On the first night of the first lunar month, there was gambling all over the city.
The entire capital city is decorated with lights and colorful decorations, and there are many pedestrians and busy cars. There are temporary casinos set up everywhere on both sides of the street. Everything as small as a fruit, a load of firewood, and a piece of pastry, as large as gold, silver, and pearls are used for gambling.
It depends on how much money the customer has in his bag, how courageous he is, and how much bet he is willing to place.
The sound of silk and bamboo from the dance hall and karaoke hall resounded through the sky, and the aroma of wine, coriander and vegetables in the hotel and teahouse touched the stomachs of people watching and participating in gambling on the street. There is also a kind of fragrance that cannot be replaced, and it can only be viewed from a distance, not played close up.
——Countless ladies from noble families, wearing new clothes, smartly dressing up, wearing gold and jade, surrounded by brocades, protected by strong servants and shrewd and cautious maids, strolling leisurely among the crowd, doing whatever they want, whatever they feel like.
If you are interested, you will stop wherever you are. When you are happy, you will ask people around you to enter the venue to gamble. When you are interested, you will go to the hotel and restaurant nearby to have a rest, eat and drink, and do whatever makes you feel comfortable. When you meet an acquaintance
It was just a greeting with a smile. No one laughed at the other. Instead, they complimented each other on their beautiful clothes and makeup. They were the most eye-catching scenery on this first moon night. They were looking at others, and others were also looking at them.
This is the capital. A place with strict rules and order, but with pride, prosperity and uniqueness everywhere.
At the quiet corner of Panlou Street, there is a very ordinary-looking carriage parked. The wind lamp hanging on the front of the carriage emits a warm light, illuminating the half-exposed face in the carriage window - a young man sitting alone in front of the window,
With her black hair and blue scarf, her eyebrows and eyes like ink, and her expression as gentle as jade, she looks like a painting.
"It's Lu Erlang." A luxuriously decorated carriage slowly avoided the crowds and drove towards Panlou Street. Rong Qi's grandma Zhang Shi Shan Niang saw Lu Mian waiting there from a distance.
With a smile, he gently poked Rong Qi, who was resting with his eyes closed: "Do you think Lu Erlang looks like the man in the painting?"
Rong Qi opened his eyes, looked at it seriously, and said: "It is indeed similar, but compared to me, it is still a little bit worse."
The maid on the side couldn't help but chuckle, and Rong Qi glared at her seriously: "Why are you laughing? Are you saying that your young master, I, am not as good-looking as Erlang of the Lu family?"
The maid hurriedly lowered her head and whispered: "No one can compare to Master Qi."
"Nonsense! You are telling lies with open eyes. How can I compare to our seventh grandmother?" Rong Qi turned to Zhang Shanniang with a playful smile: "Shanniang, do you think so?"
Zhang Shanniang had long been used to it, so she said calmly: "Just brag. Anyway, it doesn't cost anything if you brag to the sky."
Rong Qi frowned and said, "Let me tell you, Shan Niang, why are you not cute at all? When I say your husband is sweet, you will say sweet, and when I say smelly, you will say smelly. This is the way to be a wife."
Zhang Shanniang smiled slightly: "My husband is right."
While talking, the carriage approached the corner of the street. Rong Qi quickly stopped the carriage, jumped out of the car and went to greet Lu Mian: "Min Xing!"
Lu Yan responded, jumped out of the car, greeted Rong Qi first, then saluted Zhang Shanniang from a distance in the carriage, and said, "My wife is waiting for you two in the shop."
"Go first, we'll be there soon." Rong Qi gestured to the carriage behind him, jumped onto Lu Mian's carriage unceremoniously, looked around, smiled and patted Lu Mian on the shoulder: "You do
It will be a blessing. It doesn’t look conspicuous from the outside, but it is very comfortable inside.”
Lu Yan smiled slightly: "My wife is inconvenienced, so she must be put first."
Rong Qi chose a comfortable place to sit down and said: "You know, men, you should give in to women more in small things." Then he smiled and said: "It's rare that you take the initiative to invite me out, tell me, what's the matter?
Fun?"
Lu Yan sat up straight and said with a smile: "Without him, my wife ordered the steward in her shop to set up a small game of Guanbao for fun."
Rong Qi's originally lazy shoulders suddenly straightened up and he said, "How did you know we wanted to play this?"
Everyone has a gambling streak, let alone such a relaxing time where everyone is joyful. The Rong family has strict rules, but Rong Qi is an old man, and it is no secret that young people like to have fun. Lu Yan refused to tell him
All he said was: "Does Qilang like it too? It was just for fun, but since I like it, that's even better."
Rong Qi was very excited: "I'm always at a loss in other places, but I'm going to have a lot of fun today. Who else did you invite?"
Lu Yan smiled: "I feel ashamed to say that because I invited you, I never invited anyone randomly."
Rong Qi raised his eyebrows slightly: "You are too cautious. I am not a picky and arrogant person."
"I know, otherwise I wouldn't invite you." Lu Yan didn't say much, and just led him to the door of the shop. The five big red lanterns of "Lin Ji Bao Goods" hanging high at the door of the shop were spinning in the wind, and they were tied below.
A colorful shed was built, in which were placed some pearls, combs, toys, fans, hairpins, and silk accessories. Many people gathered around it, shouting and laughing, and the scene was very noisy.
