Although Li Hao's marriage had Zhao Zhen's will, it was finally decided.
But the process of the Three Books and Six Etiquettes still had to be followed. Today, Li Hao's family specially invited Ling Guogong's wife to act as a matchmaker and accompany them to the British Mansion.
Come and complete the first step of these three books and six rituals, Najib.
Although Li Hao knew that things would never happen again.
But along the way, Li Hao couldn't help but be a little nervous. After all, this was the first time in his two lives that he was going to meet his father-in-law.
As the saying goes, the father-in-law becomes angrier when he looks at his son-in-law. Thinking of this, Li Hao couldn't help but feel a little nervous.
In addition, this marriage grant has broken all the previous plans of the British family. I am afraid that I will inevitably have some thoughts about Li Hao.
All these things combined, Li Hao was even worried that the British Guild would not take the opportunity to show off to him today.
It was with this mood in mind that Li Hao and the others arrived at the British Government Palace.
However, to Li Hao's surprise, the British family's attitude towards Li Hao today was very different from that in the past. They were courteous and considerate in dealing with people, without any hint of embarrassment.
Of course, when facing Li Hao alone, the British father's expression was still not very good, and Li Hao could only laugh.
Then the British princess specially asked Zhang Guifen to come out and formally met with the Wei family in the main hall.
All that's left is to give Zhang Guifen's birthday and birth date to the Wei family. At this point, the acceptance step has been completed.
After finishing this work, the British father-in-law and his wife invited them to have lunch here before leaving.
Of course, fortunately, Mrs. Wei didn't agree. She only said that she had something to do later and made an appointment to talk carefully when she comes next time.
After the British father-in-law and his wife repeatedly tried to persuade them to stay, they saw that Mrs. Wei might really have something to do, so they politely sent everyone out of the house.
On the way, Mrs. Wei thanked Mrs. Ling Guogong for her help, and then they went back to their homes.
But before arriving at Li's house, Mrs. Wei suddenly pulled up the curtains and called Li Hao to the side to talk: "You and your father should go back to the house first. I have something to do and have to go to the Sheng family, so I may go back later."
After saying that, he stopped the carriage, asked Li Jian to get off, and returned home with Li Hao.
Before setting off again, Mrs. Wei opened the curtain again and said to Li Hao, "Besides, don't forget what you promised me."
Li Hao understood that this was a reminder of his promise to find a suitable family for Minglan.
He agreed: "Don't worry, mother, your son knows what to do."
After hearing Li Hao's answer, Mrs. Wei went to Sheng's house with peace of mind.
After the Wei family left, Li Jian explained to Li Hao: "When your aunt married into the Sheng Mansion as a concubine, I had not yet met your mother, so I don't know much about what happened back then.
But I know that your mother and your aunt have a deep relationship, and during those most difficult days, it was indeed with the protection of your aunt that our family got through.
That's why your mother likes Minglan so much, and I never said anything.
Now that you have this ability, you should still help if you can, as if it is for your mother. "
Li Hao said: "Father, my son understands."
After finishing speaking, the two of them went back home directly.
As for the Wei family, they did not return from the Sheng Mansion until Youcai. As for what happened in the Sheng family, they did not mention it to Li Hao and the others. ….
Then we had dinner together at home. After everything was done, Mrs. Wei said, "Since I got my birthday horoscopes back today, I won't delay any more. Tomorrow I will go to Yuqing Temple to ask someone to do the horoscopes and divination. It’s good or bad.”
Hearing this, Li Hao quickly said: "Forget it about fortune telling. Since this marriage is decided by the official family, it will naturally be auspicious and good luck.
If mother meets someone who is not good at studying and predicts the result poorly, how should we explain the situation? We should not cause trouble for ourselves, are you right? "
Mrs. Wei nodded: "That's right. With the blessings of the official family, everything will be fine.
In this case, I will choose a good day and send the proposal post to the British government.
It seems that our family is also
I have prepared a betrothal gift in advance. After all, the British government is such a prestigious family. If the betrothal gift is less, people will inevitably gossip. "
Li Hao replied: "Let the mother make the decision on this matter. The son will not agree to anything."
After hearing Li Hao's statement, Mrs. Wei naturally ignored Li Jian and said directly: "Okay, then I will ask the accountant to calculate our family's property, and then order a betrothal gift.
However, I have to tell you something in advance. Among the assets that have been counted, I will provide a part of it as a supplement to Minglan’s dowry.
