After entering the outer study, Luo Weitao instructed his subordinates: "Go and see where the third prince is, and call him over." ”

During this time, Luo Qian was so busy that he was dizzy, but he was able to fight for his career with his beloved, and he was full of energy every day.

At this time, he was patrolling around Tangxi, and when he heard the summons from his subordinates, he ordered his subordinates a few words, and then went home.

"Dad, are you looking for me?"

Luo Weitao poured him a cup of tea with his own hands, and looked at his son, who had lost weight but was in high spirits, and was speechless for a while.

Luo Qian drank all the tea, poured another cup and drank it, only to find that Luo Weitao wanted to speak and stopped, he couldn't help but ask strangely: "Dad, what's wrong?" What's wrong? ”

"Nope." Luo Weitao smiled stiffly.

He leaned back, sighed, and said, "Brother Qian, Dad can't stand you." ”

"What the hell is going on?" Luo Qian searched his mind for recent events and found that there was nothing that could make Luo Weitao say "I'm sorry" to him. Aunt Zhang retired, Luo Yu is gone, although the relationship between Luo Weitao and Mrs. Luo has not improved, but the family is no longer as tense as before; Outside, the throwing competition was in full swing, the stinky pond was about to be filled, the common people were very happy in the competition, and the reputation of the yamen's parents among the people skyrocketed.

Speaking of which, it's all a good thing.

Unless Luo Weitao asked Aunt Rou to give him another son and divide Luo Qian's property.

But after Tangxi was filled, the yamen moved south, and the school also moved, and the houses over there will definitely be hot sales. With a rough budget, he can get 20,000 or 30,000 taels of silver for this project, not counting the house and shop he plans to stay and rent. And with his and Xia Jin's skills, will they be short of money in the future? Xia Jin's talent in business has been admired by many people during this time.

So Luo Qian's family property really didn't look at it.

Luo Weitao didn't know that his son was already running horses. He organized the language. Only then did he say: "Last time in the capital, you went to the Shangshu Mansion with your father twice, do you remember?" ”

"Yes." Luo Qian nodded.

Those two experiences in the Ministry of Shangshu. Impressed him. This is mainly due to the indifferent attitude of Lord Zheng himself, but his nephew, Zheng Yuming, the head of the Qing Officials Department of the Ministry of Rites, seems to be extremely interested in their father and son. I can't say less. Zheng Yuming's wife also came out to say a few polite words, which was completely confusing.

What's even more strange is that the next time, Luo Weitao not only took him, but also took Mrs. Luo to the Zheng Mansion, and the Zheng family even kept a meal.

Beijing officials have always looked down on local officials. Especially for a big official like Master Zheng who holds real power and controls the fate of officials, a housekeeper under him can make the officials below try their best to stammer. A local petty official like Luo Weitao. It's really out of people's eyes.

Therefore, this situation of the Zheng family is extremely abnormal.

"At that time, you asked me why the Zheng family was so enthusiastic about us. I'll tell you, it's the face of Xuanping's waiting meeting. Luo Weitao said.

Luo Qian nodded.

That's what Luo Weitao said at the time.

"Actually, it was the Zheng family who took a fancy to you and wanted you to be Lord Zheng's niece and son-in-law."

Luo Weitao's words were very soothing, and his voice was also very soft, but hearing Luo Qian's ears was no less than a thunderclap.

He straightened up, his voice changing, "You mean...... You can become the prefect because you promised the Zheng family's family affairs? ”

"There was no mention of family affairs at the time." Luo Weitao said. "When Xuanping waited for the old lady to come to Linjiang, your mother asked her to find a family for you in the capital. Mrs. Xuanping wrote later, telling you about the daughter of Chief Zheng. But the Zheng family wants to see you. That's why we went to the capital together. ”

Luo Qian's face darkened: "So I went to the Zheng Mansion twice, did I give people a look?" ”

Luo Weitao sighed and nodded.

Luo Qian's face was so black that he could drip water.

