Zhao Ji had complicated feelings. He was ashamed of his dark heart, but he couldn't help thinking, how great it would be if Zhou Changlian was like him. Not only had Zhou Changlian never been troubled after joining the Maritime Affairs Bureau, but he was also taken advantage of everywhere. Not to mention the difference in household income between the two families. He had heard his son say too much about the good food at the Zhou family, and the expensive imported fruits that were sent from the capital every once in a while.
When Zhao Ji heard the rumor, he was worried at first, then secretly happy. Now he calmed down and said, "I am your uncle, nothing will happen to me. Why don't you believe me?"
Chang Lian's smile faded. Sometimes he felt that Lü Liang was more pleasing to the eye than Zhao Ji. Lü Liang at least did what he thought in his heart, while Zhao Ji, oh, really thought he couldn't read his mind. He was disappointed, but fortunate that he saw through it early. "Brother Zhao is busy with his work. I have nothing to do these few days, so I will go back home first."
In these few days, because of the rumors, he has learned a lot and needs to digest them well.
Zhao Ji's smile froze. Zhou Changlian's tone was very distant. He moved the corners of his mouth and could only watch Zhou Changlian leave.
Chang Lian left the government office with sarcasm in his eyes, but then he became happy. This should be the opportunity his father had mentioned. He wanted to write a letter to his father, asking whether he still needed political achievements to gain a foothold in the Maritime Affairs Bureau.
Everyone in Zhoujia Village knew that Zhou Changzhi was coming back, and he was bringing the county lady's wife with him. This was a big event for the Zhou family.
Especially for the scholars who are preparing to take the provincial examination this year, they are looking forward to it day by day and calculating their schedule.
Butler Ding had already cleaned up the old house early and was waiting for the Fourth Master and the Fourth Mistress to arrive home.
Patriarch Zhou would go to the village entrance to check every day, and stay there for an hour before slowly going to the clan school. Zhoujia Village is no longer the village it used to be. There are more people in the Zhou clan. Many people fled for their lives during the ten years of war, and many have returned with their families in recent years.
Some of them originally wanted to return to their hometown, but when they arrived at their hometown, they found out that the Zhou family had produced role models and successful candidates in the imperial examination, and that the candidates were even serving as officials in the capital. They then moved their entire family back.
Butler Ding likes to go to the clan school. Whenever he looks at the children in the clan school, he can imagine the prosperity of the Zhou family in the future.
Steward Ding saw Patriarch Zhou? "Are you going to the village entrance again?"
Patriarch Zhou was a little tired from walking? He came over to sit down? "Yes, Changzhi has not come yet, and I have been thinking about him in my heart."
Steward Ding poured tea for the old clan leader and said, "The fourth young master would have sent someone to deliver a letter in advance if he was going to arrive, but you insisted on going to see him in person."
"Good tea? I'm not just waiting for Changzhi. I also want to see more of Zhoujia Village every day. You see, the clan school now is not just about Shuren donating books and land. Zhoujia Village is the root of the Zhou family. I want to take a good look."
Steward Ding listened to the children's reading and smiled. Many of the Zhou family members returned home, and many of them were wealthy. They did donate a lot of land to the clan school and some land for sacrifices. "You should enjoy your life now. Have some tea."
Chief Zhou said cheerfully, "When Ming Qing passes the imperial examination, I won't care about anything anymore."
Steward Ding narrowed his eyes. It was not easy to pass the imperial examination, so he hoped that the young masters of Ming and Qing would do well.
In the capital, Old Chen retired. The news spread throughout the capital as soon as he left the palace. The shock was no less than that of the crown prince acting as the governor of the country, because Old Chen represented the King of Qi.
The King of Qi was dumbfounded when he found out about this. He didn't know anything about this. He got the news from outsiders. He sat there like a lost soul.
Princess Qi's pupils shrank. She knew how much the King of Qi relied on her grandfather. Even her own family was no match for the Chen family. "Your Highness, this is a rumor. It must be a rumor."
King Qi came back to life, "It's true."
Princess Qi didn't believe it. Without the Chen family, what would they do? Her dream of becoming queen and her son's dream of becoming crown prince, "Your Highness, let's go to the Chen Mansion and ask for clarification."
The King of Qi stood up, took two quick steps and then stopped. He thought about his grandfather's hesitation to speak and recalled what he had said to him. In fact, he had already lost.
Princess Qi was anxious, "My Lord, let's go."
The King of Qi closed his eyes and then opened them again, "You stay, I will go by myself."
Zhou Family, Zhu Lan received the news and sighed, "This is the importance of the clan leader. The Chen family can be preserved, thanks to Old Chen."
Xue Han sighed, "The several great families back then, some fell into decline, some were wiped out. Mother, is this what you said about the consequence of greed without restraint?"
Zhulan: "The Zhou family won't do that."
Xue Han smiled and said, "Well, because we have our parents here, we are not greedy."
Zhulan was in a good mood. Now that Mr. Chen had expressed his intention to withdraw, the situation in the capital had become more stable. The more stable the situation was, the safer the Zhou family would be.
In the main room, Zhao teased her nephew, "This child looks like you."
Li frowned and said, "Look how fat he is. No wonder I was greedy when I was pregnant. I let him eat everything."
Mrs. Zhao was amused. Of the several children in the eldest wife's house, this youngest one looked most like her sister-in-law. Just now, she saw that the little one was still very young but was very fond of milk. "Sister-in-law, I really envy you. You have five children, four of whom are sons. You are so lucky."
Mrs. Li also felt that her belly was doing well. When she heard about good fortune, she grinned, "My grandma said I had a good fortune, and now it's all true. I never dared to think that I would have endless supplements after giving birth to a child, and I wouldn't have to take care of it myself. After so many years, I'm afraid I'm just dreaming now!"
Zhao was also afraid of dreaming, but luckily it wasn't a dream, "We are all lucky."
Mrs. Li blinked her eyes and said, "Don't worry, the next baby will definitely be a son."
Zhao liked to hear this, "I'm not greedy, I just want one more son."
With her three younger brothers and sisters to compare with, Zhao was no longer anxious. Even if the next child was also a girl, it would not matter. As long as her body recovered and her two sons supported each other, she would have no worries.
At the Chen Mansion, Old Master Chen had been waiting for his grandson. When he arrived, he asked everyone to leave, "You lose."
The King of Qi was silent. "When my father took action, I knew that there is no chance of winning an unfair fight."
Old Master Chen was relieved that the grandson he had taught was calm and had a good mind. "Grandpa is also sorry for you. I raised you and you learned a lot of my concerns."
The King of Qi raised his head and asked, "Didn't Grandpa teach you on purpose? Did you calculate until today when I was a child?"
Old Master Chen remained silent. This was a silent acknowledgement. The calmer his grandson's tone was, the worse he felt. "I am not only your grandfather, but also the patriarch of the Chen family. For you, I, as your grandfather, have done what I should do. I am worthy of you."
The King of Qi was very upset, "Grandpa also wants to protect my life, right?"
Old Master Chen had a thousand words in his mind, but in the end he could not say anything. "Your eldest brother is the most ruthless among you brothers. He is the continuation of your father."
The prince's actions and words this time frightened him to death. He had nightmares for several days, and all they saw were the corpses of the Chen family!