Be a master through ancient times

The two sat in the living room of the Chen family for about half an hour, but Chen Haiping hadn't come out yet.There are a lot of refreshments, and the tea is still the popular Lu'an Guapian in Beijing, and the dim sum are all exquisitely shaped and delicious.

Seeing the furnishings of his house, Chu Ci knew that it would be difficult for him to meet him, so after being left alone for so long, he didn't show his emotions, and sat in the living room with a smile as before, looking at the hall and the yard.

Chu Ying admired the heart of this Chu Siye very much, thinking that when he first became the doctor of the Ministry of Finance, he would often be overwhelmed by these profiteers and could not sleep at night.Fortunately, I survived later, otherwise I am afraid that I would have died young.

The two were speechless when footsteps suddenly came from outside, and it sounded like there were a large number of people.Chu Ci and Chu Ying stood up, waiting for someone to show up.

The person who came was wearing satin clothes and a jasper finger wrench in his hand, looking like a rich man.But Chu Ci discovered that he was wearing a short coat, which was clearly the attire of a housekeeper.A butler is so prominent, Chu Ci sighed in his heart.

"My lords, my master is in the study right now, so I invite you two to come with me."

Chu Ci took a look at Chu Ying and found that he had no objection to what the manager said, so he knew that this was a very common thing.

The two walked to the study room behind the chief steward. The chief steward opened and closed wide open when he walked, waving his arms wildly, looking a bit like a warrior.When they arrived at the door of the study, the manager knocked on the door, and after getting the word "come in", he opened the door and invited the two of them in.

A very ordinary-looking old man sat behind the table and closed his eyes to rest his mind. He opened his eyes only after a few people came to the front of the table: "My lords, I just entertained a distinguished guest. I can't withdraw to greet you. I'm sorry."

"Master Chen has distinguished guests, so we should wait for a while. Chu and the others are taking the liberty to visit, so please don't be offended." Chu Ying said with a smile, sometimes the form of this person is strong, in this huge capital, The fifth grade official is really nothing.Maybe some people would rather be a chicken head than a phoenix tail, but after seeing the prosperity of the capital, how many people can resolutely leave this center of power?

"I'm a mere businessman, how dare he take offense? Mr. Chu's visit today, could it be that there is a mistake in the tax items of the old man?"

After receiving Chu Ying's denial, he said again: "Tsk, this lord looks a bit unfamiliar. Could it be that he is the new lord of the household department?" Chen Haiping showed surprise.

"Master Chen, this is Mr. Chu Siye Chu of the Imperial College." Chu Ying introduced.

"Oh? An adult from such a noble place as Guozijian? I'm so rude to welcome you from a distance! But, why did this adult come to my Chen residence? Aren't you afraid of being contaminated by the smell of copper in my place? "

Chu Ci felt that this guy must have been scolded by Qingliu, and the meaning in these words could not be more ironic.

"Master Chen, why did you say that? Who in this world can get rid of yellow and white things? Chu is also a mortal, so naturally he can't be exempt." Chu Ci said with a chuckle.

Chen Haiping stared at Chu Ci, his eyes narrowed, as if he was looking at him seriously.Then, he said, "Master Chu doesn't seem like a scholar."

Hearing this, Chu Ci laughed loudly and said, "Hahaha, do you have to despise gold and silver to be a scholar? Scholars are all clean-eyed. Isn't it the same as having no business and no adultery? Is it a worldly view? I thought Master Chen was not like this What about lay people?"

"Speaking eloquently, I seem to be a scholar." Chen Haiping also smiled, "Why don't you two just sit down? Sigh, I am old and have a bad memory. Forgive me."

After the two were seated, Chen Haiping asked, "I don't know what you two are doing here today?"

"It's like this. Chu Siye is on a business mission under the emperor's order and wants to get to know wealthy businessmen in the capital. Chu thought, instead of visiting family by family, it's better to gather everyone together. Looking around in this capital city, besides Mr. Chen, you have No one else can do this kind of ability. So today, Chu has the audacity to bring Chu Siye to visit, hoping to get an invitation for tomorrow's banquet. I wonder if it's convenient for Mr. Chen?"

