Duke of Zhenguan

Early the next morning, Lady Cui took the ice into the palace.

Because of the vast complex of buildings, the temperature inside the palace was higher than in other places, so the ice that Cui sent in was a perfect gift for Empress Zhangsun.

After chatting for a while, Empress Zhangsun learned that the ice was made by Lin Chuan. As for how it was made, Empress Zhangsun did not ask, but Cui Shi directly told Empress Zhangsun the method.

Since it's a gift-giving activity, it's important to make sure the gift is substantial!

Because of Cheng Yaojin's relationship with Li Shimin, Empress Zhangsun and Lady Cui were already acquainted, so she didn't stand on ceremony and asked with a smile:

"His Majesty said that the Duke of Su and the young lady of the Cui family intend to betroth their eldest daughter to this young master Lin?"

"The eldest daughter-in-law in the family has been spoiled by her husband since childhood, and he has also taught her to wield swords and spears since she was young. Marriage has always been a worry for her husband!"

"My husband and I were worried about her marriage, but we never expected that she and Xiao Chuan would fall in love. My husband is also satisfied with Xiao Chuan, so the marriage was arranged. It was even the Duke of Yi who acted as Xiao Chuan's matchmaker!" Cui said with a smile.

"I have often heard His Majesty mention that young master Lin. He is talented and virtuous. It would be a good match for my sister's eldest daughter to marry into his family. I will speak with His Majesty and ask him to grant the marriage!" Empress Zhangsun said with a smile.

"This humble servant thanks Your Highness in advance!" Madam Cui quickly stood up to express her gratitude.

"You're welcome!" Empress Zhangsun waved her hand with a smile.

After Lady Cui left, Empress Zhangsun personally led people to deliver some ice to Li Yuan at Taiji Palace.

In the evening, Li Shimin went to the Lizheng Hall to have dinner with Empress Zhangsun.

Li Chengqian, Li Tai, Li Lizhi, and Princess Chengyang were also present.

As the family ate together, when they drank the chilled rice wine that Empress Zhangsun had specially ordered, Li Shimin asked in surprise:

"Didn't the Imperial Household Department say they were out of ice a few days ago?"

"These ice blocks were sent in by Cui, the wife of the Duke of Su, along with a method for making ice!" Empress Zhangsun explained.

"Cheng Zhijie's wife?"

Li Shimin paused, holding his wine cup, and suddenly asked:

"Could it have been Lin Chuan who did this?"

Empress Zhangsun was astonished that Li Shimin had guessed it.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Li Shimin was also taken aback for a moment, and sighed softly:

"It really is him..."

"The Cui family's younger sister also told me that the marriage between the eldest daughter of the Cheng family and the young master Lin has been arranged. I took it upon myself to ask Your Majesty to grant them the marriage. Your Majesty, please don't blame me!" Empress Zhangsun said softly.

"Why blame you? Even if you hadn't agreed, that scoundrel Cheng Yaojin would have shamelessly come begging to me!" Li Shimin waved his hand with a smile.

"That's true!" Empress Zhangsun chuckled.

The Lin family of Tonghua Lane.

Lin Chuan brought back a large bag of saltpeter from the Cheng family, and also got some ice for Li Shi and Er Ya to cool them off. He also made sure to send some to the Yan family as well.

As the sun sets, the family sits in the front yard to finish their meal.

Unlike other families who eat separately, the Lin family is used to sitting around the table together to eat, and this habit has not changed even now that Lin Chuan is an official.

As Lin Chuan's disciple, A Lang naturally had the right to sit at the table and eat. Thanks to his younger brother, A Shui was also invited by Lin Chuan to sit down and eat with him.

Even Mei Xiang, who was standing behind Lin Chuan, was asked by Lin Chuan to sit down and eat with him, but no matter how Lin Chuan asked her, Mei Xiang always respected her status as a maid and never overstepped it.

Unlike her carefree younger brother, Ah Shui was cautious and timid. She still considered herself Lin Chuan's servant. Although she sat down obediently, she never dared to pick up any food with her chopsticks and just kept eating her rice.

