As Zhulan spoke, she gestured to Qingxue to get her son's spare clothes, and asked the maid to prepare hot water. Although the temperature had warmed up, the late spring cold was still very severe.
Changzhong took the hot tea while sitting on the chair. After drinking a cup of hot tea, he felt warm and said, "Mom, I fell into the water from the shore. Today is a very unlucky day."
"Did he really fall into the water?"
Chang Zhong frowned, "Today, just as my son and the Fourth Prince left the library, there was an argument and fight in front of them. Because of the Fourth Prince, we retreated to the back, and the fight was so fierce in front that it frightened several young ladies on the street. They came over to us and were about to throw themselves into my son's arms. My son had no choice but to jump into the water himself."
What's even more annoying is the Fourth Prince. When he reacted, he not only didn't help him, but also laughed loudly on the shore. Something happened on his side. Well, no more fighting in the streets, just look at him.
Bamboo orchid, "... "
Changzhong said to himself: "Although it's a bit silly for me to jump into the water, it's better than hugging a girl. My son doesn't want to get engaged casually."
He wants the same love that his parents have, so he will definitely find a future wife who suits his taste.
Zhulan frowned, "Why didn't you change your clothes when you came back? The spring cold is so severe, aren't you afraid of getting sick?"
"Because I remember what I taught you, I wrapped myself in a cloak and came back to avoid any accidents."
Zhulan looked at her son's rosy face. The child was in good health. "Whose lady was that who almost jumped into your arms?"
"My son was surrounded by the Fourth Prince's guards at the time, and he left without noticing. I really don't know."
Zhulan saw Qingxue coming in and said, "Okay, go take a shower and change clothes."
"Why."
Zhao waited for her brother-in-law to leave and said, "Mother, send someone to check. Is it an accident? Or is he targeting the Fourth Prince or my younger brother?"
"I thought so too. After all, it involves the Fourth Prince."
The Fourth Prince also told the matter when he returned to the palace. The princes and the crown prince reacted in unison, believing that the attack was targeting the Fourth Prince.
Seeing his father and the eldest brother, the Crown Prince, all looked serious, the Fourth Prince weakly stretched out his chubby hand and said, "Well, I think they were going after Zhou Changzhong. At that time, several young ladies were frightened and ran towards Changzhong, so frightened that Changzhong jumped into the water. My son was protected by the guards at the time and saw it clearly. The young lady who almost jumped into Changzhong's arms had a look of regret on her face."
Your Majesty, "..."
The prince was at a loss for words, "Have you told Master Zhou?"
The fourth prince smiled and said, "Changzhong didn't give me a chance to speak. He was afraid that something unexpected would happen and he ran away. Big brother, you didn't see how fast Changzhong ran away."
The prince was speechless. If his younger brother really wanted to tell Changzhong, he could have let him run away. He didn't tell him just to watch the show.
The emperor frowned, "In front of the public, and in the library, Zhou Changzhong has no choice but to marry her."
The fourth prince said, "So my son said he was going after Changzhong."
The emperor glared at his fourth son and ordered someone to investigate.
Zhulan quickly got the results of the investigation. The fight was an accident. The ladies at that time also knew whose family the man belonged to. It was obvious that throwing herself into his arms was a spur of the moment idea. It worked and it almost worked.
Zhulan had a cold face. Zhao looked at her mother-in-law cautiously. Her mother-in-law was angry. "Mom, don't be angry for something that's not worth it."
Zhu Lan snorted, "I thought the Zhang family had given up, but it turns out they're still thinking about it and won't let go if they get the chance."
Zhao also felt disgusted. Her plan almost came true. "The servant next to my brother is still not smart enough."
Zhulan hadn't thought of this before. "I'll get two smarter ones later. For now, just leave this one at home."
Zhulan did not hide it from her son, Changzhong, "My son will definitely stay away from women in the future. As long as they are women, my son will avoid them."
