Uncle Lai in the Red Chamber

Chapter 457
The eighteenth day of the first lunar month is the first day after the Lantern Festival holiday.

Early in the morning, Lai Shangrong pushed aside Qin Keqing's arm around his neck and quietly got up.

"Uncle!" Bao Zhu and Ruizhu called softly, quickly put on thin towels, stood up from the bed, and came forward to serve.

The two of them were already on the deputy list, with first-class appearance and figure. Qin Keqing was not as jealous as Wang Xifeng, so Lai Shangrong took the opportunity to move them into the house.

"Hmm!~"

The sound of getting up disturbed Qin Keqing, who was sleeping. He let out a muffled groan that went back and forth a thousand times, raised a pair of pink arms, stretched lazily, and rubbed his sleepy eyes.

Lifting the brocade quilt halfway, revealing half of her beautiful fair legs, she said crookedly: "It's still early, uncle, come in and sleep for a while!"

Facing Qin Keqing's gracious invitation, Lai Shangrong suppressed Ma Xinyuan, turned around and kissed him lightly.

"The news came yesterday that the emperor is going to court today, so it's better to go there earlier!"

Speaking of this, Qin Keqing cheered up and asked: "Has the envoy that took over set off? How long will it take for Zhong'er to come back?"

Lai Shangrong said with a smile: "I left years ago, but the distance between the two places is too far, I guess it will take four or five months to come back!"

Qin Zhong received an errand from the imperial court and set off with the envoy.

Since a new mission has been appointed, it makes sense to follow them back.

Of course, Lai Shangrong also selected and transferred personnel to take over Qin Zhong's work.

After hearing Lai Shangrong's answer, Qin Keqing counted the numbers on his fingers, and then said with a smile: "The return will coincide with the expiration of the period of national filial piety. Zhong'er is not young anymore, so we have to arrange a marriage for him!"

Lai Shangrong said with a smile: "The marriage is not urgent. Let's get a concubine first. Later, I will slowly look for him. I have to marry a girl from a high-ranking family to be worthy of being my apprentice!"

Marriage is a political resource bound by interests. Although Lai Shangrong has business dealings with Chen Yiwen, Qiu Duo and others, it still lacks some meaning.

As his big apprentice, Qin Zhong has no father or mother. His marriage to Lai Shangrong is his duty, and he can take this opportunity to deepen the relationship, so why not do it?
In ancient times, marrying a wife was based on family status. Moreover, when marrying a virtuous wife, concubines were the ones who served the people.

With Lai Shangrong's current status, the person who can be bound to him must be either a minister or a minister.

"Hey! Uncle, let's see if there are a few familiar families. It's easy for people to inquire about my family!"

Qin Keqing naturally understood the meaning of the words, and happily agreed.

Lai Shangrong had breakfast and rushed to court.

After resting for a month, Emperor Zhenglong was worried about the situation in court and finally came to court again.

However, compared to the previous dragon and tiger steps, this time he was carried up to the temple, and he did not say a complete sentence the whole time.

Just make a few "babbles" or nod slightly to express acquiescence.

The ancient bureaucracy was actually quite mature, and imperial power was often just a deterrent.

Being able to nod and shake your head in the court actually has no influence on the government.

However, according to Lai Shangrong's guess, the emperor's condition not only did not ease, but showed signs of worsening.

After all, he could clearly issue orders at the beginning, but now he can only act as a decoration.

After leaving the court, Lai Shangrong did not rush back to the Yamen. Instead, he came to Qingzhu Yayuan with Chen Yiwen and Qiu Duo.

At first, Lai Shangrong was still evasive. Now that the emperor is ill and he has taken up the post of Minister of Household Affairs, he is no longer able to avoid it. Therefore, the shares of King Zhongshun and Shijia Shipyard, as well as the shares of the soap factory, have been transferred to him with his tacit approval. Next, agree to subscribe at the original price.

Today is to discuss distribution matters.

