Dong Mu He works

Chapter 236: Normal Interactions Part Two >

    

xi raised an eyebrow at him with a smile that wasn't quite a smile. "Are you willing to live in your father-in-law's house under the title of 'son-in-law' Aren't you afraid of being gossiped about and...As soon as Li Yunting returned to the dormitory, he bluntly stated, "Su Zhe's motives are impure."

Xu Huaiyi said nonchalantly, "What motive could he possibly have He just wants to get close to us. It's really nothing, don't overthink it. Just treat him as an ordinary friend."

He spoke as he brought out a copper brazier, using tongs to put in some charcoal and striking a match to light it. These things were all brought from home, along with quite a few snacks. He found an iron grate and placed it over the brazier, then grabbed a handful of chestnuts and walnuts and put them on top.

Li Yunting just stared, his thoughts drifting a little. "You want to be friends with him Do you know who's behind him"

Xu Huaiyi stirred the chestnuts, guarding against them burning, and said without looking up, "Didn't you say before that he had a sister who entered the Second Prince's courtyard"

Li Yun Ting was confused, "Since you know, why don't you stay farther away Aren't you afraid that by getting closer to him, you'll be labeled as belonging to the Second Prince's faction"

Xu Huaiyi jokingly said, "I'm closer to you than anyone else. We eat and live together every day. According to your logic, shouldn't I be classified as part of the Third Prince's faction"

Li Yun Ting blurted out, "That's different. I'm just an outer room in Dingyuan Houfu. I have nothing to do with the Third Prince. Su Zhe is different. He often interacts with the Second Prince."

Xu Huaiyi curiously asked, "So the Second Prince still values him"

Li Yun Ting nodded, “To be precise, it’s about valuing the Su family's ability to make money. In reality, Su Zhe doesn't have much access to the Su family business. His six older brothers above him hold half of the family fortune in the eldest son's hands, and the rest is divided among the other brothers. He was arranged by his family to take the military examination route, so where would he have the spare energy to manage others”

Xu Huaiyi seemed contemplative.

Li Yunting added, "However, he is good at socializing and if he were to do business, he would probably be very skilled."

Upon hearing this, Xu Huaiyi chuckled and said, "You've figured it out"

Li Yunting hummed in response, asking, "Are you short of silver"

Xu Huaiyi said, "Who would dislike having more silver Having silver makes things easier."

Li Yunting paused, then asked, "What kind of business do you want to do"

Xu Huaiyi already had a plan in mind, but he said on his lips, "I haven't figured it out yet. It depends on how things go later. Will Su Zhe be reliable..."

The chestnuts burst open, releasing a fragrant aroma.

Xu Huaiyi didn't have time to chat anymore. He called him over to eat, and then grabbed some red dates and sprinkled them on the sieve.

Li Yun Ting wasn't originally interested in these things, but seeing him carefully peel the shell and chew with an expression of enjoyment on his face, I found myself drawn closer.

The fragrance wafted out, attracting Wang Qiusheng and Zhao San from next door. The four of them gathered around the brazier, chatting and laughing as they ate and drank. Inevitably, the conversation turned back to Su Zhe again.

Zhao San'yu made no attempt to hide his dislike for him. "Wai Yi, what are you doing talking to him He's clearly not sincere. Don't be fooled by his constant smiles and friendly demeanor; he's actually very cunning."

Xu Huaiyi curiously asked, "How do you know he's a scoundrel"

Zhao Sanshou said, “There’s no business without deceit.”

Xu Huaiyi twitched his lips upon hearing this, "Your family has a business too, my family runs a tofu shop as well. According to your logic, we're both cunning then"

Zhao Sanshou widened his eyes, "How can that be the same Our two families' businesses are just making a living, small-scale operations. As for the Su family They are giants, royal merchants! Their business spans all of Dayong, ranking as the richest in the world. If they were to do business honestly, could they achieve this level Such overwhelming wealth and status wouldn't come from being honest and straightforward. To amass such fortune, they must be cunning and manipulative!"

