Seeing Wei Junpei's hesitant expression, Prime Minister Dong frowned and said in a low voice, "Jewelry, antique books and paintings, rare ancient zithers—if she doesn't like them, what about shops and land deeds? Or, Lord Wei, do you know where she often goes? I'll see if any of my sons live nearby and help her buy a house there."
Having been asked this far, Wei Junpei felt it wouldn't be right to remain silent: "Prime Minister, based on my understanding of that girl, she seems to have a particular fondness for gold and silver."
Is it really that vulgar? Dong Xiang was taken aback, then realized that the girl was a woman from the martial arts world. If she preferred elegance, she wouldn't be out venturing out into the world. Moreover, she didn't have any valuable ornaments on her head or body. The most eye-catching things were a soft whip and a rather antique-looking sword.
"Your Excellency, she wasn't greedy. She rescued seven little beggars, one of whom is my grandson Kaiyang. There are still six to support." Lord Wei quickly explained again, fearing that people might misunderstand Hong Xiaoduo.
Oh, I see. Then gold and silver are indeed the most suitable.
"Then, how much is appropriate?" Prime Minister Dong asked again.
Actually, he regretted asking those words as soon as they left his mouth.
The other person saved your son's life. Human life is priceless. How much you want to give depends on your sincerity. Just give as much as you can.
Asking this question makes him, as the prime minister, seem both shrewd and stingy.
The reason I blurted out the question was because I knew that the girl was also a benefactor to Wei Junpei's family, and their only grandson. The Wei family would definitely want to express their gratitude, so I could just add more as a reference.
Another reason is that the relationship between the Wei family and the Dong family was brought closer.
They all owed a debt of gratitude to that girl, which gave them a sense of belonging to one of their own.
Upon hearing this, Lord Wei looked around. This was his office, and his subordinates wouldn't approach him casually. If the voice wasn't loud enough, they wouldn't be able to hear what was being said.
When Dong Xiang saw his suspicious reaction, he wondered, "I was asking about thanking my benefactor, not about bribery. Is it really necessary to react like this?"
"Prime Minister, you've guessed that the matter of that girl in the Cold Palace is related to her, haven't you?" Lord Wei asked in a low voice.
Prime Minister Dong nodded. Empress Gao, who had been banished to the Cold Palace for several years, was suddenly brought out of the Cold Palace by the Emperor. Consort Yun, the most favored concubine, plotted to frame the Empress and was sentenced to death. Imperial Physician Tan committed suicide.
This reversal happened at just the right time, during the few days when Minister Gu took leave and closed his doors at the Wei residence for a banquet.
Even with just these things, Prime Minister Dong didn't connect them to that girl. But then, news came from the Imperial Clan Court that Empress Gao had given birth to a prince and Consort Yun had given birth to a princess, and that Consort Yun had orchestrated the switch of the children.
Although both children are of the emperor's blood, the Imperial Clan Court still needs to re-enumerate the imperial family genealogy. Moreover, the prince born to the empress is very likely to be the crown prince.
Regarding the matter of the two children being switched, it was not revealed who specifically confessed to it. Therefore, after the Wei family held a banquet to recognize the grandson's ancestors, the so-called bloodline identification technique was spread, and Prime Minister Dong guessed that this was related.
But what is Wei Junpei's intention in bringing this up now?
"That man gave that girl a thousand taels of gold, three Ganoderma lucidum plants, and two hundred-year-old ginseng roots," Lord Wei said, pointing upwards.
After hearing this, Prime Minister Dong finally understood his intention: he was telling him to give the amount based on His Majesty's!
It really is a ghost. Let's not even mention how much he paid that girl, but just how much that other person paid. Who is that person? Even if he gave her ten thousand gold pieces, it wouldn't be too much. After all, it was that girl who helped him get his beloved out of the cold palace, clear his name, discover the signs of the Empress's poisoning, and correct the identity of the replaced princes and princesses.
However, I can afford a thousand taels of gold.
Thinking about it this way, Prime Minister Dong felt that the emperor was being a bit stingy. Was the empress and princes only worth a thousand gold pieces?
"Alright, I understand. I originally intended to host a banquet for that girl at my residence, but today my two elders took my son to Huguo Temple to fulfill a vow. However, starting tomorrow, we will be receiving a foreign delegation, and we may be busy for a few days. Lord Wei, that girl will not be leaving the capital for the time being, will she?"
Never mind, my son is coming back today, let him try to persuade him to stay.
"Actually, I could have hosted a banquet for that girl anytime, but it would have been too insincere if I weren't there." At the end, fearing that Lord Wei might think he hadn't taken his benefactor seriously, Prime Minister Dong couldn't help but offer an explanation.
"Don't worry, Your Excellency, that girl won't be leaving the capital for the time being. You're busy, but she's busy too," Lord Wei said with a smile.
"That's good. I'll take my leave now. You and your family, along with that girl, can come to my residence in a few days, and we can talk again." After saying this, Prime Minister Dong hurriedly left.
Lord Wei couldn't help but smile as he watched Prime Minister Dong's retreating figure. He imagined what the Prime Minister's expression would be when he found out tomorrow that he had said the girl was just busy. But he would know tomorrow, since he would be there too.
You guys look down on women, but tomorrow I'll show you what I'm made of – she's still an unmarried young girl!
At noon, Lord Wei had a casual meal at the Ministry of Personnel and spent the afternoon clearing up the backlog of official business.
In the evening, he excitedly boarded the carriage in the mansion, thinking about the wonderful atmosphere of the family and the girl sitting at the same table for dinner, chatting and laughing. No talking while eating? That was not a thing in the Wei family!
Upon arriving at his own residence, he disembarked from the carriage and strode briskly to the front hall, only to find his wife and daughter-in-law there.
"Zizheng hasn't come back yet? How come that kid is busier than me?" Wei Zizheng said casually after sitting down.
Before the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law could respond, she continued, "Where are Xiaoduo and Kaiyang? Are they fishing by the lotus pond again? Have someone call them back. Someone come here and tell the kitchen that we can start cooking. We don't need to wait for Zizheng. After we eat, we'll take the two kids for a walk in the street to digest their food."
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