Peasant Girl Bookseller

Chapter 330 Grace
When the Tong family came to propose marriage, Mai Xiang had already returned to the city, because the Mid-Autumn Festival was coming, and the Wan family sent someone to pick up Mai Xiang's mother and daughter to go back to celebrate the festival. In addition, Mai Xiang's Sanwei Bookstore was going to hold a plaque-hanging ceremony. The date was also calculated, and it was set on August [-]th.

Mai Xiang sent people to make three plaques, and sent one to Nanjing. The remaining two are for the bookstore in Liulichang, and the other is for the publishing house in the western suburbs.

On the morning of August [-]th, Mai Xiang invited several shareholders, together with all the colleagues from the publishing house, the printing house, and the newspaper office, gathered at the gate of the Sanwei Bookstore, as well as the children from the Yangshengtang and The students of the academy, as well as the nearby residents who watched the excitement, were crowded with people.

"Mai Xiang, that's good, that's good. I really didn't expect you to build up this academy and health care hall. Just looking at these children, you can tell that they are doing well." Ji Xiaolan looked at the bright smiles on the children's faces and said sincerely. exaggerated.

"This is not due to me alone. I just came up with an idea, and the money was paid by the big guys."

This Yangsheng Hall and Academy are both next to the publishing house, and there is a monument of merit and virtue when you enter the door. Friends around Mai Xiang have donated some money, and they have collected more than 3000 taels in total. Mai Xiang used this money to buy I bought a shop and more than 200 acres of land, and I will use these rents to maintain the operation of the Yangsheng Hall and Academy in the future. In this way, the Yangsheng Hall and Academy can last for a long time.

"Don't underestimate an idea. Sometimes a seemingly inadvertent kindness can often lead to great things. Isn't this the best example." Yong En laughed aside.

He is really proud of Mai Xiang. It is rare for a teenage girl to earn a lot of money. What is even more rare is that she can think of using the money in her hands to give back to the society and help those homeless people. It is difficult for such a strange woman not to be admired.

"I agree with this. My girl has too many kind thoughts, and one of her kind thoughts has changed my life. This would have been a few years ago. I would never have thought that my "Story of the Stone" would not only be published I can still be popular all over the country. I thought my whole life would be like this." Cao Xueqin's eyes were red.

"Godfather is wrong. If there is no "Story of the Stone" by godfather, I may not think of opening a bookstore. I, a peasant girl who has never studied seriously, can open such a large bookstore and publish books in the capital. The bookstore also benefited from the great help of the godfather and everyone. Therefore, we don’t need to say anything to be polite. This bookstore belongs to all of us. Our friendship has been passed down. Come, let's hang up this plaque together." Mai Xiang said.

As soon as Mai Xiang's words fell, there was a burst of applause. Only then did Mai Xiang realize that the person who took the lead in applauding was actually Qianlong, who was visiting privately in a micro-service, and Mai Xiang was a little surprised.Can a small publishing house hang a plaque to alarm his old man?
Mai Xiang was not the only one who was surprised. Yong En, Hong Rong, and Ji Xiaolan were also shocked. No one expected that the old man would come. Just as he was about to go over to say hello, Qianlong walked over by himself.

Naturally, Mai Xiang didn't know that it wasn't the publishing house that alarmed Qianlong, but the 5 taels of silver that Mai Xiang donated. When Ci left, he took away not only grain and grass, but also several carts of grain seeds. Only then did Qianlong know that Mai Xiang really wanted to do something practical.

At this meeting, Qianlong also remembered that Mai Xiang also opened a health care hall and academy, knowing that today is the day when Mai Xiang's bookstore hangs plaques, so he came here to take a look, but unexpectedly, he saw Mai Xiang on the other side.

Mai Xiang in front of her was confident, her radiant eyes attracted the attention of almost everyone present, it was hard to imagine that she was just a teenage girl.

"I heard that there is a restaurant in your family that has a good business and good taste. I wonder if I have the honor to try it today?" Qianlong looked at Mai Xiang and smiled.

"I can't ask for it. It seems that I heard my husband say that we should have a meal with the master." Mai Xiang also wisely did not mention the identity of the other party.

"Since that's the case, please return to the city now, master." Yongen was worried about Qianlong's safety.

Cao Xueqin saw that Yongen and the others were so respectful to Qianlong, so he somewhat guessed the other party's identity. He was not suitable to attend such an occasion.

"Everyone, Mr. Cao has something else to do. Let's meet again another day, and Mr. Cao will be the host next time." Cao Xueqin said with her fists clasped.

With Lord Qianlong around, it is naturally not easy for Yongen and the others to keep him.

However, Qianlong heard that the other party's surname was Cao, and heard that Mai Xiang called him godfather. Knowing that this was the descendant of the Cao family who wrote "The Story of the Stone", he took a few glances at Cao Xueqin.

"Since we are Miss Mai Xiang's godfather, let's stay together." Qianlong said.

Because he suddenly remembered that there was once a woman surnamed Cao by his side, who was both talented and beautiful, gentle and docile.Unfortunately, at that time, because of the Hongxi incident, it was found out that she was the Cao family pretending to be Li Xu's family. Fearing that it would hurt the family, and to prove her innocence, she hanged herself to death.

