The emperor waited for the chessboard to be set up, "Next game."
Zhou Shuren's chess skills have improved greatly in recent years, and he has become more and more interested in studying. "Okay."
The emperor held the black piece and said, "Chang Lian has been in Qizhou for several years. He has performed very well in the past two years."
Zhou Shuren was stunned for a moment. He knew that the emperor would not tell him who was plotting against him. He accidentally mentioned Chang Lian, and his mind moved. "Yes, he has been living off the family's wealth for several years in Qizhou. He donated almost all of his income in the past two years, and also asked for a lot of medicinal materials from me."
The emperor smiled and said, "Children are all debts."
Zhou Shuren understood that this was the emperor's explanation, but he didn't say it explicitly, "For me, debt is also sweet."
The emperor played chess, "It's your turn."
Zhou Shuren put down the chess piece neatly, and the emperor continued, "Although Ningzhou is not an upper state, it is also a middle state. Ningzhou is short of a prefect."
The meaning is very clear.
Zhou Shuren was happy for his son. Ningzhou was easier to achieve political achievements than Qizhou. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Chang Lian's promotion was a sure thing, and he became the fourth-rank prefect of Ningzhou.
The emperor smiled and said, "I have seen how brave Chang Lian is. This is what he deserves."
Zhou Shuren thought for a moment and asked directly, "Where is the Qizhou prefect?"
He knew that the Qizhou prefect would also be transferred.
The emperor did not hide it, "He will transfer people from Beijing."
Zhou Shuren didn't continue to ask questions. It didn't matter to him who was transferred there. Anyway, his son had been in Qizhou for a few years, and there was no place in Qizhou where he could achieve political achievements.
Afterwards, the emperor and his ministers' minds were all on the chessboard. The emperor did not continue to talk about state affairs, but mostly chatted. Zhou Shuren played chess with two emperors, and he was very adept at it and was used to chatting.
One round ended and another round started. Suddenly, the emperor asked, "Your choices of grandsons-in-law are all good."
Zhou Shuren became alert, "They are indeed good."
The emperor then said very naturally: "You still don't have a concubine. I heard that you and Mr. Wang have a five-year agreement."
Zhou Shuren was nervous. "There is indeed a five-year agreement. Your Majesty also knows that I have family rules. Men are not allowed to take concubines. There is no concubine in the harem. The children grow up in this environment. I can't help but worry about my granddaughters. If my family didn't do this, I wouldn't have the face to ask for it. But who made my family do it?"
The emperor looked up and said, "I have never seen anyone dote on my granddaughter more than you do."
Zhou Shuren, "Girls can only stay at home for a few years. The days after marriage are too long. I just hope they can live a comfortable and happy life."
The emperor hummed, "It's time for you to go."
After the game was over, Zhou Shuren withdrew. On the way out of the palace, his back was a little wet. He was not afraid, but nervous, fearing that the emperor had some evil intentions.
In the Zheng Palace, the Emperor signaled Eunuch Zhang to put away the chessboard, and said to the Crown Prince who was reviewing memorials, "Did you hear me clearly?"
The prince's heart trembled, "Father, I have no such thoughts."
The emperor did not look back at the prince, his eyes still looking outside through the glass window, "The Zhou Marquisate does not need daughters to bring glory, and has never thought of using daughters for marriage. Back then, your uncle was not raised by the Zhou family and fell in love with Zhou Xuehan. The Zhou family will not marry their daughters into the royal family. Others use their daughters to seek glory, but the Zhou family will not. They have roots."
The prince knew clearly that the young ladies of Marquis Zhou's mansion would have no trouble finding a husband and that many men would seek to marry them. Marquis Zhou had never used his granddaughter's marriage to seek benefits in exchange, otherwise, the power of Marquis Zhou's mansion would not be so simple.
Your Majesty, "I know your mother's thoughts. I also know that you have different opinions about Marquis Zhou because of the two fortune-tellings. I hope you can learn Marquis Zhou's skills and make them your own."
The prince said seriously, "Son understands."
Because the restlessness brought by Zhou Hou's two fortune-tellings was gone, he straightened his back, felt more enlightened, and his aura became more stable.
The emperor then turned around to look at his son, his eyes flashing with satisfaction. He had put all his thoughts into the prince, this was the heir he was satisfied with, and his horizons should be focused on the court, not the backyard.
The emperor was dissatisfied with the queen again. The queen was seriously ill several times. He felt guilty at first, but his guilt was mostly due to indulgence. Later, he endured it for the sake of the prince. He promised the queen that he would not change his promise, but it was time to give her a warning. The queen's anxiety and remarks had already affected the prince.
After leaving the government office, Chang Yi came to pick up his father and saw that his father's brows were relaxed. Although his smile was the same as usual, as a son, he still understood his father, "Dad, is there any good news?"
Zhou Shuren lowered his voice, "Well, the emperor himself said that Chang Lian would be the prefect of Ningzhou. I think the documents for the recent transfer will be sent to Qizhou."
Chang Yi was happy for his brother, "He's a fourth-rank official now."
"Yes, the fourth rank is a hurdle. Now that Chang Lian is close to the fourth rank, I can rest assured."
Chang Yi thought of himself. It was very difficult for him to pass the fourth rank. Even though he had some power in the Ministry of Rites, he still could not be promoted.
Zhou Shuren noticed his son's depression and patted him on the shoulder. "Don't worry. You have only been an official for a few years. Your brother got promoted through the imperial examination. He is only a fourth-rank official. You have to be steady."
At least Chang Yi is not idle in the Ministry of Rites, he holds power in his hands.
Chang Yi was depressed for only a moment, and then he was fine. "Son understands."
"Well, you need to accumulate more. You need to accumulate more if you want to move up."
Chang Yi knew that he got promoted last time by luck.
At the Zhou family, Zhulan looked at girls from several families at home. She chose girls who had no relationship with her in-laws. She didn't want Ning Ming to marry a girl who was related to her in-laws.
She chose two families, one was the eldest daughter of a fifth-rank official in the Ministry of Revenue, and the other was the second daughter of a fourth-rank official. Both girls were good, with good family rules and traditions.
After choosing the family, Zhulan sent someone to deliver the information to Ninghou Mansion, and Song would give her news after reading it.
It was delivered in the morning, and Song came in person.
Zhulan, "Is it so urgent?"
Song sighed, "The sooner the engagement, the better. I can save myself the trouble. I have already asked Ning Ming to take a look. After reading the information, Ning Ming fell in love with the eldest daughter of an official in the Ministry of Revenue."
Zhu Lan smiled and said, "Ning Ming has good taste."
Why do I say good? Even though he is a fifth-rank official, he will be promoted next year and has already found a job. She knows the officials of the Ministry of Revenue very well. Shu Ren told her about them. I think Ning Ming also figured out something from the information.
Song greeted him and said, "Thank you for your concern."
The information provided by the old lady was very detailed, which was also a reminder.
Zhu Lan waved her hand, "We understand, you're welcome. I watched Ning Ming grow up, and I hope he can find a good partner and live happily ever after in the future."
Song felt relieved, "It's settled then?"
Zhulan smiled and nodded, "I will help with the matchmaking here, you just need to find a good matchmaker."
Song was completely relieved. With the help of the old lady, Ning Ming's marriage was secured, and she was relieved. "My mother will be the matchmaker."
Zhulan thought to herself that Song was indeed very concerned about Ning Ming, and even invited her own mother to come out, "Okay."
After Song left, the news spread in the palace. Zhulan waited for Su Xuan to come over and said, "You will come to the palace with me tomorrow."