"Could it be that the young master has a new work?"

Ma Xianglan took the envelope in surprise, opened it and was stunned.

There was no poetry or prose inside, but two thin documents.

One is a document of settlement issued by the Jiaofangsi of the Southern Ministry of Rites.

The other is the settlement document issued by Shangyuan County Household Department.

The first one removed Ma Xianglan from the music register. The second one proved that Ma Xianglan was already a civilian in Shangyuan County...

"Congratulations, you are free." Zhao Hao said in a gentle voice.

Holding the two documents in her hands, Ma Xianglan couldn't help but tremble. She sat there for a long time before tears fell on the paper like beads from a broken string.

Fearing that the ink would be stained by her tears, she quickly held up the two documents. She wanted to wipe her tears with her hands, but she couldn't open them for a moment. She looked so flustered. How could she look like her usual elegant and calm self?

Zhao Hao sighed lightly, took out a handkerchief and handed it to Ma Xianglan.

Ma Xianglan then put the document aside, took the handkerchief and wiped her tears while looking at the young man infatuatedly, with inexpressible gratitude in her eyes.

You know, it is not easy to register a musician in this dynasty. The Ming Dynasty has extremely strict household registration management. Once it is determined, it cannot be changed for life.

Although the country was founded 200 years ago, the rules and regulations were relaxed and everything was allowed, but it was the most difficult thing for a famous prostitute to get a citizenship.

Because the women were all entertainers, their household registration was under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Rites. Each of the famous prostitutes, who were selected from thousands of people, was not only a cash cow for the Ministry of Rites, but also had the responsibility of welcoming officials and entertaining them at banquets.

The officials of the Jiaofangsi were afraid that they would be blamed by their superiors if they released the prostitute, so they would not approve the certificate of becoming a good woman in most cases. Therefore, even if a famous prostitute was able to call the shots in the Qinhuai River, she could only achieve this if she met a patron with great power and who was truly willing to help.

Ma Xianglan had a cold personality and was a prostitute who seldom met guests. She never expected that anyone would go to the trouble of helping her get registered.

Therefore, the little gift that Zhao Hao mentioned was really the most precious surprise in the world for her!

After sobbing for a long time, Ma Xianglan asked in a hoarse voice: "Why did you help me?"

"Well, helping others is the basis of happiness." Zhao Hao felt a little embarrassed when he was looked at. He scratched his head and said, "Besides, you played the piano for Weijixian for so long. It's only human nature for me to help you before you leave, right?"

"It's human nature?" Ma Xianglan's eyes were red and swollen. She chewed on his four light words and said quietly after a while, "Every musician knows how difficult this is."

"Nothing is difficult in the world, as long as you find the right person." Zhao Hao comforted him with a nonchalant look on his face: "Fatty Tang also pretended to be the assistant music officer of the Taichang Temple. This guy is very good at scheming. He has long been connected with the Ministry of Rites through the Taichang Temple. Every year, he supplies a lot of southern goods to the Jiaofangsi. After a few visits, he became good friends with Yu Fengluan of the Jiaofangsi."

Ma Xianglan nodded silently. Although the Jiaofangsi was under the Ministry of Rites, it was relatively independent. First, most of the officials in the Ministry of Rites were noble and would not be too involved in the affairs of the Jiaofangsi. Second, the officials in the ministry were all floating officials, who were replaced every two or three years. The miscellaneous officials in the Jiaofangsi were never transferred and often worked there for their entire lives.

Yu Fengluan, who now holds the seal of the Jiaofangsi, is only a ninth-rank official, but he has been in this position for nearly ten years, and it is very likely that he will continue to work for another ten years. He has long managed the Jiaofangsi as his own piece of land, and most of the musicians who want to register as musicians are stuck at his gate.

"I heard that Yu Fengluan is the most difficult to talk to. Countless princes and nobles offered huge sums of money to beg him to release the person, but all were met with rebuff." Ma Xianglan said softly.

"Those young masters are so arrogant, how could they know how to deal with such people?" Zhao Hao smiled and said, "But Boss Tang is different. He hit the spot right away. Plus, you haven't appeared in Qinhuai River for half a year, so your reputation is not as good as before, so Yu Fengluan just did you a favor."

Zhao Hao's words were vague, but Ma Xianglan knew that this must be a very complicated matter and it was by no means as simple as just doing a favor.

She knelt on the couch, leaning towards Zhao Hao.

"No matter what, Xianglan will never be able to repay this kindness in her lifetime."

"Well, there's no need to repay me. I just want to help you." Zhao Hao waved his hands and leaned back, saying, "Look, I helped everyone in Caijia Lane..."

Ma Xianglan raised her head slightly when she heard that, looked at Zhao Hao with rainy eyes, and suddenly asked a question without any context.

"Have you written poems for everyone in Caijia Lane?"

"Well, they don't understand it either..." It was the first time that Zhao Hao saw Ma Xianglan. Her eyes were so bright that he couldn't help sweating on his forehead and said with guilty conscience and shortness of breath.

Ma Xianglan stared at him for a long while, then suddenly smiled and said, "Don't be nervous, sir. Xianglan's words of repaying you are just an excuse. It's just that I have nowhere to go now. Please be a good person and let Xianglan stay by your side."

"Well, I'm afraid this is not very convenient." Zhao Hao said worriedly: "In a few days I will accompany my father and two disciples to Beijing to take the exam..."

"Young master, you are now a husband of a student of the Imperial Academy. You must have the proper respect, right?" Ma Xianglan looked at Zhao Hao coquettishly.

"Ah?" Zhao Hao felt confused by her.

"All the gentlemen need book boys." Ma Xianglan sat up straight, bowed to Zhao Hao and said with a smile: "Sir, do you think Xianglan is suitable for you?"

"Uh..." Zhao Hao saw Ma Xianglan, who was already as elegant as an orchid, put on men's clothes. She had a strong scholarly air and a hint of heroic spirit, which was so pleasing to the eye.

Thinking of her beautiful small calligraphy, Zhao Hao thought that if he had such a servant, he would be able to write a few more books for the Ming Dynasty.

But I'm still young, I'm afraid my father won't agree...

"Since you don't say anything, I'll take it that you agree." Seeing that he was hesitating, Ma Xianglan acted like a spoiled child. She said this and got up to run away, not giving Zhao Hao a chance to refuse.

Unexpectedly, as soon as she reached the door, she bumped into Qiaoqiao.

"Scared..." Ma Xianglan's face turned red immediately. She was so excited that she actually forgot about Qiaoqiao's existence.

I'm afraid she saw me crying and acting cute just now?

Unexpectedly, Qiaoqiao was even more guilty than her. She waved her hands vigorously and shook her head like a rattle, saying, "I just arrived at the door. I didn't eavesdrop on purpose. I didn't hear anything..."

"We didn't say anything shameful, just listen." Zhao Hao spread his hands. He is just a child now and doesn't have those complicated thoughts.

"Okay, I want to go to Beijing with you too!" Qiaoqiao nodded, blushing and adding: "You can't even fold your quilt, you can't do without someone to take care of you..."

ps. The eighth update, 1100 votes and another update, it’s already past one in the morning, I feel sorry for myself, woo woo… please give me monthly votes and recommendation votes

Little Cabinet