The atmosphere became increasingly strange, even Zhao Feng, who had not thought much about it before, had a strange expression on his face.
Is the relationship between Yuqing Sect and the Gu Family so close?
He was somewhat grateful that the Emperor had completed the "transfer procedures" for him, and he vaguely understood why, with countless opportunities in the world, his Zhao Family, as the ruler of the world, did not monopolize everything.
Just this opportunity alone could involve an emissary from the Sanqing Sect, a sacred place of one of the Daoist sects.
If they all took it, they might not survive the next day.
It was just that Gu Wen, a mere house slave, receiving the concern of a fairy multiple times, was displeasing.
Yuhua Fairy could read thoughts, but she didn't care much.
Etiquette had nothing to do with her, and she didn't need to be bound by mundane etiquette rules; she just praised or criticized things as they were.
Zhao Feng changed the subject, saying, "When the imperial edict comes down in a while, those with achievements in Bianjing City or the wealthy households there will flatten this threshold. The fairy did not come to discuss this matter, so why not wait for Gu Wen to come and ask about the matter of the water veins? He is in charge of the water department and knows best."
The immortals entering the world were not simply to receive those who held tokens, nor were they here to see how the descendants of the Gu Family were living.
On the contrary, the Gu Family was a pawn planted by the Sanqing Daoist Sect in the mundane world, only to be replaced by him.
Yuhua entered the world for the immortal fate of the Sanqing Daoist Sect, said to be a treasure planted three thousand years ago.
What exactly it was, Zhao Feng couldn't know; the immortal fate was the most core secret of the major immortal sects.
Currently, all he knew was that Yuhua wanted to understand the water veins of Bianjing.
The things speculated to be sought by the Sanqing Daoist Sect among the offerings in the palace might be some kind of divine medicine.
At this moment, footsteps approached, and Gu Wen walked over from the left aisle.
Jiang Fugui was afraid he might stumble, but his offer of help was rejected.
Only to see the descendant of the Gu Family in a plain black robe, with a slightly pale and weak face, neither humble nor arrogant, bowing and saying, "Greetings, Ninth Highness, greetings, Fairy Yuhua."
As respectful as ever, it eased Zhao Feng's expression.
The other party did not show resentment or arrogance due to the revelation of identity and fate.
Yuhua Fairy asked, "I heard you caught a cold?"
"Just a minor illness, it will be fine in a few days, I dare not delay the fairy's important matters."
"I came today just to see the residence."
"Fairy's kindness, I am truly grateful."
Distant, extremely guarded.
Yuhua Fairy understood the other party's thoughts, but was not surprised.
After all, he had always been wearing a black face.
"Those commoners outside your door..."
Before the words were out, Gu Wen quickly replied, "They are just poor beggars. I see them pitiful and exchange work for food. If they work hard, they can always eat their fill."
Zhao Feng, displeased with Gu Wen's attempt to please the fairy, frowned and reprimanded, "They are all subjects of Da Gan. Why treat them like this? Choose a day to write to the court and provide relief to the refugees."
"Your Highness's virtue is admirable, I am ashamed." Gu Wen bowed to the other party once again, but in his heart, he knew trouble was brewing.
Providing relief to the people usually meant providing food and money, but the money usually ended up in the hands of officials, and the food was mostly watery gruel, which could only ensure that one didn't starve but would become weaker.
In an environment with little profit in food, one needed to consume a large amount of carbohydrates to ensure the body's well-being.
The gruel could only prevent starvation, but would lead to further weakness.
The government often used this method to boil the frog in warm water, and by the time they rebelled, they would have starved to death.
With the imperial treasury empty, it was feared that even gruel would not be available to eat.
Therefore, even in Bianjing, riots broke out every year, but on a smaller scale, and they would soon be eliminated by the imperial guards.
Gu Wen couldn't afford to let his place become chaotic.
If the rioters didn't break into his mansion, the troops sent to quell the rebellion would surely bite him hard.
Money was a trivial matter; it was easy to endanger one's life in the midst of turmoil.
"My water department is short of manpower recently, and the weaving bureau of the Wang Mansion was burned by rioters some time ago. We can use labor instead of relief, saving a lot of silver. When the time comes, Your Highness can write to the Emperor and gain some merit."
"Your mercantile heart is hard to change. If you are ennobled in the future, won't it be a laughing stock?" Zhao Feng criticized, but Gu Wen's flattery and unchanged attitude made him feel relieved.
He waved his hand and said, "There is a textile factory in the mansion, you can temporarily manage it."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Feeling inferior?
The thin lips behind the straw hat couldn't help but curl up slightly.
This descendant of the Gu Family was truly full of nonsense.
Yuhua couldn't hear the other party's thoughts at this moment, his temperament was steadier than most people, and it was impossible to pry into his heart with meticulous listening.
But she could sense Gu Wen's disdain for Zhao Feng from the bottom of his heart, a merchant who truly looked down on the noble sons of the royal family, which was quite interesting.
This descendant of the Gu Family was also quite capable.
There were few people in the world who saved others, and even fewer who saved themselves.
Zhao Feng, as always, encouraged Gu Wen, saying, "Although you do not have the blessings and talents of cultivation, nor do you come from a noble family, your character is good, and you know when to advance and retreat. If you obtain a title in the future, you may study and take the imperial examinations, but try not to get too involved in business to avoid tarnishing yourself."