He said coldly: "I told you that I want to marry Miss Xia. You're going to give me another betrothal? What did you think of me? I'm worth a four-rank prefect official position? Don't forget, if it weren't for Miss Xia's idea, let me engrave the collection of imperial examinations and accumulate fame for you; Later, she took the paper and asked you to go to Beijing to operate, even if she sold me. You can't get the position of prefect, can you? Now you have made me treacherous and marry someone else. Where are you going to put Miss Xia? ”

Luo Weitao sighed: "At that time, I didn't know that you were going to marry Miss Xia, and I didn't know that Miss Xia had such a great ability. Otherwise, I'll support you. The position of prefect is rare, but if it is operated properly, it can be obtained without relying on the Zheng family. What's more, Miss Xia is not inferior to men in terms of talent and bearing. With her to assist you, your achievements are not comparable to my position as the prefect of the district. ”

He looked at Luo Qian, his eyes full of apology: "But it's too late to say anything now." Today, Xuanping waited for a letter from the old lady, saying that the Zheng family had agreed to the family affair and asked us to send someone to the capital to propose marriage. When we go to Beijing to see each other, we can be regarded as family affairs; My superior inherited the love of the Zheng family; Among them, there is also the face of Mrs. Xuanping. This pro-family, no matter what, is impossible to shirk. If you offend Lord Zheng, it's okay for me to stop here in this life, your life hasn't started yet, but it's going to be ruined! ”

"I'm not afraid." Luo Qian's eyes were cold, "If you win the Jinshi, does he dare to cover the sky with one hand, and he can't do it if he doesn't give me an official?" It's a big deal that the officials sent are more remote. It's really not good, so it's okay if this official doesn't do it. What's more, he can't stay there for the rest of his life. Master Zheng is now in his fifties, and I am only a teenager, who can survive whom? ”

"Brother Qian, that's not what I said. We accepted the love of the Zheng family, but we crossed the river and demolished the bridge, and suddenly denied the family affair that we had promised. Wherever this matter is placed, it is coldly criticized by people's teeth. Which boss will dare to promote you in the future, and which relatives and friends will dare to speak for you? We're going to end up betraying our relatives. For the sake of a woman, you can't bear to watch your parents be looked down upon? Can you live like this? ”

Without waiting for Luo Qian to speak, Luo Weitao slowed down his tone and said, "Dad, I am from here, I understand your mood at this time." When my parents betrothed me into your mother, I also wanted to set a fire to vent my anger. But when the years passed, and the enthusiasm of my youth was gone, I knew. The relationship between men and women is only a small part of life. Men's energy is focused on making achievements, not on children's affection. In five or ten years' time, you'll understand what I'm talking about today. ”

Luo Qian pursed his lips. He said coldly: "No matter what, I will not agree to the Zheng family's family business." ”

looked at Luo Qian's appearance of not getting oil and salt. Luo Weitao's heart was furious.

This son is as annoying as his mother when he is stubborn.

He suppressed the anger in his heart and said slowly: "I'm not asking you to give up Miss Xia. You insist on marrying her, you should be in love with her, right? Since she likes you, she can't bear you to destroy your future for her, right? Look, can you go and discuss with her and compromise her in terms of name? As long as you treat her well, why not tolerate it a little in the name? ”

Luo Qian raised his eyes. looked at Luo Weitao, his eyes were sharp and cold, and his voice was extremely low: "You mean, let her be a concubine?" ”

Luo Weitao endured the discomfort in his heart and nodded: "So far, it can only be like this." You can't let her be your wife, Miss Zheng as a concubine, right? ”

"Heh......" Luo Qian suddenly laughed, his smile was extremely sarcastic, "It's a good calculation." It's a pity that people like Miss Xia. Extraordinary resourcefulness, excellent medical skills, and strong martial arts are the existence that I look up to. How could she be a concubine? Daddy, don't dream. ”

"She wouldn't care too much if she had affection for you. Women. It's all like this, with feelings at the forefront. It mainly depends on how you deal with it. If you say more nice things to her, maybe she'll say yes. "Luo Weitao is very confident.

At the beginning, Aunt Zhang was very affectionate to him, and she was fooled by him for a while, so she obediently became a concubine.

