After the first snowfall, it is considered winter.

The small courtyard of Lu Chunwang's house is in another small alley not far from Xinghua Hutong, where most of the people live in Pingtou and some people who go to Beijing early for the spring of the second year. Although most of these people are not wealthy, they are more than enough to eat and clothe.

Lu Chunwang's mother, Aunt Meng, was sitting in the courtyard in the sun, cutting clothes for several children. Aunt Meng's eldest daughter, Lu Chunming, was basking in the sun with her sister who was full of food and drink, spitting bubbles.

The snow on both sides of the alley was swept away, Ye Qiong changed into a simple set of clothes, and motioned to Ye Er, who led the way, to knock on the door first. This yard was rented by Ye Er with Lu Chunwang, and after renting it, he often came to visit, Ye Er knocked on the door with a familiar car, and shouted to the door: "Is Aunt Meng here?" ”

Aunt Meng heard that it was Ye Er's voice, and hurriedly put down the embroidery shed and opened the door herself, and was smiling and wanting to say a few words, when she saw that after the door opened, there were two twelve or thirteen-year-old girls standing outside, and the one in the middle was even brighter-eyed and bright-toothed, and she was stunned for a while.

Lu Chunwang was still working in the Ye family, Ye Qiong couldn't salute Aunt Meng, so she nodded slightly, and said with a smile: "Aunt Meng, I am the second girl in the third room of the Ye family, and we have seen it in the Shantang and the medical hall that day." ”

Aunt Meng said "ah", and hurriedly saluted first, but was stopped by the cuckoo halfway through the ceremony, Ye Qiong smiled: "I made a disguise that day, and Aunt Meng shouldn't know me." I'm here to see how you're doing, and is it convenient for Aunt Meng for me to ask for a cup of tea? ”

Aunt Meng naturally didn't disagree, and said with a somewhat cramped smile: "What's inconvenient, Second Miss Ye, please come in." As she spoke, Aunt Meng personally welcomed Ye Qiong into the courtyard, and said to her eldest daughter: "Chunming, put Chunsheng on the kang first." Miss Ye Er came, went to pour a cup of tea for Miss Ye Er. ”

Lu Chunming hurriedly said "hey", while pouring tea, his eyes glanced at Ye Qiong excitedly from time to time, his eyes were full of longing and reverence.

Ye Qiong looked curiously at the small courtyard of the Lu family, and saw that although the interior of this small courtyard was small, it was well organized and clean. Aunt Meng took out a small cushion out of nowhere, put it on the only chair in the house, and reached out to dust it, before rubbing her hands and saying: "The home is simple, there is nothing to entertain, this cushion was made by myself the day before yesterday, and it was just sunburned. ”

Ye Qiong hurriedly smiled and said: "Aunt Meng doesn't need to be restrained, I'm just here to sit and sit, and I want to discuss with Lu Chunwang by the way, which makes you tired." With that, Ye Qiong sat on the chair.

Aunt Meng said: "Chunwang is resting today, I just went out to buy vegetables for me, but I will come back in a moment." If the girl is not in a hurry, she can wait. ”

Ye Qiong answered, Lu Chunming brought the tea, Ye Qiong did not say that the pottery bowl containing the tea was rough and the tea was bitter, but praised Lu Chunming: "You know how to make tea when you are only four or five years old?" When I was four or five years old, all I knew was snowball fights. ”

Lu Chunming laughed, and couldn't help but say in a milky voice: "I also like snowball fights, but my hands are small, and the snowballs that come out of the group are also small, and I haven't beaten the dog eggs in the yard next door yesterday." ”

Aunt Meng was a little embarrassed, the second girl Ye was a serious official daughter, how could her eldest daughter talk to the second girl Ye about a snowball fight.

Aunt Meng was about to make up for a few words, but Ye Qiong smiled and said, "My hands are also small, but I have a great snowball fight!" I'll tell you secretly, it doesn't matter how big the snowball is, it's important to be fast, and to hit your opponent off guard before he has time to drop a ball! ”

Lu Chunming didn't know what it was to be caught off guard, but he learned quickly, giggled, pulled Ye Qiong's sleeve and begged: "Sister Ye, you can talk to me again!" ”

Aunt Meng's nervous mood eased.

Miss Ye Er is kind-hearted, this is coaxing Chunming.

Ye Qiong and Lu Chunming had a heated discussion about the snowball fight, and the laughter continued, Lu Chunwang walked to the gate of the yard with the fish he had just bought, and heard his sister's laughter, opened the curtain with a smile and said, "What are you talking about, laughing so happily?" ”

When the words fell, Lu Chunwang saw that there was a bright-eyed girl sitting on his chair, it was Ye Qiong, he couldn't help but be stunned for a moment, quietly reddened his ears, and after a long time, he saluted Ye Qiong and shouted "Second Miss Ye".

Ye Qiong didn't notice Lu Chunwang's abnormality, nodded to Lu Chunwang, and said, "Master Lu is fine." I don't know if Master Lu has free time now, I have something I want to discuss with you. ”

Although Lu Chunwang is not teaching in Ye Family Studies now, he is still a teaching assistant in the school recognized by various masters, and is called Lu Fuzi by the students of family studies, and Ye Qiong also continued to use this title.

