It gets dark early in winter. Before the beginning of the evening hour, the lights in the house are already on.
When Jiang Yuzhu returned home, Xie Zhao had not returned yet because he was busy with government affairs.
Steward Xie set the table as instructed and asked, "Madam, I have already sent someone to deliver a message to Liang An. Do you think we should wait a little longer?"
Jiang Yuzhu glanced at the sky and refused outright: "Fifth brother must be tired after traveling all the way. Let's start the meal early so that he can eat well and have a good sleep."
Of course she couldn't wait, mainly because Jiang Yuzhu was hungry after a whole afternoon of hard work.
Jiang Yuzhu glanced at Steward Xie and, thinking about how much money she had spent recently, she felt guilty and said, "Tell the kitchen to leave some of the master's favorite dishes. If the master doesn't return home by the end of the evening hour, send someone to deliver them to the government office."
Be smart, Xie Zhao is a third-rank official after all, the pillar of the mansion. She usually sends some snacks and desserts, does she need to be responsible for such trivial matters?
Jiang Yuzhu said a few words and went straight to the reception room, leaving the shocked Xie steward behind.
Manager Xie had heard a little about the recent rumors. If he hadn't been in the mansion, he would have almost believed it!
In the living room, Xie Xuan was sitting opposite Shen Zhilan who had rushed over.
Chen Zhilan thought that her cousin Xie Zhao had returned home and that they would have a chance to have dinner together, but she was somewhat disappointed to see only Xie Xuan.
Even though I live in the Xie family, I have very few opportunities to see my cousin.
"Third sister-in-law."
When Jiang Yuzhu entered the room, Xie Xuan immediately stood up and saluted.
In the book, Xie Xuan is a scholar who turns a deaf ear to what is happening outside the window and never pays attention to rumors.
Xie Zhao and Jiang Yuzhu were estranged from each other, and Xie Xuan knew very little about them and had great respect for Jiang Yuzhu.
This time when Xie Xuan went to Beijing to take the exam, he did not come empty-handed. He brought the most popular fabrics and porcelain from Jiangnan, as well as jewelry made by craftsmen from his clan.
Jiang Yuzhu liked obedient and sensible children the most. She smiled and said in return, "Fifth brother, your third brother is very busy with official duties. I guess he was delayed by trivial matters again."
The Jingzhao Yin was only a third-rank official, but his position was extremely important.
On weekdays, he governs the people, decides cases, evaluates his subordinates, and collects taxes. These are all trivial tasks. In addition, he is also responsible for the defense of the capital city together with the Five Cities Military Affairs Department.
It is no exaggeration to say that Xie Zhao is busy with all kinds of affairs.
Xie Xuan showed an expression of admiration, his eyes shining. "Third brother is a rare talent in our clan. I want to emulate him. If I pass the exam and become an official, I will definitely be a good official who benefits the people!"
Jiang Yuzhu pondered over and over again, and felt that it was not an exaggeration to describe the male protagonist as a rare genius in a century.
But just passing the exam and becoming a good official is not easy.
Back then, my father, Jiang Fulu, was a fresh-faced prodigy, his slogans even louder than Xie Xuan's. But what happened? By middle age, he'd already fallen prey to corruption.
The way of being an official is that if the water is too clear, there will be no fish. There are too many twists and turns inside.
The dishes were already served, and Jiang Yuzhu warmly welcomed them: "Fifth brother, you have come from Jiangnan and must have been exhausted from the journey. Eat well and recharge your energy. Rest early."
Half of the dishes are from Beijing, and half are from Jiangnan.
Jiang Yuzhu suddenly had an idea and wanted to change the taste. When Xie Xuan saw the dishes, he thought that his third sister-in-law had prepared them specially for him and was silently moved.
The servants around her always gossip about what a good person my third sister-in-law is. She is pretty, considerate and attentive.
During the meal, Jiang Yuzhu would occasionally instruct the maid to serve food to Xie Xuan, and whenever she had the chance she would chat with Shen Zhilan.
