AWB Chapter 910: This is probably not to worship the ancestors
Chapter 910: This is probably not to worship the ancestors
Of course, Nanny Su's mother-in-law knew that the princess was generous.
Twenty taels is actually not a small amount, but he is just worried about his daughter-in-law. "I just want to remind you that the Su family is your foundation, so don't hide anything."
Nanny Su lowered her head and replied, "My daughter-in-law doesn't dare."
"You'd better not dare." Her mother-in-law pointed at her skinny granddaughter and said, "You gave birth to a money-loser, and I haven't settled the score with you yet."
Nanny Su still lowered her head, her eyes cold, "The princess said that when she returns from Iron Horse City, she will select a maid from among our wet nurses' children who can accompany the little princess to grow up. The money will be very generous."
Her mother-in-law's face immediately brightened up, "Really?"
Nanny Su concealed the coldness in her eyes, raised her head and answered respectfully, "It's true, the princess said it herself. But the princess also said that she would select those who are well-fed to enter the palace."
"What do you mean by raising well?" Her mother-in-law frowned.
"It means fair skin, thick black hair, and no bruises on the face or body."
Her mother-in-law: “…”
I'm afraid this is just to worship the ancestors!
Nanny Su has fair skin, black hair and a good appearance.
Her mother-in-law looked at her and felt that it was not a problem.
There can't be any bruises or purple marks on the body... This is actually easy to deal with, just avoid bumps and collisions, and don't get hit.
Her mother-in-law was itching to do something, but she could hold back for the sake of the money.
Nanny Su added, "You can't have calluses on your hands. The steward will check them carefully before you enter the mansion."
Her mother-in-law: “…”
It really is a sacrifice for the ancestors! But the children cannot be allowed to work!
"How much money can you get when you enter the palace?" her mother-in-law asked dissatisfiedly, "It's like a beauty pageant."
Nanny Su didn't respond directly, but said, "There is a maid named Nanyan in the princess's mansion. She is about seventeen years old. I heard that she has only been with the princess for three or four years. Now she has bought a house with two courtyards at the east gate for rent. I heard that the location is good and the rent is not low."
Her mother-in-law took a deep breath, and when she looked at her granddaughter next to her, she saw something like the glittering silver, and inexplicably she became more pleasing to the eye. She quickly grabbed the ignorant little granddaughter and said, "Oh my goodness! Come here, grandma loves you."
Nanny Su breathed a sigh of relief. She could go to Tiema City without any worries.
In the side hall of the Tinglan Courtyard, Uncle Wan drank two cups of tea. When the tea was getting cold, the princess finally arrived.
He stood up and saluted, with a worried look between his brows. He said in a deep voice, "Princess, the people's livelihood in Tiema City is now in decline, and the trade routes are cut off. The people in the city have to be very careful with even the salt, firewood and rice, and they would rather break a copper coin in half." He took out a roll of account books from his sleeve and presented it with both hands, "This is the price recorded by this old servant secretly, please take a look, Princess."
Shi Anxia took the account book and stroked the mottled ink marks with his fingertips.
The account pages were densely filled with notes: coarse salt had risen to thirty cents per pound, a dou of old rice cost fifty cents, and even the cheapest bran was not cheap.
She sighed softly, "I'm sure it's not just Tiema City that's in this situation. All the lost territories that have just been recovered are in this situation."
The closure of trade routes and the empty government warehouses led to rising prices and made life difficult for the people.
In recent years, Wan State secretly condoned horse bandits to rob caravans and imposed heavy taxes on the border. Did they ever want to let the people who lost their land live a good life?
In addition, Tiema City had just experienced war, and even if the Ministry of Revenue allocated money and food day and night, it would still be of little use to put out the immediate fire.
After talking about the important things, Uncle Wan finally remembered the main reason for his visit today, "I have already bought a villa in Tiema City for the princess to stay. But..."
It's just that the living conditions there are limited.
