Chapter 240: Beauty is in trouble, brother and sister are in trouble

Pei Xingjian lowered his eyes and looked at the cup in front of him. The green Yue porcelain dyed his eyes a little darker. He slowly raised his head and said, "I dare not speak nonsense."

Qu Zhizhan waved his hand and said with a smile, "What nonsense? There are no lower officials or superior officials here. Ever since she was a child, Min Niang has never received any criticism? The most tactful way to put it is that life is too precious and ordinary people cannot bear it. If it is unpleasant, , even Tiansha Lone Star has said that there is no need to worry about keeping the promise, just say it."

Pei Xingjian smiled calmly, "Thrifty and talented, she is not as accurate as the soothsayers have seen. This young lady's destiny may indeed be a bit strange, but she is full of heaven. I think that as long as she acts calmly and does not make mistakes, she will be able to live a life of food and clothing. There is no need to worry too much, Governor."

Qu Zhizhan's heart suddenly sank. Looking at Pei Xingjian's gentle and calm face, he was silent for a moment and then said, "Is it true that beauty is unlucky? This child is indeed unlucky. Her mother also went there a few years ago. She has been there since she was a child. Although she was born in a wealthy village, the Zhang family and the Zhi family treated her well, but she was a bit lonely after all. It was so easy for her to grow up, but what if she had no worries about food and clothing? "

Pei Xingjian didn't answer, and the pavilion fell silent for a while. He lowered his head and finished the tea, put down the cup and was about to say goodbye when Qu Zhizhan suddenly said, "Keep your promise, I might as well tell you bluntly, I'm probably not going to be able to survive. Looking at the current employment strategy of the imperial court, this The heavy responsibility of Xizhou will most likely fall on your shoulders. During the seven or eight years you have been in Xizhou, what you have done is obvious to all. Xizhou's current warehouses are full and the people's hearts are stable. Most of it is your contribution. It is a blessing for tens of thousands of people in Xizhou to have an officer like you."

Pei Xingjian did not dare to neglect, and stood up hurriedly and said, "The governor is in the prime of spring and Autumn, and his minor illness is definitely not a problem. The governor said that Xingjian should not act accordingly. Xingjian has some achievements on Weibo, and it is also with the full support of the governor."

Qu Zhizhan nodded, "The first half of these words are just words of relief, so don't say them. I will accept the second half shamelessly. Honor your promise, do you know how many well-dressed people have sued me over the past few years? Here? You subsidize state schools and promote children from poor families, but how many people say that you have ulterior motives for showing favor to the common people? How many people say that you have ulterior motives when you rectify taxation and exclude hundreds of wealthy families from being taxed? It was the excessive taxation that made the imperial court lose its trust in Xizhou. Even if you restructured the roads and built additional inns, some people said that you only wasted time and money to facilitate the exchanges of Hu merchants. If I hadn't suppressed you, someone would have gone to Chang'an to find you. The imperial censor complained. The so-called "three people become a tiger", and one person's opinion will eventually hinder your official reputation. That's it. How can we conduct government affairs so smoothly?"

Pei Xingjian saluted with a solemn face, "The governor loves Xingjian very much, and Xingjian will always be remembered in his heart."

Qu Zhizhan said "hmm" and shook his head again, "Keep the promise. Seriously speaking, I am not only protecting you, but more of them. You act carefully and are resourceful. These Xizhou senior officials If I really want to fight against you, I'm afraid that in total, I won't be your opponent. But if you sit in my position at this moment, you will understand that some things can have the best of both worlds, and there is no need to fight to the death. After all, the reason why they are so wary of you and so dissatisfied with you is because you are an outsider. How easy is it to resolve this matter? How do you feel about keeping your promise? "

Pei Xingjian was silent for a long time and said in a deep voice, "Xingjian has never thought about going against any family or surname. But now it seems that they must hold Xingjian in the palm of their hands before they are willing to give up. Although Xingjian is not talented, But you can’t just be someone else’s puppet for the sake of temporary stability.”

