When Sangzhu left, the way she looked at Liang Jiugong was a little strange; no matter how she looked at him, he seemed rather improper.
However, he was someone close to Emperor Kangxi, so it wasn't her place to say anything.
However, from then on, Sangzhu always seemed hesitant to speak whenever she saw Liang Jiugong. One time, she couldn't hold back any longer and said to him, "Chief Steward Liang, you should find a royal physician to take a look at you later."
It's almost insane.
Liang Jiugong's face darkened: ...
I'm speechless.
He's basically taking the blame for Emperor Kangxi.
He wanted to explain, but he couldn't, it was really...
Apart from this little incident, everything else was fine.
After staying in Suzhou for about ten days, Kangxi received good news from the Li family.
Master Li and his son, Young Master Li, got into a fight.
In fact, the father and son did not intend to take action at this time. After all, they wanted the Li and Cui families to pay the price, and they did not intend to get themselves involved.
The plan should have been to make thorough preparations before taking action, but Emperor Kangxi couldn't wait that long, so he arranged some things for him. Li Sanye noticed this and had no objections.
Although Young Master Li is intelligent, he is still young and doesn't quite understand these things.
In Master Li's study.
"Father, why so fast?"
"Some people hope that the Li and Cui families will fall sooner."
Young Master Li was taken aback upon hearing this, then asked, "Who is it?"
"emperor."
Young Master Li was startled: "The Emperor!!"
Although the emperor's activities in Suzhou were not widely publicized, those who needed to know were aware of them. Some people in the family did have designs on the matter, such as sending women and gifts to the princes.
However, due to a lack of opportunity, the matter was shelved.
Young Master Li originally thought the emperor was just here for sightseeing and that it wouldn't have much to do with them, but who knew they would be involved.
"What does the emperor want to do?"
Master Li sighed: "We've been very careful in Suzhou all these years, but the emperor has already noticed. Even without us, the Li family and the Cui family would still fall."
"The emperor is using us as weapons."
Young Master Li didn't seem resentful when he talked about it; on the contrary, there was a hint of excitement in his eyes.
"Yes, the emperor needs a knife, and the father and I are the most suitable and the most useful for him."
They had been preparing for this for a long time, so it was reasonable for them to do it, and it would also save them time and effort.
"Father, after this matter is over, I want to participate in the imperial examination, is that alright?"
Master Li was taken aback when he heard this. His son was exceptionally intelligent, but because he had asked his son to keep it a secret, he had been playing dumb to deceive others, and his reputation as a playboy was widespread both inside and outside the mansion.
"Have you thought it through?"
"My son has made up his mind."
The Li family is a deep quagmire. He was trapped in it before and couldn't get out. Now that he has a chance to get out, the third young master of the Li family is unwilling to live a mediocre life. He doesn't want to become a true playboy.
Judging from the emperor's intentions, he seemed quite wise. If possible, Young Master Li would naturally be willing to work for him.
"Father will prepare it for you. Since you want to take the imperial examination, start preparing early. You still need to study."
To maintain his reputation as a playboy, Young Master Li spent almost every day hanging out with his cronies. No matter how talented he was, he couldn't achieve anything without putting in the effort.
"Yes, Father."
The next day, Young Master Li was punished by Third Master Li and confined to the courtyard to reflect on his mistakes. He could only be released when he realized his error.
Everyone in the mansion was watching him make a fool of himself, unaware that he was actually putting in a lot of effort in the courtyard.
When Madam Cui, the wife of Li San, learned of this, she was delighted. During the meal, she couldn't help but say, "Master, Chengjun didn't do it on purpose. Why really lock him up?"
Chengjun, Li Chengjun, is also the name of the third young master Li.
Under normal circumstances, Cui's words would have added fuel to the fire. However, Master Li understood and knew the intention behind Cui's words. He disliked her tricks, but it wasn't the right time yet, so he had to cooperate.
Third Master Li frowned: "You don't need to say nice things to him. He associates with shady people every day and doesn't know how to learn anything good. I think he's becoming more and more useless."
A hint of a smile flashed in Cui's eyes upon hearing this, but it quickly disappeared. She then tried to persuade him a few more times, but the more she tried, the angrier Master Li became. In the end, he left without even finishing his meal.
On the surface, it was because Li Sanye was so angry with his son that he couldn't eat, but in reality, he was with Xiao Cuishi and felt so disgusted that he couldn't eat, so he made up an excuse to come out.
After Master Li left, the old woman beside him said, "The Third Young Master is useless. Why does Madam need to say such things? It only makes the Master angry. You should cultivate a better relationship with him instead."
When Cui heard the old woman say this, she said, "I also want to, but Li Chengjun is the master's only child. If I can't make him completely disappointed in the master's heart, what is the point of all that I have done?"
She was the legitimate daughter of the Cui family, and marrying Li Sanye as his second wife was already a step down for her, all because she still loved him.
That's right, she was the one who insisted on marrying Master Li.
She had secretly fallen for Li Sanye even before he got married, but his marriage was too sudden, and she was unwilling to accept her fate. That's why she insisted on marrying him after his wife passed away.
"Madam, what about the master...?"
The old woman wanted to advise the lady not to be so stubborn, but the words stuck in her throat. What good would it do to say them? The lady wouldn't listen anyway.
Li Chengjun was confined to his room, but in reality, he was studying behind closed doors.
He is also a very determined person; once he decides to study, he studies diligently, forgetting to eat or sleep.
Third Master Li has also started making his move.
Within two days, both the Li and Cui families' businesses ran into trouble. The goods they sent out couldn't reach their destinations; they were either robbed or involved in accidents, resulting in the loss of the goods.
After this series of events, both companies suffered significant blows.
The financial losses were a minor issue; the main problem was that some goods were delayed, which meant the cooperation couldn't proceed.
Following the business problems of the two families, people from both the Li and Cui families also encountered problems one after another. These people mainly referred to the more prestigious members of the Li family, such as those who had passed the imperial examinations and returned to teach.
Although they were quite knowledgeable in their studies, they were not without flaws in their character, and Master Li revealed everything he knew.
At first, some people tried to exonerate the two families, but as more and more things came to light and the evidence became irrefutable, there was no point in trying to argue anymore.
Therefore, after losing the money, the reputations of both families plummeted.
Initially, both families were just watching the spectacle unfold, but as they observed, they began to sense that something was amiss.
This is going to destroy both companies!
The four major families share both prosperity and adversity, and they were all anxious about it.
I wanted to lend a hand, but it was too late.
The reputations of both families have been ruined, and under the manipulation of Master Li, the Li and Cui families have turned their anger towards the two families.
When the four major families start fighting, it's naturally quite a spectacle.
The Li and Cui families were severely weakened and lost, while the other two families, although still possessing considerable resources, also suffered significant losses.
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