Gu Jiu came to Shaofu.
She is here to pick someone today.
There weren't enough people around her, so she had to personally select a few people to go back.
The eunuch who had been a regular attendant to her by Nanny Fang was named Deng Cunli and was over forty years old.
As glorious as Deng Cunli was in the past, he is now in dire straits.
If Gu Jiu was willing to give him a chance, he would probably be willing to leave the palace.
But she still wanted to see the person first.
If you don’t like it or don’t like it, just don’t buy it.
Well, nothing wrong.
Gu Jiu is also a hidden face control.
She doesn't have high requirements, just a decent appearance.
The Shaofu's steward ordered the selection of twenty eunuchs for Gu Jiu to choose from, among whom was the oldest, Deng Cunli.
Gu Jiu glanced at Deng Cunli. He looked old, probably in his early fifties, with gray hair. However, he was very clean and had neatly trimmed nails.
He didn't look like the sloppy middle-aged man I had imagined.
Deng Cunli noticed Gu Jiu's gaze. He slowly raised his head and saw Nanny Fang standing behind Gu Jiu. He was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized.
He was surprised that Madam Zhao would personally choose his name when selecting someone.
How could he, a man half buried in a coffin, possibly catch Madam Zhao's eye? It turned out that it was Nanny Fang who spoke well of him.
He felt a slight excitement within him, but soon became indifferent. He stood there calmly, his presence minimal.
Gu Jiu noticed Deng Cunli's gaze. His eyes were still sharp and his will had not been worn down by suffering.
She nodded secretly. She had a good first impression of Deng Cunli.
The other eunuchs were all between sixteen and seventeen years old and twenty-one or twenty-two years old, and they all looked very dignified.
Some of them were smart and rolled their eyes around, secretly looking at Gu Jiu, hoping to attract his attention.
There were also those who were dull and stood there in a daze, as if they didn't know what was happening.
Gu Jiu's gaze swept across everyone's face.
Then she asked everyone to briefly introduce themselves, starting with their name, age, place of origin, when they entered the palace, and what jobs they had done.
While listening to the eunuchs introduce themselves, she checked the booklet.
Finally it was Deng Cunli's turn. He was simple and just said his name, age, and place of origin, and nothing else.
Gu Jiu already had an idea in his mind.
The Shaofu Housekeeper asked, "Madam, do you have any candidates in mind? If you are not satisfied with these, I will have someone select twenty more for you to choose from."
Gu Jiu chuckled softly and said, "Thank you, old man. I have already made my choice."
"Oh? I wonder who Madam has chosen?"
Gu Jiu smiled and pointed at the two smart-looking eunuchs, "The two of them."
Then he pointed to a simple and honest eunuch, and finally chose Deng Cunli.
When the Shaofu Household Manager saw that Gu Jiu had chosen Deng Cunli, he couldn't help but laugh.
"Madam, your selection of people is indeed very unique."
Gu Jiu smiled softly, "I'm young, I can choose any of them, and then I'll know which kind of people are really easy to use."
The Shaofu Housekeeper laughed heartily, "Madam, you are right. As the saying goes, people are all alike, so we should be unconventional in selecting our servants."
After saying this, the Shaofu ordered someone to go through the formalities.
The names of the four eunuchs were crossed out from the harem list and recorded in the list of Prince Ning's Mansion.
The four of them were also given identity badges, and from now on they were members of the palace.
The remaining sixteen were sent away.
The four of them stepped forward together, "Greetings, Madam."
Gu Jiu nodded. "From now on, you will serve me. You must remember one thing: you must obey my orders in everything. Apart from me, you don't need to pay attention to anyone else. If anyone dares to betray me, you all know the consequences."
"Remember Madam's teachings."
Gu Jiu hummed, "Deng Cunli is very experienced. You three should listen to his advice when encountering problems in the future."
It was decided that Deng Cunli would be the leader of the four eunuchs.
Deng Cunli was neither humble nor arrogant, "Thank you, Madam. I am deeply grateful for your kindness in giving me a new life."
Gu Jiu smiled softly, "If Eunuch Deng is truly grateful to me, then he can serve me wholeheartedly, okay?"
