48

Yuan Xifu

Yuan Xi told Gao Yue about the last time he met Zhen Mi. Gao Yue reacted immediately, stretched out her hand to hit him, bit her lip and said angrily: "Do you want to find another woman?"

Yuan Xi pinched his chin and said, "If you are particularly beautiful, you will really have to trouble Madam."

As Yuan Xi spoke, she secretly looked at Gao Yue and saw her rolling her eyes and looking increasingly ugly.

He quickly changed his mind and said, "But if Madam is not satisfied, I will never agree."

Gao Yue then calmed down her expression, rolled her eyes at him and said, "She's not such a jealous woman who doesn't know how to advance or retreat. As long as the family is as harmonious as it is now, I don't care."

"But I'm worried about one thing." Yuan Xi looked at her and continued.

"worry about what?"

"It's a political marriage." Yuan Shao and his three sons will definitely marry some aristocratic families.

Gao Yue stared at him blankly, then lowered her head and said softly: "This is all my father's decision. What can I do?"

The only one she can rely on now is Yuan Xi. If Yuan Xi doesn't pamper her, there's nothing she can do. Not to mention showing off like a lady and saying she doesn't agree with this.

"Don't worry. No matter what happens, you, Gao Yue, will always be my wife. In fact, there are benefits to marriage. At least if we encounter any situation in the future, there will be more people to help us. Besides, they are all concubines at most. My wife, if you train them well, they will be fine. Are you afraid?"

Gao Yue said quietly: "What do I have to be afraid of about women? What I'm afraid of is that some man will be so lustful when he sees a beauty that he will lose his mind and kick me out of my position as a grown-up woman."

Yuan Xi shouted that he was wronged and said: "I've been so good to you, can't you just keep your heart in your belly?"

"How do you want to put it in?" Gao Yue pursed her lips: "Women like to think nonsense, and you are a pervert. You can't help but go up and take a bite of any beauty you see. It's weird that I can put it in my stomach. ”

This is really an unsolvable proposition. If a woman says this, a man really has no choice. Yuan Xi scratched his head and didn't know what to say for a long time.

What Gao Yue wanted was his attitude. She beat him every day. Seeing his appearance, she couldn't help but comfort him and said: "Okay, okay, I mean, in fact, it is not your fate to marry any man. Now, husband, you can treat me like this, and I am very satisfied."

Listening to Gao Yue's inner monologue, Yuan Xi was stunned for a long time, not knowing how to answer.

Gao Yue pressed her head tightly against Yuan Xi's chest, listened to his strong heartbeat, and said softly: "That Tang Ji, let her move around in the house." After all, she would have to be locked up for several months, and she couldn't bear it. , Cai Yan still thinks about Tang Ji very much.

The two talked some more, and Gao Yue turned around and said, "You didn't do anything bad to her, right?"

Yuan Xi tightened her waist and said with a smile: "I dare to do anything bad to her, but she is covered in thorns and looks like she should not be approached by strangers."

"Haha, maybe Sister Tang Ji has her own ideas. Hey, I don't know if she will blame me then."

Yuan Xi smiled and said: "If you blame me, I will seduce her and use the beauty trick to make her feel sorry for you. If she feels that she is wrong, she will not blame you."

.......

"Wugu, please open the door. I was just joking. Don't take it seriously." Yuan Xi gently knocked on the door and whispered.

"I'm sleepy, let's talk tomorrow." As he said this, the lights in Gao Yue's room dimmed. No matter how Yuan Xi begged, Gao Yueli ignored her.

"You're such a jealous little person." Yuan Xi shook his head, and Zhen Mi didn't come in yet. It seems that these women will make a lot of noise in the future.

This woman has a good temper, which is good, but there are also disadvantages. The disadvantage is that it will be difficult to take a concubine in the future. The worst thing is that the characters of the women around her are stronger than the last, and none of them are economical.

As for not taking a concubine, that's impossible. Zhen Mi was originally his wife in the original time and space, so he couldn't take any concubines. Yuan Xi is still more willing to develop and explore many things according to the direction in his memory.

Because he was too excited last night, Yuan Xishen didn't go to bed until midnight, which also caused him to get up late again.

