noffsinger Chapter 256 Enjoying Wine with Emperor Chongzhen
Chapter 256 Enjoying Wine with Emperor Chongzhen
Chapter 256 Enjoying Wine with Emperor Chongzhen
Tian Wan smiled and said, "Lord Wang is indeed a promising young man. Please have a seat! And who is this gentleman?"
Tian Wan did not know Wang Zhixin.
Wang Zhixin quickly introduced himself: "I am Wang Zhixin, the steward of the Xinjian Earl's Mansion."
Tian Wan smiled and said, "Let's go together."
Wang Zhixin quickly shook his head and said, "No, I'll wait outside."
Wang Zhixin walked towards the door, wondering why the young man inside looked familiar. Where had he seen him before?
Wang Wenzhou plopped down on the stool, his eyes fixed on Chen Yuanyuan.
The young man drinking with Tian Wan was none other than the current emperor, Zhu Youjian.
Zhu Youjian shook his head slightly. Wang Wenzhou was indeed a womanizer; he would become infatuated with any pretty girl he saw.
Tian Wan introduced, "This is Young Master Zhu Rui, an old friend of mine despite the age difference. And this is Prefect Wang Wenzhou of Hanshan."
Zhu Youjian nodded and said with a smile, "I have long heard of Lord Wang's young talent and ability. Meeting him today, I can see that he is indeed extraordinary."
Wang Wenzhou's gaze never left Chen Yuanyuan. He smiled and said, "Brother Zhu, you're too kind. Don't keep calling me 'Lord Wang.' We're all friends of Lao Tian, so let's address each other as brothers. Lao Tian, who is this young lady?"
Chen Yuanyuan glanced at Wang Wenzhou, but seeing his intense gaze, she quickly looked away. Why was Wang Wenzhou behaving like this? How ill-mannered!
"My adopted daughter is Wanfang." Tian Wan frowned, shook his head with a wry smile, and said, "Wang Wenzhou, you don't even respect His Majesty. Don't blame me if you anger His Majesty. It's not that I don't want to help you, it's that His Majesty forbids me from revealing my identity."
Upon hearing this, Wang Wenzhou immediately leaned over, put his arm around Tian Wan, and asked, "Old Tian, is your adopted daughter married yet?"
“Wanfang is not yet married,” Tian Wan replied.
"Fantastic! This stunningly beautiful woman is not to be missed!" Wang Wenzhou looked at Chen Yuanyuan and said with a smile, "Fangfang, let me introduce myself. My name is Wang Wenzhou, the heir of the Earl of Xinjian. I am 21 years old this year and currently serve as the Prefect of Hanshan. My family is quite wealthy, with a car, a house, and savings."
Tian Wan was both amused and exasperated. The reason he had Chen Yuanyuan accompany him for drinks was because he believed that Emperor Chongzhen had taken a liking to her. Otherwise, Chongzhen wouldn't have visited his residence so frequently. As a subject, he certainly had that much discernment. Therefore, Tian Wan very much wanted Chen Yuanyuan to marry Chongzhen.
Chen Yuanyuan was very angry. These days, she had been in contact with Emperor Chongzhen. The current emperor was extraordinary and had deeply disturbed her heart. Of course, she wanted to marry Emperor Chongzhen and did not want Wang Wenzhou to interfere.
Zhu Youjian said with a smile, "I've heard that Brother Wang has a large number of beautiful wives and concubines, and that you are somewhat afraid of your wife. If you were to take another concubine, would your wives agree?"
Wang Wenzhou glanced at Zhu Youjian, thinking, "You dare to try and steal my beauty? I'll bury you in money!"
“How could a grown man like me be afraid of women? It’s not that I’m afraid of my wife, but that I love them so much that I can’t bear to see them sad. My children also love me deeply and won’t object to me taking concubines!” Wang Wenzhou said with a smile.
Zhu Youjian smiled slightly. Wang Wenzhou was indeed eloquent. He picked up his wine cup and said, "This is the first time I've met you, my worthy brother. Let's have a drink together!"
Wang Wenzhou finished his drink in one gulp, then took out a silver note and shopping vouchers from his pocket and handed them to Tian Wan. "Old Tian, I came to see you, so I couldn't come empty-handed. Here's a little something for you, please accept it."
