The next day, Cao Mingzhu sent someone to pick up Su Liu at the inn. Cao Kui wanted to make friends with Song Xiao, so he naturally would not miss this great opportunity. He arranged a banquet and invited several people to Cao's mansion.
There was a martial arts contest in the Cao Mansion to recruit a bride, but the arena suddenly collapsed, which caused a lot of rumors. It was said that the head of the Cao family went to the Holy Lotus Mountain overnight to find the Master of Nothingness and asked for a fortune. It was said that it was not suitable for young ladies of the Cao family to get married during the year, otherwise they would die or be injured.
Therefore, the arena was cancelled. In order to express his apology, the Cao Mansion set up a flowing banquet for three days, so that anyone who had the ability could come and have a banquet. This was how the matter was revealed.
However, Cao Kui did not give up. He actually followed Su Liu's words and suddenly stopped all expenditures for the clan. It was said that the clan schools that were undergoing repairs stopped paying money.
Cao Kui's actions naturally aroused dissatisfaction among the clan. The clan leader personally brought people to ask for an explanation. His words were sharp and accusatory. However, Cao Kui changed his usual meekness and had a tough attitude. He said, "You eat what I have, wear what I have, and use me."
He wanted to sell my daughter for glory. Why should I do such a thankless thing and block him back?
One sentence made the clan leader and others angry, saying that he had betrayed his ancestors and forgotten his ancestors, and wanted to expel him from the clan. However, Cao Kui said: "That's fine, I, Cao Kui, can still hear the thud after I earn money and throw it into the water."
A sound is better than feeding you white-eyed wolves."
The tricks he used in the past were suddenly gone. The Cao clan chief carried out the county prince. However, Cao Kui calmly carried out Song Xiao and said harshly that he would cooperate with Song Xiao and others in future business.
Cao Kui had a bigger backer and strong financial resources, so he withdrew his tribute to the clan. The clan suddenly became embarrassed and had to give in humbly.
Cao Kui didn't take matters into his own hands. He didn't allow the family to discuss the matter of having a step-heir until later. Those who had made up their minds in the family had to temporarily put down their flags.
"Luckily I have you, otherwise I might be paired with a bad old man now." Cao Mingzhu said to Su Liu as if he was surviving a disaster.
Without her worries, her whole person looked brighter, like a peony in full bloom. The beauty's smile truly captivated the country.
Su Liu held her chin up and said, "Sister Cao, you are so beautiful."
Cao Mingzhu saw that her answer was wrong, her pretty face turned red, she clicked her tongue angrily, and said, "How did you learn to be so talkative at such a young age?"
Su Liu chuckled, twirled a piece of hibiscus cake and said, "My fair lady, a gentleman likes to be jealous, but everyone has the love for beauty, and I am just a common person."
Cao Mingzhu pinched her handkerchief and smiled, saying, "Do all the people in the village talk like you?"
"That's not true. I am extremely polite. People in the village, uh, might as well not say anything, so as not to taint the beauty's ears." Su Liu thought of the non-vegetarian things that women usually said and said with a chuckle:
"However, the language in the village is a bit rude, but it is also very interesting. Children are running wildly all over the ground, crops are on the ground, and the countryside has a different flavor."
"I have been living in a deep house since I was a child. Although there is Zhuangzi at home, I rarely go there. One day, I really should go to your place and have a look." Cao Mingzhu was extremely curious about the pastoral life she mentioned.
"Then you have to tell me in advance, otherwise my doghouse won't be able to welcome this beauty like you." Su Liu said slyly.
Cao Mingzhu pinched her face and said: "If you can come here to settle down, then we can meet often. I am usually here, and few people are willing to talk to me. Otherwise, they look down on me as a businessman.
I am jealous of my daughter’s identity.”
There was some disappointment in her words. Su Liu could naturally understand that Cao Mingzhu was so beautiful. Some people would only be jealous of her beauty. How could they treat her sincerely?
"You don't need to have many close friends, one is enough." Su Liu smiled and raised his tea cup.
Cao Mingzhu smiled in relief.
After talking for a while, Cao Kui sent someone over, saying he wanted to invite the two of them to come and have dinner together.
When the banquet started, Cao Kui kept expressing his gratitude and said that if he asked for anything in the future, he would not hesitate to ask for help. Su Liu was not polite and told him that he wanted to buy donkey skin.
"Liu Yatou actually knows how to make donkey-hide gelatin?" Cao Kui couldn't help being surprised when he heard what she wanted the donkey skin for.
Su Liu nodded with a smile and said: "I got the recipe by chance, but donkey skin is hard to find."
Cao Kui nodded and said: "Donkey skins are indeed rare. I heard that Renjitang has been buying donkey skins everywhere. Don't worry, water transportation has always traveled all over the country. I will order people to buy them in various places and send them to you.
That’s it.”
Su Liu was overjoyed when she heard this, and quickly stood up and gave her a blessing. If there was a supply of donkey skins, she would be able to prescribe a donkey-hide gelatin prescription, and then she would be able to create her own brand of donkey-hide gelatin.
While he was talking, a boy from outside rushed in in a panic.
"Your distinguished guest is here, how can you be so hurried and behaved without any rules?" Cao Kui's face darkened. He scolded him first, then stood up and clasped his fists at Song Xiao, saying: "This servant doesn't understand the rules.
I hope Fifth Young Master will not take offense."
"Master Cao, you're welcome."
"Sir, please forgive me. Yes, there is a Mr. Song from outside." The young man knelt on the ground, glanced at Song Xiao, and said, "He said he came to look for the fifth Mr. Song."
Mr. Song?
