“This Liang shi is a cruel person,” He Heng’s face darkened as he said, “Now, with me to protect you, she wouldn’t dare to be as bold. It was good fortune that your jiujiu protected you in the past. Otherwise, where would I find such a virtuous wife.”
To call the Tian Family by jiujiu, but to call the Chang De Duke by Duke. Even if he was a member of the Imperial Family and he could use whatever titles he liked, this double standard was a bit too obvious.
“My jiujiu and jiumu always protected qie. Otherwise, how could qie have the hundred and twenty trunks for my dowry when I married into the wang fu. And those properties and stores. All of those were left for me by my mother or added by my aunt on the day of,” Qu Qing Ju laughed lightly, “Qie is both unfortunate but fortunate. At least qie has a protective jiujiu.”
“Jiujiu is kind,” He Heng smiled as he hugged the other, “Now that you are the mistress of the wang fu, if you have free time, you could invite your jiumu over. I also want to meet your two biaodi[1].”
“If wang ye doesn’t distain Jiujiu’s family, qie will definitely let the biaodi pay their respects to you if there is a chance.” Qu Qing Ju raised her head to look at Duan Wang. A smile bloomed on her face as though she was very happy that He Heng was close to her jiujiu.
“We’re brothers of the same family, don’t discuss paying respects,” He Heng was very satisfied with Xiang Qing Hou Fu. The family discipline was tight and proper and their actions were upright. This type of family didn’t dishonour the reputation of the noble families. So to call the Marquis of Xiang Qing by jiujiu, he was very willing to do so.
Qu Qing Ju’s smile didn’t change upon hearing the words: “They wouldn’t dare call themselves brothers of wang ye. Wang ye might not know, those two biaodi of qie’s are very pedantic from studying all day. The only things they talk about all day are the Heaven, Earth, Emperor, Family and Teacher.[2] For them to disregard your position, it would be harder than for them to stop studying.”
“This is a good family,” He Heng caught the closeness that Qu Qing Ju felt towards the Tian family. He patted her back and said, “In future interactions with the Tian Family, don’t doubt yourself. They’re our relatives, there’s no need to be overly cautious.”
Qu Qing Ju naturally agreed. As to what she would do, that was her concern. The conduct of the Tian family was naturally one loyal to the emperor. She didn’t dare be interested in what He Heng thought, but she didn’t want the Tian Family to get swept into this type of matter.
She, Qu Qing Ju, was not a kind person, but she knew an eye for an eye and to repay others for their kindness. She mysteriously possessed this body, so she had to repay the favor.
When she woke on the morning of the second day, Qu Qing Ju sent off He Heng to the Royal Court before taking a beauty nap. She just rose to wash and eat breakfast but heard a curious matter before she finished her meal.
“You are saying that wang ye is taking Yun Qing guniang as a tong fang?” She wiped her hands. Looking at Xiao Gan Zi, she said with a joyless smile, “That being the case, bestow upon Yun Qing a pair of jade bracelets as my congratulations to her.”
“Wang Fei is very kind. Just a tong fang, it isn’t worth your gift,” Xiao Gan Zi replied with a smile, “It was just last night that Yun Qing nagged wang ye in the gardens. Wang ye was too impatient to deal with her so he said to make her a tong fang. It was just a sentence, nothing else has been bestowed down.”
“Nagged wang ye?” Qu Qing Ju smiled thinly. No wonder he was late last night. He had stopped to admire a beautiful woman.
Xiao Gan Zi saw that wang fei had a calm smile and thought to himself that wang fei didn’t seem to care for the matter. His heart went back into his chest and he continued: “Yes, those of inferior birth, they only know those cheap tricks. Nu cai is afraid of dirtying wang fei’s ears if he said them out loud.”
“It must have been hard for Xiao Gan Zi gonggong to be so clear of the matter,” Qu Qing Ju smiled, “The wang fu is getting busier these days. You can help me look at the stewards in charge of purchasing, see if they have been remiss in any areas.”
“Nucai will keep a close look,” Xiao Gan Zi felt a burst of joy. The purchasing of good was a rich duty. With what wang fei had said, those stewards responsible for daily purchases, didn’t they had to carefully worship him on a pedestal?
As expected, the best way was to ingratiate himself with wang fei. He wouldn’t try to compete with Ming He and the others. But to be favoured with wang fei, wasn’t that also a sign of his abilities?