Hadn't it always been like this since ancient times? Officials and merchants colluded—ah, no, they cooperated!
One party provided backing, while the other received monetary rewards.
The Mei Family might not have been the only ones contemplating such actions. It was just that the Mei Family had acted first.
After all, she was merely a concubine's daughter. So what if the process lacked glory? She was just that—a concubine's daughter!
Regardless of a merchant's power, they remained a merchant. Offering the daughter of a concubine to an official as a concubine, particularly to a young and promising official with a bright future, wouldn't bring shame to their family; rather, it would be seen as an honor.
Furthermore, it could yield benefits in the future.
In any case, the Lu family wouldn't come out at a loss!
They must have presented their proposal to Shao Yunduan, who turned them down. That was why Qiao Xuan felt reassured.
