Chapter 560: Pride and Prejudice, Cheating and Deception
Jiangning, September.
The weather has begun to turn cooler. In the morning, there are many pedestrians on the road along the Qinhuai River. However, because many brothels and houses on both sides of the river are still in a quiet state, for people who are accustomed to the nearby ecology, the scenery in front of them seems strange.
A bit desolate.
Zhou Junwu sat in a restaurant room across the road, met Pu Yangyi who came to see him, and then talked about business matters.
In the autumn of Jinghan's twelfth year, Zhou Junwu was already sixteen years old. As the young prince of Prince Kang's palace, he is now one of the most high-profile young people in Jiangning City. This attention is partly due to his
Secondly, because of his handsome appearance and temperament, which are completely different from those of his peers. After these two points, there are a series of weird and peculiar things that are often discussed by people.
As the heir to Prince Kang's palace, although being a royal family prevents him from getting involved in politics, if he is determined to do it, there are still many things he can participate in. Especially when they are young, most of the royal family with some wisdom and cultivation will still be arty.
For example, reciting poems and composing poems, entertaining literati to gain a good reputation, etc., this is the best direction for this era.
Of course, there are still many crooked people in the royal family. If they are overbearing and domineering, and go to the streets to bully the people, everyone may not be surprised. After all, my father Zhou Yong was once very keen on these things. But the contradiction is that this little boy
The prince is handsome and frail, and he is well-educated in his dealings with others. He is gentle and gentle, but when it comes to work, he only likes craftsmanship, which is really strange.
He collected a large number of craftsmen from scratch, and spent the whole day studying various ingenious skills. If he heard that there was a craftsman in a certain place who knew some special skills, he would go to great lengths to invite them, even himself
, all like to do carpentry work, manual work and the like with their own hands. They also recruit dandies among many "second generations" in Jiangning to form a "Gewu Party".
A promising young prince likes something so unethical, not to mention "gentlemen are in groups but not party members". The literati felt it was a pity and tried to persuade him many times. King Kang Zhou Yong himself was an indifferent prince, but others
He liked to hear that his son was promising, so he asked these scholars to persuade Zhou Junwu in person. There was a quarrel for a long time. The gentle young prince got mad and chased several scholars all over the street with a mop of a chair. The matter finally calmed down.
.
As Ning Yi said, when people think he is a good person, they want to "change" or "correct" him or her. But when the other person really shows his ferocious face, no one feels "pity" anymore.
Just hide.
In fact, whether it caused a topic or the literati wanted to change Jun Wu, the reason was naturally not that simple. If we pursue it further, it is also because the young prince relied on the power of the palace to support him at the age of fifteen or sixteen.
He set up a big stall: purchased all kinds of materials, hundreds of craftsmen, and hundreds of workers worked under him, and spent money like water. To make all of this work, even if you have a royal background, it is impossible to just freeload. First of all
Or because the young prince himself is not an incompetent person.
A sixteen-year-old young prince, even if he relies on some help or staff, no matter what he does, can have such a scale and operational momentum, when he grows up and inherits the throne, he will definitely become the most important person in Jiangning City.
The strength, relatively speaking, is definitely much greater than that of a prince who goes out on the streets with a pumpkin and sledgehammer to smash people's heads all day long.
Many people came close to him and fawned over him, but the young prince himself was still rational and very cautious in choosing collaborators around him. He also never wanted to gather too many interest groups around him and step on the bottom line of "the clan does not interfere in politics".
——Although the existence of the clan itself is its influence on politics, there is always a limit.
After meeting, the young man with his hair tied up and his face still looking delicate and childish talked about business with Puyang Yi. Although he must still have a childish side in some aspects, he has a noble status and his movements are intentionally or unintentionally imitating a certain teacher.
The young man already had the aura of a little prince. After chatting, the two opened the window and looked down. Zhou Junwu had his hands behind his back.
