When Qin Mingyue was caught in a political dispute, the Qin family ushered in a female guest, who was the sister of the current Duchess Zeng Yutong, Zeng Siniang.

Zeng Siniang, as the daughter of the former Fuchun Marquis, married into the Huangshang Gu family, which can be regarded as a low marriage. Although the Huangshang Gu family is rich and has a good relationship with the palace, after all, it is not a prince's family, and Zeng Siniang, who married a virtuous and beautiful lady with a good dowry, is also very satisfied.

Zeng Siniang is also angry, as soon as she entered the door, she had already given birth to a son, and she was deeply loved by her in-laws. Now, most of the Gu family's business has been handed over to Jun Guchun, the husband of Zeng Siniang. The smart Zeng Siniang made a virtuous help to her husband.

Now, Zeng Siniang is even more proud not only of her background in Fuchunhou's mother's family, but also that her sister Zeng Wuniang's son Zeng Yutong married into the Qin family, the national teacher who is in full swing. This made her status in her in-law's family even higher.

Zeng Siniang dressed up very grandly today, showing her respect for the sister of the Duchess of the Kingdom. Not to mention, she also brought rich gifts, but Zeng Yutong was very satisfied, Zeng Yutong, who was rich in wealth, actually did not covet these gifts, but her maiden sister gave her face, how could she not be happy?

Zeng Yutong welcomed her sister very warmly. First, I took my sister to the backyard where Mrs. An and Mrs. Yin walked around. For the sake of Zeng Yutong's face, the two ladies chatted with Zeng Siniang affectionately. Zeng Siniang is also a smart person, and she also gave rich gifts to the two old ladies. What was given to Mrs. An was a pair of hairpins with red gold longevity, and what was sent to Mrs. Yin was precious spices. This was a matter of great please, which made the two old ladies very happy.

Zeng Siniang was originally a smart and sociable person, with a sweet smile on her face, and a compliment made the two old ladies have a little more sincere love for her.

Zeng Yutong was also very happy. When she was in her mother's house, she had a good relationship with the fourth sister, but now, when she is married, the fourth sister gives her face like this, and she is naturally closer.

Returning to Zeng Yutong's upper room, Zeng Yutong invited his sister to the tearoom for tea. The two sisters are both masters of the tea ceremony, and it is very interesting to taste tea together.

Zeng Siniangzi said while drinking tea: "This tea tastes really good, the tea soup is clear, the tea leaves are straight, the aroma is tangy, and the aftertaste is sweet." Now in the middle of summer, it is rare to have such good tea. Does this taste a lot like spring tea? ”

Zeng Yutong said with a smile: "The fourth sister is amazing, this is indeed spring tea." However, I froze it in an ice cellar, which is a good insurance. ”

Zeng Siniangzi said: "This is a good way, next year's spring tea will come down, and I will do the same." ”

Zeng Yutong smiled, poured tea again, and then said, "The fourth sister came over today, not just to visit me, right?" But what's the matter? ”

Zeng Siniangzi smiled, her sister-in-law, from a noble background, has been an idea since she was a child, and likes a straightforward temperament, in front of her, it is not easy to hide it, so she said: "Of course there is something." Fifth sister, you also know that our Gu family is an imperial merchant who worships the court, and specializes in serving spices for the court. It's been a business for decades. ”

"Now, my in-laws are old, and the business is handed over to your brother-in-law. Sometimes, I give him a hand. Previously, we all did a good job. After the abolition, as long as we made good friends with the Yang family, we didn't feel sorry for us. Although their hands are stretched out longer and they want more, they still leave us a little profit. Our Gu family also relies on this to survive. ”

"However, after the abolition of the crown prince, the abolition of the queen is no longer in power, and it is Concubine Li Xian who is in power in the palace. Concubine Li Xian is still the reputation of Concubine Xian, if you want money, it is even more unbearable than the Yang family, seeing that our family's business just can't be done, and if you supply the palace, not only can you not make money, but you also have to take the money you earn outside and subsidize it. ”

"Life is a little harder, but for the sake of the reputation of an imperial businessman, our Gu family still holds on. However, we don't know how long we will last for such days. ”

Although Zeng Yutong is young now, she is the sister-in-law of the court teacher, or the wife of Qin Guosong, the prince of Liguo, this status makes her in and out of the palace, when she participates in the aristocratic banquet, her status is transcendent, and she is in contact with top families, even in the palace, the ladies give her face. She has been training for such a period of time, so she is naturally shrewd.

She also knows about Concubine Li Xian's various behaviors. When chatting with the sister-in-law of the national teacher in private, the sister-in-law ridiculed Concubine Li Xian a lot, and she looked unaccustomed to it, which made Zeng Yutong also affected to dislike Concubine Li Xian.

At this moment, when she heard the fourth sister say this, she naturally said: "Concubine Li Xian knows a lot about being in the capital. ”

Hearing the fifth sister's disdain for Concubine Li Xian, Zeng Siniang was overjoyed. Actually, she came today with a very important task, which was to find out Qin Guoshi's opinion on Concubine Li Xian. Now, knowing that the national teacher can't look down on Concubine Li Xian, can she be unhappy?

However, Zeng Siniang did not show it at all on her face, she said: "But what is the use of everyone knowing? We deserve to be exploited, but we are not subjected. ”

Zeng Yutong sighed, she had no way to solve this matter.

Zeng Siniangzi continued: "However, recently, there has been a glimmer of opportunity. ”

Zeng Yutong asked strangely: "What turnaround?" ”

Zeng Siniangzi said: "Since the beginning of the year, the emperor suddenly asked Concubine Li to handle palace affairs with Concubine Li Xian. Concubine Li is fair and peaceful, she has never exploited us imperial businessmen, and everything is in accordance with the rules, but it gives us a breathing time. ”

Zeng Yutong nodded and said, "Concubine Li is indeed outstandingly virtuous. ”

Hearing her sister comment on Concubine Li's mother, Zeng Siniang's heart moved, and she pretended to be casual and said: "No, we are all looking forward to Concubine Li's mother taking over more palace affairs, so that we can also have a good life." However, Concubine Li is very humble, she handles palace affairs, and she has always let Concubine Xian Niangniang, and the two of them take turns to deal with various affairs. Sometimes, Concubine Xian forgot to rotate under the pretext that she was busy. Concubine Li is also up to her. ”

"This is a bitter pain for us imperial merchants. For example, this year, almost half a year has passed, and it has only been the turn of our Gu family to manage the affairs of spices for two months, and it is just a two-month respite. It's really a pity. ”

Zeng Yutong understood this time, feelings, the fourth sister came over to listen to the news. Zeng Yutong's heart rippled.