A piece of paper

The trend of besieging the Chen family became more and more intense.

It seemed like there were a lot of people making trouble. If we calculated it carefully, it was the seven or eight paper shops that caused the uproar. First, they blocked the "white" door and prohibited entry and exit, claiming to ask for an explanation; then they stayed up all day and night. I sat in meditation endlessly in "Fubai" and "Xuantian". Those who knew knew that they were expressing dissatisfaction, but those who didn't knew thought they were petitioning.

As a last resort, these seven or eight family members summoned more than 20 strong young men to surround Chen's house. The front and back doors were blocked. People in the nearby shops were talking incessantly, and they all reasonably concluded that the three demon kings of the Chen family who collect debts were causing trouble outside again.

Chen Fu was very angry: "My legs are broken! How much I love to cause trouble, so I can persist in causing trouble despite my physical disability and strong will!"

Chen Fu was angry, but Chen's house was as quiet as a chicken, with no one responding.

"Sir, it's the fourth day and I don't even dare to open the door of the Chen family."

In the main hall of Heng's house, Heng Lian sits on the rattan Taishi chair with his head tilted and sideways, holding a plate of walnuts in one hand and a teacup in the other, smiling as he listens to the steward's report.

The steward bowed and continued, "The Wu family and the Zheng family have also been convinced. They will go to the Chen family this afternoon to ask for an explanation. Counting, almost ten paper shops have come forward."

Heng Lian lowered his lips, "Those who invest money invest money and put in effort, but now this is the result. Who can bear it?"

Heng Lian sneered, "He Xianjin always looks confident, and everyone is as obsessed as they are investing in as much as they can! Now that they have woken up, they will naturally force the Chen family to come up with a re-typed charter."

The steward buried his head, "If the Chen family can't get it out, why don't we just stand by and watch the rice paper lose?"

Heng Lian raised his eyebrows, "What big deal is it if Xuan Zhi loses?"

The steward lowered his head.

"If Hengji wins, that's the big deal."

Heng Lian's eyes moved slightly, "The Bai family's child was useless. He couldn't seize the opportunity when it came to his door. The girl escaped smoothly, but was robbed of wealth and life by the passing ruffians. Are we really looking at the Chen family? In the upper position? Seeing He Xianjin, a little girl, commanding the Xuancheng Paper Company?"

"In this tribute paper dispute, if the Chen family cannot come up with a way to save the market, who do you think will be the next president of the Rice Paper Chamber of Commerce?"

Heng Lian smiled coldly, "There are still many opportunities for tribute paper. The chance to overwhelm the Chen family and secure the top spot in Xuancheng paper shop is fleeting. Speaking of which, we also need to thank He Xianjin for his hard work in integrating it. Otherwise, we would not be able to win this deal." I can’t pick it up even if I want to.”

The steward's forehead was about to touch the ground: I'm just the temporary second-in-command, so don't tell me these majestic and vicious plans of yours, okay?

"Go, push the Chen family harder!" Heng Lian raised his chin, "I heard that He Xianjin was dragged in by the wife of the inner house and there was no movement that day. It was probably useless. There is no one in charge of the Chen family now. , killing him while he is sick is the way to succeed."

Someone outside the window had a headache.

Henglian frowned, "Who?"

The door was gently pushed open, and the panting Hengxi pursed her lips tightly and looked at her biological father with burning eyes.

"Wu Niang." Heng Lian moved the walnuts in his hand, "It seems like your cold is much better?"

Hengxi's chest rose and fell, "Father, don't you know if I'm infected?"

Heng Lian laughed and said, "It doesn't matter even if you get sick. Just take some medicine and take care of yourself for two days. Your mother helped you find a good match. There are three hundred acres of land at home. If you marry, you will be the head of the family. You The techniques I practiced in Hengji are just right for me to use here."

Hengxi took a few deep breaths and calmed down, "Father, now is not the time to compete with the Chen family. There are still six days, and there is still a lot of work to be done. Since the paper tribute from Fujian is very luxurious, then we We can do the opposite, and we are as elegant as possible - I looked through ancient books and found that there was a golden millet sutra scroll in the Southern Song Dynasty. It was yellow in color, simple and beautiful, and was immune to insects and incorruptible for a hundred years. Maybe we can borrow a little bit from it. ——”

"Yes. What Fifth Girl said makes sense." Heng Lian smiled and turned around to ask the steward, "Have you written down Fifth Girl's ideas?"

The steward stood up and looked around for a hose pen.

Heng Lian looked at his eldest daughter with a smile on his face and his eyes seemed to be asking, "Is there anything else?"

Heng Xi clenched his teeth and clenched his fists with both hands. After standing outside the door for a long time, he suddenly turned around and walked out.

There is no way out of the gate. Hengxi has tried it many times.

It was equivalent to putting her under house arrest.

Hengxi was furious and returned to the attic in the west wing, only to see the window lattice opened wide and a tightly wrapped yellow brown paper bag hidden under the side table.

