Gu Xue'er's family affairs were decided in this way. Master Ji Er sent someone and called Huo Erlang's family, and Huo Erlang's family was very willing to do this family business. The Ji family does not need the Huo family to give a dowry, and they will accompany many things. Because of this family affair, the Huo family has also become relatives with the Ji family since then, which is really a good thing that fell from the sky for the Huo family.

As for Gu Xue'er herself, she is just the right age, she is not ugly, and the Huo family has nothing to pick from.

Mrs. Ji also called Huo Erlang to Xuanhuatang and looked at each other carefully in person. Mrs. Ji is also very satisfied with Huo Erlang, the young man is not very old, he has a long spirit, and his speech and demeanor are very stable.

Even when Uncle Gu was there, he could give Gu Xue'er Zhang Luo's family affairs, and the Huo family was also a good choice.

After two satisfactions, Mrs. Ji Er took people to start preparations.

If Mrs. Ji said it herself, it would be good if Gu Xue'er had a rich dowry, but as for the marriage, it didn't have to be extravagant, but it was simpler. That makes it easier to get things done.

The Ji family is arranging the marriage for Gu Xue'er, and Gu Xue'er is led by an old mother who only does needlework in her own house every day and learns how to be someone's daughter-in-law.

During this period, Mrs. Ji also specially called Gu Xue'er to her and showed Gu Xue'er her dowry list. Gu Xue'er only recognized a few words, and Mrs. Ji asked her to read the dowry list to Gu Xue'er.

Even if Uncle Gu is still there, he will not prepare such a rich dowry for Gu Xue'er.

Gu Xue'er seemed to be moved by the rich dowry, and since then she has accepted her fate. He never complained anymore, and he returned to his previous attitude towards Mrs. Ji, Ji Xiaoyun, Ji Xiaotang and others.

Submissive, flattering is a bit exaggerated.

Mrs. Ji only thought that Gu Xue'er finally understood the reason, and she was very comforted in her heart.

Gu Xueer and Huo Erlang's wedding date. It is scheduled for the sixth day of the second month.

In February, the weather is gradually getting warmer.

The weather was fine on this day, and Ji Xiaotang had nothing to do, just feeding parrots and starlings under the porch while basking in the sun.

Mama Cheng walked in from outside the courtyard and saluted Ji Xiaotang. She followed Ji Xiaotang's instructions and went to Mrs. Ji's side. Gu Xueer's wedding date is approaching. All the dowries were arranged, and Mrs. Ji sent someone over there to ask Mama Cheng to help take a look. Ji Xiaotang sent Mama Cheng away.

"How?" Ji Xiaotang asked, naturally asking about the dowry.

“…… The two ladies were very well prepared, and there was nothing that did not conform to the customs here, and the old lady was very happy. Mama Cheng probably told Ji Xiaotang about the situation in Xuanhuatang.

Ji Xiaotang nodded and said yes.

"Grandmother was pleased. What about Gu Xue'er? Ji Xiaotang finished feeding the parrots and starlings. Slowly combing the feathers of a green-haired parrot.

"Look...... Also happy. Mama Cheng paused slightly, and then said with a smile.

"Oh......" Ji Xiaotang understood, handed the parrot to the little girl to take care of it, and went back to the house.

Mama Cheng then followed, and the little girls who served all retreated.

"According to Mama, Gu Xue'er will be safe from now on?" Ji Xiaotang stepped down from the couch and asked Mama Cheng.

"Miss Cher is ambitious, but her scheming is also shallow. And the seven emotions are ......, I'm worried. Although Miss Cher is obedient on the surface, she may not be willing to accept her fate. Mama Cheng said slowly.

Gu Xue'er's temperament will not be able to become a peaceful person in this life. It's just that she is limited by her talent, so she hasn't been able to cause anything in the past.

Ji Xiaotang still understands Gu Xue'er's temperament.

"I know that she hates me in her heart." Ji Xiaotang said lightly, "This family affair was also specially arranged for her in order to treat her." ”

"Miss Xue'er is in the midst of blessings and doesn't know how to be blessed." Mama Cheng sighed. Her gaze swept over Ji Xiaotang's face. The sunlight outside the window shines through the glass window and sprinkles warmly on Ji Xiaotang's face. Ji Xiaotang's face looked more and more dazzling under the warm halo.

Perhaps, dazzling, this is most people's impression of Ji Xiaotang. However, only when you are close to Ji Xiaotang and have been in contact with Ji Xiaotang for a long time will you know that Ji Xiaotang is actually soft.