In fact, Tian Chang originally planned to invite Lai Shangrong to come and have a detailed discussion during the Spring Festival, but because he was worried about his own safety, he changed the location to Qingzhu Yayuan.

I originally thought that Tian Chang suffered a loss in the last distribution, but now that King Qi has been appointed as the crown prince, he will ask for more shares.

Unexpectedly, Tian Chang adhered to the Queen's will to build good relationships and only symbolically asked for half of the shares.

However, Chen Yiwen and Qiu Duo each got half of the share, and the remaining [-]% was assigned to Lai Shangrong and distributed among Jia and Xue.

As for the shares of the soap factory, Tian Chang and Wang Zhongshun already accounted for the majority, but Lai Shangrong and Chen Yiwen also took over the shares.For a time, everyone was happy.

After setting up the corresponding documents, several people exchanged cups and had lunch. Feeling slightly drunk, Lai Shangrong went straight home.

Lai Shangrong, who was still drowsy in the car, felt energetic when he got home.

He gave up the idea of ​​taking a nap and rushed to the Xue family courtyard.

"My brother-in-law is here!"

After being let home with nothing to do, Xue Pan immediately came out.

"Is Wenlong at home?"

Lai Shangrong couldn't help but secretly frowned, it was inconvenient for this guy to be at home every day, it seemed that he had to find a way to get him out.

"Is aunt home?"

Xue Pan did not doubt that he had it, nodded and bowed all the way, and led him into the main hall in the backyard.

Aunt Xue, who was taking a nap at noon, came out with her face shining, huffing and panting, and standing tall and trembling.

"Master!...Hey! Why didn't Shang Rong go to the office today?"

Glancing at her son standing behind Lai Shangrong, licking his face and giggling, Aunt Xue changed the subject in time.

Lai Shangrong stared at Aunt Xue's plump lips, his heart was hot, he turned to look at Xue Pan, and said calmly: "I have something to discuss with my aunt, but you don't have a clue, it's better not to know!"

Xue Pan looked aggrieved, scratched his head and said: "Then...shall I go out first? If my brother-in-law has time in the evening, why not stay here for dinner, so that I can order the servants to prepare it earlier."

Lai Shangrong nodded and said: "Forget it! The matter is important and I'm afraid it won't be clear in a moment, so I'll bother Wenlong!"

When Xue Pan heard that he was giving face like this, he stepped out with joy in his cheeks.

Aunt Xue quickly warned: "I will go out after the negotiation with Shang Rong, don't ask anyone to rush you!"

Seeing Xue Pan walking away, Aunt Xue quickly locked the door.

Then, without shaking his shoulders, he turned around and hugged Lai Shangrong.

Fearing that Lai Shangrong would panic, he hurriedly suggested: "Shangrong hasn't been to my house yet, has he?"

Lai Shangrong secretly cursed, I painted all the walls in your house, and said with a smile: "I had some wine at noon, and I was planning to come to my aunt's place to have a rest."

Aunt Xue let out a long sigh of relief, and the two of them meandered inside like conjoined twins.

"You will prepare 4 taels of silver later to subscribe for the shares of Shijia Shipyard. I will transfer it to Commander Qi later!"

I heard that 4 taels were spent all at once, which made Aunt Xue feel a little sad, but she thought of the Shi family who was still in jail and whose shares were sold off.

It's a blessing to be able to avoid losing money and avoid disaster, so I don't dare to say more.

However, her painful expression still fell in Lai Shangrong's eyes.

Knocking: "If I hadn't begged for mercy, even if you hold 40 taels, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to knock on the door of the Qi family!"

Aunt Xue thanked her hurriedly: "Hey! Hey! I was saved, thanks to Shang Rong's help!"

"It's hard to talk about a helping hand, but it's true that it took a lot of effort!"

Lai Shangrong said, stretched out his index finger and hooked Aunt Xue's chin.

"I don't need to say more about how to reciprocate love, right?"

…………

(End of this chapter)