There was no surprise on Qu Zhizhan's face, but he just let out a long sigh, "Your vision and mind are beyond the imagination of these frogs in the well. I feel relieved that Yulang has friends like you. It's just that your temperament looks gentle. You are generous, but like Yulang, you can't tolerate sand in your eyes. But when the water is clear, there are no fish. There are so many things in this world where there is no clear distinction between grudges and grudges. How much energy do you need to save on some things? Why should you reject people thousands of miles away and make so many enemies for yourself? What’s more, this time is different from the past. Have you really never thought that if you are not careful in the future, you will be attacked from both sides? "

Pei Xingjian's expression remained calm, "Of course I have thought about it. Xingjian has been thinking about the future situation all the time in the past two days. But there are some things that Xingjian must not do, not to mention being attacked from both sides, even if he is surrounded on all sides."

Qu Zhizhan frowned in confusion, "As promised, do you know that what I said today did not mean to make things difficult for you? I am neither teaching you to collect their money nor begging you to support their children, but just hope. You have a Xizhou woman by your side, so that they will feel that you are not guarding them like a tiger or a wolf, but treating them as enemies, and at least half of you, so they will no longer be so wary of you."

"This kind of thing is inevitable for me, not to mention you. I'm not afraid of your irritation when you keep the promise. Those people were originally a little delusional. They thought they were from a noble family and wanted their daughter to be on an equal footing with Madam Kudi. They didn't want to Thinking about the relationship between Mrs. Kudi and you, I just thought they were talking in sleep! Min Niang is different. Although she is a noble girl from Xizhou, has a rich family, and is related to the Zhang and Ji families, she has no family. , it has been too late to be bound by flesh and blood relatives, and I have long given up on my delusions. As long as I keep my promise and look after him occasionally, I can make the high family in Xizhou feel at ease and not have the trouble of fighting for the back house. There are hundreds of benefits and no harm, so why be too stubborn in keeping the promise?”

Like flowers and beautiful families, a blessed land and a cave... Pei Xingjian shook his head and smiled, "Please forgive Xing Jian for being presumptuous. There is something I don't understand about Xing Jian, and I hope the governor can give me some advice."

Qu Zhizhan nodded calmly, "You have to ask, Min Niang is my old friend's flesh and blood, and she is also the legitimate daughter of Zhang and Zhang who has only loved her since childhood. Why do we have the heart to let her be a nameless concubine?"

There was some helplessness in his smile, "To be honest, I, Zhang, and the other two families wanted Yulang to take care of Minniang. His status and destiny could probably make him a good match for Minniang. It's just that Yulang has a paranoid temper. He only thinks that the marriage has been arranged by his family, and it is not up to us to find an outside wife. He refuses to live or die, which has delayed my health for several years. In my anxiety, I also noticed many people, but the good ones had already married, and the bad ones were not worthy of her. Furthermore, the high families in Xizhou knew her fate, and there were several people who dared to risk marrying her. She comes in?"

"Now, how can I expect her to marry a good man and have children and grandchildren like other people's daughters? Once I'm gone, if someone can take care of her, don't let her be bullied. Thank God. She said that she has a noble status, but the Zhang family has no flesh and blood relatives. If someone really bullies someone, no one may be willing to come forward. She is born like this and has a great reputation. If It's inevitable to have no one to support you..." He looked at Pei Xingjian with almost a pleading look in his eyes, "Shou, your heart and talent are beyond the reach of Xizhou alone. I don't expect you to be able to favor Gu Min. As long as you are willing to take care of Min Niang for a few days, even if you leave this place, the popularity you have left in Xizhou today and the achievements you will make in Datang in the future will be enough to keep Min Niang safe throughout her life. If I can have a boy and a girl, I will follow you back to Chang'an. In terms of bloodline, it will not be an insult to the Pei family. It is better than having a son as a servant. Besides, Min Niang has no status and will not leave Xizhou, so she will not It will disturb Madam Kudi, but maybe it will help her relieve her worries. If I don’t think about it, there is no other way. At my age, how can I bother the younger generation with such a thing? "

Pei Xingjian couldn't help but smile bitterly, "The governor also thinks too highly of Xingjian. Xingjian has wasted half his life and has an ominous fate. I'm afraid it will bring misfortune to Madam Zhang instead of blessing..."

