The Minister of the Imperial Household accepted the invitation, but he changed the time of the meeting, setting it for five days later.
Qian Fu had no choice but to return to the palace to report.
Gu Jiu gritted his teeth and said, "Five days is five days."
Just five days, she could handle it.
She also knew why the Shaofu Household Order postponed the meeting to five days later. He simply wanted to see how many cards she had and whether she could withstand the Zhu family's first wave of attacks.
This is such a big deal, and we're not doing charity, so everyone wants to get a piece of the action and get more benefits. This is human nature.
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "They want to see my trump card, and I will naturally grant them what they want."
As for trump cards, she has plenty.
The biggest trump card in her hand is the tens of thousands of refugees outside the South City Gate.
This trump card should be saved for the critical moment.
Gu Jiu promised Qian Fu a generous reward later, and naturally he did what he said.
She gave Qian Fu a big red envelope and said, "Here, this is your reward for your hard work. I am not your son, stingy and penniless. If you work with me, I will ensure that you will have a good life."
Qian Fu silently accepted the big red envelope.
Gu Jiu's words to persuade him to change jobs went in one ear and out the other.
I don't want to change jobs.
He is a loyal lackey under the name of Gongzi Zhao, and will follow Gongzi Zhao for the rest of his life.
What's the big deal if you have little money!
What he wants is a sense of accomplishment.
Even if he won the mere business battle, he would not feel any sense of accomplishment.
"Madam, I appreciate your kindness. If you want to persuade the Minister of the Household to pay, it would be best if you could be generous."
Gu Jiu raised his eyebrows, "Why do you say that?"
Qian Fu said expressionlessly, "The young grandson of the Shaofu family official was lured into gambling and owed the casino a gambling debt of 100,000 taels. The Shaofu family official probably doesn't know about this yet."
The old servant suspected that the Zhu family had arranged for the Grand Secretary's grandson to gamble. The Zhu family must have been plotting against the Madam and the Grand Secretary from a long time ago.
They know that the Madam has a good relationship with the Junior Household Officer, so they will definitely try to sabotage it. The Junior Household Officer's grandson is a good starting point."
Gu Jiu frowned, "How do you know this?"
Qian Fu was calm for a year. "A few days ago, when I was helping my wife investigate the Zhu family, I also investigated the Zhu family's relatives and friends, as well as the Shaofu family commander who was not on good terms with the Zhu family."
Gu Jiu's mouth twitched. "I sincerely invite you to leave your husband and work with me. I guarantee that your annual income will not be less than five thousand taels. How about it?"
Qian Fu was unmoved. "I'll have someone deliver the investigation report later. Perhaps it will be able to help Madam. In fact, Madam, you can also use their own methods to deal with them. There are many loopholes in the Zhu family's relatives and friends. If you look for them casually, you will find a breakthrough."
Gu Jiu was very disappointed. Knowing that she couldn't convince Qian Fu to change jobs, she simply seized the opportunity to squeeze him out. "Just tell me, who is the biggest breakthrough?"
Qian Fu hesitated for a moment. "On the surface, it seems to be the Second Master of the Zhu Family. The Second Master of the Zhu Family is rough in his work and has a bad temper, so it's easy for others to find fault with him. But I believe that the biggest breakthrough lies with Housekeeper Zhu, not the Second Master of the Zhu Family."
"Butler Zhu, who serves Lord Cheng En?"
"Exactly!"
"What's his leverage?"
"His children are the biggest leverage."
Gu Jiu laughed and said, "Don't bother two people with one thing. Just do it for me."
Qian Fu suddenly felt like he had shot himself in the foot.
It's so heartbreaking!
"I am busy with my work and cannot help you, Madam."
"I will discuss with the Master and assign some of your tasks to others. First, hurry up and find something to hold against me."
Qian Fu wanted to say no.
As a result, he was sold out by Liu Zhao.
"Listen to my wife and find something to hold steward Zhu accountable." Liu Zhao came back from outside and gave the order directly.
Qian Fu opened his mouth and accepted his fate!
"I obey your command."
