The Ministry of Rites went to General Wen Sheng's mansion twice to recruit people without concealing the truth from anyone. The wise ministers in the court guessed the reason when Pei Xuan asked for retirement.

After all, Pei Xuan is only in his early forties and is in his prime.

It was precisely because they had guessed the reason that they were particularly shocked. They did not think that Hua Jingyun would pay attention to him after he became the sixth prince and became the king of Annan. In their hearts, even the prince's title was regarded by the emperor as a favor to Wen Mian.

I only gave it to save face.

What was shocking was that Wen Wen Mian actually held such an important position in the emperor's heart, and even lost his official position just because he offended him. This realization made the other princes' henchmen feel deeply in danger.

At this time, several princes regretted it even more, especially the second prince Hua Jingsheng.

In the Second Prince's Mansion, Hua Jingsheng was standing by the window of the study. Under the window was a long table with a small cloisonné enamel incense burner with smoke drifting out. Outside the window was a small peony bush, although the peonies had fallen off the branches.

It has fallen, but because this peony bush is of extraordinary quality, the seedlings are still left to wait for next year.

After a moment, footsteps were heard in the study, and a young man wearing cloth clothes and a scarf came in and bowed respectfully to Hua Jingsheng.

This person is one of Hua Jingsheng's many counselors, named Lu Xing.

"Your Highness, Qin Gong has taken care of everything."

Qin Gong failed two things in a row, and it was expected that he would be kicked out. Hua Jingsheng turned around and said, "Lu Xing, please tell me your opinion based on the current situation."

Lu Xing stood up, cupped his hands and said, "Xing thinks Qin Gong has gone astray."

At Hua Jingsheng's signal, Lu Xing continued to express his thoughts, "One is that King Annan was ambushed on his way back to Beijing. Even if King Annan is not favored by the emperor due to his destiny, he is still the emperor's son after all.

If brothers kill each other, the emperor will definitely be angry."

"Secondly, King Annan is now the son-in-law of General Wen. General Wen loves his daughter excessively. For the sake of Miss Wen, she will definitely support King Annan. The border is unstable. From what happened to Pei Xuan of the Ministry of Rites, it can be seen that the emperor will rely more on him.

General Wen."

"Thirdly, the emperor's talents and strategies are not satisfied with the current situation of Dongshu. As long as General Wen and his son are not damaged in the battle, the emperor can turn a blind eye even if they make some mistakes. As long as the mistakes are not fatal, if you want

Using it to blackmail him is nothing more than a fool's errand."

"Qin Gong acted privately, and now he has offended General Wen, which makes His Highness appear passive."

"With King Annan's destiny, he has no chance of becoming a great leader. In my humble opinion, as long as His Highness can be friendly and respectful with King Annan, he will be able to get more or less help from him. Not to mention the strength of General Wen, King Annan

The financial resources cannot be underestimated.”

"His Royal Highness is lying dormant, first to please the emperor, and then to win over King Annan. In the end, he may not be able to accumulate wealth."

When Hua Jingsheng heard this, he looked at Lu Xing carefully for the first time and sighed in his heart. Lu Xing had been in the government for more than two years and was usually very quiet. He didn't expect that he could analyze the situation so thoroughly.

Thinking about his words and the two previous actions, I felt extremely annoyed and wished I could tear Qin Gong into pieces.

"From today on, you are my prince's chief adviser. Can you tell me how I want to win over my sixth brother?"

Lu Xing smiled and said, "Your Highness, please stand still for the time being. No matter how many small things you do, they are not as important as one big thing. It is best to do something that owes a big favor. For now, you just have to wait."

"Of course, I will also keep an eye on the best opportunity for Your Highness."

Hua Jingsheng nodded, and now he liked Lu Xing no matter what he saw. The two of them talked for a few more words before Lu Xing left the study room, with a smile on his lips where no one could see him...

Wen Mianmian's wedding date was set for the eighth day of August, so there were still two months left.

The clerk reluctantly gave the dowry list to Mrs. Wen. The Ministry of Rites sent eighty-one dowry. Hua Jingyun added another seven dowry to make up the total of eighty-eight dowry. With these eighty-eight dowry, the general's palace only needed to add thirteen dowry.

Lift, which means that the number of dowries picked out from a hundred will come out, which can be said to be quite decent.

Of course, any more would exceed regulations.

Wen Wen Mian gave another five thousand taels to the emperor and handed it over. As a result, Mrs. Wen's pressure was greatly reduced.

On this day, Wen Mianmian was looking at her dowry. To be honest, for her who used to be a social animal, seeing so many treasures was very confusing.

Mrs. Wen took a scroll, which was a picture of snowy plum blossoms. There were several seals in the lower right corner. It looked expensive.

"This is Mr. Dongqing's painting. It is extremely rare. If you do it to others, don't say a thousand taels."

Wen Mianmian stepped forward and observed carefully. In recent days, she had studied with her grandfather and had seen many of his grandfather's paintings. As a layman, she felt that this painting was not as good as his grandfather's paintings.

"That's it, one thousand taels?"

Mrs. Wen nodded, "It is said that Mr. Dongqing used to buy paintings on the street when he was down and out. Fortunately, he met Mr. Yuanchun, a master of painting. Mr. Yuanchun once praised Mr. Dongqing's paintings for their excellent meticulousness and expressiveness, so he gradually became famous."

"I heard that the most expensive one cost three thousand taels."

Wen Mianmian took a deep breath. This was the moment when a down-and-out painter met the help of a great master and soared into the sky.

"Mother, give me this painting. I'll return it later."

Mrs. Wen gave it to her without thinking, "Take it."

After waiting to see the betrothal gift, Wen Mianmian sent the scroll to Mr. Wen, "Grandpa, look, this is it, one thousand taels."

"Why don't I look better than your painting?"

The old man was very excited when he had the opportunity to see the masterpieces of his colleagues, or the paintings of famous people. After looking at them carefully for a while, he looked disappointed, "This person is impetuous and superficial. He is too obsessed with the gorgeousness of his fine brushwork and has lost his charm."

.”

Wen Mianmian came forward and pretended to look at it. Of course, she didn't see anything. She turned around and said, "Grandpa, I remember you have a similar painting. Would you like to come and have a look at it?"

The old man turned around and entered the room, and after a while he took out a painting and unfolded it. Now even the layman Wen Mianmian had something to worry about.

This is not famous. To be famous, her grandfather's painting must not be worth one thousand two hundred taels?

His big eyes rolled, how can he help his grandfather gain fame?

If her grandfather became famous and was worth a fortune, besides the money rolling in, she would become the granddaughter of a certain master of painting. How majestic and educated she would be.

I couldn't help but laugh out loud when I thought of this.

Looking at his granddaughter with a silly smile on her face, the old man couldn't help but interrupt him, "What are you laughing at?"

Wen Mianmian turned around and said, "Grandpa, why did you lose your seal?"

The old man looked sad, "I don't have a seal."

In fact, he had a seal earlier, but his wife forcibly took it away and never returned it.
Chapter completed!