Zhou Shuren stood up and turned around twice. "You are right. There is no smoke without fire. Maybe the queen is really ill. Didn't you ask your daughter?"
"Xue Han hasn't been to the palace recently. You know the weather has gotten cold. Xue Han is afraid that Xia'er will get sick, so she doesn't dare to leave Xia'er at all."
Zhou Shuren sat down. "The emperor didn't react, which shows two things. The first queen's illness is not serious. The emperor knows the second queen's condition and has been mentally prepared for it for a long time."
“I prefer the latter.”
Zhou Shuren thought so too, "Well, for now, it's good for the Crown Prince and the government if the Queen is alive and well."
If the queen is not a good person, the ambitions of the harem will grow and the current stable political situation will be disrupted.
Zhulan, "The queen is ill, and Concubine Hui has become the most prominent person in the harem. The Wang family has two princes, and they got the job of running the pharmacy. Now the pharmacy is so prosperous that it attracts attention. They are all targets."
Zhou Shuren narrowed his eyes, "You mean, someone took advantage of the Queen's illness to attack Concubine Hui?"
"It's either Concubine Hui or the Wang family. As for the prince, he doesn't dare to do it yet. This is the emperor's bottom line, but as his ambition expands, someone will trample on his bottom line sooner or later."
Zhou Shuren sighed. Once the bottom line is crossed, it can never be closed.
In the following days, there were more rumors about the Queen. It was said that the Queen was seriously ill and it seemed that she would not live long.
The rumor did not spread until the queen met several ladies of high rank.
Rongchuan also returned to Beijing at this time. When the couple came to the Marquis' Mansion, Zhulan saw that Rongchuan's brows were furrowed, and the murderous aura in Rongchuan had not yet been completely subsided.
Xue Han saw her mother's expression and said, "Mom, you've also noticed that it's good for him to come back home. Xiaer cries when she sees him."
"Rongchuan suffered a lot on the grassland."
How many people have been killed by this evil spirit
Rong Chuan tried his best to restrain his aura. "Mom, I can't control people if I'm not fierce on the grassland. I have been trying to restrain myself on the way back to Beijing, but I haven't completely restrained myself. I plan to live in Huguo Temple for some time."
Otherwise, his daughters and sons would be a little afraid of him, not to mention Xiaer who knew nothing. Children are the most sensitive. His youngest son would cry when he saw him, which scared him because his youngest son had poor lungs.
Zhulan agreed, "We should definitely go and stay there for a few days."
Xue Han was a little reluctant, but there was nothing she could do, "Mom, Rong Chuan was able to come back early because of Brother Wu Ming."
Zhulan looked at Rongchuan, "It seems that Wu Ming has helped a lot."
Rong Chuan nodded, "Well, with the help of Brother Wu Ming in the later period, the division of the state went much more smoothly, and there was no need for me to continue to be in charge. Speaking of which, I also came back with a mission."
"Can you tell me your mission?"
Rong Chuan nodded, "Yes, the winter on the grassland is harsh. It is cold and there is a lack of firewood. The soldiers stationed there can't stand it. I came back with a letter asking for your approval."
Zhulan thought to herself, they came back to ask for money. This year, the army was withdrawn gradually, but many soldiers were left behind to garrison. Everything was done for the sake of stability, so military supplies cannot be saved.
Rongchuan talked about the hardships of life on the grassland, the lack of cotton clothes and charcoal, and how difficult it was to endure in winter.
In the afternoon, Zhou Shuren from the Ministry of Revenue met his son-in-law. After reading the memorial, the curve of his lips disappeared. "This should be given to me by the Ministry of War."
"Ah, the Minister of War asked me to take you."
Zhou Shuren knew that "military demand has skyrocketed in the past two years."
It's easy to go up but hard to come down, it really gives him a headache.
Rong Chuan touched his nose and said, "I heard that the Ministry of War sent quite a few memorials."
Zhou Shuren pointed to a pile of documents on the table. "They are all from the Ministry of War. The temperature has dropped drastically this year, and they all need cotton and charcoal."
