Mrs. Su was shocked and looked at Princess Yongjia, "This... but she has already made a marriage contract with the Shen family."
Princess Yongjia sighed and said, "Actually, I came here today with the intention of asking for forgiveness."
"The Shen family has decided to re-engage with our Shanjun Prince, but they are embarrassed to say it directly. I also really like your eldest lady, so I have the idea of getting married to the Su family."
"I wonder if the old lady dislikes our Li family?"
Mrs. Su was stunned for a long time and could not recover. She could only force out a smile and said: "How can you dislike it? It's just that the Shen family won't come to talk about it personally... isn't it inappropriate?"
Princess Yongjia quickly explained: "Master Shen returned to Beijing suddenly, and the Shen family was in a mess, so she entrusted this matter to me."
"The Shen family has said that the betrothal gift does not need to be returned, it should be considered as compensation to the Su family. In addition, there will definitely be news about your second master's transfer back to the capital in the next two months, and he will be promoted to two levels in a row."
When Mrs. Su heard these two conditions, her thoughts changed. But he still said in embarrassment: "I can't make the decision on this matter, I have to discuss it with my family."
"How about I send someone to deliver a message to the princess tomorrow?"
However, Princess Yongjia didn't want to delay any further and said with a smile: "What's so difficult about this? Why not invite Marquis Pingning here too? If you have any concerns, let's discuss them face to face."
"Don't worry, old lady, the betrothal gift given to the eldest lady by our Prince Shan County is definitely quite large. I have brought the Shen family's divorce documents and am waiting for the Su family's signature. As long as you two cancel the marriage, we will Come and propose marriage."
The old lady had no choice but to tell Aunt Yuan, "Go and ask the Marquis to come over."
At this time, Su Qingyu, who was settling accounts in the study room of the outer courtyard, also received two uninvited guests.
Pearl came in to report that the third cousin wanted to see her. Su Qingyu asked her to take the person to the study, but she didn't expect that there was someone following Lin Wuchen.
The man was wrapped tightly in a dark cloak, and his head was lowered. After entering the door and taking off her hat, Su Qingyu saw the person clearly.
"Mr. Shen? Are you... paying a private visit incognito?"
Shen Zhixiu gave a bitter smile and said, "I came here rashly to disturb Miss Su."
Su Qingyu stared at him and blurted out: "Why is the third master so haggard after not seeing you for a few days?"
After saying that, I was shocked to realize that I was a little rude. The relationship between them is not enough to say this.
Before Shen Zhixiu could speak, Lin Wuchen joked: "He hasn't slept much in the past few days. If the price of food does not come down again, he may really die for his country."
Su Qingyu glanced at their faces suspiciously, "Are you familiar with each other?"
Lin Wuchen teased and said, "Don't praise me, this is Mr. Shen Ge."
Shen Zhixiu glanced at Lin Wuchen and explained to Su Qingyu: "We did know each other before, and we are considered old friends."
Su Qingyu realized that the relationship between the Lin family and Shen Zhixiu was not as simple as it seemed.
No wonder someone took action against the Lin family in the previous life.
There is also the eldest uncle, who spared no effort to help Shen Zhao in his previous life, but it may not be entirely because of her.
Su Qingyu asked them to sit down and ordered the maid to serve tea.
"Then why did the third master come? He couldn't have come to break off the engagement in person, right?" Su Qingyu joked when she heard that he was here for the price of food.
Shen Zhixiu's face was calm, and he didn't feel embarrassed or blushing. Instead, he said something seriously.
"I'm not here to break off the engagement."
He then explained: "The emperor has given me one thing, and asked me to lower the price of food in the capital within three days no matter what method I use."
Su Qingyu was stunned, "Three days? It will take half a month at the earliest for food from Jiangnan to arrive in Beijing, right?"
There is only one way to bring food prices down, and that is to have enough food enter the market.
Shen Zhixiu nodded and said, "It's too late to wait for food from Jiangnan. The few grain merchants in Beijing don't have much stock, and together they won't be enough to cause a splash."
Su Qingyu looked at Lin Wuchen with an inexplicable expression. It seemed that her third cousin had already handed over all the details of their family to Shen Zhixiu.
The purpose of Shen Zhixiu's visit today was obvious. He hoped that she could take out the stored grain and relieve the capital's crisis.
To the Lin family, Shen Zhixiu was like a thigh that they couldn't help but hug.
Su Qingyu lowered her head and pondered for a moment, then asked: "Can the third master guarantee that the grain in the capital will not be transported away by merchants?"
"As soon as the price here is reduced, grain merchants will immediately buy it and sell it to other state capitals. By then, the capital will become the grain wholesale center of Beizhili."
With the little grain she has in hand, she can barely bring down the price of grain in the capital. If it were invested in the entire Beizhili market, it is estimated that not even a splash would be seen.
Shen Zhixiu said in a deep voice: "I have thought about this. When the time comes, I will send people to guard the four gates of the capital. No one is allowed to transport a grain of food out."
"The capital is at the feet of the emperor. Now that the situation is in such chaos, the emperor is a little embarrassed. I don't have control over other places. I only care about the capital."
In fact, food prices in the capital are the most difficult to lower because of the large population and the large number of refugees. He is a minister in the cabinet, but he cannot produce food.
Mr. Xu Ge knew that this matter was difficult to handle, so he deliberately pushed it on him.
Su Qingyu tapped her green fingers on the table, and after a long while she said, "What is the highest price of food on the market that you can accept?"
Shen Zhixiu thought for a moment and said, "One, two or five cents of silver."
Su Qingyu shook her head, "That's impossible. This batch of grain was bought at a high price at the end of the year, and the cost is not low."
"Then how much do you say?" A smile appeared at the corner of Shen Zhixiu's mouth.
Su Qingyu made some calculations in her mind and said: "For two taels of silver and one stone, let's negotiate with several grain merchants in the capital and unify the price. We will only keep a small amount of grain for disaster relief and porridge, and the rest can be put into the market. "
Shen Zhixiu said without hesitation: "If the deal is done, it will be at the price you said."
The three of them looked at each other and smiled, and the matter was finally settled.
Lin Wuchen glanced at Shen Zhixiu, "We have helped so much, does Shen Ge always treat us to a meal?"
Shen Zhixiu smiled and said: "You are too easy to pass up. I will remember this kindness. If the Lin family and Miss Su need me in the future, just ask."
Su Qingyu wanted to say, it's better to call off the engagement.
Before I could decide whether to mention it or not, there was a knock on the door outside the study.
Immediately afterwards, Jade hurriedly walked in.
"Miss, Princess Yongjia brought the divorce papers from the Shen family, saying that she is canceling your marriage to Mr. Shen and getting engaged to the fourth young master of the Li family."
"Now the Marquis and the old lady have agreed and are signing the divorce documents."
Lin Wuchen frowned and stood up, looking at Shen Zhixiu, "Mr. Shen Ge is taking advantage of our family while humiliating my cousin?"
"You are so good. You have helped my cousin find her next home."
