Chang Yi smiled and said, "Dad, I will stay in the capital from now on. I have made plans. When winter comes, I will take a few more days off and take Zhao out for a walk."
Zhou Shuren felt that he was setting a good example, and that everyone in his family loved their wives. "It's good that you know this."
Chang Yi told his mother what she had said to him that afternoon, "I went to investigate it carefully again."
Zhou Shuren asked, "There must be something discovered."
Chang Yi's bottom line is lower than that of Zhou Lao Da and the others, so he is not shy about asking around. "I found out a lot. The girl who returned to Beijing with the old lady was neglected by her mother, and there is also a cousin who wants to abolish her. There is a big gap between the second and third branches of the Shang family, and there are many conflicts."
Then Changyi talked about the business history over the past decade.
Zhou Shuren was silent. Why did his son ask for so much information? It wasn't just because he wanted to get the news, but it was a habit. His son was working hard outside, and if he didn't have detailed information, he would lose his life if he made a wrong step. His voice was a little hoarse, "You've worked hard these years."
Chang Yi was stunned, then he realized that the skills he and his brothers had learned were from their father, who knew them very well. His habits were developed slowly, and his father loved him.
Three days later, Zhulan received a post from the merchant, as well as a letter from Mingteng. Zhulan smiled and said, "Oh, Mingteng has already left for Beijing."
Li also missed her son. She didn’t feel that way when her son was still in Beijing, but after being away for half a year, she really wanted him to come back.
The more Zhulan read, the deeper her smile deepened. Whoever had the thickest letters from home would be ranked first. Mingteng would write down everything he had read and eaten. Only the first page of the letters sent back was the important one, and the rest were like a notebook.
Li went to see his son's letter. As a result of years of hard work, although Li could not speak fluently, he had no problem writing letters. The most amazing one was Zhao, who had practiced his handwriting and could even write poems. Zhao would write a poem next to his paintings.
Zhao was more concerned about the post, "Mom, do you want to go by yourself?"
Zhulan saw that Zhao wanted to go, and said, "Well, I won't take you guys with me this time. I'll only take Yudie and Yuyi."
As for Yuwen, she had heard all the information Changyi had found out. If Yuwen didn't want to go, she wouldn't take her.
In the Maritime Affairs Bureau, Rong Enqing was given a sinecure and did not have to come regularly for a month, but he still had to report on the prescribed days. Rong Enqing had gained weight again. His two daughters were in better and better health, so Rong Enqing had gained a lot of weight in the past two years.
The elegant young man back then has now entered the slightly plump category, and the trend is expected to continue rising.
"Lord Rong."
Rong Enqing looked back. The Maritime Affairs Bureau was used to him reporting in, so he came and left quickly. It was the first time that someone was waiting for him.
Rong Enqing didn't recognize the person in front of him, "Who are you?"
Shang Wenjin, "I am Shang Wenjin. I arrived at the Maritime Affairs Department at the beginning of the year and am currently a doctor in the Maritime Affairs Department."
Rong Enqing said, "Oh," he was a fifth-rank official. "Just transferred back to Beijing from outside the capital?"
Shang Wenjin said: "Yes, I just came back."
Rong Enqing really didn't recognize the person in front of him. He didn't even feel familiar with him. "What are you waiting for me for?"
Shang Wenjin smiled and said, "I often hear people mention the Marquis, but I have never had the chance to meet him, so I am brave enough to come and wait for him today."
Rong Enqing has always believed that those who show kindness when there is nothing to do are either treacherous or thieves, so he smiled and said, "Since there is nothing to do, I still have something to do."
Shang Wenjin made way for him, "My Lord, please."
Shang Wenjin didn't retract his gaze until Lord Rong left. He looked towards the busy Maritime Affairs Bureau. Although he was a doctor, if he got the title, it was given to him by the Emperor because of his father's kindness. This also meant that it would be difficult for him to make further progress. He had been unable to compare with his elder brother for many years outside, and his father's kindness was probably gone. He could only rely on himself.
