Zhulan was surprised that the Lin family would send a note, and it was a note written by the old lady of the Lin family herself. Last time at the merchant house, she and the old lady of the Lin family only exchanged a few words.
The Lin family has an imperial censor in every generation, and they have extensive connections in the imperial censor circle. They are one of the few families in the capital that does not form cliques.
Zhao was surprised, "You actually invited me to go."
Zhulan hummed, "Then you will go with me."
Zhao didn't take it to heart. There were a lot of invitations to her recently, and she just thought it was because of her husband.
At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren finished explaining the matter and left Zhang Jinghong behind. "You take a seat first."
As Zhang Jinghong grew older, he became more mature and stable. Although he did not get promoted, no one in the Ministry of Revenue looked down on him, except for some people who still avoided him. He had integrated well into the Ministry of Revenue.
Zhou Shuren said: "A new assistant minister will be transferred here in a few days."
Zhang Jinghong: "I know."
After Lord Wang left, they waited for the new minister.
Zhou Shuren added: "You have not been promoted in the Ministry of Revenue for many years, and the emperor promoted you today."
Zhang Jinghong's situation was special. He had not followed the formal procedures for his promotion in the Ministry of Revenue over the years. To put it bluntly, the emperor was in charge of Zhang Jinghong's official position.
Zhang Jinghong's originally relaxed back couldn't help but tense up. Even if he was not greedy, didn't he yearn for better things
He has been working diligently in the Ministry of Revenue over the years. Why? Isn't it to reassure the emperor and to give his son a better future
Zhou Shuren continued, "With the reform of each ministry, the power of each department has been subdivided, and there have been some changes in positions. I think you should be promoted to a higher level."
Zhang Jinghong was delighted. It was obvious that the Emperor agreed with what the Shangshu said. With the reforms of various ministries, the Ministry of Revenue did not have fourth-rank and fourth-rank official positions in the past. They only appeared after the reform. He would be promoted to the fourth rank if he were promoted one level, and would be in charge of a department in the future, instead of having to move to wherever he was needed because of his special status as it was now, with no fixed position.
Zhou Shuren stood up and patted Zhang Jinghong on the shoulder, "Do a good job and don't let me down."
Zhang Jinghong suppressed his excitement and said, "I will definitely not let you down."
Zhou Shuren stroked his beard while waiting for Zhang Jinghong to leave. He was really surprised by the emperor's attitude towards the orphan of the previous dynasty. The emperor was not as wary of Zhang Jinghong as he had imagined. But he thought again that there was really no need to care so much. Now that a prosperous era was gradually taking shape and Zhang Jinghong was confined to the capital, the royal family treated Zhang Jinghong well, which showed the magnanimity of the royal family. There was really no need to suppress Zhang Jinghong.
A few days passed in a flash, and Jiang Sheng and his wife returned to Zhoujia Village. Xuemei didn't stop for a moment, she changed her clothes and went to Jiang's house.
Dong Yiyi was surprised, "Why don't you take a good rest when you just arrived in the village?"
Xuemei looked at Mu Lan, feeling a little uneasy. Mu Lan was older than Jiang Du, and she had to face countless gossips at home over the years. "I have always been thinking about Mu Lan, and I couldn't wait any longer, so I came here."
Dong Yiyi breathed a sigh of relief. Xuemei valued her daughter more than anything else. "Let's go inside and talk."
Go ahead, Dong Yiyi looked at the woman who came out after hearing the noise, smiled slightly and nodded, inviting Xuemei into the yard.
Xuemei's actions today will break all the rumors. Dong Yiyi was happy and her steps became much lighter.
Xuemei's actions do not need too much explanation. Her actions are the best proof that the Jiang family values Mu Lan.
Jiang Du touched the box. This was the jewelry he picked for Mu Lan wherever he went. It would be a lie to say that he had deep feelings for Mu Lan. They had spent too little time together, far less than the time spent together by cousin Mingyun and his wife. But it was his responsibility to get her engaged, and he believed that he would have a happy marriage.
After Jiang Sheng changed his clothes, he saw his son sitting in a trance. He glanced at the box in his hand and said, "If you want to go, go ahead. You are getting married soon, so there is no need to be so shy."
To be honest, if his son had not followed him everywhere, he would have been married long ago. The Jiang family would not have had many complaints, so he would have naturally attached more importance to him and the betrothal gift would have been a bit more generous than originally planned.
Jiang Du smiled and said, "Mom has already gone. I will go tomorrow."
Jiang Sheng, "That's fine. You'll be starting a family soon. I still remember you when you were a kid."
At this point, Jiang Sheng paused. When his son was young, he had to look after his daughter. It was very difficult for him and his wife at that time. He thought he would forget it, but unfortunately the scars in his heart are still very obvious. Even though his parents treat them very well now, the scars in their hearts have not been healed.
Jiang Du raised his head in confusion, "Dad."
Jiang Sheng smiled and looked at the mountains in the distance. "Nothing. I just remembered that when you were a kid, you especially liked to stay at your grandpa's house."
Jiang Du laughed, "I am willing to stay at my grandfather's house now."
Whether it is grandpa or grandma, if he listens more to their words, he feels that he can understand a lot of truths.
In the capital, Zhulan and Zhao were staying at the Lin family. The old lady of the Lin family was not overly enthusiastic about Zhulan. Although she was happy that Zhulan came in person, she did not hold Zhulan tightly.
Zhulan's gaze fell on the young lady in the distance. She looked around before she found Miss Lin. Her eyes widened slightly. The fat girl in her impression was now much thinner. It was true that fat people have potential.
Miss Lin was cute when she was fat, and a beauty when she lost weight. Although she is still a little fat now, she is still a fat beauty. Miss Lin looks a little weaker when she loses weight.
Zhulan looked at him for quite a while, so the old lady of the Lin family naturally noticed it. "Madam Yang, are you looking at Qing'er?"
Zhu Lan admitted generously, "I just think Miss Lin has changed a lot."
The old lady of the Lin family knew her granddaughter very well. Qing'er was not attentive to everything, but she had something on her mind when she went to the merchant house. When she came back and thought about it, she guessed that it was what she said. The granddaughter, who was originally unhurried, became anxious.
The old lady of the Lin family lowered her voice and asked, "Madam, what do you think of Qing'er?"
Zhu Lan thought about her two granddaughters' comments on Lin Qing, "Your young lady is insightful and open-minded, and the old lady is blessed."
The old lady of the Lin family's eyes lit up a little, "I am not bragging about my granddaughter. I have several granddaughters, and Qing'er is the most responsible one. She also inherited my master's insight. I am not bragging, if this girl was a boy, she would have a chance to take the imperial examination."
Zhulan narrowed her eyes. It was obvious that the Lin family had already guessed her standards for Mingrui's wife. This was telling her that Lin Qing was responsible and capable of being the eldest daughter-in-law of the second branch of the Zhou family. It was also telling her that Lin Qing could keep up with Mingrui and would not be a drag.
The more Zhulan gets to know Miss Lin, the more attracted she becomes. She already has a good impression of Miss Lin because of her granddaughter's evaluation of her. Anything Zhulan hasn't discovered about the good points of the Lin family is a plus.
The merchants were upset, but the Lin family was the opposite. After retiring, Mr. Lin did not return to his hometown, but remained in the capital to serve as a stabilizing force for his children and grandchildren. The Lin family has a good family tradition and has always been well-regarded in the capital.
Zhao sat next to her mother-in-law and finally understood what the Lin family meant. Compared with the young lady from the Shang family, in Zhao's eyes, Miss Lin was good in every way.