"Brother Puyang had some friendship with my master when he was still in Jiangning. Jun Wu is going to Beijing recently. Does Brother Puyang have anything to say that you want Jun Wu to bring to you?"
"The young prince is interested. The Puyang family, Zhuji, and the Su family now have business relationships. There is no need to taint the young prince's ears about the copper odor. It's just that when Liheng was in Jiangning, he was known as the number one talent in Jiangning.
I recently found a few paintings and calligraphy, which I can take a look at, so I would like to ask the young prince to give them to Li Heng, and they are well worth the money."
"Haha, Jun Wu will definitely bring Brother Puyang's wishes to you."
The relationship between the two has lasted for a long time, and Pu Yangyi has long understood that the young prince in front of him respects the "master" who has now gone to the capital, so much so that he even deliberately imitates his words and actions. He and Zhu Ji,
Nowadays, the Su family also has business dealings. At this time, it is better to curry favor with Ning Yi and give Zhou Junwu some favor. However, as the heir of the Puyang family, his words are neither humble nor arrogant.
While the two of them were standing in front of the window talking, something happened below. Suddenly, they came into view. It was the back door of a brothel below. Overnight guests were coming out. The face of one of them appeared in their sight.
It shook a bit.
Zhou Junwu put his hands behind his back, paused for a moment in his chatty words, and then continued as usual. However, what kind of person is Pu Yangyi? When the figure below appeared, he had already identified the person's identity. And beside him,
The young prince's eyes suddenly became sharp, and his lips pursed thinly.
Although he is as fierce as a sixteen-year-old boy, when it appears on the face of a person with the status of a young prince, many people will usually die. But fortunately after this scene, Zhou Junwu continued to chat, pretending that nothing happened
It happened. Puyang Yibian also pretended not to see it and took up the topic.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! The person who just appeared at the back door of the brothel was none other than the young prince's brother-in-law, Junma Qu Zonghui, who was married to Zhou Pei.
Pu Yangyi had heard more or less about this couple, but at the moment, he didn't dare to say anything. After a while, the two parties said goodbye to each other and left the restaurant and went their separate ways. Zhou Junwu asked the people around him
After a while, he took a carriage and went to an imperial warehouse outside the city. Late autumn has arrived, and winter is coming. Many supplies and food are being hoarded here. Not long after entering, he also found it and was checking here.
The sister who handles warehousing matters.
In the colors of fallen leaves in late autumn, Zhou Pei, who is already a married woman, is dressed in a warm yellow dark coat, with a graceful and luxurious temperament. The sixteen-year-old boy still has a childish look on his face, but his sister, who is only two years older than him, recently
In the past two years, her childishness has been shed quickly, and even he didn't understand why this change happened so quickly. Seeing Jun Wu coming over, a smile appeared on the woman's face, and she pushed away the people around her.
"Jun Wu, why did you come here to see me today? What's the matter?"
"Sister." Jun Wu called her, and then said, "It's nothing."
"Come here." Zhou Pei smiled and waved to him, "I'll take you to a higher place."
The high place Zhou Pei mentioned was the main building overlooking the surrounding area on the side of the imperial palace. The two of them walked over, followed by the maids and entourage.
"I don't know when the weather will turn cold, but several ships of food from Huainan are still on the way. There was a famine last year. There were twice as many beggars around Jiangning. They all lost their houses and land in the famine.
, beggars are not used to it... Many people will starve to death this year. But the number of them will not continue to increase, there will be fewer every year... Look at your clothes, they are all wrinkled..."
Zhou Pei said and pulled Junwu's collar. The two of them had already reached the top floor of the main building. Junwu looked at his sister who was already slightly shorter than him and hesitated for a moment.
"Sister, how are you lately?"
"I'm a little tired, but what's wrong with me?" Zhou Pei tilted his head and glanced at him jokingly, "Lack of money?"
"No. I'm going to Beijing in a few days... Does my sister have anything or anything that you want me to pass on to Master?"
