Madam, don't do this!

Chapter 443 If I want to marry Gao Yang, who can stop me? (11,000 words)

The lanterns burned with candlelight.

The governor's mansion is not a place like any other. Although it is only afternoon, the sky and earth are still dim due to the light rain, so the lanterns are lit.

A gentle breeze stirred, causing the lanterns to sway slightly under the eaves, their candlelight flickering. A few rays of light pierced the air, revealing raindrops falling like pearls. The damp wind caressed my face, a welcome respite from the chill of winter and the heat of summer—a perfectly pleasant temperature.

Walking beside Song Yan, Gu Banxia held up her umbrella.

Because of the wind, some raindrops pelted down from under the umbrella onto the two of them, and their wet clothes clung to their bodies, making them feel a little uncomfortable. Turning their heads, they saw that Gu Banxia even had some water droplets on her face, and a few strands of hair clung to her face, adding a touch of messy and broken beauty.

It's another rainy day.

We shared an umbrella again.

Song Yan's thoughts involuntarily drifted back to last year.

At that time, he had just escaped the hellish Duke's Mansion and was taken to Songzhou for the first time by Luo Tianyang.

Before we knew it, so much time had passed.

"What are you thinking about, young master?" Noticing Song Yan's gaze, Gu Banxia smiled gently and asked softly. She was truly a gentle and tender woman, always speaking softly and gently, like a warm breeze under the spring sun, always able to smooth out the wrinkles in people's hearts unintentionally.

"It's nothing..." Song Yan shook his head, not uttering those mushy words: "I will probably leave Pingyang and head to Dehua the day after tomorrow."

“I’ll go with you, young master. You always need someone to take care of you,” Gu Banxia said softly, lowering her head.

Song Yan shook his head again: "This time I'm going to war, so I don't need anyone to take care of me. But I'll leave some things at home to you, especially those dozens of pumpkin plants I planted in the backyard. You must keep a close eye on them." He smiled and said, "Don't think this is a small matter. Whether the people of Ningguo can have enough to eat in the future depends entirely on these things."

Gu Banxia felt slightly disappointed.

Gu Banxia was well aware of the dangers of the battlefield.

Even though it was dangerous, Gu Banxia still felt happier being by Song Yan's side. However, since the young master had made arrangements, Gu Banxia would never let him down, no matter what.

As they spoke, the two left the backyard.

The governor's mansion had several reception rooms. Gu Banxia was also a clever woman. Although she didn't know what the purpose of these three groups of people was, she knew that it was not good to put them together. So she arranged them in different reception rooms.

When Song Yan arrived at the first reception room, he saw a middle-aged woman of average height and build sitting quietly, holding a cup of fragrant tea. She took a small sip, and a slight smile appeared on her ordinary face, which was not particularly beautiful. She was clearly quite satisfied with the taste of the tea.

A slight smile appeared on Song Yan's lips as he bowed to the woman and said, "Nephew Song Yan greets Aunt."

This person was none other than Shen Qi.

Song Jincheng's wife... ah, no, I should say ex-wife now.

Shen Qi smiled slightly and stood up as well: "Champion Marquis, please don't joke. I have already divorced Song Jincheng. Calling me 'Auntie' is presumptuous. I only called myself Champion Marquis's auntie before because I wanted a chance to meet Champion Marquis. It was my abruptness."

The voice was slightly hoarse.

This woman truly has no advantage whatsoever in terms of feminine charm, such as figure, appearance, or even voice.

However, Shen Qi has an ability that most other women don't have... she's very good at making money.

Song Yan gestured for them to sit down, and the two sat down as host and guest.

“Although she has divorced Song Jincheng, an aunt is still an aunt, and the generational order cannot be disrupted.” Song Yan smiled and spoke first. He had a good impression of Shen Qi. This woman clearly had far more outstanding scheming and methods than ordinary women, yet she was gentle and refined in her daily interactions and did not become arrogant because of her wealth.

