The beauty of the Hou family and the king's plan

In the evening, when Aunt Lan's people delivered the news to Zhaoming Garden, Shen Baozhao was playing with a piece of paper in the study.

The four characters "Peace and Happiness" were clearly visible on the note. Gentle and affectionate.

This was just sent by Xiaobai, in response to Shen Baozhao’s previous question “What do you want?”

I couldn't figure it out. There was no such person in my previous life.

I tapped the table with my fingers, wondering who this person was. So far, it seems that this person has released great goodwill.

It doesn't matter, there is still a long way to go and there will be clues.

Shen Baozhao lit the note and watched it turn to ashes.

Huan Qingkong fetched some water to wash his hands, and wiped the water off with a pink peach blossom silk handkerchief. His movements were slow and graceful, as if he didn't care about the news from the eldest house that Bixiao, who was waiting beside him, had brought.

After everything was cleaned up, Shen Baozhao leaned on the beauty couch beside him.

There was a room table on the couch, and on the coffee table there was a small, exquisite incense burner. Inside it was burning Shen Baozhao's own calming incense. The smoke rose straight up and slowly dispersed.

It makes people calm down instantly.

"Tell me, what happened in the eldest house today?" Shen Baozhao closed his eyes and spoke. He was obviously asking Bixiao about the news brought by Aunt Lan.

Bixiao lowered her head slightly and said softly, "My aunt came to visit today and happened to meet the eldest master coming back from the Wu'an Marquis's mansion after breaking off the engagement. The eldest master learned that the third young lady was promised to the Qiao family by the Zhongyi Marquis's mansion and the eldest lady in order to pay off the debts of the Zhongyi Marquis's son."

"As long as the Loyalty Earl's Mansion can facilitate this marriage, he can be exempted from the debt of thirty thousand taels. The eldest master got angry and had an argument with the eldest wife, and accidentally injured the uncle's wife."

"It is said that the injury was quite serious. He was still unconscious when the son of the Loyal Earl took my aunt away."

In her previous life, Shen Jing married into the Wu'an Marquis's mansion, so she had never heard of the Zhongyi Marquis's son being in debt. She thought that Wang Shi and the others succeeded in forgiving the debt.

In recent years, the unsuccessful sons of the Marquis of Loyalty have entered officialdom and have been living on the wealth inherited from their ancestors.

In addition, there was a gambling-addicted prince named Wang Chenghui. If it weren't for the title of Concubine Shu and the subsidies from Wang's family over the years, I'm afraid she would have been forgotten by everyone.

I think the 30,000 taels of silver will be the last straw that breaks the camel's back. But the fact that the master accidentally injured the wife of the Earl of Loyalty is probably not so easy to cover up.

Sure enough, when Bi Xiao saw that Shen Baozhao didn't say anything, he continued, "The son of the Loyal Earl wants the master to take out 30,000 taels to pay off his debts, otherwise he will sue the master to the Jingzhao Yin government office for murder."

What a good plan, the wife of the Earl of Zhongyi got injured and exchanged it for 30,000 taels of silver, which is probably not a loss at all.

"Aunt Lan said that the Marquis' Mansion cannot take out so much money from its account. But the eldest master said there is a way. He did not say what the specific method was, and Aunt Lan did not dare to ask." After saying that, Bixiao stood aside with his hands hanging down.

Is there a way? The eldest master is the Minister of Rites, a high position, but the least lucrative of the six ministries.

The expenses for the Imperial Concubine Shu and the Fourth Prince to win over the court officials were huge. I was afraid that they were lucky enough not to get money from the Marquisate, and they could not help at all.

The Ning'an Marquis's Mansion looked like a scene of extravagance with flowers and brocade. This was just a forced effort. To come up with 30,000 taels at once, I'm afraid some extraordinary means would be needed.

Thinking of the golden hairpin with phoenix pattern that the master had taken out before, Shen Baozhao suddenly opened his eyes. He was just worrying about what excuse to take to check the dowry of Nanhua County Master.