"I am not worthy of the title of father-in-law. As long as I am valued by Madam, I will serve you wholeheartedly and live up to your kindness."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "That's great. Get up, and follow me for a walk down the street."
Gu Jiu rarely goes out, so naturally he won't return to the palace so early.
She took a simple carriage and arrived at Sihai Xinglin Hall.
She didn't rush in, but looked at the situation of the pharmacy through the car window.
Doctor Tian was taking a patient's pulse and prescribing medicine, while his son Tian Ku was dragging his unsteady legs behind the counter to get medicine.
Erzhuang was doing the math with an abacus.
When a yamen runner arrived at the medicine shop, Er Zhuang went out to greet him with a broad smile. Judging from the way they spoke, it was obvious that they knew each other and had a good relationship.
After chatting for a while, Erzhuang invited the yamen runner to drink in the evening, and the yamen runner naturally agreed.
After the yamen runners left, another wave of Embroidered Uniform Guards arrived.
Er Zhuang also greeted him warmly and chatted and laughed with him.
Gu Jiu laughed when he saw this scene.
I didn’t expect that Er Zhuang also had a good relationship with the Xiuyiwei, that’s good.
In this way, she could take the opportunity to raise a few spies in the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
After Er Zhuang sent away the people from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Gu Jiu got off the carriage, crossed the street and came to the medicine shop.
Deng Cunli guarded Gu Jiu and was careful and alert to the pedestrians on the street.
Gu Ji nodded secretly. He got into the state so quickly. He was indeed very experienced.
As for the other three eunuchs, they were young and inexperienced, so they had to look around secretly and look at the bustling streets curiously.
Er Zhuang was surprised when he saw Gu Jiu.
He hurried forward and asked quietly, "Why is Madam here?"
At the same time, he looked at the unfamiliar faces around Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Come and take a look."
"Madam, please come to the backyard to talk."
Gu Jiu's current status was not ordinary, Er Zhuang was afraid of bumping into her, and worried that her identity would be discovered. So he quickly welcomed Gu Jiu and her group to the backyard.
When walking through the lobby, Gu Jiu shook his head slightly, indicating that Doctor Tian could continue taking his pulse and there was no need to greet him.
When they arrived at the backyard, Qingmei was familiar with the place and made a pot of tea.
Erzhuang brought over all the account books from the opening of the business, "Please review them, Madam."
Gu Jiu's hand pressed on the account book, "There's no rush for this. Let me introduce them to you first. This is Deng Cunli, and this is..."
After introducing the four eunuchs to Erzhuang, Gu Jiu said, "From now on, the four of them will serve me. If there is anything, I will send the four of them to inform you. If you have any problems, just ask the gatekeeper to call them out of the house. I will give a heads-up to the gatekeeper."
After saying that, Gu Jiu gave Er Zhuang a certificate with her own seal.
"With this certificate, the palace gatekeeper will call someone for you."
Erzhuang solemnly accepted the certificate.
Looking at the scarlet "Madam Zhao's Seal" on it, Er Zhuang laughed.
"Congratulations, ma'am. Congratulations, ma'am."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "That's nothing. How's the medicine shop doing?"
Er Zhuang said, "We've just opened, and business is pretty average. We're a bit short of our expenses. But a few days ago, a city gatekeeper tried our homemade rheumatism and pain-relieving ointment and said it was very effective. Yesterday, he came back to get the medicine and even recommended his comrades to come over."
When Gu Jiu heard this, he laughed.
The four prescriptions she took out were all personally prepared by old professors of later generations who summarized the experience of their predecessors, read various medical books, collected various data, and the effects were excellent.
It is by no means comparable to the current prescriptions that are cherished and passed down from generation to generation without any improvement.
Gu Jiu said, "Well begun is half done. This medicine shop is not in a hurry to make money, but to build its reputation first."
Er Zhuang agreed, "I understand."
Gu Jiu picked up the account book and flipped through it. The account was very clear, with every expenditure and income recorded.
She nodded with satisfaction and asked, "How is business at Jumeizhai?"
Er Zhuang smiled broadly, "By the end of the year, business suddenly picked up."
Gu Jiu said: "If there is any profit, remember to send the money to the young master of the Su family."
