Chapter 27 Xuan Huang

Han Jie choked and looked at Ming Huashang intently.

He had met many dukes and ladies: beautiful, ordinary, talented, unlearned, vain, arrogant. Each one had a different personality, but they all had one thing in common: they were all too proud.

These noble ladies have never had to worry about survival, and they are ignorant of the sufferings of the world, so they naturally regard money as dirt. They have never had the concept of earning money to support their families, but instead they are more concerned about maintaining the interests of their families and helping their husbands' families, even if the so-called family interests are not actually their own interests.

Therefore, Han Jie focused on the second half of his words. He could use money to lure peddlers and hawkers, but it obviously wouldn't work for the daughter of a noble family. He heard that this Ming lady was not yet engaged, and the bait Han Jie really prepared for her was actually marriage.

If she could really provide useful information, it would be easy for the empress to show mercy and find a pretext to issue her an imperial decree granting her marriage.

But before the bait was dropped, the fish had already taken the bait. Her initiative, combined with the fact that the Ming family was once a close confidant of Crown Prince Zhang Huai, made Han Jie think twice - would she deliberately agree to take the opportunity to infiltrate the emperor's personal guards to steal inside information for their family?

From this point of view, this Lady Ming Er is far from being the unambitious and uncompetitive person as rumored.

Han Jie spoke slowly: "Han hasn't finished speaking yet, young lady, have you made up your mind?"

"I've thought about it!" Ming Huashang said, "Even if you're an accountant who does abacus for a shopkeeper, you'll still be fired when you get old. How many jobs in the world are there that don't require layoffs or resignation and provide for your whole life? I'm afraid the only one is an official appointed by the imperial court. It's a pity that I'm a woman and can't pass the imperial examination to become an official. If I have an opportunity like Xuanxiaowei, I must grab it."

Ming Huashang was just too lazy to think, but she was not brainless. Xuan Xiaowei suddenly took her away from the street and let her meet her direct leader. Did he really discuss this with her? She had no choice, so she might as well be nicer and strive for good treatment.

She was indeed worried about the problem of manpower and livelihood. If she could join the Xuanxiao Guard, then it would be no problem to set up a female household and buy a land deed in the future. She didn't even know who killed her, which showed that the person behind her was very powerful. She couldn't fight against the powerful nobles by herself, so she could only rely on a bigger and more powerful monster.

Xuanxiao, a black owl. In ancient times, the owl was the god of war and a symbol of death, so this name also means a killer in the dark night.

The existence of Xuan Xiaowei is certainly not glorious, even immoral, but it can indeed solve her urgent problems. Since she can't resist, she might as well submit to it.

Han Jie seemed a little surprised, and asked with a half-smile: "Young lady, what you said is true. Women have been supported for life, let alone a beautiful girl like you who is loved by your father and brothers. When you get married in the future, will your husband's family still be short of money for your rouge and powder? You don't have to choose Xuanxiaowei just for a few coppers."

Ming Huashang smiled and shook her head. Yes, a woman is raised by her father before she gets married, by her husband after she gets married, and by her son after her husband dies. In the eyes of men, this is indeed a "life of leisure."

If you are not on the same side, you cannot empathize with many things. Ming Huashang did not say much to Han Jie, but said calmly: "It is not as good to spend money on yourself as to ask others for money. Parents will eventually leave first, and husbands will change their minds in nine out of ten cases, but the country will not change. If they say they will support me for a lifetime, they will definitely support me for a lifetime."

Ming Huashang didn't have any big ambitions. She had no intention of making achievements. It was enough for her to live a stable life. When she left the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion in the future, her food, clothing, housing and transportation would definitely drop several levels. But the rich have their own way of living, and the poor have their own way of living. What she valued was stability, and it was enough to be able to get her money back on time every month.

Fathers and elder brothers are doomed to fail, and husbands are full of uncertainty. To earn a living from them, one must not only deal with the in-laws, but may even have to bear children for them. In comparison, the imperial court is such a stable, reliable, trustworthy sucker... No, it's the object of service.

Han Jie looked at her in surprise, and after a long while he uttered a sigh of relief and said, "Ms. Ming, I don't know why you are so obsessed with money... But if you think that you can sit back and relax and wait for death after joining Xuan Xiaowei, then you are probably underestimating Xuan Xiaowei."

This is great! Han Jie was just worried that Ming Huashang wanted to infiltrate Xuanxiaowei and become a double spy. Now he can give up this idea.