After Gao Yue and Yuan Xi had eaten, Yuan Xi pulled Gao Yue and secretly walked towards the southeast corner.

Walking to the side in front of the door, Yuan Xi said to the two maids guarding her: "Has Tang Ji eaten?"

The little maid on the right said hurriedly: "I'll tell you, sir, I've already eaten."

"That's good, take good care of her." At this time, Gao Yue didn't know the private affairs between Yuan Xi and Tang Ji.

Yuan Xi pulled Gao Yue and moved back again, and then gently moistened a small | hole in the wallpaper.

"Look at your sister Tang." Yuan Xi pulled Gao Yue over and said with a smile.

Gao Yue seemed to have done something wrong. She was evasive and had no trace of her usual demeanor. I saw her whispering: "I suddenly regret it now. I did this. What should I do?"

Yuan Xi rolled his eyes and thought to himself, your husband-in-law has worked so hard, but he hasn’t seen you for so long?

Gao Yue stabilized her emotions, rolled her eyes at his expression, and slowly leaned her head on the small hole.

When I opened my big eyes and was about to observe carefully, I saw a bigger eye coming from the hole. For a moment, their eyes looked at me and I looked at you. At the same time, they screamed in fright and backed away together. A few steps.

Yuan Xi quickly hugged Gao Yue. Gao Yue patted his heaving chest, pulled Yuan Xi and ran away.

In the room, Tang Ji's face turned red, and she felt a little angry. She gritted her teeth and said: Be careful when changing clothes in the future, and be careful about your voice, you are such a shameless thief. "

The little maid said inexplicably: "Sister Tang, are you overthinking it? If he really wants to cause harm, he can just come in directly. Why bother to peek out of the window?"

Tang Ji was slightly startled. Her mind seemed to be getting more and more confused recently, even worse than the little girl in front of her. But this can't be blamed on her. After all, if something happens, she will be the first to bear the brunt...

"What's wrong, Wu Gu?" Yuan Xi was startled by Gao Yue's performance.

Gao Yue pulled Yuan Xi to the center of the yard and said fearfully: "I might have been discovered just now."

Yuan Xi burst out laughing. Only Yuan Xi could do such a ridiculous thing as taking his wife to peek into the concubine's room.

Yuan Xi comforted Gao Yue and said, "It's just a paper window. Isn't it normal to be seen? I just didn't expect Tang Ji to react so quickly."

Gao Yue took a deep breath and said angrily, "It's all your fault. I won't go and see him again. If I'm discovered, I'll be in trouble."

"It's okay if you don't go take a look. Just lock her up for a while and maybe she'll be fine."

"That's all it can do." Gao Yue sighed. Why did you do this in a daze? She is still a little confused now and doesn't know if she is doing the right thing.

Returning to Gao Yue's small courtyard, the two of them naturally had a lot of affection today and talked to each other.

Yecheng, Yuan Mansion.

Once the plan to send troops to Qingzhou was agreed upon, various preparations were put on the agenda, and troops, horses, food and supplies began to be dispatched.

Yuan Xi met brother and sister Zhen Mi again that day, and he felt that it was fate.

Seeing brothers Zhen Yao and Zhen Mi about to enter, Yuan Xi hurriedly asked: "I wonder why you brothers and sisters came to see my father?"

Zhen Yao was about to answer, but Zhen Mi covered her mouth and said to Yuan Xi with a smile: "No need to ask, sir, you will naturally know when the time comes."

After saying that, he pulled Zhen Yao and ran into the Prefectural Mufu Mansion, leaving Yuan Xi alone in a daze.

"Third brother, third brother, who is this young man from Zhou Mu's family that Mrs. Feng mentioned to me? The eldest brother is really annoying. I asked him dozens of times and didn't tell Mi. My answer is really annoying."

As Zhen Mi walked, she reached out and stroked the braids made of green silk, and said uneasily in her heart. Seeing his sister's nervous look, Zhen Yao smiled and said: "Haha... Brother Mo Ruo, my dearest sister, I can guess what you are thinking about as a little girl. Do you have a crush on the second young master?"

