In Zhangzhou, Changyi couldn't continue his journey. After a while, heavy snow fell and there was a family on the carriage who were about to freeze to death. They could only find a town to stop.
The town is not big and there is only one inn, which is a courtyard. There were no guests in the inn during the heavy snow, so Changyi directly booked the inn.
The house was heated and all the supplies inside were replaced before Yudie and her brother got off the carriage and entered the house.
The inn had a heated kang, and Yudie sat on it and asked, "Mom, how are the family we saved?"
While changing her youngest son's clothes, Zhao said, "I don't know. If this family hadn't met us, they would have frozen to death in this heavy snow."
The windows of the inn are not made of glass, and the light in the room is very dim. Yudie cannot see the wind and snow outside, and can only hear the sound of the wind.
Yudie shrank her neck and said, "Mom, the people in Zhangzhou are too poor."
Zhao sighed, "Yes, if there was no way out, why would you bring your whole family to stop a carriage?"
This reminded her of the time when she was fleeing. She could not see a way to survive, and whether she advanced or retreated would mean death, so she might as well give it a try.
Chang Yi opened the door and came in, "What are you two talking about?"
Yudie poured hot water for her father, "Dad, drink some water to warm yourself up."
Zhao, "Let's talk about the family we saved."
Chang Yi took the teacup and warmed his hands. "The whole family has recovered. The doctor has checked and found that they all have frostbite. If they hadn't met us, the whole family would have died."
He was an official appointed by the imperial court and could not stand by and watch people die. He sighed again. Today was the day of food shortage and cold weather. He had seen it all, but there were even more people dying in places he could not see.
Yudie asked, "Dad, how do you arrange them?"
Chang Yi said, "This family was separated in winter. They didn't get much food and lived in a straw hut. If I send them back, they will die."
Zhao was stunned, "Didn't you give me anything else when you divided the family property?"
Chang Yi shook his head. "Life is hard for every poor family here. It's good enough that the branch family can get some food. However, the branch family is indeed biased. This family has no food to eat and no way to survive, so they blocked our way. They have been blocking our way for a day. They are lucky to meet us today."
After a pause, he continued, "I plan to buy a farm in Zhangzhou and arrange for this family to work in the farm."
He had seen too many things and whether they were telling the truth, he could tell at a glance that this family was honest, otherwise he would not have made any arrangements. He had seen so many lives and deaths that his heart was hardened.
The next day in the capital, Mingrui walked towards his carriage after school without looking around. Liu Yuanbo, who was ignored, had a toothache.
Minghui came over and asked, "How did you offend the third brother?"
Liu Yuanbo didn't want to say it. There weren't many good brothers-in-law. They were all the kind who wanted the world to be in chaos. "Where are you going, Third Brother?"
Minghui didn't ask and was not in a hurry, "Third brother is going to see Master Shangguan."
Liu Yuanbo sighed. He felt bad for having money but not being able to spend it. His uncle didn't give him the chance to spend it. He felt like he was crazy. He actually thought that being cheated of money by his uncle was a good thing!
Minghui held Liu Yuanbo back and said, "Don't go, let's follow them."
Liu Yuanbo, "???"
Finally, they went to the restaurant together. Liu Yuanbo was very upset. What was curious about Master Shangguan? He just wanted him to treat his future brother-in-law.
They arrived late, and when they went upstairs, they heard an argument.
The queen gave birth smoothly. Although it was not a prince, he was a legitimate princess who was loved by everyone. She was the first legitimate princess in the royal family. The Wen family had been doing very well recently.
Of course, not everyone is going smoothly. The second branch of the Wen family has lost their official status and always feels that everyone is laughing at them. Wen Xu is the source of this incident and has become the sinner of the second branch of the Wen family. He came out to drink alone and met the person he least wanted to meet.
Minghui squeezed over quickly, but Wen Xu had already started, so he couldn't hit him. Minghui only saw his third brother pulling Master Shangguan away, and Master Wen fell directly to the ground.
There was laughter, Wen Xu's face turned red, and he got up, "You are going too far."
Shangguan Liu sneered, "We didn't provoke you, but you stopped us and provoked us. After being challenged, you got angry and started fighting. You suffered a loss, but it was us who went too far. Master Wen is really good at talking and confusing right and wrong at will."
Ming Rui took over the conversation, "We will not bother with a drunkard like you today. Master Wen should go back home and sober up, lest your shame spread throughout the capital."
The Wen family has not split up, it is the entire Wen family that is embarrassed.
Wen Xu hated Zhou Mingrui to death. Zhou family, Zhou family. Without the Zhou family, the prince would be close to the Wen family. This year, the prince followed Shangshu Zhou, as if the Zhou family was the prince's maternal family. How long has it been since the prince came to the Wen family
Wen Xu's eyes were red, and the alcohol made him bolder. Listening to the laughter beside his ears, his eyes became even redder, and he rushed over and butted the man with his head.
Liu Yuanbo was startled. Just as he got closer to his future uncle, Minghui and the others didn't move. He reacted and stepped forward to block him, then bumped into his chest.
Mingrui was good at fighting and wanted to move out of the way, but Liu Yuanbo stood in front of him. With a groan, Mingrui supported his future brother-in-law. Not to mention that his future brother-in-law was not very skilled, he was quite moved.
Minghui and the others were dumbfounded, but then they looked at Liu Yuanbo with a much gentler gaze.
Wen Xu felt dizzy from the collision and Liu Yuanbo had severe chest pain.
When Zhulan found out, Mingrui sent the servant back, and he and his brothers stayed at Liu's house for dinner. After the servant left, Zhulan sighed. This year, the prince was learning from Shuren and was getting closer to the Zhou family. The Zhou family and the Wen family were becoming more and more antagonistic, and now they could even clash in the street.
In the evening, Zhulan said, "What happened today will happen again in the future."
Zhou Shuren, "Well, we have to control the degree. If we give in blindly, other families will look down on us."
Zhulan whispered, "I hope the queen can live longer."
While the Queen is alive, the Emperor will not show mercy to the Wen family. If the Queen dies early, the Emperor will be more lenient for the Queen's sake, because death is the greatest thing.
Zhou Shuren stroked his beard and said, "The queen is in poor health. This is a thorn in the hearts of the emperor and the prince. If the queen dies young, the emperor will not be lenient."
Zhulan: "Then I feel relieved."
Mingrui and his friends came back very late. Changyi was not at home, so Mingrui had to come to see his grandfather. Although he did not provoke Wenxu, he still confronted Wenxu.
Zhou Shuren said nonchalantly, "It's okay."
Mingrui stood up and said, "Grandpa, I'll go back first. You should also go to bed early."
"Well, don't study too late."
"Um."
At the morning court the next day, everyone's eyes were on Old Master Wen. Zhou Shuren glanced around and thought, well, Old Master Wen was full of hatred.
Elder Wen seemed to be unaware of the gazes. "I donated 1,000 dan of grain, stalks and other things are not included."
The emperor narrowed his eyes. This was not his instruction. He did think about asking the noble families to donate grain because Yubing did not take any action.
Zhou Shuren's eyes lit up. The Wen family was so generous. You have to know that the grain production this year is low. Although his family will also donate grain, he is happy. The Wen family is so proud, and it is not easy for other families to donate too little. At this moment, Lord Wen is a good person!
As for the conspiracy behind the scenes, he doesn't care. As long as the Ministry of Revenue has grain, it's enough. If there is any conspiracy, it is the emperor's business.