The villain and the powerful official secretly read the diary and broke my plot every day

That night, at the Meng family.

Gu Yanqing hadn't been to court recently, which made Meng Xiang particularly happy.

Without that annoying guy, even the air seemed to become fresher.

"Daddy, eat more vegetables."

Meng Nianqiao has always been very well-behaved in front of Meng Xiang, picking up food for Meng Xiang while talking.

"Yeah." Meng Xiang just nodded lightly.

"Dad, do you think Gu Yanqing is really ill... or did he secretly leave the capital to go to another place for business, just like last time?"

Meng Haowu, who is very career-oriented, has been feeling uneasy these days, always fearing that Gu Yanqing will make a big move out of nowhere.

"Your Majesty should know most about his affairs. Let's just... turn a blind eye."

Meng Xiang spoke ambiguously.

He has many spies in the capital, and even there are people in the imperial city who are willing to pass on information to him.

Although the imperial physician often came in and out of the Gu Mansion, but...

However, Meng Xiang felt that Gu Yanqing was definitely not sick.

He may have left the capital again, and most likely went to Yuzhou in Jiangnan.

Because there are people from the Meng family in other places, Meng Xiang has contacted them, and those people have not found Gu Yanqing's whereabouts, nor have they found anyone with similar characteristics to Gu Yanqing. In fact... other states and counties have been very peaceful during this period, and no special incidents have occurred.

Except Yuzhou.

Yuzhou was controlled by officials from the Jiangnan faction, and it was an ironclad system that prevented even the Meng family from infiltrating.

If... Gu Yanqing can really stir up the stagnant water in Yuzhou, maybe... it would be a good thing?

"It would be great if Gu Yanqing really got sick. It would be best if he died of the disease."

At this time, Meng Haowen, who had been silent, suddenly spoke.

Meng Xiang glanced at his eldest son with some displeasure, and Meng Haowu immediately said, "Brother, be careful with your words."

"What are you afraid of? This is our home, and there won't be any people from Gu Yanqing eavesdropping on us." Meng Haowen raised his eyebrows indifferently.

"Humph."

Meng Xiang snorted coldly. He was really getting more and more disgusted with this eldest son who had accomplished nothing and was outspoken.

This big size is completely useless!

"Brother, stop talking and eat a chicken drumstick."

Meng Nianqiao tried to smooth things over and picked up a chicken leg for Meng Haowen.

"My little sister is the most caring. Didn't you say a while ago that you wanted to start a business partnership? I just bought the Mantanghong from Mingyuefang today and gave it to you!"

Meng Haowen said this, and took out the sales contract that had just been signed today from his arms with a smile.

"A shop in Mingyuefang? That would cost a lot of money, right?"

Meng Nianqiao's eyes lit up, and he happily took the contract. He opened it and was slightly surprised: "It actually cost three hundred thousand taels of silver, big brother...you, where did you get so much money?"

What, three hundred thousand taels?

Meng Xiang and Meng Haowu on the side also subconsciously looked at the sales contract.

The shop in Mingyuefang is quite valuable, but Mingyuefang is not the largest market in the capital. How big a shop can you buy in Mingyuefang with 300,000 taels?

"Mantanghong? I remember that place used to sell alcohol. It seemed to be on the western side of Mingyuefang?"

Meng Haowu hesitated and said, "That place isn't worth three hundred thousand taels!"

"You evil son!" Meng Xiang on the side really couldn't eat anymore.

No matter how big the family fortune is, it will be ruined if it falls into the hands of this prodigal son!

"Dad, Dad, listen to me."

Seeing that Meng Xiang was really angry, Meng Haowen immediately knelt on the ground skillfully and said urgently: "Originally, this shop is indeed not worth so much money, but the people of the Gu family insisted on competing with me. How can we lose to them?"

"Gu family?" Meng Xiang was stunned. Gu Yanqing? Was he also trying to imitate others in business?

In principle, the imperial court does not allow officials to do business, but their families can. The imperial court does not have so many rules and regulations in this regard. After all, Qingyun Kingdom is a very tolerant and open country.

"It's Gu Yanhuan. I've asked around. I don't know how Zhang Fugui from Mingyuefang got in touch with the Gu family. I think he's the one who's been pushing Gu Yanhuan into doing business. Lately, he's been looking for introductions from pawnbrokers. He wants to buy a four-story shop on the street. I suspect they might also open a large restaurant like Mingyuelou. It just so happens that Mr. Xu, the boss of Mantanghong, is leaving Beijing to sell his shop..."

Meng Haowen explained the whole story.

"Gu Yanhuan also wants to do business?" Meng Nianqiao, who was standing aside, suddenly became interested when he heard this.

Because of the relationship between the two families, Meng Nianqiao and Gu Yanhuan have always been at odds with each other, and their relationship is very ordinary, and...

Gu Yanhuan is the most beautiful woman in the capital, and many young men from aristocratic families actually secretly covet her.

Especially the Seventh Young Master of the Dongping Family...

The young master of Dongping, who was engaged to Meng Nianqiao, had said more than once when drunk that the woman he most wanted to marry in his life was...

She is the most beautiful woman in the capital, Gu Yanhuan!

When Meng Nianqiao thought of this, his eyes became deep.

"Gu Yanhuan is also going to do business? Could it be that Gu Yanqing has some new plan?" Meng Haowu stared at the side in deep thought. The first thing that came to his mind was whether Prime Minister Gu would secretly do something again?

"He's probably very short of money."

Meng Xiang smiled disdainfully at this time.

Your Majesty and Gu Yanqing really don't have much money, but they still have so many people to support. Gu Yanqing has always been very ambitious, and to support his huge ambition, he needs even more huge funds. Otherwise, that guy wouldn't have been keeping an eye on them, the aristocratic families. Doesn't he just want their money?

"Forget it, I'll let you go this time."

Meng Xiang waved his hand nonchalantly and spoke to Meng Haowen.

Although three hundred thousand taels is not a small amount, it is a comforting thing to be able to snatch this Mantanghong shop from the Gu family.

Meng Haowen, who was standing by, immediately stood up from the ground upon hearing this, his face full of joy.

Sure enough, his three hundred thousand taels were not wasted!

"Brother, you said you gave me this shop, but is that true?"

At this time, Meng Nian and Qiao Hai were holding the shop contract with serious eyes.

"Of course it's true. You know I'm not good at business, and my second brother is an official in the court, so this shop should naturally be handed over to you. Little sister, you have always been smart and are a good material for business."

After hearing his words, Meng Nianqiao subconsciously turned his gaze to Meng Xiang: "Dad, what do you mean..."

"Now that you've bought this shop, you should run it well. By the way, who are you going to do business with?"

Meng Xiang looked at his daughter and asked curiously.

In fact, the Meng family has quite a few businesses, but they are all managed by special stewards and shopkeepers. Meng Nianqiao has never really done any business.

"I……"

Meng Nianqiao hesitated, his face slightly red, but he finally gritted his teeth and said a name: "Dongpingle!"