September 14th, afternoon.

Four carriages slowly turned into the west entrance of Ningrong Street. On the first carriage, Zhou Rui leaned out half of his body and looked at the extremely familiar Rongguo Mansion not far away, feeling as if he was in another world.

I'm back, I'm finally back!

Just as his heart was surging, the carriage suddenly stopped at the entrance of an alley in Ningrong Front Lane. The coachman raised his whip and pointed into the alley and said: "Steward Zhou, I'm afraid this is a little inconvenient. You see, we are taking a detour.

still……"

Zhou Rui followed his instructions and saw six or seven carriages parked outside the door of the second house in the alley. Not to mention it was blocked by water, but there was only a narrow path left.

The new residence my wife arranged for my family seems to be in this alley.

Could it be that the little stewards from all over the house came to congratulate me on the return of the king?

As soon as Zhou Rui felt a little proud, the steward Qian Qi got out of the car behind him and hurried forward: "Manager Zhou, the courtyard assigned to you by the government is right next door to this house. If you want to take a detour, I'm afraid

It will take two-quarters of an hour - why don't we let the carriage take a detour and let's walk a few steps and see how to unload it first?"

Qian Qi is also a close confidant of Mrs. Wang, but his ability and status are far inferior to Zhou Rui. He is usually only responsible for accompanying Jia Baoyu on trips and doing errands to welcome and send him off - this time Zhou Rui was transferred back to Beijing, and Wang

The lady then sent him to meet him outside the city.

It turns out that I was just being sentimental.

Zhou Rui felt a little embarrassed, but fortunately no one knew what he was thinking, so he quickly got out of the car and said with a smile: "By the way, let your sister-in-law escort the car, and we brothers will go and take a look first."

The two of them walked side by side into the alley. As they got closer, Zhou Rui noticed that the carriages were unloading things non-stop, including fine silks, fine covers of rouge and gouache, and even some holding jewelry.

The box goes inwards.

Zhou Rui couldn't help but wonder: "Whose house is this? It's really a grand occasion."

Qian Qi stretched his neck and glanced inside, and said with a strange expression: "He is the eldest wife's biological brother. He came from the south just after autumn this year."

Zhou Rui suddenly understood that the eldest wife had a brother in Jiangnan, and he had known about it for a long time. However, the Xing family was known for being mean, but he didn't expect to be so generous to his natal brother.

Since they were both married to each other, he didn't shy away from anything, and he immediately sighed that this family relationship of flesh and blood was indeed unparalleled by others.

"Where!"

However, when Qian Qi heard this, he sneered. While leading Zhou Rui into the yard next door, he explained in a low voice: "This matter has nothing to do with the eldest lady - no, this matter is with the eldest lady."

The pick!"

Hearing that he suddenly changed his words mid-sentence, Zhou Rui couldn't help but become more curious and urged Qian Qi to explain in detail.

Qian Qi then mixed the words he heard in the past few days with some artistic processing and told them vividly.

Although it is quite bizarre and exaggerated, there is nothing wrong with the overall story line.

"Uncle Jiao heard that the Xing family wanted to use their daughter as a concubine to pay off the debt. At first, his jaw dropped. After confirming it again and again, he seemed to be overjoyed. No, he went straight to the Xing family to say

It’s concubinage, not much different from taking a wife!”

After hearing what Qian Qi said, Zhou Ruicai suddenly came to his senses and blurted out: "Uncle Jiao you are talking about, could it be Lai Wang's son Lai Shun?!"

"I changed my name to Jiao Shun last year."

As Qian Qi spoke, he cupped his hands towards Rongguo Mansion and said with a mixture of sadness and envy: "Now we all have to call him Uncle Jiao, Lord Jiao or Lord Jiao."

"This this……"

Zhou Rui pointed to the next door in disbelief and said: "The eldest wife's biological niece is giving birth to Lai Wang's son?! This, this is too ridiculous, isn't it?!"

"Don't underestimate this Uncle Jiao!"

Qian Qi sneered and said: "Since last year, he somehow fell into the emperor's eyes. First he did something right, and within a year he was promoted to an official position and became the general manager of the Ministry of Industry. I heard that in addition to the Minister of Finance, he was the chief minister of the Ministry of Industry.

What he said worked!”

"Even our master is now asking him to share some of the credit so that he can advance further in the officialdom!"

"In May, the Taiwei Master returned to Beijing and gave him the nickname 'Chang Qing', saying that he would only treat him as an uncle and nephew in the future."

When Zhou Rui heard these words, he almost suspected that he was in a dream.

I have only been away from Beijing for more than a year, so how come I have become Uncle Jiao, Lord Jiao, Lord Jiao, and even become a celebrity in front of Master Zheng and Taiwei Wang?!

