After hearing what Qin Yi said, Tang Xinyi's eyebrows jumped. What did the prince mean by this?

Tang Xinyi was shocked in his heart, but he remained calm on the surface. After a while, his rationality returned a little, and he was finally able to calm down and think about the ins and outs of this matter. He was the prince's close attendant, so he naturally knew the prince's whereabouts. When the prince left the capital, he took the road north of the mountain and came directly to Datong. He had never been to Taiyuan, let alone met the young lady of Changxing Marquis's Mansion. Logically, the prince should have never seen the daughter of the Chu family, so the sentence just now cannot be understood literally...

Qin Yi saw that Tang Xinyi just lowered his head, not knowing what he was speculating about, and did not dare to look up at him. Qin Yi was too lazy to speak, and directly stretched out his hand and said, "Give it to me."

Tang Xinyi didn't even ask a question, and immediately handed the invitation from the Marquis of Changxing to the prince's palm.

Qin Yi used a little force with his fingers and tore open the lacquer seal. He held the bright red invitation with his fingers and turned it up and down. The reflection made his fingers look even more slender and the joints more distinct.

Qin Yi felt that this invitation was tacky and dazzling for no reason. He glanced at the invitation coldly, and his dark eyes gradually moved down, and finally saw the words on the bright red invitation.

Fortunately, Bingyu, a happy marriage... My little daughter Chu and the eldest son of the Zhao family are getting married...

My little daughter Chu? Qin Yi raised his eyebrows. Isn't the little daughter of the Marquis of Changxing Chu Jinyao? In his impression, Chu Jinyao didn't have a legitimate sister... Wait, Chu Jinyao seemed to have an older sister.

Qin Yi was slightly stunned, and looked at the name on the invitation again, focusing on the man's name. Tang Xinyi had no expression on his face, but his eyes were fixed on Qin Yi. He first saw the prince examine the invitation coldly and dignifiedly, then suddenly went back to read the words on the invitation. Finally, he raised his fingertips and frowned helplessly.

Tang Xinyi finally spoke at the right time: "Your Highness, you see..."

"Leave, I have no dealings with the Changxing Marquis's Mansion. They are holding a wedding, so I don't need to bring a gift."

"Yes."

Tang Xinyi should have left, but today he stopped for the first time and asked casually: "Your Highness, what did you mean just now?"

Qin Yi raised his head, and his glass-like eyes just glanced at Tang Xinyi lightly: "Are you asking me?"

"I dare not." Tang Xinyi lowered his head, hunched over and retreated, "The slave will go and pass on the order, and the slave will take his leave."

Tang Xinyi was halfway there when he suddenly heard: "Stop."

"What do you want, Your Highness?"

"Weddings and funerals are big events. You can go to the storehouse and prepare some gifts and ask someone to send them over."

Tang Xinyi was shocked and moved his lips. He wanted to ask why, but he didn't dare to let the prince say it a second time. Tang Xinyi lowered his head and replied in a muffled voice, "Yes."

Qin Yi shifted his gaze to his official duties. After a while, he raised an eyebrow slightly and asked, "Why are you still standing there?"

"Your Highness, you have just recovered from a serious injury. The general wants you to go to Taiyuan to recuperate for a few days. The Taiyuan prefect has already made arrangements. Your Highness, the border is windy and sandy, and swords are blind. It is not a long-term plan for you to stay here. You were plotted against by a villain, and you just woke up a few days ago. Why don't you go to Taiyuan in the mainland to avoid evil spirits?"

Qin Yi just smiled after hearing this: "I am still the prince after all. If there really is such an evil spirit, even I need to avoid it. What's the point of fighting the battle at the border? Just disperse and go our separate ways."

"I dare not." Tang Xinyi bowed and apologized quickly.

Qin Yi was silent for a while before he spoke: "Get up. I don't want to find out who asked you to deliver the message, but Tang Xinyi, remember, I am the prince."

The emperor guards the country's gates, and the king dies for the country. Since he came to the border to defend the enemy, he would never retreat a single step. Hiding behind the city wall like a spineless coward, watching the soldiers on the front line fighting and dying, while he hid in the city to have fun, this kind of thing his father could do, but he, Qin Yi, could not.

Seeing Qin Yi suddenly use the honorific title of prince, Tang Xinyi's forehead was dripping with cold sweat. Tang Xinyi knew that persuading the prince to rest was not going to work, so he did not dare to mention it again, and hurriedly retreated with his waist bent.

