Quick Transmigration: Why did you provoke him? He's love-struck!

Chapter 328 Towards the Golden Palace (32)

Xie Zhao was a little stunned by this sudden news.

After all, among the people promoted this time, he was superior to the others in terms of both ability and seniority.

What's more, he has a father-in-law who is a third-rank official in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, who is in charge of him.

A few days ago, his superiors had even hinted with a smile that the position of lecturer was definitely his.

Xie Zhao had a gut feeling that something had gone wrong and that someone was interfering.

After calming down, Xie Zhao went to his superior and subtly inquired about the inside story.

The higher-ups thought highly of Xie Zhao and had a good relationship with him. A couple of years ago, they even asked Meng Zongrong to resolve a small matter through Xie Zhao's connections. The two had a friendship.

When Xie Zhao asked, his superior gave him a few subtle hints.

Have you had a fight with your wife recently?

Xie Zhao immediately understood.

So it turns out that Meng Zongrong was the one who made it through the elimination process.

It seems that this was caused by Meng Zhenyue going back to her parents' home to complain.

Thinking of this, Xie Zhao felt a surge of anger.

Meng Zhenyue is so insensible. When there are conflicts between husband and wife, they should have a little argument behind closed doors. No matter how ugly it gets, it's still a private matter.

However, bringing the matter to Meng Zongrong's attention and causing her to miss out on a promotion was Meng Zhenyue's fault.

The opportunity for promotion only comes once every three years. If he misses this chance, he will have to wait another three years.

Husband and wife are one, sharing both glory and loss. Damaging one's own interests is also damaging Meng Zhenyue's interests!

Xie Zhao was furious, but quickly calmed down.

He knew that this was Meng Zhenyue's way of forcing him to admit his mistake.

It has to be said that she has become smarter; she uses this trick to control him, leaving him no choice but to compromise.

He could ask Luo Yun for servants and money if he needed them, but Luo Yun couldn't interfere in matters of officialdom.

Not only that, he now has to give up the idea of ​​borrowing servants from Luo Jun, lest Meng Zhenyue discover something amiss.

If she finds out he lied to her and makes a big fuss, then forget about getting a promotion, he might not even be able to keep his current position.

Xie Zhao considered all the pros and cons and angrily realized that he seemed to have lost the initiative in the matter of Meng Zhenyue.

His father-in-law's manipulation of his promotion was a veiled warning to him to treat Meng Zhenyue well.

Does he really have to humble himself and go to the Meng family to invite Meng Zhenyue back?

Xie Zhao was unwilling. In his view, his willingness to marry Meng Zhenyue was already a great favor to her.

How dare she take advantage of Qiao?

Aren't you afraid that you'll just give up and divorce her?

Given Meng Zhenyue's family's attitude and her own psychological capacity, being divorced meant certain death for her.

With this in mind, Xie Zhao, though having weighed the pros and cons, decided to bring Meng Zhenyue back in a few days.

After all, the promotion had just been announced, and he rushed over immediately. In the eyes of the Meng family, this action made them think that they had him under their control, and that he might become even more demanding in the future.

He cannot allow this to happen.

In the afternoon, another piece of news spread throughout the Hanlin Academy—

Lady Cao, the wife of the newly appointed top scholar Xue Lin, presented a recipe for refining salt. The refined salt was snow-white and free of impurities. His Majesty was overjoyed and bestowed upon Lady Cao the title of Imperial Merchant. Xue Lin was appointed Salt Transport Commissioner and Salt Warehouse Supervisor, holding the rank of fifth grade official.

Xie Zhao was stunned for a long time after hearing this, and his face darkened.

-

Cao Mansion.

The imperial edict appointing Cao Cao as a royal merchant was issued in the morning, and by the afternoon, the Cao residence, which was usually deserted, began to receive a steady stream of visitors.

From this day forward, Cao's will be a "state-owned enterprise" backed by the imperial family and receiving government funding.

The emperor himself granted the monopoly, which was in the highly profitable salt industry.

Moreover, the Cao family had a highly sought-after top scholar in the imperial examination as a stepping stone, with immense power and wealth within reach. Many people wanted to take this opportunity to curry favor with the head of the Cao family.

Previously, because Cao Ji Restaurant opened in the capital, many local wine merchants formed a group to ostracize and suppress Yan Zhen. Now that they learned that the head of Cao Ji Restaurant had transformed into an imperial merchant, those who had offended her were filled with regret.

Those with thin skin quickly rescinded the orders to suppress and exclude, while those with thick skin visited immediately with generous gifts to apologize.

Yan Zhen accepted all comers with a smile, forgiving those who apologized and readily accepting those who tried to build a relationship. After working non-stop for most of the day, her face was almost stiff from smiling.

After seeing off a group of guests, Manager Gao came in and whispered to Yan Zhen, "Manager, Master Xie has arrived."

Yan Zhen raised an eyebrow.

She wasn't surprised that Xie Zhao would come, but she didn't expect it to be so soon.

"Where?"

"They said they wanted to see you in the alleyway by the side gate."

Yan Zhen replied, "Okay."

As I walked out of the side gate of the Cao residence, it was just getting dark. A carriage was parked in the alley, but there was no driver in sight. The carriage was dimly lit by candlelight.

Yan Zhen walked over and knocked on the side of the carriage.

Xie Zhao's voice came from the carriage: "Get on."

Yan Zhen secretly rolled her eyes, thinking to herself that this person was really addicted to putting on airs.

She lifted the curtain and bent down to get into the carriage.

Xie Zhao sat in the carriage, with an oil lamp on a small table beside her. As she got into the carriage, the lamp flickered, casting a dim light on half of Xie Zhao's face.

Yan Zhen sat down opposite him: "You've come to see me at this hour, is there something you need?"

Xie Zhao cut to the chase: "The Cao family has become imperial merchants?"

"Correct."

Xie Zhao clenched his fist: "Why didn't you give me the recipe for refined salt to present to His Majesty?"

Because of his meritorious service in submitting the report, Xue Lin was given the prestigious position of Salt Commissioner, a truly lucrative post.

Yan Zhen looked at him strangely: "If I hand it over to you, under what pretext will you present it to His Majesty?"

Xie Zhao was taken aback.

"You don't actually think that just because you're the one submitting the prescription, the job of Salt Commissioner will fall to you, do you?" Yan Zhen mocked. "I was appointed as a royal merchant because I have money and connections, and I can handle this job. Xue Lin was appointed as Salt Commissioner because he's my wealthy husband. What do you have?"

Xie Zhao gritted her teeth: "Then why can't you wait until you divorce Xue Lin and marry into my household as a concubine before submitting the prescription?"

Yan Zhen was left speechless, both amused and exasperated by his self-righteousness.

Ultimately, Xie Zhao was able to make this request without any psychological burden, even shamelessly, because he had always looked down on Luo Yun.

In his view, whether it was Luo Yun or Meng Zhenyue, marrying him would be a step up for them.

Because it's a step up for him, there must be some sacrifices, and you have to accommodate him in matters of mutual benefit.

“I can’t wait any longer,” Yan Zhen said. “I heard that in order to gain fame, you announced to the public that you would not take a concubine when Meng Zhenyue was diagnosed with infertility. Since you made such a promise, how am I supposed to know when you will take me as your concubine? I can’t possibly turn down a lucrative business opportunity just to wait for you, can I?”

Xie Zhao frowned: "I said I would bring you into the manor, and I will definitely do it. Why are you in such a hurry? Now that the imperial decree has been issued to make you a royal merchant, everyone in the capital knows that Xue Lin is your husband. If you want to divorce him and become a concubine in the Xie manor, how easy is that!"