Seeing his unbelievable look, Qian Qi slowly stopped smiling and solemnly reminded: "I am not satisfied with what you said, this time it was because all the Laiwang family had resigned from their citizenship, so I got the opportunity to send someone to replace you -

I know you have some issues with his family, but now you don’t dare to provoke them!"

After a pause, he added: "What about Mr. Lai? His own son had his legs broken by Uncle Jiao in front of him. Now he is not holding him up. In August, Uncle Jiao was promoted, and the Lai family specially sent him seven or eight hundred taels.

The heavy gift of money makes me afraid that people will still remember what happened in the past!"

Hiss~

Zhou Rui might not think it was true when talking about others, but after hearing about Lai Da's experience, he couldn't help but take a breath of cold air.

Lai Dake can be said to be the benchmark among the slaves of the Rongguo Mansion. In terms of power and connections, Zhou Rui is beyond his reach. His own son had his leg broken by Jiao Shun in front of him. Not only did he not dare to retaliate, he actually refused.

Give generous gifts to your enemies to apologize.

This is too...

Zhou Rui couldn't help but question: "The Lai family relies on the old lady, and even the old lady has to give him and his wife a bit of favor. No matter how hard Jiao Shun grows, he won't surpass the old lady, right?"

"Ouch!"

Qian Qi said helplessly: "Isn't this the old lady who also looks at Uncle Jiao in a different light? He doesn't know how he planned it, but he actually let our Second Master Bao fall into His Majesty's eyes. He summoned him once on August Day and again yesterday.

Once, the old lady seemed to be very happy and said that Uncle Jiao is the lucky star in the life of our Second Master Bao!"

As he spoke, he spread his hands and asked Zhou Rui: "How dare Lai Da offend the person this old lady values?"

Zhou Rui was silent.

Soon after, the motorcade arrived in front of the door. Qian Qi helped unload the things and left in a hurry.

Zhou Rui sent him to the door, went back home and was silent for a long time. He suddenly called his wife who was taking inventory of her luggage and ordered: "Hurry up and prepare a generous gift. Let's go next door to congratulate him."

Although Zhou Rui's family didn't know the reason, they knew that her husband would never do it without aim.

So I hurriedly selected some valuable ones from the gifts that I had prepared a long time ago, held them in my hand and followed my husband to the next door.

Unexpectedly, when they arrived at the courtyard, they saw Qian Qi, who had just left, also mingling among the guests.

…………

At the same time, the back house of Rongguo Mansion.

Yuchai found it in the maid's duty room, took out a bulging purse and stuffed it into her sister Jinchai's nose. She said with a nose that wasn't a nose or an eye, "We've been very busy over there lately. I'm afraid I won't be able to go home for a while.

Please take the time to deliver this money to my family for me."

Jin Chuan weighed the purse and heard that there was more silver than copper coins in it. He couldn't help but smile and said, "Is this the wedding money your uncle just gave you? It's really a big gesture!"

The jade bracelet gave her sister a hard look, turned around and left.

"return!"

Jin Chuan hurriedly stopped her, suppressed his smile and said seriously: "I know what you are thinking, but based on Miss Xing's background, even if there is a reason, she is still a talentless person."

"snort!"

Yuchuan didn't retort, but snorted coldly, spewing out a lot of sour gas.

"You girl!"

Jin Chuan raised his hand and stabbed her temple hard, and said seriously: "You don't see Uncle Jiao being happy? I'm afraid that no one will be able to get past Miss Xing if he carries someone else in - if he gives birth to a son again.

, even the doctor wants to give her three points!"

"No one from outside can compare, let alone those of our background. Since you can't compete with others, who are you showing your anger to? Is it to show off to Miss Xing or to show off to you, Uncle Jiao?!"

Yuchuan also knew that what her sister said was true, but she was fighting for her position wholeheartedly, but someone inexplicably took her first. Even though she knew she couldn't compete, how could she not be annoyed or sad?

"You, you!"

Seeing that she still didn't understand, Jin Chuan threw the purse into her arms and said without any doubt: "If you follow my wishes, it's better to try to have a good time and keep some affection, if you want to take my concubine in the future

, maybe even point at others!"

Yuchai subconsciously held the purse and asked with half-movement and half-bewilderment: "What does this mean?"

Jin Chuan hated the iron and cursed: "Idiot! You take this money back, and then call a few people from Uncle Jiao's house to come together and add a dowry to the new aunt. Doesn't this show your generosity?

Don't say that Miss Xing is grateful for your kindness then, I'm afraid Uncle Jiao will also love you more!"

Yu Chuan followed her thoughts and thought about it. His anger suddenly turned into joy and he said happily: "I will go back and discuss with them. If there are any short-sighted people, I will take the lead myself!"

