RPAGF Chapter 165: Sang Shu Falls into a Trap
Chapter 165: Sang Shu Falls into a Trap
The corners of his lips twitched several times, but Sang Shu was too embarrassed to say anything. He knew about this matter but didn't know the details. At home, he was just a bastard's son, and outside, he was just a bookkeeper in vain. They were all dispensable and unappreciated existences.
If he could help his father with this mission and help him get promoted, at least his status in the family would be greatly improved.
His mind was racing, and he suddenly became more tolerant of Ling Yuyao.
It seems that being patient and maintaining this marriage is not a bad thing.
Sang Shu felt relieved for a moment, and then he sighed again:
"If it weren't for the special hobby of Mr. Zhao from Minister Zhao's family, I would have found a way to help you get him directly. Why would I have gone to so much trouble to remind you?"
"I can't do anything, but I want to do a favor for the one in your family for free?"
"Hey, what do you think? I heard that the emperor and the ladies of the palace will be present this time. It's the birthday of Guanyin, so the women should be worshipping Buddha and the men should be going out for an outing. Hunting is probably just a gimmick or a formality. After all, killing animals on the birthday of Guanyin is unlucky. This is a huge effort and involves foreign envoys. The Ministry of Rites must have a lot to deal with, right?"
"The person in charge of the Ministry of Rites this time is Minister Zhao, and they are all doing the work. Can the people in front of His Majesty be the same as those who stayed behind in the Ministry of Rites?"
"I originally thought that I would get the job done for the doctor and then say that you were the one who helped smooth things over. But after learning about this, I realized that Minister Zhao is notoriously stubborn and won't give anyone face. But he is henpecked. His wife has a beloved younger brother called 'Little Zhao'. Although he is a bit of a scoundrel, at least he can talk and get things done."
"However, although this young master Zhao is a scoundrel, he has connections and principles. I don't know if he is deliberately making things difficult for me or is just trying to protect himself. In addition to giving him some money, there is another invisible condition that must be met, and that is that you have to give him a woman. I didn't think it was a big deal at first, after all, most of the girls in the building are willing to pay a little money. Later, I found out that he wants the wife or close relative of the person asking for help."
"You mean here..."
"No wonder so many people lined up to find him, but in the end they all left in disgrace. But there are people who really want to leave. I heard that an eighth-rank treasurer who has been sitting in the position for six years has not moved. He found him and persuaded his wife to spend a night with him. In three months, he was promoted twice and is now a sixth-rank judge. I don't know how he did it, but he succeeded. This person is from the government office in the capital. His name is Quan Hong. I wonder if you have heard of him?"
"I heard what they said was amazing."
"Alas, it's a pity that I can't do anything this time. Fortunately, your brother-in-law is in charge this time. I think they are both responsible for the same thing. We can't get along with Minister Zhao. Can your brother-in-law also help you put in a good word?"
"This is also your credit!"
"I got such great news but I didn't get any benefit from it. If it weren't for you, I would rather give up."
"Even if she helped you get this done, you can't forget my kindness."
"Why does this young Master Zhao have such a habit? I have no choice but to watch helplessly as I prepare wedding clothes for others!"
……
The woman shook her head, looking conflicted and helpless. At first, Sang Shu was very excited, but the more he listened, the stiffer his expression became.
Because he suddenly remembered that the two assistant ministers of the Ministry of Rites, the one who was closer to his father seemed to be surnamed Wang.
If he remembered correctly, then this Minister Zhao was the one who was said to be difficult to deal with, not very sociable, and not on good terms with their family according to the Ministry of Rites?
If it was really him, then no matter how great the contribution of the Ministry of Rites was, the Sang family probably wouldn't get much of a share.
As for Ling Yuchi, he is in a different field from others. Not to mention that he still has pressure from the Ministry of Imperial Households, even if he really has the final say, his influence on the Ministry of Rites is estimated to be very limited. It is almost enough for him to cooperate with the arrangements of the Ministry of Rites.
Moreover, Ling Yuchi was born a military general. Not only was he not good at socializing, he also felt that he looked down on civil officials.
And this Minister Zhao is the role model of the Ministry of Rites, and he probably looks down on him. Let alone talking to him, it would be a good thing if the two of them didn't get involved in the discussion.
The more he talked, the more anxious Sang Shu felt. Was the Sang family going to just sit there and watch helplessly at this great opportunity?
He was scratching his head anxiously.
This made him feel worse than if he knew nothing.
"Husband, what's wrong with you? Are you listening to me? It's almost the end of the month, and there's still time to make a move now. If you help your father get in front of the emperor, are you afraid that you won't have another chance in the future?"
"The chances of His Majesty leaving the palace are rare, so it would be a good thing to be able to make yourself familiar and see His Majesty's face."
"What's more, with so many princes and nobles, there are opportunities everywhere."
Suddenly coming back to his senses, Sang Shu felt even more itchy:
"Are you sure the Minister of Rites in charge is surnamed Zhao? There are two Ministers in the Ministry of Rites, right and left. Are you sure you are making a mistake?"
Right Vice Minister, Right Vice Minister.
Sang Shu stared at Xiaodie intently, praying in his heart. The woman frowned as if she was thinking seriously again, and then said:
"The old prince was talking about the left assistant minister. I heard it was the one with the surname Zhao. So the assistant minister of the Ministry of Rites with the surname Zhao should be the one."
"I heard from the old prince that this time the activity may have a lot of freedom. It may be a rare opportunity to win over someone or something. Anyway, we should go if we can."
His heart was at the bottom of the valley. After thinking for a while, Sang Shu gritted his teeth and said:
"you're right."
"I'll go back and discuss it right away. Please help me make contact with Minister Zhao."
As he spoke, Sang Shu pushed the woman away, then pulled her back and gave her a big kiss on the cheek. The woman showed an expression that was either surprise or shock at the right moment:
"Ah? I don't think I can get close to Minister Zhao. Young Master Zhao needs Madam's consent before we can meet and talk to him."
After the words fell, Xiaodie pointed at him with doubt and questioning eyes, but Sang Shu snorted indifferently:
"I don't want to either, and it's best if it doesn't come to this. If it really doesn't work, it doesn't matter if it's one more time or one less time, she should agree."
"You've compromised and refused to come in, so what's wrong with her making some sacrifices? No one will know about it anyway."
Then, without waiting for Xiaodie to react, Sang Shu waved his hand and strode away. Behind him, with his hands raised, the cry from the corner of the woman's lips gradually froze and finally turned into a faint smile.
……
Sang Shu rushed back to the mansion without stopping and acted as fiercely as a tiger. However, the result was just as he expected. Ling Yuchi refused without even a perfunctory reply.
Unable to wait but afraid of missing the opportunity, he also felt a little resentful of the selfishness of the Marquis' Mansion and their unwillingness to help him with such a simple task. That night, Sang Shu knelt down in front of Ling Yuyao, begged her, made promises, and analyzed the pros and cons to brainwash her. In the end, Ling Yuyao was coaxed into nodding her head.
The next night, she was led into a strange small dark room.