Being an emperor is not something he can do, so he can only rely on his connections.

By the end of the year, the consumption level in brothels rose sharply, but it did not affect the booming business.

Zhang Jingwei said angrily, "I'm about to get married, why did you bring me to a place like this?"

Ma Tianmao responded nonchalantly, "Hey, what's so strange about this? You two were married a long time ago, and you're just having a wedding now."

Zhang Jingwei rolled his eyes at him and said unhappily, "Look at how you spend your days pursuing pleasure and living a life of debauchery. If you keep going like this, I think you'll become a father sooner than I do!"

Upon hearing this, Ma Tianmao not only didn't feel the slightest bit ashamed, but instead burst into laughter: "Hahahahaha, then I'll take your advice! After all, isn't marriage all about continuing the family line? If I can really have a son soon, I think my father won't urge me to get married and start a family anymore."

Zhang Jingwei shook his head, smiled bitterly, and continued, "Let's not talk about anything else. Among all the ladies from famous families in our city, which one is not worthy of you? Just the ones from my teacher's family..."

However, Ma Tianmao interrupted him rudely: "Come on, stop it! The daughter of Lord Liu's family may be quite decent, but her father is simply not worthy of praise, tsk tsk tsk tsk..."

Zhang Jingwei sighed helplessly, looking somewhat dejected as he said, "Alas, perhaps tonight will be the last night I'll be drinking with you. I just learned that my father-in-law has received the news that my official letter has been issued. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, I will depart for Gaoyang to take up my new post after the Lunar New Year next year."

Upon hearing this, Ma Tianmao's playful expression instantly vanished, replaced by a hint of sadness and envy: "That's right, now you have embarked on the road of official career, with a bright future ahead of you! It's a pity that I still have not achieved anything and am doing nothing..."

Zhang Jingwei frowned and said, "My dear, I intend to hand over all military affairs to Gao Jiong from now on. It's not that I don't trust him, but I still don't fully understand him."

Ma Tianmao, who was sitting opposite, quickly responded, "The military bank has only just started this year, and its revenue situation is indeed not ideal, but I am very optimistic about this person's ability! He is simply like a god, and he can actually fulfill our boss's wishes one by one."

Zhang Jingwei nodded slightly, agreeing that Gao Jiong's ability was indeed not to be underestimated, but then he said with difficulty: "That being said, he is, after all, a man who walked out of the Jin Palace. This makes me feel more or less a little bit..."

Before Zhang Jingwei could finish his words, Ma Tianmao interrupted impatiently, "Hey, why do you keep harping on this little past? After all, we're just businessmen. Who said, 'If you don't make money, you're a bastard?'"

Zhang Jingwei shook his head helplessly and solemnly warned, "No matter what, you'd better act with caution. Before I completely leave Yuncheng, I plan to implement a shareholder representation system. As our second-largest shareholder, you must earnestly shoulder your share of the responsibility."

Hearing this, Ma Tianmao's face immediately became displeased and he yelled: "Oh my god, this is so annoying! I originally invited you out for a drink to relax, but you dragged me out to talk about all these nonsense. Come on, come on, I'm not in the mood at all now, let's not drink this wine, let's go!" After that, he stood up angrily, turned away without looking back, and left, leaving Zhang Jingwei shaking his head helplessly.

……

The day before the wedding, Zhang Jingwei was trying on his wedding dress and looking around in the mirror.

Zhang Jingwei looked at the gorgeous clothes he was wearing with suspicion, frowned and said to Mu Tou beside him: "Mu Tou, look at my clothes, isn't it a bit too exaggerated?" As he spoke, he tugged at the exquisite and complicated decorations on the cuffs and collar of his clothes.

Mu Tou, with a smile on his face, quickly shook his head and replied, "It's not an exaggeration, not at all. You are a person with extraordinary temperament, and this dress is absolutely perfect for you! On the contrary, I think only this dress suits you." After saying that, Mu Tou couldn't help but look Zhang Jingwei up and down, his eyes full of admiration.

However, Zhang Jingwei still seemed dissatisfied. He pointed at the huge and eye-catching dragon head pattern on the chest of the clothes, smiled bitterly and continued: "But, look at this big dragon head..."

Looking at the dragon pattern on his chest, Zhang Jingwei felt something was amiss. Although the laws of the Celestial Empire did not explicitly prohibit the embroidery of dragon patterns on folk clothing, this red silk brocade robe, coupled with the golden dragon pattern, was indeed a bit too ostentatious.

Mu Tou looked at Zhang Jingwei in front of him and said respectfully, "The dragon is a symbol of auspiciousness and has been a symbol of great nobility since ancient times. Are you still not satisfied with this, young master?"

Zhang Jingwei nodded slightly in agreement, but a hint of hesitation still crossed his face. After a moment's hesitation, he slowly spoke, "Of course I'm satisfied, but... that's all. Actually, I still like it very much in my heart. I really appreciate your taking the trouble for this."

Hearing this, Mu Tou laughed as if relieved, and quickly responded: "As long as the young master likes it, my hard work is nothing as long as it can make the young master happy!"

At that moment, in another room, Huangfu Ling was sitting at her dressing table, carefully examining the extravagant crown on her head in the mirror. She couldn't help but frown slightly, muttering to herself, "This crown is so gorgeous and ostentatious, isn't it a bit too ostentatious?"

Jiu'er, who was standing nearby, heard this and hurried forward to persuade her, "My dear sister! You may not know that this was made by the villagers of Jia Village day and night. They are grateful and want to express their blessings and respect for you and Brother Qi through this crown. It is filled with love!"

Huangfu Ling felt a little relieved after hearing Jiuer's explanation, but still said with some worry: "Brother Qi has done a favor for Jia Village, but now all this blessing has fallen on me. I always feel unworthy of it."

Jiu'er held Huangfu Ling's hand and consoled her earnestly, "Silly sister, don't think like that. A woman's so-called wedding is only a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. At this special moment, you should dress up and enjoy yourself to the fullest. So, be nice to yourself. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that!"

Huangfu Ling pondered for a moment, then finally nodded and smiled, "Well, big sister, you're right. I hope Brother Qi will be happy to see me dressed up like this!"