After Tang Xinyi left, the room returned to peace. Qin Yi sat quietly for a long time without picking up the pen to continue his official business.

Qin Yi knew, of course, that Tang Xinyi had said this today on behalf of the Datong general and the Taiyuan prefect. This was to test his attitude.

Chu Jinyao was in Taiyuan, and Qin Yi could still remember it vividly. The last moment before he left, a piece of wood as thick as a bowl fell and slammed on Chu Jinyao's hand. Qin Yi really wanted to know if this idiot had seen the plaster he had sent over, and what the injury on her hand was.

But he was the prince, and as long as he was alive and the Tatars did not retreat, he could not and would not leave the border.

Qin Yi finally suppressed the slightest hesitation in his heart, and he would not go to Taiyuan. He was guarding the border in Datong, and only his people, and Chu Jinyao, could live in the city in peace and security.

Besides, he put the jade scar cream so obviously, if Chu Jinyao still couldn't see it... she must have grown white eyes, and she deserved the pain.

Qin Yi picked up the pen, not intending to pay attention to a blind man, but after writing only three lines, Qin Yi put down the pen helplessly. Forget it, he couldn't count on a fool, so he called Wei Wu in. Another day, let Wei Wu go to the Changxing Marquis's Mansion under the pretext of delivering accounts to see if Chu Jinyao's hand is healed.

He remembered that Chu Jinyao's sister was good to her, so he didn't offend him. Changxing Marquis sent an invitation, and he would not come in person, so he sent a gift back. Qin Yi knew that Chu Jinyao liked Yunjin's splendor. When she went to the store that time, she also liked those jewelry and headdresses. This is not a big deal. Since she likes it, just ask someone to fulfill her wish. After he leaves this time, I am afraid he will never see her again. He will take care of these details as much as he can.

The eldest daughter of the Changxing Marquis's Mansion is getting married. This happy event has been prepared since a year ago. However, until a month before the wedding, the mansion was getting busier and busier, as if no matter how much preparation it was, it was not enough.

Because the prince's confidant suddenly came to Taiyuan a few days ago, the invitation to Huailing Palace was cancelled. When the storm finally passed, the Changxing Marquis's Mansion had to be busy with Chu Jinxian's marriage, so naturally they had no time to deal with other things. May and June passed in a busy manner, until the tenth day of August, when Chu Jinxian was going to get married, the entire Changxing Marquisate could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

On the day of her return, Chu Jinyao wore a red shirt and waited for Chu Jinxian and her eldest cousin from the Zhao family to arrive early. Chu Jinxian got married with great honor, with red makeup and her brothers guarding her sedan chair. What was even more honorable was that the prince also sent a gift. Although the gift was quite formal and it was obvious that it was prepared by the palace people, what woman in Shanxi, or even in the whole world, would be so lucky as to be given a gift by the prince? Moreover, why would the prince remember the wedding of a girl from a noble family for no reason? Many people naturally thought of her father and brother.

The Changxing Marquisate seemed to have been passed down to the last generation.

Because of this, Chu Jinxian's status in her husband's family rose a level, and the ladies attending the banquet rushed forward to praise Chu Jinyao and other unmarried girls when they saw them. Because of these two happy events, everyone in the Chu family was smiling for a few days, and even the servants walked with a breeze.

After finally finishing Chu Jinxian's affairs, the Changxing Marquis Mansion slowly returned to its former order, and Chu Jinyao finally had time to take care of her own affairs.

For example, meeting the shopkeeper who nominally belonged to her.

The person who came in was a man named Wei Liang, who was not very old, with fair skin, always smiling, and two dimples on his cheeks. He bowed to Chu Jinyao first, and called sweetly: "I am Wei Liang, nice to meet the fifth lady."

Chu Jinyao said across the screen: "Shopkeeper Wei, there is no need to be polite, just stand up."

Wei Liang said "Ah", and then slowly stood up. Chu Jinyao asked, "The shopkeeper doesn't look old and is so young, but he has become the head shopkeeper?" "

My father is in charge of the business. He went out of town to check on the goods today and couldn't come in to greet the young lady, so he let me in. Although I don't understand much, I usually follow my father around, so I know a thing or two about the transactions in the store. If the young lady has anything you want to ask, just ask me directly."

