Chapter 494

The thin-skinned Xu Erlang glanced at his elder brother, then at his father, and his lips twitched.

In the awkward atmosphere, Xu Qi'an cleared his throat and said, "It smells so good.

"It smells so good. I can almost smell Sister Lingyue's cooking.

"Second Uncle, let's not rest until we're drunk tonight."

The awkward atmosphere was broken. The three men hid the bag of green oranges beside them and pretended not to see it.

During this process, Xu Qi'an glanced at Erlang and saw that Xu Erlang's expression did not change. He had already covered up the awkwardness from earlier.

In these two years, Erlang had grown a lot. When he was discovered by his family while reciting poems and hanging himself in the old mansion, he was so embarrassed that he wanted to die on the spot … Xu Qi'an recalled the past and sighed.

The three entered the mansion and went straight to the inner hall …

The inner hall was brightly lit with a few icicles hanging under the eaves. The aroma of food wafted out from the open door.

Many servants came and went in the inner courtyard, and there were a few pretty maids.

In the month that he left the capital, the Xu Mansion bought many servants.

"Many people in the capital also froze to death. The family happened to be short of servants, so your aunt asked the butler to buy some servants to give them a way out."

The second uncle Xu said.

Xu Qi'an nodded. Although his aunt was petty, prideful, and thought that she was a fairy, she had a lot of bad habits. However, a carefree and pampered woman who didn't need to fight for favor couldn't possibly have a bad heart.

Lin 'an was an example. Thanks to the Yuanjing Emperor's years of cultivation, there was no soil for intrigue in the palace. If she lived in such an atmosphere for a long time, Lin' an might not be as naive and kind as she was now.

"It can't be helped in the year of disaster." Xu Qi'an tilted his head and looked at Xu Xinnian.

"Then why didn't Aunt buy a room for Erlang?"

The second uncle Xu laughed and said, "Erlang is going to be engaged to the Grand Secretary's daughter in two months. Your aunt wouldn't dare to offend the Grand Secretary's daughter."

Xu Cijiu frowned, dissatisfied with his brother and father's teasing.

As they spoke, the three entered the inner hall. There were charcoal basins in the four corners for heating. The table was sumptuous with all kinds of delicacies. This was obviously not the norm at the Xu Mansion.

Aunt and Lingyue sat by the tea table while Xu Lingyin and Lina gathered at the table and stared at the food.

"Lingyin, don't think about stealing. Wait for your brother to come back."

Aunt warned.

"Oh …"

Xu Lingyin knelt on the stool with her hands on the edge of the table. She reluctantly withdrew her gaze and looked out of the hall, just in time to see the three of them returning.

"Big brother!"

The little bean shouted loudly and jumped down from the stool. He put his hands on both sides of his waist and spread them behind him. Then, he buried his head and rushed over in an aggressive manner.

Xu Pingzhi and Xu Xinnian stepped back at the same time.

The little bean bumped into Xu Qi 'an's arms.

"What strength …" He was shocked. He looked at his sister. It had only been a month, but she had not changed much. Hmm, if he had to say something, her face was rounder.

Like a round red apple.

This meant that the little kid's Qi and blood were very strong.

Based on the collision just now, Xu Qi 'an estimated that her current strength was at the ninth level of the Spirit Refinement realm.

"This is too scary. When I was her age, I was still shaking when I did the horse stance …" Xu Qi'an was shocked.

He patted Xu Lingyin's head and glanced at the three women in the hall.

Xu Lingyue had already seen Lina. Lina's skin was fairer. The one who changed the most was Aunt. Her features were beautiful and delicate. Her skin was fair. Just by looking at her face, she did not look like a woman who raised three children.

"Did Chu Caiwei give you the Face Retaining Pill? "It's so effective. If it was in my previous life, I would be rich. Too bad I can't go back …" He thought regretfully.

Aunt and Lingyue came up. The former glanced at her nephew to make sure he was not missing an arm or a leg. She raised her chin slightly and said in a reserved manner,

"You're back!"

She suddenly twitched her nose and frowned. "The smell of green oranges again. Why is it so strong?"

The second Uncle Xu quickly took out the green oranges in his hand and smiled without changing his expression.

"Green oranges can cure coughs. I bought them for Lingyin. I ate one on the way, so it smells good. "

Hearing this, Xu Lingyin's little face fell.

The second Uncle Xu stared at her and said, "What are you waiting for? Come and get it."

Xu Lingyin frowned and held the bag of green oranges in her arms.

She looked at her father and then at the green oranges in her arms. She flipped the bag with her stubby fingers. There were only four. She felt that she could handle it.