Hengxi closed the door and window, looked around carefully before squatting down, and saw that the brown paper bag was properly sealed, and there was a line written on the cover - "On the tenth day, if I fail to show up, Prefect Xiong will definitely look for you. Then hand over the paper bag Give him - He Xianjin".

The font is bold and sharp, as always.

Heng Xi's clenched back molars finally slowly loosened.

On the fifth day, more and more people surrounded the Chen family. After Chen Jianfang intervened, everyone dispersed;

On the sixth day, the people who had besieged gathered together again, and their feelings for people and property greatly outweighed their awe for the scholars;

On the seventh day, the besiegers also stationed themselves at night;

On the eighth day, some people began to throw eggs and rotten vegetable leaves at the door of Chen's house;

In the Gemma Hall, Mrs. Qu sat half-lying and half-reclining on the Taishi chair with a pale face. She listened to the noise of people in her ears. Although there were two walls between her, she could still imagine the unrest in the alleyway outside the door.

Duan, the widow of the eldest wife, Chen Chai, the second wife, and Xu, the third wife, Sun, and Chen Sanlang, the third wife, are sitting at the bottom.

Mr. Duan's face was calm, his back straight, his eyes calm and looking straight ahead.

One of Chen Chai and Mr. Xu had his head tilted and had an indifferent attitude; the other tilted his head and it had nothing to do with him;

Sun and Chen Sanlang, mother and son, are like a pair of silhouettes - their rickety backs and trembling legs are exactly the same.

"There has to be an explanation." Mrs. Qu had just recovered from a serious illness, her face was as white as paper, "Should we continue to pay tribute to Ba Zhangxuan? Or use other paper? Heng Ji can't stand out, and everyone's eyes are forcing the Chen family to speak. .”

Mrs. Qu's eyes fell on Chen Cai, "Second brother, you are also in charge of the shop, please tell me."

Chen Cai moved his eyes further, "I shouldn't have been born, I'm stupid and dull, where did I get the idea?"

Mrs. Qu frowned, "Second brother! You——"

Second Aunt Qu rushed to pat Mrs. Qu's back with tears in her eyes, and persuaded Chen Cai, "Second Master! Your mother almost passed away from the illness this time! If you have any grievances, you shouldn't express them at this time!"

Chen Cai stood up abruptly, his usually honest and honest face turned red, "I used to have a hard time managing the shop, but with Xian Jin supporting the family, our Chen family's life has become smoother! Xian Jin is now at home. , you offended her so much that you couldn't bear to coax her, so you came to torment me! Am I a very mean person? "

Xu turned her head and wiped the corners of her eyes.

Chen Cai grabbed his wife's wrist and raised his feet to walk out, "I'm so stupid, now I understand why my third brother lives such a rebellious life!"

Second Aunt Qu was about to chase after her, but Mrs. Qu waved her hand and moved her gaze to the faces of Sun and Chen Sanlang. She paused for a moment and then slowly moved away. Her voice was hoarse, "Boss, wife, what do you think?"

Duan smiled, with a hint of sarcasm on her usually dignified and generous face, "What does mother want me to say?"

Mrs. Qu was holding back the suffocation in her chest. She was exhausted both physically and mentally. She seemed to find it difficult to speak, "Erlang would rather not take the imperial examination than marry her. After all, she is still a member of the Chen family during the marriage. At this juncture, I have something to say. , but you are her future mother-in-law."

Mrs. Duan suddenly raised his eyes, raised his lips and smiled again. After the smile, he felt speechless, "Don't you know that Xian Jin severely rejected Erlang?"

Sun and Chen Sanlang nodded silently out of sight: ruthless, indeed very ruthless.

Mrs. Qu didn't know that Chen Jianfang went crazy when she was here and immediately went to Yiyuan. She knew everything he said and what He Xianjin agreed to.

Mrs. Qu waved her hands tiredly and nonchalantly, "That girl was so angry at that time that she couldn't hide her face. How could she not be grateful and shed tears when Erlang wanted to marry her? How could she not be honored? Now the Chen family She was the one who caused this to be roasted on the fire, and she must come forward."

"Then go ahead." Mrs. Duan cut off Mrs. Qu's words unceremoniously and smiled again, "Xianjin may have been waiting for you to come forward in person."

Yes.

He Xianjin may have been waiting for her to come forward to intercede in person.

After Mrs. Qu figured this out, her face instantly turned pale, and a heartbreaking pain rose in her heart, causing her to unconsciously raise her hands to cover her chest.

Mrs. Duan did not accept this trick. After getting up and offering blessings, she followed in the footsteps of her second wife and left.

Only Sun and Chen Sanlang were left in the room.

Both mother and son opened their ignorant eyes wide at the same time, waiting for Mrs. Qu to assign them an incredible task.

Mrs. Qu seemed to have forgotten the existence of these two people. After Duan left, she clenched the hand covering her chest.

On the ninth day, Master Li, who was beside Magistrate Xiong, came to ask questions. His words were gentle, but his tone was very tough. He said, "The Chen family never strikes unprepared. It's time to wait until the last moment for the finale, right?"

When the government comes to an end, the Chen family must face the enemy head-on.

