Tianliangyuan

Chapter 315 is settled.

Who would want to get involved in something like this?

Sun Qian's situation is too complicated.

If it's just a scar on the face, that's actually the easiest thing to fix.

The problem now is that she has a bad reputation.

Having just had the Jia family's property confiscated, which family would still want to associate with Sun Qian?

However, given Sun Qian's personality, she was unwilling to marry into an ordinary family and only wanted to live a good life.

But where in the world is there such a good thing?

Xu Zhaozhao pretended not to know, letting the Sun family's daughter do whatever she wanted.

This time, Father and Brother did not receive much reward, probably because they knew that Father had leaked information to the Sun family. Fortunately, nothing serious happened, and the initial suspicion was also brought up by Father. Otherwise, Father would probably have been punished.

Xu Zhaozhao and Xie Zheng stayed at the Marquis's residence until evening before returning home.

Xu Zhaozhao actually wanted to live in Ziyuan.

However, Wang Ruolan said it wasn't appropriate. After the New Year, she wouldn't be considered a new bride anymore, and she could come back to stay for a while.

Xie Zheng went to work again, and Xu Zhaozhao arranged for someone to prepare a generous New Year's gift, which she personally delivered to the Wang family.

During her visit to her maternal grandparents' home, Xu Zhaozhao talked with her uncle for quite a while and finally received some good news.

For example, next February, the magistrate of Lantian County will be transferred to the capital, and the position of the original magistrate has already been decided, with Fang Youwei temporarily taking over. If there are no surprises, he will become the official magistrate of Lantian County in about a year.

Fang Youwei's background was not problematic; in those days, a scholar who had passed the imperial examinations was quite influential.

As long as Fang Youwei doesn't make any major mistakes, Xu Zhaozhao plans to keep him in Lantian County for at least five years.

If Fang Youwei is a content and happy person, then it would be perfectly fine to let him serve for a few more years.

This was something Xu Zhaozhao had promised back then, and now that it had come to fruition, she naturally had to offer her some benefits.

Don't assume that just because you're in a high position, you can make all the decisions.

His maternal uncle, Wang Changgeng, is now the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, a minor official position, which is why he can easily find someone to pull strings for him.

If it's a good job, like one in the capital, then it will be a bit tricky.

Xu Zhaozhao never showed up, firstly because she was a woman, and secondly because she felt it was unnecessary.

“Uncle, please keep these two century-old ginseng roots. I will arrange for someone to deliver the promised thank-you gift separately.”

Wang Changgeng was somewhat excited: "This century-old ginseng is very rare. I'll keep one, but you should take the other one back with you."

"No need. I still have some."

"There's more?" Wang Changgeng was extremely shocked after hearing this. His niece was actually buying such good stuff in bulk?

"Yes, there really is. When Sanlang was fighting in the north, I asked him to keep an eye out for it, so he brought back a few ginseng roots. Don't worry, Uncle, these ginseng roots were specially prepared for Grandpa and Grandma. Uncle is still young and doesn't need them!"

That was clearly a joke directed at him.

Wang Changgeng pointed at her twice and said, "You little rascal!"

Xu Zhaozhao received the accurate information, but still wanted to ask, "When will the official document from the Ministry of Personnel arrive?"

"He should be appointed before the end of the year. After the New Year, we'll do a handover and he'll take office."

"My uncle is really reliable!"

"How to talk!"

The two then discussed the incident in the capital and how many vacancies they could fill.

After reviewing the information, the two realized that although there seemed to be many people planted, they were actually just minor officials. Of the officials who were actually of the fifth rank or above, the Wang and Xu families could only get involved with three.

So, it's just that our strength doesn't allow it.

"This is just right. Let's keep a low profile and focus on building our own power. A ruler like His Majesty can't possibly see everything. He can certainly name every official of the fourth rank and above, but he might not pay attention to officials of the fifth rank or below."

"That makes sense."

Xu Zhaozhao was still worried, so after leaving the Wang family, she sent someone to the Ministry of Personnel to inquire.

Sure enough, the Ministry of Personnel will issue an official document a few days later, at which time Fang Youwei will be able to take office.

This opportunity truly favors the prepared mind.

If Xu Zhaozhao hadn't communicated with Lantian County first, even if Fang Youwei had taken office, he might not have appreciated her kindness.

It's different now.

She had already hinted at it, and since it was indeed because of her that they were able to be listed in the Emperor's court, they would definitely be grateful to her.

Xu Zhaozhao never felt she had too many favors.

Even if it can only be used once in the future, it might be a chance to save a life.

True weakness and self-preservation do not mean doing nothing or having no power at all.

If someone were truly so brain-dead as to think that they could exchange everything for their superiors in exchange for their trust or a chance to survive, then that would be incredibly stupid!

Concealing one's abilities and truly being powerless to fight back are two completely different concepts!

Xu Zhaozhao always liked to think long-term. After all, who could guarantee that the current emperor was wise and virtuous, and would still be wise and virtuous ten years from now?

Furthermore, there is no guarantee that the current emperor will be able to distinguish right from wrong, and that the next emperor will be the same.

Therefore, it's always better to prepare early than to just wait for someone to come knocking on your door to behead you and confiscate your property.

This wave is stable.

Xu Zhaozhao is able to remain hidden so well not because her plans are so meticulous or her actions so cautious, but because she is a woman.

The contempt shown towards women in this world is truly disheartening.

Xu Zhaozhao was only born into a marquis's family. If she had been born into the royal family, she would have at least become the crown princess.

Back at the Duke of Huguo's mansion, Xu Zhaozhao once again secluded herself in her Jinxiu Garden and refused to go out.

Ever since Xu Zhaozhao created that fireplace, many nobles in the capital have followed suit.

Xu Zhaozhao simply ordered the Hundred Fruit Garden and Yunqi Villa to start building heated brick beds and fire walls. In this way, the houses would be warm in winter, and the number of people who froze to death each year would be greatly reduced.

Of course, Xu Zhaozhao had no intention of getting her hands on the heated kang and walls; she gave them directly to her maternal uncle and cousin, allowing the father and son to receive a lot of praise before the emperor.

After all, this thing can actually keep you warm, and ordinary people don't need to spend too much money to make ends meet.

Actually, Xu Zhaozhao didn't expect that just because she mentioned it casually, Wang Wenyuan would actually work with the craftsmen to create a stove that could both cook and heat the kang (a traditional heated bed). It really shows that you can't underestimate anyone.

This credit naturally fell more firmly on Wang Wenyuan.

Many people prefer fireplaces to fire walls because they are more practical.

As Xu Zhaozhao looked at these notes, she wondered if her cheap father-in-law would be able to make it back for the New Year.