At the Zhou family, Zhulan asked Butler Ding, "You said there are foreigners coming to see Changyi?"
Steward Ding, "Yes, a few foreigners came to look for the Second Master, but the Second Master is on leave today and is not at home."
Zhulan knew why the foreigners came. Today's morning court session was for these foreigners. Although she didn't know as much history as Zhou Shuren, she knew the history of humiliation. "Just tell me the truth."
Steward Ding was the first one to follow the master. Although he could not say that he knew the master's temperament very well, he knew about it to some extent. The mistress's indifferent attitude clearly showed that she did not like foreigners. "Yes."
Butler Ding was still confused. Because the Second Master and the Mistress liked foreign books, he came to ask the Mistress specifically, thinking that the Mistress would want to see them, but he was sent away directly.
The doorman, the two foreigners were speaking in a foreign language without any reservation, the doorman was bewildered. A few years ago, the doorman was very curious about foreigners, because there were few of them. In recent years, he had seen more of them and was not surprised. The only difference was the language barrier. Especially, even if the other party told a secret, he would not know. The doorman began to dislike the foreigners.
Butler Ding came back and said, "Second Master is not at home. Please go back."
The two men frowned, they had arrived very early and some thought that they were being scammed, but there was nothing they could do as they came here to investigate thoroughly.
The foreigners hated the Zhou Mansion because many customs duties were related to Lord Zhou, but they could not offend him and could only leave with the gifts.
Chang Yi went out to Rong Hou Mansion early in the morning. Chang Yi dragged Rong Enqing's caravan back to China in search of foreign books. Rong Enqing informed him the day before that the caravan had entered Beijing.
Rong Enqing has already moved all the books out. "Except for some foreign books that I couldn't get and books about countries I haven't visited, I have basically collected all of them. They are all here."
The entire room was filled with boxes of books, more than a dozen large boxes.
Chang Yi, "Thank you."
Rong Enqing, "You also took the silver, so you don't deserve to be thanked. But there are too many books. I have looked through them and found that there are more than a dozen languages on them."
Chang Yi smiled and said, "I plan to sort out the ones that the Ministry of Rites doesn't have, and then donate them to the Ministry of Rites, let the foreigners translate them, and I will copy them back."
Rong Enqing smiled and said, "It is indeed a good idea."
Chang Yi saw Rong Enqing in his casual clothes and asked, "Today is not a day off for the Marine Department. Why are you here?"
Rong Enqing spread his hands and said, "I have nothing to do now. The Maritime Affairs Department has become a sinecure. I will be an idle marquis in the future."
Chang Yi was surprised, "You have made a contribution."
Rong Enqing said sincerely: "I have been calculating since I was born, and I have been calculating all the way to today. I am tired. Now I have status and support, and I also want to live a leisurely life."
This is the truth. He is too tired. When he was young, he competed with the eldest son, and later he fought with him. After entering the court, he was busy all day long and was surrounded by intrigue. His heart has grown old.
Besides, the current crown prince will not be lenient towards him, so it would be better for him to step down at the most appropriate time, which would be good for everyone.
Chang Yi thought about it and said, "This is also good."
In the palace, Rongchuan didn't receive many beatings, and the force was controlled. The best plaster was very effective, and today Rongchuan can walk on his own.
Inside the palace, Xue Han pulled at her clothes, "I'm still not used to wearing such complicated clothes."
It’s too troublesome to live in the palace. I have to be surrounded by people and it’s not easy to dress.
Rong Chuan walked for a while and then sat down. He didn't like living in the palace either. "I'll come back when I'm well again."
Having said this, he paused. He could no longer go back to Ning Mansion. When he came back, Ning Hou Mansion had already packed up everything he needed.
Rongchuan sighed, "When I recover, I will go to see Grandpa and Third Uncle, and then go back to my father-in-law's house with you."
Xue Han saw that the maids around her had left and sat aside, "Did your mother tell you how to compensate the Ningguo Mansion?"
Rong Chuan took his wife's hand and touched her pointed nails with his fingertips. The bad memories came back to him. He was really upset yesterday. The inside of his thigh must have turned blue. "Father told me that he gave Grandpa two choices: the Duke's Mansion will be inherited for three generations without a reduction in title or the Ning Marquis' Mansion will be inherited for three generations without a reduction in title."
Xue Han, "Dad, that's not right, what does Third Uncle mean?"
Rongchuan returned to the royal family, and the third uncle had no heir. The royal family gave this choice, in fact, it all depends on the third uncle's opinion. If the third uncle chooses an heir, the title will be retained. If he does not choose, it can only be given to the Duke's Mansion.
Rong Chuan had a plan in mind, "Uncle III will not adopt me."
He knew that if the child was to be adopted, he would have been adopted when his third uncle had the title of Marquis.
Xue Han thought about how good her third uncle was to them. Her third uncle really treated her husband as his son. Now it was her husband who was in trouble. She held her husband's hand and comforted him.
At Zhou's house, Zhulan was checking the supplies she brought for Mrs. Dong and the child. After confirming that nothing was missing, she put the list down and said to Mrs. Song, "Take me with you once. When you come back, you can leave the house and live out your retirement."
Now that the crisis is over and she has Qingxue by her side, Mrs. Song can leave the house and enjoy her life.
Mrs. Song said sincerely, "Thank you, Madam, for taking care of me over the years."
Zhulan, "You also helped me a lot."
At this time, Butler Ding came in and said that the carriage was ready and they could set off as long as the luggage was loaded.
Later, some of Zhou Shuren's words in the court were still spread. Zhou Shuren's position this time was very clear. As a result of his clear position, Zhou Shuren attracted enough hatred from the foreigners.
Zhou Shuren did not hide anything in response to Zhang Jinghong's question, and generously admitted, "I have always believed that those who are not of my race must have different hearts. What I said in the court today was not without purpose."
Zhang Jinghong, "Sir, our dynasty is a superior country with thousands of years of history. The foreigners are across the sea from us. Are you worrying too much?"
Zhou Shuren was not angry. Zhang Jinghong was not taught by him, and Zhang Jinghong represented the ideas of the majority of people. The inheritance of thousands of years of brilliant civilization is indeed worthy of pride. "Foreigners are separated from many countries by the sea, but they have continuously improved their technology to explore. There are foreigners in many countries on the routes. The sea is not a safe barrier. All barriers are vulnerable to absolute force."
Zhou Shuren was very patient because he felt that Zhang Jinghong could be a teammate. Zhou Shuren explained the history of the foreigners to Zhang Jinghong in detail.
Zhang Jinghong was stunned. "It's developing so fast?"
Zhou Shuren smiled, "Yes."
Zhang Jinghong was also worried. He felt the foreigners' ambitions from Mr. Zhou's story.
Zhou Shuren was satisfied, and he sent away several foreign officials from the Ministry of Rites who came to the Ministry of Revenue to look for him, saying they were busy.
The next day, Zhou Shuren heard that the foreigner wanted to see the emperor, but he ended up seeing the prince. The foreigner in the cell was still not released.
Two days later, Rongchuan and his wife took the child back to Zhou Mansion, then left the child behind and went to the Duke's Mansion again.
Even Li felt that it was unusual. "Mom, my younger sister seemed to be hesitant to speak just now. Is there something wrong?"
Li couldn't help but think too much. Rongchuan was a prince. Could he still take care of his younger sister alone? Would the queen and the emperor allow it? There were many concubines in the palace.