Even knowing that Song Yan was an illegitimate son and not favored, she did not look down on him in any way... You should know that at that time, Song Yan was just a little kid in the Duke's mansion, and he did not have his current status and position. The only time Shen Qi visited the Duke's mansion, the gifts he gave to Song Yan were no different from those given to Song Zhen and Song Huai, the legitimate sons.

Perhaps because there were outsiders present, and the Duke's mansion needed to maintain appearances, Yang Miaoqing's sons didn't cause trouble for Song Yan during the month Shen Qi stayed there, and they managed to have a period of relative peace. The only pity was that Shen Qi seemed to have seen through the corruption within the Duke's mansion, and after that one visit, he never went to Ningping again.

"I thought Auntie should have already left Ningguo and gone to Chuguo. Why did she come to Pingyang?" Song Yan asked. Shen Qi had once said that the Shen family's main ancestral home was in Chuguo, which is why Song Yan asked this question.

Shen Qi shook his head slightly: "The Shen family has been merchants for generations. The family has its own rules. Apart from the line that inherits the family, the other children must go out and make their own way after they come of age. The family will give them a sum of money. Whether they become bankrupt and beggars or become rich and powerful depends on their own abilities."

"If you can't make it outside, you can always go back to the Shen family's main family. The family will give you a hundred acres of fertile land and a house. You won't be rich and powerful, but at least you won't starve."

"But the children of the Shen family have their own pride."

Even if life is miserable outside, I will never lose my last shred of dignity.

"It just so happens that I am the kind of person who is so concerned about saving face that I suffer for it..." Shen Qi laughed self-deprecatingly. "The divorce from Song Jincheng has ultimately had a significant impact on my business. Doing business requires having a backer. When that backer falls, some assets have to be sold off quickly. Fortunately, I had already started to make arrangements before the divorce papers were signed, so although there were losses, they were not crippling."

"Although I am old, I think I should still have about ten years to live, so I want to take a gamble and see if there is a chance to make a comeback."

"I came to Pingyang alone this time because I wanted to do a business deal with the Marquis of Champion."

People in business generally don't like to be straightforward. After saying a few things and feeling that the time was right, Shen Qi finally revealed the real purpose of his trip.

Song Yan raised an eyebrow, his expression somewhat suspicious: "Doing business? With me?"

Shen Qi nodded slightly.

Song Yan picked up her teacup and took a sip: "I'm curious, what kind of business does Auntie want to do with me?"

"food."

Song Yan's expression remained unchanged, but the teacup in his hand rippled slightly.

"Hehe, Auntie is joking. Although Pingyang was robbed before, since we got rid of those more than a hundred cancers and eradicated the Huang family, we can't say we have a lot of grain, but it's enough to last until the autumn harvest."

"If Auntie wants to sell the grain in Pingyang, it will most likely not work."

Shen Qi laughed: "Lord Marquis, I only mentioned the word 'grain,' I didn't say whether I was selling or buying. How can you be so sure that I'm going to sell the grain to Pingyang? Could it be that the Marquis of Champion is currently worried about the grain issue, and that's why he has such an idea?"

Song Yan smiled wryly, "As expected, experience counts."

As expected of a professional businessman, he is shrewd. He immediately seized the opportunity when Shen Qi made the slightest mistake in his words.

“I underestimated you, Auntie. But I’m curious, how did you know I was short of food?” Song Yan sighed and asked. Song Yan couldn’t save the people of Anzhou Prefecture. All he could do was accept as many refugees as possible after the war. However, with the number of refugees surging, the consumption of food would inevitably become even more staggering. Pingyang City had a considerable amount of stored grain, but it was far from enough to feed tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, of refugees. Song Yan was indeed currently worried about the food situation.

“White sugar and roasted tea, these are two good businesses.” Shen Qi did not answer Song Yan directly, but instead talked to himself: “Ordinary people cannot afford these two things, but for those high-ranking officials and nobles, a mere few dozen taels of silver can make them stand out from the crowd, which is extremely worthwhile. Therefore, even if the sales volume of these two goods is not too exaggerated, the profit is extremely astonishing.”