Lu Chunwang was a little ashamed, and said: "Second Miss Ye doesn't have to call me as a master, Chunwang is ashamed." Since Miss Ye Er has something important to discuss, please come with me. ”

Considering the general defense of men and women, Lu Chunwang led Ye Qiong to the middle of the courtyard and asked Ye Qiong in a low voice: "I don't know what the girl wants to discuss with you?" ”

Ye Qiong smiled slightly, raised her eyebrows and said: "In the mansion of Lord Xie Maoshi, the left Shaoqing of Honglu Temple, there is a coachman, who went to the Xie Mansion after the autumn flood, do you know this person?" ”

Lu Chunwang was stunned for a moment, and replied cautiously: "I know." This person is my clan brother, and when I went to Ye Er's house a few days ago, I happened to meet my clan brother, so I said a few more words. ”

Ye Qiong looked at Lu Chunwang's expression, and was already half sure in his heart, Lu Chunwang should know about Lu Yi and Xie Wanlan.

If he didn't know, Lu Chunwang only needed to generously mention that Lu Yi was his clan brother, so why bother to make up for it and say a few more words about what they met and talked about in Ye Mansion?

Lu Chunwang is still too young in the end.

Ye Qiong said tentatively: "Really? In this way, you should also know what happened between Lu Yi and Lord Xie's sister? ”

Lu Chunwang was stunned for a moment, and said sharply: "Second Miss Ye, such words are unspeakable!" You are also a woman, how can you not know how much impact such rumors will have on the parties! ”

Lu Chunwang didn't expect that his fierce words did not frighten Ye Qiong, but admitted the matter in disguise, which made Ye Qiong sink his expression and said coldly: "How can I not know what kind of impact such rumors will have on women, I don't need you to remind me." ”

Lu Chunwang's words inevitably reminded Ye Qiong of the experience of being slandered and murdered by adultery in her previous life.

The man was rumored to have a scandal, and the world just praised a word of romance, and the woman was rumored to have a scandal, but she would be labeled as a watery poplar flower and not abiding by women's morals, and the heavier ones would even lose their lives by sinking into the pond.

As a witness, how could Ye Qiong not know the harm of rumors to women?

Lu Chunwang was shocked to realize that he had said the wrong thing, and he regretted it in his heart, and apologized to Ye Qiong calmly: "Second Miss Ye, I made a mistake in saying this, please forgive me for my miswords." ”

"You're right, but you're just protecting your friends." Ye Qiong sighed, "Don't you say it yet?" I'm willing to stand here and talk to you about this, naturally I don't want to beat the mandarin ducks. Otherwise, at this moment, I should be in the Xie Mansion and use this matter as a weight to make a deal with the Xie family in the capital, instead of standing here to test you. ”

A hint of surprise flashed in Lu Chunwang's eyes, guessing that Ye Qiong should have really found something, so he no longer hid it, and said bluntly: "Second Miss Ye, but this doesn't make sense." As you said, this matter is a good weight for you to negotiate with the Xie family, and it is something that can be used. On the other hand, it's not that I despise myself, but in me and my clan brother, is there anything more worthy of investment than the Xie family? Not to mention that the clan brother is just a little coachman, and it can be said that there is a world of difference between him and Miss Xie, how difficult it is to fulfill them, does Miss Ye dare to do it? With all due respect, I don't believe you're so kind. ”

Ye Qiong chuckled lightly and said, "The world is bustling, all for profit; The world is often for profit. I really don't have such good intentions, and Master Lu doesn't have to be presumptuous, in my eyes, your value is indeed higher than that of the Xie family. ”

Speaking of this, Ye Qiong restrained her smile, looked directly into Lu Chunwang's eyes, and said solemnly: "Lu Chunwang, are you willing to be my staff and my eldest uncle's staff?" ”

Lu Chunwang was stunned and was silent for a long time before he asked cautiously, "What conditions are the Ye family willing to give?" ”

It's not Ye Qiong, it's the Ye family, Lu Chunwang is clear, Ye Qiong plays a pivotal role in the Ye family, and can represent the attitude of the entire Ye family.

Ye Qiong smiled, willing to talk about the conditions, that is, half agreed, she said: "During this period, the Ye family is willing to pay all the expenses of the Lu family, and provide you with all the political resources of the Ye family, and help you solve the matter between Lu Yi and Xie Wanlan, which should be regarded as a gift from me at the beginning of the cooperation." Of course, I understand that Lu Fuzi has great ambitions and will not always be willing to be subservient to others, so this cooperation will last for three years. Three years later, whether Master Lu wants to part ways with the Ye family or continue to be in the same boat depends on your wishes. What does Lu Fuzi think? ”

Lu Chunwang lowered his head and pondered, although he looked light on the surface, he had already turned up stormy waves in his heart.

This transaction seems to be a loss for the Ye family, but in fact it is not accurate.

