The Concubine's Survival Manual

Chapter 176

In the spring of the third year of Taiping, there were frequent major events in the court. The battle between Jiao Ge and Yang Ge was in full swing, but there was no rest in the local area. Sea ships in various places were roughly built, and they had reached the final stage of launching trials.Even the Miao descendants in Yunnan and the Beirong in the northwest continued to provoke small conflicts on the frontier.But since the beginning of spring this year, it can be regarded as good weather, and the common people are satisfied.After all, the affairs of the imperial court are decided by the big figures in the imperial court.

Since it entered March, the Pingguo Mansion in the capital city has become more lively than usual.As a big family, he will never show off when there is no major event, and what he usually pays attention to in his daily life is a low-key.But this year is different: in April this year, Mrs. Tai's [-]th birthday is coming. Seventy is rare in life, and seventieth birthday has always been a big deal.Therefore, it was only March, and the birthday presents sent from all over the country by the Xu family's old relatives, generals, etc., had already arrived in the capital one after another.Some relatives even came to Beijing from Yangzhou, making a special trip to celebrate Mrs. Tai's birthday.

The Xu family has been prosperous for many years. Some of these old clansmen have done well in business and lived a prosperous life, while others are unavoidably poor. The so-called birthday gift is nothing more than a few rulers.Don't say Mrs. Tai, even Mrs. Wu Shao and Mrs. Seven all look down on such a gift.But people are willing to come to the door in person, which is always kind. The fifth young lady has been busy arranging for the guests for the past few days, and arranged for a few young masters who have not entered official positions to accompany the guests on tours inside and outside the capital.

"Although we are developed." In this matter, Mrs. Tai and Mrs. Xu have the same caliber, "But we must never forget that it is their poor relatives who are willing to come to celebrate their birthdays if they can't write two characters. Mind, you must take good care of your daily life and food. You must also be careful when you talk, and don't flaunt your wealth at will, but you will lose your grandeur."

This new job in foreign affairs is even just a part of the new affairs of the Fifth Young Madam. The relatives have to go to Beijing to entertain, and the banquet on the day of the birthday has to be arranged, the servants have to be assigned, and the theater troupe has to be invited outside. There are many relatives who want to measure their relationship, so as not to let people who are not compatible with each other at the same table, it is inevitable to cause unhappiness.

For weddings in the capital, a respected old man of the same clan should be selected as a friend, and the whole family will enjoy the joy of Mrs. Tai, and they will be rewarded for making new clothes.The masters even want to add new jewelry, and make various mascots for the wife... Although the seventh lady is just watching with cold eyes, she usually calculates in private. Two to thirty thousand taels of silver up and down.According to the prices at that time, an acre of good land near the capital was equivalent to four or five taels of silver. The wealth and luxury of the Xu family can be seen.

In late March, the emperor suddenly appointed Sun Liquan, Marquis of Dingguo, as General of Guangzhou, ordered him to be in charge of the military in Guangzhou, and assisted Eunuch Zhang in hosting the Nanyang cruise.There was an uproar between the government and the opposition: Many people thought that the errands to Nanyang would naturally fall on the Xu family, but they didn't expect that the emperor would choose his wife-in-law in the end.

Although the Xu family didn't get this fat job, Xu Fengjia received the emperor's reward for several days in a row, and even went hunting in the suburbs of Beijing.This wave of turmoil passed without any risk.Mrs. Xu was overjoyed to receive the letter. She couldn't hide a smile on her face for several days: Whether it was the wealth of the Xu family or Xu Fengjia's achievements, they had actually reached a certain stage.The replacement during the trip to Nanyang is good news for the sixth room of the Xu family.

Seventh Lady also took the opportunity to ask Mrs. Xu for instructions, and went back to her natal house to visit the ninth brother who had just left the examination room: This year, the ninth brother Chunwei also left the exam.It is human nature for an aunt to want to go back to see her younger brother.

Although it is not good for a new daughter-in-law to go back to her mother's house often, but Qin Niangzi is usually cautious in her words and deeds, and Mrs. Tai can just say a few words, and it will be fine.Xu Fengjia specially accompanied her back to Yang's house, met the Eldest Master and Eldest Wife, and chatted with Brother Min, Brother Nine and others.After all, men and women are very defensive, so the male guests avoided going outside to talk and have tea.

