At the Zhou family, after dinner, everyone went back home. Zhou Shuren sat on the warm kang and told them about Chang Lian. "I think the reward will come tomorrow."
Zhu Lan said regretfully, "It's a pity that Chang Lian started at a high level, otherwise he could have been promoted every two years based on his merits. Now he has to wait for years even if he has merits. He won't be promoted for three to five years."
"At least when Chang Lian was promoted, no one would stop him because of his achievements. Three to five years is three to five years. It would be good for Chang Lian to have some time to settle down. He was promoted too quickly and too smoothly."
Zhu Lan hummed, "It's good that you know the answer. Yes, the eldest daughter talked about the marriage of Jiang Du and Jiang Miao, the two children of the Jiang family."
Zhou Shuren took back the hand that was about to take the book. "This girl has been very cautious since entering the capital. It's hard for her to keep her original heart. It's good that she is like this. It can save a lot of trouble."
Zhu Lan sighed, "I didn't teach my eldest daughter. She has always been with her original mother-in-law and has been well brought up since she was young."
Zhou Shuren nodded and didn't think much about it. In the last years of the dynasty, there were constant banditry. Many families were wiped out, and many fled for their lives. In the chaotic times, too many people hid their backgrounds.
In Ninghou Mansion, the servants in front were lighting lamps, and the emperor and Rongchuan were holding umbrellas behind each other. When it got dark, the emperor prepared to return to the palace.
There were many guards and attendants in the quiet courtyard, but no one dared to speak and they all walked quietly.
The emperor saw that they had reached the front yard, so he took the umbrella himself, motioned everyone around him to leave, and said to Rong Chuan who was also holding an umbrella, "In a blink of an eye, you're getting married and about to become a father."
Rongchuan thought his heart would be in turmoil, but he was surprisingly calm. "I have grown up and can take care of my own family."
The emperor looked at his youngest son under the umbrella and asked casually, "How are you doing in the Marquis' Mansion?"
Rong Chuan has already found out that the people around him include his father and the emperor? "Your Majesty knows everything? I have always been very good."
He would not be stupid enough to provoke the emperor to mention his father more. The emperor's mind cannot be gambled. Ever since he guessed his life experience, he has lost his ease. He did not want to pretend that he did not know. In the eyes of the emperor, his scheming is just that of a child.
The emperor nodded? He knew? He knew too? He also saw the loneliness in Ning Xu's eyes? He spent his whole life for him? And in the end he had no offspring? The Ning Xu generation of the Ning family was all for him. He raised his hand and patted Rong Chuan's shoulder? In the end he said nothing.
Rong Chuan saw the emperor was about to leave. He thought for a moment and stepped forward to ask, "Your Majesty? Is there anyone alive in the Zhang family?"
The emperor paused and turned his head, "I thought you wouldn't ask."
Rong Chuan lowered his head and said, "When we were still in Zhoujia Village, I had already ended my grudge with Zhang Datie's family. We both don't owe each other the favor of saving my life."
He lowered his head. It turned out that he could play tricks on others. He wanted to let the emperor know that he was not cruel and that he liked peace and tranquility.
The emperor held the umbrella handle and said, "He's still alive."
After saying that, the emperor strode away, followed by the guards and eunuchs one after another. Only Rongchuan and a few servants in the distance were left in the empty space.
Rongchuan curled the corner of his mouth. The reason why Zhang Datie's family couldn't be released was because of his background. As for whether he would be released in the future, Rongchuan raised his head and looked at the drizzling rain in the sky. He didn't care. So, he was not really a kind-hearted person.
The next day, Xuehan came early in the morning. Zhulan hadn't eaten breakfast yet. "Have you eaten? If not, let's eat together."
Xue Han touched her belly and said, "Mom, of course I ate. If I didn't, I wouldn't be able to leave the mansion."
Zhulan had breakfast by herself today. She got up a little late today. She had a lot of dreams last night and couldn't fall asleep after waking up. "You came here so early in the morning. Do you have something to tell me?"
Xue Han motioned the maids to go down and sat beside the dining table. "Mother, Rong Chuan said a lot of inexplicable things last night. I felt uneasy. My father-in-law was the only one at home, and I couldn't tell him. So I came back."
Zhulan stopped drinking the porridge in her bowl and asked, "Tell me, what did Rongchuan say?"
Xue Han was worried. "He asked me if the mansion was okay, and said how good his father-in-law was to him. He also said that his grandfather had both selfish and sincere feelings for him. Finally, he asked me if I wanted to stay in the mansion forever. I was stunned. I tossed and turned last night and couldn't sleep. I was thinking about this all the time. Mom, what does Rong Chuan mean by these words?"
She knew her childhood sweetheart, and she knew he wouldn't say anything inexplicable for no reason.
Zhulan pondered her daughter's words and understood what was going on. Rongchuan knew his life experience, but did not want to return to the royal family. But how could she tell this to her daughter
Zhu Lan thought for a moment and said, "Don't overthink it. Rong Chuan will tell you clearly when he figures it out. The fact that he hasn't told you yet only means that he hasn't figured it out himself."
Xue Han touched her belly. She was obviously pregnant. She was not as energetic as before. She did not get enough rest yesterday, so her face was not very good. "I am really worried about him. It has been so many days. I almost forgot what he looked like when he laughed happily."
Zhu Lan said quietly, "Everyone has to grow up. Everyone has their own experiences. Once Rong Chuan passes this hurdle, he will have grown up completely."
She can see clearly that Rongchuan was well protected in the past. How could he not be well protected? His father is the emperor and his biological brother from the same mother is the next emperor. Rongchuan was protected so that he could come and go freely in the Zheng Palace. Now she understands that with more contact and involving imperial power, this child is growing up and is more stable than before.
In Zhoujia Village, Jiang Ming had a day off today. After his son went to Zhou Clan School, Jiang Ming carefully considered Jiang Sheng's words again, "Does he think highly of our Muchen family?"
Dong Yiyi was already happy yesterday. "Don't worry. Jiang Sheng must have fallen in love with Muchen. A few days ago, Jiang Sheng sent a letter to the capital. Yesterday, someone came to propose marriage. That's why he was anxious to reveal more of his feelings to you."
Jiang Ming clapped his hands. The Jiang family couldn't be considered a good marriage. Marrying into the Jiang family was the best marriage. "You watched the Jiang family's daughter grow up. She is a well-educated and well-mannered girl."
Dong Yiyi curled her lips and said, "She is indeed a good girl, good-looking, well-educated and literate. She will be even more outstanding now that she has gone to the capital. I just don't know if Jiang Sheng's words will be of any use."
Jiang Ming was in a low mood. "Yes, Jiang Sheng is where he is today thanks to the Yue family. Jiang Miao is Lord Zhou's only granddaughter, so he favors her a little. She might find a better marriage in the capital."
If Lord Zhou had an official position, he would not want his granddaughter to marry him.
Dong Yiyi's mouth drooped. She didn't want to mention the fact, "Not only has Lord Zhou been promoted step by step, but now even Zhou Lao Er has become an official and has been sent on a diplomatic mission. Who could have thought of this!"
Jiang Ming touched his broken leg. Did he regret it? He regretted it so much that his intestines turned green. He had a pretty good future, but he ruined it. Now it was too late to think about anything. "By the way, what did Sister Mu Lan say in her last letter?"