Zhang Yide was startled. Although he could not clearly see Shangguan Wan Ning's true face at this time, he could tell from her clothes, temperament and posture that she was a real lady.
"Mom, this Shangguan girl is..."
"I met her when I went up the mountain to worship Buddha a few days ago. I almost fell down at that time, but she helped me. She came here to visit relatives, and she often came here to chat with me before. No,
It’s my birthday today, and she also gave me handwritten scriptures and a statue of Guanyin she drew.”
Madam Zhang was very fond of Shangguan Wan Ning.
"This kid is really thoughtful. He copied all these scriptures by hand to pray for me. It's so rare."
Zhang Yide was not wary of the cute little girl in front of him. He held his hands and said, "Thank you, Miss Shangguan, for your kindness to my mother."
"I have a good relationship with the old lady, and I am very happy to be with the old lady." Shangguan Wan Ning smiled sweetly, and the veil could not hide her charming face.
"By the way, I heard from Ning'er that it's snowing so much outside that it's a disaster. It's my birthday today, so you can ask the kitchen to make more birthday bags and distribute them."
"Yes." In order to make his mother happy, Zhang Yide didn't care about spending more money.
"I'm going to the Buddhist hall to chant sutras, Ning'er, and you'll have dinner with me later." Mrs. Zhang didn't forget to tell Zhang Yide before she left, "Give Ning'er a good greeting for me."
Zhang Yide walked his mother to the door and watched her back disappear from sight, with a smile gradually solidifying on his face.
He turned to look at Shangguan Wan Ning and found that her aura seemed to have changed.
"From the Shangguan girl's accent, it sounds like she's from the capital?" Zhang Yide asked tentatively.
Shangguan Wan Ning didn't want to hide anything, so she said openly: "Yes, my father Shangguan Yue, I don't know if Mr. Zhang has heard of it."
"Shangguanyue?" Zhang Yide's expression changed, "Master Prime Minister?"
"That's right."
Zhang Yide was a little surprised. "I didn't expect that my mother's best friend is actually a young lady from the Prime Minister's Palace."
Shangguan Wan Ning felt that based on Zhang Yide's life experience, she might not be able to see through her thoughts, so she didn't want to hide it.
Unexpectedly, Zhang Yide struck first before she could speak.
"A few people from the capital came to my house just now. Do you know Miss Shangguan?"
"Now that things have happened, I don't need to lie. Mr. Zhang, the person who came to your house is the current prince."
Zhang Yide's face changed slightly, a little unbelievable.
"Mr. Zhang, you should know that the prince has arrived in the northwest region under orders to provide disaster relief. However, the relief grain allocated by the court is far from enough. In addition, the war broke out on the northwest border. If there is no food distribution, internal and external troubles, the northwest is about to
Big chaos."
"No...impossible..." Zhang Yide shook his head and frowned, "If he was really the prince, how could he be so humble? Couldn't he use the power of the government to suppress him?"
"Mr. Zhang, this is the most valuable quality of the prince. He said that you are also a common people and his subjects, and he does not want to use his power to suppress others. This time he came to relieve the disaster and also brought money, and he was willing to use the money to purchase.
"
Zhang Yide recalled the scene when he met Xiao Yujue just now, and narrowed his eyes in thought.
"I also understand that asking you to take out the stored food for disaster relief at this time will cause certain losses. But..."
Shangguan Wan Ning paused and continued: "So far, His Highness the Crown Prince still hopes to cooperate with you. However, if you insist on refusing, I'm afraid he will be helpless when the last resort comes."
Zhang Yide understood that what Shangguan Wanning said was helpless meant that in the end, Xiao Yujue would still use government means to solve the problem.
This is easy to understand, after all, he also needs to complete the tasks assigned by the emperor.
"Mr. Zhang, the old lady has a heart of Bodhisattva. She eats fast and chants Buddha's name every day, just hoping that Bodhisattva can bless the Zhang family in peace. She can't bear to step on an ant on weekdays. If she knows that there are people dying of hunger outside, and she holds a birthday banquet,
, she will also feel uncomfortable."
Shangguan Wan Ning paid attention to the change in Zhang Yide's expression, and he seemed to be a little moved.
"I know you have never mentioned the disaster outside to the old lady, so I didn't mention it in front of her. However, I don't know when the disaster will be over. She will know one day."
Zhang Yide's frown deepened.
If it comes time for Xiao Yujue to enforce it, it will be difficult for her mother not to know.
"Mr. Zhang, the prince is the crown prince of a country. How many people have tried their best to get in touch with him, but now this opportunity has come to their doorstep. The old lady has always hoped that the Zhang family can have a glorious official career."
"I heard from the old lady that your childish child is smart and talented. Don't you want to find a good future for him? And your daughter has reached the age of leaving the court. If you can let the prince act as a matchmaker to find a family for her,
A good family will have a worry-free life."
Shangguan Wan Ning's last words completely touched Zhang Yide's heart.
Although the Zhang family has great wealth, the status of merchants is not high after all, and they are not even qualified to participate in the imperial examination.
Perhaps, this is really a great opportunity to change the fate of the Zhang family.
"But I just...rejected His Highness the Crown Prince, then he..."
Shangguan Wan Ning breathed a sigh of relief.
"How about you let me introduce you again?"
Zhang Yide's face was filled with joy and he cupped his hands to Shangguan Wan Ning. "Thank you, Miss Shangguan."
"Then please ask Mr. Zhang to lead the way."
Zhang Yide immediately took Shangguan Wanning to see Xiao Yujue again. His thoughts were completely different from before.
If you can really use money to exchange for the future development trend of the Zhang family, it will be worthwhile.
"Sir, why don't we leave and find another way." Mu Jingyan couldn't stay any longer. She didn't like having a birthday banquet here either.
"Your Highness, we haven't discussed the official business yet, how can we leave in a hurry?"
Xiao Yujue was startled when she heard this familiar voice. She turned around and saw Shangguan Wan Ning and Zhang Yide walking in together.
"Didn't you go back?" Mu Jingyan was also surprised, "If my brother knew about it, he would be so angry that he would beat someone."
"If you don't tell me, if I don't tell you, how will he know?" Shangguan Wan Ning didn't care.
"Caomin Zhang Yide came to see His Highness the Crown Prince. I didn't know His Highness's identity just now. I offended you so much. Please forgive me."
Xiao Yujue didn't expect that his identity had been known to Zhang Yide. He saw Shangguan Wanning's playful eyes and had no choice but to help Zhang Yide up.
"Those who don't know are not guilty. Mr. Zhang invites you."
"Your Highness, the people are willing to donate all the food that can be mobilized in the northwest region and nearby areas for disaster relief."
Xiao Yujue was surprised and happy. From the corner of his eye, he saw Shangguan Wan Ning's slightly raised eyebrows.
What method did this girl use to get Zhang Yide to agree so readily?