After many years, when Qianlong thought of that woman who was as transparent as water, he still felt a little heartache and regret. He didn't mean to put her to death.

Hearing what Qianlong said, Cao Xueqin confirmed the identity of the other party. He didn't want to go, but the king's order was inevitable.

Half an hour later, Qianlong, Yong En, Hong Rong, Ji Xiaolan, Cao Xueqin, and Mai Xiang sat in the private room of Fu Yunlai.

Qianlong played with the teacup in his hand, looked at the layout of the room and the ornaments on the shelf, secretly surprised, the cups and plates in this room are all delicate and elegant, this woman really came from the countryside?
"Miss Mai Xiang, who did you study under?" Qianlong's curiosity was aroused again.

"Back to the master, the little girl studied under my godfather, Mr. Cao, and Mr. Ji is also my master."

"No, if you say that I am Huai Ci's master, I still recognize it. If you want to say that I am Miss Mai Xiang's master, I don't dare to be Ji. I think back then, Ji still learned some economics from the girl." Ji Xiaolan waved her hands. .

"Oh, there's another thing? Our dignified talented man Ji actually asked a rural woman for advice on economics." Qianlong raised his eyebrows and asked, as if he was questioning Ji Xiaolan.

"Master, this Sanwei Bookstore is an example. My younger sister is a genius. She knew how to manage it since she was a child. We all borrowed money from my younger sister." Yong En added.

"The way of doing business?" Qianlong thought of the 5 taels of silver donated by Mai Xiang. Being able to donate 5 taels of silver so easily, the ability to make money is indeed beyond doubt.

"My lord, the little girl is playing the wrong way. She doesn't know the real way of business. It's just that her luck is better than others." Mai Xiang is telling the truth, her luck came from time travel.

"Luck? Zhen, I heard that your luck has always been so good that you are enviable. I think, for you, it can't be explained by luck alone. I'm afraid it should be explained more by smartness?"

After Qianlong finished speaking, he glanced at the people present. Prince Baylor, a member of the court, and a world-renowned talent, this little girl's ability is not ordinary.

Thinking of this, Qianlong said: "Seeing that you have shared my worries several times, I will give you two options this time. First, after Wan Huaici, you will be promoted to a higher level, granted the Ili Prefecture Tong, and assist Ili in farming. The condition is that you stay with him for five years. If you have made outstanding achievements after five years, you will be promoted to three ranks after returning to Beijing, and you will be awarded Zhili prefecture; editing."

"Sister, you should be more careful." Yong En became anxious, he knew what Mai Xiang wanted to choose when he saw Mai Xiang's expression, but in front of Qianlong, he couldn't directly say that Mai Xiang was not allowed to go to Yili, Isn't this against the emperor?

"Thank you brother-in-law. I choose to go to Yili." Mai Xiang said.

"Why?" Several people asked at the same time.

"With Mr. Ji in the Imperial Academy, he will definitely do a good job. Mr. Ji's knowledge and talent are beyond the reach of my husband in his lifetime. Rather than being a supporting green leaf by Mr. Ji's side, it is better to be in Yili After years of hard work, watching the wasteland turn into fertile land, watching the flocks of cattle and sheep, and seeing the life of the people really flourishing, I think it should be more fulfilling." After Mai Xiang finished speaking, some Longing for.

"It's more fulfilling to have a good one. Unfortunately, if you are a man, I will definitely entrust you with a heavy responsibility." Qianlong laughed.

After hearing this, Yong En knew that the emperor had approved Mai Xiang's decision, and he didn't know what it was like, thinking that Mai Xiang was about to leave the capital to go to that distant and strange place, what should he do if he was not acclimatized?What should I do if I am sick?What should I do if I meet a robber?Too many uncertain factors made Yong En feel uneasy.

Just as Yong En was about to intercede, Mai Xiang stopped him.

"What else do you want?" Qianlong looked at Mai Xiang and asked.

Mai Xiang glanced at Cao Xueqin, and wanted to ask for a favor for the Cao family, but she didn't dare to ask, so she shook her head and said, "Master, there is no other request."

Who is Qianlong?

He turned to Cao Xueqin and asked, "Who are you, Cao Yin?"

Cao Xueqin had no choice but to kneel down and said, "Go back to the emperor, it's my grandfather."

"Who are the descendants of Cao Yin?"

"My uncle Cao Fu has become a monk, and everyone else is gone."

"What was your original intention for writing "A Dream of Red Mansions"?"

"Record the changes of the family, find some memories of the past, nothing else."

Qianlong pondered for a moment and asked, "Do you have any fame?"

"I'm ashamed, I was selected as a scholar in the early years, but now that I'm old, I have long looked down on these things. I just want to write my own books and draw my own paintings in peace, and that's enough."

Qianlong heard Cao Xueqin's hint, looked at Cao Xueqin's gray hair again, and said, "I plan to let Sanwei Bookstore publish all your grandfather's manuscripts and compile them into volumes in a few days."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness." Cao Xueqin understood that this was Qianlong's resignation and rehabilitated the Cao family.

Mai Xiang's tears also came out, she didn't expect that she could do it.

(End of this chapter)