplicably dissatisfied. She let go of the curtains and was about to lower them again.
Lu Zhaoan quickly said, "Wait, Yaoniang."
Gu Yaoniang looked up at him, only to see his lips trembling, as if he was extremely hesitant and had something to say but couldn't.
Gu Yaoniang made a move to lower the window curtains, but Lu Zhaoan quickly asked, "Do you have any plans for your summer vacation?"
Gu Yaoniang was taken aback when she heard this—summer break?
But then he quickly realized, and chuckled to himself – wasn't he right? Summer break was just around the corner.
She met Lu Zhaoan's eyes, her clear gaze reflecting his image. Lu Zhaoan saw the burning expectation in his eyes, but then heard Gu Yaoniang ask, "What arrangements?"
Lu Zhaoan was somewhat at a loss.
He knew his question was vague, no wonder Yao Niang asked him in return. He steeled himself and forced himself to ask what was on his mind: "The Lu family has a villa in the suburbs of the capital, perfect for escaping the summer heat. If you have nothing else to do, would you like to go and have some fun?"
Gu Yaoniang chuckled: "Mr. Lu, isn't this inappropriate?"
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