With that said, he put the purse in his sleeves, turned around and flew away.

…………

A few streets away from Rongguo Mansion, in a small courtyard.

Sanjie You was sitting on the bench, picking vegetables and sulking at the same time. Suddenly she saw her mother coming back from outside excitedly. Looking at her face full of gossip, she knew she must have heard some big news again.

Sure enough, Mrs. You poured half a cup of tea first, moistened her throat a little, and then gestured to her two daughters and said: "When I came back just now, I saw that the brothers were arrested by the government a few days ago because of the dispute over property.

The seal on that house has been torn off and is being renovated in a grand way!"

"That guy, even the furniture is freshly made and painted. They are all made of good materials shipped from the south. They look like they are made of wood, but they are actually made with money!"

At this point, she pretended to be mysterious and asked: "Do you know who bought that house?"

Third Sister You raised her eyes and looked down, then lowered her head and sneered: "It's not our family anyway."

Mrs. You choked and rolled her eyes.

Fortunately, there is a well-behaved and curious Sister You, who compliments her very cooperatively: "But that second-level house at the corner of the street? Mom, please tell me, who bought it?"

"Speaking of which, you have all met this man."

Mrs. You then cheered up again and continued to unload her baggage: "It's Uncle Jiao who lives in Rongguo Mansion! But he didn't buy this house to live in. Who do you think he gave this house to?"

"To whom?"

"To the brother of the eldest wife of Rong Mansion! Do you know what he is planning for?"

"Mom, tell me quickly!"

"The reason is to take Uncle Xing's only daughter as my concubine!"

"How can this be?!"

When Sanjie You heard this, she couldn't help but interject: "That's the eldest wife's niece! Although Jiao Shun has grown hair now, the Xing family can't afford to give him their daughter as a concubine, right?"

"It can be said that it is!"

Mrs. You slapped her thigh and said, "I didn't believe it at first, but I can't bear to hear people say this on the street!"

After a pause, she praised loudly again: "But Uncle Jiao is really generous. I heard that he not only gave the Xing family a home, but also planned to buy a car repair shop for the Xing family - the one that specializes in tire repairs and tire replacements!

"

"This is a unique business that is sure to make a profit without losing any money. The water covered by Na Lian's second wife's hand couldn't be poured in. I heard that even the eldest wife was in trouble at first, but it was because of Uncle Jiao's face that he had to pull it out.

The feathers of the iron rooster!"

Sanjie You said subconsciously: "This is not surprising. The tire business was handled by Jiao Shun alone. It is difficult for others to interfere, but he can always speak."

"So that's what happened."

You Lao Niang suddenly realized.

However, Second Sister You was a little puzzled. She poked her sister's elbow doubtfully and asked curiously: "How come you are so familiar with Uncle Jiao's affairs?"

"I, I heard it from my eldest sister!"

Sanjie You lowered her head and refused to look away from her mother and sister.

In fact, it was after she broke up with Jiao Shun and You Shi Bai Rixuan that she quietly found out about Jiao Shun.

After being questioned by her sister, some embarrassing images emerged in her mind, and she couldn't help but spat twice.

Then he explained with a cold face: "There was a small bug in my mouth."

Mrs. You and Sister You exchanged glances, but they both thought that her spitting was directed at You.

After a moment's hesitation, Madam You couldn't help but ask: "Speaking of your eldest sister, why did you fall out with her? You didn't even want to go to the Double Ninth Festival. Why don't you tell me first? I went to Ningguo Mansion

It would be a good idea to help talk things over."

"What's there to talk about?!"

Sanjie You threw the half-picked vegetables on the ground and said angrily: "How can she be justified in being disgusting? You can go if you want and don't pay attention to me!"

As he said that, he turned his back and sat facing the wall. No matter what his mother and sister said, he didn't respond at all.

When Mrs. You saw this, she had no choice but to say, "I'll go and tell your sister to talk to you." Then she led Sister You out of the house and rushed along the street to Ningguo Mansion.

When passing by the house at the corner of the street, Second Sister You looked curiously and saw that the atmosphere inside was full of wealth and wealth. Although it was far inferior to Rong Ning's second house, it was still more than ten times better than her own house.

When I arrived at the Ningguo Mansion, I happened to see the servants carrying out a large sedan chair with four bars. The exquisite carvings on it were enough to dazzle people.

Mrs. You curiously stepped forward to inquire about it, and found out that it was the Wan Gong sedan used by Mrs. Xu when she came to visit in May. She planned to lend it to Jiao Shun for taking a concubine. Since she was not a wife and could not use the bright red color, she had to measure the size in advance and replace it with the pink one.

sedan clothes.

The mother and daughter were amazed, saying that this was concubinage, but it was more generous than ordinary people marrying wives.
Chapter completed!