"I hate it, and I have no choice. The eldest brother keeps whispering in Mi'er's ears every day, an elder brother is like a father, and what a matchmaker says. It seems as if Mi'er is being rebellious if he doesn't listen. I heard that the other two members of Zhou Mu's family The young master is already married, and I don’t want to be a concubine, wuwu..."

The more Zhen Mi talked, the more worried she became. She pulled Zhen Yao's clothes hard and said, with a hint of pleading in her words.

The Zhen family can be considered a well-known family. Their ancestor Zhen Han once served as the prime minister in the imperial court and was very prosperous for a while. Later, the family fell into decline and he never had such a big official again.

However, many of the descendants of the Zhen family are businessmen and earn a lot of money. They are also considered wealthy businessmen in their hometown of Shan State. But it is only relative to ordinary people; in front of a famous family like the Yuan family, and in front of an overlord like Yuan Shao, it is not worth mentioning.

Seeing the worried expression on his sister's face, Zhen Yao couldn't bear it. In fact, he already knew that Mrs. Zhang wanted to betroth Zhen Mi to Yuan Shang as a concubine. He was just afraid that his sister would be sad, so he didn't tell her.

"Don't worry. I think you and the second young master are a good match. Maybe you are destined to be destined for each other. Besides, Mr. Yuan's other young masters are all dragons among men. They are all handsome and extraordinary. With outstanding talents, even marrying them as a concubine is an honorable thing. Besides, Mr. Yuan is a prince. Who dares to resist when he gives an order? For the sake of our Zhen family, Mi'er, you must obey your brother's arrangements."

Zhen Yao and Zhen Mi walked side by side, reached out and patted her shoulder, comforting her softly.

"Uh-huh... No, Mi'er doesn't want to be a concubine."

That night, Mrs. Liu asked the cook to prepare sumptuous dishes for Yuan Shao, Yuan Xi and his son to come and eat.

Since Yuan Shao became a prefectural shepherd, he had to socialize and go on official business from time to time, so he had fewer meals at home with his wife and children.

It was rare for father and son to get together with his wife Liu Yu, which gave Yuan Shao a sense of warmth at home.

He asked about Yuan Xi's daily life and other matters with concern. During the dinner, Yuan Xi also told some anecdotes to make Yuan Shao and Mrs. Liu happy.

After dinner, Yuan Xi took the opportunity to ask Yuan Shao to give him more cavalry. Yuan Shao could not resist his wife's encouragement and agreed to allocate him four thousand cavalry. Including Yuan Xi's two thousand cavalry, a total of six thousand cavalry, which is not a small number among the many forces in the north.

Mrs. Liu's eyes were red and she said to Yuan Shao, "If the child is so young, let him lead the army alone."

"Oh, you're here again. Madam, didn't you also say earlier that Xian Yi should be given some beating training?" Yuan Shao said helplessly as he watched Madam Liu cry.

Yuan Xi quickly sat down next to Mrs. Liu and held her hand. "Don't worry, mother. I believe Xianyi will pacify Qingzhou soon. At that time, Xianyi will help his father unify Hebei."

Yuan Shao nodded and smiled with his short beard. He felt that this son was a close friend and could share the important responsibilities for him. Li Yuan thought so at one time, but in the end, Yuan Shao was lucky enough to pass away early and did not see that day.

"By the way, Xianyi, I almost forgot to tell you about a big event." Yuan Shao suddenly said with joy on his face, "It's time for you and Xianfu to make an engagement in preparation for marriage. Your mother and I have You have found a match."

Yuan Xi was stunned for a long time by Yuan Shao's sudden decision. Although he had long been forced to accept the marriage customs of the Han Dynasty and had been advised by Guo Jiali, he was still a little unclear about this political marriage of wealthy families. feeling of resistance.

Seeing that his son was silent for a while, Yuan Shao thought he was excited and happy, "Haha, as you know, she is the eldest daughter of Shen Zhengnan, and we will arrange for someone to propose marriage in two days."

Mrs. Liu also held Yuan Xi's hand affectionately. Although she was a little reluctant to let go, her son had grown up after all, and starting a family and starting a career was also a mother's concern.