Shen Zhilan was worried and had no appetite for food.
For some reason, she felt like everything was in vain.
Is there really hope in this life for someone you didn’t get in your previous life?
The meal lasted until very late, but Xie Zhao still did not return home.
Xie Xuan was very considerate of his third brother. After washing up, he stayed in the guest house and read.
Jiang Yuzhu had nothing to do, so she chatted with her maid. She needed a batch of medicinal materials to prepare hair growth liquid and hair growth pills.
"In the initial stage, we only need a dozen or so medicinal herbs. What if we only find one medicinal herb supplier and someone discovers the prescription?"
Although the other party doesn't know the ratio, they can always figure it out as long as they spend time.
In order to make money, Jiang Yuzhu had to be more careful and keep the recipe secret.
Hongli thought his wife had encountered a major problem, but it turned out to be just a trivial matter. "Madam, there's no need for you to worry about this. Just let the Second Young Master know and he'll take care of everything for you."
After being reminded, Jiang Yuzhu nodded in agreement.
In my previous life, I relied on myself for everything, and it became a habit for me to find solutions to problems on my own.
After entering the book, Jiang Yuzhu had everyone supporting her and was treated like a treasure. She was a little uncomfortable with this.
Outside the door, Hong Xiu entered through the curtains, her expression tense as she said, "The Jiang residence's doorman has come with a message, saying that the Madam has gone out with the Second Young Master."
"It's late, and the capital is under curfew. Why is mother still out?"
Jiang Yuzhu had a terrible headache and quickly changed her clothes.
Mother Chen wanted to take advantage of the situation, but in order to protect her second brother, Jiang Yuzhu had to wait for the opportunity behind the scenes.
Hong Xiu's face was in a state of conflict. After a moment's thought, she finally told the truth: "The second young master returned home around dinner time, sneaked into the main courtyard, and stole the lady's rouge and powder."
"What?"
This time, Jiang Yuzhu couldn't help but be shocked.
Her second brother has plenty of money. If he wants to give it to the girl he likes, he won't steal it from his mother, right?
Jiang Yuzhu convinced herself, her expression slightly relaxed: "This is a good thing. Mother will be more relieved knowing that my second brother has a sweetheart."
Hong Xiu looked strange, and she tried to speak in a tactful tone, "That's the problem. The second young master stole Madam's rouge and powder and used them on himself, and Madam even found out."
Chen's eyes are like rulers, and he has a bit of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
On normal days, the tables, chairs and benches in the room must be in fixed positions, and any deviation will be noticed by Chen.
It's not surprising that Jiang Huaiqing was discovered stealing his mother Chen's things.
"Why is my second brother wearing women's powder?"
Jiang Yuzhu finally reacted and hurriedly got on the carriage and left.
…
It was late at night, and Changpingfang in the capital was at its most prosperous.
Changpingfang is a street that never sleeps and is the most chaotic place in the capital.
Businessmen traveling from north to south often stay here. If you are lucky, someone may approach you and you may seek business cooperation.
Around Changpingfang are the most famous red-light districts in the capital.
The Flower Street is a brothel. At night, prostitutes wearing only a few pieces of clothing stand on the second-floor stand to solicit business, which is extremely hot.
The willow lane on the other side is a brothel, which is much quieter in comparison.
Jiang Huaiqing was sitting in the carriage in her dress, observing the movements outside from time to time.
"Jiang Da, can you see clearly enough? If I change into this outfit and fail to capture Princess Yu Tan, won't I lose everything?"
For the first time in his life, Jiang Huaiqing humiliated himself by wearing women's clothes just to chase and intercept Princess Yutan.
The princess is usually in the palace, and it is extremely difficult for Jiang Huaiqing to see her.
Jiang Da's eyes flickered. In fact, he was not sure now: "Second Young Master, you should wash up and change clothes before rushing over. It will take more than an hour."
Not long ago, Jiang Dashi saw Princess Yutan enter the brothel, but he didn't know whether she was there now.
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