After returning to Mingde Hall, Xu Fengjia didn't go out of the outer courtyard again, but locked herself in the West Third Room with Seventh Lady to talk.

"Cousin..." Now that he mentions Feng Jin, he is already used to being called cousin, but there is always a slight disapproval between his brows. "Cousin said that it is not convenient for him to talk about this matter. Anyway, it has something to do with the Northeast. It seems that at that time, that person did not go to Nanyang, but went north to North Korea... As soon as the news was delivered, the emperor Immediately, I didn't care so much about Nanyang. It saved us a lot of hands and feet."

Qin Niangzi never asked what he and Feng Jin were doing in private, but the matter of going to Nanyang was related to Xu Fengjia's business trip, so she was a little concerned.

"Northeast?" She raised her voice. "Can……"

Xu Fengjia's complexion gradually darkened.

"Many things are much more convenient to do with a name than without a name." There was also a bit of meaning in his words. "I have also received a little wind of this matter... Since your cousin also said the same thing, it seems that it is indeed so good."

He paused for a moment, and didn't talk about it any further, but started another topic. "But you chose the Yang family as the place to meet today, and your intentions are very negotiable?"

Qin Niangzi's face was reddish, and she didn't hide it from Xu Fengjia. "Because of the past, my cousin has never been close to Shanjiu, and my father has wanted to step down for a long time... This is all a matter of convenience, just paving the way-how is my cousin talking with his father and Shanjiu today?" Sample?"

Xu Fengjia shrugged, with a half-smile on his face.

"Fourth uncle is a deep person, of course he has a cheerful face. Shanjiu should be more reserved, but he is also polite to him."

When it comes to Feng Jin, he always looks like this, as if he has some unspoken opinions on this person.Seventh Lady couldn't help frowning, and gave Xu Fengjia a white look.

"What did I do?" Mr. Xu still felt that he had been wronged, and he frowned and yelled confidently, "I didn't say a single inappropriate thing."

It's also because Feng Jin's promotion is not upright, and it's only natural that the scholar-bureaucrat class resisted him.Qin Niangzi sighed, and said calmly, "After all, my cousin is dedicated to helping us. It's not like you don't have nothing to borrow from him. Wouldn't it be good to show more respect?"

These words did not circle around at all, and directly cut to the core of the problem.Xu Fengjia couldn't help being stunned for a moment, and then nodded readily.

"You're right. Employing people while guarding against them is not what a gentleman does."

In terms of accepting advice, he is actually much more open-minded than Qin Niangzi imagined, and he doesn't seem to care about being preached by a woman, but whenever Qin Niangzi makes sense, he always accepts it.

Qin Niangzi just glanced at him, and before she could put a sweet smile on her lips, she heard Xu Fengjia continue.

"It's just that I don't like Feng Zixiu, and it's not because he's not in the right position... He's willing to help our sixth room, and it's not for my sake. You want me to have a good time with him, but I can't gone."

The relationship between him and Feng Jin is indeed too delicate.Just not to mention that Feng Jin once intended to marry Seventh Lady, there was also a dead Fifth Lady here.

But no matter what, the Feng family is indeed her most reliable backer in this world...

Qin Niangzi couldn't help sighing irritably, and reminded herself again: the foundation of everything is being able to stand up.

She didn't go any further on the subject, but turned the subject away.

"In short, it's a good thing not to go to Nanyang." She raised her chin thoughtfully, "Let's not get too involved in the Northeast matter... After all, today is different from the past. Of course I understand."

The Xu family and the prince used to share adversity. When we were in adversity together, the distinction between monarch and minister was not clear in many matters, and the prince would not have too many secrets from the Xu family. But now that his status has changed, he was protected and supported by the Xu family in the past. The prince has become a high-ranking king.Of course, the Xu family's angle of thinking must also change accordingly, and if they insert their hands too deeply, they will inevitably be taboo.

Of course, Qin Niangzi is a bride, and she is not qualified to say anything more in terms of the Xu family's political stance. She just mentioned a word, and then jumped to the big issue in front of her. "I'm going to take over the account at the end of April. Before that, I want to go to the palace and ask the concubine to talk. What do you think of Shengluan?"

Xu Fengjia glanced at Qin Niangzi, and he smiled.

(End of this chapter)