Rong Enqing got on the carriage and said to the servant, "Go check it out."
The servant said, "Yes."
The next day was the day of the merchant's banquet. Zhulan and her two granddaughters did not go early, and when they arrived, the seats were basically full.
What does it mean when people leave and the tea gets cold? It has been nearly ten years since I left the capital. The merchants are paving the way for my eldest son, and there are very few people of high status who came here today.
Zhulan's arrival surprised and astonished the female members of the family who came to participate in the performance.
When the Zhou family became prosperous, Mr. Shang left the capital. How come the eldest son of the Shang family, who is a fourth-rank official, had any contact with the Zhou family
When the old lady of the Shang family saw Yang arriving, the smile on her face deepened. If she had not been away from the capital for nearly ten years, she would have sacrificed her reputation to enter the palace for the sake of her granddaughter.
The old lady said, "Madam Yang, please take a seat. These are your two granddaughters. They are truly kind and virtuous."
Zhulan sat next to the old lady. After she sat down, she said, "The old lady's granddaughter is the one who is beautiful and intelligent."
The old lady loved to hear words praising her granddaughter, so she pulled Shang Qing over and said, "I'm not praising this child, she's the most filial."
The old lady had two granddaughters behind her, but she only pulled one out. No matter how well the other one concealed herself, she could not hide from Zhulan's eyes.
Zhulan looked at the girl who was being pulled by the old lady. She had not very fair skin, a pair of expressive eyes, and a pretty face. When she noticed her gaze, she lowered her head in embarrassment.
Zhu Lan smiled and said, "I've heard that too. He is indeed a rare filial child."
Not everyone can leave the capital and return to their hometown with peace of mind. The girl in front of him has clear eyes. If she is not truly filial, the old lady of the merchant will not follow him back to the capital in person, let alone lose face and enter the palace.
Shang Ying knew that her grandmother had entered the palace, but she didn't say anything about why. Her mother guessed that her grandmother entered the palace for her uncle, and her father even broke a teacup for this. Now it seems that her grandmother obviously entered the palace for Shang Qing.
Otherwise, why would Madam Yang come to the Shang family? The Shang family and the Zhou family have never had any contact. The more she thought about it, the more she felt a pang in her heart. She is also a legitimate granddaughter, and she is a few months older than Shang Qing.
The old lady continued, "These little girls don't like to listen to our chat. Qing'er, take Miss Zhou and the others to the garden."
Shang Qing smiled and said, "Yes."
As soon as the girls in the room left, the conversation revolved around the girls themselves. Zhulan was listening. It was rare for Zhulan to attend a banquet, so she wanted to take the opportunity to talk about her own daughter.
They may say sour words behind the Ran family's back about what kind of life she is living after marrying into the Zhou family, but that doesn't mean they are really blind. The Zhou family is a blessed family and suitable for marriage. For a moment, Zhulan felt a headache when she heard this.
The old lady of the merchant thought to herself that it was fortunate that she had sacrificed her reputation, otherwise the chances would have been even slimmer.
The old lady glanced at the eldest daughter-in-law, and when she came back she said that she would make the decision on Shang Qing's marriage. The eldest daughter-in-law was unwilling, and now she was grinning, not because Qing'er could have a good future, but purely because of the benefits that Qing'er could bring if she really married into the Zhou family.
Refreshments had been set out in the garden, and Shang Qing, the host, invited all the ladies to take their seats.
As soon as Shang Qing sat down, a young lady asked, "Shang Qing, your skin is darker than ours. Is it natural?"
Shang greeted the conversation, "My sister wasn't born like this, she was exposed to the sun in the fields in the countryside."
Yuyi felt Yudie tickling her palm and looked at the two people who spoke. She had expected this to happen when the old lady pulled Shang Qing in front of her grandmother. Shang Ying's words made her feel how great it was to be born in the Zhou family.
Yudie whispered, "My mother said that we sisters will be reincarnated."
Yuyi nodded, "Yeah."