"I know this. You are a member of the royal family. Remember to pay attention to your identity when you go to Beijing. Even if you are short of money, don't act like you are helping others as a lobbyist. You must remember this clearly." Zhou Pei adjusted his collar.
, "Master, I will prepare something for you to take with you...I will also write a letter for you to help carry."
Zhou Junwu stood straight and looked at his sister: "I know these things. The business is my own. I can't talk about being a lobbyist for others. I remember the rules. I will also visit Grandpa Qin and Master. They will
Give me some advice, and when I go to Beijing this time, I will also meet some young ladies from wealthy families. My father said that it’s time for me to get married."
Zhou Pei paused slightly and smiled narrowly: "Oh, when it comes to getting married, I thought you would be shy. You have also seen several girls that my family has chosen for you before, and
Yumei, I grew up with you, do I look down on you or..."
Jun Wu's face turned slightly red, and he followed his sister to the window: "No, they... and Yu Mei, it's all fine. We can marry anyone. This time, it's because I said I wanted to go to Beijing that my father let me go."
I'm going to meet people, and actually Grandpa Qin and Master will help me make up my mind."
Zhou Pei turned to look at him: "How can you get married...with anyone?"
Junwu looked at the busy activities in the various palaces downstairs and frowned: "It's the same as everyone else. Woman...Sister, after you get married, I will...I know those things, interesting is interesting,
but……"
Zhou Pei's eyes became serious: "What will the palace look like after I get married?"
"It's not too messy." Jun Wu looked at his sister as clearly as possible, "Sister, you asked me to learn how to handle those people. I went to the brothel, and after experiencing those things, I also had a relationship with Sister Luan Hong, but that's it.
...After I get married, I will take Luan Hong as my concubine."
"Did Luan Hong seduce you?"
"No, after I experienced those things, I found it interesting, and I also felt that there must be a woman by my side, otherwise I would always have to go to a brothel, which is not good."
To say this, Jun Wu's expression was somewhat reserved, but deep in his eyes, there was a calmness as if he could not tell anyone anything. Zhou Pei frowned, and for a moment he didn't know what to say.
"Before you get married, ask Luan Hong to come see me once. I will give her a beating, but don't worry, it won't be too much."
"Okay." Jun Wu nodded.
After a while, the woman seemed to be unwilling to ask again: "...Do you really think it doesn't matter?"
"I am a man and I have many things to do. Not to mention that after I get married, I can still have concubines. How can I worry too much about these things? Master has said that people's mental power is limited, and you must be able to throw away unimportant things.
Lose."
"You don't need to learn this level..." Zhou Pei said softly, "Your master... and his wife are very close."
"Yes." Jun Wu nodded, "I also envy the relationship between master and master's wife..." After he said this, he was silent for a moment, and then said: "Sister, then... between you and your brother-in-law,
Is that all?”
Zhou Pei blinked his eyes, his eyes dimmed, and then sighed: "What else did you hear?"
"I...nothing..."
"It doesn't matter..." Zhou Peidao said, "After all, I did something wrong."
"How can you say it's your fault, sister!"
"Of course it's my fault." Zhou Pei laughed, with a somewhat sarcastic smile, "Isn't what your brother-in-law did just human nature? I only have one husband, but men... have many women."
"I..." Jun Wu raised his hand, and finally smashed his fist on the window sill angrily. He didn't know what to say.
He actually knew the inside story between his sister and brother-in-law. This was the truth that Zhou Pei told him in private after the incident occurred. It turned out that Zhou Pei had talked to Qu Zonghui before the two got married.
Once, she hinted to Qu Zonghui that they could not have sex right away and would only accept her after they had some feelings for each other. At first, Qu Zonghui might have thought it was the woman's shyness, but she also felt that Zhou Pei, the little princess, was indeed a bit special.
If it’s different, agree.
