Uncle Lai in the Red Chamber

Chapter 467 Return to Beijing
"In your opinion, how sincere are Mei Gong's words?"

On the carriage, Lai Shangrong asked Qin Zhongdao.

Although Qin Zhong is not very old and may not be very accurate in reading people, but after more than two years of contact, he can always see some clues, which can at least be used as a reference.

"Mei... Master Mei has broadened his horizons. He has great admiration for his master, and he also looks at his disciples in a different light. You are very kind to him!"

Speaking of Mei Gong, Qin Zhong showed a little embarrassment and hesitantly said: "There is something that I haven't had time to report to the master. Master Mei has a daughter who is about the same age as the disciple... and intentionally... intends to betroth her daughter to the apprentice!"

"Oh? Have you met the Mei family girl? Does it suit your fancy?"

Although Lai Shangrong had planned to use Qin Zhong's marriage as a bargaining chip for marriage, in ancient times, when marrying a wife, family status was always important. If he really did not consider the factors of the times and allowed him to make his own decision, I am afraid that not only would the outside world think that he treated his apprentice harshly, but he would also Qin Keqing would think too much.

However, if he really has his own ideas, Lai Shangrong will not stop him.

"Master, you are joking! Miss Mei didn't go to the post with Master Mei, how could my disciple have seen her? Besides, marrying a wife should be a virtuous one, how can there be anything wrong with her?"

After hearing Qin Zhong's answer, Lai Shangrong laughed dumbly. It seemed that he was overthinking.

Even though I am an outlier, most people in this era still have many deep-rooted thoughts.

Even though Qin Zhong has followed him for many years and gone out to broaden his horizons, some concepts are still difficult to change.

"Master and Sister You are also ready to help you."

Lai Shangrong reminded: "You also know that there are grievances and grievances between the teacher and the Mei family. In order to avoid future dilemmas, it is better to be cautious. It is best to meet with each other first. If it is really eye-catching, it will not be too late!"

Qin Zhong was originally a talented person in Yushu Linfeng. Under his own training, he became independent at a young age. Lai Shangrong was not surprised that Mei Gong was interested in choosing a son-in-law.

The key is whether he sincerely chooses a son-in-law, or whether he only uses his daughter as a bargaining chip to paralyze himself.

"Yeah! Don't worry, disciple!" Qin Zhong agreed.

Qin Zhong still had to ask Qin Keqing about Qin Zhong's marriage, and Lai Shangrong didn't want to talk more about it.

Then he changed the subject and said, "What are your plans after coming back?"

Qin Zhong did not join the official position normally, but was given a supernumerary quota by Lai Shangrong in the name of the State-Owned Department.

Previously, the main consideration was that he was still young and the son of the guilty minister Qin Ye, so there was no rush to make arrangements.

Now, the emperor doesn't know how many days he has left to live, and King Beijing has even given away his princess. He is no longer the same person as before, and he no longer has the worries he had before.

Whether he continues on the imperial examination path or stays in the state-owned department, there is no obstacle.

That's why Lai Shangrong asked for his opinion.

"After all, it's been more than two years since I left Beijing. I plan to take a look first before talking!"

Lai Shangrong praised: "Yeah! That's right, after making a decision and then making a move, it has indeed improved a lot!"

After a pause, he continued: "I have told Liu Xianglian about your return. It is estimated that you will be back today or tomorrow. Now that the emperor is ill, I plan to seize the fleet when the time is right. You can take this opportunity." This is an opportunity to explore Liu Xianglian’s tone of voice.”

After all, Liu Xianglian and the Qin family were family friends, and he was separated by one layer after all.

It was Liu Xianglian's idea to set up a private maritime army at the beginning. Now that the plan has changed, there is no guarantee that Liu Xianglian doesn't have his own ideas. Out of caution, he asked Qin Zhong to find out what he said so that he could deal with it.

