Chapter 439
The Jin Family, Study.
The middle-aged man standing at the study door spoke respectfully, "Sixth Young Master, please come in."
"Thank you, Uncle Tie." Jin Xu dared not put on airs. Throughout the entire Jin family, even the three sons of Master Jin Jiu treated Tie Shu with respect. He was Master Jiu's confidant, and his influence within the Jin family even surpassed that of the young masters.
Master Jin Jiu's study was decorated in the refined style of a scholar. The calligraphy and paintings on the walls were by Master Jin Jiu himself. A long desk by the window held brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, and a zither stand was placed before a curio shelf. At this moment, Master Jin Jiu was brewing tea.
"Ninth Uncle." Jin Xu bowed respectfully, showing the same reverence as the other juniors of the Jin family towards Master Jin Jiu.
Without pausing his tea-brewing, Master Jin Jiu slightly tilted the teapot and poured the fragrant water precisely into the two teacups on the tea tray. "Sit."
After a while, amidst the swirling steam, Master Jin Jiu picked up a teacup and looked at Jin Xu, who was seated opposite him. "Longjing tea from before the rains, from Jiangnan."
The Jin family was a wealthy merchant clan, and there was no shortage of money. Even in Minhe Prefecture, which Yao Zhenyi described as barren, imperial tribute tea worth a hundred taels was commonplace for the Jin family.
Jin Xu picked up his teacup, swirled it gently, inhaled the faint aroma of the tea, and then took a sip. "Lingering on Longjing's peak, clouds rise like a painted sky. Duke Cheng loves guests, drawing water from hidden springs... Brewing golden buds, not after the Grain Rain... If Third Brother knew I was drinking Longjing from before the rains brewed by your own hands, Ninth Uncle, he would surely be jealous."
Master Jin Jiu looked meaningfully at the flattering Jin Xu and smiled kindly. "Is this about your wife's matter?"
"Please forgive my lapse, Ninth Uncle." Jin Xu quickly put down his teacup, his earlier leisurely demeanor gone, and replied with a serious expression, "Yan Yue did not know Zhan Feiyu's identity, otherwise she would never have dared to be so impulsive and reckless."
Although the Sixth Madam, Wang Yan Yue, had a domineering and arrogant personality, she was, after all, from an official family and knew whom she could and could not offend. Otherwise, when she was mocked by her cousins at her maiden home previously, the Sixth Madam would have caused a huge scene.
Seeing that Master Jin Jiu did not speak, Jin Xu suppressed his inner anxiety. "Ninth Uncle, I plan to prepare gifts and go to Muxiang Residence to apologize."
Master Jin Jiu nodded and then suddenly asked, "What do you think about Zhan Feiyu privately selling the roster?"
"What?" Startled, Jin Xu suddenly looked up. Meeting Master Jin Jiu's all-knowing eyes, his heart skipped a beat. Was Ninth Uncle testing him or examining him?
Regardless of the turmoil within, Jin Xu steadied his mind. "Zhan Feiyu is not a greedy person, but she is different from those rigid scholars. She acts on impulse, even to the point of being arrogant and unconventional. Furthermore, news from the capital indicates that Minister Bai is already selecting people to replace the various officials in Longyou Prefecture."
Whether it was Zhan Feiyu's every move or the actions of the various factions secretly following her, their movements could not escape the Jin family's surveillance. It was normal for Jin Xu to know this information.
Master Jin Jiu leisurely sipped his tea, gesturing for Jin Xu to continue.
"Ninth Uncle, in my humble opinion, those who bought the roster are gambling. Although the officials on the roster are bound to be removed, these officials have complex relationships within the prefectural yamen, with many relatives, friends, and confidantes."
Jin Xu had been managing the Jin family's businesses for several years and had extensive dealings with officials in the prefectural yamen, understanding the intricacies of the situation even better.
It was like if Prefect Yuan were to be removed,
...had extensive dealings with officials in the prefectural yamen, understanding the intricacies of the situation even better.
