Su Zheng followed the servant to the guest room in the outer courtyard and settled down.
The servant Shunzi ran in and whispered, "Master, I've heard that the Xie family's father and son live in the courtyard next door."
The Su family fell into decline and all the servants were dismissed, leaving only Shunzi's family.
Shunzi's family are all servants of the Su family. They have served the Su family for generations and are extremely loyal.
Su Zheng paused while holding the teacup and asked, "Are you sure the Xie family father and son live in the courtyard next door?"
Shunzi nodded repeatedly, "I saw it clearly, there's no mistake. The Xie family's servants are carrying luggage inside."
Su Zheng thought about it, came to the gate of the courtyard, looked out through the crack in the door, and sure enough, he saw the servants of the Xie family moving things to the next courtyard.
Su Zheng frowned and thought deeply. Was it an accident that he was arranged to live next to the Xie family courtyard?
Thinking back to the meaningful words that cousin Gu Jiu said, could it be that cousin Gu Jiu deliberately arranged for him to live next door to the Xie family?
But how did cousin Gu Jiu do it?
In a blink of an eye, Su Zheng laughed again.
Cousin Gu Jiu is very smart, so this little thing will definitely not be difficult for her.
All in all, whether it was an accident or a deliberate arrangement, it did make things convenient for him.
After meeting Gu Ting and Gu Jiu, and learning about the difficulties his cousins faced in making a living under Madam Xie, Su Zheng wanted to do something to help them.
The father and son of the Xie family went through a long journey and came all the way to Jinzhou, definitely not just to visit Xie.
Cousin Gu Jiu seemed very curious about the purpose of Xie's father and son's visit, and he was equally curious.
Su Zheng looked at the wall next to the courtyard. Since he was close to the water, he might as well take this opportunity to inquire for his cousin Gu Jiu.
Su Zheng beckoned Shunzi over and whispered, "Remember to pay attention to what's happening next door. See what they do and say."
Shunzi nodded, then became troubled again, "Master, we have no money, and we can't even find anyone to inquire about the news. What should we do?"
Su Zheng was also a little embarrassed. "Just get over it for now. Jinzhou is a big city. Tomorrow I'll write two storybooks and you can take them to the bookstore to sell. They should fetch a good price."
"Young Master is so busy writing storybooks for money that he has no time to review his lessons. If he misses out on studying and fails the imperial examination, the master will be so disappointed."
"You're the only one who talks too much."
Shunzi made a face behind Su Zheng's back, then said, "Master, I'm going to go outside to familiarize myself with the situation. Don't worry, I will definitely bring you news today."
Su Zheng laughed and said, "Go ahead, don't mess around."
Shunzi ran away in a hurry.
…
Go up to the room.
The room was very quiet, with only Mrs. Xie and Mr. Xie II in it.
The maids are all outside.
Mrs. Xie put down her teacup and said calmly, "Brother, you came all the way to visit me. I am very grateful to you."
Master Xie smiled and said, "We are siblings. It would be awkward to say such things."
Xie raised her eyebrows and smiled, "I dare not be so polite, otherwise my sister-in-law will say that I am taking advantage of my mother's family."
"Your sister-in-law has long hair and short knowledge, so don't bother with her. I came to Jinzhou this time specifically to give you money."
Xie smiled, "How much?"
Second Master Xie held up five fingers and gestured, "Five thousand taels."
Mrs. Xie snorted, "Five thousand taels, that's not a small amount. Why would my brother have to go there in person for such a small amount of money? Just send a steward to deliver it."
Master Xie stroked his beard and said with a smile, "It's been many years since I last saw my sister. I've been thinking about her, so I took this opportunity to come and see her."
Xie curled her lips, her eyes a little disdainful, "Brother, you can say whatever you want, I will just take it as the truth."
"It's the truth, all the truth."
Mr. Xie smiled, and his smile was a bit flattering.
Xie snorted, "Second brother, we are siblings, how could I not know what your temper is?
Back then, when I married my husband, I was a concubine and had to be very careful in everything I said and did. "Second brother, have you ever felt sorry for your sister?"
Second Master Xie said: "That's true, you are my biological sister, and I naturally feel bad for you marrying Master Gu as a concubine.
Fortunately, you have finally found your happy place after all the hardships you have endured. As the head of the household, you have the final say. Friends and family all say that you are blessed.”
Xie raised her eyebrows, her expression smug, "Even if I'm lucky, it's all earned by myself."
"Yes, yes, yes! Sister, you have been capable since you were young. I knew you would have a glorious day."
"Tell me, what is the reason for Second Brother to come here this time? Don't tell me those empty words."
Thank you, Mr. Er, for looking around.
Xie was dissatisfied. "Second brother, are you worried about someone eavesdropping? You can rest assured here with me. My yard is as solid as an iron tunnel. Not a single word will be leaked."
Master Xie Er laughed heartily, "Sister is indeed resourceful. I came here this time with a mission."
Xie said nothing, waiting for his next words.
Second Master Xie lowered his voice and asked, "Sister, do you know the current situation in the capital?"
"What happened in the capital?" Xie frowned, a little worried. "Could it be that something happened to my eldest brother?"
After saying this, Xie's face turned pale.
The Xie family is what it is today, all thanks to Big Brother. If anything were to happen to Big Brother, what would happen?
Second Master Xie quickly waved his hands, "Brother is fine, don't worry. It's another matter. You know the Empress is seriously ill and has been bedridden for half a year."
Upon hearing this news, Xie Shi didn't understand at first, "The Empress is seriously ill, why did Second Brother come to me? I'm not a doctor."
After saying that, Xie suddenly came to her senses and asked, "Second brother, are you saying that the Crown Prince is in danger?"
Mr. Xie nodded heavily.
Mrs. Xie's face paled. "What should we do then? Is the Empress really dying? If anything happens to the Empress, will His Royal Highness be able to succeed to the throne smoothly?"
Master Xie said solemnly: "This is the key."
Xie's heartbeat was like a drum, thump ...
My eldest brother is valued by the prince and is already a member of the prince's party.
If the crown prince fails to succeed to the throne smoothly, it is easy to imagine what will happen to his elder brother, who is the crown prince's secretary.
If you are lucky, one person will die and the whole family will be saved.
If you are unlucky, your whole family will die.
If you are even more unlucky, three generations of your family will die.
No matter what the consequences are, the Xie family cannot bear it.
Before becoming rich, the Xie family was just a small family. The highest official Xie's father held in his life was the Sihu official in the government office, a ninth-rank official.
It can be said that the Xie family has no background at all.
In front of those powerful families that have been passed down for hundreds of years, the Xie family is vulnerable.
If something happens, there will be no one to arrange for rescue.
Rely on the Gu family?
Xie shook her head slightly.
We can't pin our hopes on the Gu family.
The Gu family was not a charity, so they would never try to save a family that was doomed to fail, let alone a thorn in the new emperor's side.
Therefore, the crown prince cannot fall, and he must ascend the throne smoothly.
Only when the prince ascends the throne can the Xie family maintain its prosperity for a hundred years.
Xie thought the matter through, took a deep breath, calmed herself, and asked, "Second brother, you came to Jinzhou specifically not just to tell me this in person, right? What exactly does eldest brother want? What do you want me to do?"
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