Instead, I have to worry whether she wants to sneak in and cheat money.

Ming Huashang immediately showed a pious face as it was related to her own lifelong happiness, and asked humbly: "What does General Han need me to do?"

"It depends on what you can do." Han Jie said, "There are four levels in Xuanxiaowei: Heaven, Earth, Xuan, and Huang. Only when you reach the Earth level can you receive a lifetime salary. I'm afraid I'll disappoint you, young lady."

Ming Huashang uttered a soft "ah", obviously realizing that the money from the court was not so easy to make, and this meal was not so delicious. She quickly cheered up and said, "If I'm not disappointed, how can I reach the ground level?"

Han Jie chuckled softly. This young lady really dared to think. Han Jie was not afraid that she would reveal it, so he said truthfully: "Tian Di Xuan Huang is just a rough level, which only represents the authority in Xuan Xiao Wei. There are many positions in each level, and the entire Xuan Xiao Wei is far more than four levels. Among them, Tian Zi level is the Queen's confidant, without a superior, and reports directly to the Queen for anything; Di Zi level is the elite, not only to collect intelligence, but also to go out independently to perform tasks; Xuan Zi level is responsible for inquiring about news and transmitting intelligence; Huang Zi level is even lower, without a superior, collecting all possible useful information, from rice prices to what happened on the street, no matter how big or small, all are written down and handed in."

Ming Huashang understood, and she suddenly remembered an interesting story many years ago.

At that time, the empress had just seized power, and the ministers were unwilling to let a woman suppress them. The kings of other states were even more eager to make a move. One morning, the palace gate was suddenly crowded with people who came to watch the excitement. The ministers who were attending the court were curious and glanced at the

I looked around, only to find a group of thieves queuing up to open the lock.

There was a lock on a strange four-color copper box. The most powerful thieves in the capital tried one by one, but none of them could open it.

The empress then announced that the copper box was for the purpose of opening up the channels for people to express their opinions. There were four openings on it. The blue one was the Yan'en box, which was used to support the people and encourage farming; the red one was the Zhaojian box, which was used to judge the government; the white one was the Shenyuan box, which was used to complain about grievances; and the black one was the Tongxuan box, which was used to offer suggestions and policies. No matter if one was rich or poor, anyone who had any opinions about the court could write them on paper and put them in the copper box. Every evening, the empress would order her trusted eunuchs to take the letter box, and she would personally read the papers inside.

No one knew whether the lock was really so mysterious, but the queen undoubtedly sent a signal to the world that only she could open this bronze box. In other words, you would never know what others had written on the paper.

Throughout the dynasties, it was the most difficult to get the emperor's ears. With the bronze casket, anyone had the opportunity to directly contact the empress. The empress could thus know the voices and sentiments of the people without being deceived by ministers and eunuchs.

But the more important purpose of the copper box is to frame and inform on others.

After all, how many people among the common people could read? Most of them were officials who secretly stuffed letters of denunciation from political enemies into the bronze box. The empress was also happy to create opposition among her officials, so that she could sit firmly on the throne as an empress.

The subsequent dark and ruthless rule by cruel officials and the endless rebellion storms all came from this. Within a few years, the cruel officials became so powerful that they could not be controlled. The officials dared not speak out against their anger. The cruel officials were so rampant that they threw darts every day and accused anyone they hit of rebellion.

Finally, they even dared to falsely accuse the King of Wei and Princess Taiping of treason. This was a real setback, and the Wu family and Princess Taiping went to the palace to cry. At that time, the empress had already sat firmly on the throne. If she continued to tolerate the cruel officials, it would affect the empress's reputation. So the empress woke up in time and killed the cruel officials. The shadow of the cruel officials that had lasted for ten years finally came to an end.

A large number of cruel officials were purged, and the copper box naturally declined gradually. Ming Huashang thought that the copper box had disappeared in the long river of history, but he did not expect that it had just changed from a visible object to an invisible intelligence network.

The Xuan and Huang levels of Xuan Xiaowei, don't they do the same work as Tongji? It's just that the Xuan level sounds more noble, and they mainly monitor nobles and officials, but there is no difference in essence.

Ming Huashang had an intuition for no reason, and this feeling just saved her life. Ming Huashang inexplicably felt that if she wanted to live a good and undisturbed life, she could not be a snitch at the Huangzi level or Xuanzi level.

