strictlysupreme Chapter 83: Emperor Xia makes his move! A daughter of a convicted official, and a concubine of a con
Chapter 83: Emperor Xia makes his move! A daughter of a convicted official, and a concubine of a con
When I returned to my residence in Ning'anfang and just walked into the yard, I saw Liu Sandao and his brothers busying around in the yard.
Seeing Gu Jingzhi coming, Liu Sandao and his men stepped forward and said, "Greetings, sir!"
Gu Jingzhi nodded: "Have you all received the news?"
"Yes!"
Liu Sandao smiled and said, "I just received a notice from the Internal Guards. From now on, I and my brothers will obey your orders!"
"Well!"
Gu Jingzhi nodded and said, "I have been appointed Junior Secretary of the Honglu Temple and will be heading north soon. When the time comes, you will take your men with you. In the next few days..."
Looking at Liu Sandao and others who had changed into plain clothes.
"Although you don't have any official business at the moment, you are still officials after all. Once you're done here, go back to avoid any gossip!"
"Sir..." Liu Sandao glanced at the others and was about to say something, but Gu Jingzhi waved his hand and said, "When working under me, the most taboo is to use public resources for personal gain. Now that we are surrounded by powerful enemies, it is best to be careful!"
"This trip north will take quite some time, so let's get together with our families, or have a drink with friends and colleagues!"
Seeing that he insisted, Liu Sandao immediately bowed and agreed.
Gu Jingzhi thought for a moment and then said, "Also, His Majesty has granted me a mansion. The emperor will bring people over soon. You can go with them to get acquainted with the place and then bring your brothers to my house for a drink in the evening!"
When Liu Sandao heard that Gu Jingzhi had invited him and his men to his mansion for a drink just after the emperor had bestowed upon him the mansion, he immediately beamed with joy: "I will follow your arrangements, sir!"
"Ok!"
Gu Jingzhi nodded and walked into the mourning hall.
Lin Chong and Lin Feng were busy in the mourning hall. Seeing Gu Jingzhi return, Lin Feng immediately asked, "Cousin, I heard that Brother Liu and the others have been transferred to your command?"
"Ok!"
Gu Jingzhi said, "In five days, I will lead the delegation north, and you, cousin, will come with us!"
"Shall we go too?"
Lin Chong was shocked when he heard this: "Then don't you want someone to watch over this house?"
"What are you looking at? We don't have a fortune here, and my cousin and I are here to keep me company on the road!"
There are many undercurrents against him in the capital right now. God knows if after he leaves, will anyone deal with his cousins like they did to Lao Huang?
Besides, the round trip to the north would take at least three months, so it would be helpful to have someone to look after us along the way.
Seeing that he insisted, Lin Chong said no more.
The three of them tidied up a bit, then got a carriage and loaded Old Huang's coffin onto it. Seeing Qu Feiyan standing at the door, he thought for a moment and said,
"After today, I will no longer live here. If you want to live here, you can stay here. If not, you can send the key to Yong'anfang when the time comes."
A complex expression flashed across Qu Feiyan's eyes, and she nodded silently. Gu Jingzhi looked at the Lin Chong brothers and said, "Let's go!"
……
The three of them pulled the carriage out of the city. After burying the old man, they did not stay for long and returned to the new house.
At this time, Jiang Feng had already brought people to move all their things to the new mansion.
Looking at the grand Gu Mansion, Lin Feng said in amazement, "Wow, cousin, the mansion that the Emperor gave you is really huge, isn't it?"
Gu Jingzhi said calmly, "This mansion was built according to the living standards of a marquis. You and your cousin will each choose a courtyard to live in later, right?"
"Jingzhi, there's no need for that! I, Fengdi, can just pick any room to live in!"
Lin Chong grinned and said, "We're not used to living in such a big house. It would be better if we could live together with Brother Feng so that we can look after each other!"
"Yes, yes! Cousin, if you really give me a separate yard, I won't be used to living there!" Lin Feng also responded.
"It's up to you!"
Gu Jingzhi just smiled.
To be honest, such a big mansion does seem a bit empty for just a few of them.
However, after going north this time, he also intends to get an official position for his cousins. When they have the official position, he will see what they are willing to do!
He turned around and looked at Jiang Feng, saying, "Choose a yard closest to my residence and make arrangements!"
Jiang Feng bowed slightly and nodded, then said to Lin Chong and his brother, "Please come this way, gentlemen!"
Lin Chong was already twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old and was already the father of three children, but he felt a little awkward being called "Young Master". Gu Jingzhi looked at his cousin with amusement, then followed the servant to his own residence.
This mansion, built to the standards of a marquis, was just a little bigger. After walking for a few minutes, he finally arrived at his residence.
As soon as he entered the room, he saw four maids and four servants standing there. When they saw Gu Jingzhi come in, they all saluted and said, "Greetings, Master!"
"so many people?"
Gu Jingzhi looked at the servants in confusion.
But he didn't say anything. He thought this was all arranged by Jiang Feng. He walked into the house and said, "I'm not used to so many people serving me on weekdays. You guys can do whatever you want!"
As he said this, he walked into the house, leaving behind several maids and servants staring at each other.
Two of the maids looked at Gu Jingzhi who had already walked into the room, bit their lips slightly, and followed him in.
Gu Jingzhi looked around his new residence and nodded with satisfaction. He didn't say anything as he watched two maids come in and busy themselves with making tea.
After a brief look, he suddenly asked, "Where is the study?"
"My Lord, the study is on the side of your residence..."
"..."
Wow, he is so rich that even the study is independent. This is much more awesome than any modern luxury villa!
Gu Jingzhi shook his head and asked, "What are your names?"
"My Lord, my humble name is Tao'er (Jian'er)..."
Tao'er? Jane?
Quite simple.
Gu Jingzhi grumbled inwardly, then said, "Don't call me a slave girl anymore. I'm not used to it!"
"..."
The two maids stared at Gu Jingzhi blankly. Gu Jingzhi took a sip of tea and said, "You two don't look like you come from a poor family, do you?"
"..."
The two girls looked at Gu Jingzhi fearfully. Gu Jingzhi was stunned: "Why? Can't you tell me?"
"Master, please forgive me, this slave... Jian'er and I are both daughters of convicted officials, so, so..."
"The daughter of a convicted official? Wouldn't she be sent to the Imperial Music Bureau? You two..." He looked at Tao'er and Jian'er suspiciously.
Generally, the wives of convicted officials who were exiled to the Jiaofangsi were relegated to the status of slaves and classified as official prostitutes, but they were not assigned to powerful families as servants. The status of slaves and the status of slaves are of different natures.
The emperor couldn't possibly leave two court prostitutes to be his servants, right?
When the two girls heard Gu Jingzhi's question, they gritted their teeth slightly, then knelt on the ground with a plop.
"Master, please allow me to report. Jian'er and I were practicing singing and dancing at the Jiaofang Bureau yesterday. This morning, someone came and changed our status as slaves and brought us to this mansion to serve as servants..."
"Ok?"
Gu Jingzhi paused holding the teacup.
This doesn't seem to make sense!