How did such immense wealth fall into my family?

Chapter 170 What do you need so many girls for?
After returning from Master Daoyi's place, Xiaogousheng told Granny Tian and then came to find Dong Laoqi. Before she even entered the door, she saw Dong Laoqi sitting in the main room, staring at two pieces of jewelry on the table.

The little dog casually asked, "Who sent this? It's quite nice." Apart from Princess Fukang, the other families who came to pick up their loved ones after causing trouble at the tavern all brought both fines and apologies.

Old Master Dong glanced at Little Dog Sheng with a sly look. “This was sent by the Emperor. The little eunuch who delivered it also told me about the concubines in the harem and wanted me to help him out after I entered the palace.”

bump!
Snapped!
As Dong Laoqi was speaking, Xiaogou Sheng was about to step over the threshold.

The little dog, Sheng, lay on the ground and looked at Dong Laoqi, asking, "Who did you say gave you those two sets of jewelry?"

"Your Majesty, the eunuch who came to deliver the gifts also implied that Your Majesty wants to take me as a concubine."

Has the Emperor decided to change himself for Uncle Dong?
Old Dong picked up the little dog, Sheng, from the ground. "Isn't the ground cold?"

"It's cold, but what you just said was so unexpected. So, what are you planning to do if the Emperor really wants you to enter the palace?"

"I plan to beat him up first, and then go wander the world."

Not bad, that's an improvement over last time.

Xiao Gou Sheng patted the dirt off his clothes. "Well? The Emperor's thoughts are hard to fathom, and we don't know him well. Why don't you just go and ask him why he gave you the jewelry? That way you'll know if he has any feelings for you, and it'll also make him feel that we trust him."

"If he really has those feelings, don't beat him up. Just tell him he's disappointed you. Then go off to have some fun in the martial arts world. Come find me when you're done. I should be out there by then."

"Okay." After saying that, Dong Laoqi went to get the jewelry on the table.

"Leave the things behind."

"..." That's true. "I'm leaving. Take care of yourself."

"Don't worry. I can walk sideways now."

Old Dong rubbed the little dog's head and left.

The little dog walked over and patted the two sets of jewelry a few times. "If your previous owner really intended to do that, I would have melted you down."

The two sets of jewelry: "..." What's it to us? Go ahead and throw us away if you dare.

The Emperor was painting when the commander of the imperial guards suddenly appeared. "Your Majesty, Miss Dong wishes to see you."

The Emperor glanced sideways at the commander of the Imperial Guards. "You've been captivated by him too? How about I play matchmaker for you two?"

The commander of the secret guards immediately knelt on the ground. "Your Majesty, I misspoke."

"Hmph! If I wanted to take a male concubine, it would be you."

"..." Why did he just say something so sarcastic? "Your Majesty, do you wish to see him?"

"See."

"I'll go talk to him right away; he's very anxious." With that, the commander of the secret guards hurried away.

A moment later, Dong Laoqi came in.

Dong Laoqi bowed to the Emperor. "Long live the Emperor!"

"Get up."

"Yes." Old Dong stood up from the ground.

The Emperor looked at his female attire. "It is indeed very beautiful. No wonder no one realized you were a man."

"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. Why did you give me jewelry, Your Majesty?"

The Emperor had already prepared his explanation. "What else could it be? If I don't let everyone think that I've taken a liking to you, all my ministers will be bewitched by you. I've heard that Minister Qi of the Ministry of Justice, Minister Miao of the Ministry of War, Minister Wang of the Ministry of History, Minister An of the Ministry of Revenue, Minister Wu of the Ministry of Rites, and Minister Jiang of the Ministry of Works rush to your tavern as soon as they finish their official duties."

Old Dong shrank back. "They went there because the wine at my place is better than the wine at other taverns. The wine at my place is all medicinal wine. It not only doesn't harm your health, but it's also good for you."

"Hmph! I have good wine too, why don't they come here every day?" "...Well? You're busy, I won't bother you any longer."

"Humph!"

Dong Laoqi bowed to the Emperor and then quickly slipped away.

As the emperor continued painting, he muttered to himself, "You brat."

Little Dog Sheng breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Old Man Dong return. "Did you find out?"

"Hmm." Old Seven Dong relayed the Emperor's words to Little Dog Sheng.

After hearing this, Xiaogou Sheng felt that the Emperor couldn't be that petty. But she couldn't understand why the Emperor would do such a thing. "Now, those ladies can rest assured, and those young ladies won't have to worry about not being able to get married."

Indeed, the ladies and young women of the capital breathed a sigh of relief when they learned that the Emperor had taken a liking to Dong Laoqi, and they all felt that the Emperor had good taste.

Both Xiaogou Sheng and Dong Laoqi thought the tavern's business would decline, but to their surprise, it was even more popular than before.

Old Dong was puzzled. "Don't they know the Emperor sent me two sets of jewelry?"

The little dog thought for a moment. "They probably want to take a closer look at you before you enter the palace."

Dong Laoqi: "..."

Princess Fukang was eagerly anticipating the showdown between the Empress and Dong Laoqi, but nothing happened. Princess Fukang was extremely frustrated.

The Empress also wanted Dong Laoqi to enter the palace as soon as possible, but she asked the Emperor twice, and the Emperor said that he did not want to force Dong Laoqi.

Every few days, the Emperor would send something to Dong Laoqi.

When Madam Jiang and the Duchess of Jin found out, they were depressed for several days.

When Jiang Ruiqi found out, she pestered her older brother and got into several fights with him. Jiang Ruiheng couldn't understand it. It's just a woman, why make such a fuss?

Jiang Ruiqi thought his older brother was a blockhead, no wonder his sister-in-law was kidnapped by the Prince of An.

The Duke of Jin, seeing his mother, wife, and third son acting this way, really wanted to tell them that Dong Laoqi was a man. However, the Emperor clearly wanted to draw everyone's attention to Dong Laoqi.

Duke Jin, guessing that Xiaogou Sheng had made up his mind, came to find him. "Have you thought it through? Let me tell you, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

The little dog glanced sideways at the Duke of Jin. "Then why didn't you rush to go?"

"I want to leave the opportunity to you young people."

"Tch! I'll go if you want. But you can't just take boys, you have to take girls too." In the Emperor and the Duke of Jin's plan, girls would only need to be paid two taels of silver.

The Duke of Jin frowned. "What do you need so many girls for?"

Looking into the eyes of the Duke of Jin, Xiaogousheng said, "Girls who lose their father's protection suffer far more than boys."

"..."

"In addition, I will take in the widows of those fallen soldiers if they can't make a living."

"This..." Their main goal was to cultivate power for the Ninth Prince; women and girls were really not very useful.

The little dog poured a cup of tea for the Duke of Jin. "I only have these two conditions. If you agree, I'll set off after my eldest cousin's wedding. If not, you can find someone else. I think there should be quite a few people willing to take on this task."

The Duke of Jin took a sip of tea. "I understand what you mean. I'll go and discuss it with the Emperor."

"it is good."

The Duke of Jin drank a cup of tea and then left.