Zhou Shuren was very surprised at his son-in-law's painting skills. Zhou Shuren had to admit that he paid little attention to his eldest son-in-law, so apart from his personality, he didn't know much about him.
Zhou Shuren looked at his eldest son-in-law. After he passed the imperial examination, he no longer felt tense and his life became more smooth.
Now I travel around and take things as they come.
Zhou Shuren retracted his gaze, put down the painting in his hand, and picked up the travel notes written by his son-in-law. The son-in-law wrote it very carefully. He not only wrote about the scenery and what he saw and heard, but also wrote about the living conditions of the people passing by, recording everything from food, clothing, housing and transportation.
Zhou Shuren stroked his beard and said, "Next year, the court will increase the publicity of government affairs. I think it would be a good idea to start a publicity campaign on people's sentiments, so that each state can know the lives of people in other states. If it is good, we should publicize it vigorously, thus stimulating the development of other states."
Jiang Sheng is not stupid, he just doesn't have a big heart. "Dad, are you saying that my article can be used for publicity?"
Zhou Shuren took out one of Jiang Sheng's articles and said, "This one is very good. You described it very comprehensively, describing the people's prosperous lives and their spiritual outlook. The article is very positive and encouraging. It's very good."
Jiang Sheng exclaimed, and hurriedly found the painting that accompanied the article from his own paintings, "Dad, this is the village I drew."
After Zhou Shuren looked at it, he praised: "Not bad, we can use it together."
Jiang Sheng never thought that he would be appreciated by his father-in-law. Who was his father-in-law? He was the Minister of Revenue. He knew himself very well, so he never asked for more attention from his father-in-law. But he also had a desire in his heart, a desire to get his father-in-law's approval.
He never expected that he had already prepared to travel around the country and live a leisurely life with his wife in the future, and that he would receive the approval of his father-in-law.
Zhou Shuren picked up the ones he liked and handed the others back to his son-in-law, "These are all good, keep them carefully."
He felt that if his eldest son-in-law could continue to maintain his current mindset, he might really become a master.
Zhou Shuren met his son-in-law's sparkling eyes and said after a moment of silence: "You are very good."
Jiang Sheng was instantly excited. He praised her twice, and she praised him directly. He felt that he had no regrets in his death. "Dad, I will work harder in the future and will never let you down."
Zhou Shuren, "!!"
Well, he has ignored his eldest son-in-law for too long, so it’s normal for him to be a little excited.
In the afternoon, Zhou Shuren saw his youngest son coming home with a look of deep thought on his face. Zhou Shuren stretched out his eager hands and pinched his son's face with both hands and pulled it.
Changzhong's eyes widened, "It hurts, it hurts, Daddy."
Zhou Shuren, "I didn't hear clearly, what did you say at the end?"
Changzhong reacted quickly, "Dad, dear dad."
Zhou Shuren then let go of his hand, "What are you thinking about so intently?"
Changzhong recounted all the places Joey had been today, "Dad, Joey is not the first in line to inherit the throne. He can't inherit much, but he pays attention to too much. I've also heard from my second brother about what the foreign envoys pay attention to. No one has ever been more attentive than Prince Joey."
Zhou Shuren explained, "This shows that if Prince Joey gets the throne, he will be an outstanding emperor."
Chang Zhong, "Hmm?"
Zhou Shuren continued, "Under the rule of the Western nobility, the lives of the poor are even more harsh. The fact that Prince Joey cares about food shows that he sees more than just the status that the nobility brings."
Changzhong understood, "He said he would go back after the New Year. By the way, he also gave his son a lot of gifts. My son thinks the pens they use are very convenient."
Zhou Shuren will not stop his son from dating Joey. He hopes that his son can see the world with his own eyes.
In the Qin Palace, the Queen Mother felt much better and looked at her husband depressedly, "I'm really fine now, you don't have to look at me."
The emperor was really scared, and held his wife's hand, "I will let you go when you are completely well."
The Queen Mother was helpless, "I am not fragile glass."
Unfortunately, in the eyes of the retired emperor, the empress dowager was more fragile than glass, and the retired emperor was concerned about the empress dowager's lifespan.
The Queen Mother was too bored. She didn't allow her to write stories or do anything. She couldn't even go out of the palace to listen to stories. Suddenly she said, "It's almost the New Year. Shouldn't we go back to the palace?"
This is the first year after their son ascended the throne, and this year of reunion is of great significance, so they must return to the palace.
The emperor said: "No hurry, wait until you are completely well, then we will return to the palace."
The Empress Dowager didn't want to return to the palace as she was used to a quiet life.
At this time, the female official rushed in, "News came from the palace that the fourth prince was frightened."
The Empress Dowager likes her grandson very much. The grandson is very lively. Old people like lively children. "How is the child?"
The female official hurriedly replied, "He has already taken the tranquilizer and gone to sleep. Your Majesty, the Queen, please take care of him."
The Queen Mother was relieved to know that the child was fine, but her anger was rising. "She thinks that the Queen has two legitimate sons, which is too many."
In an instant, the Queen Mother began to have conspiracy theories. The previous owner of the harem had seen too many tricks.
The retired emperor remained silent. He had anticipated this situation. The identity of the eldest son also doomed him to danger. He was just a little sad about the fate of the royal family from generation to generation. He remembered the nightmare he had had, the real nightmare.
The Queen Mother did not hear her husband's reply. She turned around and saw her husband was silent. She realized something and sighed, "Forget it. I don't care anymore. Let the Queen and the Emperor worry about it."
At the court the next morning, Zhou Shuren listened in a daze as the emperor reprimanded Lord Liu, the father of Concubine Liu, for a trivial matter.
Not to mention Zhou Shuren, many ministers were a little dumbfounded.
Zhou Shuren came back to his senses. He knew that the emperor had made up his mind, so did he want to lay the groundwork before the New Year
After the court session, Zhou Shuren and Li Zhao looked at each other. Li Zhao left first, and Zhou Shuren walked together with the Minister of Works.
The Minister of Personnel was left alone by the Emperor.
When the news spread, Zhou Shuren finally understood what had happened, especially that not only had Lord Du been demoted, he was also transferred out of the capital.
This is very intriguing, the emperor's reprimand today, the treatment of the harem and so on.
Although it was found out that Du Zhaoyi did it, they were not fools and they figured it out immediately.
Obviously, this trick cannot deceive the emperor. Although the Liu family was not exposed today, they did not leave much face either.
At the same time, the emperor also used this incident to send a signal to the court.
In the Imperial Palace, in the Queen's Palace, the female official said, "Du Zhaoyi did not go to Concubine Liu's Palace."
The queen nodded. The Liu family had a good idea. They plotted against the legitimate son and made Du the scapegoat. If the plot succeeded, they would leave behind a prince who had no mother and offended the queen, and the Liu family would have the upper hand.
The queen smiled sarcastically. Liu must not have expected that she would protect Du. She believed that Du would not let Liu go.
The emperor's handling of the matter conveyed his feelings in disguise. The queen recalled the emperor's words and thought about her natal family. Her eyes gradually became firm.