"Speaking of the Su family, Master Su II came to the shop yesterday."
"Has my second uncle come? Did he say anything?"
Er Zhuang smiled and said, "Master Su was worried, so he came to check on us. He also asked us what herbs we were short of and asked us to make a list for him. If they were urgent, he could write back and have someone bring them over.
Last night, I invited Mr. Su Er to drink with Dr. Tian, and we drank until midnight. I told him that we wouldn't buy any herbs in the twelfth lunar month, and I'd make a list for him after the New Year.
Gu Jiu nodded. "Your handling of this is very appropriate. Second uncle may live in the capital and keep an eye on him for me."
"I understand. Last night, I even asked the waiter at the restaurant to bring wine and food to Young Master Su."
Er Zhuang is indeed thoughtful in his work.
Gu Jiu asked, "Where's Song Zheng? Why didn't I see him today?"
"He's gone out to get information."
"Tell Song Zheng that his identity documents will be available next month. He will be working in the palace from now on, waiting for orders."
"Song Zheng has been looking forward to this day. He must be very happy to hear this news."
Gu Jiu asked Er Zhuang, "If you want an identity, I can also get it for you."
Er Zhuang shook his head repeatedly, "I am only willing to be at your side, Madam, and wait for your orders. I will be your vanguard for the rest of my life."
Gu Jiu sighed, "I'm sorry for wronging you."
Er Zhuang smiled innocently, "I don't feel wronged. Madam rescued the three of us from Gao Erfu and provided us with a livelihood. I am very satisfied now."
Gu Jiu smiled and asked, "How are your mother and your elder brother? How is the horse farm doing now?"
Er Zhuang became excited when the northwest was mentioned.
"My eldest brother wrote to me, saying the horse farm is doing well. This year we added fifty foals and sold fifteen strong horses to the Qingping Horse Farm, which offset last year's accounts."
After saying that, Er Zhuang took out the letter he had just received yesterday and handed it to Gu Jiu for review.
"My eldest brother also said in the letter that by next year, the horse farm will be able to be self-sufficient and will not need my wife to continue to subsidize it. As for the account books, they will not be delivered until after the first month of the lunar year."
Gu Jiu looked at the letter and nodded.
She originally planned to run the horse farm in three to five years, but she didn't expect that Dazhuang could make the horse farm self-sufficient in just two years, which was amazing.
Erzhuang excitedly took out a piece of woolen cloth from the storeroom and said, "Madam, please take a look. This was sent from the northwest."
Gu Jiu was very happy to see the woolen cloth.
The colorful wool fabric feels extra soft to the touch.
Then, Erzhuang brought out two rolls of plain woolen cloth. "My mother uses a blend of cotton, linen and wool. She says it's more washable and can also reduce costs. Even small families can afford it."
Gu Jiu was pleasantly surprised.
She reached out her hand and touched the cloth. It felt different from pure wool.
Er Zhuang told Gu Jiu, "This woolen cloth blended with cotton and linen is particularly popular in the northwest. The workshop is overwhelmed every day and the supply cannot meet the demand. I have noticed that woolen cloth has not yet been introduced to the capital. Madam, should we open a cloth shop in the capital as well?"
Gu Jiu said, "There's no need to open another cloth shop. I have one in my dowry. All these cloths can be sold there. By the way, do you have any extra cloths?"
Er Zhuang nodded, "This time, a total of twenty pieces of woolen cloth were sent with the letter."
Gu Jiu said, "Very good. Pick one of each and deliver it to the Zhuguo Mansion in person tomorrow and give it to the eldest young lady of the Zhuguo Mansion."
Pei Yun married the eldest son of the Duke of Zhuguo's mansion and is now the eldest lady of the Duke of Zhuguo's mansion.
Gu Jiu set up a wool workshop in the northwest in cooperation with Pei Yun.
Now that the workshop had produced results, she naturally wanted to send them to Pei Yun to show her honesty and share.
When the workshop hands over this year's account book next year, a copy will be sent to Pei Yun.
Gu Jiu also selected a few horses and prepared to take them back to the palace.
Wool fabrics are best suited for winter.
Seeing that it was getting late, Gu Jiu set off to return to the palace.