"I knew that both of these goods were produced in Ningping, so I went to Songzhou Prefecture. After making some inquiries, I learned that both of these items were made by the Marquis. I really didn't expect that the Marquis would have such a talent in the study of things. In Ningping, I happened to see a large number of carriages heading to Pingyang. I spent some money to find out that the carriages were loaded with armor and weapons."

"It seems that war is about to break out in Pingyang."

"Moreover, this winter has been exceptionally cold, making life difficult for both the Xiongnu in the northern deserts and the Jurchens in the western seas. They will surely raid southwards after spring arrives. I know that the Marquis of Champion is the bravest in the army and has his own methods for marching and deploying troops, but not everyone is the Marquis of Champion and can withstand the attack of foreign tribes. For example, if the Xiongnu army were to attack, could Anzhou City withstand it? Could Pengzhou withstand it? Could Dingzhou withstand it?"

“If we cannot stop the Xiongnu cavalry, a large number of refugees will inevitably emerge.”

“A large number of refugees will require a large amount of food, so I conclude that Your Excellency is… short of food.”

Shen Qi's words made Song Yan's eyelids twitch.

Shen Qi is clearly a businessman, so who would have thought that he would be so knowledgeable about the current state of the world? Song Yan even suspected that Shen Qi might have been listening in when he and Mei Wu were discussing specific battle plans.

Despite being shocked, Song Yan remained calm: "Then, Aunt, how much grain can you get for me? And at what price?"

Shen Qi smiled wryly: "How much does the Marquis want? This old woman can get as much as he wants."

Throughout, Shen Qi addressed Song Yan as "Marquis Champion" or "Lord Marquis," and did not become arrogant because of the other party's address of "Auntie." Song Yan's use of "Auntie" was merely a matter of politeness, but she could not forget who she was because of it.

But when it comes to business, things are different. Even Song Yan couldn't help but be alarmed by this tone.

"As for the price... it's free."

Song Yan suddenly looked up, and was genuinely startled.

It is said that businessmen are driven by profit.

But are there still grains that are given away for free these days?

Song Yan didn't believe that such a good thing could exist in the world.

As expected, after a brief silence, Shen Qi spoke again: "I want the exclusive sales rights for the next product, and... the priority supply rights for other products in the future, Your Excellency." Song Yan pursed her lips, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Shen Qi's vision was indeed beyond what an ordinary woman could possess.

"Auntie should know that I need a lot of grain. Are you sure I have other goods? Are you sure the profit from those goods can make up for your losses? What if I can't come up with anything else of good quality?"

Shen Qi slowly put down his teacup: "Doing business is always about making big profits with small investments. In that sense, it's similar to gambling."

"Since it's gambling, I'm naturally willing to take the chance if I have the opportunity."

"Even if the Marquis has nothing else of value, the grain will still be given away for free. Consider it as establishing a good relationship with the Marquis."

Song Yan was truly astonished by Shen Qi's boldness. His eyelids drooped, and after a few breaths, he couldn't help but burst into laughter: "Aunt is so generous. If I, as her nephew, continue to hide things, it won't be good... Banxia, ​​go to my bedroom. There are two wooden boxes on the desk. Please fetch them."

Gu Banxia nodded and left, but returned shortly afterward with two small wooden boxes in her hands. At Song Yan's prompting, she placed the boxes in front of Shen Qi.

Open one of them, and inside is a small bottle of something special, as white as snow and as fine as sand.

As for the other one, it contained a square block, as smooth as solidified fat, with a faint fragrance.

"These two things are snow salt and soap, used for bathing."

"Auntie, please take these two things back and try them out. Then come back and let me know your answer."

Song Yan planned to entrust the salt business to Steward Wang and Aunt Lin, since they were considered his own people... However, if Shen Qi took a liking to it, he would also choose to offer it for the sake of grain.

Song Yan indeed had some good stuff, and he even brought out two kinds at once. Shen Qi was quite satisfied with this visit. He took the two boxes, bowed to Song Yan, and then got up to take his leave. He was probably eager to go back and try out the snow salt and soap to see what was so special about them.

Song Yan did not try to keep him, but after resting for a while, he went to the second meeting room.