Xuan Xiaowei took the initiative to come to her and asked her to help monitor Xun Gui, so how did she know if there was someone else monitoring her from behind?

Whether for safety or long-term planning, she must get the ground level. She needs to go out to perform tasks, and the danger will naturally double, but only in this way can she become an insider of Xuanxiaowei and not be abandoned casually. Only in this way can she accumulate useful connections for herself to establish her own business and settle down in the future.

Ming Huashang quickly figured out the pros and cons, but she still acted like a greedy, lazy, and ignorant lady, and said arrogantly: "I can get a lifetime salary if I am at the Earth level? Well, I want to be at the Earth level."

Han Jie laughed and said, "Ms. Ming, you really can't judge a person by his appearance. The ground-level level is not as simple as it sounds. There are many unknown hardships involved. You are delicate and well-mannered, so there is really no need for you to suffer that."

Ming Huashang is certainly afraid of suffering, but she also knows that everything fate has given her has a price tag. If she is unwilling to suffer, she will inevitably lose something of equal or even greater value.

Ming Huashang gritted her teeth and said proudly, "It doesn't matter. I think I'm smart and talented, so I can definitely do it!"

Han Jie looked at her with a half-smile: "If I am not old and confused, it seems that not long ago, the young lady said that her brain is not good, her reaction is slow, her body is weak, and she can't even keep running."

There was no need to pretend this time, Ming Huashang naturally revealed a look of pain: "I really can't hold on. But what can I do? Only the Earth Level can receive a lifetime salary."

Han Jie really didn't know why a young lady from a noble family was so obsessed with money, since she wasn't going to be kicked out of the house. But this statement, coupled with Ming Huashang's expression, was inexplicably convincing. Han Jie said, "Since you have ambition, I can't stop you from making progress. However, I can make the decision below the Xuan level, but I can't do anything about the Di level."

Ming Huashang asked tentatively: "So..."

"So, we need to take an assessment." Han Jie said with a smile, "Young lady, only by passing the trial mission can you enter the Earth Level."

Ming Huashang felt a toothache, so she said, it's not that easy to find a lifelong meal ticket. Ming Huashang thought that since she was already here, she might as well take a chance and fight for the best treatment, so that she could have a stable job for the next 40 years!

Ming Huashang took a deep breath and said with determination, "Okay, let's take the test!"

"My lady is straightforward." Han Jie said with a smile. Ming Huashang stared at Han Jie with a heroic look, watching him pour out the waste tea in the purple clay pot and grind the tea cakes skillfully. Ming Huashang watched for a while, and his courage was gone, and he could hardly keep his smile: "General Han?"

"Hmm?" Han Jie raised his head and glanced at her, seeming surprised that she was here, "Why are you still here?"

Ming Huashang's face froze, not knowing what expression to make: "Didn't you say you wanted to take the test?"

Han Jie said nonchalantly, "The assessment is not my responsibility. You can leave now."

Ming Huashang was dumbfounded. She tried to figure out what kind of test this was, but when she looked carefully at Han Jie's expression, she found that he seemed to be serious.

Ming Huashang began to doubt her decision. Is this organization really reliable? Ming Huashang tried to remind him tactfully: "General, how can I take the test? Even if the test questions cannot be leaked, you should at least tell me the time and place."

Han Jie thought for a moment and said, "I really don't know how to conduct the assessment. Let's do this. Five days later, at 9:00 p.m., you will tie a red purse and go to the south gate of Enshunfang. In the alley behind the fifth willow tree, look for a shop with a blue flag. When you find it, ask the shopkeeper how many mutton liver dumplings are left. If he gives you dumplings, follow the instructions and go to the corresponding place. There will be your contact, and he will tell you what the assessment is."

Ming Huashang was confused by the end: "Why is it so complicated? Slow down, can you say it again? I can't remember the beginning."

Han Jie looked at her with a smile: "If you can't remember, it means you are not suitable for this job. Also, if you want to survive, don't write it down on any paper."

Ming Huashang paused as she was about to reach for the pen, and gave up silently. She felt as if she should... remember it, and said uncertainly, "So, is this all for today? If I need anything in the future, how can I find you? Should I come to this teahouse?"

Han Jie lowered his head to grind tea and said coldly: "You don't have to look for me. I will find you when I need you."