Li Hao said: "Didn't this mother say before that there is no problem?"
Wei explained: "Okay, I will make a separate book for this part of the stuff and find another place to put it.
After all, when your bride enters the house, she should still be in charge of the house. Take it out in advance to avoid any misunderstandings in the future. "
When Li Hao heard this, he hurriedly said: "What did mother say? Naturally, this family has to work hard for mother."
Wei said: "Forget it, your official position is getting bigger and bigger, and there are more and more things coming and going. I can't take care of it and I don't want to.
It just so happens that your bride is the legitimate daughter of a high-ranking family, and her ability to welcome and send people off came from elementary school. She can naturally manage this family better, so I can rest assured. "
However, Li Hao didn't dare to take it seriously, so he was still preparing to give some persuasion.
After all, her daughter's heart was at a loss, who knew what Mrs. Wei was thinking.
Li Hao was worried that this unexpected marriage would put a thorn in Mrs. Wei's heart. Don't cause conflicts between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. He didn't have the ability to mediate.
But before Li Hao could say anything, Wei went back to rest.
Then Li Hao had no choice but to look at Li Jian, wanting him to give his opinion.
But Li Jian only said one sentence: "Don't worry, your mother is a reasonable person and won't embarrass you."
After saying that, he followed him back to the room, which made Li Hao speechless. These words were really useless.
On the second day, Li Hao returned to the palace to guard duty, but this was just the last few days of work.
After the seal is opened on the 20th of the first lunar month, Gu Tingye will officially take up the post of commander of the Imperial Guards, and Li Hao will no longer need to stay in the palace as often.
But Zhao Zhen seemed to have no intention of keeping Li Hao idle, so he called Li Hao to Funing Hall.
Zhao Zhen did not mention the business first, but asked: "Have you ever been to the British Duke's mansion?"…
Li Hao replied: "I and my parents have already been there, and I also invited Duke Ling's wife to go with them and bring back the birth date.
After my mother's side has completed the horoscope, the order will be sent back to the British father-in-law. "
Zhao Zhen said, "That's good. When you have determined the date for collecting the levy, you can also come and inform me. I will have a reward for you as a betrothal gift."
Li Hao quickly thanked him: "The officials are so kind and loving, and I am so grateful that I shed tears of gratitude."
After saying this, Zhao Zhen started talking about business.
"Okay, let's talk about this. I came to you today because I have something serious to discuss.
I heard from Bachelor Ouyang that you have arithmetic skills, and you once organized the accounts of Kaifeng Mansion clearly.
Therefore, I intend to transfer you to the Third Division as the judge of the Third Division and be in charge of the official documents of the Du branch. "
After hearing this, Li Hao was naturally willing to follow Ouyang Xiu as an official, and Li Hao was naturally willing.
However, a thorough check of the accounts must be cumbersome and time-consuming, and then I may not be able to take care of other things.
So he said: "How to deal with Chen's other duties? The three companies are very busy and I may not be able to deal with them."
Zhao Zhen said: "You now hold the titles of Deputy Chief of the Privy Council Chengzhi and Chief of the Imperial Palace Yuhou, but as far as I know.
You probably don’t even know which way the Privy Council door opens. "
Hearing this, Li Hao was indeed a little embarrassed, because since he took up this position, Li Hao has never been to the Privy Council.
However, Zhao Zhen had no intention of pursuing the matter, and instead talked about the arrangement: "The duties of Marquis Yu, the chief minister in front of the palace, are
Keep it for now. After Gu Tingye takes office, the palace affairs will be left to Gu Tingye for the time being, so you don't need to worry too much.
As for other things, Song Chaozhong and Bi Zhongyou didn't mind doing more work after thinking about it, so they let them help take care of it.
The Vice-President of the Privy Council accepted the decree and dismissed it first. I will re-appoint you as the judge of the Third Division. The decree will be sent to the Political Hall soon. When Gu Tingye takes office, you will go to the Third Division to help. "
Li Hao naturally had no objection to this. On the contrary, in the next few days, Li Hao deliberately found time to inspect all the affairs in the palace so that he could hand them over to Gu Tingye.
On the twentieth day of the first lunar month, Gu Tingye went to the Imperial City Division, and after receiving the imperial badge, he went directly to the palace.
Li Hao led someone to make the handover with him. Of course, Gu Tingye's authority in the palace was still different from Li Hao's.
Gu Tingye could only command the Imperial Guards, but as a rule, Gu Tingye could not directly mobilize the people on duty in the palace.
