Traveling to an ancient peasant family: I got rich by doing business

Li Yu looked in the direction of the voice and saw a woman in her thirties talking loudly and attentively to the Queen and Concubine Shu about her rose tea.

"It's a whole flower. After soaking it in tea, the petals float up, which is very beautiful."

When Concubine Shu heard this, she said, "Oh, there are actually flowers like this in the capital? Someone, bring the flower seller here. I want to see what the flower looks like. It actually made the wife of the Minister of Rites so amazed."

The wife of the Minister of Rites did not expect Concubine Shu to be like this, and was a little flustered for a moment. She was just talking casually, there was no meaning.

Everyone could see that Concubine Shu was in a bad mood. If she let the people from the store come over and said something wrong, being scolded would be the least of her worries. She might even lose her life.

Seeing that the eunuch was about to leave, the wife of the Minister of Rites hurriedly said, "The shop selling roses is Princess Jianing's hot pot and barbecue restaurant."

Concubine Shu's expression was stern.

Jianing's shop? How could she get angry then?!

*

Next to Concubine Shu, the Queen glanced at where Li Yu was sitting and said, "I've seen that flower tea too. Jianing gave me some a few days ago. It's just an ordinary thing. If you want it, I'll send someone to deliver it to you after I return to the palace."

Concubine Shu didn't need the Queen's things. She patted her sleeves and said, "Sister has said that they are all ordinary things. In that case, I won't look at them. What good can ordinary people's things be?"

She spoke the last sentence in a low voice, and no one except the Queen heard it.

The queen lowered her eyelashes and slowly took a sip of tea.

*

After drinking tea, everyone continued to walk around.

Soon, Madam Huang moved to the side of Concubine Shu and whispered, "Your Majesty, the wife of the Minister of Rites didn't make it clear just now. The rose shop belongs to Princess Jianing, but the one who manages the shop is the sister-in-law of this year's top scholar, Han Zhuangyuan."

Concubine Shu just felt that she seemed to have overlooked something, and now after being reminded by Madam Huang, she suddenly remembered it.

She had looked this person up before, and if she remembered correctly, she was the first place winner of this year's snack party and was awarded a plaque and jade tablet by the emperor.

Her little boy Xiaojiu also likes to eat the snack she makes called cat ears.

It is really amazing that a widow from the countryside can cook food that the emperor likes.

But she was just a country girl after all, and except for the days of the snack party, the emperor hadn't mentioned her again in the past few months. There was nothing worthy of attention at all.

Even if she hooks up with Jianing, nothing can happen.

After all, there are only two stores, how much more money can they make?

Concubine Shu thought with disdain, looked at Madam Huang and said, "Madam Huang knows a lot."

Madam Huang's face froze with laughter. "It was just a coincidence. Would you like to check it out, Madam?"

Concubine Shu raised her slender jade fingers painted with nail polish to brush her hair, and said with a slanted look: "She is just a country woman, why investigate her?" It was a waste of her energy.

Madam Huang laughed dryly: "Your Majesty is right, it's not worth it."

*

Li Yu didn't know that Mrs. Huang was secretly making trouble for her behind her back.

She took Han Xiaomei and Ruan Xinming and slowly walked to the back.

After estimating the position of the people in front of him, Ruan Xinming said in a voice that only the two of them could hear: "Isn't it that you saved the Crown Princess, but I think the Queen's attitude today is not right!"

Normally, in such situations, the queen should be more intimate with Li Yu.

Li Yu said: "The Eastern Palace has already given a reward for saving the Crown Princess. As for today, officials have many family members, and it is good to be cared for by the Queen in public, but if this catches the eye of someone with ulterior motives..."

Ruan Xinming immediately thought of what her husband had told her about the events in the court.

Her mind suddenly became clear, "You're right." There are so many people around today, it's right to keep a low profile.

*

The other side of the Orange River.

Emperor Tianyuan called Han Zheng to his side and asked him about the affairs of Jiangyang County.

"I heard that Jiangyang County accepted some refugees from Qingzhou Prefecture last year. How are they doing now?"

Han Zheng lowered his head and said, "After the rebellion in Qingzhou Prefecture ended, most of the refugees returned home, and a few stayed in Jiangyang County. I don't know how those who returned home did, but those who stayed are living well now and have rented houses in Jiangyang County to settle down."

Emperor Tianyuan nodded, "It seems that what was reported is true."

Han Zheng pretended not to hear and waited for Emperor Tianyuan to question him next time.

Emperor Tianyuan specifically called him here, so he would definitely not just ask this question.

Sure enough, after waiting for a while, Han Zheng heard Emperor Tianyuan ask: "I heard that when you went back this time, many people wanted to give you gifts, why didn't you accept them?"

Han Zheng pursed his lips and said, "If you don't do anything, you won't receive the reward. I can't accept it."

"After you passed the imperial examination and became the top scholar, you didn't confiscate anything from me?" Emperor Tianyuan looked at him meaningfully.

*

In an instant, many words flashed through Han Zheng's mind. Finally, he lifted his clothes and knelt down. "I accepted some of them. Some were sent by neighbors, some were sent by friends and teachers, and some were sent by strangers. I couldn't refuse them, so I could only write down their names and the gifts they sent."

Emperor Tianyuan touched the ring on his finger, lowered his eyes and said nothing.

The other people watching stared at Emperor Tianyuan, wondering what was going on.

Some smart ones have already grabbed the hem of their clothes, ready to kneel down at any time.

There was a faint smell of anxiety in the air.

After waiting for an unknown amount of time, Emperor Tianyuan said calmly, "Get up."

Han Zheng stood up, supporting his knees.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

However, the next moment, Emperor Tianyuan spoke again.

"It's a good thing to pass the imperial examination. It's human nature to accept gifts from neighbors and relatives. I won't pursue it, let alone punish you. But you must remember not to accept gifts at will in the future, and you must not use your name to collect money from the people."

Han Zheng: "I will obey the imperial edict!"

Emperor Tianyuan's expression finally eased, and he said, "Let's go, tell me more about the situation of the people in Jiangyang County."

*

The group continued to move forward.

At the back of the line, some young officials looked at each other.

The words the emperor just said seemed to be directed at Han Zhuangyuan, but in fact they were a warning to everyone.

They have to be more careful next time, and not accept things from other people for at least the next two months.

If the emperor finds out, it won’t be as simple as just saying a few words.

Everyone exchanged glances and made a decision in their hearts.

In the middle of the team, Ji Shuo, who came with Mrs. Huang, broke out in a sweat.

He felt as if the emperor was talking about him.

Because he was close to the Third Prince, he had received a lot of things recently. But they were all given to him by others, not something he asked for.

As long as he doesn't say anything and the person sending it doesn't say anything, nothing should go wrong.

*

At noon, Emperor Tianyuan and the Empress prepared to return to the palace.

Concubine Shu was in a bad mood today. After having a perfunctory lunch, she returned to the palace.

In the afternoon, only the families of the various governments were left in the vast Chengjiang River.

Afterwards, the ladies and girls who had a good relationship with Concubine Shu and had high official positions in the family left, while those who could not afford to offend Concubine Shu stayed.

"The person who wrote down the name hasn't left yet, so let's stay here for a while and talk about it after they leave." Ruan Xinming said, "It's already this late, so it doesn't matter if we stay an hour or two longer."

Li Yu nodded.

After saying that, a few people found a small pavilion to sit down, and after they were sure they could leave, they followed the crowd out.

*

At this time, at home.

Si'er dug out a box covered with mud from the courtyard.