"Know a wealthy businessman?" Chen Haiping frowned, "Could it be—"

"Don't worry, Mr. Chen, Chu's actions were not ordered by others, but to ask you for something. I also ask Mr. Chen to be a referrer, and Chu is very grateful." Chu quickly dispelled his doubts.

"Since Master Chu has said so, how dare Chen refuse to agree? Come here, send two invitations to the two adults." Chen Haiping ordered, and soon, someone came in with a tray in his hand.There were two bronzing invitations in the tray, and the servants handed each of Chu Ci and Chu Ying one.

"Thank you, Master Chen." Chu Ci said.

"How can I afford my lord to thank you?" Chen Haiping smiled, then picked up the teacup, lifted the lid and took a sip.

Seeing that he was serving tea to see off the guests, the two of them got up and said goodbye.Chen Haiping said some polite words, and then asked the manager to send them out.

After leaving the Chen residence, Chu Ying asked, "Brother Chu, what do you think of this old master Chen?"

"Arrogant and conceited." Chu Ci commented, just as Chu Ying shook her head inwardly, Chu Ci added, "However, these are all his tricks."

"Oh? Brother Chu, what do you mean by that?" Chu Ying became interested.

"A person's subconscious expression cannot be concealed from others. He just wants to leave such an impression on others. You must know that people have a conceited side. If you find that the other party is a simple and easy-to-understand person, you will inevitably feel a little contempt in your heart. , so as to relax your vigilance. But once you let go of your vigilance, it’s time for him to show his fangs.” Today, Mr. Chen’s actions are too deliberate. He can hide it from others, but he can’t hide it. .

After hearing this, Chu Ying gave a wry smile and murmured: "As expected of being the number one scholar, you can gain insight into people's hearts just by meeting once."

After Chu Ci heard it, he became a little curious: "Listening to what Brother Chu said, could there be something hidden?"

"Oh, let's not mention the past." Chu Ying shook her head. It was nothing more than just taking office because she almost lost her official title because of carelessness, and there was nothing to say.

Seeing that Chu Ying didn't want to say anything, Chu Ci didn't ask any more.He guessed that Chu Ying probably suffered from Chen Haiping.

……

The backyard of the Imperial College.

"Huaijin, are you going to participate in the chamber of commerce in the capital tomorrow?" Kou Jing asked.

"Yeah, without their help, the contents of my plan would not be completed in time for Confucius' birthday. Today is eighteen, but I haven't made any preparations yet. The big talk has been released, and I have to do it anyway." Ah." Chu Ci sighed.

"Why are you..." Kou Jing wanted to say something, but didn't say it.

But Chu Ci already knew what he didn't say: "You want to ask me why I don't ask you to pay for it?"

Kou Jing nodded silently.

"I know that if I ask you for help, you will definitely do my best to help me. The Kou family has a deep foundation, but I can't guarantee that this matter will be successful. It may cause you to disperse all your wealth at that time. I think the risks are equally shared." good."

The last time I heard about "Exotic Chronicles", Chu Ci secretly inquired about other books as well.The things that Kou Jing gave him were basically orphans, priceless things in the market, and they couldn't be bought without strong financial resources.Later, he went to ask Kou Jing, and after listening to his explanation, he realized that his family was so rich.

"So what about dissipating all the family wealth? If the money can get me what I want, I'd rather give it all up for it. These things are things outside of me. If they can help you, they will be considered useful." Kou Jing said.

"..." Damn, rich people are so cruel!Chu Ci sincerely hoped that one day he would be able to look at those gold, silver and jewels and say to them, "Go away, you bloody money!"

"I still don't need it, but a small part is still okay. If I can persuade them tomorrow, then you will get a few shops in the capital to participate, and then I will guarantee that you will make a lot of money." Chu Ci smiled. He said that when the time comes, he will put away the gift Kou Jing gave him, and he will feel more at ease.

"I have already said that you will take care of those shops, and you don't have to ask me about everything." Kou Jing is not interested in making money.

"Okay." Chu Ci said, it seems that since he owed the Patriarch's order that day, this free labor was justified. "By the way, did you investigate that Liu Si as I said? And that Cuiping and her younger brother."

