Xue Yingge and Yuan'er were in a carriage, while Jiang Yan and Gu Xing stopped in one, and the carriage in front was Xue Yingge's, so when Song Sijin asked Qi Ran, Xue Yingge, who was wearing a veil, came out of the carriage, looked at Song Sijin and said, "Have you encountered a bandit?" ”

Song Sijin hesitated for a moment and replied: "I went to Changshan County with the official to look for relatives, but I met a gangster on the road, fortunately the guards desperately rescued him, and then he escaped, but the official was seriously injured and had to seek medical attention quickly, so I begged the young lady to help." ”

Xue Yingge noticed that Yao Jingnian's injuries were indeed not light, and his face was pale when he was still in a coma, and it didn't seem like he was pretending, so he said to Qi Ran: "You can help transport this person to the carriage." ”

Song Sijin hurriedly thanked her, her entourage followed around the carriage, Xue Yingge, who was sitting in the carriage, watched Song Sijin take care of Yao Jingnian anxiously, and after a while, Yuan'er pulled the carriage and handed the medicine box to Xue Yingge and said, "I got it from Mr. Jiang." ”

Xue Yingge really should have said that Jiang Yan was like a god, and he could actually expect that they would meet Yao Jingnian halfway, so he was prepared. Song Sijin was grateful when he saw the gold sore medicine and other things in the medicine box, Xue Yingge smiled and did not answer.

After Song Sijin briefly treated Yao Jingnian's wound, Song Sijin looked at Xue Yingge carefully and said, "I don't know why, I look at the girl a little familiar, I don't know what to call the girl?" ”

Xue Yingge thought for a while and said to Song Sijin: "My surname is Qingge, and the girl calls me Qingge." ”

Song Sijin nodded and said, "My husband's surname is Yao, Miss Bai, you can call me Mrs. Yao." ”

"What are your plans to go?"

"We plan to go to the town in front of us to find a doctor first, make a little resettlement, and then go to Changshan County to find relatives after my husband recovers from his injuries. Miss Bai, this is ready ......"

"My fiancé served as the county magistrate of Hangshan County, and I went with him." Xue Yingge sighed and said, "Although he was born as a Jinshi, he inadvertently offended Song Guifei, so he was demoted to Hangshan County." ”

Song Sijin's face changed slightly: "Yes...... Really? Is Song Guifei's power already so great? Can it interfere with the appointment, dismissal, and promotion of officials? ”

Xue Yingge looked at Song Sijin's face, so his tone was a little heavier: "Now the people are complaining that the adulterous concubine has misled the country, and I pity my fiancé because of this." ”

Song Sijin's face became ugly, but Xue Yingge continued to add fuel to the fire: "I heard that the Gu family rejected the marriage arranged by Song Guifei, and it was only then that they suffered, and the bones of the father and son were gone, it was really pitiful......"

"It's nonsense, auntie...... Song Guifei had nothing to do with Lord Gu and the death of Gu Gongzi at all! ”

"Why is Mrs. Yao so excited? It's just a rumor, and I've heard it from others. ”

Song Sijin realized that he was too excited, so he stumbled and explained: "I...... I don't want to intercede for Concubine Song, it's just that although her behavior in the world is criticized, she ...... Alas, forget it, what I told Miss Bai about all this is some bad thing. ”

Xue Yingge smiled, realizing that these days, Song Sijin was still too simple, and he still had expectations for Song Guifei's life.

"My fiancé and I thought we could gain a foothold in the capital, so we listened to the news in many ways to pave the way for our future prospects. Among them, there is news about the champion of the same year, and it happens to be the same surname as your husband. The story of this Lord Yao and Miss Song of the Marquis of Weiyuan Mansion is a beautiful story in the capital. ”

Xue Yingge looked at Song Sijin's face carefully, and continued: "It's just that Song Guifei looked down on Yao Zhuangyuan, who was born in poverty, beat the mandarin duck with a stick, and ordered the assassination. Because Yao Zhuangyuanfu had a great life, he escaped a catastrophe. ”

"Nonsense!" Song Sijin hurriedly interrupted Xue Yingge's words, "That's not the case at all, husband...... Yao Zhuangyuan was not assassinated, he just had an accident in the lake, who knew that the three of them became tigers, and it was rumored that Song Guifei assassinated him, which is really ridiculous. ”

"Why is Mrs. Yao so excited? I'm bored all the way, and I'm just telling you what I've seen and heard in the capital to relieve your boredom. ”

Song Sijin was a little angry: "But these rumors are all false." ”

"What about the fake, and what about the real? It has nothing to do with us, it's just a talking point, so why care? ”

"But ......"

Xue Yingge waved his hand and interrupted, "Okay, don't be angry. I just feel sorry for Yao Zhuangyuan, and when I heard that he was also demoted for offending Song Guifei, I just remembered my fiancé's feelings. By the way, he went to be demoted to Changshan County as a county magistrate. Coincidentally, it is the Changshan County you are going to. ”

Song Sijin seemed to want to explain, but after struggling, he had to give up: "It's nothing, it's just a coincidence." ”

Xue Yingge tried to find out some news, but Song Sijin didn't have the heart to talk, just urged Qi Ran, and kept asking how long it would take to get to the town.

