Sheng Guoer asked: "Father, I heard that Concubine Li is about to visit her relatives, and she also said that she would build a palace in her hometown of Ping'an Township. My daughter wants to undertake this project, but she has encountered some obstacles!"
Chang Bowen said with some displeasure upon hearing this: "It is a waste of people and money. This Concubine Li is really arrogant and extravagant. The new dynasty has just been established, and everything is waiting for prosperity. However, she does not think about frugality. Instead, she intensifies her efforts to plunder the people's wealth. She is really a demon concubine who brings disaster to the country!" "
Sheng Guoer shook his head and said: "Father, please don't say that. I have also sent people to inquire. Concubine Li's family once funded food, grass and military equipment when the Holy Emperor launched the army, so they are ministers who have contributed to the Dasheng Dynasty. Although they are a bit arrogant and extravagant. , but it’s not a fault!”
Chang Bowen said: "Guoer, how can you speak for her? I am about to report to the court to reform the harem!"
Sheng Guoer thought to herself, old man, you are so lenient in your management. You also manage the emperor's private affairs. Isn't this just like pulling teeth from a tiger's mouth?
Meng Xingzhou saw Sheng Guoer's expression, and Meng Xingzhou naturally knew what Sheng Guoer meant, so he said: "Father, after all, this is the emperor's family matter. If we ministers meddle too much, we will arouse the emperor's suspicion." of!"
Chang Bowen was a tough-necked man, and he raised his hands to the sky: "I am loyal to the emperor and the country, and I do everything for the sake of the common people and the country. If I offend and remonstrate directly, the emperor will forgive me."
Sheng Guoer sighed, thinking that this adoptive father would be implicated sooner or later. He had to find a way not to offend Concubine Li, but also to prevent this "loyal minister" from being spanked by the emperor.
Chang Bowen was the founding father of the Dasheng Dynasty. The emperor liked his uprightness, so he made him the chief assistant of the Yushitai and the Metropolitan Procuratorate. Therefore, Chang Bowen has always been willing to bend rather than bend, and many major cases were What Chang Bowen solved, especially the case of Wei Jinzhong this time, could be handled quietly without disturbing other officials and dignitaries, which made the emperor very satisfied.
But Li Guifei is different. Her father has not committed any crime and they are honest. These Sheng Guo'er Dou have heard about it, but you want to impeach her just because Li Guifei wants to build a palace according to the standards. It is both emotional and rational. not good.
Besides, Meng Xingzhou told Sheng Guoer that he had met Concubine Li in the palace. Concubine Li was also a smart person. She must have built the palace in accordance with the standards of the imperial court and would never let any of her arrogance and extravagance fall into the hands of others. inside.
The reason why Concubine Li was favored was because she won the emperor's heart and knew what the emperor liked and what he didn't like.
Therefore, Sheng Guoer said: "Father, I will find a way so that Concubine Li will not trouble the people and have a good place to live. Maybe in the end, Concubine Li will have to thank us. By then, Concubine Li will be able to live in a good place. Father, if you go to the Emperor again and talk about Concubine Li’s virtues, won’t everyone be happy?”
Although Chang Bowen knew that Sheng Guoer had extraordinary abilities, how could a noble concubine condescend to her and humiliate him?
"Guo'er, what can you do to make Concubine Li live happily and elegantly in her hometown, while at the same time allowing the court to save money?"
Sheng Guoer smiled and said: "Of course it depends on the construction technology. As long as Concubine Li chooses us, I will have a way to make Concubine Li live comfortably and gain a good reputation!"
Chang Bowen stroked his beard, pondered for a moment and said, "Okay, I will enter the palace immediately and tell Concubine Li about this matter!"
Sheng Guoer cupped her hands and said, "Thank you so much, foster father!"
After Chang Bowen left, Meng Xingzhou said worriedly: "My adoptive father has offended many people in the court. Although he holds power, Concubine Li may not listen to his adoptive father. As long as his adoptive father says to save money, she will Concubine Li must not be happy, after all, she also performs according to the standards, why should she be more economical than other concubines?"
Sheng Guoer said: "I think if Concubine Li is ambitious, she would consider it!"
Meng Xingzhou shook his head and said: "I think Concubine Li is a person who follows the rules and has no ambitions. She just wants to live a comfortable life. In addition, she doesn't want to compete with the queen for position. If she does this, wouldn't it be clear? Do you want to gain prestige and surpass the queen?"
Sheng Guoer smiled and said: "Gong Du has been popular since ancient times. I didn't expect you to also like the news about Gong Du!"
Meng Xingzhou waved his hand and said: "What's the use of me caring about this matter? I'm worried about whether your plan will work!"
Sheng Guoer said: "Then there is another way. I heard Pei Minglun say that this time Concubine Li will be recruiting workers openly for her wedding. If we can get the right to undertake this project, everything will be easy to handle! "
Meng Xingzhou thought deeply: "There is no need for the Pei family to cooperate with us. What I am worried about is the Lu family. Now it is found out that Xiaozhuang is Lu Wanqing's person. How can we cooperate with her? Besides, don't you treat her the same way? Have you always been lukewarm?"
Sheng Guoer smiled and said: "There is a foreigner in the West named Benjamin Disraeli. He said something, there are no permanent friends and no permanent enemies in this world. Sometimes enemies are also friends; When there is a conflict of interest, friends can turn into enemies!”