Ji Xiaotang has a softer heart.

Even for Gu Xue'er, a member of the white-eyed wolf who she didn't have a good impression of at all, and was still betrayed, and almost killed the Ji family, Ji Xiaotang still tolerated her.

And the Huo family's family business is tailor-made for Gu Xueer. If Gu Xue'er can cherish her blessings, she will not be rich and expensive in the second half of her life, but she will live a stable life without worrying about food and clothing, which is better than most ordinary people.

"Has she seen her big sister again in the past two days?" Ji Xiaotang asked Mama Cheng again.

"Not really. Miss Xue'er once asked people to bring a message to the eldest girl, wanting to see each other again, but the eldest girl didn't pay attention. Mama Cheng said.

Ji Xiaotang listened to Mama Cheng's words and couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth.

"Her use value is nothing more than this, how can you expect the big sister to be willing to take care of her again. The eldest sister's eyes are above the top, and she has seen her once, which is already condescending. ”

During Gu Xue'er's preparation for marriage, she once went to the garden to relax, and "coincidentally" met Ji Xiaolian.

They both live in the same mansion, and Ji Xiaolian and Gu Xue'er haven't met before. However, Ji Xiaolian didn't bother to pay attention to Gu Xue'er at all, and sometimes she simply didn't see Gu Xue'er.

And that time, Ji Xiaolian spoke first and spoke to Gu Xue'er, and her attitude was very kind.

What the two said at that time, Ji Xiaotang knew later. Ji Xiaolian is obviously also paying attention everywhere, and maybe she also knows more inside information from Mrs. Ji, the main content of her talk to Gu Xue'er is just to instigate Gu Xue'er to hate Ji Xiaotang even more.

In Ji Xiaolian's words, Ji Xiaotang was too domineering and did not treat Gu Xue'er as a relative. Gu Xue'er just said a few words to Zheng Zi without Ji Xiaotang's permission, but when she returned home, she was married by Ji Xiaotang to a flower craftsman who had no wealth and no power!

Gu Xue'er didn't dare to say anything at that time, but obviously regarded Ji Xiaolian as a confidant and someone who could help her. So after that. Gu Xue'er wanted to meet Ji Xiaolian again several times.

Ji Xiaolian never appeared in front of Gu Xue'er again, even if Gu Xue'er sent someone to send a letter to see her, Ji Xiaolian didn't pay attention.

This also indicates. In Ji Xiaolian's eyes, Gu Xue'er's use value is very limited.

Gu Xue'er herself may not be unaware, but whenever this happens, she still does not hesitate to seize the opportunity.

An opportunity to make profits for himself by betraying the Ji family and betraying Ji Xiaotang.

Just like her father, Uncle Gu.

Stupid, short-sighted, and ungrateful!

"Mama, I'm going to give her another chance." Ji Xiaotang picked up the teacup that Xiu'er had brought up. Take a shallow sip. "If she has the heart to repent and is willing to remember a trace of the kindness of the Ji family, then I will give her the glory and wealth of the rest of her life. If she's still the same. Being ungrateful, that is her own death. ”

However, she will make Gu Xue'er's death worthwhile.

After receiving so much kindness from the Ji family, it is time for her Gu Xue'er and the Gu family to repay the favor.

Ji Xiaotang called Mama Cheng to him. A low voice commanded like this.

"Her wedding date is these two days. Without further ado, Mama will arrange it. Finally, Ji Xiaotang commanded.

"Yes, I'll arrange it." Mama Cheng agreed respectfully, lowered her head slightly to hide the surprise in her eyes, and then bent her knees and blessed herself, and then retreated lightly.

Ji Xiaotang has repeatedly told her that she doesn't have to be so polite. And yet she was the same. And it's been getting more and more insistent lately.

She is like this, completely out of her heart. It's not because of Ji Xiaotang's status as a county lord. is the fear of Ji Xiaotang from the heart.

sent Mama Cheng down, and Ji Xiaotang also sighed lightly.

She placed a pawn, but unlike other chess players, she gave the piece the power to choose.

What Gu Xue'er wants to do is up to her.

What will Gu Xue'er do, Ji Xiaotang secretly showed it, and there was almost no doubt. The only thing she wasn't sure about was who would bite the bait first on the other side of the game.

Ji Xiaotang was thinking in his heart, and a little girl came in to report that Prince Jing'an was here.

Qin Zhen is here!