In the reception room, there was only one person, also a woman, who looked to be about thirty-six or thirty-seven years old. Although there were slight wrinkles around her eyes, she took good care of herself. Her black hair was tied up high, and she was a beautiful woman who still retained her charm.

The dress she wore was made of extremely fine fabric, yet it was styled like a maid's dress, suggesting she was a servant in a wealthy household.

Upon seeing Song Yan appear, the beautiful woman stood up, clasped her hands at her sides, and gave Song Yan a graceful bow: "This servant is Liang Qiuyun, the personal maid of the Princess Consort of Fu, greetings, Your Excellency."

He is Kong Nianhan's person.

Song Yan had absolutely no liking for Kong Nianhan, and unlike her good temper when she met Shen Qi, she immediately frowned: "Why did Kong Nianhan ask you to come here? Could it be because of Tang Shenghai?"

The arrest of Tang Shenghai and his group late at night was not something Song Yan deliberately tried to suppress, as it would have been pointless. Given the commotion that night, there were many witnesses, and even if they didn't know exactly what had happened, people like Kong Nianhan could probably deduce the situation.

Song Yan wasn't even afraid that Kong Nianhan would tip off the Xiongnu Chanyu, after all, Kong Nianhan had just caused the death of the Chanyu's youngest son.

"Your Excellency is joking. That Tang Shenghai, behind the backs of the Princess and the Prince, actually colluded with the Xiongnu wolf cubs, which violated the laws of Da Ning. Your Excellency's punishment is an honor for him. The Princess and the Prince are also people of Ning, so why would they plead for such a treacherous dog?"

Song Yan clicked his tongue, "Look at what you're saying."

With just a few words, he completely absolved Prince Fu and Kong Nianhan of any responsibility.

However, Song Yan keenly noticed the problem in Liang Qiuyun's words... Princess and Prince? Shouldn't it be Prince and Princess?
Don't underestimate the importance of the order of names in a wealthy family. The order of names is very important. Although the mistress of the house is noble, it is considered disrespectful and against etiquette to place her name before the head of the household's name.

The prestigious Prince Fu's mansion couldn't possibly be without such basic rules. Could it be that these servants believe Kong Nianhan holds more power in the mansion than Prince Fu himself?

"I have come here on behalf of the Princess to thank the Marquis for taking care of my Princess."

"The princess is, after all, the princess's own daughter, and the princess cares about her very much. However, the princess has been ill recently and is unable to go out, which is why she sent this old servant here. The princess said that she understands the princess's resentment and unwillingness to return to the palace, but the princess is, after all, a widow, and it is inappropriate for her to stay at her brother-in-law's house for an extended period of time..."

"The princess knows that the marquis and the princess are innocent and will not do anything improper. However, it is not a good thing to say such a thing out loud. It would damage the princess's reputation. The princess is also a widow, so it may affect her chances of finding a husband again."

Hearing this, how could Song Yan not understand?

The accusations of damaging Gao Yang's reputation and the claim that she was a widow living in her brother-in-law's house were all just accusations that he had ruined Gao Yang's reputation and that he would be responsible if Gao Yang couldn't get married.

Good heavens, does Kong Nianhan realize that Gao Yang's daughter is completely unattainable and is preparing to forcibly sell her to him?
In any case, they would always try to squeeze every last bit of value out of Kong Nianhan.

Song Yan couldn't help but laugh, a slightly dangerous smile curving his lips: "Oh, I'm curious, what does Kong Nianhan want from me?"

"How much money is she planning to sell Gao Yang for this time?"

Liang Qiuyun looked somewhat embarrassed.

Although Kong Nianhan was indeed selling his daughter, how could he say it so bluntly?

That sounds awful!
Song Yan is a Marquis of Champion, a powerful and influential person. How can he speak so rudely?
As expected of someone born out of wedlock, even though he had a stroke of luck and climbed to a position that didn't belong to him, his inherent lowliness could never be changed.