"If you can achieve the title of Jinshi, you may be able to enter the court in the future."
Gu Wen repeatedly bowed and thanked, "Your Highness has high expectations, and I will definitely pass the imperial examinations."
"Very well." Zhao Feng patted his shoulder, smiling happily, and waved his hand to Feng Xiang to give a reward, "Feng, reward the future Marquis of Wen with a thousand taels."
Previously being called Marquis Wen was a compliment from the servants, but when the imperial decree came down in a while, it would be a well-deserved title.
The eunuch Feng Xiang took out a large Gan Bao note, and with a compliment that was the opposite of his proud demeanor, rewarded Gu Wen.
The servants and maids around him looked at him with fiery eyes, hearing that their master was really going to be ennobled, all of them were extremely excited.
Gu Wen just smiled in response, not losing his manners, nor getting too excited.
He was well aware that being ennobled was just a title, a title with not many benefits, and the current imperial edicts of Da Gan did not extend beyond Bianjing and its surroundings.
At most, he would receive some salary, but he didn't know how long the court could support itself.
At this moment, the plain-clothed Daoist nun stood up, and immediately all eyes turned towards her.
She looked at him and asked, "How do you feel about the wealth given to you by the Zhao Family?"
Gu Wen was taken aback for a moment, then replied, "The wealth is beyond words."
"Then it's good."
Yuhua Fairy left the hall on her own, stepping onto the blue stone in the courtyard.
Zhao Feng and the others had to follow, while Gu Wen led a group of servants to the door.
Suddenly, he noticed that the personal guard who had entered the mansion with Zhao Feng did not leave but stood behind him.
Gu Wen felt something was amiss and said, "Your Highness, your guard..."
With one foot on the carriage, Zhao Feng turned back with a concerned look and said, "Bianjing has been restless recently. Some wealthy households have been wiped out by bandits. I brought some royal guards to protect you, to prevent you from being harassed by rioters."
At these words, Yuhua slightly raised her head to look at Gu Wen.
She sensed a hint of killing intent.
For the first time, this descendant of the Gu Family showed such intense emotions.
Gu Wen, who had been through life and death crises since crossing over, from a beggar to the Marquis of Wen in Longqiao, couldn't count how many times he had faced danger.
From fighting for food as a beggar to business wars, murders, street assassinations, and even poisoning and imprisonment, he had survived them all.
Caution was his rule, and safety was his top priority.
The royal guards were more like executioners than protectors.
Zhao Feng had stepped on his red line.
He calmly refused, saying, "I am just a humble merchant. According to the laws of the ancestors, I cannot have guards, let alone armed household servants. The royal guards are all from noble families, how can I dare to let them guard me?"
"You will be a marquis in the future."
"The matter of ennoblement is significant. It may need to wait until next year. I come from a humble background and should follow the proper etiquette."
Gu Wen shook his head in refusal.
In return, Zhao Feng gave him a "friendly" smile, beckoning, and one by one, armored soldiers came out of the mansion, each carrying a sword, a total of twelve royal guards.
"The agreement between the immortal sect and the Zhao Family cannot be voided, and Fairy Yuhua would not allow it either. Are you going to defy the decree?"
The last sentence sounded like a greeting, but more like a threat.
To refuse further would be seen as rebellion.
Gu Wen did not hesitate to bow and say, "Thank you for your grace, my lord!"
When leaders sometimes disregard right and wrong, it is mostly for the sake of obedience.
Gu Wen had endured until today, and revenge was not far off.
Especially now that he had a destiny, he should be even more cautious and patient, biding his time until the day he could turn the tables.
At this moment, his tolerance was not that of a shrinking turtle, but a gradual process that could push the Zhao Family into the abyss.
Zhao Feng revealed the smile of a victor, using power to suppress others, which was the greatest pleasure in the world.
'He's bowing his head again, he's truly accustomed to being humble.'
In Yuhua Fairy's eyes, the descendant of the Gu Family was too weak, too submissive from beginning to end.
But this was not shameful; each person had their own way of survival.
Moreover, he had no room for resistance, perhaps in the future, a descendant of the Gu Family would emerge to reclaim what was rightfully theirs.
Yuhua Fairy put this aside, no matter how great the cause and effect was, it was committed by the elders of the sect.
She just needed to find the opportunity to become an immortal.
Clatter clatter clatter.
The donkey trotted forward on the blue stone, paying no attention to the imposing Zhao Feng, who couldn't even catch Yuhua's eye.
Once again, a spiritual wind rose in his ears, and strands of thoughts came through, only hearing a low whisper of self-encouragement.
‘Therefore, the divine will impose great tasks on those it wishes to promote, testing their hearts and minds, exhausting their strength and bones, starving their bodies, depriving them of their possessions, and disturbing their actions.
This is to arouse their hearts and temper their nature, thus enhancing what they cannot achieve.’
The reins suddenly tightened, the donkey stopped and turned its head, revealing a spirited look of annoyance.
Yuhua Fairy turned back, her gaze fixed on Gu Wen, her eyes behind the straw hat staring closely at him.
Looking at that ordinary yet composed face, almost unable to find any faults, the humble and modest merchant.
He had caught Yuhua's eye.
Many books are now hard to find, so cherish what you have.