Zhulan, "... .."
That’s not the case, just be careful.
At night, after Zhou Shuren found out, he patted his chest and said, "It was a close call. If I had married the daughter of the Zhang family, I would have been so angry that I would have died."
"Don't even mention you. You can make me mad."
Zhou Shuren was lucky not to have anything to do with the Zhang family, as this would ruin his plan. "I can't just let this go."
"What can we do if we forget about it? The young ladies were frightened and acted in a panic. What can you do?"
Zhou Shuren snorted, "Then we have to criticize Master Zhang too."
"Okay, I'll leave it to you."
The next day, Zhou Shuren stopped Lord Zhang after leaving the court, and this action attracted everyone's attention.
Lord Zhang was pleasantly surprised, as he was still thinking about leaving the court to look for Marquis Zhou.
Zhou Shuren pointed to a deserted spot and said, "Let's talk over there."
The surprise on Lord Zhang's face disappeared, and Lord Zhou's expression was clear and displeased, "Yes."
Zhou Shuren stood still and said, "I think you know what happened yesterday. Listen to my advice, work steadily, live peacefully, and be less calculating in the future. The marriage of my youngest son is not something that anyone can calculate. Take care of yourself."
Lord Zhang was struck by lightning. This was different from what his daughter said, that Young Master Zhou saved her and that Young Master Zhou even fell into the water for her. Bullshit. No wonder his daughter was hesitating. Lord Zhang thought back to his wife's excited look and his face turned blue and then white.
There was nothing that Lord Zhang didn't understand. It was simply that his daughter was trying to plot against Young Master Zhou, causing the young master to fall into the water. His face turned even paler. His wife was thinking about Marquis Zhou's Mansion, and his sister sent him a message from the palace. He knew it was a good marriage, but he couldn't get it, so he warned his wife.
It has been quiet since the New Year and my wife never mentioned it. He was even happy about what happened yesterday and said it was fate. What a bullshit fate. I'm so angry that my heart aches.
The next day, Zhulan received an apology from the Zhang family. The Zhang family was also generous and gave a lot of good things. In the evening, Zhulan showed Shuren the list of apology.
Zhou Shuren raised his eyebrows, "It's bleeding heavily, it's all good stuff."
Zhulan: "Well, the apology is very sincere."
Zhou Shuren, "Lord Zhang sent me a letter this afternoon, saying that he has chosen a man for Miss Zhang, and she will return to her hometown to get married tomorrow."
Zhulan raised an eyebrow, "Master Zhang also has brains."
"I'm scared. If the Fourth Prince is implicated, the Emperor will definitely investigate. I guess Concubine Zhang in the palace sent the news. Plus, the Emperor trusts and values me, the Zhang family won't become enemies with me just for a daughter."
Zhou Shuren guessed it. Last night the emperor went to Concubine Zhang's bedroom to see the little prince, but left after sitting for a while. The emperor would not say anything explicitly, but only needed to mention it a word and Concubine Zhang would understand. The news from Concubine Zhang let the Zhang family see how much Marquis Zhou favored the emperor.
Originally the gift list wasn't that long, I added to it after receiving the news.
In the palace, the queen had dinner with her two sons. The queen now had a very small appetite and stopped eating after a few bites.
After the fourth prince finished eating, he smiled and told about the Zhang family’s actions.
The Queen didn't pay attention to the follow-up. She smiled after hearing this and her eyes fell on the Crown Prince. "I heard from your father that the remaining grandchildren of Marquis Zhou don't plan to get engaged early. It's better not to get engaged early, Crown Prince, don't you agree?"
The prince's expression did not change, "It has nothing to do with my son."
Queen, "It really has nothing to do with you. Don't worry about it. Mother will make the arrangements."
The fourth prince looked confused. He stared at his eldest brother as if he had discovered something incredible!
In the middle of the night, Zhulan was woken up and sat up dazedly, "What happened?"