After getting married, he tried his best to have gentle contact with the little princess at first, maintaining the relationship between husband and wife that seemed to be respectful to each other, and maintaining the warmth of the relationship. However, soon after, such contact gradually became colder. It may be because of Qu Zong
Hui felt that as a couple, such interactions made the man too weak, or that he himself felt tired and bored. In any case, after that, Qu Zonghui participated in poetry gatherings among literati more frequently, and several times, he stayed overnight.
In the brothel.
It was neither a quarrel nor an explosion. Zhou Peicai, who was learning to manage various things from Princess Chengguo at the time, was a little confused when she learned about the situation. She didn't know whether to protest or to send the commander to the police.
Under guard, Qu Zonghui's attitude also became cold as he bowed his head and remained silent day by day. Things simply slipped to both sides. When Zhou Pei was able to think things through, Qu Zonghui no longer knew what was going on.
How many nights did I stay in the brothel?
Even if you try to save it, you can't save it.
All she could do was to take on a lot of practical matters and not have too much contact with Qu Zonghui.
Zhou Junwu didn't know what to say about this matter. In a sense, the request made by his sister was unreasonable, but he also understood why his sister made such a request. When things developed to this point, he
Of course, one could come forward to capture Qu Zonghui, or simply kill him and throw him into the Qinhuai River, but my sister would not allow such a thing to happen.
"Sister, why don't you come with me to Beijing to meet Master." Jun Wu looked at her, not knowing why he came up with this sentence, and then added, "Master may be able to find a solution."
The royal girl who was only eighteen years old but already had some gorgeous temperament turned her head to look at him. After a while, she smiled slightly and shook her head: "I won't go, there are so many things..." She stretched out her hand to sort out the things again.
He touched his brother's collar and said, "As I said, don't lose the face of the royal family. You just gave them a chance to see you, not to be a lobbyist."
"I understand. Sister, you should also be good."
"certainly."
The sister raised her chin, and the light silhouette fell down, highlighting the girl's beauty, proud and lonely smile, maturity and youthfulness, mixed together in such a complex way...
******************
Bianliang.
It was also the beginning of September. Ning Yi was living a simple life with Tan'er, Yunzhu and others at home. He had also transferred many tasks at hand to his home. When he received the urgent message, he was working with Xiao
Chan was playing a game of backgammon under the eaves. The little woman opposite had her feet together and her chin in her hands. She was still humming softly while watching the chess game. She was very arrogant because it looked like she was about to win.
Ning Yi took a look at the content of the information and was slightly stunned. It read on the paper: August 28th...Chen Fan and Ji Qianer went to Qinkou...to kill Sikong Nan.
He read the information three times. Across from him, Xiaochan, who knew not to disturb him, looked at him with some concern, holding her face in her hands.
"Very good!"
Ning Yi slapped the information on the chessboard, which startled Xiaochan. She blinked and looked at the jumping chess pieces. Ning Yi waved his hand to the servant who came to pass on the information: "You can go down.
"After the servants left, Xiaochan stood up, frowning and feeling aggrieved: "Ms. sir, you are cheating, I obviously want to win... um..."
Ning Yi, who jumped up, grabbed her face and kissed her on the mouth, leaving her speechless. In the end, even her tongue was taken away.
"Ugh...my husband, you are so mean..."
After being released, Xiaochan was still muttering softly. Ning Yi grabbed the information and waved his hand: "Don't worry about small things... Tonight we will have a barbecue to celebrate. I will go to the kitchen to find meat!"
He turned around and left, Xiaochan pursed her lips.
"Hmph... I'll go too, sir, wait for me..."
The autumn sunshine shone down from one side of the eaves, and Xiao Chan chased after her. Although she didn't understand what was going on, everyone would be happy if they could celebrate.
Similar to Jiang Ning a few years ago, when Ning Yi went out or went to do something, Xiao Chan followed him, but at this time, the two could already hold hands or hug each other. And in the belly of the original little maid
, a small life is also quietly gestating in the happy time...