Her two shallow eyebrows relaxed.

"Ahem!"

Xu Erlang cleared his throat and took out the butter paper bag hidden behind him. He handed it to Xu Lingyin and said,

"I was also afraid that you would cough …"

Xu Lingyin was stunned. Xu Qi 'an seemed to see a series of question marks above her head.

Having left the hot potato to the child, Xu Pingzhi and Xu Xinnian sat at the table happily.

Xu Lingyin looked like she was about to cry.

Seeing this, Xu Qi 'an couldn't bear to see her like this, so he said,

"Lingyin, I brought you a gift this time."

The little bean immediately showed a bright smile, like the clouds parting and snow clearing. She forgot all the unhappy things and said in a sweet voice,

"Where is the gift? Where is the gift, brother?"

Xu Qi 'an immediately took out the green oranges hidden behind him and put them in the little bean's arms.

Xu Lingyin — harvested [Green Oranges x3].

The poor little child was stunned. She never thought that her father, eldest brother, and second brother would treat her like this.

Little Bean Sprout suddenly burst into tears.

"I don't want to eat oranges, I don't want to eat oranges …"

Anyway, Xu Erlang, who had thrown the blame away, said with a relaxed expression,

"Throw it away if you don't want to eat it."

Throw it away … When the little bean heard this, he cried out even more sadly.

She couldn't bear to throw it away … Xu Erlang picked up a winter bamboo shoot with his chopsticks.

No matter how disgusting it is, she will eat it … The second Uncle Xu slurped the wine.

Second Uncle and Erlang are really inhumane. Pui … Xu Qi 'an picked up some food for his aunt and said, "Remember to let her brush her teeth."

…

After three rounds of wine, the second Uncle Xu picked up a mouthful of pig head meat and chewed it slowly. Then, he poured a glass of wine for his son and said in a deep voice,

"Everyone is saying that you were the one who suggested to His Majesty and called for donations?"

Xu Xinnian grunted and explained, "Actually, the best way is to confiscate the property.

"Actually, the best way is to confiscate the property, but the Yongxing Emperor has just ascended the throne, and his position is not stable yet. Therefore, he can only adopt a gentler method.

"Originally, he didn't agree to call for donations because any action he took during his reign would be magnified and interpreted by his subordinates.

"If you want to sit firmly on the throne, it's best not to do anything. Wait until you are fully fledged before you do anything.

"Unfortunately, the heavens don't fulfill one's wishes."

Xu Pingzhi shook his head and stared at Erlang.

"I don't understand these things either. But I heard my colleague say something today. "

After a pause, he said in a deep voice,

"Whoever asks me to pay, I will chop them up … Erlang, that person said it for me to hear.

"If this matter isn't handled well, your future will be ruined. Well, with Wang Shoufu as your backer, it won't be so bad, but you will be a bench for many years."

Xu Xinnian's expression was solemn. "I know."

Aunt and Xu Lingyue rarely went out, so they didn't have any channels to ask for information. They didn't know what had happened.

It wasn't appropriate to ask too much about official matters. The mother and daughter looked at each other, frowning as they ate, and pricked up their ears to listen.

Xu Xinnian continued,

"Isn't Big Brother back? With Big Brother here, what are you worried about, Dad?"

Aunt and Xu Lingyue relaxed their brows, and ate without any distractions.

Xu Qi'an asked,

"What's the situation in the court now?"

Xu Xinnian thought for a moment, then said slowly, "The Royal Faction is the strongest.

The Wei Faction is led by the Left Imperial Censor Liu Hong, who is in charge of the night watchman's yamen. The other factions are still the same.

"In order to stabilize the situation, the Grand Secretary didn't take advantage of the new emperor's ascension to eliminate dissidents on a large scale. Fortunately, he didn't do so, or the court would be in a mess, and the people would be in a mess too.

"Moreover, although the Yongxing Emperor relies heavily on the Grand Secretary, he isn't a fool. If the Grand Secretary eliminates dissidents, the Yongxing Emperor won't be able to sit still."

Xu Qi'an laughed and teased,

"Why don't you call me father-in-law?"

Xu Xinnian retorted, "Because I'm a decent person, unlike Big Brother."

The brothers turned to look at Qing Ju in front of Xu Lingyin, and tacitly stopped the topic.

Xu Qi'an continued to ask, "About the donation, what's the reaction of the court?"

"I've incurred public anger." Xu Xinnian sneered,

"There are few who agree, but there are many who are watching. There are many who denounce him. "

Second Uncle Xu added, "Erlang is now a street rat, and everyone will scold him when they see him."

