Early in the morning of the second day of Concubine Yuan's birthday, Xi Mansion ushered in the eunuch in the palace.

"Fengtian carries the emperor, and he said: Xi Yan is quick to think, and Wen is martial; Be law-abiding and practice. In addition to the four products of the criminal department, he took office after the New Year's Festival. Chin this! ”

After the eunuch finished reading it, he said: "Congratulations to Lord Xi for leaping to the fourth rank and having a bright future." ”

Xi Yan smiled slightly, and bowed again, "It's a blessing for my father-in-law to come here on the snow." Be careful, and hope to smile. ”

As soon as he finished speaking, Xi Yun handed over a package of silver taels sealed with red paper from the side. The eunuch unceremoniously put it in his pocket, and secretly weighed it, and then smiled, "Lord Xi, I will come and go often in the future." Let's take our leave. ”

"Father-in-law walks slowly."

……

After the eunuch left, Xi Qing's eyes when he looked at Xi Yan were unabashedly full of resentment.

At this time, he was still a member of the Liupin Labor Department, but Xi Yan suddenly became an official on top of him. Although he was very jealous in his heart, he still had to pretend to say, "The third brother is indeed a good means, and he turned over in a few days, and the younger brother didn't know that you still had such a ability, I really admire it." ”

Xi Yan was still smiling, and said to him unhurriedly: "Merlin's words are still in my ears that day, Xi Qing... As a brother, I am still waiting for the day when you will ascend to the position of head of the family. ”

Xi Qing didn't expect Xi Yan to leave no affection at all, so he said fiercely: "Don't think that you can make any waves by staying in Chongdu, the Xi family's affairs are not your turn to interfere." ”

After that, he went away with hatred.

Seeing Xi Qing's resentful appearance, Xi Yan said to Xi Yun: "See, this is a narrow-minded person." Go and inform Lingjiang that you can start, remember to tell them to start quickly and ruthlessly. He must not be allowed to have a chance to breathe, and this time he must lose most of his savings over the years in Lingjiang. ”

Xi Yun said clearly: "Don't worry, there was news from the Lingjiang side the day before yesterday, saying that it is based on the current situation... And everything went well. ”

"That's fine."

……

In the Qiutang Courtyard, Xi Qing looked at the person in front of him and asked, "You said that Xi Yan and An Ruofei have been close recently, but is it true?" ”

The man replied, "Absolutely not." As far as I know, when Ansler was troubled by Miss He a few days ago, it was the third young master who went to solve the siege. ”

Xi Qing was suddenly overjoyed, "Okay, then you go back first and stare at Xi Yan's every move." If there's anything unusual, report it to me right away. ”

The man finished saluting and hurriedly exited the Qiutang Courtyard. This person is the steward of the Begonia Courtyard.

After Xi Yan's steward left, Gu Zhiyuan frowned and asked Xi Qing: "Young Master, do you think this is credible?" ”

Xi Qing rubbed his chin with his hand, "Don't believe it all, don't believe it, if everything is really as he said, then this Ansle is worth our careful look." But other than that, he didn't give us any other news, which means that Xi Yan is still wary of him. ”

Gu Zhiyuan said again: "Do you need us to send someone to spy on Ansle?" ”

Xi Qing thought for a while, waved his hand and said, "For the time being, I don't have to, send someone to go... If you don't do it well, you will show your feet. By the way, the money I asked you to go to the account room in the house last time was not in place. ”

"The account office is very close to this silver, even if I go in person, he will not let go, and you have to make a note in person young master before you are willing to allocate two pieces of silver."

Xi Qing said angrily: "What's the matter, if it weren't for the incident of illegal salt, who would be willing to ask the house for money!" Just Wen Lie asked for money, and Qi An also asked for 100,000 taels! One before and one after the other, it is 300,000! ”

Gu Zhiyuan frowned, "What about 300,000?" The law of Da Zhao, those who smuggle salt and iron will not be pardoned! If this matter is poked out, it is still two to say whether your life can be saved. Even if the head of the house keeps you, you will be dismissed and never hired. ”

"How could I not know?" Xi Qing was upset, "But right now, we are really shy in our pockets, and there are still a large number of mansions that have not been checked." This is my first year in office, and if I don't think so, what will happen in the future? ”

Gu Zhiyuan also knew the seriousness of the matter, so he thought about it and said, "Actually, I have a way to take out the money from the house." It's just that... There are quite a few risks. ”

At this point, Xi Qing still managed the question of risk, and said indifferently: "In this world, as long as there are benefits to be gained, which one is not a little risky?" Compared with the popularity in the future, taking some risks now is really nothing. ”

"There's some truth to that." Gu Zhiyuan thought about it again and again, but still said what he thought in his heart. "If you want to take out so many silver taels under the nose of the head of the family, although it is a little difficult, it is not impossible."

Gu Zhiyuan thought for a while, "We still have a lot of business in Lingjiang, silk village, tea house, which business is not sure to make a profit?" You've won another crown this year, and there's nothing wrong with wanting to grow your business. But with the heart of the head of the family, he has always opposed your rashness, so when you go to the tent room in the house to talk, you will naturally have an excuse. ”

Xi Qing thought about it and felt that what Gu Zhiyuan said was very reasonable, but he still said: "Who can be the Xi family's account room, who is not thoughtful and very cautious." Although what you said makes sense, if something happens, I will be scolded by my father at most, but he... But you have to collect your things and leave. As long as he weighs the pros and cons, he won't help me. If I don't make a note, I'm afraid I won't even be able to get out 100,000 taels..."

Gu Zhiyuan looked at Xi Qing, "You are the most powerful person in the Xi family now except for the head of the family, the head of the family trusts you so much, and some courtiers are so stammering with you." What is your status and future in the Xi family in the future, a discerning person will be able to see it. Good birds should choose trees to perch on, and this person is utilitarian. As long as you promise heavy profits and know how to love them, he will not fail to understand this truth. ”

Xi Qing smiled sinisterly, "In the face of power, love is greater than legal reason. Since we can cover the sky with one hand now, then I will go to the house to allocate 200,000 taels of silver on the grounds that the tea house and silk village in Lingjiang need to be turnover. ”

"But..."Gu Zhiyuan still poured a scoop of cold water on Xi Qing, "If the future head of the family checks your accounts and finds that there is a mistake here." What you are facing is all the foundation accumulated in the past three years... Gone! When the time comes, you'll just be a concubine. ”

Ben was only one foot away from the door, but Xi Qing still hesitated, and he muttered: "Concubine... Concubine. But since the destiny of heaven has favored me, how can my years of hard work be wasted... You say, don't you? ”

At this time, Xi Qing's eyes when he looked at Gu Zhiyuan were already a little vicious.

Gu Zhiyuan was noncommittal, "I have already explained the pros and cons, and in the end, you weigh it yourself." ”

"I don't believe it." Xi Qing gritted his teeth, his eyes were fierce, "Kill him, I am my father's only choice." So even if the East Window incident happens, my father will only cover me, as for the others... I'll kill them! ”

In the end, Xi Qing was already roaring.

Gu Zhiyuan saw Xi Qing's appearance, and sighed secretly in his heart, "I can't think of it... He had such a cold time. ”

It's just that this feeling is still diluted by the busyness that comes with it. Gu Zhiyuan knew that no matter what Xi Qing looked like, he would definitely follow him to the death.