As soon as they returned to the upper room of the East Courtyard, Xiao Cui came to report, "Madam, Princess Huyang is here to visit and is currently speaking to the prince."
Princess Huyang, sister of Prince Ning.
Gu Jiu had never had the chance to meet Princess Huyang before. He heard that Princess Huyang had gone to the palace for vacation.
She asked, "Princess Huyang came to visit at this time. Did she tell me why?"
"I don't know. But I heard from the maid at the second gate that when Princess Huyang came to visit, her eyes were red and swollen, as if she was in trouble."
It's not a festival, so visiting at this time would naturally be a difficult thing.
Gu Jiu didn't pay much attention to this matter and asked again: "Is the young master back?"
"The young master is currently in Bixi Pavilion with the prince."
Gu Jiu was stunned for a moment, "Are you saying that the young master is with the prince and Princess Huyang right now?"
"Exactly!"
A few days ago, after Liu Zhao got a piece of news, he went out early and came back late every day. Could it be related to Princess Huyang?
Gu Jiu walked into the upper room, deep in thought.
After coming to her senses, she instructed Nanny Fang, "Send a few eunuchs out for a walk and familiarize themselves with the palace as soon as possible. Also, give them some silver to make it easier for them to do things."
"I will arrange it right away."
At this time, the little maid came to report that the second lady was visiting.
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Please invite the Second Madam in."
Ouyang Fu was invited to sit in the small study.
"Why are you free today, my second sister-in-law? Come to my place."
Ouyang Fu smiled and said, "I never come to your temple unless I have something important to do. My sister-in-law just came back and should have heard about Princess Huyang's visit."
Gu Jiu nodded, "Exactly. I just don't know why Princess Huyang is visiting at this time when it's not a festival."
Ouyang Fu said, "I know. Princess Huyang is here to ask for money."
Huh?
He actually wants money.
Gu Jiu casually asked, "Could it be that the palace owes Princess Huyang money?"
Ouyang Fu shook her head. "That's not the case. Princess Huyang and her husband, the Duwei, are both very extravagant. Their annual salaries aren't enough to cover their expenses, so they have to come to the palace every year to beg for money. After all, my father and Princess Huyang are siblings from the same mother."
Gu Jiu smiled.
It is said that there are many weirdos in the royal family. She had just entered the door when she met a weirdo.
"From what I know, Princess Huyang receives at least thirty to fifty thousand taels of silver in salary each year, in addition to various other income streams. Her husband, the Duke of Mount Deer, also owns various businesses. This equates to an annual income of at least a hundred thousand taels. How could it possibly be insufficient for her expenses?"
Ouyang Fu pursed her lips and smiled, "Who says not? Just wait and see. Tomorrow morning, the princess will be furious and will take her anger out on you and me. Sister-in-law, make preparations early and don't let the princess get hold of anything."
"Thank you, second brother and sister-in-law, for reminding me."
Gu Jiu sent Ouyang Fu away, feeling a little uneasy.
Did Princess Huyang come to the house just to ask for money?
Joy Hall.
Xiao Qin'er looked at Liu Yi with red eyes.
"I've been in the mansion these past few days, unable to even lift my head. Everyone's been laughing at me. Chinese New Year is almost here, could you please say a few good words for me to my mother? At least let me participate in every aspect of the New Year's celebration. Otherwise, I'll be too embarrassed to see anyone."
Liu Yi played with a famous sword and said, "Aunt Huyang is visiting today, and Mother is furious. If you ask me to see Mother now, it will be bad luck. Let's go a few days later."
"The New Year will be just a few days later. There won't be any for me then."
Liu Yi stared at her. "If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have done it in the first place. When Mother was young, she was the one who had the final say. Now that she's older, she's become more compassionate. You actually dared to conceal this fact? You're truly audacious."
Xiao Qin'er felt very aggrieved. "I'm doing this all for you. You spend money like water outside, and money won't fall from the sky. I can only think of various ways to raise money."
Liu Yi was impatient, "Alright, how many times are you going to say this?"
He put down the famous sword and threw it to the eunuch, then said, "I'll go to see my father. I wonder how much money Aunt Huyang wants this year."
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