Su Zheng followed the servant to the guest room in the outer courtyard and settled down.
The servant Shun Zi ran in and whispered, "Sir, the servant found out that the people living in the courtyard next door are the Xie family's father and son."
The Su family fell into decline, and all the servants were dismissed, leaving only Shun Zi's family.
Shun Zi's family is all born in the Su family. They have served the Su family for generations and are the most loyal.
Su Zheng paused while holding the tea and asked, "Are you sure the people living in the courtyard next door are the Xie family father and son?"
Shun Zi nodded repeatedly. "I saw it clearly; there's no mistake. The Xie family's servants are moving the luggage inside."
Su Zheng thought about it, came to the gate of the courtyard, and looked out through the crack in the door. Sure enough, he saw the servants of the Xie family moving things to the next courtyard.
Su Zheng frowned and thought deeply. Was it an accident that he was arranged to live next to the Xie family courtyard?
Thinking back to those meaningful words that cousin Gu Jiu said, could it be that cousin Gu Jiu deliberately arranged for him to live next door to the Xie family?
But how did cousin Gu Jiu do it?
In a blink of an eye, Su Zheng started laughing again.
Cousin Gu Jiu is very smart, so this little thing will definitely not be difficult for her.
All in all, whether it was an accident or a deliberate arrangement, it did make things convenient for him.
After meeting Gu Ting and Gu Jiu and learning about the difficulties his cousins had in making a living under Madam Xie, Su Zheng wanted to do something to help them.
The father and son of the Xie family went through a long detour and traveled thousands of miles to come to Jinzhou, definitely not just to visit Xie.
Cousin Gu Jiu seemed very curious about the purpose of Xie's father and son's visit, and he was equally curious.
Su Zheng looked at the wall next to the courtyard. Since he was close to them, he might as well take this opportunity to inquire for cousin Gu Jiu.
Su Zheng waved his hand, called Shun Zi to his side, and whispered, "Remember to pay attention to the situation next door and see what they did and said."
Shun Zi nodded and then became embarrassed again. "Sir, we have no money, and we can't even find anyone to get information. What should we do?"
Su Zheng was also a little embarrassed. "Just get over it first. Jinzhou is a big city. I'll write two storybooks tomorrow and you can take them to the bookstore to sell. They should be able to fetch a good price."
"Young Master is busy writing storybooks for money, so he has no time to review his lessons. If he misses out on studying and fails the imperial examination, the master will be very disappointed."
"You're the only one who talks too much."
Shun Zi made a face behind Su Zheng's back, then said, "Master, Servant is going to go outside to get familiar with the situation. Don't worry, servant will definitely bring you news today."
Su Zheng laughed, "Go ahead, don't mess around."
Shun Zi ran away in a hurry.
…
Main room.
The room was very quiet, with only Mrs. Xie and Second Master Xie in it.
The maids are all outside.
Mrs. Xie put down the teacup and said calmly, "Brother, you came from afar to visit me. I am very grateful in my heart."
Master Xie smiled and said, "We are siblings. It would be awkward to say such things."
Xie raised her eyebrows and smiled, "I dare not be so polite; otherwise, my sister-in-law will say that I am taking advantage of my mother's family."
"Your sister-in-law has long hair and short knowledge; don't bother with her. I came to Jinzhou this time to give you money."
Xie smiled and asked, "How much?"
Mr. Xie held up five fingers and gestured, "It's five thousand taels."
Mrs. Xie snorted, "Five thousand taels, that's a small amount. For such a small amount of money, why would my brother have to go there in person? Just send a steward to deliver it."
Master Xie stroked his beard and said with a smile, "It has been many years since I last saw my sister. I missed you, so I took this opportunity to come and see you."
Xie curled her lips and looked a little disdainful. "Brother, you can say nice things; I will just take it as the truth."
"It's the truth, all the truth."
Master Xie smiled, and his smile was a bit flattering.
Xie snorted, "Second brother, we are siblings; how can I not know what your temper is? Back then, when I married my husband, as a concubine, I had a hard time in the mansion. I had to be careful when I spoke and walked. "Did my second brother ever feel sorry for his younger sister?"
Master Xie said, "That's true; you are my biological sister, and I naturally feel bad for you marrying Master Gu as a concubine. Fortunately, you have finally gotten your wish, and as the head of the family, you have the final say. Your relatives and friends all say that you are blessed."
Xie raised her eyebrows and looked proud, "Even if I am lucky, I earned it myself."
"Yes, yes, yes! Sister has been capable since she was young. I knew you would have a glorious day."
"Tell me, what is the purpose of Second Brother coming here this time? Don't tell me those empty words."
Master Er, for looking around.
Mrs. Xie was dissatisfied. "Second brother, are you worried about someone eavesdropping? You can be at ease with me. My yard is as solid as an iron tunnel. Not a single word will be leaked out."
Master Xie laughed, "Sister is still capable. I came here this time with a mission."
Xie said nothing, waiting for his next words.
Master Xie lowered his voice and asked, "Sister, do you know the current situation in the capital?"
"What happened in the capital?" Xie frowned, a little worried. "Could it be that something happened to my eldest brother?"
After saying this, Xie's face turned pale.
The Xie family is what it is today, all thanks to her oldest brother. If something happens to her eldest brother, what will happen?
Second Master Xie waved his hands quickly, "Brother is fine, don't worry. It's another matter. You know that the Queen is seriously ill and has been lying in bed for half a year."
After hearing the news, Xie didn't understand at first, "The Queen is seriously ill; why did Second Brother come to me? I'm not a doctor."
After saying that, Xie suddenly came to her senses, "Second brother, do you mean that the Crown Prince is in danger?"
Mr. Xie nodded heavily.
Mrs. Xie's face turned pale. "What should we do? The Queen is not really going to die, is she? If something happens to the Queen, will His Royal Highness be able to succeed to the throne smoothly?"
Master Xie said solemnly, "This is the key."
Xie's heart beat like a drum, thump thump thump, and her palms began to sweat.
My eldest brother is valued by the prince and is already a member of the prince's party.
If the crown prince cannot succeed to the throne smoothly, one can easily imagine what will happen to his elder brother, who is the crown prince's assistant minister.
If he is lucky, one person will die and the whole family will be saved.
If you are ill, your whole family will die.
If you are even more unlucky, three generations of your family will be killed.
No matter what the consequences are, the Xie family cannot bear it.
Before becoming rich, the Xie family was just a small family. The highest official Xie's father held in his life was a Yamen official, a ninth-rank official.
It can be said that the Xie family has no background at all.
Facing those powerful families that have been passed down for hundreds of years, the Xie family is vulnerable.
Once something happens, there will be no one to arrange rescue.
Rely on the Gu family?
Xie shook her head slightly.
They can't pin our hopes on the Gu family.
The Gu family is not a charity, so it is impossible for them to reach out to save a family that is destined to fail. It is even more impossible for them to save a thorn in the eyes of the new emperor.
Therefore, the crown prince cannot fall, and he must ascend the throne smoothly.
Only when the prince ascends the throne can the Xie family maintain its wealth and prosperity for a hundred years.
Xie thought things through, took a deep breath, calmed herself, and asked, "Second brother, you came to Jinzhou specially, not just to tell me this in person. What exactly does eldest brother want me to do? What do you want me to do?"