Meng Xingzhou was confused by Sheng Guoer's words and asked, "Guoer, what on earth are you going to do? Do you want to cooperate with Lu Wanqing?"
Sheng Guoer smiled slightly and said, "Why not? Now Lu Wanqing wants to be independent, but her husband's family is the Chen family that built a famous family, so the Chen family will definitely have a hand in this project. Why don't we take advantage of this How about taking this opportunity to lend Lu Wanqing's hand to help us clear the obstacles?"
Meng Xingzhou shook his head. He didn't believe that Lu Wanqing would not help the Chen family and instead help Sheng Guoer deal with her fiancé's family.
After hearing Meng Xingzhou's worries, Sheng Guoer said: "My husband, you have been busy and neglected to investigate Lu Wanqing. After I tell her the true situation, you may change some of your current ideas!"
Lu Wanqing's fiancé Chen Liwen was a prodigal son, and she was not the only woman. However, the Lu family and the Chen family had been married for generations, and their marriage was decided upon when they were in their infancy.
So when Sheng Guoer heard this, she felt very sad for the ancient women. She couldn't choose the person she loved.
In addition, the Lu family also had a family crisis during this period. The head of the Lu family, Lu Liding, bluntly said that he was impeached. The Holy Emperor was not satisfied with him, a distinguished figure in the Huaixi area. Therefore, the Lu family had to rely on the Chen family, which had great wealth and power. However, Chen Liwen looked down on Lu Wanqing because of this.
Therefore, Lu Wanqing and Chen Liwen are almost emotionally opposite, but Lu Wanqing does not have the strength to compete with Chen Liwen, so she will try her best to cooperate with Sheng Guoer.
After Sheng Guoer knew the whole story, she felt that although the Lu family was a skinny camel, it was still a big family after all, and they could not compare favorably with her in terms of connections and financial resources.
Sheng Guoer said in her heart that if she wanted to develop better, she must have connections, and Lu Wanqing became the best choice at the moment.
The reason why Sheng Guoer has this confidence is that no builder is willing to go against the Chen family and help Lu Wanqing.
However, Sheng Guoer felt that even if she did not have a construction business, she still had other catering businesses, so those who were barefoot were not afraid of those who wore shoes. Sheng Guoer planned to take a gamble!
It was all for survival. Sheng Guoer didn't know at this moment that the Chen family, instigated by the Zhong family, had already started a plan against Sheng Guoer.
After Sheng Guoer and Meng Xingzhou finished their analysis, Meng Xingzhou said, "It seems that you have a plan in mind. Tell me, how can I help you?"
Sheng Guoer said: "Ms. sir, I suggest you recommend Hu Yanxin to your adoptive father and let him serve in the army. In this case, we will have help from our own people when we go into the bunker business. Secondly, please go and ask for help." Lu Wanqing, because throughout the whole relationship, Lu Wanqing had a much better impression of you. After all, it was you who warmly entertained her when we first met!" |
Meng Xingzhou smiled and said: "The first thing is easy to handle. I just need to revise a book and let Hu Yanxin take it to the capital to find my adoptive father. But the second thing, you won't be jealous!"
After hearing this, Sheng Guo'er looked like she couldn't bear it and said, "Hey~ don't be narcissistic. Don't worry. I, Sheng Guo'er, won't be jealous when we are doing business, but you still have to keep a distance from her!" "
After finishing speaking, Sheng Guoer said loudly: "Peony!"
Shaoyao heard the sound and came: "Young madam, are you looking for me?"
Sheng Guoer said: "Go, follow the eldest young master to Lu Wanqing's house. After the eldest young master has finished talking about the matter, you will come back!"
Meng Xingzhou put his hands on his hips and said, "Hey, Sheng Guo'er, I really belong to you. It's obvious that you planted a little spy beside me!"
Sheng Guoer said playfully: "Why, I'm unhappy!"
Meng Xingzhou laughed dryly: "Okay, okay!"
Then, Meng Xingzhou took Shaoyao to Lu Wanqing's temporary residence.
Lu Wanqing was also annoyed at this moment as to why she had hired Xiaozhuang inappropriately, and now she was in trouble. She is also thinking of ways to ease the relationship with Sheng Guoer.
At this moment, a servant's voice suddenly came from the door: "Miss, someone from the Sheng family is here to pay their respects. It's Sheng Guoer's husband, Mr. Meng Xingzhou!"
Lu Wanqing almost jumped up when she heard that Meng Xingzhou was coming. This meant that Sheng Guoer was interested in reconciliation!
"Quick, please come in, Master Meng. You go and prepare the best melon and fruit pastries. Tell the kitchen to make the most exquisite dishes to entertain Master Meng!"
Lu Wanqing methodically directed the servants to prepare to welcome Meng Xingzhou.
Then, Lu Wanqing said to the maid: "Hongying, go help me dress up and put on the gold silk feather coat."
Hongying said curiously: "Miss, why do you wear such grand clothes!"
Lu Wanqing said: "You don't understand. Whether the Lu family can turn over depends on whether I can capture Meng Xingzhou and reach a reconciliation with Sheng Guoer this time!"
Then, Lu Wanqing urged Hongying to get ready, and Hongying had no choice but to go and prepare. After a while, Hongying told Lu Wanqing that she was ready. Lu Wanqing hurriedly touched up her makeup, and then put on her gold silk feather coat. All kinds of pastries have been put out, and the Longjing tea has been brewed before the rain.
At this moment, Meng Xingzhou walked in grandly.