Gu Jiu did not forget to say: "Don't worry, there will be a generous reward later."
Qian Fu stumbled and almost tripped over the threshold.
"Have you fallen out with Lord Cheng'en?" Liu Zhao asked.
Gu Jiu nodded, not hiding anything. "Aunt Huyang pointed at his nose and cursed him. He was so angry that he couldn't say a word. He must hate me to death, and the next step is revenge."
Liu Zhao frowned, "Don't be afraid of him, I'll support you."
Gu Jiu laughed, "Which eye of yours saw that I was afraid of him?"
"I'm worried about you."
"There's nothing to worry about. If I can't get over this hurdle, then I have no right to live in the capital. I'd better get out of here as soon as possible."
"Don't say that. You are the eldest daughter-in-law of the prince's palace, and your home is here. I will chop down anyone who dares to touch you."
Gu Jiu laughed out loud, "You said that, I take it seriously."
"A man's words are hard to follow."
Gu Jiu kissed him on the face. It felt good to have someone supporting him.
Xiao Cui ran in, her hair was wet, she had just washed her face.
She said, "Madam, this is bad! The Princess has sent people to kick the Cai family out and punish the Third Madam."
"Oh!" Gu Jiu was not surprised.
Liu Zhao looked towards Gu Jiu, "What's going on?"
Gu Jiu said lightly, "The Cai family came to our house to ask for money, but the gatekeeper refused to let them in, so my third sister-in-law let them in herself. When my mother learned about this, she was furious. My father had long ago ordered that the Cai family not be allowed to come."
Liu Zhao frowned. "The Cai family is truly greedy, and my third sister-in-law is also a confused person. What good would it do for her to empty her own room and give it to her brothers from her mother's family?"
"I don't know what the benefits are." Gu Jiu said casually.
Then, she instructed Xiao Cui, "Keep watching and report any movement immediately."
"As you command."
Xiao Cui ran out excitedly.
Pei sent the nanny beside her to come out and drive the people away personally.
The Cai family members shouted loudly, saying that the palace looked down on their in-laws and hated the poor and loved the rich.
The third wife also started crying.
The third young master never showed up.
With Pei's support, the nanny wasn't afraid at all. She immediately ordered the Cai family to be dragged out.
The servants came forward to drag the man away. For a while, there was crying and noise, and the whole courtyard was in chaos.
The noise was so loud that the maids and servants working elsewhere came over to watch the fun, pointing and talking.
The nanny was furious. She pointed at the Third Madam and said without mercy, "The Cai family comes to your house every few days to ask for money, and you still have the nerve to cry.
The palace supports you, and the medical expenses alone cost over a thousand taels every month. The princess has never been harsh on you, and only asks that you behave yourself and do your duty.
As a result, you repeatedly disobeyed the orders of the Prince and Princess, and even dared to secretly give money to the Cai family. Do you really think that the palace is your private property?
The Third Madam clutched her chest and said, "Are you going to kill me? Come on, kill me! I'm just a burden if I'm alive. Come and kill me!"
Third Madam Cai's sudden outburst startled everyone.
The nanny was furious. "Don't worry, no one dares to kill you. But I beg you to behave yourself and stop causing trouble all day long."
The third wife, Cai, sobbed and cried, "I'm using my dowry to support my parents' family. What's it to you?"
"I need to clarify this. During the inventory two years ago, how many ornaments and valuables were missing from this courtyard? Third Madam, you secretly gave them all to your family. You used the palace's belongings to support your family, so how can you have the nerve to say that all that was your dowry?"
The third wife's face turned pale, she felt chest tightness and shortness of breath, and she couldn't speak.
"You, you slut."
The nanny was furious and secretly cursed him as a shameless person. Then she took her people and left.
A farce, seemingly over.
Unexpectedly, at night, news suddenly came that the third wife had hanged herself. Fortunately, the maid discovered it early and rescued her.
"Hang himself?"
Gu Jiu was about to go to sleep, but was so shocked by the news that his whole body trembled.
Xu Yousi bowed and said, "I took a look and saw people coming in and out of the courtyard. It's obviously not fake."