"To be honest with the master, Brother Liu also hoped to use the influence of the master at the beginning. He wanted to imitate the Western Yi and form a fleet in the name of the imperial court. If he could continue to command the fleet, he would probably not have any objections to the imperial edict or not. .”

Indeed, Liu Xianglian probably never imagined that he would be willing to pay such a large sum of money and set up such a large stall. In addition, there were several officials who were willing to be thieves. "Well! Even so, the situation has changed after all, so it's better to take a look."

While talking, the carriage entered the east corner gate of Lai's house.

Qin Keqing, who had been waiting in the courtyard for a long time, had tears in his eyes, staring closely at Qin Zhong who got out of the car behind Lai Shangrong.

He said in a trembling voice: "Zhong'er! Let sister take a look!"

Then, he quickly came forward, raised his trembling hands, grabbed Qin Zhong's arm, and looked up and down carefully for fear of missing the details.

"elder sister!"

The eldest sister is like a mother, not to mention that Qin Zhong lost his mother when he was young. He gradually calmed down and showed rare excitement when he saw his sister.

Seeing Qin Zhong who was much stronger and taller than himself, Qin Keqing couldn't help but think of his young appearance.

Then he thought of his son and hurriedly called out: "Hurry! Bring Chengli over quickly and let uncle... let Zhong'er take a look."

According to the rules, only the brother of the aunt can be called uncle, but Qin Keqing changed his mind temporarily.

Lai Shangrong said disapprovingly: "Madam has no brothers, so there is no need to avoid these things!"

This time, it was Qin Zhong's turn to say with some embarrassment: "It's better...don't call me Junior Brother! Otherwise..."

Once you become a teacher, you will always become a father. However, if you calculate it according to Qin Keqing, it will undoubtedly mess up the seniority.

Lai Shangrong didn't feel dissatisfied and said with a smile: "Put your sister first, everyone can do their own thing!"

Not to mention that he and Qin Zhong are just masters and apprentices. There are still a lot of relationships in the Rong Mansion next door that cannot be managed or messed up. If they are all picky, they will never be able to separate them.

Qin Zhong didn't insist when Lai Shangrong said that Qin Keqing should be put first.

In fact, the second son was only a year old and was still learning to speak. Even though Qin Keqing often taught him, he was still not thorough.

"The apartment has been packed up. You'll still stay in the original room. You siblings haven't seen each other for a long time. Let's go back to the house and talk slowly!"

After a pause, he added: "I've been a bit busy as a teacher these past two days. You can make your own arrangements first. I'll talk to you in detail after these few days."

It was not difficult to tell Qin Zhong about taking a concubine and marrying a wife, but in the carriage ahead, he heard that Mei Gong intended to choose Qin Zhong as his son-in-law. After all, Xue Baoqin had been engaged to his family before, so in order to avoid embarrassment, Lai Shangrong simply ignored it.

Qin Zhong was quite disappointed after hearing this and said: "Master, is there something wrong? I want to tell you more about what I saw in Xiyi!"

Qin Keqing didn't have Lai Shangrong's worries. She slapped Qin Zhong and complained: "How many things can't wait? It's such a big day for me to have time to pick you up, which makes my sister feel uneasy."

Only then did Qin Zhong notice the decoration of the mansion, and then he asked in surprise: "Why are there no guests on Master's happy day?"

It's the family's business to do this for three days in a row. After all, if you marry two wives in a row, how can you keep people busy with concubines?

In addition, Qin Zhong returned to Beijing today, and Lai Shangrong simply arranged for the guests to be arranged for the two days before and after.

"Okay! Uncle, I still have something to do. Why do you have so many problems? My sister has made several outfits in the past two years. Come and try with her to see if they fit!"

He turned to Lai Shangrong and bowed Yingying and said: "I am taking Zhong'er to talk. Master, go and get busy! Miss Qin and Miss Three have all been brought back."

…………

(End of this chapter)