After Deyue Tower, Qin Zhen got the news almost immediately, and came to Xinhuatang the next day, and had dinner in Xinhuatang, and talked with Master Ji, Second Master Ji and Ji Xiaomu, until nearly two watches, and then returned to Prince An's mansion with the whole prince's car.

That night, almost half of the people in the capital saw that Prince An came out of Xinhuatang at night, and the lanterns lit up the entire street and alley he passed.

Qin Zhen can enter and leave Xinhua Hall freely, although Ji Xiaotang did not immediately agree to his family affairs, but accepted the phoenix guqin he sent. However, Prince Su Qin Lin's relationship with Xinhuatang was only general, and the Dongzhu sent by King Su's Mansion was rejected by Ji Xiaotang on the spot.

No matter what the final outcome is, who Ji Xiaotang will be, Qin Zhen's advantage is already obvious, even if it is only temporary.

And in this matter, there is a consequence that Ji Xiaotang did not expect, but it was not so unexpected.

Qin Zhen came to Xinhuatang diligently.

If in the past, Qin Zhen was the prince, and at the same time, because of the Qingyuan matter, out of the protection of the Ji family, he always avoided the Ji family a little, but now, Qin Zhen does not need to be evasive at all, and he almost comes to Xinhuatang whenever he wants.

Even if he didn't care about Ji Xiaotang so much, but now that Qin Lin wanted to rob him, he couldn't lose to Qin Lin no matter what.

At least, many people in the outside world can't help but think so.

This gave Qin Zhen plenty of reasons to appear in Xinhuatang often, so it was more and more convenient to exchange news and discuss things with Ji Xiaotang.

Now, Qin Zhen is here again, and Ji Xiaotang is not surprised at all.

She had already discovered that even in order to compete with Qin Lin and discuss things with her, Qin Zhen still came to Xinhuatang too often.

However, since Qin Zhen is here, she can't be gone.

Not as a woman admired by Qin Zhen, but as Qin Zhen's partner.

Ji Xiaotang cleaned up a little, and then took a group of girls and mothers-in-law to Jinghuatang. Qin Zhen had already gone to Xuanhuatang to see Mrs. Ji, and now she was in Jinghuatang's study, talking to Second Master Ji.

Seeing Ji Xiaotang coming, Qin Zhen stood up from behind the bookcase to greet him.

Qin Zhen was dressed in python satin clothes and smiled. Ji Xiaotang was a little entangled in his heart. Qin Zhen looked too comfortable, not like a guest, but like he was in his own home.

“…… I got a basket of good taro today. has been sent to the kitchen, I heard Master Ji say that Xiaotang loves to eat this. Qin Zhen told Ji Xiaotang with a smile that one of the original subordinate officials of his palace went to the foreign office two years ago, and he was in Fujian Mansion, and he returned to the capital in the past two days. A basket of the best taro was carefully selected and given to him.

And he knew that Ji Xiaotang loved to eat this, so he immediately sent the taro to Xinhuatang in person.

There is a severe drought in the north, while in the south of Fujian, there are many floods. There is no harvest on the farmland, and the yield of taro, which is famous in the local area, has also plummeted, and the quality is not as good as before.

Qin Zhen assured Ji Xiaotang that the taro he sent today. It was the only farmer who had not been affected by the disaster. And it is carefully planted, it will only be better than what Ji Xiaotang has eaten before, and it will never be worse.

It's just a basket of taro, but Qin Zhen said a lot of it!

Ji Xiaotang could only express his appreciation.

"The prince seems to be ...... lately Very idle! Sitting down in the study, Ji Xiaotang couldn't help but squeeze Qin Zhen's words.

Qin Zhen was originally in high spirits, but when Ji Xiaotang said something indifferent, he lowered his head and touched his nose, and coughed a little dryly. However, when he raised his head again. The glance at Ji Xiaotang was tinged with a hint of grievance.

"Xiaotang, I'm like this. Who are they for? ”

Ji Xiaotang looked away, secretly determining in his heart that Qin Zhen's face was getting thicker and thicker. While thinking like this, Ji Xiaotang's heart moved.

Since when did they meet no longer be polite greetings, but have become this kind of ......

Secretly alerted in his heart, Ji Xiaotang straightened his gaze. She and Qin Zhen still have a lot of business to talk about.

"How is the battle situation in Shuzhong?" Ji Xiaotang asked.

This is almost every time Ji Er goes to the court, Qin Zhen never comes to Xinhuatang, and Ji Xiaotang is the first question he must ask.

“…… The war has begun, and the war is still unclear. Qin Zhen also straightened his face and sat down opposite Ji Xiaotang.