Luo Qian smiled, and looked at Luo Weitao's eyes and became cold again: "I respect her as a teacher, and I will never do such an insult to her." I think I was terminally ill. She was the one who pulled me out of the hell gate; When I came back from the imperial examination, I was hunted down and killed. It was also her medicine that saved me from bleeding to death. Twice a life-saving grace. Coupled with her assistance to Daddy in seeking officials, she wants my life, and I am obligated to give it to her. Such a person, you told me to persuade her to be my concubine? ”

"......" Luo Weitao was choked speechless. The most important thing is that Luo Qian's tone and eyes made him hate it. He always felt that he was hating his original Aunt Nazhang's actions, and mocking him as an ungrateful villain. He felt that if he continued to persuade him, he would either vomit blood or hurt others.

He stood up, his eyes full of cold light: "Whatever you want." Anyway, Miss Zheng, you have to marry it, and if you don't marry it, you have to marry it. That's all I have to say. As he spoke, he strode out the door.

Luo Qian looked at his father's back, and the coldness in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by endless sadness.

If he had a choice, he would never want to be born in such a family.

After sitting in the outer study for a long time, Luo Qian dragged his heavy steps back to the inner courtyard.

And in his yard, Mrs. Luo had been waiting for a long time.

Before she could open her mouth, Luo Qian asked, "You also came to persuade me to make Miss Xia a concubine?" ”

"As a concubine?" Mrs. Luo was stunned, and then her face sank, "What kind of concubine?" Didn't you say that you don't take concubines in this life? If you marry Miss Zheng, you will treat others well and have to think of taking concubines again. Even if you want to accept it, you have to choose a virtuous and good girl. Like Miss Xia, running outside in men's clothes all day long, mingling with men, she doesn't abide by women's morals at all, and she may give you a green hat at any time, how can you want such a woman? ”

Luo Qian glanced at his mother coldly, turned his head and went into his bedroom.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Mrs. Luo hurriedly followed in, and said in a nagging voice: "Brother Qian, I have seen that Miss Zheng, she looks like a flower and a moon, and her temperament is also gentle and demure, and I heard that she knows everything about piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, and if you marry her, you will definitely be ......able to make peace with you."

Luo Qian stopped, turned around, and interrupted Mrs. Luo's words: "Miss Xia saved my life twice, and also helped my father get an official position. I wanted to marry her and be kind to her for the rest of my life to repay her kindness, but it seems that it is no longer possible. She saved this life, and you gave it to me. I can't give her back the life you gave her, but I can give her a future. You want me to marry Miss Zheng and abandon Miss Xia, yes. But from now on, I will not take the imperial examination again! ”

Mrs. Luo didn't react at first, and when she heard what Luo Qian said, she was shocked: "What did you say?" You don't participate in the imperial examination? You, you, you......"

She pointed at Luo Qian, speechless in surprise.

Luo Qian turned around, pulled the door over, and closed it in front of Mrs. Luo.

Mrs. Rowe's nose was almost hit by the door. She subconsciously took a step back, and only then did she react. He slapped the door vigorously and said, "Brother Qian, what are you doing closing the door?" Hurry up and open the door. Don't do anything stupid. Is it worth it for you to be like this for the sake of a woman? Not really. It's a big deal, I agree with you to take her as a concubine. You open the door, hurry up and open the door. ”

In the room, Luo Qian fell to the bed weakly, and a few tears rolled down from his eyes.

Xia Jin didn't know that such a thing had happened to the Luo family. Seeing that it was getting late and there was nothing to do in Tangxi, she took the carriage home.

When Shu heard that she was back, he hurried over. I twisted a handful of hot water handkerchiefs and handed them over, looked at my daughter's sharpened chin, and asked distressedly, "The pond is almost filled, right?" How many more? ”

"It's almost, after the finals the day after tomorrow, it should be full." Xia Jin said with a smile.

She washed her face carefully, put the handkerchief in the basin, sat down and took a sip of hot tea, and said to Shu's family: "Because I came up with the idea of filling the lake, Mr. Luo and the others insisted on giving me the land next to the academy." Mother, wait for all the places to be filled. We have 200 acres of homestead. When the time comes, I will build you a house as wide as the Xuanping Mansion. Not only is it large and has many houses, but it also has a small lake and a large garden. You can go for a walk in the garden when you have nothing to do. Take a walk around the lake or something. ”

"I don't want that big place." Shu Shi said angrily, "The house is big, where can we take care of such an idea?" Don't hide dirt and criticize those corners that you can't take care of at that time, and give birth to other things. ”

"Why don't you just buy a few more people?" Xia Jincai is rough and authentic.