Ming Huashang understood that they had a one-way connection. Han Jie could find her at any time, but she could not find Han Jie. Ming Huashang stood up silently, took two steps out, and then slowly stopped.

Han Jie thought she was up to something again, so he looked up and asked, "What else?"

"Can I not eat lamb liver steamed buns?" Ming Huashang discussed seriously, "I like cherry steamed buns. If you really can't, you can change to crab roe ones. Lamb liver ones are not tasty."

Han Jie took a breath and crushed a few pieces of the tea cake in his hand. He began to doubt his judgment.

Did he hire a piece of junk?

Han Jie smiled and asked kindly, "What do you think?"

"Oh." Ming Huashang responded sadly, and walked out with her head down. When she walked outside, she almost tripped over the stairs.

The stairs of this teahouse were quite high, Ming Huashang didn't see clearly and almost fell down, but fortunately she grabbed the railing in time. The young man who brought her here looked at her with an expression of "Are you disabled?" Ming Huashang smiled sweetly at him, grabbed the railing, and moved down carefully step by step.

When she came out, the shopkeeper and the tea master were gone. Ming Huashang went out, and the shouts of the market in the streets rushed into her ears. She was stunned for a moment, and when she turned around, the door of the teahouse was closed.

It was as if everything that had just happened was just a dream, and she couldn't tell what was real and what was an illusion.

Ming Huashang walked out of the alley, and Ruyi was standing in the street anxiously and bewilderedly, holding a pack of hot Jushengnu. She saw Ming Huashang and hurried over: "Madam, I finally found you. Where did you go just now?"

When Ming Huashang saw Ju Shengnu in Ruyi's arms, she was finally sure that she was not hallucinating. She had indeed met a group of strange people and agreed to an outrageous request.

She picked up a piece of Jushengnu and put it in her mouth, biting the crispy snack with a crunching sound, and said incoherently: "It's okay, I saw that the street was lively, so I just took a walk. Let's go, we have been out for a long time, it's time to go back."

Ruyi responded crisply, holding a large bag of Jushengnu, and followed Ming Huashang to the Buddhist temple.

Ming Huashang was a perfect master except that she had no ambition. She never lost her temper, spoke kindly, and was kind. She never asked if a maid accidentally dropped something. She often shared food with the maids, and they enjoyed a lot. So when Ruyi bought Jushengnu, she bought a big bag and shared it with Zhaocai Jinbao after returning home.

Ming Huashang didn't care about these little things. She and Ruyi chatted and laughed as they returned to the Bodhi Temple. Madam Ming hadn't finished worshiping Buddha yet, so Ming Huashang found a sheltered place and sat down to eat the giant Shengnu.

Ming Yu came back with an air of nobleness and aloofness, and when she saw Ming Huashang, she glanced at her several times, with hidden jealousy and anger in her eyes.

I hate her for having a disordered brain and only thinking about eating. I hate her for being a waste who only knows how to eat, but she happens to be the daughter of a real noble family.

Ming Huashang ate half a packet of milk tea when Old Lady Ming finally came out. When she heard the voice, she reluctantly put down her snack and wiped her hands with a handkerchief, completely ignoring the angry looks of Ming Yu and Ming Shuo. Old Lady Ming came out, glanced at the corner of Ming Huashang's mouth, tightened her cheeks, and said nothing.

What can you say to a fool who only knows how to eat?

This trip to the Buddhist temple for the women of the Duke of Zhenguo Mansion ended in a weird atmosphere. The second and third wives looked down on the idiot of the first wife and kept their eyes on Ming Huashang the whole time, but unfortunately they rolled their eyes at the blind man. Ming Huashang dozed off against the carriage as soon as she got on the car, and was still dazed when she got off the car, and went straight back to her room to sleep.

Only the second and third wives were left standing in the wind, and they became even more angry.

Zhaocai, Jinbao and other four maids took care of Ming Huashang as she grew up. When Ming Huashang came back today, they felt that there were some differences about the young lady.

Ming Huashang didn't say anything some time ago, but they could feel that she was a little anxious and didn't eat as much as before. But when she came back tonight, she returned to that relaxed state, not only ordered a midnight snack, but also ate two bowls of sweet soup.

If I have to describe this feeling... it's like that student who has worked hard for two or three days and suddenly finds a new job and doesn't need to work hard anymore, so he lies down as soon as possible and rushes to take the exam.

Zhaocai didn't know where this terrifying sense of déjà vu came from.