Every few days, the imperial court would receive battle reports from the fast horses in Shuzhong, and Qi Younian, as his military order said, had launched an attack on the anti-thieves in Shuzhong. The first time the two sides faced each other, on the twenty-fifth day of the first month, Qi Younian's army narrowly won and won Guangping.

The people in the court were excited about this, and they used to think that it was Qi Younian who said a big thing to win Shuzhong within three months, but now they think that it will not take three months to win Shuzhong at all.

Whenever Ji Xiaotang heard such remarks, he was speechless, and he was aggrieved for Qi Younian.

However, she soon learned to ignore these words.

Family affairs, state affairs, and world affairs are the same in many things, that is, there are some people. Really listening to them, seriously scheming with them, and being angry with them, is the most stupid and unprofitable thing, just as these people do not benefit the cause in any way.

Although the battle is not clear, the destination of Qi Younian's next march is obvious.

"I brought the map." Qin Zhen said at the right time, and took out a scroll of maps from his sleeve and spread it out on the bookcase.

Ji Xiaotang walked to the bookcase and looked at the map with Qin Zhen and Ji Er.

The purpose of Qi Younian's next march is Hanyang.

The three of them looked at the map and talked for a long time before Qin Zhen put the map away. Qin Zhen knew that Ji Xiaotang cared about the battle situation in Shuzhong, and a large part of it was because of Qi Younian.

Although this made Qin Zhen's heart a little sour, he himself also cared about the battle situation in Shuzhong, and even concerned about Qi Younian.

Moreover, every time he talks to Ji Xiaotang about the war in Shuzhong, Ji Xiaotang's opinions coincide with his opinions, which makes him happy, and some of Ji Xiaotang's opinions can also make him pause.

He came to Xinhuatang more and more often, not because he liked Xinhuatang, nor because he wanted to compete with Qin Lin, he came to see Ji Xiaotang.

He was even a little grateful to Qin Lin for being able to give him such an excuse to see Ji Xiaotang often and talk to Ji Xiaotang openly.

The map was put away, but everyone's conversation was still on the war in Shuzhong.

"With such a speed of marching, it is not enough to supply grain and grass from the local area, and Ayou's side must be very tight. I don't know if Master Li's grain and grass have been delivered at this time? ”

In the territory of Daqin, not only is there a war in Shu, but there are also two other anti-thieves who need to be exterminated. In addition to the anti-thieves, there are also border troops in the north who are always ready to meet the enemy.

On the Beiban side, it seems that in order to echo the anti-thieves in Shuzhong, they have recently launched frequent offensives. The fighting in the north was tight, and there was not enough food and grass.

The grain and grass of the treasury were given first to the border army in the north, followed by Qi Younian's army.

Qi Younian made a military order, and Emperor Longqing and Empress Dowager Han specially approved a batch of grain and grass that had been sent to Shuzhong, but calculating Qi Younian's troops and grain and grass consumption, Qi Younian's army was in urgent need of grain and grass.

As soon as the battle situation in Shuzhong began, the thieves in Shuzhong knew that Qi Younian lacked food and grass, so he adopted a ruthless move: the wall was clear.

Even if the city was robbed by Qi Younian, not a single grain of grain and grass could be left for Qi Younian.

The pressure that Qi Younian's army is under now can be imagined.

Ji Xiaotang had already foreseen this situation after seeing Qi Younian's letter. She is not an unpredictable prophet, she knows that Shuzhong uses the trick of clearing the wilderness with a strong wall, but she just judges it with common sense, and she knows that Qi Younian will definitely lack food and grass.

As the saying goes, soldiers and horses go first before they move grain and grass.

If Qi Younian wants to win a quick battle, he must have enough food and grass support, otherwise no matter how brave the soldiers are, no matter how good Qi Younian is at command and strategy, it will be useless.

It was on that day that Ji Xiaotang wrote another letter to Master Ji San in Qingyuan.

In addition to a part of the grain brought back from overseas, which was exchanged for salt to help the imperial court help the victims, the Ji family also retained a part. In the Ji family's granary, there is still a few years of accumulated grain, Ji Xiaotang helped the victims, but did not take out all the grain in the granary.

Ji Xiaotang asked Master Ji San to escort all the grains to Shuzhong and give them to Qi Younian.

Master Ji San was about to go to sea again, and he couldn't escort him personally, so he sent Master Li.

Qi Younian wanted to take Shuzhong within three months, Ji Xiaotang not only offered advice, but also sent all the Ji family's stored grain! (To be continued......)