Qu Zhizhan waved his hand without waiting for him to finish, "Listen to what I have to say. You were born in a high family, so you naturally know their ways. Do you think you won't accept anything you say? Madam Kudi said no, these people Will you give up? Even if you are not afraid of their nagging, Mrs. Kudi is weak and sick, so how can she be patient with such mundane matters? I don't ask you how to treat this sensitive girl, as long as you are willing to nod and say that you will take care of her for a few days. Even if it’s over, why bother causing trouble again?”

He straightened up slightly and looked directly at Pei Xingjian. His round face, which had been silent and smiling all year round, had turned into a solemn and sad look, "If you are unwilling to extend this helping hand, I can't force it. It's just that Min Niang is destined to be lonely." After many calamities, I am destined to regret it for the rest of my life."

Pei Xingjian looked up at this face, pondered for a long time, and finally nodded, "The kindness of the Governor to Xingjian over the years has been unforgettable. If I can keep Madam Zhang safe in her life, I can repay the Governor a little. Jian is willing to give it a try.”

Qu Zhizhan's face suddenly relaxed, and the several maids who had been standing under the pavilion with lowered eyebrows quietly exchanged a few glances, and their expressions also showed a bit of relaxation and joy. It was as if a gust of autumn wind had blown by, taking away the solemn atmosphere in the yard, and even the dusk light shining in from outside the high wall became much brighter and lighter.

Pei Xingjian's voice rang out again, "Xingjian was not very blessed and had no brothers or sisters in his life. This lady can be regarded as having the same problem as Xingjian. If the governor does not dislike her, Xingjian is willing to recognize this adopted sister."

Qu Zhizhan looked at Pei Xingjian in astonishment and opened his mouth slightly, but made no sound. The whole yard suddenly became audible again.

Outside the courtyard, Wang Junmeng, who was waiting at the door, had walked back and forth more than a hundred times. He couldn't help but come to the door again and said to the concierge, "Hasn't the governor seen the document yet? The prince is still waiting for the report! How can this happen? Is good?"

The porter smiled apologetically and said, "Forgive me, Mingfu. I have already handed the documents to the governor's attendant. As for the other things, it is useless for you to ask me. How about I go and remind you?"

Bai San, who was lazily leaning against the wall, smiled and said, "Wang Ming's Mansion might as well not waste any effort. The Governor is very busy at the moment. As long as Xizhou is not about to send troops, he will not take care of other things."

Wang Junmeng glared at him angrily, "Then what are you waiting for here?"

Bai Sanlang said with a smile, "Of course if my patriarch Shi shouted for help, Bai San would immediately jump over the wall and **** him out!"

Wang Junmeng knew that he was talking dishonestly and was too lazy to answer. Seeing that the concierge was at his wits' end, he was filled with anger when he saw Pei Cheng walking quickly from the alley. He only hugged Wang Ming's house and walked straight to the concierge. , "Excuse me, please go in and tell Chairman Shi that my wife drank too much at noon and is now a little feverish. I need to ask Zhang Shi to go back quickly."

I came up to update, and suddenly I found that there are already 80 pink pictures. The students are so awesome. Well, there will be an update before 4 o'clock tomorrow afternoon... The title of the previous chapter was wrong, it became "The 83rd picture", the starting point. The title cannot be changed. I'm so sorry. I probably ate too many sesame seeds?

(End of this chapter)

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