Seeing the carriage arriving, Yao Zhuo stepped forward and carefully escorted several people into the backyard. Lin Jinrong was wrapped in a large fur cloak with a hood, and his whole body was covered tightly. Only his face was exposed, standing in front of the door with a smile.
After waiting, he met Rong Qi and Zhang Shanniang and led them into an exquisite elegant room.
Zhang Shanniang had just heard Rong Qi explain the reason, and she was a little excited to try it, so she sighed: "In the early years, I secretly played with Xing Niang and Qiong Niang, but it was not such a serious way of playing."
Lin Jinrong smiled and said: "I wanted to invite them both, but I always felt it was a bit presumptuous."
Zhang Shanniang became interested and said: "Don't be afraid. If you don't mind it, I will immediately send someone to call them. Qiong Niang has been in a bad mood recently, so I just want to resolve it with her."
"It's fun when there are many people." Rong Qi was an acquaintance, and he was not afraid that Lu Yan and Lin Jinrong would think he was nosy. He said to Lu Yan bluntly: "Min Xing, you are usually too serious and upright. This kind of opportunity is the right time to find ways to make more friends."
Personally, in the future, whether you stay in Beijing or let go, it will only be good for you. Let’s not talk about your official career, just talk about the second sister-in-law’s shop, the business may be better."
Since he took the initiative to mention it, this was a good opportunity. Lu Yan took the opportunity to say: "To be honest, Qi Lang, I invited the Xian couple here today, which is really a little selfish."
Rong Qi and Zhang Shanniang looked at each other quietly. Zhang Shanniang stopped going to invite Xu Xingniang and Zhao Qiongniang's people, and signaled those around her to step back. Rong Qifang said: "Tell the truth to you two, if I can help
I don't need to say much if I'm busy, but if I can't do it, I'd like to ask your forgiveness." He is an old man, and he owes it to his ancestors' kindness and relies on the influence of his father and brother. This is to be honest.
He was direct, and Lu Yan was also straightforward, and told what happened in the shop, saying: "I am not someone who easily wants to cause trouble to others, but in the long run, I am afraid that trouble will continue. One day I will always ask for help from others, so it is better to make plans in advance.
.If the virtuous couple can take advantage of the situation, that would be great. If not, please help build a bridge." After thinking about it, he added: "Originally, we are not short of money, and we don't want to open this shop for fear of trouble. It's just that.
She has a small wish and cannot leave this shop."
Rong Qi is not someone who doesn't know anything. He understood it as soon as he heard about it: "Yes, you have no roots in this capital. If it's an ordinary business, it's fine. The treasure business is attracting people's attention. Recently, business
The better it is, the more eye-catching it will be. Although under the emperor's feet, you won't dare to buy or sell by force, but being targeted by others and causing trouble every three days is quite troublesome. Don't worry, this matter is taken care of by me.
!”
Lu Yan and Lin Jinrong were very surprised by how generous he was. Just as they were about to express their thanks, Zhang Shanniang smiled slightly, took over the words, and said softly: "It's not murder and arson, violating discipline and law, but it's just a little effort, so naturally I can help everyone."
Help. But just, can I listen to Rong Niang talk about your wish?"
The implication is that it is possible to do something with a little effort. Zhang Shanniang is much smarter than Rong Qi and can't deal with it easily, but Lin Jinrong does not intend to deal with her. He said frankly: "My wish is just to open a charity village and try my best to let people around me
It’s just that the poor girls I saw can have a home.”
Zhang Shanniang showed a little surprise on her face, but she quickly covered it up and smiled softly: "Rong Niang, this is a great idea, but please forgive me for being rude, there are so many poor girls in the world, you alone can do it."
How much can you control with your strength!"
Lin Jinrong said quietly: "What I ask for is not the amount, but peace of mind." She guessed that Zhang Shanniang would probably regard her as someone seeking fame and reputation, but she had no intention of explaining it. Just because of this kind of thing, anyone who believed it would believe it.
, those who don’t believe it can’t explain it clearly.
Zhang Shanniang pondered for a moment and said: "Everyone has their own ambitions, so how can we think about it? So what do you want us to do?"
Rong Qi came over and said, "What should I do? Anyway, someone comes to find trouble. Just let them find me."
Zhang Shanniang raised her eyebrows, and her laughter sounded as clear as a silver bell: "Qi Lang, Qi Lang, you are really trying to force your men to do something powerful. I think you and Mr. Lu should go outside to play. Isn't that right?"
Mom's shop is our women's business, so it would be better for me to talk to her."
Lin Jinrong admired Zhang Shanniang so much that he made it clear in just one sentence that he would not do anything illegal or disciplinary, nor would he serve as a shield for them unprincipled, let alone that Rong Qi's generosity and loyalty should not be easily exploited by others.
Then she wiped away the affection and loyalty of the men, and the rest was the woman's business. If the negotiation didn't go well, and she rejected her, Lu Yan and Rong Qi wouldn't be able to say anything. At the moment, Zhang Shanniang followed
He gave Lu Yan a wink, and Lu Yan persuaded Rong Qi to go out: "Let's go and play outside."
After the two of them left, Lin Jinrong smiled and said: "What I do here is a legitimate business. I just use the name of my family to control it, and I won't cause too many troubles." Looking at Zhang Shanniang's expression, she tactfully said:
She was willing to help, so he told her about sharing a share of the bonus, and also emphasized that if something big happened unfortunately, it would be a different matter, and the couple would not suffer at all.
Zhang Shanniang looked uncertain and muttered to herself.
——*——*——*——
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