At the Zhou Mansion, Zhulan was teaching her granddaughter to paint. When she heard the housekeeper's words, she quickly put down the brush in her hand and rushed to the front yard.
Before anyone reached the front yard, Xue Han and the Empress Dowager had already arrived at the backyard. Zhu Lan hurriedly greeted them, "Your Highness greets the Empress Dowager."
The Empress Dowager was dressed simply and elegantly, and wore no extra jewelry, but her aura was the result of her almost lifetime of cultivation. Even though she was low-key, the Empress Dowager was still the Empress Dowager.
The Queen Mother held out her hand and supported him. "I have already left the palace, so there is no need for so many formalities. I am just here to visit my in-laws today."
Zhulan smiled. The Queen Mother's self-proclaimed name had changed, which showed that she was enjoying her simple life now. "This way, please."
The Queen Mother moved into the Prince of Qin's Mansion. She had long wanted to go out for a walk, but her husband did not leave first, so she could only stay in the mansion to play with her granddaughter. Now that her husband has left, she also wants to live the life of an ordinary old lady.
She came to visit her in-laws. She had a good impression of Yang, and what Yang said was very interesting.
As for not going back to her parents' home first, the Empress Dowager had a knot in her heart. Her father was in good health, so she was unwilling to go back.
When they arrived at the main courtyard, the drawing papers and other things on the table had been put away, and Yuyi and Yudie were sitting there obediently.
The Queen Mother looked at the two little girls with different personalities and smiled, "You have quite a few beautiful girls in your house!"
Zhulan: "Yes, daughters are better. They are thoughtful and filial."
The Queen Mother was very regretful. "I also regret that I don't have a daughter who is filial to me. You are lucky. Both of your daughters are good."
Especially the eldest daughter of the Zhou family, she has a really good character, which is rare.
Zhulan's mouth corners curled up. Her daughter is so good.
The Empress Dowager looked at the two little girls and felt even more regretful. If Rongchuan had not been lost, she could still fight for her daughters. Unfortunately, there is no if.
Yuyi and Yudie hurriedly greeted each other. Of the two girls, Yudie had always been the bravest and spoke in a crisp voice. After Yuyi came back, the little girl also became much more generous. However, due to her personality, Yuyi's voice became softer.
The Empress Dowager was used to giving rewards, but today she did not bring any maids with her, nor did she wear any extra jewelry. She turned her head to look at her young daughter-in-law.
Xue Han understood and swiftly took off her pair of bracelets. The Empress Dowager took them and gave them to the two little girls.
The two little girls were stunned for a moment before accepting the reward.
Why didn't Zhulan let her two granddaughters leave? First, it was for her granddaughters' sake, and second, it was to have more topics to talk about. It turned out that it was the right decision to let them stay. When it came to talking about children, they had a lot to talk about.
At night, Zhulan could tell at a glance that her husband came back with a lot of anger, "Let me see what happened, who made Minister Zhou angry!"
Zhou Shuren gritted his teeth, "Who else could it be? Of course it's the emperor. I tell you..."
Zhulan, "... ..."
If it were her, she would be furious too!
Zhou Shuren was furious, "You said this was something a human would do?"
Zhulan handed the clothes to Zhou Shuren. Fortunately, she lowered her voice and said, "No."
Zhou Shuren was really angry. This day was too torturous.
When they went out to eat, Zhou Shuren's face didn't look very good, the atmosphere was a little too silent, and Chang Yi and Chang Zhi had trouble eating.
After dinner, Zhou Shuren took his two sons to the study and came back feeling much better.
Zhou Shuren came back to see his wife sorting out teaching materials, "What are you doing?"
Zhulan said, "I'll sort out some simple and convenient ones. Do you think it can be printed and sent to the private school?"
Zhou Shuren stroked his beard and said, "It's a good idea, but we can't be impatient."
"I know what's going on. Our family is suitable for keeping a low profile right now. Besides, I haven't finished tidying up yet. I'm not in a hurry at all."
Zhou Shuren added: "Today the court is discussing the appointment of a crown prince."
Zhulan: "Not surprising."
Zhou Shuren hummed, "The new emperor is not someone who will be influenced by others. When it comes to luring people, he is even better than his predecessor. Just wait and see. He will not easily come to a conclusion on appointing a crown prince."
Zhulan had already washed her brush and sneered, "They are just testing each other. The new emperor has just ascended the throne. Some people are testing for their own interests, and some people also want to test the emperor's bottom line. The emperor also has his own calculations. Now they say they are going to establish a prince, but it's just a game between the ministers and the panicked emperor."
Zhou Shuren, "Yes."
Zhulan thought about the harem. Even though she knew it was a game, some people would still jump in, such as the forces represented by the Queen and Concubine Liu.
The next day, Zhulan received invitations. Some were from the Wen family, and some were from the Liu family. They sent the invitations one after another. They were in perfect harmony with each other.
Su Xuan picked up the note and asked, "Mom, are you going?"
Zhulan rolled her eyes in her heart, "These two families chose the same day. Their intentions are too obvious. I won't go."
Su Xuan dropped the post and said, "Then I have to find a reason. Why is it all about Cheng'en Mansion?"
Zhulan, "So, I also wrote a note and sent it to the Prince of Qin's Palace. Five days later, I plan to visit the Queen Mother."
Su Xuan was surprised, "Mom is so good at predicting things!"
"That's a very accurate post, I just wrote it before you came over."
Zhulan now realizes that there are indeed great benefits to the Empress Dowager leaving the palace!
At the Ministry of Rites, Chang Yi heard that Lord Rong was looking for him, and went out in confusion, "Lord, is there anything you want to talk to me about?"
Rong Enqing has been living a very comfortable life recently. He is holding a bird cage in his hand and looks very energetic and in good spirits.
Rong Enqing said: "I have nothing to do recently, so I also want to learn some Western literature, so I want to ask for some of your Western literature manuscripts."
Chang Yi thought it was something. "Okay, I have a lot of manuscripts. I have bound them all. I will send someone to deliver them to you when I leave the government office tonight."
Rong Enqing hummed, "Okay, then I'll go to the horse farm."
Chang Yi, "You are really free."
Rong Enqing whispered, "Do you think I am willing to go out every day? You don't know my pain. As long as I am in the Marquis' Mansion, there will be many visitors. I don't want to get involved at all, so I can only go around."
He is really miserable. He has become a leisurely marquis, but because he is of the direct branch of the Rong family, he has received many invitations at home in the past two days. When people know he is at home, some even block the door.
Chang Yi understood, it was still because of the fuss about establishing a crown prince, "It's not easy for you either."
Rong Enqing waved his hand and indicated that he was leaving.
At noon, snowflakes began to fall from the gloomy sky. This was the first snow of the year, and it was not a small snow either. It was moderate snow at the beginning, and as time went on, it slowly turned into heavy snow.
Zhou Shuren looked at the heavy snow outside the window and said, "This heavy snow came quite suddenly."
I knew it might snow today, but I didn't expect it to be such a heavy snow. Besides, it's not the right time to snow yet, so this snow won't last.
The emperor stroked his beard. In the past, he was very afraid of heavy snow. Not only that, he was also afraid of heavy rain and drought. It can be said that every time he heard of heavy snow or heavy rain, his heart was uneasy.