Of course, Li Hao has also told the people in the front office to cooperate with Gu Tingye as much as possible.
After the handover was completed, Li Hao was about to leave, but Gu Tingye grabbed him and pulled him aside and said, "Did you find out anything about Ming Lan and Qi Heng?
I've been trying to find you a few days ago, but I haven't been able to find you. "
Li Hao said angrily: "Nonsense, apart from going to the British palace these days, I spend the rest of my time in the palace, asking you for news wherever I go.
And at this time, it’s hard for me to ask. If I don’t let others know, I don’t know what they will think of me. "
However, Li Hao didn't just talk about the problem. He also gave Gu Tingye an idea: "Actually, if you ask me about this matter, you might as well ask Yuan Wenshao to ask Hualan to go back home more often. Then you won't know the news about the Sheng family." Is everything clear?…
And since you really want to marry Minglan, why don't you go to the Sheng family to talk openly? What's the point of thinking so much. "
Gu Tingye explained: "You think I don't want to, but this matter is not easy to handle.
If it were before, I could marry whoever I wanted, and as long as it wasn't too much, my father wouldn't say anything.
But things are different now. My father takes this matter very seriously. Of course, this is not the most important thing.
The most important thing is the Sheng family. If I go to propose marriage in an honest and open manner, will the old lady of the Sheng family agree? Considering my previous reputation in Bianjing.
If the old lady refuses all the time, it will be even more difficult. "
Li Hao said: "That's disgusting, so no matter what you want to do, I don't believe you can really follow the rules."
Gu Tingye said: "I'm still thinking about the specific method, but you will definitely be used by then. Can you help me?"
Li Hao said: "Then I have to think about this matter carefully. It's not that easy for me to help."
After speaking, Li Hao took two steps away and said loudly: "Okay, I will leave the palace guard to you. I hope you will not betray the trust of the officials."
This voice immediately attracted the attention of everyone around him. Seeing this situation, Gu Tingye had no choice but to say: "Thank you for your teaching, sir. I will definitely live up to my great trust."
Li Hao nodded and said, "Okay, the handover is completed today, and you can start working next."
After saying that, he left gracefully, leaving Gu Tingye behind him gnashing his teeth in anger.
After Li Hao left the palace, he went straight to Sansi Yamen to find Ouyang Xiu, wanting to ask what he wanted to do.
But Ouyang Xiu's answer was very direct, and he led Li Hao into a study room. Of course, the items in it were not ordinary books, but stacks of account books.
Ouyang Xiu ordered: "There are piles of money and food sent in and out of the account books from various places in the past three years. Your task is very simple. Clear all the account books here in the shortest possible time."
Looking at the room full of account books, Li Hao said dullly: "There are so many, I can handle them all by myself."
Ouyang Xiu said: "Of course not, I won't be so difficult. You can find some people to help, but the results must be kept confidential."
Hearing this, Li Hao felt relieved and said, "That's good, then I will select some people from Duzhi to help."
But things were not as simple as Li Hao thought. Ouyang Xiu added another condition: "This matter cannot be done by people from the Third Division, otherwise I won't let you come."
So Li Hao noticed something was wrong and asked, "Can I take these ledgers out and have them checked and then replaced?"
Ouyang Xiu refused again: "Of course that's not possible, these are important documents, how can they be taken away from the Yamen.
If something goes wrong on the road, there's no way to explain it. "
Li Hao finally understood and could only say with a grimace: "Since we can't use people from the Third Division, and my own people can't come in, and I can't take the account books out, then I'll be doing it alone." Live."
Ouyang Xiu said: "That's your problem. Anyway, you have to do so much. I don't care how you do it, as long as you can do it well."
This made Li Hao quite speechless. This behavior was purely rogue. Li Hao suddenly felt that he had been cheated. ….
But there was no other way. Li Hao could only devote himself to these endless account books as soon as possible, and this time due to confidentiality requirements, coupled with the accounting work of Kaifeng Mansion last time.
The Arabic numerals have been leaked, so Li Hao took the compiled data with him and took it home for storage.
But because of Li Hao's busy schedule, Zhao Ceying was unable to find Li Hao for a long time, let alone contact Gu Tingye.
Originally, Zhao Ceying and the others wanted to wait step by step, but a sudden news made Zhao Zongquan unable to sit still.
So that night, Zhao Zongquan hurried to Li Hao's home.