Xu Huaiyi was convinced. This explanation made sense.

Wang Qiusheng spoke a fair word, "Three Friends, you have prejudice against Su Zhe. Actually, this person, don't look at his glittering appearance, he is not materialistic at all. On the contrary, he reads quite well."

Zhao Sanshou snorted, "Since you read well, why not go to the Imperial College"

The gentry and wealthy sons, all those with a bit of talent, would choose to enter the National Academy, take the civil service examination, and become officials. Those who were truly inept in writing and literature would go to the Military Academy and pursue the military career path. Thirty years ago, the founding emperor placed great emphasis on martial arts. Back then, when the dynasty was newly established, military officers held sway over civilian officials. Later, under the previous emperor, a balance of power between civil and military officials was achieved. Now, it is the civilian officials who are more esteemed and prominent.

Wang Qiusheng explained, "He had an older brother who got into the Guozijian through patronage. Their family was a merchant, and there was only one quota available. He naturally missed out on the opportunity."

Zhao San's friend was shrewd and insightful. Upon hearing this, he couldn't help but say, "The Su family is truly ambitious. Their family is already so wealthy, yet they still aspire to have a place in the court."

Wang Qiu's words carried a pointed meaning. "It makes sense, with no protection at court, how can one keep hold of mountains of gold and silver"

Zhao San looked at Xu Huaiyi, "Did you hear The Su family isn't trustworthy. Even if Su Zhe wanted to be honest, someone would still provoke him into causing trouble. We're not on the same side as them."

Xu Huaiyi laughed, “You’re overthinking it, aren’t you I wasn’t planning on siding with him in the first place. Not just him, but all the other factions – I won’t get involved. We have no power or influence; getting involved is like being a pawn that can be sacrificed at any time. What kind of foolish thing would I do”

Zhaosan's friend replied in confusion, "Well, you were just chatting with him so enthusiastically a moment ago!"

Xu Huaiyi said, "Hot enough I normally interact with people like this. Whoever it is, as long as there's no ill intent, I have the same attitude."

Zhao San's friend was taken aback.

Wang Qiusheng burst into laughter, "Huaiyi is right, as long as there's no ill intention, we are all classmates. We can't possibly lose our temper with each other, can we That would be disrespectful."

Zhao San understood, but he was unconvinced and said, "What if the other party asks you to do something for them"

Xu Huaiyi nonchalantly said, "What's the matter It's a trivial matter. If I can help, I will. But if it involves my property or life, I can't."

Zhao Sanshou seemed thoughtful and couldn't help but ask, "What if Master Sun Yu disagreed with you getting so close to Su Zhe"

The Sun family remains neutral, and everyone in the capital knows it.

Xu Huaiyi said uncertainly, "Master Sun probably wouldn't care about such trivial matters, would he"

Zhao Sanshou gloated, “That’s not necessarily true. Master Xue once told me to keep my distance from those noble children. If they try to recruit you, just turn them down. We’re taking the legitimate martial arts exam route. If we get associated with any faction too early, our options will be limited.”

"Well, Master Xue makes a good point."

"Then what..."

"But I can't just avoid all contact because of this, right If I keep things balanced and measured, I believe Master Sun won't interfere."

During the afternoon training session, when there was a break, Xu Huaiyi, based on the principle of respect, privately said something to Sun Yu.

Sun Yu's reaction was better than he expected. He nonchalantly said, "If you can get him to go with you, then treat him as a friend and don't think about anything else."

"Aren't you afraid of being misunderstood"

Sun Yu smiled, "Misunderstanding If that's all it takes to cause a misunderstanding, then this old master would have long ago been mistaken for a cunning scoundrel with several boats under his feet."appear withered. But surprisingly, this scene doesn't feel desolate or cold at all. Instead, it gives off a sense of tranquility, peacefulness, and the beauty of time passing by.Like a beauty of unpar...