Even if he parted ways with the Ye family after three years, he would still have the brand of the Ye family on his body. Even if he steps into the court in the future, he will be classified into the Ye family's party.

However, such a generous condition is too tempting for the situation that he is now poor and white, and he should not miss it. Becoming a staff member of the Ye family is equivalent to taking the first step into the official career.

In this world, I don't know how many people have failed in this first step.

Lu Chunwang didn't hesitate for long, and replied directly: "I am willing to cooperate with the Ye family." ”

Ye Qiong stretched out her hand with a smile and said, "The paper document is easy to leave a handle, are you willing to high-five me three times and make a gentleman's promise?" ”

Now that he had made his choice, Lu Chunwang was naturally willing to believe Ye Qiong, so he stretched out his hand and high-fived Ye Qiong.

After three high-fives, Lu Chun looked at Ye Qiong and shook it to the end, and said, "Don't hide it from the girl, I once thought, the girl is just a little girl, why is Mr. Zou willing to break the worldly prejudice and accept the girl as a disciple." Now, I know how shallow I am, and that the girl is smart and decisive, and that she is better than most of the men in the world. Chunwang is willing to be sent by the girl. ”

Ye Qiong sighed in her heart.

The matter of Lu Yi and Xie Wanlan is just a pretense, and her real purpose is to bring Lu Chunwang under her command.

This matter is risky, not to mention the future, just talk about the matter of Lu Yi and Xie Wanlan in front of him, Lu Yi's status is too low, ordinary methods cannot help the two of them together, and the only thing left is to elope. But it is indeed a bit tricky to help Xie Wanlan escape from the Xie family silently, and to ensure that the whereabouts of the two of them are not exposed and will not be caught up by the Xie family.

In order to recruit Lu Chunwang, no matter how tricky this matter is, it has to be done.

A good talent who can be given words by the Son of Heaven himself, should it be worth taking Ye Qiong's risk for him, right?

Ye Qiong said again: "It's not a send, please ask Master Lu to introduce your clan brother for me, how to act, I still need to listen to him talk about the situation." ”

Lu Chun looked at his head, said "Wait a moment", and walked out of the Lu family's courtyard, and led a man in after a while. This person's facial features are Zhouzheng, born with a swallow's forehead and a tiger's head, and he has the style of a martial artist, and he hugged his fist to Ye Qiong and said: "In Xia Lu Yi, I have seen Ye Er's girl." I have heard what Chunwang said, thank you to Miss Ye Er for saving me. ”

It turned out that Lu Yi did not live in Xie's mansion, but rented a hut next to Lu's house as a shelter. There are many servants in the Xie family, and there are already many subordinates who have other places to live outside the mansion, which is not out of line.

Ye Qiong looked at Lu Yi dumbfounded, Xie Wanlan is such a girl who is full of wind and snow, and her lover is actually a martial artist?

Ye Qiong eased her nerves and said, "Your Excellency must know that it is difficult to let Lord Xie accept a person of your identity as a brother-in-law, and there is only one way to elope for today's plan." This matter needs to be considered in the long run, and it is even more necessary for parties like Miss Xie to cooperate with me. I don't think Your Excellency and Miss Xie can meet very often, so let's do this, tomorrow the Xie family has a snow feast, and I also handed me a post, and asked Your Excellency to write a letter explaining what happened, and then give me a token, I will go to meet Miss Xie, and tell her how to start this matter. ”

Lu Yi didn't agree directly, but glanced at Lu Chunwang inquiringly, Lu Chunwang nodded, and then said, "Just according to what the second girl Ye said." ”

Lu Yi wrote the letter, took out a small wooden box from his sleeve, opened it and showed it to Ye Qiong, inside was a plain silver orchid hairpin, the style was simple, it was nothing for a woman like Xie Wanlan, but for Lu Yi, it was a silver to save for several months.

The courtesy is light and affectionate, and Ye Qiong can't help but feel a little envious.

After collecting the letters and tokens, Ye Qiong was about to go home, Lu Chunwang gave him a ride, and reminded him when there was no one around: "Second Miss Ye, since she is already a staff member of the Ye family, she has to say something." The Xie family in the capital is a grass on the wall, they like to bet in many ways, and they are better at falling into the well and stabbing in the back, and the Ye family had better stay away from the Xie family. The Xie family is powerful, and the girl must also be cautious when acting. ”

After speaking, Lu Chunwang said goodbye to Ye Qiong.

What Lu Chunwang was worried about was exactly what Ye Qiong was worried about.

When she returned to Ye Mansion, Ye Qiong heard the news that the Xie family in the capital had contacted the second room of the Ye family again, and even left aside the eldest uncle to contact the eldest aunt who was still serving in her mother's house.

Ye Qiong laughed angrily.

Xie Maoshi told the big house and the third room that if you are unwilling to cooperate, the Xie family in the capital will naturally have other choices.

Thinking of this, Ye Qiong had a flash of inspiration.

Perhaps, the other choice made by the Xie family will be another way out for the Ye family?