Xu Xinnian snorted coldly,

"It's fine if it's just scolding, but someone even wants to add insult to injury and impeach me. If the call for donations doesn't come to fruition, I, as the person who proposed it, will be held responsible.

"When the time comes, I might be released."

Aunt's reaction was great, and she immediately shouted,

"Then I'd rather you resign than leave the capital. The world is chaotic now, and I heard that there are refugees and bandits everywhere."

This is the drawback of having a family. The court belongs to the royal family, and the money is my own. I'm still in this position today, but tomorrow I might be beheaded by the Emperor. Expecting me to use my family's assets to fill the national treasury is a pipe dream … Xu Qi'an suddenly sighed.

He pondered for a moment, and said, "Are there any details?"

Xu Xinnian nodded,

"Of course there are. Officials of different ranks have a minimum donation standard, which will be determined according to their salary. This will prevent the officials from blindly asking for money and filling their own pockets in the process of execution.

"In addition, I also suggest that His Majesty set up a monument of merit, and place it in the Imperial College and the schools of each county for the world's students to admire.

"Then …"

He rambled on and on. Xu Qi'an waved his hand,

"Tell me directly, what do I want to do?"

Xu Xinnian said, "Let's go to the study later."

Business came to an end for the time being. Xu Qi'an, who was planning to eat and drink like a pig, asked,

"Lina, how much do you know about the Poisonous Seven Deadly Insect?"

Lina's cheeks bulged, and she swallowed the food with difficulty,

"The Poisonous Seven Deadly Insect was left by the husband of the Poisonous Heaven Granny, the Poisonous Heaven Old Man. When the Poisonous Heaven Old Man left, the Poisonous Seven Deadly Insect had not been refined, and it was the Poisonous Heaven Granny who completed it for him. "

"Then?"

"Then the Poisonous Heaven Granny gave me the Poisonous Seven Deadly Insect and asked me to come to the capital to find the fated person."

I know all this … Xu Qi'an thought for a while and asked, "Apart from this, what else do you know?"

Lina began to eat again, "Nothing else."

Xu Qi'an frowned, "The Poisonous Seven Deadly Insect can let people have seven kinds of Poisonous Insect Techniques at the same time, don't you find it strange? Did the Poisonous Insect Clan have such a thing in the past? "

Lina nodded seriously, "Strange!"

Xu Qi'an said, "Then why don't you explore it?"

Lina looked at him and asked,

"Why should I explore it?

"There are many things I can't figure out. Isn't it too tiring to explore everything?

"Right, Lingyin?"

Xu Qi'an's mind was full of complaints, but he couldn't refute it.

The little bean nodded hard, "Yes, Master!"

She took the opportunity to drag her master down and help share the pressure, "Master, help me eat oranges."

Lina shook her head, "Go to the Celestial Commissioner and find Sister Caiwei."

"Then do you think the Poisonous Seven Deadly Insect has anything to do with the God of Poison?" Xu Qi'an brought the topic back.

"All the Poisonous Insects in the world are related to the God of Poison."

Lina showed a rare serious expression, "The God of Poison slept in the abyss and its power changed the Southern Border. The surrounding creatures absorbed the overflowing power of the God of Poison and mutated, so the Poisonous Insects came into being."

Xu Qi'an nodded, "I heard you say that this is the origin of the seven Poisonous Insects."

"That's right. Different creatures absorb different types of energy, resulting in different mutations. Occasionally, there will be creatures and Poisonous Masters with double Poisonous Insects, but only the God of Poison has seven Poisonous Insects. "

Lina said.

Only the God of Poison … Xu Qi'an suddenly felt numb.

…

The same dusk, the setting sun was like blood.

A luxurious carriage made of golden nanmu drove into the palace with the sound of the wheels.

Lin An stepped on a small stool with a gloomy face, wrapped in a fox fur coat, and entered the imperial study under the guidance of eunuchs.

Yongxing Emperor, who was busy dealing with official affairs, said angrily,

"What does the Celestial Commissioner have to make His Highness Lin An miss so much?"

Lin An said angrily, "There is nothing to miss. I just don't want to go back to the palace. I have slept for a day."

Yongxing Emperor raised his head, put down the memorial and said,

"I am still waiting for your news."

"He agreed." Lin An replied concisely.

"I knew that with Lin 'an's help, he definitely wouldn't refuse," Yong Xing Emperor laughed loudly.

Lin An didn't stay long and left.

Yongxing Emperor watched her cross the threshold and walk along the steps. He took a deep breath and clenched his fists excitedly.

On the big table, there was a thick stack of memorials to impeach Xu Xinnian.