freenovelworld Chapter 167 Zhang's Purpose
Chapter 167 Zhang's Purpose
Zhang was not someone who liked to beat around the bush, so she said immediately, "Your elder brother has received an imperial decree and will soon go to the capital to take up the post of Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites. I am going to the capital first, firstly to visit Yuan'er and you, and secondly to purchase a house and servants in advance, and to make preparations for the Rong family's arrival in the capital."
Rong Enqing was shocked and asked in disbelief: "Brother is going to be the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites? When did it happen? How come I didn't know about it?" Such a big thing, and no one from the Rong family wrote to her to inform her?
Zhang looked teasing, with a smile that carried a sense of revenge, but she pretended to be surprised when she asked, "Oh, didn't your elder brother write to you? Didn't your parents write to you either? I thought it was such a big happy event, they would definitely write to you. How come no one wrote to you?"
Rong Enqing's face froze, and then he heard Zhang change the subject and mocked, "Back then, the Marquis' Mansion changed its owner, and Yuan'er and her husband were kicked out of the Mansion. Didn't you not write a letter to your family about such a big thing?"
Speaking of this, Rong Enqing was really a bit guilty. At that time, he really didn't think of writing to the Rong family, and even stopped little Rong from writing home, for fear of provoking the Rong family and causing trouble for her.
It's really tit for tat!
Thinking of this, Rong Enqing was not going to argue with Zhang about who was right and who was wrong, so he changed the subject and asked, "From what my sister-in-law said, my brother is going to Beijing to take up his post this time. Are parents also planning to come with him?"
"More than that!" Zhang looked at Rong Enqing with a bright smile and said cheerfully, "Not only parents, but your second and third brothers will also come. This time, our Rong family is planning to move to the capital. We will take root in the capital and stay there. Only your seventh brother and his family will stay in our hometown."
Hearing this, Rong Enqing suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of uneasiness in his heart.
The Rong family has always been rooted in Chongzhou Prefecture and has never left Chongzhou for generations. She was able to be married to Yun Zhen by Emperor Kaiyuan because, when the army of the Great Zhou passed through Chongzhou, the Rong family, as a local tyrant, was very sensible and led the Chongzhou officials to abandon the dark and join the light, and actively prepared food and supplies for the Great Zhou army. In order to express goodwill, Emperor Kaiyuan also brought Emperor Taihe and several trusted ministers to stay at the Rong family.
Therefore, the Rong family had contributed to the establishment of the Great Zhou Dynasty. However, at that time, Mr. Rong was not promoted from the position of Chongzhou prefect, and the Rong family was not able to take this opportunity to enter the capital. It does not make sense that they would suddenly be promoted to the capital now.
Seeing Rong Enqing remained silent for a long time and his expression turned very ugly, Zhang suddenly felt unhappy and her expression darkened, "Why? Are you unhappy that your eldest brother was promoted to the capital? Or are you unhappy that the Rong family moved to the capital?
"Hmph! For so many years, your parents have been asking you to talk to the Marquis and ask him to help find jobs for your brothers in Beijing. But you always agree, but never do anything.
"Your second and third brothers said that you deliberately held back on processing the application because you didn't want the Rong family to come to Beijing and cause you trouble. Your eldest brother and I even spoke up for you.
"Now that your eldest brother has been promoted based on his own ability, the Rong family has been able to enter the capital smoothly without relying on you and Shun'an Marquis Mansion. Are you not happy?
"Haha, now it seems that your second and third brothers were right! You are an ungrateful person!"
Rong Enqing glanced at Zhang, resisted the urge to roll his eyes, and said, "Okay, sister-in-law, you've gone off topic. You haven't told me why you came here today."
Zhang didn't beat around the bush and said, "The Rong family is large, and we have to buy a big house to move to the capital. Can you help me see if there is a suitable one?"
Rong Enqing understood that she was asked to pay money to subsidize the Rong family.
After understanding Zhang's intention, Rong Enqing did not expose her, but patiently asked, "Will the Rong family live together after entering Beijing, or will they separate and live separately?"
Zhang rolled her eyes at Rong Enqing and said as a matter of course, "Of course we have to live together. Dad and mom are still alive, how can we split up? Do you think everyone is like you? You have such a good family, but you have to split up so early? Aren't you afraid of being laughed at by others?"
Rong Enqing was depressed. Could Zhang still speak properly? Why did she have to say something to her every time she said something? Enough is enough!
"Sister-in-law, if you can't talk to me properly, I'm going to have someone send us away."
Zhang was stunned, "What do you mean?"
Without waiting for Rong Enqing to reply, Xiao Rong said apologetically, "Don't blame me, Aunt. Mother is just like that. She didn't mean to target you. I apologize to you on behalf of my mother. Please forgive me."
Zhang was puzzled and glared at Xiao Rong fiercely, but Xiao Rong shook her head at Zhang. Zhang pouted in confusion and reluctance and said nothing.
Rong Enqing sighed inwardly, and was once again shocked by Xiao Rong's change.
This, really, really, was not the Xiao Rong she knew!
"Alright. For your sake, I won't make a fuss about it." Rong Enqing took a deep look at Xiao Rong and got back to the point, "If you want to have a house that can accommodate all the members of the Rong family, it must be at least as big as the Marquis' Mansion, right? There is no house of this size in the capital."
Living in the capital is not easy.
The reason why the Marquis' Mansion has such a large area is that it took two hundred years and several generations of accumulation to slowly expand the Mansion. This not only requires the accumulation of time and wealth, but also requires opportunities and the will of the emperor, none of which can be missing.
Zhang said quickly, "Why do we need such a big house? A house with five or six courtyards will do, as long as the location is good, in Dongcheng District."
When Rong Enqing heard this, he couldn't help but confirm: "Dongcheng, the location is good, and you want a five-story or six-story building?"
"That's right." Zhang smiled and nodded: "With the wealth and status of the Marquis' Mansion, buying a house like this should be a piece of cake, right?"
"Easy?" Rong Enqing sneered, "From what my sister-in-law said, not only do you want me to help you find the house, but you also want me to pay for it?"
Zhang said as a matter of course: "Any questions?"
Rong Enqing sneered, "Why should the Rong family ask the Marquis' Mansion to pay for the house when they move to Beijing?"
"Isn't this what you should do?" Zhang glared at Rong Enqing in dissatisfaction, "Don't forget, your last name is Rong too. Without the Rong family, would you be able to marry into the Marquis's mansion and become the Marquis's wife? Now I'm just asking you to buy a house for the Rong family, and you're not happy about it?"
"My last name is Rong, but the last name of Shun'an Marquis's Mansion is Yun! Why should I use the money of the Marquis' Mansion to buy a house for the Rong family? Besides, do you know how much the house you are talking about is worth?" Rong Enqing said with a sneer, "At least fifty thousand taels! And it's the kind that has no market at all! You want me to buy a house like that for you, I think you are just dreaming!"