"No, I don't want this marriage." Yuan Xi said reflexively after waking up. Let me go, if I marry Shen Pei's daughter, what will I do with my Zhen Mi? This is a woman who can rival Yin Guiren in the future.

He didn't know if Yuan Xi was married to the Shen Pei family in history, but now he didn't think Shen Pei was a good ally.

Under Mrs. Yuan Shao Liu's surprised gaze, Yuan Xi had no choice but to say solemnly: "Actually, the child has fallen in love with someone."

"Which lady? Why didn't you mention it before?" Mrs. Liu asked with concern.

Looking at Yuan Shao and Mrs. Liu's questioning eyes, and thinking of Guo Jia's words, Yuan Xi finally made up his mind and said, "It's... the fifth lady of the Zhen family in Zhongshan Wuji."

"Oh!?" Yuan Shao was a little surprised. Of course he had heard of the Zhen family's reputation, and the Zhen family was also a wealthy family that he wanted to win over. Not long ago, he and Mrs. Liu met that lovely person.

Yuan Shao has recently heard rumors about the fifth daughter of the Zhen family. It is precisely because of this that he plans to marry his favorite third son Yuan Shang to the Zhen family, while Yuan Xi will marry the Shen family, who is also very influential in Jizhou.

Mrs. Liu also knew about the engagement for Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang. She never expected that her son Yuan Xi would actually like the candidate to marry her younger brother Yuan Shang, so she said, "Since Xianyi likes Miss Zhen's family, let him go to the Zhen's family to propose marriage for him." .”

Mrs. Liu has always doted on Yuan Shang. What's more, the Shen family is a family of officials, and the Zhen family is a family of wealthy businessmen. Since Yuan Xi chooses the Zhen family, let him go. It is also a good choice to marry Yuan Shang to the Shen family. .

Yuan Shao frowned. Both the Zhen family and the judge were the ones he wanted to win over. The former had amazing financial resources and the latter had great influence among the scholars in Jizhou.

Yuan Shao pondered for a long time in a low voice. He couldn't stand Mrs. Liu's stubbornness, so he thought that since his son liked it, he would agree.

"Xianyi, please prepare. Tomorrow I will send someone to Zhen's house to propose marriage. If everything goes well, we will be engaged to Naji in a few days." Yuan Shao obviously wanted to finalize the marriage before Yuan Xi went on the expedition.

In the end, Yuan Xi didn't know how he got back to the room. He felt excited, scared and confused at the same time. After all, it was a major event in his life.

Five days later, Zhongshan Zhenjia Manor.

The Zhen family in Zhongshan was originally an official family. The previous head of the family, Zhen Yi, was filial and honest at the age of 20. He was later appointed as Shang Cai Ling. During his tenure, Zhen Yi governed the government with love for the people and fair rewards and punishments. Although he could not be said to have outstanding political achievements, he never made any mistakes. It can be regarded as a blessing to the people.

It's a pity that time was not with me. He died young in his prime, leaving behind his wife Zhang and several children. However, he changed his appearance and practiced the way of a merchant.

The cousin of the Zhen family was once a disciple of Yuan Shao's grandfather Yuan Tang. In addition, he had contacts with Yuan Shao when he was young, and they discussed calligraphy skills together, so they were familiar with each other.

Therefore, after Yuan Shao came to Jizhou, he secretly took good care of the Zhen family. Although the Zhen family now belongs to merchants, their business has become stronger and stronger. Compared with the Mi family in Xuzhou back then, they did not give in too much, and they were far better. Long and short merit.

After sending away the matchmakers sent by Jizhou Mu and Chariot General Yuan Shao to propose marriage, Mrs. Zhen was really distressed and worried.

Since her husband's death, the entire Zhen family has been under her control. She has played an indispensable role in the growth of the Zhen family's wealth and power over the years.

But few people know that behind the prosperity of the Zhen family's business, there is actually another person who has contributed indispensable and valuable strength as a think tank.

Now that Mr. Zhang is getting older, most of the family business has been handed over to his two sons, Zhen Yan and Zhen Yao. Although the two sons are not talented in helping the world, they are quite smart, so after taking over , the family business has been booming.

