Uncle Lai in the Red Chamber

Chapter 258 Long-lost Xiu Mu
After taking the initiative in the negotiations, Lai Shangrong let his subordinates handle the negotiations. He was only responsible for grasping the general direction and communicating it to others.

Negotiations on the details of the negotiations were lengthy and time-consuming and did not finally end until mid-September.

After seeing off the Xiyi and Qianxiang delegations, Lai Shangrong couldn't wait to invite Xiu Mu after the emperor awarded them the reward.

That day, I slept until three o'clock in the morning. With Qingwen and Xiangling waiting on me, I finished washing and dressing up and came to the restaurant.

Youshi was bending down and placing dishes of exquisite side dishes on the table.

Today, she wore an extremely close-fitting black dress, which outlined her extremely undulating curves. She was just the right amount of plumpness, without any excess greasiness, and exuded a mature smell.

The sunlight shines through the glass window of the restaurant and shines on her body, as if it is covered with a colorful halo.

Ever since she saw Qin Keqing dressed in black that day, she changed her previous garishness and prepared several pure black dresses.

After comparison, she found that black looks better than white, so unless Lai Shangrong has special requirements, she mostly wears black.

Hearing the sound, he retreated and bumped into Lai Shangrong, all at once.

Lai Shangrong is not surprised that such charming moments happen every once in a while.

She does not have to do these rough chores, but as long as it concerns Lai Shangrong's daily life, she tries her best to do it herself.

By modern standards, roughly similar to a living secretary.

Yeah, and it’s a big secret.

Lai Shangrong was reading the newly printed workers' monthly newspaper while eating breakfast and lunch.

Although he has been busy negotiating recently, the affairs of the two companies and one factory have not stopped. Due to the information transmission conditions of this era, it can only be published in the form of a monthly magazine for the time being. Because workers are generally illiterate, the two companies and one factory under his jurisdiction The factory will arrange regular newspaper reading activities.

In order to facilitate understanding, the main content is taken from the "Tiangong Kaiwu" of the previous dynasty, mixed with some private items of Lai Shangrong.

He handed over most of the academic private goods to Jia Lan and Jia Jun, and let Fang Changqing, Wu Qinian, Jiang Maocai and others write their own or subordinates' experience talks about the technical ones, and he was only responsible for ideological guidance.

After looking through it roughly, my stomach was almost full, and I asked casually: "Are everything ready?"

After being busy for more than half a month, he didn't have time to visit Daiyu, so he naturally wanted to visit her during his rare break.

This negotiation was successful. In addition to the emperor's many rewards, Xiyi and Qianxiang Kingdom also presented many gifts, and Lai Shangrong chose some.

"Everything for Miss Lin is ready. The other sisters-in-law have chosen a few things. Shangrong will see what they bring later."

Daiyu, who is famous, wants to be given away, but Li Wan, Wang Xifeng, master and servant, who are not famous, and even those unharvested fish, naturally cannot be taken away.

Originally, Youshi was asked to make the selection, but it seemed that she was afraid that she would not be able to control it, so she left the decision to herself.

"Let's go and see what you picked."

Move into the hall with Youshi.

Youshi pointed to the row of boxes on the table and opened them one by one: "What I brought to Miss Lin is the double-sided tapestry embroidered enamel hand fan given by the emperor, together with the pocket watch given by Xiyi, sent by Qian Xiangguo. My sister-in-law is really not sure about the few jadeite stones she bought.

In addition, as a gift from others, I think this wine is suitable. It would be good to give it to Feng Yatou and the others to try. Wouldn't a pocket watch be too expensive? "

In this era, the West was actually crushed by Daxia in terms of luxury goods. Porcelain, silk and the like were popular in Europe.

Originally, they only had pocket watches and short-barreled firearms, but after seeing the power of Daxia's firearms, they felt that they couldn't do anything with them, so they only had pocket watches and wine, as well as some special clothing and handicrafts.

After half a month of negotiations, Xiyi also realized that King Zhongshun was a mascot. The negotiating team was still headed by Lai Shangrong, and he gave away no less than 20 yuan just for the pocket watch.

The quantity is enough and I can give it away, but Youshi thinks the value is too high, so she can't make up her mind.

Lai Shangrong didn't care about this. In terms of talent exchange in the negotiations with Xiyi, he proposed to introduce watchmakers from Xiyi. When the terms of both parties are gradually implemented, he can also make watches himself in the future.

"Just the pocket watch! Each of you should take one. It's convenient for telling the time."

When he came to the table, he picked up a piece of violet jade the size of his fist.