Liang Qiuyun silently grumbled to herself, secretly looking down on Song Yan. However, since Song Yan had been a maidservant who had served Kong Nianhan for many years, she wouldn't easily reveal her thoughts on her face. She maintained an awkward expression and cleared her throat, saying, "Your Excellency is joking."

"The Princess Consort simply believes that the Princess would seek refuge with the Marquis because she sees him as someone she can rely on; and the Marquis's willingness to take in the Princess must also indicate that he has some affection for her. Although the Marquis is already married, and the Princess could only become a concubine after marrying into the family, the Princess Consort is willing to grant her wish for the sake of her happiness."

"But after all, the princess was pampered by the princess since she was a child, so I couldn't bear to let her suffer any injustice."

"Even if she is a concubine, she still needs to be treated with the proper etiquette."

What are the proper etiquette rules for taking a concubine?
Sign a contract to buy a concubine and pay the money for the concubine.

That's it.

Song Yan was dumbfounded, thinking to herself that as expected of a maid from a wealthy family, she was indeed quick-witted and eloquent. Even though she was selling her daughter, she could still make it sound so elegant and refined.

Although he did not dislike Gao Yang, he had no intention of taking her as a concubine.

I was just really curious about what price Kong Nianhan wanted to sell Gao Yang for.
After all, such a shameless person is rare in this world.

Thinking this, Song Yan couldn't help but smile: "In that case, I'm a little curious. I wonder how much it costs to buy a concubine?"

Liang Qiuyun smiled and said, "Song Yan really likes older women, especially widows and married women, especially those with good figures like Gao Yang. Moreover, Song Yan did not hesitate to capture the Xiongnu prince alive and offend the Prince of Fu's mansion for Gao Yang. If you say there is no affair between the two, no one would believe it: "The princess said that we are all family, so money and such are too formal."

"The Princess Consort knows that the Marquis has just arrived in Pingyang and his forces are depleted, with tens of thousands of troops all under your command. She is worried that you may not be able to handle the workload. Fortunately, the Princess Consort has a nephew who, although still young, is well-versed in military strategy. She hopes that the Marquis can arrange a position for him in the Pingyang army so that he can share the burden with the Marquis."

Song Yan's smile remained unchanged, but his eyes turned unusually gloomy and cold.

Good heavens, are they eyeing military power?

Did they want to plant his people in the Pingyang army?

Do you really think I'm the kind of fool who's blinded by greed?

He even began to wonder if Kong Nianhan had something wrong with his head. Could such an idiot really have planned all this?

Or is this not her real purpose?

So what was Kong Nianhan's real purpose?
With the Xiongnu army about to attack, Song Yan was already under immense pressure and had no time to think about these issues. At this moment, he had lost patience with Liang Qiuyun and Kong Nianhan, and waved his hand, saying, "You can leave now."

“Go back and tell your master to get a bigger bronze mirror. Her face is too big, and I’m afraid a small bronze mirror won’t fit.”

Liang Qiuyun naturally understood the sarcasm in Song Yan's words, and her expression was not as pleasant as before: "My lord... don't forget, no matter what, the princess is the birth mother of the princess. If the princess blocks your marriage with the princess, your marriage with Princess Gaoyang will not be possible."

Song Yan's smile vanished instantly, his narrow eyes narrowed, and a cold glint flashed between his brows. He lightly tapped the armrest with his fingers, but suddenly raised his upper body and leaned towards Liang Qiuyun in the guest hall.

Even though there was still some distance between them, for some reason, the moment Song Yan leaned over, Liang Qiuyun felt an indescribable pressure surge into her heart. She couldn't help but stagger backward, and her expression was one of horror.

A cold voice echoed in the living room:
"What a joke! If I, Song Yan, truly wanted to marry Gao Yang, who could stop me?"

"Prince Fu is no good."

"Kong Nianhan is even worse!"

Yeah!

Just then, a startled cry came from the entrance of the guest room.

Song Yan was taken aback and subconsciously looked up. He saw two beautiful figures outside the guest room door. They must have just come from the side passage and were peeking out.

That little head... who else could it be but Gao Yang?

Hey!
Ruined!
(End of this chapter)