He didn't finish, but Shi Anxia understood, "I'm not going there to enjoy myself, it's fine as long as I can live there. And the villa needs to be big enough, as I'm bringing a lot of people with me."
Uncle Wan nodded, "It was originally the residence of a wealthy family in Wan State."
The two chatted for a while, and then Uncle Wan said goodbye.
Another group of people were already waiting in the main hall to ask to see the princess.
When Shi Anxia arrived at the main hall, Wu Qicheng and others stood up together.
Wu Qi and Cheng Gang were appointed as the commander-in-chief of Tiema City, Zhao Zhui as the commander of the border army, and Qiu Zhiyan as the military supervisor.
After listening to the reports from these people, Shi Anxia knew that it must be the intention of the emperor. This meant that all the acquaintances were sent to her to take away.
She asked, "Is the position of deputy commander vacant?"
Wu Qicheng replied, "There are currently two vacancies."
When he said this, Shi Anxia understood. The two vacancies were originally held by Tang Xinghe and Ma Chuyang.
But because the two of them submitted their resignations, the position of deputy general became vacant.
Shi Anxia said, "That will be hard for General Wu."
When the princess called out the words "General Wu", Wu Qicheng felt dazed. It felt like not long ago, he was still studying military tactics and practicing archery with his teacher in Yunqi Academy.
Thinking of "Mr.", Wu Qicheng and others' eyes suddenly turned red.
Wu Qicheng and Zhao Zhui performed well in the process of recovering lost territory, acting calmly and strictly in discipline. One was General Jinglu and the other General Dinglu, both of whom were from the sixth rank.
Although the two men had been newly conferred the rank of generals, there was no arrogance in their expressions, but rather a solemnity.
"I have received the order from the Ministry of War," Wu Qicheng said as he clasped his fists, the bronze tiger talisman on his waist jingling softly, "We will leave for Tiema City the day after tomorrow to take up our post. I have come to ask for your instructions, Princess."
Shi Anxia agreed, his eyes moving slightly, "With two generals accompanying us, this trip will be safe."
"I am willing to protect the princess." The two left.
Only Qiu Zhiyan was left.
Shi Anxia asked Nan Yan to refill the hot tea. The celadon cup was filled with mist. "The new emperor has ascended the throne. My cousin has made great achievements in the capital. Why did he have to go to Iron Horse City for me?"
Qiu Zhiyan frowned, his tea reflecting his faint worry, "My cousin has traveled thousands of miles to find her husband, so she should have a relative by her side. I happened to be free, so I asked the court for a vacancy and went with my cousin."
Shi Anxia felt a little wet in her heart.
Qiu Zhiyan suddenly smiled, "Besides, I am the master of my own future. No one is qualified to tell me what to do."
The two of them recalled the ridiculous things that happened in the past and sighed.
Shi Anxia suddenly asked, "Does my cousin regret it?"
Qiu Zhiyan paused with his fingertips, and the celadon teacup turned half a circle in his palm.
He was silent for a moment, "A little, but not much." He curled his lips, "If she were still here, I might have become a monk a long time ago."
The swaying shadows of the bamboos outside the window made the dark line between his brows particularly distinct.
It's funny that after his mother died, he gained his freedom.
People always say that mothers are loving and their children are filial, but every time he thinks of the sound of that nail-painted hand lifting the curtain, his back still stiffens.
The two talked about Song Ruishi's execution. Qiu Zhiyan said, "The new emperor issued a general amnesty upon his ascension to the throne, and he just happened to be not included in the amnesty. Otherwise, if he were released, he would be a disaster."
Shi Anxia deeply agreed. She had someone investigate and found that Song Ruishi was not only guilty of selling his sister and arson.
There were also robberies and murders, all of which were confessed to by his companions.
Qiu Zhiyan came here today for another very important matter. "I want to arrange a marriage for my sister Hongyan before I leave. Cousin, do you think Huo Siwu is a reliable man? Can you entrust your life to him?"