When they arrived at Sifang Town in front, Xue Yingge sent Song Sijin and Yao Jingnian to the medical hall, and then planned to leave. Song Sijin insisted on rewarding Xue Yingge, Xue Yingge refused to accept Song Sijin's honorarium, and in desperation, Song Sijin could only take out a unicorn-shaped white jade pendant he carried with him and handed it to Xue Yingge and said: "Great kindness is difficult to repay, this jade pendant will be given to you, if you return to the capital one day and take this jade pendant to the Weiyuan Marquis Mansion, you will be able to get what you want." ”

Xue Yingge was surprised: "What is your relationship with General Dingyuan's Mansion?" ”

Song Sijin blushed slightly and explained, "I ...... I once saved General Song Xiao of General Dingyuan's mansion, and he owed me a favor, saying that he held this jade pendant and responded to his request. Now that you have saved my husband, I have nothing to repay. I probably won't go back to the capital in this life, so I can only thank you for this. ”

Xue Yingge's heart blossomed, and it was not bad to get Song Sijin's favor for no reason.

"In that case, then I will thank Mrs. Yao."

Holding the unicorn jade pendant in his hand, Yuan'er, who was sitting in the carriage, propped his chin and said to Xue Yingge: "Miss, you have been holding the jade pendant for a long time, do you see anything famous?" ”

Xue Yingge frowned and shook his head: "No." I just think it's weird and good-looking. ”

Xue Yingge won't tell Yuan'er, she just remembered that this jade pendant Zhou Lingjun also has one, and it happens to be a pair with the one in her hand, there is no doubt that this is Zhou Lingming's. It's just that he didn't expect Zhou Lingming to give this jade pendant directly to Song Sijin, but unfortunately, Song Sijin didn't appreciate it, so he gave her this jade pendant.

Xue Yingge felt worthless for Zhou Lingming.

It didn't take long for the group to come to Hangshan County, but unexpectedly, the city of Hangshan County did not show any welcome to the newly arrived county commander, and the county Cheng Wang An, who came to greet him, led the officials to welcome Gu Xingzhi, with humility in his face, but not half respectful, but very arrogant.

Gu Xingzhi's expression was as usual, and under the greeting of the officials, he brought the documents for his appointment and officially became the county order of Hangshan County, but when they arrived at their place, they couldn't help but marvel.

Hangshan County is not rich, but the mansion of this county order is too extravagant, compared to the mansion of the four officials in the capital. For the surprise of Xue Yingge and the others, Wang An of the county was a little contemptuous, as if he was laughing at them for being a bun who had never seen the world.

"There are several other masters in addition to Sun Yuan in Hangshan County who want to pick up the wind and wash the dust for Lord Gu in the Huibin Building, please go with the next official after a little repair." After Wang An finished speaking, he retired.

Jiang Yan looked around and was amazed: "Where the Tiangao Emperor is far away, the county commanders in front of him are really comfortable. ”

Gu Xingzhi instructed everyone to tidy up their things and then go to the hall to discuss matters.

The servants in the palace were arranged in the outer courtyard, and the guards of Pei Haoran and others were on the side.

Gu Xingzhi looked at Jiang Yan and said, "In your opinion, how about this reception banquet tonight?" ”

"It's just a nest of snakes and rats, I want to see if your new county order is going to eat soft or hard, if you can be in league with them, they will naturally be happy, if you are disobedient, then they don't mind changing another county order."

Gu Xingzhi nodded: "The situation here is a little more complicated, with officials, businessmen, collusion, and intertwined. In the past, many county orders were constrained by this, and even if they had the heart to serve the people, they were unable to return to heaven, and many of them left as soon as their term of office expired, or they were forced to resign by the gentry. ”

Jiang Yan was also very powerful when he said cool words: "Your grandfather was really prescient and threw you to this place, but he wanted to test your ability?" ”

Gu Xingzhi smiled, did not speak, and instead ordered: "Jiang Yan and Chief Pei will go with me for this reception banquet, and you will pay attention to the whereabouts of the servants in the mansion for the time being." ”

Xue Yingge nodded yes, and then arranged for the personnel management in the house. Although Qi Ran was lazy, his mind was lively, so Xue Yingge asked him to go to the teahouse restaurant in Hangshan County to inquire about the news and learn about the latest trends in the county.