Perhaps because Ah Shui's life was too hard, Li Shi took an unexpected liking to Ah Shui and kept putting food on her plate.

Seeing this, Lin Chuan smiled and said to Madam Li:

"Mother, why don't you let Ah Shui come with you?"

"OK!"

Now Er Ya has Wang Tiejun's daughter serving as her maid, and Li Shi hasn't found a suitable one yet, but A Shui is quite suitable.

Halfway through the meal, Lin Jiu suddenly walked to the door:

"Brother, there's someone outside claiming to be from the Cui family. They say they want to see you!"

Why are the Cui family members looking for me?

With some questions in mind, Lin Chuan tidied himself up and led Mei Xiang and Lin Jiu to the front yard.

Sitting in the main hall of the front courtyard, Cui Guinian looked at Lin Chuan, stood up with a smile, cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to Lin Chuan, and said with a smile:

"My name is Cui Guinian. I have come to pay my respects to Young Master Lin. I apologize for this intrusion and hope that Young Master Lin will forgive me!"

"Greetings, Young Master Cui. Please have a seat!"

Lin Chuan cupped his hands in greeting and smiled as he invited Cui Guinian to sit down.

Without Lin Chuan's instruction, Mei Xiang went to bring up some hot tea.

After taking a couple of sips of tea and exchanging a few polite words, Lin Chuan asked curiously:

"I was unaware of your presence, Young Master Cui. What brings you here?"

"I have long heard that Young Master Lin is exceptionally talented, and even the Second Grandfather of the Yan family is ashamed of his own inferiority in mathematics. I am not worthy of your guidance!"

"I have come here without permission because I have some things I would like to ask Young Master Lin for advice!" Cui Guinian said with a smile.

"Oh? Tell me, Young Master Cui!" Lin Chuan nodded.

"To my shame, I have always had a good relationship with Pei Erlang and Pei Zhongyu. Some time ago, I was persuaded by Pei Erlang to hoard a lot of coarse salt. I never expected that Lin Langjun could transport hundreds of thousands of catties of refined salt from Liangzhou back to the capital with just a flick of his wrist, leaving the coarse salt in my hands to pile up in the warehouse."

"In business, profits and losses are common. But those coarse salts are useless sitting in the warehouse, so I sold them all at a low price. That's why I've swallowed my pride and come to ask you for advice, Mr. Lin!" Cui Guinian said.

"Young Master Cui, you misunderstand. The matter of salt is a secret of the imperial court! I don't know anything about it either!" Lin Chuan shook his head with a smile.

"Young Master Lin, why be so modest? If it weren't for you, the imperial court wouldn't have been able to produce so much refined salt!"

Cui Guinian said with a smile, and before Lin Chuan could speak, he continued:

"Young Master Lin, I have come with sincerity. As long as you ask, I am willing to give you 10% of the profit as a gift regarding the salt. Moreover, I can promise you that the salt can be stored in the warehouse for several years, and I will never cause you any trouble!"

Lin Chuan looked at Cui Guinian and guessed some of Cui Guinian's thoughts.

Asking Lin Chuan for the formula to purify salt was a pretense; his real purpose was to win him over, and the 10% profit was a sweet treat for him.

Because the method of purifying salt cannot be kept secret. The Right Guard has more than 10,000 men. No matter how strict the military discipline is, the method of purification will still be leaked by someone. It's just a matter of time.

Seeing Lin Chuan remain silent, Cui Guinian continued:

"I've heard that Young Master Lin is still unmarried. I do have a suitable junior member in my clan. If Young Master Lin is interested, I can arrange for her to be chosen from the eldest branch of the main line and betrothed to him!"

This is the real bargaining chip!

If Lin Chuan's soul weren't that of a modern person, he might actually have fallen for her.

The eldest daughter of the Cui family, the most prestigious of the five noble families, was the object of many people's dreams of marrying. Even Li Shimin's attempt to form a marriage alliance with them was rejected.

I'm just a Right Guard Chief Secretary right now, without even a noble title. Cui Guinian is really willing to spend the money.