In mid-December, Guo Song finally arrived in Chang'an. Although there was only half a month left before the New Year, the city of Chang'an was still shrouded in gloom and mist. The impact of the emperor's death caused a depression in Chang'an's business.
There are not many people on the street. Through the walls of the square on both sides, you can see the white flags flying in the wind inside the square.
The carriage passed by the East Market, and the front gate of the East Market was also very deserted. The bustling traffic of the past was gone. There were only a few children playing shuttlecock in the snow. Occasionally, a few businessmen would come out of the East Market in a hurry, with solemn expressions.
But the most affected one was Pingkangfang. The brothels and brothels in Pingkangfang were basically closed. The new emperor ordered all prostitutes in Chang'an to close for a month as a sign of mourning. However, there were many groups of brothels.
The scholars were wandering around Pingkangfang, and Guo Song suddenly realized that the imperial examination was in a few months.
The carriage slowly drove into Xuanyangfang. Contrary to the deserted Dongshi and Pingkangfang, Xuanyangfang was very lively. Xuanyangfang was mainly dominated by restaurants and inns, which were not prohibited. In addition, a large number of scholars came from all over the country.
Rushing to take the exam, the inns in Xuanyangfang were full, and the business of every restaurant was good.
The carriage finally stopped in front of Xue's house, and Mrs. Han ran out after hearing the news. As soon as Xue Tao got out of the carriage, Mrs. Han hurriedly hugged her daughter, and the mother and daughter hugged each other and cried.
Xue Xun laughed at the side and said: "Let your daughter come in quickly! It's so cold outside, you can cry when you go in."
Mrs. Han embarrassedly wiped away her tears, stepped forward and bowed deeply to Guo Song, "It was my fault in the past. I always misunderstood the young master. Only after going through hardships did I understand the true love of the young master. I apologize to the young master!"
Guo Song waved his hands quickly, "Aunt, don't be like this. I'm happy to see Uncle Shi and aunt back safely. You guys come in quickly! It's windy outside."
Mrs. Han took her daughter into the house, and when she reached the door, Xue Tao winked at Guo Song, hinting that it was time for him to formally propose marriage to his father.
Guo Song smiled and nodded. At this time, Xue Xun stepped forward and said with a smile: "Thanks to my nephew this time, Cui Ning used tens of thousands of troops but failed to achieve his wish. We are all worried to the extreme."
"Uncle Shi, there is no need to say any words of thanks. I don't want Tao'er to fall into Cui Ning's hands."
Xue Xun nodded. It would be superfluous to say any words of thanks now. He pondered for a moment and said: "I happen to be at home these two days. My nephew, please arrange for the elders to propose marriage!"
"My nephew will invite Mr. Guo to visit us in the next two days!"
Xue Xun smiled and waved his hand, "You don't have to ask Mr. Guo to come to the door in person. I can't afford it. His nephew can do it, and his seniority is right!"
"I know, my nephew will say goodbye first."
"Why don't you go in and sit down? Why don't you leave after lunch?"
Guo Song smiled and said: "Thank you, Uncle Shi. I want to go to Dongshi to see if the new emperor has left me a message before."
"Okay! I'm waiting for your news."
Guo Song said goodbye and left. Xue Xun returned to the mansion and saw his wife coming out of his daughter's room. Xue Xun asked in a low voice: "How was it?"
Mr. Han nodded and sighed: "That child is really good. He traveled thousands of miles to bring his daughter back intact. For this reason, I am willing to marry my daughter to him."
"I told him to ask his elders to propose marriage as soon as possible. We also have to make preparations and try to get their marriage done before next spring. I can finally fulfill my wish."
.........
Guo Song came to Jubao Pavilion in Dongshi. Although Jubao Pavilion’s business seemed to be as deserted as other stores, Jubao Pavilion’s big business was not in the store. It had its own high-end customer base, mainly relatives of the emperor and wealthy families.
Noble, every time something new is made, Jubao Pavilion will always deliver it to your door.
Just like the nearly 1,000 pieces of beautiful jade that Jubao Pavilion purchased from Guo Song's subordinates, they have basically been bought up by the wealthy nobles in the capital who love jade.
Zhang Lei tried several times to gain access to Guo Song's treasure house, but Guo Song sternly refused.
Guo Song rode to Jubao Pavilion, handed the horse to the clerk, and asked: "Is your proprietor Zhang here?"
"Here! I just came here.
"Lao Wu, you're back!" As soon as Guo Song finished speaking, Zhang Lei's hearty laughter came from inside.
Zhang Lei, who was tall and fat, walked out quickly and said with a smile: "I guess you should be back in the next few days. I told your sister-in-law this morning that you are indeed back."
"Senior brother seems to be in a good mood. Are you a father again?"
"Absolutely! Your elder sister-in-law gave birth to a boy a few days ago, and your younger sister-in-law will give birth next month. I estimate that she is a rich man. To deliver the babies for them, I hired five midwives and more than a dozen to serve them.