Cao Kui was stunned and looked at Song Xiao.
When Song Xiao heard this, he stood up and asked anxiously: "But a man who smiles like a fox?"
Su Liu chuckled after hearing this. Song Xiao glared at her. Cao Mingzhu was a little confused and tugged on her sleeve. Su Liu then whispered a few words in her ear.
"This..." The boy didn't know how to answer, so he could only say: "The young master said he was the third brother of the young master."
Song Xiao hissed and said to Cao Kui: "Yes, it is really my third brother. I have to go."
Cao Kui made a sound, and then he was overjoyed and said hurriedly: "Hurry up and welcome him in. No, I will go and welcome you in person."
The visitor was none other than Song Fei. When Cao Kui arrived at the second gate, he saw a young master wearing a navy embroidered asparagus robe and a white jade crown walking leisurely. His eyes lit up at first, and then he quickly stepped forward.
He raised his hand and asked, "May I ask who is the prefect's third son?"
"Master Cao, Song Fei came to visit rashly, I'm sorry for disturbing you." Song Fei returned the greeting with his hand, and out of the corner of his eyes he saw Song Xiao's figure secretly hiding in the corridor. The corner of his mouth was slightly raised, and he called softly: "Song Xiao."
Song Xiao stiffened and wanted to pretend not to hear, but Song Fei only said three words, "Old Lady," and he came out obediently.
"Third brother." Song Xiao looked downcast, but Wu Gang, who was following him, saluted Song Fei.
"Brother, I'm sorry to bother you. I'm here to take him back." Song Fei said to Cao Kui with a smile.
"Don't disturb me, don't disturb me. The Fifth Young Master and I hit it off right away. We are having dinner now. If the Third Young Master doesn't mind, can you please give me a treat?" Cao Kui said quickly, "I was talking to the Fifth Young Master about the operation of water transportation."
Song Fei's eyes flashed, and he glanced at Song Xiao with a half-smile. Song Xiao said, "Third brother, Xiaocai Fan and the others are here too."
Song Fei thought for a moment, then saluted again and said, "In this case, Song Fei will be rude and make trouble."
How could Cao Kui dare to accept his courtesy? He quickly avoided it and said to the servant girl on the side: "Go and sit on a high-class table again." Then he said to Song Fei: "Third Young Master, please."
When they arrived at the courtyard where guests were being entertained, Su Liu, Cao Mingzhu and others were already waiting there. Su Liu smiled and stepped forward with a blessing: "Brother Song, I didn't expect to see you here."
"I came to the county for business a while ago, and then went to Fucheng. I just came back today. I heard that Song Xiao was here, so I came over to arrest him." Song Fei explained with a smile.
Of course, we don’t know whether the arrest was real or fake.
Song Fei's eyes fell on Cao Mingzhu behind Su Liu. Cao Kui pulled over his daughter: "This is the little girl Mingzhu."
Cao Mingzhu walked out without daring to raise her head. She lowered her head and saluted Song Fei: "Mingzhu has met the third young master." Her gestures and gestures were all that of a lady, and Su Liu was speechless. This is the real one.
As for the lady, she is nothing like herself, she is just a fake.
"Miss Cao." Song Fei smiled and cupped her hands.
His voice was like a spring breeze on the face. Cao Mingzhu couldn't help but raise her head and met a pair of smiling eyes, which were like a warm spring. It was so warm that people wanted to drown in it.
The man in front of her was gentle and elegant, with a light smile and an air of a noble man. Cao Mingzhu was a little lost in thought.
Seeing Cao Mingzhu, Song Fei was also stunned. He had long heard that the Cao family had a thousand gold coins, which was like the rebirth of Luo Shen. She was also the most beautiful woman in Changping County. She also heard that her literary talent was extraordinary. Now that she saw it, the rumors were true.
She is a stunning beauty.
He smiled again, and Cao Mingzhu immediately lowered his head in panic, his face flushed, his heart pounding like a deer, and he started jumping wildly.
Su Liu saw this, blinked, pursed his lips and smiled softly.
Men and women had different banquets when they were seven years old. When Song Fei came, it seemed to be a lot of inconvenience. Su Liu also knew that Song Fei and the others were interested in shipping water and would not participate in their men's banquets, so they opened another table in her yard with Cao Mingzhu.
Cao Mingzhu was obviously a little distracted, so Su Liu smiled and said: "I heard that Brother Song is not married yet."
When Cao Mingzhu heard this, she felt happy and her face was a little hot, but she still blushed and said, "You also know this."
"Yes, Song Xiao said it."
Cao Mingzhu suppressed her joy, but when she thought of Song Fei's identity, the shy smile on her face faded, and she said: "With a character and family background like the Third Young Master Song, I think someone from a famous family will be a good match for him in the future."
Su Liu was biting a lion's head. When he heard this, he looked over and saw a bitter look on her face, saying, "I don't know, it just depends on how the marriage is arranged."
She might be able to help Cao Kui connect the Song Fei brothers, but she really didn't dare to get involved in this marriage casually. After all, there are too many scruples in this era, and marriages must be about well-matched families, which is everywhere.
Isn’t it that she looks down on businessmen, scholars, farmers, industry and merchants, and businessmen wait at the bottom? After Song Fei becomes an official and a gentry, will the family let her marry the daughter of a businessman?
The portal is the most important thing in an official's family.
Cao Mingzhu knew that she couldn't reach such a high level, so she laughed at herself and said, "If you don't talk about this, are you really going to leave tomorrow?"
Su Liu nodded. He also had things to do at home. Now that the donkey skin matters have been settled, there is no need to stay too much. After all, there are a lot of things to do!