He weighed it and said: "You don't need to send this to Sister Lin, ask someone to send it to Deyutang Gold Shop, let his family make a set of head jewelry and send it, and you each make a set, this one should be enough. "

"With such a big piece, I'm afraid I won't be able to use it for several sets of jewelry."

Qianxiang Country has relatively abundant jadeite, and jadeite of this quality comes in different colors, so he was given many pieces as a gift.

Unexpectedly, he also brought a red sweat scarf from Queen Qianxiang this time, and wanted to give it to Lai Shangrong. Naturally, he would not pawn such a personal item with a wholesale nature, and then gave it to King Zhongshun.

"If you have more, add some hairpins, rings, necklaces, etc."

It's hard for the maids to wear the whole set of headgear, but the small items are not in the way, but they have to give a few away to unrelated people in front of Jia Mu and others, so as not to be spotted later. "Hey!" Youshi roughly understood what he meant, agreed and asked again: "What about this wine?"

"Bring two bottles to Sister Lin to try before talking, and save the rest for now!"

Youshi immediately packed the things he ordered into boxes by category, and put the rest back into the warehouse.

Lai Shangrong suddenly asked: "Xichun still refuses to meet people?"

Speaking of this sister-in-law, Youshi became very angry.

"Isn't that right! She locks herself in the Dengxian Pavilion every day, with clothes on her hands, food on her hands, and food on her hands to open her mouth. Shang Rongqian takes care of us. She really thinks of herself as a young lady and doesn't know how to come out to help."

Lai Shangrong took out a pocket watch and put it in his arms.

"I'll go and see her first, and I'll go there later."

"Hey!" Youshi agreed, said nothing more, and wrapped the baggage again.

She could see to some extent that Lai Shangrong wanted to hide his beauty in a golden house and raise Xichun like a canary. Her brother-in-law was just more capable, otherwise she would not have the chance to share the profits.

After leaving the main hall, Youshi didn't follow him with a wink.

All the way to Dengxian Pavilion, I caught up with Ru Hua coming out with a basin of water.

"Girl, uncle is here!"

Welcoming him in without hesitation, he immediately turned around and left, not forgetting to close the door before leaving.

It's not that she sold her husband for glory. Xichun is now a registered servant. If she can be favored by Lai Shangrong, she can be considered as a master again.

As for the age issue, child brides in ancient times were younger, but she didn't know that although Lai Shangrong had a flexible bottom line, he had no intention of attacking Xichun now.

Well, at least until I'm in my late teens.

"Brother Lai!"

Xichun was a little nervous and gave Lai Shangrong a slight smile.

Once a person loses his temper and cannot leave home, he will no longer be in the mood to put away his makeup.

"I heard from my sister-in-law that you don't go out all day long. Is it possible that you have some worries?"

Lai Shangrong was afraid that if she continued like this, she would get sick, so he came to enlighten her.

"They can help, but I can't help." Xichun said timidly.

Unlike Youshi and Qin Keqing, she has the relationship of younger sister and younger brother.

In addition, Lai Shangrong often stayed at Tianxiang House opposite, so she was not blind and had a rough idea.

In name, I changed from a young lady to a servant, but I still couldn't change my mind. Coupled with my inferiority complex, I chose to be out of sight and out of mind.

"I'm taking a break today and want to go to the garden to see Sister Lin and the others. How about you come with me to take a walk?"

"Don't!~" Xichun exclaimed and said sadly: "It's better not to see each other. I'm fine here. There's no need to go there to relax."

Now that their identities are different, she doesn't know how to face her former sisters, just like she doesn't know how to face Youshi and Qin Keqing, and only refers to them as 'them'.

"Although my body is my own, since you are with me, I have to be responsible for you. It's okay if you don't want to go, but you can't stay in the house anymore."

"Hey! Listen to Brother Lai." Xichun hesitated for a while, but agreed.

Lai Shangrong opened his pocket watch, handed it to Xichun, pointed at it and said: "From now on, you must get up at Maozheng (six o'clock) in the morning to walk around Huifang Garden. I will do morning exercises in the garden at this time every day, so you are not allowed to be lazy. "

"Xichun knows!"

Lai Shangrong knew that she had a knot in her heart, patted her head, and said with a smile: "Apart from you and Ruhua, there are only Keqing and the others in the garden, no one else will come here at will."

"Hey! Brother Lai..." Xichun stopped talking.

"Okay! Remember to promise me, I will leave first."

Before going out, she suddenly turned around and said kindly: "I remember you like drawing, and I will buy you a set of painting tools later, so you can paint in the garden to pass the time when you have nothing to do."

…………

(End of this chapter)