In the evening, Zhou Shuren came back with snow all over his cloak. Zhulan asked, "Why didn't you hold an umbrella when you got off the carriage?"
Zhou Shuren took the hot tea brought by his wife and said, "It was windy outside so we didn't fight."
"It's not going to be easy on the way back."
"Well, if the wind continues to blow like this, we won't have to go to the morning court tomorrow."
Zhulan saw Shuren frowning and asked, "Are you worried that the heavy snow will cause a snowstorm?"
"Yeah, the first heavy snow is like this, it doesn't feel like a good sign."
Zhu Lan also sighed, "Who said it wasn't true? Fortunately, Rong Chuan came back from the grassland, otherwise I don't know how I would suffer!"
Zhou Shuren went back to his room to change his clothes, and when he came out he said, "This year we have cotton but charcoal, oh."
Zhulan, "The price will go up after this snow."
"Well, it's hard to buy charcoal."
Zhulan also sighed. The aristocratic families loved to hoard things, and they hoarded everything and large quantities of them, without caring at all whether there was enough charcoal in the market.
Zhou Shuren sat down and asked, "Do the orphanage have enough firewood and charcoal for the several farms?"
"We started collecting firewood in the fall, and later bought charcoal to save for use. But this winter was tough, and we didn't know there would be so many orphans."
"You have run a great orphanage, which is basically self-sufficient. You can set it up in various states next year."
Zhulan didn't want to build everything at once, fearing that the pace would be too big and she would get hurt. "Let's start from the surrounding areas. Fortunately, I have bought enough manors and land, which can save a lot of trouble."
"Um."
Zhulan waited for Shuren to warm up and told Yuwen what she said, "This girl is afraid of getting engaged to the Ning family."
Zhou Shuren smiled and said, "I already knew what this girl was thinking. There is no rush for the twins' marriage."
Zhulan: "Yeah."
The next day, the snow stopped and Zhou Lao Da had breakfast. "Mom, I'm going to the Ning family."
"Okay, go early and come back early."
Li also went with them. Li sat in the carriage and said, "It's not a good day to leave today."
Boss Zhou, "Yes, the wind blew all night last night, and the snow blocked the road. It will take a few days to clean up outside the city."
Li hugged the heater and said, "Ning Zhixiang is not in good health. I don't know how he is now."
Boss Zhou thought of Ning Ming, "It's hard for Ning Ming."
Lee, "Yeah."
The couple arrived at the Ning Mansion. Not many people came to the Ning Mansion. The Yu family was not prominent. Since the Ning family split up, Yu and her natal family were not close, so not many people came today.
Boss Zhou is the eldest son of the Marquis's family. He has a status and has grown over the past year. No one looks down on Boss Zhou. After all, he is the future Marquis Zhou. Even if he has no ability, he has many sons, the eldest son is outstanding, and he has several good brothers.
Boss Zhou saw Ning Zhiqi, "Marquis Ning."
Ning Zhiqi said: "My brother fell ill yesterday. He couldn't stand the biting cold wind and couldn't come out."
Boss Zhou understood and asked hurriedly, "What did the imperial physician say?"
"The doctor said to be at ease."
Ning Zhiqi felt bad, this was his biological brother, he was afraid something might happen to him. No matter what Yu did, Yu and his brother had a good relationship.
Li and Song were chatting. Song knew what her brother-in-law was thinking. She had come to her for help in the past, but her brother-in-law had not succeeded in her plan. However, she also left a message for Ning Ming. However, no matter how much she planned, Ning Ming would still mourn for her brother-in-law. At the same time, she felt relieved that she was lucky that she had to mourn.
Song asked, "I have been busy recently and haven't visited the old lady. How is the old lady doing recently?"
Li mentioned that she had endless things to say about her mother-in-law. "My mother-in-law is very nice. Recently, she has become fond of making artificial flowers. They are so realistic that sometimes I even thought they were real flowers."
Song smiled, "The old lady is very skillful."
"Yes, my mother-in-law is the best."
If today wasn't the wrong place, she really wanted to have tea with Song and have a good chat about how powerful her mother-in-law was.
Boss Zhou also saw Ning Ming and said, "My condolences."
Ning Ming thought of his mother's last words and felt deeply powerless. His father had no official title, and his mother's calculations were clearly seen by Lord Zhou. He would rather the Zhou family give him a hand out of this kind of affection than to try to court Miss Zhou Wu. He also said that he could show more concern for her in private, but he couldn't do it.
Moreover, Miss Friday gave him the impression that she was not as easy to fool as his mother said. Miss Friday was not well-known, but from his understanding, the girls in the Zhou family were not easy to mess with, and Miss Friday was not as quiet as she appeared.
At the Zhou family, Boss Zhou and Li returned to the main courtyard. Li told about the situation at Ning Mansion and added, "It's quite quiet. I also heard from Song that Yu's eldest sister-in-law was talking about a closer relationship. Yu mentioned it at Ning Mansion right after she left."
Zhu Lan was speechless, "Did you mention it in Ning Mansion?"
Li nodded, "Yes, it's too unrefined, and the way she eats is ugly. Mother, don't you see that Mrs. Yu's eyes are always busy, looking around."
Zhu Lan curled her lips and said, "It's hard for Ning Ming."
After all, they are relatives, and it is difficult to sever the relationship.
Elder Zhou said, "Ning Zhixiang is not in good health, and Lord Ning is very worried. Now Lord Ning is helping Ning Ming deal with things."
"After all, they are brothers."
Zhou Laodao said: "Mom, where is my younger brother?"
"He was taken to the Qin Palace by your sister. Ze'er misses his uncle."
Boss Zhou smiled and said, "My little brother is popular with children. All the children in my family like him."
"He is an elder and can be taken to play. Isn't it because everyone likes him? This kid brought Lu Jiaqing with him."
Boss Zhou frowned and said, "I have been with Master Lu since I came back."
"We have checked everything that has been changed. It is still reassuring to be with your brother."
Boss Zhou was relieved, "Mom, let's go back first."
"Go back."
After Zhulan's eldest son left, she also thought about Lu Jiaqing. Her son did not hide the secret from her and told her that Lu Jiaqing was different and that he was a child with a story.
Three days passed in a blink of an eye. The snow left by the first snow was finally cleared, and King Liang finally returned to the capital.
Zhou Shuren was lucky enough to see King Liang in the palace. He was shocked. Was he really King Liang? King Liang had white hair and was so thin that he was almost skin and bones. Although he was still young, he looked like an old man.
The emperor was silent for a long time. When he heard Prince Liang cough, he gestured for him to sit down. "How could your health be so serious?"
King Liang coughed and said, "My brother is fine. Just take good care of him."
Zhou Shuren remained silent. He suspected that King Liang was committing chronic suicide and had tortured himself into this state.
The other ministers in the study were very quiet, but they were thinking in their hearts that King Liang was a ruthless man.
Prince Liang lowered his eyes. The news he received told him that the Queen was not in good health. He had to endure a lot of hardship on the way back.
Zhou Shuren also admired King Liang for being so cruel to him. King Liang's hands were so thin that only a layer of skin was left.
The emperor waited for the imperial physician to arrive, and said to the ministers, "My dear ministers, please go back."
The ministers did not want to stay, so they bowed and left.
Zhou Shuren left the government hall and looked back. The Minister of Rites was waiting for him in front. Zhou Shuren smiled and said, "Waiting for me?"