As winter approached, the days became shorter. When Zhou Shuren left the yamen, it was already getting dark. Granular snow was still floating in the sky. Although it was as small as sand, if people stood outside for a long time, some snow would still stay on their shoulders.
Zhou Shuren looked directly at Ran Zheng and shook the snow off his cloak. "Okay."
Ran Zheng smiled and extended a gesture of invitation. Zhou Shuren got on the carriage without any hesitation. Ran Zheng followed, and the Zhou family’s carriage followed behind.
Today, Shen Xing is with the master. Jin Yan's wife is pregnant again. The master has given Jin Yan a holiday for the past two days. Shen Xing is riding a horse. Compared with the guards of the Ran family, he is so happy. He has a cloak on his body and leather gloves on his hands. These are all purchased by the Zhou Mansion.
The carriage did not go far before it soon stopped at a lighted restaurant.
Neither Zhou Shuren nor Ran Zheng spoke in the carriage. Zhou Shuren simply closed his eyes.
The two of them went up to the private room, which was occupied by the servants of the Ran family. The wine and food were already on the table. After the two of them sat down, everyone in the room left.
Zhou Shuren poured herself a glass of wine first, took a sip and raised an eyebrow, it was her favorite wine.
As soon as Ran Zheng saw Zhou Shuren drinking, he started eating. If he didn't say anything first, Zhou Shuren would definitely not speak first. "I don't say anything, you really ignore me!"
Zhou Shuren put down his chopsticks and said, "I just didn't expect that you would look for me at this time."
As time goes by, the influence of establishing a crown prince becomes greater. Now many people have suffered the consequences. The old ministers who started it all have fallen into the trap of the emperor and can no longer escape, while those who try to take advantage of the situation are becoming more and more daring.
If the Ministry of Revenue was not under his tight control and the Emperor Emeritus came over from time to time, the Ministry of Revenue would not be so peaceful.
Zhou Shuren has heard complaints from the Minister of Personnel every day after court. The Ministry of Personnel is the most powerful organization, and many of its people have evil thoughts.
Zhou Shuren glanced out the glass window and saw that it was already completely dark. This was the time when the Ministry of Personnel was in a state of chaos.
Ran Zheng smiled bitterly, "I don't have your confidence. Don't worry, I don't have any ambitions just because there is a Concubine Ran in my family."
Zhou Shuren was surprised, "Then why are you looking for me so formally?"
Ran Zheng saw that his expression was too serious today, so it was hard for him not to misunderstand.
Ran Zheng took a sip of wine and said, "I'm doing this for others to see."
Zhou Shuren understood immediately, "Were you forced to join the team?"
Ran Zheng put down his wine glass and said, "Yes, our Ran family does not have much power. Even if we have a concubine, she is just a supplement to the power of the harem. It is difficult for Your Majesty to stay out of trouble in the harem. If, if I had not retired, I would not be so passive."
As he spoke, Ran Zheng looked at Zhou Shuren. All the forces in the harem knew what Zhou Shuren represented, and everyone wanted to win over Zhou Shuren, but no one was willing to force Lord Zhou.
When Ran Zheng couldn't sleep at midnight, he was in a daze. How did Zhou Shuren get to his current position? Not to mention Zhou Shuren's position as a minister, just his relationship with the royal family was real. Three of his sons were officials in the court, one had already occupied a position in the local area, one had a bright future, and another was slowly making his own way. In addition, he had an uncle, and yes, his daughter was the Princess of Qin.
Zhou Shuren had unknowingly become one of the top forces in the capital.
Ran Zheng's eyes were complicated, and he continued: "You also know that my son is in the local area. My original intention is that my eldest son will return to Beijing next year."
Zhou Shuren narrowed his eyes and said, "You are afraid that someone will stop you."
Ran Zheng smiled bitterly, "That's why you forced me to take sides. I think you can see that there will be no conclusion on appointing a crown prince before the end of the year."
Zhou Shuren stroked his beard. Ran Zheng knew the new emperor well. The new emperor had already made up his mind and had been dragging it out just to get the greatest benefit in the game.
Zhou Shuren thought that Ran Zheng really had no way out, so he came looking for him. Why did he look for him? The Ran family and the Zhou family were related by marriage, and the eldest grandson's wife was Ran Zheng's granddaughter.
Zhou Shuren asked, "The Queen in the Palace?"
Ran Zheng, "The queen is not young anymore, and it's good enough that she can save herself in her condition."
Zhou Shuren understood. To put it bluntly, she was not favored. If she did not have a princess, it would be even more difficult for her to see the emperor. Now the emperor was having fun fighting with various major forces, so how could he care about the family of the unfavored concubine.
When the emperor wants to train her, he has to win the game. The Ran family is weak, unlike other forces in the harem who are strong and not afraid, and can afford to wait.
Ran Zheng didn't want to delay his son, and was also afraid that something might happen to his son outside. The Ran family had been attacked before the new emperor ascended the throne. Now that the new emperor has ascended the throne, the empress in the palace still can't protect the Ran family. If it weren't for the emperor's only princess, he would be in an even more difficult situation now.
Ran Zheng drank another glass of wine, "In the fight in the capital, the weak are guilty."
Zhou Shuren raised his eyes. The two attacks were a big blow to Ran Zheng. "I won't get involved in the disputes among the harem forces, but as we have been friends for many years, I will say a word for you."
There was joy in Ran Zheng's eyes, "Thank you."
Zhou Shuren looked straight at Ran Zheng, "The last time I helped the Ran family, it was because of my in-laws. This time, your Ran family owes the Zhou family a favor, and this favor must be repaid. As for when to repay, my descendants will go to the Ran family to ask for it."
Ran Zheng stared at Zhou Shuren blankly, lowered his eyes, and quickly raised his head, "Okay."
Zhou Shuren didn't want Ran Zheng to get something for nothing. Last time it was the future of his second legitimate son, this time it was the future of his eldest legitimate son. The eldest legitimate son and the second legitimate son are different, and in-laws cannot be exploited.
Zhou Shuren drank. Ran Zheng showed too much weakness today. Unfortunately, he was not a soft-hearted person. Now there was nothing to talk about. "It's getting late. I'll go back first."
Ran Zheng stood up to see him off, "I'll take you there."
Zhou Shuren waved his hand, "No need."
Ran Zheng waited for Zhou Shuren to leave, with a complicated look in his eyes. Even if his granddaughter married into the Zhou family, she would only be the eldest grandson's wife of the Zhou family. Zhou Shuren had reached his current status because he made too clear distinctions. It would be difficult to repay the Zhou family's favor.
Zhou Shuren returned to the carriage and played with the jade pendant around his waist as usual, thinking about the power in the harem, and then closed his eyes.
The next morning, Zhou Shuren attended the morning court. Speaking of attending the morning court, Zhou Shuren was a little unhappy. When he was a minister, he could take turns to rest, but now that he is a minister, he has to attend the morning court every day.
At today's morning court, Zhou Shuren was too lazy to listen to the bickering between the various forces and just wanted to get back to the Ministry of Revenue as soon as possible.
The emperor will come to the Ministry of Revenue today, and he said he would bring roasted sweet potatoes. Thinking of this, Zhou Shuren's beard couldn't help but twitching. The emperor is really becoming more and more down-to-earth, and he is really letting himself go.
Especially when the emperor was pretending to be stupid, he was very understanding. When he was not busy, he would share the glorious deeds with him. Oh, yes, he also taught how to pick locks. That's right, he lit up the skill of picking locks!
After the morning court ended, Zhou Shuren left in a hurry and returned to the Ministry of Revenue. The emperor had not arrived yet!