It was like if Prefect Yuan were to be removed,
...
But regardless of the turmoil within, Jin Xu steadied his mind. "Zhan Feiyu is not a greedy person, but she is different from those rigid scholars. She acts on impulse, even to the point of being arrogant and unconventional. Furthermore, news from the capital indicates that Minister Bai is already selecting people to replace the various officials in Longyou Prefecture."
Whether it was Zhan Feiyu's every move or the actions of the various factions secretly following her, their movements could not escape the Jin family's surveillance. It was normal for Jin Xu to know this information.
Master Jin Jiu leisurely sipped his tea, gesturing for Jin Xu to continue.
"Ninth Uncle, in my humble opinion, those who bought the roster are gambling. Although the officials on the roster are bound to be removed, these officials have complex relationships within the prefectural yamen, with many relatives, friends, and confidantes."
Jin Xu had been managing the Jin family's businesses for several years and had extensive dealings with officials in the prefectural yamen, understanding the intricacies of the situation even better.
After a while, amidst the swirling steam, Master Jin Jiu picked up a teacup and looked at Jin Xu, who was seated opposite him. "Longjing tea from before the rains, from Jiangnan."
The Jin family was a wealthy merchant clan, and there was no shortage of money. Even in Minhe Prefecture, which Yao Zhenyi described as barren, imperial tribute tea worth a hundred taels was commonplace for the Jin family.
Jin Xu picked up his teacup, swirled it gently, inhaled the faint aroma of the tea, and then took a sip. "Lingering on Longjing's peak, clouds rise like a painted sky. Duke Cheng loves guests, drawing water from hidden springs... Brewing golden buds, not after the Grain Rain... If Third Brother knew I was drinking Longjing from before the rains brewed by your own hands, Ninth Uncle, he would surely be jealous."
Master Jin Jiu looked meaningfully at the flattering Jin Xu and smiled kindly. "Is this about your wife's matter?"
"Please forgive my lapse, Ninth Uncle." Jin Xu quickly put down his teacup, his earlier leisurely demeanor gone, and replied with a serious expression, "Yan Yue did not know Zhan Feiyu's identity, otherwise she would never have dared to be so impulsive and reckless."
Although the Sixth Madam, Wang Yan Yue, had a domineering and arrogant personality, she was, after all, from an official family and knew whom she could and could not offend. Otherwise, when she was mocked by her cousins at her maiden home previously, the Sixth Madam would have caused a huge scene.
Seeing that Master Jin Jiu did not speak, Jin Xu suppressed his inner anxiety. "Ninth Uncle, I plan to prepare gifts and go to Muxiang Residence to apologize."
Master Jin Jiu nodded and then suddenly asked, "What do you think about Zhan Feiyu privately selling the roster?"
"What?" Startled, Jin Xu suddenly looked up. Meeting Master Jin Jiu's all-knowing eyes, his heart skipped a beat. Was Ninth Uncle testing him or examining him?
But regardless of the turmoil within, Jin Xu steadied his mind. "Zhan Feiyu is not a greedy person, but she is different from those rigid scholars. She acts on impulse, even to the point of being arrogant and unconventional. Furthermore, news from the capital indicates that Minister Bai is already selecting people to replace the various officials in Longyou Prefecture."
Whether it was Zhan Feiyu's every move or the actions of the various factions secretly following her, their movements could not escape the Jin family's surveillance. It was normal for Jin Xu to know this information.
Master Jin Jiu leisurely sipped his tea, gesturing for Jin Xu to continue.
"Ninth Uncle, in my humble opinion, those who bought the roster are gambling. Although the officials on the roster are bound to be removed, these officials have complex relationships within the prefectural yamen, with many relatives, friends, and confidantes."
Jin Xu had been managing the Jin family's businesses for several years and had extensive dealings with officials in the prefectural yamen, understanding the intricacies of the situation even better.