Gu Jiu thought for a moment and said to Liu Zhao, "I'll go over and take a look."
Liu Zhao stopped her from going, "Don't go. Be careful not to get sick."
His eyes naturally moved down and fell on Gu Jiu's bulging belly.
Gu Jiu said, "Third brother's wife's disease is not infectious, I can guarantee it."
Liu Zhao raised his eyebrows, full of questions.
Gu Jiu thought for a moment, then leaned close to his ear and whispered, "I just want to take this opportunity to see what disease my third sister-in-law has."
"It's too risky." Liu Zhao was still worried.
"I will be careful. If there is any danger, I will get away in time."
Liu Zhao frowned. "Since you're going, I'll go with you. I'm going to see my third brother. I haven't seen him for a long time. I want to ask about his situation."
Gu Jiumei smiled and said, "Let's go together."
The couple packed up and went to the courtyard where the third wife lived.
Princess Pei, Ouyang Fu, and Xiao Qiner were all there.
When Pei saw Gu Jiu, she frowned and said unhappily, "Why are you here? You are a double body, get out of here quickly."
Gu Jiu said, "I'm worried about my third sister-in-law, so I came to check on her. Don't worry, mother, I'll take care of myself. How is my third sister-in-law doing now?"
Pei snorted, "Young people don't know the importance of things."
Ouyang Fu whispered to Gu Jiu, "Third brother's wife hasn't woken up yet."
"Have you called the doctor?"
"Yes, the doctor hasn't arrived yet."
The third wife, Cai, lay in bed, thin and frail, with not a pound of flesh on her body. Her hair was sparse and yellow, and her face was equally yellow.
Gu Jiu walked closer and saw Cai's exposed fingernails.
The fingernails are dark in color.
Gu Jiu frowned slightly.
She began to look around the bedroom.
She even went to the bed and surreptitiously inspected the frame.
While Pei and the others had their backs turned and weren't paying attention, she quickly pricked Cai's fingertip and took some blood.
She covered her hand with her sleeve and carefully took his pulse.
The pulse is very strange.
The imperial physician arrived and Gu Jiu consciously left.
The handkerchief was stained with Cai's fingertips' blood. She sniffed it secretly, not sure.
The imperial physician examined Cai and after a few acupuncture treatments, Cai slowly woke up.
I cried when I woke up.
Pei had to comfort her with a few words.
Now that everything was fine, everyone filed out.
After returning to the East Courtyard, Liu Zhao asked her, "How is it? Did you see any problems?"
Gu Jiu held the medical book in his hand and said, "There is a problem, but I don't understand the principle. Let me look through the book first."
Liu Zhao took the book from her hand and said, "It's late, go to sleep quickly. What's most important for you now is to conserve your energy and face the Zhu family."
"You're right. We can put the matter of my third brother's wife aside for now."
…
The Zhu family's offensive was fierce and swift.
In just a few days, people below began to cry out for help.
The jewelry shop was cut off from its supply, leaving only the Haitong Trading Company under Zhou Jin's name fearless and continuing to supply goods as usual.
The jewelry shop has limited inventory, and Haitong Trading Company alone cannot meet all the jewelry store's needs.
Once the supply is cut off, the jewelry store will not be able to hold on for long and will have to hand over the market to others.
It's because there is so little choice.
When buying things, people like to compare and choose slowly among the many goods in front of them.
If even the fun of choosing is gone, it is possible that not all customers will leave, but several percent of them may leave.
The drugstore was also out of stock.
It’s not that the Su family was bribed by the Zhu family, but that the Su family couldn’t get the source of goods.
All source suppliers were warned not to supply goods to the Su family or Xinglintang.
If you want to do business in this small piece of land in the capital, you have to give face to the Zhu family.
After the Zhu family gave the order, all suppliers began to boycott Gu Jiu's businesses.
The most serious one is the Nanchengmenwai project.
The amount of building materials required is huge.
Suppliers collectively responded by raising prices, and the cost of raw materials more than doubled.
And even if you take the money to buy materials, the suppliers will claim that they are out of stock.
