Time flies, and summer is here in the blink of an eye. The temperature was very high at the beginning of this summer, but fortunately there was no drought and there was plenty of rain.
With the arrival of summer, there were two Zhaoyi in the harem, two lower-ranking concubines. The one with the highest status was Wang Zhaoyi, whose father was the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.
This also made her attract attention as soon as she entered the palace. With the entry of this Zhaoyi into the palace, there were also some rumors that Lord Wang would be the next Minister of Revenue.
Zhulan seldom attends banquets anymore. The invitations sent to the Zhou family now all invite the Zhao family members, among which Su Xuan is the most popular.
Su Xuan came back from the Wen family. Today is the birthday party of the eldest daughter-in-law of the Wen family.
Zhulan was teaching the children. When she saw Su Xuan coming in, she signaled that the children could take a break. After the children went out to play, she said, "You're back."
Su Xuan had already drunk some cold tea to get rid of the heat in her body. "Well, it's so hot, I really don't want to move."
In the summer, she preferred to cool off in an ice basin rather than attend banquets in the sweltering weather.
Zhulan knew that if nothing happened, Su Xuan would go straight back to the yard when she came back, "What's the matter?"
Su Xuan, "Today, someone kept telling me that Minister Wang is the emperor's confidant and may become the Minister of Revenue in the future."
She smiled and said nothing at the time, knowing that he was saying it in her ear on purpose, but she was still worried that it was true, so she felt a little upset.
Zhulan laughed, "Your father-in-law hopes the rumors are true."
Su Xuan, "Ah?"
Zhu Lan didn't explain, "The rumor is false. If they really want to train the next Shangshu, it will definitely not be related to the palace."
What the emperor wants is a peaceful harem, so he will not let the women's families occupy important positions in the harem. The Minister of Revenue is not something that everyone can do. He must be loyal to the emperor and selfless.
Su Xuan blinked her eyes. She understood and smiled a little embarrassedly, "My daughter-in-law still has a short vision."
"You're fine now. Okay, I thought it was something else. It's so hot this day. Go back and change your clothes and rest."
In order to be decent, Su Xuan's clothes were uncomfortable even if they were light.
Su Xuan really wanted to go back and take a shower, "Mom, I'll go back first."
"Um."
Zhulan waited until Su Xuan left before calling Qingxue and the others in and asked Qingxue, "How long has Changzhong been gone?"
Qingxue replied, "It's been an hour."
Zhu Lan muttered, "I don't understand boys' preferences. They don't even mind the heat on such a hot day and still run to the horse farm."
Qingxue smiled, "Young Master Yang Qing and his friends like horses."
Zhulan nodded and signaled Qingxue to have someone add more ice. The weather was hot this year and the ice was being consumed quickly.
Among the grandchildren of the eldest brother and the second eldest brother, three of them, excluding the youngest ones, have come. The oldest, Yang Qing, is fourteen, Yang Yu is eleven, and the third, Yang Shu, is eight years old.
As for the three children, Yang Qing will go to the navy next year, and the arrangements have already been made. This time, Li Zhao is not needed. Rongchuan will personally take Yang Qing to meet General Hou.
General Hou meant that I would join the navy on the 15th of next year so I should be more familiar with the sea water.
Yang Yu and Yang Shu are young, and they came to the capital to broaden their horizons.
At the capital's racecourse, even the scorching summer heat cannot dampen the enthusiasm for horse racing; the hotter the day, the more excited the spirits.
Changzhong has become a regular customer of the horse farm. Ever since he got the license plate from his father, he has fallen in love with this place.
Yang Qing was straightforward and had a very loud voice. "We won, we won."
Changzhong was used to Yang Qing. Compared with Yang Wen, Yang Qing was really a rough guy. However, Yang Qing's eyes were really sharp, especially his ability to look at horses. "You are really amazing. The horses you choose always win."
Yang Yu curled his lips, "Second brother doesn't rely on luck, he relies on pure ability. When he was at home, he liked to go to the horse market, and he was particularly familiar with several horse merchants from other tribes, which taught him a lot of real skills."
Yang Shu nodded, "I also received a pony from my second brother. It was a good horse."
Yang Qing felt pained when he heard this. His younger brothers had teamed up to cheat him of all his money. It was not easy for him to save money. The biggest portion of it was given to him by his aunt when he came to the capital last time.
Chang Zhong exchanged the silver he won. He really made a lot today. Chang Zhong waved his hands happily and said, "It's getting late. Let's go. I'll take you to eat roasted whole lamb."
Yang Shu twitched his lips, "Eating roasted whole lamb in such a hot day?"
Chang Zhong would never say that he was reluctant to spend money. The three people in front of him were all big eaters. He touched his purse and thought that today was all thanks to Yang Qing. He hardened his heart and said after a moment of silence, "Then let's go eat some famous Jiangnan dishes."
Yang Yu has somewhat understood the temperament of this young elder. They didn't have much contact with him when he came last time, but this time they had more contact and he became a little stingy.
Changzhong is the shortest, but he walks in front and attracts quite a lot of attention.
When Changzhong arrived at the restaurant and asked for a private room, he regretted his decision. How should I put it? The food in this restaurant is delicious and the presentation is very exquisite. The only downside is that the quantity is small.
At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren stopped Lord Wang who was about to leave and said, "I will be resting for the next few days. You and Qiu Yan should take care of him."
As he spoke, Zhou Shuren pressed his head. He had a fever and a cold, and his head was hurting a lot.
Ever since the rumor began, Lord Wang has been as cautious as possible in the Ministry of Revenue and tried not to talk much with the officials below, for fear that Lord Zhou would think too much. When he suddenly heard these words, he was frightened, thinking that Lord Zhou was testing him.
After a closer look, he put his heart back in his stomach, "Sir, are you feeling unwell?"
Zhou Shuren hummed, "I've asked the imperial physician to come over."
As he spoke, the imperial physician came. Lord Wang did not leave. It turned out that Zhou Shuren was really sick and needed to rest for a few days.
Zhou Shuren sent the imperial physician away with a smile, then wrote a note for leave and would send it away later. There was nothing else to arrange. The Ministry of Revenue had a complete system, and he would just need Qiu Yan and Lord Wang for a few days when he was away.
The emperor in the palace also knew the news. He did not go crazy and exploit a patient. Instead, he paid attention to the ministers who asked for leave. "Recently, many ministers have asked for leave."
Eunuch Zhang replied, "Yes, several elderly people have called in sick, and several have suffered from heat stroke."
The emperor could also feel the heat this year through the glass, "Is there enough ice?"
Eunuch Zhang said, "We're using more ice this year, so we need to save some."
There are not many concubines in the Empress Dowager's palace. More ice was stored last year, but it was still not enough. In addition, several princes are young, and there are several new concubines, so the ice in the harem is quite tight.
The emperor nodded and said, "Go and tell the queen to reduce the amount of ice used in the harem starting today."
Eunuch Zhang took the order and went out. If he wasn't going to see the Empress, he really didn't want to go in person. As he walked, he said, "It's really hot this year."
Zhou Shuren suddenly returned home. Zhulan could tell at a glance that her husband was not feeling well. She quickly signaled the maid to twist the handkerchief and help him change his clothes while asking, "Have you seen the imperial physician?"
"I've already asked the imperial physician to examine him and prescribe medicine. Let's boil the medicine first."
"good."
Zhou Shuren changed his clothes and wiped his face with a handkerchief, feeling much better. After taking the medicine, he felt a little drowsy.
It was also a coincidence that the letter from the emperor arrived, along with the local specialties. Zhou Shuren looked at the letter and gritted his teeth, "What a show-off."