Chapter 548: The world is bustling with people, all for profit
A graceful figure walked in, led by a maid.
Nan Yan sat at the table, looking at the famous Henan scholar with some solemnity and a little curiosity. After all, he was her uncle.
In fact, the two of them had never met.
This was the first time she met Gu Tingqiu. Like his sister, he was also very good-looking. Although he was over middle-aged, he had an elegant temperament and handsome appearance, giving people a very shrewd feeling.
In particular, he was wearing a simple long robe, which did not look luxurious at all, but revealed a subtle elegance.
This is the style of a celebrity.
He walked in and bowed respectfully to Nan Yan: "Officer of the Ministry of Women."
Nan Yan also stood up hurriedly, but hesitated when calling out.
But after thinking about it, she said softly, "Uncle, you are so polite."
Hearing her call him that, a slight smile appeared on Gu Tingqiu's face.
Nan Yan raised her hand towards the stool on the other side and said, "Please sit down."
Gu Tingqiu walked over and sat down.
When the two looked at each other, they still didn't know what to say, because although they were relatives, they didn't know each other at all. It was also the first time that Gu Tingqiu met this niece who had been bullied since childhood, but now was thriving in the palace and had become a big celebrity in front of the emperor.
She looked weak and not very attractive, but her eyes showed a sharpness that ordinary women did not have.
Compared to that niece, this Si Nanyan is really much stronger.
He said, "I am a little presumptuous in coming here this time."
Nan Yan personally brewed a cup of tea for him and brought it to the table, saying, "I wonder what my uncle wants to see me about?"
"Nothing much. I heard that my niece followed the emperor to guard Peking this time and went through many hardships. I wonder if she is doing well."
"Thank you for your concern, uncle. I'm fine."
"Is the journey easy?"
"It's not that bad, except for crossing the Yellow River."
"The ice formed early this year..."
…
The two people were talking about some unimportant things.
Nan Yan didn't even need to listen to Gu Tingqiu's words. Just from the fact that he came to see her, she knew that even if he had no purpose, he must have a reason for meeting her this time.
So, she was not in a hurry and just chatted slowly with Gu Tingqiu.
After chatting for a while, Gu Tingqiu seemed to realize that Si Nanyan was just following his words and didn't ask why he came here.
It seems that this niece is very smart and patient.
He looked up at the magnificent house and said with a smile, "This courtyard was built by Duke Chengguo specifically for His Majesty to rest."
Nan Yan nodded: "Yes."
"We've all heard that Duke Chengguo invested a lot of manpower and resources in building this villa, and he also searched everywhere for these rare treasures."
"Yeah?"
"It's a pity that I may not be able to please the emperor."
Nan Yan raised her eyebrows slightly: "Oh? What makes you think so, uncle?"
Gu Tingqiu smiled and said, "The Emperor was a soldier, and military life has always been very hard. I heard that his expenses in the palace are also very simple. It is obvious that the Emperor does not like a luxurious life."
“…”
"I'm afraid the Emperor doesn't like this courtyard or this house."
“…”
Nan Yan looked at Gu Tingqiu for a while, then smiled faintly and said, "Uncle has a keen eye."
"What kind of insight is that? It's just that I've heard too much."
"Well, uncle, have you heard any interesting news?"
Gu Tingqiu looked at her with a smile and said, "I heard that the lady official is extremely favored by the emperor."
Nan Yan smiled faintly and said, "It's just a rumor."
Gu Tingqiu glanced at her and smiled, "Whether it's a rumor or not, as the saying goes, a single tree can't make a forest. Lady Official, serving by the Emperor's side—she should need some help and some good equipment."
“…”
Nan Yan looked at him.
Gu Tingqiu took out a small purse from his sleeve, placed it on the table, and pushed it in front of her.
Nan Yan didn't take it, but just glanced at it and asked, "Uncle, what do you mean?"
Gu Tingqiu smiled and said, "Please don't misunderstand, my lady. This is just some allowance given to you by your family. To be a person and do things in the palace, you always have to make arrangements. My lady cannot be penniless."
Nan Yan said: "No reward without merit."
Gu Tingqiu said: "These words are said by outsiders."
“…”
"The merit of one's family lies only in the strength of one's family."
“…”
Nan Yan didn't say anything else, but just looked at him quietly for a long time.
Then he said, "Before I left Jinling, I received a silver note of one hundred taels from my family. Now it seems that it was a gift from my uncle."
Gu Tingqiu smiled and said, "I know that too. I can't hide it from the lady official."
“…”
"But there's no need to tell who it is."
“…”
"Madam, just treat it as an allowance for your family."
“…”
Nan Yan looked at him and smiled slightly.
Gu Tingqiu's words had made it very clear that he was indeed helping his family reconcile with her.
As the saying goes, a single tree cannot make a forest. She was alone in the palace, and even if she became a concubine, it was actually very difficult for her to walk on the road.
That's why Zhu Feng said that after he returned, he would place her family members in the court as officials.
In fact, this is the same truth.
Nan Yan picked up the purse and felt that there was a lot of stuff inside. She said with a half-smile, "You came here for profit, are you family?"
Gu Tingqiu looked at her for a while and said seriously, "Family, mutual benefit."
“…”
This sentence made Nan Yan silent for a moment.
Indeed, in this idea, it is too difficult for a person to survive in isolation from the world. Many large families and clans survive together. In addition to blood ties, a big reason is that they can benefit each other.
After all, if she were a concubine, it would be beneficial for her survival in the harem if there were trustworthy people in the court.
However, the premise is that—
Someone who is trustworthy.
Nan Yan thought quietly for a long time, then smiled faintly and said, "I can accept this."
“…”
"However, whether there can be mutual benefit depends on whether there is capital for mutual benefit."
“…”
"After all, the emperor must use people wisely."
When Gu Tingqiu heard her words, he felt relieved.
He smiled and said, "It's natural."
The two of them chatted for a while, but of course they didn't go into too much detail. After all, this was just a preliminary alliance. Soon, Gu Tingqiu said goodbye.
After he left, Nan Yan picked up the purse, opened it and was shocked.
Five silver notes, each worth one thousand taels.
A full five thousand taels of silver!
She went from being penniless to having a huge sum of money, and she felt a little dizzy.
I looked up at the furnishings in the room.
How much can you smash?
This uncle is really generous!
At this moment, Zhu Feng came back and saw her holding a purse, her face flushed with excitement. He asked, "What are you laughing at?"
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