One by one, they simply didn't take Sihai Trading Company seriously.
This is really too much!
…
Su Zheng went to the palace specifically to ask to see Gu Jiu.
Earlier this year, Su Zheng passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi. He is currently serving as a Shujishi in the Hanlin Academy.
Gu Jiu asked someone to invite Su Zheng to the study.
She looked at Su Zheng, who was dressed very formally and conservatively.
So he asked, "Did Cousin Su come directly from the government office?"
Su Zheng smiled and nodded, "Exactly!"
After a pause, he continued, "The gentlemen in the Hanlin Academy are all rather conservative."
"So cousin Su also wants to dress like a little old man?" Gu Ji pursed his lips and smiled.
Su Zheng gave a bitter smile. "It can't be helped. One has no control over one's career. I'll have to rely on the senior scholars of the Hanlin Academy for the evaluation in three years."
"Cousin Su, you don't need to explain. I understand."
"I'm sorry I couldn't help cousin Xiaojiu this time. My second uncle and I are very worried, so we came to see if there's anything we can do."
Gu Jiu smiled softly, "Cousin Su and Second Uncle are thoughtful. I can still handle it for the time being."
Su Zheng frowned slightly. "The shop has been cut off from supplies. If we can't find a source of goods as soon as possible, the shop will have to close down. This is a heavy blow to Cousin Xiaojiu. All her years of hard work will be wasted. Is there any way to make peace with the Zhu family? In business, harmony brings wealth."
Gu Jiu laughed. "Second uncle asked you to say this, right? Go back and tell him that everything is temporary. The Zhu family's situation will be resolved soon."
"really?"
Gu Jiu smiled and asked, "Cousin Su, don't you trust me?"
"Of course not. I'm just worried."
"Don't worry, cousin Su. I'm fine. Don't worry about the Zhu family either. Let them run wild for a few days. I have plenty of ways to deal with them later."
From his tone to his eyes to every expression, Gu Jiu exudes strong confidence.
Su Zheng was infected by Gu Jiu's confidence. He had been so worried when he came here, but now that his worries had finally settled down, he felt a little more relaxed.
"If there's anything you need me to do, just tell me, cousin Xiaojiu."
Gu Jiu pursed his lips and smiled, "When I need your help, I will definitely not be polite to you."
Liu Zhao came in from outside and frowned slightly when he saw Su Zheng.
It was obvious that he disliked Su Zheng.
To be precise, he disliked all the men who were around Gu Jiu.
"Why are you here?"
Liu Zhao asked Su Zheng rudely, looking at him with scrutiny.
"Your humble servant greets you, sir." Su Zheng was neither humble nor arrogant. He also disliked Liu Zhao.
If the emperor had not suddenly decided to choose a wife for his grandson, Liu Zhao might not have been able to marry his cousin Xiao Jiu.
Liu Zhao hummed, "Have you finished discussing this? It's getting late. If you have nothing else to do, you should go back early. Otherwise, if word gets out that you're secretly befriending the princes and grandsons of the emperor, it will be detrimental to your career."
Su Zheng swallowed a mouthful of blood.
Gongzi Zhao is really shameless.
Gu Jiu couldn't bear to watch it any longer. "Qingmei, tell the kitchen to prepare dinner. Cousin Su, you can stay in the palace and have dinner before leaving."
Liu Zhao's expression changed faster than turning the pages of a book. "My wife is right. Guests are welcome. It's a rare occasion for Cousin Su to come. Please have dinner before leaving. Qingmei, ask the kitchen to prepare a few more dishes to go with the wine."
Qingmei: "..." Can you pretend that she doesn't exist?
"No! I have something to do at home, so I'll take my leave first. Cousin Xiaojiu, come to my house for tea when you have time."
Gu Jiu secretly glared at Liu Zhao and stood up to try to stop him. "Cousin Su, you should have dinner before leaving. The kitchen will be ready soon."
"No thanks. A few people came from my hometown, and I have to go back to greet them."
Su Zheng insisted on leaving.
"In that case, I won't force Cousin Su to stay."
Gu Jiu personally escorted Su Zheng out the door.
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