"Perfect!"
"Hahaha~" Wen Xi was in a good mood. He raised his glass and said proudly, "This move can be called 'flawless'. Qi Gong, you are really smart! Come, have a drink!"
"Thank you for the compliment, brother-in-law."
Li Qigong raised his glass, clinked it with his uncle's, took a lazy sip, and slowly reminded him, "Drink less. I think the Jing family will send the obituary soon. After all, we are colleagues. We have to go to pay our respects tomorrow morning or the day after tomorrow at the latest."
"Hahaha, it's okay! Even if I'm drunk, I'll sober up after a good sleep." Wen Xi tilted his head back and drank the whole thing in one gulp, his face beaming with joy. "I heard that when the old scholar was fished out, his belly was as swollen as if he was six months pregnant. His relatives, friends, and students, oh my, they cried so hard! But everyone mistakenly thought Jing Yuanshan had fallen into the water after drinking—"
There was a loud "bang" sound!
Li Qigong paused his glass, glanced sideways at the other man, and interrupted, "What do you mean by 'mistakenly believed'? The fact is: as everyone knows, Teacher Jing was fond of drinking and fishing. While fishing alone, he fell into the water while drunk and unfortunately drowned. It's a pity."
Wen Xi came back to his senses and nodded vigorously, pretending to be sad. "Yes, yes, yes, yes! Old Sour Confucian, cough, Instructor Jing unfortunately died in an accident. Tu Ning has lost a teacher who taught for half his life. Really, really—" He couldn't pretend anymore and burst into laughter. "Hahaha, it's so relieved, it really is so relieved!"
"Hmph, that damn old sour scholar always likes to meddle in other people's business. I don't know how much trouble and frustration he has caused us. If he hadn't considered Jiang Yushu, he wouldn't have lived to this day."
Li Qigong waved his hand, "Alright, alright, that's enough." He leaned closer and asked seriously, "Old Deng, have you left Tuning yet?"
"Don't worry!" Wen Xi whispered, "After the job was done, the middleman paid him right away. He committed murder and must have feared being tracked down, so he left the city as soon as he got the money, hiding his identity and fleeing far away. He called himself 'Old Deng,' but no one knew his real name. He was a desperate criminal, hiding from place to place, never daring to stay in one place for more than three months."
Li Qigong was relieved, "That's good."
After drinking for a while, the brother-in-law came closer again and asked with a smile: "Brother-in-law, how is the approval for the textile workshop that I mentioned last time going?"
Wen Xi's smile froze, quickly turning into a sad expression. He said in embarrassment, "Alas, there are only three copies of the order. The magistrate has already issued two, and now there's only one left. Who should it be given to? I can't decide. After the people below have screened it, Jiang Yushu still needs to review it."
"Money is not a problem." Li Qigong picked up the wine pot and poured wine for the other party. "My friend is very sincere and generous. Brother-in-law, please tell me how to arrange it."
Wen Xi's double chin trembled, and his eyes narrowed into slits as he smiled. He cleared his throat and revealed, "Well, actually, I have a friend who is also interested in textile workshops. He also wants to get a permit and build a workshop for fun."
Li Qigong had known about this for a long time and was not surprised at all, but he feigned anger and asked, "Oh, no wonder you keep making excuses. It turns out you don't even want to help me. Since you've decided to turn your back on me, why bother making me worry about it in vain? You're still my brother-in-law!"
"Tsk, look at you, you're getting impatient again. How dare you offend your brother-in-law when you have a powerful family? Of course, your brother-in-law will help you!" Wen Xi leaned forward to pour the wine, grinning, "But I can't break my promise to an old friend, so I racked my brains and finally figured out a win-win plan."
Li Qigong played with his wine glass. "A win-win solution? Tell me about it."
"Hehehe~" Wen Xi burped and suggested, "Those with the same ideals are friends. Since we're friends and both are optimistic about the textile workshop, why not run it together? Working together and sharing the profits and losses is much better than going it alone."
Li Qigong rubbed his stubble and said hesitantly, "This... My friend and your friend have no friendship, and it seems they even have a feud. I'm afraid they may not be willing to join forces."
