Zhang Xu came to his senses and shook his head: "My grandson didn't say anything."
He promised to keep Miss Kou a secret, but he couldn't tell his grandmother.
After eating a bowl of mutton soup in several mouthfuls, Zhang Xu couldn't wait any longer: "Grandma, my grandson needs to go out for something."
Mrs. Zhu was stunned: "It's such a cold day, why did you go out just after you came back?"
"I suddenly remembered something. Before lunch - oh, I don't necessarily come back when. If you don't come back for lunch, I'll send you a message."
Zhang Xu hurriedly walked out. After taking two steps, he suddenly turned around and showed a big smile to Mrs. Zhu: "Grandma, do you have any change with you? If you can borrow it for your grandson, I won't go back to the yard to get it."
Mrs. Zhu asked her maid to withdraw money and give it to him: "Bring a few more people and don't go to a messy place."
"My grandson knows, don't worry." Zhang Xu walked away quickly.
Mrs. Zhu frowned and ordered: "Follow the eldest young master and see where he goes."
Mrs. Zhu dare not neglect her only grandson.
Zhang Xu quickly got on the carriage: "Go to Qingsong Bookstore."
He wants to treat Miss Kou to dinner!
The New Year is coming soon, and the earthquake in Dingbei area is just a topic of conversation after dinner for most people in the capital. Those who should visit relatives and friends, and those who should buy New Year's goods, the streets are still so lively.
Qingsong Bookstore arrived soon. Zhang Xu jumped off the carriage and walked in quickly.
"Excuse me, is Miss Kou here?"
Shopkeeper Hu took a closer look and saw that it was Dandy No. 2.
The old shopkeeper has recently been silently ranking the young people who are suspected of coveting the boss. Mr. Dai is the No. 1 dandy, and Mr. Zhang is the No. 2 dandy.
In addition, Mr. He and Mr. Kong were ranked together, and there was also the category of poor family, including Gu Yu for the time being. Then there are the random people who come here for their boss's wealth, and they all fall into the category of passers-by.
There is no way, shopkeeper Hu is old, and he has spent most of his brain energy calculating accounts and money. However, his boss is good at everything, but this aspect worries him too much. This classification makes it easier to remember.
"Master Zhang is looking for our boss?" Shopkeeper Hu asked with a smile.
"Yes. Miss Kou should be free, right?"
"What a coincidence. Our boss has gone to Shaoqing's Mansion and may have to stay there." Shopkeeper Hu said this with a smile on his face.
"You shouldn't have told me earlier." Zhang Xu snorted angrily, turned around and left.
The carriage stopped on the side of the road. Zhang Xu rushed over excitedly but lost interest in going elsewhere and ordered the coachman to go home directly.
The servant who followed quietly returned to Zhang's house and reported to Mrs. Zhu: "The eldest son went to Qingsong Bookstore to find Miss Kou."
"Looking for Miss Kou?" Madam Zhu had heard something about this cousin from the Shaoqing Mansion. After hearing the servant's reply, she felt a sudden shock in her heart.
Is Xu'er interested in Miss Kou?
Mrs. Zhu also heard about Miss Kou's rescue of people by giving porridge. She admitted that the girl had a good heart, but she was throwing money all over the place just to thank others for helping her find cats. This style was not suitable for their family.
During dinner, Mrs. Zhu asked tentatively: "Xu'er, do you know Miss Kou?"
Zhang Xu looked wary: "What's wrong?"
Could it be that the secret of Miss Kou's ability to read faces has been exposed?
Mrs. Zhu’s heart sank.
With Xu'er's appearance, it seemed that her worries were correct.
"Grandma heard about Miss Kou's porridge-giving deeds, and also heard that the bookstore opened by Miss Kou is near the Imperial College, so she asked curiously."
"Oh." Zhang Xu sighed, "Of course my grandson knows Miss Kou, but we are not familiar with her."
"That's it." Mrs. Zhu didn't ask any more questions. She called a smart and capable housekeeper's daughter-in-law and ordered her to go to Qingsong Bookstore to meet Miss Kou tomorrow.
At the Shaoqing Mansion, the old lady expressed her appreciation for Xinyou's behavior of serving porridge: "Your mother was also very soft-hearted when she was young and did not want to see others suffer."
She wants to keep her granddaughter at home, and spend a few money on soup porridge to gain a good reputation for the Shaoqing Mansion.
Still a good deal.
As for Duan Shaoqing, she was absolutely unwilling. She just hated that her niece had become a hot topic among people again, so it was hard to take action at this time.
The women were worried about the marriage of their children and grandchildren, while Emperor Xingyuan and his ministers focused all their energy on disaster relief.
Reports from Dingbei came one after another. They were obviously pieces of paper, but they were like stones weighing on the hearts of the monarchs and ministers.
The situation in the disaster area is worse than initially understood.
In the past few days, money has been pouring out of the treasury, and various disaster relief resources have been continuously transported to Dingbei. At this time, the court had to face an inescapable problem: no money.
Daxia has a vast territory, so it is inevitable to face a problem: all over the country, north, south, east and west, various natural disasters cannot be stopped.
Just this summer, the treasury spent a lot of money due to floods in the south, and the spring drought affected the harvest. Now there is a big earthquake in Dingbei, and the treasury is empty.
Several ministers argued endlessly about where to squeeze out the money. Zhang Shoufu practiced Tai Chi skillfully, and Emperor Xingyuan's temples twitched, and he wanted to lift the dragon's eucalyptus.
The dragon's eucalyptus cannot be lifted, and damaging the object will be an expense. Emperor Xingyuan pinched his eyebrows and thought of someone.
This has been his habit for many years. Whenever he is in trouble, he can't help but think of the empress who ran away.
At that time, the future was unpredictable and full of difficulties, but she was always able to come up with novel and practical methods.
If Xinxin was still here, he would definitely be able to share his worries, unlike these old guys who only know how to play football.
Emperor Xingyuan thought hard amidst the arguments among his ministers and came up with a solution: "Let's call on the wealthy households in the capital to donate money."
Donate money?
Several ministers looked at each other and became nervous.
How much to donate? How to donate? Do they want to donate too?
"I heard from Miss Kou, the owner of Qingsong Bookstore, that a small bookstore is full of money. It can be seen that a lot of wealth in the world is hidden in the hands of wealthy businessmen. Now that the court is encountering difficulties, if the wealthy families can give up some money, they can Helping the victims of the Dingbei disaster tide over the difficulties."
Zhang Shoufu was forced to speak by the looks of several people: "Your Majesty, there has never been such a precedent——"
"Who said it wasn't? Back then -" Emperor Xingyuan paused and his face darkened, "That's it, otherwise you guys will come up with a solution for me right away."
"Your Majesty, it may not be appropriate to do so directly in the name of the imperial court."
Emperor Xingyuan looked at Zhang Shoufu with strange eyes: "Why use the name of the imperial court? Dear wives, young masters, or any benevolent businessmen, I believe that there are many people with good intentions, and someone will take the initiative to donate, and call on everyone to .”
Ministers: "..."
Emperor Xingyuan glanced at everyone and said calmly: "Let's do this. There will be a banquet for good people. Anyone who donates more than a thousand taels of silver will be invited to the banquet. King Xiu will entertain these good people on my behalf."
The ministers exchanged glances and all raised their hands: "Your Majesty, you are wise."
The emperor really "loves" His Highness King Xiu.