Chu Jinyao nodded. It turned out that he was the son of the head shopkeeper. No wonder he was so young. Chu Jinyao said, "I dare not. Without telling Manager Wei, I became a shareholder for no apparent reason. I didn't even know where the store was, but I wanted to get involved in your business. I feel really bad. Some time ago, my family told me a little about the matter of Eunuch Tang. After thinking about it, I still think it's inappropriate to become a shareholder so shamelessly. I haven't read the account book you sent me two months ago. Why don't you, Manager Wei, take it back today? From now on, this ridiculous contract will be considered nothing. You can continue to do your own business and don't have to care about me. If it really doesn't work, when the higher-ups ask about it, you can continue to use my name."

"How can this be?" Wei Liang was shocked when he heard this. If they dared to pretend to obey but secretly disobey, their family would be tired of living. No matter what the order was, Wei Wu and Wei Liang did not dare to neglect it. Wei Wu's subordinates managed many fields and shops, and this Yunzhi Embroidery Shop was just a small business among them. They did not care about this little money. Now it was just to give some dividends from the embroidery shop to a young lady. If they did not do it well, it would be a disaster!

Wei Liang hurriedly said: "Girl, listening to what you said, you probably know something about the relationship between the embroidery village and the royal family. Although our Yunzhi embroidery village has the name of Huangshang, we have no contact with the palace on weekdays. We just pay filial piety to the palace during the holidays. These days, more and more merchants know how to take the father-in-law's route, and the name of Huangshang has increased compared with previous years. I don’t know how many times it has happened, but it’s actually not easy for us older imperial merchants. We only have a name, and we have to pay a certain amount of surplus every year, but we don’t get any care from above. In addition, we have to deal with favors. If things go on like this, there will be a day when Xiuzhuang can’t survive.”

Although Chu Jinyao was surprised when she heard this, she could understand it. The emperor now loves pleasure, favors his close ministers, and ignores state affairs. Therefore, the wind of flattery and fawning prevails in the court. As long as you can please the emperor with sweet words, you can get official positions and titles. Clothes such as Feiyufu and Jingzhongguan, which symbolize rank and honor, are freely given away. This is rampant. This is the case in the officialdom, and it is not so good among the people. Many merchants ask people to send expensive gifts to the eunuchs, and the eunuchs will say a few good words to the emperor. Once the emperor is happy, he will easily give the title of imperial merchant. For example, Qi Zhang Guijia took this route.

The imperial merchants nowadays are extremely fraudulent and cannot be compared with the imperial merchants in the past. Many old-established imperial merchants look down on the new imperial merchants, but they cannot resist these newcomers who are willing to spend money on gifts. With the eunuchs watching over them, the prefects and governors dare not make things difficult for them. Even the banknotes in charge of tax collection dare not touch the mold of the emperor's favorites. They symbolically collect 10% of the 100% tax and quickly let these people's goods pass. If this continues, the bad money will drive out the good money, and the old-established imperial merchants will become increasingly insignificant. What Wei Liang said is indeed very likely to happen, and Chu Jinyao slowly believed it 50%.

Chu Jinyao asked tentatively: "Then what about Yunzhi Embroidery Manor now..."

"Alas, Dad had many connections in his early years, and now with the help of old friends, the embroidery shop can still make a profit. However, after deducting the tribute and the necessary internal and external arrangements, the remaining profit is really not much. Now we can still live on our old capital for a few years, but in a few years, I am afraid that we will be suppressed by the new embroidery shops. Dad has been worried about this for a long time. A few days ago, he inquired about the matter of Grandpa Tang. My father and The shopkeepers discussed it and decided to come to you. If we go to ask for the protection of the eunuchs in the palace, it will be a bottomless pit. We don't know how much money it will cost, and it is still unclear whether it will work. It is better to share the contract with the fifth girl. Taiyuan is the territory of the Changxing Marquis's Mansion. With the girl's reputation, we will have some confidence when we go out. "This is very

reasonable and makes sense. Chu Jinyao paused and asked, "In other words, this dividend contract is what you want?"

"That's right!"

"If you really want to seek protection, why don't you surrender to my father. Wouldn't it be more useful to be registered under his name than for me, a girl from a noble family?"

"Oh, this is what you don't know, young lady." Wei Liang said, "The founding emperor strictly prohibited collusion between officials and businessmen. Even now, no official dares to do business openly. These shops are all registered under the names of their wives, daughters, and mothers. If we really write the name of Marquis Changxing, it will not only not help, but also be a burden!"