"Brother, you worry too much!"
Wen Xi was confident. "Businessmen are shrewd and profit-oriented. They'll do anything to make money. Besides, this is just a temporary alliance. After getting the approval order, they can each pay half, easily build the workshop, and wait for the profits in the future. How can a businessman refuse such a promising business?"
Li Qigong pondered for a moment, then nodded, "That makes sense. With the Wen family, the imperial merchant family, and Qinzhou's richest man leading the way in Tuning's sericulture industry, many merchants have been tempted to build textile workshops and stake out their claim, hoping to harvest the cocoons later. They should be willing to join forces."
"Of course I will!"
Li Qigong asked cheerfully, "Well, without further ado, I'll host a banquet in two days. Bring your friends along, and we'll have a meal together and get this done quickly. How about that?"
Wen Xi put down his wine glass, rubbed his right thumb and index finger together, and smiled.
Li Qigong understood and said, "Don't worry, you will not be left out of the filial piety you deserve."
Wen Xi nodded, his face flushed, and he raised his glass and said, "This matter cannot be delayed. It must be completed before the magistrate returns, so as to avoid being in a hurry when he returns."
"Okay!" Li Qigong raised his glass, and the two men clinked glasses, smiled at each other, and became so close that all the previous grudges seemed to be wiped out.
At the same time, Heqingguo Mansion
The hall is tall and spacious, with doors and windows closed.
On the incense table, there are tablets of ancestors, with incense burning and candles burning, solemn and dignified.
There was a high table next to the desk, on which were placed a whip and a board, which were the family torture instruments.
Except for the new daughter-in-law and the children who had just entered the house, the rest of the people began to talk in secret.
Wang sat below the incense table, and her second son, daughter-in-law, and concubine's son sat opposite her, all with serious expressions.
Wang's face became long and she ordered, "Kneel down."
Guo Hongxuan was dejected and knelt down silently.
Wang asked sternly, "In front of the spirit tablets of our ancestors, tell me what mistakes you have made."
"My son, my son has made many mistakes and I know I deserve to be punished." Guo Hongxuan swallowed his saliva, glanced at his brother, and said flatteringly: "Please ask mother, second brother, second sister-in-law, and third brother to punish me. Whether it's scolding or beating, as long as it can make my family calm down, I am willing to lead it."
Wang scolded angrily, "Willingly? What? You made a mistake out of ignorance, and you dare not be willing to be punished?"
"I dare not, I dare not, I dare not!" Guo Hongxuan hurriedly shook his head. "Mother, please use the family rules. I know I was wrong. I beg for your forgiveness."
Guo Honglei remained calm, unlike the furious expression he had the night he discovered the truth. He slowly said, "The elders teach you a lesson to urge you to mend your ways. If you can repent, your family will naturally forgive you."
"That's right! If you don't repent, I'll beat you until you change!" Wang glared at her youngest son and demanded, "From now on, can you study hard?"
Guo Hongxuan nodded vigorously.
"Do you still dare to live a life of debauchery?"
Guo Hongxuan said with a bitter face, "Mom, when did I ever indulge in wine and women?"
"Hmph." Wang's face darkened. "You didn't indulge in wine and women? Then how did your soul get seduced by that vixen?"
"I—" Guo Hongxuan was choked, and then subconsciously defended his sweetheart, "Susu is not a foxy woman. Ever since I redeemed her, she has stayed at home to serve her sick mother, and I have never gone to a brothel to listen to music again."
Wang was deeply disgusted and sternly ordered, "We are a decent family. You are not allowed to mention the words 'eating and drinking'. You are not allowed to pollute the ears of our family. From now on, you are not allowed to hang out with prostitutes anymore. You must study hard and strive to pass the imperial examinations to bring honor to our family. Do you understand? Do you remember?"
"Mother, calm down. Please listen to your son's explanation." Guo Hongxuan frowned and spoke earnestly, solemnly stating, "Susu has had a difficult life. Although she was forced to fall into prostitution, she has always been chaste and never sold her body, but her art. She is definitely not the kind of person you imagine!"