In the courtyard, Xue Yingge took the deed of sale in his hand, looked at the rows of maids, mothers-in-law and servants in front of him, sat calmly and leisurely, and only after a moment did he let Yuan'er speak: "This is Lord Gu's wife who has not passed the door, you call Miss Bai." In the future, everything in the house will be taken over by my young lady, and now, you will report your names one by one, explain what you are good at and what you are doing in this house. ”

The maids, mothers-in-law and maids looked at each other, and Yuan'er pointed to the little girl at the end and said, "Start here." ”

The little girl glanced at Yuan'er tremblingly, and then replied to Xue Yingge: "The slave maid is called Jasmine, her parents are dead, and she was sold into the house, I will only have some ...... Sprinkle and sweep, and also sew. In the house, he is responsible for sprinkling and sweeping the hall, watering flowers and weeding. ”

Xue Yingge glanced at the little girl named Jasmine, who was only thirteen years old and looked stunted, nodded her hair and said, "You will serve in my room in the future, and follow Yuan'er to learn a little." ”

Jasmine hurriedly knelt down and thanked her: "Thank you, Miss Bai, the slave must follow Sister Yuan'er to study hard." ”

The mother-in-law on the side stepped forward and said, smiling and saying to Xue Yingge: "This little girl doesn't understand anything, how can she serve in Miss Bai's room?" I think this girl is good......"

"Who are you?"

"I'm Mother Lin, and I was in charge of everything in the house." Mother Lin smiled and said to Xue Yingge, "There are some situations that Miss Bai may not know very well......

"Did I let you speak?" Xue Yingge raised his eyes and glanced at Mother Lin and said, "That's how the rules of the house are?" ”

"It's not...... Miss Bai, it was Wang Xiancheng who asked me to ......"

"Why, now the slave and maid don't have any dignity?"

Mother Lin had to shut up, Xue Yingge got up, looked at everyone and said, "No matter what happened before, now that I'm here, everything has to listen to me, otherwise I'll get out." ”

Xue Yingge looked at Mother Lin with a smile and said, "You said that you have no dignity and humility, how should you punish the following crimes?" ”

Mother Lin hurriedly knelt down: "Miss Bai, the slave knows that she is wrong!" ”

Xue Yingge ordered someone to escort Mother Lin into the firewood room, and Mother Lin panicked, revealing her true form: "What are you!" What you said in this house doesn't count at all! Sun Yuan's words outside the matter, you Gu Lord's official will not be able to do it for long! What kind of strength is the fox and fake tiger, I really use chicken feathers as arrows! ”

Xue Yingge was too lazy to pay attention to Mother Lin, who jumped off the wall in a hurry, and let Yuan'er slap her a few times, so she quieted down and was thrown into the firewood room. Xue Yingge looked around at everyone, and after seeing that the example had an effect, he said: "I'm not a soft persimmon that can be taken and pinched by others, and in the future, there will be people who dare to do evil with the support of someone behind them, Mrs. Lin is the end, do you know?" Then go down to work. ”

After everyone dispersed, Yuan'er excitedly said to Xue Yingge: "Miss, you are really amazing, you stopped them all at once!" ”

Xue Yingge smiled worriedly, she didn't know how to fight in the house, but she still knew how to learn something, and the servants in this house didn't know how many of them were Wang Xiancheng and what kind of people were placed outside the grandson, after all, they still had to knock on the mountain and shake the tiger, and slowly replace it.

After such a shock, the effect is really good, at least no one dares to talk to each other, or to poke their heads into their heads, Xue Yingge ate the food sent from the kitchen, satisfied.

At nightfall, Gu Xingzhi and the others came back, Jiang Yan still looked like a hanger, Pei Haoran was expressionless, only Gu Xingzhi's face was a little dignified.

Xue Yingge poured him tea and dispelled some of the alcohol on his body, and then asked, "What happened?" ”

"Tsk, Sun Xiangxiang, the daughter of Sun Yuanwai's fat brain, has fallen in love with Master Gu, and Sun Yuanwai wants to be a matchmaker."

Xue Yingge couldn't help laughing, and heard Jiang Yan say: "At that time, Sun Xiangxiang was about to die or live, but Master Gu said that there was already a wife at home, and Sun Yuanwai also said that he would take a break directly, which was extremely rampant." ”

Pei Haoran is not as gossip as Jiang Yan, and he is down to business: "They openly bribe officials, and they are accustomed to it, and the main thing about this reception banquet is the money that the imperial court will allocate for the construction of embankments and dams after a while. ”

"They want to embezzle the money?"

Gu Xingzhi nodded and said, "Not only that, but they also want to recruit conscripts to repair the restaurant for them in the name of building embankments and dams." ”

"It's shameless, it's inhuman." Xue Yingge was indignant, she vaguely remembered the flooding of the Yangtze River in her previous life, all along the river were affected, houses were washed away, rice was flooded, people were destroyed, and the disaster relief funds issued by the imperial court were also stripped layer by layer, so that starvation was everywhere, and there were peasant uprisings in many places.

It is also for this reason that Gu Xingzhi in his previous life went around for disaster relief and gained a good reputation, laying the foundation for the subsequent overthrow of the emperor's harsh government and his smooth accession to the throne.

Speaking of which, Xue Yingge remembered that after the political situation stabilized, Hangshan County was directly annexed to Changshan County due to a sharp decline in population, which seems to have a lot to do with the current batch of moths.

"I have a way to deal with this pile of moths, but only if you cooperate."