The next day in the palace, Zhulan felt uncomfortable wearing the imperial robe. It was too solemn and heavy. As Zhulan seldom went out and preferred comfort, she was quite disgusted with entering the palace.
Zhulan took Su Xuan to the Queen's bedroom. The Queen had been recuperating for many days, and this time she looked better, with a rare hint of redness on her face.
The Queen had already prepared some refreshments. When the ceremony was over, she smiled and said, "I haven't seen you for a long time, Madam. You look better and better."
His tone was full of envy. One look at Mrs. Zhou's plump appearance showed that she was going to live a long life.
Zhulan replied, "I am a kind-hearted and plump woman. I eat well and sleep well, so my complexion will naturally be better."
The queen sighed inwardly. Even though she was resting, her mind was not idle. She had to guard against the harem, worry about the crown prince, and worry about her mother's family. Her rest was not very effective. "Old Madam, try the new tribute tea."
Zhulan smelled the fragrance of tea as soon as she came in. She took a sip and said, "Good tea."
Su Xuan, "..."
Any tea is considered good tea by my father-in-law and mother-in-law, and they want to laugh because of its reputation.
The queen curled her lips and said, "I have prepared some, and the old lady will take them back to the Marquis' Mansion later."
Zhulan was not pretentious. She had prepared it in advance and it was obvious that it was specially for the Marquis' Mansion. "Thank you, Madam."
The queen looked at Su Xuan and was stunned for a moment. "The county lady is becoming more and more radiant. She really looks like the mother of a teenager."
Su Xuan never understood why her mother-in-law brought her into the palace alone today, so she replied carefully, "The emperor's grace is great, the people are well, and I look younger because I am living a smooth life."
The queen felt relieved after listening to this, but regret flashed in her eyes. The emperor had warned her, and after she fell seriously ill, she felt that she would not live long, so she wanted to make a request before she died. After many years of friendship, the emperor was likely to agree. Later, she was really afraid of Marquis Zhou, who was a man who would give up anything. After the emperor's warning, she thought for a long time and decided that it would be better to try to live.
The Queen continued, "The Zhou family's girls have all gotten married or engaged, and now it's the Fifth Girl's turn. I heard that many people have come to ask for her hand in marriage."
After hearing this, Zhulan and Suxuan both became nervous.
The Queen paused and continued, "I heard that the Fifth Miss is a quiet person. I heard from the Emperor that Marquis Zhou is reluctant to get engaged early. If the Fifth Miss has chosen a man, I will personally grant the marriage."
Su Xuan, "..."
Bamboo orchid, "... "
No, who needs your arranged marriage, not even the son-in-law we choose. If my granddaughter wants to divorce her husband in the future, it will not be easy to do so with an arranged marriage, and she will just become a widow.
Zhulan thought too much and stood up quickly and said, "I thank the Queen for her kindness, but my Lord can't bear to see his granddaughter suffer any grievances after marriage."
The queen understood immediately, "!!"
No, who doesn't want a happy life after their granddaughter gets married? No one dares to mess with the Fifth Lady when she arranges the marriage, so why is the Zhou family afraid of a bad divorce? They're thinking about what to do if the marriage doesn't go well before it's even decided. It's really an eye-opener!
Su Xuan also widened her eyes, then pressed down the corners of her upturned mouth. She was able to manage the Su family on her own, and she was not a person who followed the rules, so it was normal for her to have a bad life and get divorced!
Su Xuan knew that her daughter was not happy after marriage, and she dared to divorce her husband, let alone get a divorce.
After the queen sent them away, she was still a little dazed, "Marquis Zhou and his wife have broadened my horizons."
The female official said with a smile, "The Zhou family really loves their daughters."
The queen was silent. Yes, the Zhou family is the one that truly loves their daughters.
After leaving the palace, Su Xuan was a little confused, "Mother, the Queen has not been seen for many days. Why did she summon us alone today?"
Just to say that you want to marry me? To give me something
Zhu Lan looked at the boxes in the carriage. "First, the Queen summoned me alone to show the importance the royal family attaches to Zhou Hou's Mansion. Second, the Queen also wanted to express that she would not have any grudges against Zhou Hou because of the Wen family. Third, talking about Yu Wen's marriage was to show the Emperor that she had no extra thoughts about Yu Wen."
Su Xuan, "Why do you say you don't have any feelings for Yu Wen?"
Zhu Lan said quietly, "The Crown Prince is getting married, and there is much discussion about the selection of concubines. The Queen has had some thoughts."
Su Xuan was frightened. Bah, she didn't expect enormous wealth. She just hoped that her lazy daughter would live a smooth life. A concubine is also a concubine. Isn't this heartbreaking
Su Xuan, "Mom, how did you know that?"
Zhulan pointed to the location of the palace and said, "I had a premonition after hearing what your father-in-law said. It came true today."
Su Xuan stared at her mother-in-law. To be honest, her mother-in-law didn't look like a child who grew up in the village at all. Even if it was her father-in-law who taught his wife behind the scenes, her mother-in-law was too talented and could see through the essence at a glance. She admired her mother-in-law from the bottom of her heart and learned a lot from her.
After returning home, Zhulan registered the gifts given by the Queen. These were items that were not registered and could be given privately, including fine tea and silk sent to the palace.
After leaving the government office, Zhulan didn't take entering the palace seriously. She just talked to Shuren about it and that was it. Shuren told her about it after he came back from playing chess with the emperor, so she was mentally prepared.
So what the Queen said today was not surprising. It was obvious that the Emperor had given the Queen a warning.
The fourth room was not at peace. Changzhi stopped reading after dinner and asked, "Is what you said true?"
Su Xuan rolled her eyes, "How could what my mother said be false?"
Chang Zhi, "The harem is a whirlpool. Yu Wen has really been plotted against. Our mansion has really become a thorn in the eyes of the aristocratic families in the capital."
Su Xuan was also very scared. "Who said it wasn't true? Daddy is half the prince's master. The emperor and the emperor value Daddy very much. Our mansion will face many calculations, and my daughter will be in greater danger."
If this really happened, the Shangguan family would have to break with the Marquis' Mansion. It was because their daughter really became a concubine, which threatened the position of the Crown Princess of the Shangguan family.
Changzhi lowered his voice and asked, "Do you think Dad discovered something, so he made a scene in the court?"
Su Xuan hesitated, "It's really possible."
If Zhou Shuren knew, he would definitely say that he had not thought so much. If the emperor had not asked him to play chess, he would not have suspected that the queen was thinking about his granddaughter. He thought he had expressed his attitude towards the royal family clearly enough!
Time passed quickly. In a blink of an eye, the autumn harvest was over, and the provincial examinations in various places also ended one after another, and everyone was waiting for the results.
This year Jiang Du took part in the provincial examination. After waiting for some time, many people in the capital went to see the list.
Mingrui accompanied Shangguan Liu to look at the list today, and of course Changzhong and the Fourth Prince were there to join in the fun.
The list came out, and Shangguan Liu ranked third. It was a good ranking, and Shangguan Liu was very satisfied. It was a few places higher than he thought. Seeing Mingrui still staring at the list, he smiled and said, "Why? Do you regret it?"
Mingrui, "I won't regret my decision, but I saw the name of Mr. Wen Liu."
Shangguan Liu was very concerned about the Wen family, since they were all related to the Crown Prince. "Sixth?"
Mingrui, "Well, let's go out, it's too crowded here."
Shangguan Liu looked at the rankings again. The first one was the eldest grandson of the Minister of Justice, the second one was not a familiar noble family, and the fourth and fifth ones were both acquaintances.