Jiang Yushu watched quietly, thinking, "What a trouble! My fourth brother has obviously fallen in love with the courtesan. He is really in love with her. The more his family members try to persuade him, the deeper his love becomes."
"Oh?" Wang sneered disdainfully and asked slowly, "Even if a woman who has fallen into prostitution sells her art but not her body, does she need to show her face in public? Does she sell her smile? Does she accompany people for drinks?"
Guo Hongxuan's face flushed instantly, and he felt extremely sorry for Tian Susu, as if he had been insulted. He replied unhappily: "She is the most beautiful courtesan, proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting. Ordinary people can't even see her."
Wang was furious and asked sarcastically, "Oiran? She's the one who serves the rich and powerful, right?"
"Alas," Guo Hongxuan muttered indignantly, "Mother doesn't understand Susu at all. Could you please stop being sarcastic?"
Guo Honglei's expression changed, and he scolded in a deep voice: "How dare you! What's that tone of voice? Apologize to your mother immediately!"
"Mom, please calm down. I have no intention of disrespecting you." Guo Hongxuan was extremely anxious. He turned around hurriedly and knelt in front of his mother.
"Fourth brother, what mother said is true." Guo Hongzhe spoke earnestly, asking bluntly, "As the saying goes, 'A red flower grows redder when it is near vermilion, and a black flower grows blacker when it is near ink.' Is it just to cultivate one's character that a courtesan studies the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting? If she didn't understand the art, how could she have earned the title of 'Oiran'?"
Guo Hongxuan was deeply in love with Tian Susu, and just when he was inseparable from her, he muttered, "You have preconceived notions and have already convicted Susu. No matter what I say, you refuse to believe it."
Jiang Yushu was shocked to find her mother-in-law gasping for breath with anger. She quickly smoothed her back and comforted her, saying, "Don't worry. There is always a solution to every problem."
Wang was angry and sad, and she cursed in disappointment: "For a prostitute, you not only fought with your brother, but also blamed your mother. You, you evil creature." After she finished speaking, she stood up, picked up the whip with her own hands, broke it short, and "snap" hit her youngest son with the whip.
"evil creature!"
"You unfilial bastard, bewildered as you are! How dare you criticize your mother to her face for a lowly whore?" Frustrated, Wang lashed out with the whip, "Today, I must teach you a lesson!"
Guo Hongxuan instinctively wanted to hide, but he forced himself to hold back. He held his head and said dejectedly, "Hit me, hit me. And by the way, beat me up for my second brother. I shouldn't have fought with my brother the night before last."
"you--"
Wang's face turned pale, and she whipped him seven or eight times in anger, gasping for breath.
Seeing this, the younger generation tried to dissuade them.
"Mother, calm down and take a break. Be careful not to get yourself hurt by anger."
Guo Honglei snatched the whip away and sighed, "You are old, so be careful not to get angry."
Jiang Yushu pushed her mother-in-law to sit down and said, "Don't worry. Once we have discussed everything, it won't be too late to use family rules."
"Don't stop him. If he dares to run out to see Vixen again, break both of his legs!" Although Wang was angry, she felt sorry for her own flesh and blood and looked closely at her son's injuries.
"Ouch, hiss~" Guo Hongxuan's face wasn't injured, but the back of his hand, where he was holding his head, had a few more whip marks. He sensed his mother's distress, so he mustered up his courage and took the opportunity to tell her, "I know my family won't agree, but there's nothing I can do. Susu's mother had a tragic fate, wandering in a foreign land for most of her life. Before she died, she asked her daughter to transport her back to her hometown for burial... Well, Susu is a weak woman who has never traveled far. I'm really worried."
"Therefore, I would like to escort her to Qinzhou, complete my business, and return immediately! I beg for your permission, mother."
Wang covered her chest, unable to believe it. "What? What did you say?"
Guo Honglei suppressed his anger, looked at his brother calmly, and asked slowly, "Have you thought it through?"
Jiang Yushu then asked, "Did she ask for it, or did you take the initiative to propose it?"
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