Kou Jing nodded: "My people have gained Liu Si's trust, and they have been in and out of Liu's house several times. However, they have not entered the inner courtyard yet. The people on the other side visited Zhuangzi, but no one named Kou Zhong was found. people."

Chu Ci pondered for a while, then said, "Could this person have changed his name?"

"It's not impossible, I'll let them continue to investigate. When the truth on Cuiping's side comes to light, the truth on the other side should also come to light. Huai Jin, now that you have the emperor's life, you should focus more on offering sacrifices to Confucius. That matter is just a trivial matter, I will keep an eye on it." Kou Jing was afraid that Chu Ci would be distracted by her own affairs.

When Chu Ci heard it, he was a little angry: "How can it be a trivial matter that you were framed and ruined your future! Or, you don't believe that I can do two things at once!"

Kou Jing was stunned for a while, and then laughed: "Of course I believe in your ability. But there are priorities. My incident has passed for several years now, and it will take a lot of time to investigate. You should be busy with offering sacrifices to Confucius first." After that, come back to my business."

"That's right." Chu Ci smiled with satisfaction.

"What will you wear to the banquet tomorrow?"

"Ah?" Kou Jing's topic changed so suddenly that Chu Ci couldn't react for a moment.

"In the Chamber of Commerce, there are many people who only recognize clothes but not people. If you still dress like before, I'm afraid they will look down on you in their hearts."

"What's the matter? It's their business what they think in their hearts. What's more, I won't be able to buy that kind of clothes for a while." For the lost satin, he prefers to wear clothes made of fine cotton. It seems that such clothes still need to be prepared.

Kou Jing walked into her room, took out a bundle, and handed it to Chu Ci.

Chu Ci took it in a daze, then put the bundle on the table and opened it. After a closer look, it turned out to be a set of Chinese clothes embroidered with golden cloud patterns on a white background, and a shiny and snow-white suet jade pendant was pressed on it. .

"This is?" Is it possible that Kou Jing can pinch and count?

"This is the clothes I ordered in Yunmengfang when I first came to Beijing. Because of the complicated workmanship, it took a long time to make them. I planned to give it to you as a birthday gift. Since I want to use it tomorrow, I will give it to you." Let me bring it to you first. This jade pendant and that jade crown are taken from the same piece of jade, and you will take them with you tomorrow. By the way. Have you brought your jade crown here?" Kou Jing asked.

Chu Ci looked down at these things, then looked up at Kou Jing's concerned expression, and suddenly felt an indescribable feeling in his heart.

He came to the bed, bent down to open the box under the bed, and took out the jade crown.He looked at the small box next to the jade crown again, pursed his lips, and took it out as well.

"I always carry the jade crown." Chu Ci placed the jade crown next to the jade pendant, and it really came out of a piece of jade, which looked very harmonious. "Also, this thing is what I want to give you."

Chu Ci pushed the box towards Kou Jing.

When Kou Jing heard this, she was pleasantly surprised, and her always serious expression became much softer.He gently opened the box, was taken aback when he saw what was inside, and then carefully took it out.

This is the piece of black jade engraved with the word "Zhi".Kou Jingzai looked at the jade pendant carefully and stroked it gently with her hands, her expression hard to hide her excitement.

"Uh, although this black jade is not more precious than the one you gave me, I have been picking it for a long time. The words on it are also written by my own hand - don't touch it! Let me tie it for you."

Chu Ci was annoyed by his touch, and snatched Mo Yu, and Kou Jing's heart skipped a beat when he saw the rude movement, and almost snatched it from Chu Ci again.

Because of the jade pendant, Chu Ci was very close to him at the moment, Kou Jing froze and let Chu Ci's hand move around his waist.

"It's done." Chu Ci took a step back, clapped his hands, then looked up at Kou Jing, but exclaimed, "Hey, what's wrong with you?!"

Kou Jing covered her nose with her hands, two streams of bright red flowed between her fingers.He was extremely embarrassed, and after saying "Huo Wang" in a low voice, he rushed out the door.

Chu Ci laughed first, then lowered his head after laughing, his plain fingers caressed the clothes Kou Jing sent, his face was inexplicable.