The news of the assassination attempt on the He family spread like wildfire. For a moment, everyone was in danger, fearing that the assassins would find them. They did not have the skills of Shang Ruoyi and his wife. If the assassins came to their house, they would surely die.
Zhang returned home and told He Ning'an about this.
"We should be thankful that they didn't take us in, otherwise what would we do if we encountered an assassin? That little bitch Shang Ruoyi would definitely not save us, and she might even push us out to block the knife." Zhang gloated and said, "They deserved it for showing off their wealth. Now the thieves have found us!"
He Ning'an nodded in agreement: "I see that mother is confused and actually got involved with them. If you regret it in the future, don't expect me to take care of her in her old age."
"Yes, grandma is really too much." He Jinghe sneered, "As for Shang Ruoyi and the others, I watched them get their retribution with my own eyes, and Qiao thought she could enjoy the good life with them, bah!"
Zhang smiled and said, "Jinghe, you have been very smart since you were young. You must take part in the imperial examination and bring back a name for me."
"Let me go, mother!" He Jinghe said solemnly, "Give me the two silver coins first, and I'll go buy some pens, inkstones, and books tomorrow."
When Zhang heard the word "silver", the smile on her face faded a little. When she heard it was two taels of silver, she immediately stopped smiling.
Everything is fine now, but Zhang doesn't want to give money.
"Boss, can you use our family's money to buy pens and ink for your son?"
He Ning'an frowned and said, "Why buy pens and ink? You, a woman, don't know anything."
"What's the meaning?"
"We are criminals now, and criminals cannot participate in the imperial examination." He Ning'an's words stunned Zhang. How could she know so much? She never thought that she would reach this point today.
He Jinghe smacked his lips awkwardly when he heard what his father said. He failed to fool the man, and the two taels of silver were gone.
"What should we do then?" Zhang fell on the chair and choked up, "Can we continue to live in such poverty from now on?"
He Ning'an said in a deep voice: "For now, we can only take one step at a time. After all, there is enough money at home. Let's go buy some winter clothes and quilts first!" He took out five taels from the silver at home and gave it to her: "And buy some rice and flour."
Zhang looked at the five taels of silver in embarrassment. What could she buy with this little silver? Besides, buying rice and flour would be of no use, as she didn't know how to cook.
I have been served by servants since I was a child. How could I have done any work in the kitchen?
She had only been here for a few days and her back and waist had already started to ache. If she continued to cook, wouldn't that be the end of her life?
Shang Ruoyi discussed the details of building the house with Mr. Wu. Mr. Wu looked at the blueprint drawn by Shang Ruoyi and couldn't help but exclaimed: "This blueprint should exist in heaven! It's exquisite! It's wonderful!"
Shang Ruoyi smiled and said, "Thank you for the compliment. It's just that I just had a sudden idea. I wonder if you can realize it?"
Old Wu took the blueprint and looked at it. "Everything else is fine, but it's a little difficult to seal the windows with colored glaze. I'm afraid that no one except the skilled craftsmen in the capital can make such a craft!"
This was beyond her expectations. Since ancient times, colored glass products have been rare and only the rich and powerful could enjoy them.
Previously, in the prime minister's residence, the windows of her house were covered with paper. In winter, it was extremely cold. But Shang Yufu's windows were covered with colored glaze.
Later, when she married into the Dingwang Palace, all the windows in the rooms were made of colored glaze. She knew how precious colored glaze was, but since there were craftsmen who could make it, she wanted to find a way.
"I know of a man in town who can do it, but he has stopped practicing for many years and probably won't do it anymore."
Shang Ruoyi's eyes lit up when she heard this: "Senior, can you tell me who that person is?"
"I'll take you there in person some other day! That old guy won't open the door easily."
From his words, Shang Ruoyi knew that this man must be an old man with a strange personality.
“The materials for building the house will be delivered in the next two days.” Old Wu couldn't help laughing when he thought of the expression of the blue brick shopkeeper when he left his address. Everyone in Qingzhou City knew that this village was basically made up of exiled prisoners, who were even poorer than ordinary people. The soil here was barren, and the soil that the exiled prisoners could reclaim could not produce any food all year round. It was difficult to pay taxes, let alone use silver to build a house, and to build a house made of blue bricks was simply a fantasy.
That day, Shang Ruoyi found Zhao Junyi.
"Sir, I still need your help in building the house." She took out a purse with two taels of silver in it and handed it to him: "Most of the money was used to build the house. Please accept this little gift. Please also help me find some diligent and capable workers." Before leaving, Zhang Hu reminded her that Zhao Junyi was not greedy for money, so as long as she used silver to bribe him, he would not make things difficult for her.
Zhao Junyi took the money bag with a smile: "What's the big deal? I'll take care of the labor."
Shang Ruoyi thanked him and left.
On the way back, the smile on her face disappeared.
Zhao Junyi is a sly old man who doesn't want to offend anyone and wants to take advantage of everyone. The last assassination attempt was the best example.
This kind of person is the most unreliable. Right now, it's just a small matter of moving money. If something big happens, this person will definitely sell out others at the first opportunity. Therefore, for long-term considerations, as long as there is a chance, Zhao Junyi must not be kept.
Early in the morning of the next day, Zhao Junyi brought a team of people to the He family.
"He family, I have brought your workers here." He pointed at the old and weak people behind him and said, "According to the price in town, two meals a day plus a few yuan in wages."
After saying this, he waved his hand and let those people in.
Shang Ruoyi frowned when she saw this, walked forward, and held out her arms: "Wait."
Zhao Junyi's voice turned cold: "What do you mean?"
"Sir, I agreed with you yesterday to find some hardworking and capable people. The ones you brought are all over 60 years old, which doesn't seem to meet my requirements."
By saying this, Shang Ruoyi was slapping Zhao Junyi in the face in public.
I saw his eyes were slightly fierce, and he said angrily: "Shang Ruoyi, you are so ungrateful. It is a great favor for me to help you find it. You are so shameless."
At this time, many people had gathered around, and Zhang was also among them.
Seeing Zhao Junyi getting angry, Zhang looked gloating. She wished Zhao Junyi would chop Shang Ruoyi to death in anger.
"Don't know how to be polite?" Shang Ruoyi sneered: "Who is ungrateful?"
"What did you say?" Zhao Junyi said angrily, "How dare you talk back? Do you believe that I will punish you?"
Shang Ruoyi stepped forward, her eyes fearless: "Although I am guilty, I didn't steal or rob when I was exiled. I just didn't want to use the workers sent by the adults. What crime have I committed?"
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