"Why do you buy so many people? How much more does it cost to dress and eat every month? If you have some money, you might as well buy some field shops. Not only does the field shop not cost money, but it also generates money. Besides, the money we earn from your father is enough to spend. You keep your money. In the future, as a dowry, it is not allowed to be spent. ”

Xia Jin was helpless.

Wait for this real estate business to be completed. Their family became a tycoon. But Shu's consciousness is still at the level of food and clothing.

Shu Shi untied Xia Jin's headscarf and combed her hair with a comb. And said: "In half a month, you will be filial piety, and you will be sixteen years old, what do you think about your relatives?" You tell your mother about it. ”

Xia Jin was even more helpless: "If you get married at the age of eighteen, you are not in a hurry." Seeing that Shu Shi was still nagging, she hurriedly shouted, "Mother, I'm hungry." If you have anything to eat, ask them to bring it to you. ”

When she called, Shu Shi suddenly turned his attention: "I boiled chicken soup." Your face is smaller, you have to make up for it, and drink two more bowls in a while. "Also called the maid mother-in-law," quickly brought the chicken soup and gave it to the girl to drink first. Go and see if the master is done, and when he is done, he will set the meal. ”

Seeing that she had eaten Zhangluo, Xia Jin breathed a sigh of relief.

But after only two sips of her chicken soup, the mother-in-law guarding the door at the second gate ran in and said, "Girl, there is a subordinate from Luofu at the door, saying that Mrs. Luo asked you to go to Yinlou, and I have something to tell you." ”

"Mrs. Luo?" Xia Jin frowned. Remembering the unpleasantness of the last time they met, she was not happy to meet this woman who was not a good talker.

However, this is Luo Qian's mother after all.

She put down the bowl and stood up, "I see." He took the handkerchief handed by Calamus and wiped his face and hands, went into the room to change into women's clothes, combed his hair again, and called Mint to say, "Go and tell my wife, I'll go out." Don't wait for me to eat. He went out with the calamus.

When they arrived at the Silver Tower, Mrs. Luo had been waiting there for a long time. When he saw her, he was not polite, and said straight to the ground: "Miss Xia, Mrs. Xuanping Hou made a matchmaker for my brother Qian, and she is talking about the niece and granddaughter of Lord Zheng, the secretary of the ministry. You also know that the reason why my lord was able to become the prefect is thanks to the help of Lord Zheng. Therefore, it is difficult for us to refuse this family business, otherwise we will offend the Zheng family, and it will be difficult for Brother Qian to become an official in the future, either he will not be able to make up for the shortcomings, or he will be sent to the most remote and difficult place. ”

At this point, she paused and looked at Xia Jin. But seeing that Xia Jin was still following up, there was no expression on his face, and even his eyes were like a pool of lake water, just looking at her quietly, waiting for her to continue.

She had to say again: "Last time I asked you, you said that you have no personal relationship with my son." Can you help me persuade him to agree to this business? ”

"What's the matter with me? The orders of your parents and the words of the matchmaker, can you just ask him to agree? Xia Jin said lightly.

Mrs. Luo's heart, ten of which she can't compare to Xia Jin. Xia Jin was so agitated, and her truth was revealed: "But my brother Qian said that he wanted to marry you and didn't agree to the Zheng family's relatives." If we don't agree, he won't participate in the imperial examination in the future. ”

Hearing this, Xia Jin sighed in his heart, and still had that faint expression on his face: "This is your family's own business, and it has nothing to do with me." ”

"Why doesn't it matter? My brother Qian, it's you who is clamoring to marry! ”

"I can't persuade this." Xia Jin shook his head, "He is a big man, who he wants to marry or who he doesn't want to marry, you parents can't persuade him, how can I persuade him?" I'm sorry, but I can't do that. ”

"I don't want you to persuade anything, as long as you refuse him, he will naturally agree to that end." Mrs. Luo said busily.

Xia Jin looked at her deeply: "He didn't come to ask me for marriage, how could I refuse him?" Madame, when you say this, I really don't know what to say. (To be continued)