Chu Jinyao was finally persuaded: "Is it really so?"

Wei Liang thought that this young lady Chu was quite vigilant. Usually, when a girl sees someone giving her money, she will happily accept it. Why would she think twice and ask all these questions? Seeing Chu Jinyao finally let down his guard, Wei Liang quickly responded, "Absolutely true!"

In fact, what Wei Liang said was not wrong. The current business environment is indeed getting worse and worse. The old merchants are squeezed by the government and eunuchs and have no chance to breathe. Wei Wu is in charge of such a large business, and it is inevitable that he will be targeted by these eunuchs and have a piece of meat torn off. However, Wei Wu has not been blackmailed by others except for the necessary arrangements. In the final analysis, it is because Wei Wu is managing the industry for the prince.

But these things do not need to be known to the beautiful young girl in front of him. Wei Liang half-truthfully dispelled Chu Jinyao's idea of ​​quitting, and then he took the initiative to present the account book: "Fifth Miss, this is this month's account book, for your review."

Wei Wu also sent someone to deliver the account book two months ago, but the whole family was busy with Chu Jinxian's wedding, and Chu Jinyao kept it under wraps and did not look through it. She didn't want to get involved too much in the affairs of the palace at the time, so it would be best to quit such a complicated business. But now that Yunzhi Embroidery Manor and she have become a mutually beneficial relationship, Chu Jinyao is relieved. It's fine if the other party has something to ask for. If he really gives her money without asking for anything... Chu Jinyao dare not accept it.

After finding out about the other party's background, Chu Jinyao was in the mood to look at the account book. Although she couldn't understand it, Chu Jinyao still tried her best to read it because she had a responsibility here. Wei Liang was standing outside. Through the blurry screen, he saw that Chu Jinyao had just finished reading the book, so he said, "Miss Chu, Xiu Manor sends you an account book every month, along with the dividends. When you came two months ago, the servants didn't see you in person, so they didn't dare to put the silver in, so they converted it together and brought it to you today. It was too conspicuous to carry the silver when entering the mansion, and my father said it was unsafe, so I took the initiative to exchange it for banknotes. Miss, you see..."

"That's great, Manager Wei is very thoughtful." After all, Chu Jinyao was a married lady. Even though Chaoyun Court had undergone a major reshuffle, there were so many people around, and she didn't dare to reveal too much to others. If she brought in money, she would have no way to hide it, but if she changed it to banknotes, it would be a lot of secrets. As long as she didn't tell Wei Liang, who would know her true wealth? Chu Jinyao said, "Then I'll have to trouble Wei Xiaozhang. From now on, the monthly dividends will be exchanged for banknotes."

Wei Liang agreed and handed Chu Jinyao a box with both hands. The maid walked around the screen, checked it briefly, and then took it in and handed it to Chu Jinyao. Chu Jinyao opened it and took a quick look, and couldn't help but jump: "So much?"

"Yes, this is the dividend accumulated over the past four months. My father asked me to give it to the girl."

Chu Jinyao pressed her eyebrows and finally calmed down. She took a quick look and saw several silver notes of 1,000 taels, with many notes of 100 taels and 50 taels below. Ten taels of silver is enough for an ordinary family to live on for half a year, and this is the cost in the city. The amount for farmhouse families will be even less. Chu Jinyao used to think that the monthly salary of two taels was a sky-high price. Now, without saying anything, the Wei family actually gave her nearly 6,000 taels of silver notes.

Even Chu Jinxian's dowry was no more than six thousand taels, which also included large furniture such as a step-out bed and a dressing table, but what Chu Jinyao was holding in her hand was six thousand taels of cash.

Chu Jinyao was frightened one after another, but she gradually calmed down. She remembered that she had brought back thirty taels of silver, and Qin Yi said disdainfully: "I think thirty taels is not a lot of money."

If it is based on the level of the Wei family, thirty taels is indeed not a lot of money.

Chu Jinyao closed the box, and after a long time, he said: "Little Manager Wei, are you really determined to invest in my name?"

Wei Liang hurriedly said: "Yes!"

Chu Jinyao looked at the wooden box in her hand and really felt hot. She sighed softly and said, "Okay, I'll take it first. It's not a big deal."