If this is his idea, then we have to see if he has the luck to spend the money.

The moon was above the willow branches, and the silvery moonlight shone obliquely through the window lattice, complementing the yellowish light of the candle.

At this time of year, the willow branches outside the window had just sprouted tender green buds. Shen Baozhao pushed open the window and propped his chin with his hand.

Looking at the fat white pigeon on the treetop with some amusement.

"Miss, it's Xiaobai." The spring night was cold, and Bixiao originally wanted to close the window for Baozhao.

Following Shen Baozhao's gaze, he saw Xiaobai with his head drooping. He was about to fly into the window, but Shen Baozhao suddenly appeared at the window.

Xiaobai looked annoyed as if he had been caught. Bixiao waved at him, and he fluttered his wings and landed on the windowsill.

Two people and one bird, six eyes staring at each other.

Shen Baozhao noticed that there was still a bamboo tube tied to Xiaobai's feet, which must have a note inside. He took it off, pulled it out, and opened it.

The first thing that comes into view is the elegant font, which contains only three words: "Qinghe Village".

"Qinghe Village, what does this mean, Miss?" Bixiao asked in confusion.

Shen Baozhao was puzzled for a moment, then he speculated: "It should be a place name."

What did this person mean by sending a place name? Shen Baozhao's mind flashed through the excerpt from the Kyoto Local Chronicles that he had read before.

He quickly filtered out useless information, suddenly stood up, turned around, pulled out a book from the antique shelf, and turned to the correct page.

Sure enough, it was written on it: "Since the reign of Emperor Shengming, Emperor Gaozu has enclosed large tracts of land in the suburbs of Beijing, and the manors are owned by the royal family. Most of them are concentrated in villages such as Hongshan, Qingshan, Hongnong, and Qinghe, and are all top-quality. Emperor Gaozu originally wanted to ensure that all the royal descendants would enjoy happiness."

It used to be the location of the imperial farm and imperial fields.

Apart from the Fourth Prince who is the nephew, the only person in the entire Ning'an Marquis' Mansion who has a connection with Qinghe Village is the Princess of Nanhua County.

Obviously, the fourth prince has not yet been crowned king, and has no fiefdom or fiefdom. This Qinghe Village has nothing to do with him.

The person who sent the note seemed to be well-informed, or was always keeping an eye on the Marquis' Mansion.

Could it be that the master has started to make a move? This is really fast and courageous. If this is the case, it is difficult to stop him from destroying himself.

Shen Baozhao took out a pen and paper, wrote "Let it be" and put it into Xiaobai's bamboo tube.

I walked to the window, and everything was clearly visible under the moonlight. I released the little white bird, and saw it fluttering away, flying farther and farther, until it became a small black dot, and slowly disappeared from my sight.

Shen Baozhao didn't turn around for a long time. Bixiao stood behind her but didn't disturb her.

"Bixiao, who are you talking about?" She seemed to be asking Bixiao, but her low voice sounded like she was asking herself.

Bi Xiao thought for a moment and said, "I don't know either. But he should have no ill intentions."

"Not only does he have no ill intentions, but he also gives advice everywhere." Shen Baozhao continued Bixiao's words.

Such a thoughtful approach made Shen Baozhao think of that person.

That man was the same during those years. She wanted to learn martial arts and take revenge, so he taught her personally. Regardless of winter or summer, as long as he was free, he would arrive at the martial arts arena earlier than her every day.

If she wanted to learn medicine, then he would find a master of poison medicine to be her teacher. As long as she wanted, and as long as he could do it.

So meticulous, like a gentle spring breeze, slowly brushing away all the dust for her. After all, she had some concerns in her heart and stored too many delusions.

She would never make the same mistake again in this life. No matter who reminded her, she had to be careful.

Shen Baozhao sorted out his thoughts and made up his mind, so there was nothing to hesitate about.