"That's it." Awan said while thinking: "It stands to reason that you were granted the title of Duke of Yue, and the reward from His Majesty is enough to celebrate the New Year in our house. But you also know that you were granted the title during the family banquet in the palace. , are not above the imperial court, so they are only awarded by officials. The awards are all handled by people from the Ministry of Rites. They use the excuse that the Ministry of Rites has too much work to do as they are approaching the end of the year, and they still haven’t been able to give an accurate answer. Let me tell you, that group of people, I just feel that since you haven’t been honored in front of hundreds of officials, your reputation is not justified..."
Fang Zilan didn't listen to the rest of the words. She suddenly remembered what Zhuge Yu told her that Li Shengxuan had been looking for an opportunity for her to appear in public. At that time, she didn't take it seriously. She just felt that it was good to have real power in her hands. As for the formal courtesy, she didn't mind.
But then she realized that real power was important, and so were false etiquette. The two complemented each other equally well. Real power determines her position, while virtual etiquette determines whether she is safe in this position.
Now that she has an official title but no reward, it is really embarrassing. After all, it’s hard for a good woman to make a living without rice. From the emperor down to the common people, they all have to live. Without money, she can’t support all the expenses of her house. If things go on like this, something will definitely go wrong...
She was just thinking when she heard Awan say again: "Do you think Fang Lihui has gone back on his word? He said there was a problem with the business in the north, but in fact he was looking for excuses to deal with you?"
"He doesn't dare." Fang Zilan's expression was indifferent, but her tone was very firm, "Let's not talk about his written documents for the moment, but the family deed is in my hands. Just say that after Fang Liren left, his father united all the The elder of the Fang family has taken back the family head's emblem. Now the overall situation of the Fang family is uncertain. He has not officially taken the position of the head of the family. He still needs someone in the court to help him maintain his dignity. He dare not break his promise to me easily. I will wait for him to get better. Okay. As for the banquets held in the various offices of the ministers in the first month..."
She paused as she spoke, then sighed softly and said: "There are still a few days until New Year's Eve, so take it easy beforehand. I am afraid that there are many eyes and ears in my house, and I have no way of knowing whether the accountant is trustworthy. I have to trouble you, Awan." Check the accounts of the house again in person. If you have any difficulties, just tell me and I will find a solution."
"It's just a matter of checking the ledger. Wu Qing taught me this, so it's not a big hassle." Awan waved her hand and then changed the subject, "I heard that you entered the palace today to rehearse a social drama?"
Fang Zilan hummed, and Awan looked curious, "How's it going? Is it fun?"
"It's not bad." Fang Zilan explained simply, "Today is just to get familiar with the process. If you want to arrange it well, I'm afraid you will have to spend more effort in the next few days."
Awan asked casually: "No one is giving you a hard time, right?"
Fang Zilan smiled lightly, "After all, I am also the Duke of Yue. How can anyone dare to embarrass me?"
Although she said this, Awan was still worried, "As the saying goes, the Taoist tree attracts the wind, and if you are a newly rich person, there is nothing wrong with being cautious in everything."
A Wan said so maturely that Fang Zilan couldn't help but chuckle, "A Wan, when did you become so calm and steady?"
"It's always been like this." A Wan's face looked quite contented. Fang Zilan said nothing more and started talking: "Why is Lao Cao so slow? I'm so hungry..."
Seeing that Awan had no reaction, she stopped mid-sentence and waved her hand in front of her eyes, "What are you thinking about, so absorbed?"
"It's nothing." A Wan shook his head gently. Fang Zilan came closer and tentatively shouted, "A Wan?"
"I told you it's nothing." Awan turned his head away suddenly and whispered, "Don't ask anymore."
"Okay." Fang Zilan nodded helplessly, "Then I'll take a look at Lao Cao and see why dinner hasn't been delivered yet."
After she finished speaking, she stood up, but she felt dizzy and dizzy for a while. As she was shaking, she quickly held on to the table beside her to prevent herself from falling over.
Awan sighed, stood up and helped her back to her original position as if resigned to her fate, held her shoulders and said without hesitation: "You sit down peacefully, I'll go."
"I'm fine..." Fang Zilan wanted to say something more, but was cut back by A Wan's eyes, and she changed her words: "Thank you, A Wan."
"Fang Zilan." Awan called her name vigorously, but the next sentence was hesitant and hesitant, "What you just said..."
"What?" Fang Zilan asked in confusion, Awan shook her face and finally asked, "You said you found a little brother who is as handsome as fireworks, who is it?"
Fang Zilan was stunned. Just as he was about to answer, he heard Deputy General Cao's voice coming from the door, "Boss, it's time to eat."
She looked up and saw that Vice General Cao was followed by servants, each of them holding a food box in their hands, which looked quite rich.
"Forget it, I don't want to know anymore." Awan concluded simply, "Let's eat."
Vice Admiral Cao didn't notice the subtle atmosphere between the two and just arranged the tableware neatly. Just as he was waiting to greet the two of them to eat, he saw Awan sitting down quietly and already picking up the bowls and chopsticks to eat.
Fang Zilan didn't say anything, and sat down at the table to eat with Deputy General Cao.
Awan was unusually quiet. She ate very quickly, plucking all the rice grains in the bowl into her stomach without even taking a few bites of the vegetables. As soon as she finished eating, she set the dishes and left.
Lieutenant General Cao looked at Awan's back with a blank expression and said at a loss: "What's wrong with Miss Awan?"
"It's nothing." Fang Zilan lowered her head and picked the rice grains in the bowl with chopsticks, and said uneasily: "Let her be."
The hall was extremely silent for a moment, except for the occasional clink of dishes and chopsticks.
However, the silence was broken not long after. "Boss, look!" Vice General Cao's voice full of shock and joy reached Fang Zilan's ears unexpectedly.
She raised her head and looked over, and saw the fireworks rising in the courtyard like shooting stars, suddenly lighting up the entire night sky.
Awan, who was standing in the middle of the courtyard, turned around and waved to Fang Zilan in the hall with great satisfaction, as if to show off, "The fireworks are indeed beautiful, but you can't get them if you ask for them. If you want to see them, you can set them off at any time." , no need to go out of your way to find it.”
Fang Zilan put down the bowls and chopsticks in her hands, stood up and walked to Awan, looked up at the fireworks in the sky, and said with a smile: "Didn't you just say that you don't have enough money in your house? You actually set off the New Year's fireworks in advance?"
"Don't mention such embarrassing things at this time." Awan curled his lips and stared at the fleeting fireworks, "What's more, didn't you say you would find a way to solve the money issue? I I believe you."
Fang Zilan turned her head and looked at Awan, whose lips were slightly raised under the firelight. The fireworks were reflected in her pupils, like a blooming flower.
At this time in the Qiankun Palace, Li Shengxuan looked steadily at the fireworks in the distance. Xia Houzhang behind him followed his line of sight and whispered: "Your Majesty, which direction is Fang Mansion?"
There was a hint of uncertainty in Xia Houzhang's voice. Li Shengxuan hummed noncommittally and suddenly smiled, "The fireworks are beautiful."
The four words, which are like gibbering without any cover, are made brighter and brighter by the fireworks without any reservation.