Mrs. Zhen has always been precise and decisive in dealing with matters, but this time it was really difficult for her to decide on her daughter's marriage.

Mrs. Zhen immediately summoned her three sons, Zhen Yu, Zhen Yan, and Zhen Yao.

The three sons were very respectful and convinced of Mrs. Zhen. Mrs. Zhen told her three sons that Yuan Shao sent people to propose marriage, and then asked them for their opinions.

"Although our family is said to be a wealthy family in Jizhou, there are many other wealthy families just like us and even higher than the Zhen family. Why would Yuan Zhoumu choose our little girl?" Zhen Yan asked in confusion.

Zhen Yu frowned and said, "I'm afraid it's because of the fortune telling that little sister had when she was a child. Don't you remember? Mr. Liu Liang said that my little sister will be extremely valuable in the future. This matter has already spread throughout the city of Jizhou. Now Yuan Zhoumu is famous and powerful. There is no difference in the world for a while, and his ambition is not small. He seeks marriage with our family to eliminate the power of the Zhen family. This is probably the reason."

Mrs. Zhen nodded in agreement and then asked, "Tell me, should you marry the Yuan family?"

"Mother, the question now is not whether we should marry the Yuan family, but that we simply cannot refuse the Yuan family." Zhen Yan said helplessly.

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Zhen's face turned bright and dark, gloomy and very ugly. This was the embarrassing situation of the merchant family in the Han Dynasty. They had huge wealth, but had to rely on a prominent family like Yuan Shao.

"It also depends on who the other party is. Mi'er's life-long event is nothing to play with." Mrs. Zhen said firmly.

Zhen Yao, who had an acquaintance with Yuan Xi, had a good opinion of Yuan Xi, who was of the same age. He said, "The second young master of Yuan is famous far and wide. He defeated the traitor Dong Zhuo and went to Chang'an alone to assassinate Dong Zhuo among thousands of troops. He But he is the leader of the younger generation.”

"This matter is too important, and I'm afraid it's difficult for you and me to think it over thoroughly... Yan'er, let someone call your little sister to see what she can do to resolve the current situation in the Zhen family. Ask your little sister what you mean." Mrs. Zhen said after thinking for a while.

"Mother, brother, are you calling me?" Not long after, Zhen Mi appeared in front of Mrs. Zhen and Zhen Yan. Her flattering words were respectful and soft, but she felt comfortable listening to them.

Seeing her beloved daughter, Mrs. Zhen's eyes were filled with smiles. She hurriedly raised her hand and called Zhen Mi over, asking her to kneel down next to her. She said lovingly: "Mi'er, come on, come to mother! Haha, Recently, the cloth shop in the west of the city has been short of supplies, but it has made you run back and forth to Yecheng several times in a row. It is really heartbreaking for my mother, how about it? Are you tired of your good daughter? "

Zhen Mi smiled elegantly, shook her head and said: "My daughter can't ask for more than she can help my mother and brother share their worries, so why bother to say it? My mother's words make my daughter very shy..."

Zhen Yan was delighted when he heard this and said: "Yes, yes, what I said is true. It's all my family's business. Why are you being so polite? Brother, there happens to be something difficult here. Come here, little sister, help your brother with his advice." ....”

"uh-huh!"

Mrs. Zhang cleared her throat and glanced at Zhen Yan dissatisfied, with a slight color in her eyes.

Zhen Yan suddenly blushed and lowered his head in embarrassment.

Zhen Mi, on the other hand, was calm and composed, smiling and helping Zhen Yan out: "Brother, if you have any difficulties, you might as well tell me. If my little sister can help, I should try my best."

Zhen Yan glanced at Ms. Zhang secretly, and saw that Ms. Zhang was no different. Then she sighed loudly and spoke slowly, but she explained the current dilemma of the Zhen family to Zhen Mi in detail.

After he finished speaking, there was a sudden silence in the entire hall.

Zhen Mi sat quietly next to Mrs. Zhang, her charming eyebrows slightly furrowed, and she seemed to be quite worried. Her serious thinking look was beautiful and made people pity her.