A silver note worth 50,000 taels of silver, and shopping vouchers for Hanshan Supermarket worth 50,000 taels of silver.
Tian Wan frowned as he looked at the silver note in his hand. In front of Chongzhen, he didn't know whether he should accept it or not.
Zhu Youjian said with a smile, "Brother Tian, please accept this. It's a small token of Brother Wang's appreciation. You can't refuse it, can you?"
"Yes, yes!" Tian Wan smiled awkwardly and put the things in her pocket.
Chen Yuanyuan said softly, "Lord Wang is truly generous. May I ask what brings you to see my father?"
Chen Yuanyuan was certainly aware of Chongzhen's identity. Her question was intended to embarrass Wang Wenzhou. "Trading power and money in front of His Majesty—let's see how you behave as an official after this!"
Wang Wenzhou said with a smile, "It's just a small token. There's nothing else. I just want Lao Tian to put in a good word for me. I don't want a promotion, and I don't want to leave Hanshan."
"Haha..." Zhu Youjian laughed loudly, "Brother Wang is quite interesting. I've only ever heard of people spending money to get promoted, but I've never seen anyone spend money without wanting a promotion. Why is that, Brother Wang?"
"Sigh..." Wang Wenzhou said with a wry smile, "I have no other choice. Some time ago, I was lucky enough to repel the bandits and gained some merit. But I have six wives, five of whom are pregnant. If I get promoted, I definitely can't stay in Hanshan. My babies are all heavily pregnant, so it's inconvenient for them to leave Hanshan. I don't have any other hobbies, I just can't leave my babies."
Zhu Youjian smiled slightly and said, "My dear brother is indeed a good husband. However, loyalty and filial piety have always been difficult to reconcile. My dear brother possesses extraordinary talent; how can you let personal feelings for your children prevent you from serving the court?"
Wang Wenzhou frowned, then laughed and scolded, "Brother Zhu, you're going too far! I was serving the court while I was in Hanshan. Last year, when there was a disaster, 100,000 refugees fled to Hanshan, and I took them in, giving them a way to survive. Wasn't that serving the court?"
Zhu Youjian nodded. He knew about the disaster victims' plight and greatly admired Wang Wenzhou's handling of the situation. Zhu Youjian also admired Wang Wenzhou's talent. However, he found Wang Wenzhou's style of doing things somewhat unacceptable.
Tian Wan raised his wine cup and said, "Lord Wang, I toast you. Lord Wang is a young talent who has served the country and its people with great respect. I admire you."
"You're too kind!" Wang Wenzhou had always enjoyed drinking, and after a few rounds, he had drunk quite a bit.
Chen Yuanyuan listened silently to everyone's conversation. Gradually, her brows furrowed. From Chongzhen's tone, it was clear that His Majesty admired Wang Wenzhou, and Wang Wenzhou would occasionally flatter her, his words clearly showing his affection.
Chen Yuanyuan was very worried. She feared that if Emperor Chongzhen wanted to win over Wang Wenzhou, he might bestow her upon him, which would be a real problem.
Chen Yuanyuan suddenly asked, "Lord Wang, I heard you've only been an official for a year, how come you're so rich? Did you get all the money from your household?"
"Hey! Beautiful lady, am I the kind of spendthrift? I'm someone who can make big money!" Wang Wenzhou patted his chest proudly and said, "Fangfang, how could I, a grown man, be a freeloader? All my money is earned by myself!"
Chen Yuanyuan sneered, "Wang Wenzhou, you've fallen into a trap now that you've gotten yourself cocky!"
Chen Yuanyuan said softly, "Does Lord Wang engage in business? Doesn't the imperial court explicitly prohibit officials from engaging in business?"
"Tch!" Wang Wenzhou said dismissively, "Fangfang, you don't understand. There's always a way to circumvent the rules. Do you know Tingmei Apparel?"
"I know!" Chen Yuanyuan also frequently buys clothes from Tingermei Clothing.
Wang Wenzhou proudly stated, "Actually, Tingermei Clothing is my business. It's just that my brother-in-law holds it on my behalf."