Although Cui Yi knew that he had been appreciated by Cai Xianqing and was very happy in his heart, he could not figure out the thoughts of this adult and could not even understand how he was favored, so he did not dare to see him rashly. Instead, he went to Ye alone. He went to the mansion two or three times, but he never saw Ye Shangshu in the past few days, which made him extremely puzzled. I had no choice but to bravely visit Cai Xianqing.
Cai Xianqing's private residence is not small. As soon as Cui Yi arrived, he was taken by a servant and took several detours before arriving at a quiet place. There were flowers and trees everywhere, surrounded by a square pond, and from time to time there were A few wisps of light smoke drifted by, bursting with fragrance.
Cai Xianqing was sitting on a stone bench in front of a bamboo fence. He saw Cui Yi coming from a distance, so he greeted him with a smile, asked him to sit down opposite, brought him tea, and lit a new incense in the incense burner.
As soon as Cui Yi smelled the strong aroma that hit his face, he felt uncomfortable in his nose and made him feel nauseous. He still had to get used to the light fragrance just now, but he didn't dare to say anything, so he could only frown and endure it.
"I asked you to come in the Yamen that day, why did you come after all this time? It's my father's business, so it must not be important anymore." Cai Xianqing said with a smile.
Cui Yi hurriedly bowed: "It's not that Cui was careless, he just didn't want to trouble Mr. Cai, so he went to see Mr. Ye several times, but he didn't wait for him to return home. I don't know why, so he came a little late."
Cai Xianqing smiled and said, "Oh, if you had told me earlier, there would be no need to delay it here!"
"How...how do you say this?"
"I recently brought up the matter of marriage to him and advised him: 'You are not young yet, and it is not a good thing that you have not yet started a family. Even if you can't find a well-matched wife, you should still consider the continuation of your marriage. . Now that the political situation is stable and there are more leisurely days, why not find one or two women, get married and start a career?' After repeated admonitions several times, he just took the matter seriously. No, as soon as he left the Yamen in the past two days, he went to visit the court. I am asking my colleagues who I know well to help me to see if there is anyone I know from a wealthy family that I can marry. I didn't go back home until late at night, so of course you won't be able to find him."
Cui Yi's eyes moved, as if he had an idea in an instant. His eyebrows relaxed and no longer frowned, and he slowly asked: "Then...does Mr. Ye have someone you like?"
Cai Xianqing shook his head decisively: "Others recommended two to him. After asking for details, they were not suitable. Let's talk about your family's affairs first."
"No, this is definitely not idle talk!" Cui Yi suddenly became excited, "This is also a major event related to the future and destiny of my Cui family!"
Cai Xianqing was startled, looked at him with doubtful eyes, and slowly took a sip of tea.
"You don't know that my late father was an extremely honest man. He didn't have much wealth and relied on his salary to survive. Today's departure has made things worse for my Cui family. Although Mr. Ye is generous and has given so much Money, but it is not a long-term solution! The eldest brother has been gone for a long time in the family, and my sister is now a widow. I am the only male left, but I have failed in my achievements and fame, and I have lived up to my late father’s ardent expectations in vain..." After that, , Cui Yi choked up, held up his sleeves and shed tears.
"You mean..." Cai Xianqing was indifferent, but was curious about his next words.
Cui Yi let out a long sigh, gritted his teeth and said, "There is no way... If you want to survive now, you can only get married to Mr. Ye! Please help Mr. Cai do this!"
Cai Xianqing was slightly surprised, stroking his beard and thinking: "This is why this person came. He never wanted to hide it so deeply." Not everything he said may be true, but he is really a vicious person who does not hesitate to use his relatives as bets for his own future! With people like this as Mr. Ye's right-hand man, wouldn't it be possible to accomplish great things? I just don’t know what his abilities are since he was born as a scholar and is not familiar with government affairs...'
Thinking of this, he followed the meaning of Cui Yi's words and did a little test: "I see that you are extraordinary and unyielding, so of course I am willing to help you rise to the top. But Lord Ye doesn't necessarily think so. He can't even think of Cui Yi, who is in a state of decline. It's impossible for anyone at home to take a second look at you. If you want to talk about marriage, you must first have the ability to impress him, and then he can get close to your family and get married to your sister."
Cui Yi said seriously: "Don't doubt Mr. Cai. How could I dare to act so boldly if I didn't have full confidence? As long as you can let Mr. Ye meet me once, he will treat me like a guest!"
"What a spirit!" Cai Xianqing couldn't help but admire and poured him a new cup of tea. "I have an idea. Do you think it will work?"
"My lord, just say it." Cui Yi now had the determination to break the boat. He was extremely heroic and no longer looked coy or uneasy.
"I plan to let your sister and Mr. Ye meet first. I told him about your meeting with him a few days ago and urged him to come to your house. At that time, you should deliberately not come to the hall to greet him and call Li Yuan Zhou …”
Cui Yi listened carefully and nodded frequently: "Your plan is so brilliant! Whether it succeeds or not depends entirely on this deal! I wonder if you are going to give orders to the Zhou officials?"
"Go ahead," Cai Xianqing pointed at him and said, "You have a good relationship with him, so it's better to talk to him. Don't forget, just say it's my order!"
Cui Yi happily agreed, bid farewell to Cai Xianqing immediately, and walked out the same way with his servants. He saw that Zhou Li was still waiting for him at the door. When they met, he asked Cui Yi: "Master Cai appreciates you?" "
Cui Yi smiled and said: "Thank you, Brother Zhou, for the introduction. Mr. Cai treats me well."
How could the official Zhou believe that he was a friend who was not doing his job all day long? He still thought that he was making fun of himself, so he asked again in a joking tone: "Master Cai, did you invite me to a big banquet? Or will I guarantee you to become a high official of the imperial court?" ?”
Cui Yi smoothed his sleeves neatly, and then he saluted and replied: "Brother Zhou, you only invited me to drink a cup of tea with sandalwood incense."
Official Zhou laughed loudly: "Don't have those big spring and autumn dreams of yours! Who wouldn't serve him tea when he meets him? The incense was smoked for him alone, but it has become your glory?"
"Okay, let's go, let's go..." As he said that, he grabbed Cui Yi by the collar and wanted to take him away. Unexpectedly, the latter remained motionless and stood upright as if nails were driven into his feet. "What are you waiting for! Are you crazy?" He turned around quickly, leaned over and shouted.
"Brother Zhou, you misunderstood," Cui Yi showed a rare seriousness, "I'm not joking. Mr. Cai showed me a clear path and also gave you an order."
"You..." Official Zhou was doubtful and looked up at the old servant in the distance - the servant slowly nodded to him twice.
"You've really made it!" He grabbed Cui Yi's hand and opened his eyes wide, "Tell me, what are the orders from Mr. Cai!"
