Chapter 400 Who does the young marquis like?
At noon the next day, guests came to the Jing'an Marquis Mansion.
As the grand prayer ceremony approaches, wealthy families in the capital city will provide relief porridge and host monks from all over the country who will come to listen to the abbot of the national temple chanting.
Lady Jing'an Marquis has had some dealings with Jin Xianyu recently because of the shop under her name. Today, she invited her to her house for tea and meals, and also hosted the second young lady of the Qiao family.
The Marquis's wife walked into the house with a smile on her face, holding Jin's hand. Qiao Wanyan followed behind her gracefully and elegantly.
"It's all thanks to Sister Jin, otherwise my shop wouldn't be making so much money. When it comes to doing business, it has to be you, Sister Jin."
On weekdays, the Marquis's wife seldom interacted with other ladies in the capital. When she went out, she relied on her status as a first-class marquise and a first-class lady of imperial honor, and never took others seriously. She also enjoyed the feeling of being flattered.
Now that I have dealings with the Jin family, it is also because I have gained absolute benefits.
The reason why Jin was willing to give her this benefit was because Xuzhou's maritime trade had been delayed in establishing connections, and the head of Xuzhou's Maritime Customs was the Marquis's uncle.
The two knew that they each wanted what they wanted, but neither of them showed it.
Qiao Wanyan sat quietly by the side drinking tea, and Madam Hou suddenly asked, "What do you think of this tea?"
Her eyes curved and her expression was gentle and soft. "The tea soup is clear, the buds and leaves are tender, the aroma is rich, and it is fresh and sweet. It is the best Guzhu Zisun. This is a tribute tea. I am really lucky today."
The Marquis's wife nodded slightly, with praise in her eyes.
"Wanyan is right. This is indeed a tribute tea. It was given by the emperor some time ago, but I have never been willing to drink it. But Wanyan knows about this tea at such a young age. Has she drunk it before?"
Qiao Wanyan smiled and said, "Nongzhou is rich in Guzhu purple bamboo shoots. This tea is the tribute my grandfather paid to us every year."
Madam Hou's expression changed slightly.
Qiao Wanyan continued calmly, "It's just that the production of this tea is not very high. Every year, there is nothing left except for the tribute. I tasted it in the Queen's palace a while ago, so I can taste such an outstanding tea."
The Marquis’ wife laughed, “So that’s how it is.”
Qiao Wanyan nodded and said nothing more.
Now that the Marquis's wife and my mother have business dealings, why should we make the petty-minded Marquis's wife unhappy over such a small matter?
Guzhu Zisun? She was getting tired of drinking it at home.
Only such noble officials and their wives would regard it as a treasure.
The two women started talking again, and then Jiang Qiyun came.
"Sister Wanyan?" Jiang Qiyun saw her at a glance and immediately greeted Jin.
"I meet Madam Qiao. May Madam Qiao be blessed."
Jin smiled and said, "The young marquis is a marquis, and I am just an official's wife. The young marquis does not need to greet me."
There was a glimmer of disdain in the Marquis's wife's eyes, which was the disdain that came from her own mother.
Such respect and courtesy was something that even her own mother had never seen.
Jiang Qiyun: "I have always admired Minister Qiao's talent and literary talent, and Mrs. Qiao's business acumen. For me, doing business is too difficult, and the businesses under my name have always been half-dead. I heard that people who are successful in business are all very wise. I admire them in my heart, so I naturally want to pay my respects to her so as not to waste the rare joy of meeting Mrs. Qiao."
Qiao Wanyan: “.........”
Madam Hou: “.........”
Jin laughed out loud, "This child is really good at talking. No wonder he can be raised by the emperor's side. Madam Hou is so lucky."
The marquis's wife smiled awkwardly twice, feeling unfamiliar with her own son.
At this time, a servant came in and said, "Madam, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Prime Minister is here with her daughter."