Rong Chuan said seriously, "Dad, is there a shortage of cotton this year?"
"Well, the cotton merchants have some squeezed cotton. I have bought some in the name of the court, but it's not much. The court also has some cotton stored to prevent snow disasters. The latter cannot be moved, and the former is not much and not enough to share."
"I would like to donate some, but unfortunately the farm is already planted with crops this year."
Zhou Shuren, "How much can you personally donate? I know the grasslands are difficult, and they have indeed worked hard this year. I know that."
Rong Chuan was relieved. "Dad, I'm not trying to be pitiful. The soldiers on the grassland are really suffering. And the ointment for frostbite is also in short supply."
Zhou Shuren hummed, "I know you and the soldiers went through hardships together on the grassland, but now that you are back in the capital, you are still a prince without military power. You have done what you should do, so go to the Huguo Temple tomorrow."
Rong Chuan felt warm in his heart, "Dad, I know what I am doing. I won't let my brother be afraid."
"As long as you understand."
The next day, Rongchuan left Beijing early in the morning and went to Huguo Temple. After meeting the master, he sat in meditation and chanted Buddha's name.
The emperor shook his head after hearing this. "I still have many things to ask him, but he left so easily."
Zhou Shuren smiled and said, "I heard from my wife that when the King of Qin came back, the children were afraid of him. He was so scared that he didn't dare to get close to the children. He could only peek at them eagerly. The King of Qin must be very anxious."
Your Majesty, "Not to mention the children, even I was shocked."
Zhou Shuren's heart skipped a beat. "Alas, he is still young and doesn't know how to restrain his evil spirit. He is not as good as a general who has fought in the battlefield for a long time. The King of Qin lacks a lot."
"You ask too much of the King of Qin."
Zhou Shuren looked like he wanted the best for his son-in-law. "My request is not high. I just want him to be safe and sound. The King of Qin had a very hard childhood. I still think about it from time to time."
Your Majesty, "It's all over."
Zhou Shuren's heart gradually relaxed. He was afraid that the emperor would be wary of Rongchuan, and he felt uneasy. Fortunately, the emperor did not have this idea. After a few days, he asked his daughter to tell Rongchuan in person that he should stay in the Huguo Temple until the New Year and not come out before the New Year.
The emperor talked about business. "The breeding is good this year. The yield of the reclaimed land is not high, but it has achieved the required yield. I want to expand the reclaimed land next year. The continuous temperature drop in the past two years makes me feel uneasy."
Zhou Shuren had no objection, "Your Majesty is wise."
As for the fact that the eldest grandson of the Wen family was able to complete the task, he was not surprised. The eldest grandson of the Wen family was useless, but the people he brought with him were not useless. The Wen family had to protect their reputation, and the eldest grandson's shame was like the Wen family's shame. He secretly put in a lot of effort to save his reputation.
Thinking about it this way, sending the Wen family's eldest grandson over there was a perfect move. Look how much the Wen family cares about it.
A quarter of an hour later, Zhou Shuren left the palace with a lighter step. There had been no major disasters in the country this year, and grain had been stored in the warehouses, so he was confident. In addition, there was one more tax this year, and the burden on his back seemed to have been lightened a lot.
The next day, after the morning court session ended, Zhou Shuren rarely stayed. Li Zhao came over and asked, "When will you put the money in?"
Zhou Shuren, "Go back and ask someone to come over."
Li Zhao was surprised, "So you gave it to me so readily?"
Zhou Shuren snorted, "When have I not given you money when I had more than enough? I don't have any money, and you ask me for it. How can I give it to you?"
He is the one who is trying to exchange money everywhere. It makes him feel sorry for himself just thinking about it.
Li Zhao laughed dryly, "Those who are capable should do more work."
Zhou Shuren rolled his eyes, "I want to rest more."
Li Zhao touched his nose. It was indeed not easy for Zhou Shuren in the past two years. The old man had obviously aged in the past two years.