When Li Hao heard that Zhao Ceying was coming late at night, he was really curious about his purpose, and waited until he welcomed the person in.
Li Hao then asked, "You came to see me this late at night, but what's the important matter?"
Zhao Ceying did not go straight to the topic, but said first: "You also know that my aunt and uncle came to Beijing together. I made an agreement with my aunt before coming here that this time I will arrange a good marriage for her.
Now that this matter has not been done, I just want to come to you to find a solution. "
Hearing this, Li Hao immediately shook his head and said, "Why don't you just slap my attention? You can persuade the officials."
Seeing that Li Hao had misunderstood, Zhao Ceying quickly said: "Of course this is not the case. How dare we violate the official's will, and it is impossible for my aunt to degrade herself and become a concubine."
After hearing this, the misunderstanding was resolved, and Li Hao asked curiously: "Yes, then why are you telling me this?"
Zhao Ceying explained: "No matter what, you have some responsibility for this matter. Since you can't marry my aunt, you have to be responsible for finding a suitable candidate.
Moreover, your reputation as a moon-old person is very impressive to me in Bianjing City. It makes no sense for you to help others but not me. "
Li Hao replied: "It's just a chance meeting. I'm not really Yue Lao. I can make other people's marriages by pulling a red thread.
But although this matter really has nothing to do with me, since you have come to the door, why don't you tell me if there is a suitable candidate.
If possible, I wouldn't mind playing the drums for you. "
Zhao Ceying took the opportunity to say at this time: "They are indeed good brothers. I have indeed thought of a suitable candidate.
And this person has a very good relationship with you, so you will definitely be able to help. "
After hearing this, Li Hao muttered, "You have a good relationship with me. I don't know many people in Bianjing City."
Then I turned around in my mind, and the general range must be within the group of people from the original imperial camp.
Thinking that if she knew someone, there was no need for Zhao Ceying to go around and ask for help.
After such calculation, Gu Tingye's name immediately appeared in Li Hao's mind.
Li Hao thought that this couldn't be such a coincidence, so he asked, "Did you fall in love with Gu Tingye?"
After hearing this, Zhao Ceying clapped her hands and said, "You are really smart, it's him, what do you think?"
After hearing this accurate answer, Li Hao felt funny in his heart. These two were in a collision.
forward
A few days ago, Gu Tingye just told himself that he would help him deal with Minglan's affairs.
But this time, the Shen family fell in love with him again. What kind of drama was this? ….
In his heart, Li Hao naturally still supported Gu Tingye and Minglan, not to mention that Gu Tingye was very stubborn and was not someone who could be persuaded.
So Li Hao said: "Gu Tingye's reputation in Bianjing City is not very good. It's not like you haven't heard the news spread on the streets. Do you really not care?"
Zhao Ceying said: "A prodigal son never pays back for his money. Looking at his appearance now, it seems that he has already changed his ways.
Moreover, I also inquired about Gu Tingye's personality from Yang Wenyuan and Yuan Wenshao, and we felt that he was quite suitable. "
Hearing this, Li Hao was really surprised. He didn't expect that Gu Tingye would turn around and become popular so quickly.
For a moment, Li Hao couldn't think of how to help Gu Tingye refuse, so he simply didn't think about it.
Anyway, it’s better to leave it to Gu Tingye to deal with the headache, so he said, “I can’t give you any certainty on this matter, but I can tell him and see what he thinks.
However, he has a stubborn personality. If there is something he disagrees with, even his father may not be able to force him to nod. I think you should be mentally prepared. "
Zhao Ceying didn't listen to this, and said directly: "It's okay, just help me pass on the news, and I will talk about the rest."
Now that this matter has been discussed and reached a consensus, Li Hao is ready to serve tea to see the guests off and have a good rest.
But here Zhao Ceying talked about the second thing, which was also the main purpose of his visit today.
I saw Zhao Ceying saying: "Zhao Yunchu, the son of King Yan Zhao Yuanyan, is already on his way to Bianjing. I wonder if you have heard about this."
Hearing this, Li Hao was suddenly shocked and suddenly woke up.
It is not simple to know that King Zhao Yuanyan of Yan was the eighth son of Emperor Taizong, who was also the Eight Wise Kings in later folklore.
He was very close to the throne at the beginning, but now at this time, his son Zhao Yunchu suddenly returned to Beijing, which can't help but make people think.
From this point of view, what Zhao Ceying said today was probably not about Gu Tingye, but about Ning Yuanhou. .
Learn from knowledge to power