Seeing Chu Jinyao was willing to accept the gift, Wei Liang felt relieved. He could finally go back and report. Wei Liang quietly wiped his sweat from an angle where no one could see him. However, as soon as Wei Liang put his hand down, he heard Chu Jinyao ask, "Little Shopkeeper Wei?"

Wei Liang quickly replied, "I'm here."

Wei Liang thought this lady from a noble family had another question, but strangely, she was just asking about the daily operations of Yunzhi Embroidery Manor. Wei Liang answered them one by one. Chu Jinyao nodded thoughtfully and said, "I understand. Little Shopkeeper Wei, since the embroidery shop has a complete cloth weaving and cloth selling process, why not do the ready-made clothes business? Isn't it more profitable to cut silk and satin into clothes than to buy cloth?"

So that's it. Wei Liang breathed a sigh of relief and said, "We have thought about this, but the embroidery shop started out by weaving cloth, and no one in the shop is good at buying and selling ready-made clothes. Moreover, if we want to make ready-made clothes, we have to follow up all the time. It's not like weaving cloth, where there are only a few patterns and we just have to do it. Since there is really no one to take care of the store, we just let it go."

"No one to take care of it..." Chu Jinyao's mind flashed with light, and she said quickly, "I know someone who is quick and skillful. She taught me needlework. Little Manager Wei, how about inviting her here and letting her try to take care of it for a while?"

Wei Liang agreed immediately: "It's not difficult. Just tell me what kind of person you want to arrange." This is really not a big deal. The higher-ups have already ordered that no matter what this Miss Chu wants, they should agree to it, not to mention that they just want to place someone. The embroidery manor is so big, what's the big deal of raising one more person?

Chu Jinyao finally smiled: "That's good, thank you, Little Shopkeeper Wei." Then, Chu Jinyao stood up and bowed to Wei Liang. Wei Liang was almost frightened and quickly dodged: "Miss, you can't do that!" "

How can you not do that? Shopkeeper Wei has helped me a lot this time."

"I dare not, I dare not." Wei Liang smiled stiffly and invited Chu Jinyao back to her seat. "Miss, please sit down quickly. I am not worthy of your courtesy."

After Chu Jinyao sat down, she saw that Wei Liang was still very nervous and laughed, "Why must you be like this, Little Shopkeeper Wei? We will be partners in the future. How can we be so formal? Little Shopkeeper Wei, to be honest, the person I introduce to you is my sister. I grew up in a farmer's family and was called back by my father at the beginning of this year. I can't go out and I dare not pass a message to my sister. How about I leave a letter and you take it to my sister's house for me. She will understand when she sees the letter. She has been a good worker since she was a child. Let her come to the store to help, and she will definitely not make any mistakes."

Wei Liang agreed of course. Chu Jinyao had waited for so many days, and finally had the chance to solve Su Hui's problem. She hurried to the study and wrote a letter. Considering that Su Hui could not read, she drew a few simple sketches, roughly explaining the whole story, and then walked out, locked the letters in a box and handed them to Wei Liang: "Little Manager Wei, thank you for your help."

Wei Liang hurriedly said he didn't dare. Su Hui was already married, and her husband was a strong butcher. Chu Jinyao was not afraid that her sister would be bullied. Anyway, whether her sister came or not, her brother-in-law would definitely accompany her. Chu Jinyao had no manpower and could not send messages outside the house. Now, she could only pin her hopes on this Little Manager Wei.

Chu Jinyao sent Wei Liang away, then went to the west room, stuffed the box of banknotes into the mahogany box, and locked it together. Chu Jinyao took out a few pieces of cloth from the box as a gift for her sister. When she came out with the things in her arms, she suddenly felt an indescribable weirdness.

Chu Jinyao found that no matter what she did recently, it was going smoothly, and it could be described as a wish come true. Why is this? Is there really such a coincidence in the world?

...

The days gradually entered autumn, and Chu Jinxian's marriage gradually came to an end. The Changxing Marquis's Mansion was finally busy, and only then did they have the mind to take care of other things.

Chu Zhu went back to her parents' home in February and said she would invite her nieces to the palace for a talk. As a result, accidents happened one after another. When the matter with Grandpa Tang was settled, it happened to be Chu Jinxian's wedding date. After all these things were finally settled, it was already September.

Princess Huailing formally sent an invitation to the Changxing Marquis' Mansion, inviting the three wives and the young ladies of the Chu family to the palace to appreciate the chrysanthemums.