Servant, it costs thousands of dollars just to hire someone."
Guo Song smiled slightly and said: "This amount of money is just a drop in the bucket for you. I guess you can afford it if you treat me to lunch again."
Zhang Lei waved his hand, "Let's go! Even if I lose everything today, I still want to treat you to a meal."
The two came to Jinchang Restaurant outside the gate of Dongshi. This restaurant is not one of the top ten in Chang'an, but it has some specialties, such as braised Yellow River carp and roasted venison, which are very famous in Chang'an. Of course, it also has the enthusiastic Orchid Danglong.
Zhang Lei walked to the door, and a Hu Ji who looked like a butterfly ran out, hugged Zhang Lei's neck, and kissed him heavily on the cheek, "If Brother Zhang doesn't come, my little sister's eyes will see through it."
Guo Song's face twitched as he watched. He swore that he would never save this fat man even if he was eaten by a bear again if he went hunting again.
Zhang Lei was a little embarrassed. He broke away from Hu Ji and laughed at Guo Song: "It's just a joke, don't take it seriously!"
Guo Song shrugged, "What are you telling me to do? You should explain it to my sister-in-law."
"Forget it, I'm too lazy to tell you. You'll understand this kind of thing after you get married."
The two went up to the second floor and found a seat by the window. Hu Ji just brought them wine and food, and sat aside to grill them.
"Brother, how is your injury?" Guo Song asked as he filled a glass of wine for Zhang Lei.
Zhang Lei nodded, "The injury has healed, but it may have damaged a few tendons. If it weighs more than fifty pounds, it will cause pain. My martial arts will be completely ruined."
"Your martial arts skills are useless in the first place. You are the great proprietor Zhang. Who would let you carry fifty kilograms of stuff?"
"That's it, don't talk about me, let's talk about you! Has the marriage been decided on this trip to Bashu?"
Guo Song smiled and nodded, "Uncle Xue Shi has officially agreed. I will go to the Guo Mansion after tomorrow and ask my old master to be a matchmaker for me."
Zhang Lei scratched his head, "Why don't you let me be your matchmaker?"
"This is what Uncle Xue Shi meant. The most important thing is to let the elders come forward."
"Matchmaking generally requires a matchmaker to come forward, and you cannot use your own family. Since Father Xue has officially agreed to marry his daughter to you, I think there is no need to use a matchmaker. You can ask Mr. Guo Laing to come forward and directly issue the letter of engagement."
Guo Song shook his head, "The Xue family agrees, but how can we do it without a matchmaker? Originally, the prince said that he would be a matchmaker for me, but now I can't afford him. I want to ask Yan Xiangguo to be a matchmaker for me."
Zhang Lei rolled his eyes, "It seems that you no longer look down on me, a little person!"
"Senior brother, I don't mean to look down on you, but we have to give the Xue family face. Xue's mother is already a snobbery. If we add some glory to her face, she will complain less, right?"
Zhang Lei waved his hand quickly, "I'm just joking for you, don't take it seriously. I don't do things well. Your sister-in-law said that I always ruin other people's affairs. Your marriage is a big event. I will run errands for you and prepare for it."
I've paid for the betrothal gift and so on."
Guo Song pondered for a moment and said, "I want to give the three-acre house in Xuanyangfang to the Xue family as a betrothal gift. Senior brother, do you think that's okay?"
"Clang!"
Hu Ji, who was giving them hot wine, knocked over the jug. She blushed and apologized repeatedly, but she was secretly stunned. Who is this young man? The three-acre house in Xuanyangfang is worth at least 30,000 yuan.
It's so scary to give it away as a betrothal gift. Why can't I meet such a rich young master?
Zhang Lei took out a piece of silver and threw it to her, "You go ahead! We will do it ourselves here."
Hu Ji put away the money, gave Guo Song a wink, and left with a smile.
Zhang Lei said with a smile: "Do you know why she lost her temper and knocked over the wine pot?"
Guo Song shook his head, and Zhang Lei laughed and said: "She was scared by you. The betrothal gift is to give geese, wine, and at most pigs and sheep. I have never heard of giving a house as a betrothal gift, but you want to buy a house
It's okay to give it to the Xue family, but it has to be included in the financial gift. The Xue family also needs to send a dowry. I guess it's just a pile of books. I'll discuss this matter with Father Xue to avoid the embarrassment of not being able to come up with the dowry."
Only then did Guo Song realize that he had made a joke. He really did not understand the marriage process. He pondered for a moment and asked: "Is it allowed to get married during the mourning period for the emperor?"
"It is indeed not allowed within one month. After the fifth day of the first lunar month next year, there will be no ban. This only refers to the last step of the wedding. Other steps will not be affected and can be done first."
Guo Song nodded silently, he would start working on this matter today.