That night, the sky was filled with stars, and the chirping of cicadas and birds were mixed together. The lantern under the eaves of the east courtyard was lifted by the wind, and the light swirled back and forth like a dancing girl.

"Knock, buckle, buckle—" the door rang.

Xianjin stood up and opened it calmly, looking calmly at the old woman half-slumped on Aunt Qu's arm at the door.

"Even if you don't serve tea, why don't you invite me in to sit down?" Mrs. Qu said weakly.

Xianjin stepped aside to make way.

In the dog days, the weather was sultry, but Mrs. Qu was wearing a laminated cloak, her face was white, and her already skinny cheeks were even more sunken.

Xian Jin poured a cup of warm water and placed it in front of Mrs. Qu.

Mrs. Qu nodded gently, "Thank you."

Xianjin sat opposite Mrs. Qu and waited for the next words.

"This is the first time I have seen Erlang angry." Mrs. Qu said for a moment, "He smashed all the cups and threatened that if I don't let him marry you, he will never take the imperial examination from now on."

His golden look remained unchanged.

Mrs. Qu gave a wry smile and said, "You win."

"I didn't win." Xian Jin interrupted in a steady voice.

Mrs. Qu smiled knowingly, her face haggard and broken, "Yes, you didn't win. You have always won, so naturally you don't know what it feels like to lose."

Xian Jin didn't want to get entangled with her and didn't deliberately correct her statement.

Mrs. Qu suddenly realized, "I finally agreed to your marriage."

Mrs. Qu smiled and said, "I'm here now to apologize to you - to imprison you, plot against you, and force you. Grandma shouldn't have done it. When you marry Erlang in the future, even if grandma doesn't like you, she can only do it." I respect you as the next wife of the Chen family."

Xian Jin sighed softly.

Mrs. Qu continued to speak, "All your goals have been achieved, and the ten-day appointment is coming. What should we do with the tribute paper? How should the Chen family end it? I don't believe you are not prepared."

Mrs. Qu didn't wait for Xian Jin to speak, and said urgently, "Don't worry, since grandma agrees, this marriage will definitely be completed!"

Mrs. Qu softened her tone and said, "——The family has no overnight feud. The top priority is to get through this crisis!"

"You and I are not a family."

Xian Jin finally spoke.

Mrs. Qu looked extremely tired, "Yes! Yes! You and I are not the same family. You and Erlang always..."

"Except for the third master, I have nothing to do with the Chen family." Xianjin said in a calm tone with a correct attitude, "I always leave room for myself when I act. There are three steps in handing in tributes. No matter how certain others are about the second Each link will produce results, and I will also prepare according to the three links."

Mrs. Qu ignored the first sentence, but when she heard Xian Jin's last words, her eyes couldn't help but brighten.

"Relief, I can do it."

Xianjin said without squinting, "I have conditions."

Mrs. Qu nodded repeatedly, "Yes! Yes! As soon as you marry Erlang, you will sit back and prepare for the wedding. You will go out from Qu's house, and your dowry will be carefully prepared for you by your grandmother."

"First, I want to leave the Chen family. My household registration and name card will be handed over to me immediately!" Xianjin said, directly interrupting Mrs. Qu's thoughts.

Mrs. Qu's half-open mouth did not close for a long time.

"Second, I will not take away anything the Chen family gave me, but I must take away the items my mother left for me."

"Third, you should sign a document now. I, He Xianjin, have nothing to do with the Chen family anymore. Sign and put your fingerprint. If the government wants to inquire, you must cooperate."

"Fourth, the deeds of my subordinates were signed with me, including but not limited to Sansuo, Guanshi Zhong, Tuesday Dog, and the Zheng brothers. I want to take these people away."

Every time Xian Jin said something, Mrs. Qu's face became paler.

She never thought that He Xianjin took action in this matter not to marry Erlang smoothly but to break away from the Chen family!

How could He Xianjin leave? ! How could she leave! ? How dare she leave! ?

No matter how she plotted against He Xianjin, she never thought that He Xianjin would escape from the Chen family!

Mrs. Qu gasped a few times, "What if I don't agree?"

Xianjin said calmly, "Then the Chen family is the sinner of Xuancheng Mansion, and the sinner of the entire Xuancheng Paper Merchants Association. Heng Lian has stirred up the momentum so much, isn't it just watching and waiting for the Chen family to fall?"

"Both are prosperous and destructive. The Chen family's reputation is rotten. No matter how well Mr. Erlang does in the exam, he will only be dragged down by Chen Ji."

Mrs. Qu looked at Xian Jin's confident face and whispered dumbly, "You are forcing me with Hengji!"

Xianjin is noncommittal.

"You should have arrived a long time ago, and the tribute paper battle will enter the third round!" Mrs. Qu's palms were sweating!

Xian Jin is still noncommittal.

Madam Qu suddenly understood: Even if Chen Jianfang did not insert the pole, as long as the tribute papers entered the third round, under the pressure of the Xuancheng Chamber of Commerce and the government, no matter what situation He Xianjin was in, she would have Capital is negotiating with the Chen family about the conditions for leaving!

Two updates combined into one, my debt is paid off! ! !