Qiao Wanyan's expression changed slightly. The eldest daughter-in-law of the Shen family brought her daughter? That was Shen Lingyi who had just been brought back to the capital not long ago.
Shen Lingyi's biological mother died in a dispute in the harem because Shen Lingyi's father favored his concubine over his wife. Shen Lingyi's biological mother died of illness two years after giving birth to Shen Lingyi, and the concubine was promoted to the position of the main wife.
But this successor wife was drugged by Prime Minister Shen and could no longer have children.
The eldest son of the Shen family has only one son and one daughter born to his original wife.
This is also the reason why Shen Zishan went to his hometown to accompany his sister for a few years and was taken back by Shen Shoufu.
Prime Minister Shen only wants a legitimate grandson.
The Marquis's wife was a little surprised. She didn't have much contact with the Shen family on a normal day. She even looked down on a concubine being promoted to the main wife, so she wouldn't say a word when they met at the table.
"Why did Madam Shen come here suddenly? I have a distinguished guest here..."
Jin said, "Since there are guests visiting, I will come to visit Madam Hou another day."
Madam Hou quickly stopped her, "How can this be possible? Today I specially invited a cook from Yangzhou, how can I go back without eating? I guess Madam Shen has nothing serious to do, and she will leave soon after seeing him."
Madam Shen and Shen Lingyi were quickly led over by the servant.
After some polite words, Shen Lingyi sat down and locked her eyes on Jiang Qiyun.
However, seeing Jiang Qiyun smiling and even flattering as he poured tea for Qiao Wanyan, Shen Lingyi's expression looked a little bad, but she forced herself to smile.
Mrs. Shen: "I never thought that Mrs. Qiao was here too, what a coincidence. Mrs. Qiao has rarely participated in various banquets, it's rare to see you."
Jin smiled and said, "I'm so busy with work that I really don't have time. It's said that daughters should be raised in luxury. I happen to have a precious daughter at home, so I naturally have to be busy with business matters so that my precious daughter can have enough food and clothing."
Jin's face was full of smiles and love when she said this, which was even more irritating to Mrs. Shen.
She originally meant to mock Jin for rarely attending various banquets and being a merchant girl who was not presentable.
But after saying this, he was ridiculed for being childless.
Madam Hou also naturally heard it, "Madam Qiao is a brilliant businessman. Maybe she has inherited the insight and wisdom of the imperial merchant Mr. Jin?"
"Madam Hou is joking."
Mrs. Shen's face looked a little ugly, but she didn't show it out of consideration for her reputation.
She changed the subject, "The young marquis is here today too. I have heard for a long time that he is a very handsome man. Today I see that the rumors are true. The young marquis is such an outstanding man. I wonder which young lady the marquis's wife has chosen as a daughter-in-law? He is at a good age now, we can't delay any longer."
Everyone present understood immediately what she was here for today. Her purpose was so clear and it seemed that she had to come because her family had arranged for her to do so. However, she did not want to really arrange a marriage for the daughter of her first wife, so she was so straightforward on purpose to offend others.
Qiao Wanyan glanced at Shen Lingyi, but saw that she didn't seem to hear it, but lowered her head and blushed shyly.
The Marquis's wife perfunctorily said, "Although he is old enough to get married, he is still a child at heart. There is no rush."
Madam Shen smiled and said, "A man should get married first before he can start a family. Does the young marquis have a favorite girl? What do you think of my Lingyi?"
Since her father-in-law forced her to come to the Marquis of Jing'an's Mansion, she would help Lingyi find a marriage.
It’s just that the Jing’an Marquis’ Mansion was disgusted and openly rejected it, so it had nothing to do with her.
Jiang Qiyun muttered softly, "Not even a hair of hers can compare to me."
"What?" Mrs. Shen asked.
Except for Qiao Wanyan, who was closest to him, no one else could hear clearly what he said.
Jiang Qiyun said loudly: "I don't like idiots."
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