Lord Yuan: "Who is this governor? I've never heard of him before?"
Master Luo did know some of it, but it's unclear how he found out.
"I heard he's a newly appointed governor, but we can't find out his background in a short time. Everyone around him is very tight-lipped."
"I heard that this Lord Huang brought his wife and daughter with him on this trip. The daughter is still an infant and can't speak yet! Do you think we could test this governor's abilities through Madam Huang?" These words were spoken by Master Qi. His family had a capable wife who had often helped him in this regard. Madam Qi had a very good relationship with the former wife of the county magistrate.
The three families were all in the most profitable businesses, and their businesses overlapped, so they checked and balanced each other. They usually fought like antagonists, but now, naturally, they had to unite. With the county magistrate in trouble, they had lost their backers, and who knew if the governor would investigate and punish them on a whim?
They can't withstand close scrutiny.
The other two thought that what Master Qi said made some sense. They didn't have much else, but they had a lot of money, so it wouldn't be a problem for them to go out and coax women and children.
These people are really daring. They really think that money is everything. The reason why Chengxian was so easy to control was mainly because he was a local and had the ability to study, but he didn't have money, which is why he needed the support of the three families.
They were able to collude mainly because they exploited each other and each had their own agenda.
Even if Kangxi wasn't a real governor this time, their schemes wouldn't have succeeded.
Officials who become governors are rarely short of wealth, and they wouldn't let themselves become the backers of three merchants for such a small benefit.
The three of them discussed it and sent an invitation to Youqing the next day. The invitation was embossed with gold and looked exceptionally elegant.
Neither Youqing nor Kangxi expected such an invitation.
"Why would they think of sending me an invitation? Do they think they can find a governor to back them up?"
"I guess they're desperate and have nowhere else to turn."
"Should we go or not?" Youqing was a little unsure.
"If you don't want to go, then don't go. You won't be able to stay for more than a few days anyway."
Youqing didn't like socializing, so upon hearing this, she didn't go.
"Then I won't go."
The invitation was rejected, which surprised all three families.
"This Lord Huang is really difficult to deal with!" Master Qi sighed.
"Who says otherwise? Everything is ready, but no one is coming." Master Luo has really put all his savings on the line this time. They are truly afraid of the county magistrate's downfall.
At this moment, Master Yuan said, "Since Madam Huang isn't coming, she must know what we're thinking. If she's not interested in money, she probably isn't so indifferent to women!"
They're all men, so they understand men better in this regard.
"Master Luo, I've heard that your youngest daughter has grown into a very beautiful young woman and is not yet engaged. This Lord Huang is not yet forty and is quite promising. What do you think?"
Although their county town was small, its upper-class circles were quite impressive. They would privately select the most beautiful woman and the most talented woman. Miss Luo was very beautiful, so the title of the most beautiful woman fell to her.
After hearing this, Master Luo pondered for a while and felt that it was not impossible. His youngest daughter was born out of wedlock to his most favored concubine, whom he had redeemed from a brothel. The daughter resembled her mother and was quite charming and lovely.
He originally only intended to use his youngest daughter for a political marriage; if she could really be paired with a governor, then it wouldn't be a loss.
Lord Huang is nearly forty years old, and his wife must be past her prime; she can hardly compare to the beautiful and charming young girl.
Men may not love money, but few can resist a beautiful woman.
After discussing it, the group decided to get started immediately.
That evening, when Master Luo returned to his residence, he called his youngest daughter to his study.
"Father, you were looking for me?"
"Yes, sit down and talk."
"Thank you, Father."
Master Luo doted on his mother, so he treated his youngest daughter quite well. Her food, clothing, and daily necessities were all comparable to those of the legitimate daughter. Madam Luo had no daughter, so although she was not happy about this, she did not make things too difficult for her.
After sitting down, Miss Luo asked, "Father, did you call me here for something?"
"You must have heard about what's been happening in the county lately, right?"
Miss Luo had certainly heard about it. She and the young lady from the Cheng family didn't get along. Knowing that the young lady's father had been beheaded, the young lady from the Cheng family could no longer surpass her.
"I heard about it, what happened?"
She didn't think much of it. Master Luo only hoped to have more opportunities for marriage alliances when raising his daughter. He only cared about her demeanor when it came to her upbringing, and didn't teach her how to conduct herself in society.
She had no idea what losing Chengxian's head would mean for her family.
“Our family used to be close to Chengxian County, but now that he has committed a crime, our family will also be implicated if the matter is investigated.”
Miss Luo was stunned upon hearing this. What should she do? She was quite satisfied with the current life of Miss Luo. But when she thought of what the maid had said about the life that Miss Cheng of the county was living, she couldn't bear such a life.
"Father, surely not?"
"Father also hopes not, but Father is afraid that the new governor is too calculating."
Miss Luo finally realized what was going on. Her father usually wouldn't talk to her about this, so if he did today, it must be because he had something for her to do.
"Father, what can I do?"
She always knew her mission was to arrange a marriage.
"Originally, I planned to have your mother invite Madam Huang over and sound out Lord Huang's opinion, but Madam Huang refused. I want you to go and sound out Lord Huang's opinion. You are a woman, so I think Lord Huang will be more considerate of you."
Miss Luo wasn't surprised by what her father said, but asked, "Father, how old is Lord Huang?"
To reach the position of governor, one must be at least fifty years old. She was only fifty, and the thought of her marrying a fifty-year-old man made her feel wronged.
"Lord Huang is not yet forty years old, which is quite young and promising. My father had someone inquire about him, and Lord Huang is also very respectable."
Miss Luo felt much better when she heard that she was under forty. She knew she had no choice; if the Luo family fell, her good days would be over.
A governor in his thirties, that must be incredibly capable. It's not a bad deal for her, a concubine from a merchant family, to become a governor's wife.
"Then I will follow Father's arrangements."
Mr. Luo was very pleased with his daughter's obedience.
Having settled things with his daughter, Master Luo began arranging for her to meet the governor. This matter couldn't be delayed and needed to be arranged as soon as possible.
By leveraging the abilities of the Yuan, Qi, and Luo families, they finally learned of Kangxi's whereabouts.
The main reason is that it's not hard to find out; it's not difficult to send someone to keep an eye out.
"Master, a girl has fainted up ahead."
Today, Emperor Kangxi and Youqing planned to go out of the city to visit the countryside. They had just left the city when they encountered a girl who had fainted by the roadside. Just in case, Liang Jiugong did not send anyone to help her, but came to report first.
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