When Mingrui and the others came out, the servant of the Shangguan family had already returned home quickly to report the good news.
The fourth prince circled around Shangguan Liu and said, "I'll wait for you to enter high school next year."
Everyone likes to hear good words, and Shangguan Liu is no exception. "Thank you for your good words, Your Highness."
The Fourth Prince seldom left the palace in previous years, but he went out more often this year. Not only was it instructed by the Queen, but also by the Emperor. The Emperor thought that the Zhou family's sons were good, and he was happy for his son to interact with them than to be close to the Wen family. This was convenient for the Fourth Prince.
The fourth prince pointed at the stewards waiting on the side and asked, "Why are there so many stewards?"
Changzhong explained, "I'm here to see you."
Shangguan Liu continued, "Look for some students with potential so that we can choose husbands for our daughters."
The fourth prince found it novel and said, "Interesting."
Changzhong smiled and said, "Next year will be more interesting."
As they were talking, they had already arrived in front of the parked carriage. Coincidentally, it was right next to the Wen family's carriage. The Wen family had to leave first before the Zhou family's carriage could leave.
Young Master Wen Liu came back from greeting others and met Mingrui and others.
When Sixth Master Wen saw the Fourth Prince's eyes move slightly, he stepped forward to greet him, "Greetings, Fourth Prince."
The Fourth Prince was not close to his cousin from the Wen family, not only because his father disliked him, but also because he was the Crown Prince's legitimate younger brother and had to follow his elder brother. Moreover, he was a legitimate son and naturally disliked illegitimate sons. He said indifferently, "Congratulations."
Young Master Wen Liu heard the coldness in his tone, turned around and nodded to Shangguan Liu, and said casually: "I thought Young Master Zhou San would attend, what a pity."
Mingrui knew what it was a pity. It was a pity that they had never competed. After all, he was at the top of the list. Mingrui smiled and didn't answer.
Young Master Wen was embarrassed and unwilling at the same time. He had this attitude again. So what if he was outstanding? He was a bastard's son, and the only ones who truly respected him were the bastard's sons from other mansions. Even if their legitimate brothers were useless, the legitimate sons from other mansions would still try to please their legitimate brothers instead of him.
After Young Master Wen Liu left, Chang Zhong spoke up, "This guy is not someone you can easily get along with."
At Zhou's residence, Zhulan was meeting Ning Ming at home. Song came with her. Ning Ming thanked her, "Thank you, old lady, for bringing us together."
His marriage has been settled, and they are just waiting for the anniversary of the birth of the first month to get engaged, and the wedding will take place after the mourning period is over.
Zhulan smiled and said, "You two should just live in harmony and happiness in the future."
Ning Ming's ears turned slightly red. This time he liked his future wife. She had a gentle personality and was just like the wife he had imagined.
Song said, "Now that the marriage is done, the Yu family won't dare to make trouble. Ning Ming will have nothing to worry about and can study peacefully in the future."
After all, the Yu family dared to make trouble with the Ning family because Ning Ming's mother was from the Yu family. Out of consideration for Ning Ming, the Ning family would not go too far. But it was different for the Zhou family. Madam Zhou helped to make connections, and the Yu family dared not make trouble anymore. Not only did she help the Ning family, but she also chose a good marriage for Ning Ming.
Zhulan saw Song and Ning Ming off, and looked at the gifts in the hall. She had received quite a few gifts recently and made a fortune.
All the gifts were prepared by Ning Ming. Ning Ming's family was so poor that they only had money and treasures left, so the thank-you gifts were very generous, including antique ornaments.
The Zhou family has accumulated wealth very quickly over the years, not to mention that as a family with hundreds of years of history, they have no shortage of treasures.
Zhulan waited for the things to be put into the warehouse, and counted the days and said, "The transferee from the capital should be in Qizhou, right?"
Qingxue replied, "It should be the right time now."
Indeed, they had arrived at the Qizhou government office. Chang Lian was dazed as he sent people to rest. He looked at the official uniform that was sent along with his transfer and raised his hand to touch it. "Am I now the prefect of Ningzhou?"
The Qizhou prefect was jealous. He had worked hard for many years to get the prefect position. His transfer hadn't arrived yet, but Zhou Changlian's had arrived first. "Congratulations, now you and I are on the same level."
Chang Lian heard the sour taste and regained his sense of reality. The corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up, "Congratulations, congratulations."
The prefect of Qizhou asked, "I told you to take up your post quickly. Why are you leaving?"
Chang Lian pondered, "I have to hand over the work I'm doing, and I'll set off after that."
The Qizhou prefect couldn't help but say sourly, "Marquis Zhou is worried about you."
Chang Lian did not feel uncomfortable taking advantage of his father. Instead, he said happily: "Well, being my father's son is a blessing for me for several lifetimes."
Qizhou prefect, "... "
He shouldn't have mentioned it.
Chang Lian thanked his colleagues for their congratulations, ignored their jealous looks, and went home happily.
When Mrs. Dong heard the news, she asked, “I became the wife of the prefect?”
"Yeah, are you happy?"
"I'm so happy. Oh, if we keep going like this, we can get back to Beijing soon."
Beijing is still better, after all, it’s not home outside.
Chang Lian sighed, "It's a pity that I have to take up the post soon, otherwise I can go back to the capital. I haven't seen my parents for many years."
He missed home, and every time he did so he would think of the days when his father taught him and his mother's care.
Dong was tempted, "Should I go back and take a look?"
Chang Lian said with a wooden face, "No, if you leave, there will be no one to accompany me."
Dong was also worried about her husband being alone. What if he was plotted against? He had no concubines at home, and there were too many women throwing themselves at him, which was very annoying.
As the days passed, a letter from Jiang Du arrived home, saying that Jiang Du had passed the imperial examination, but his ranking was not high, ranking in the middle. The Jiang family now had two juren.
The house became lively again. When Jiang Du came back, Mu Lan was about to give birth.
The weather was getting colder. When Jiang Du returned to Beijing, snowflakes were already falling in the city. Jiang Du did not come back alone. Jiang Miao and his wife came back with their child. Mu Fan also passed the imperial examination and ranked higher than Jiang Du, entering the top ten.
Zhulan held Miu Miu's daughter in her arms and looked at her carefully. "Oh, this girl grew up in a place where her parents are outstanding. She will be a beauty in the future."
Jiang Miao smiled and said, "Grandma, don't be fooled by her. This girl is a naughty one."
The little girl was happy to hear her mother's voice and twisted her body vigorously. Zhulan couldn't hold her anymore and motioned Jiang Miao to take her over. "I have been thinking about you all the time. Now that I see you, I feel relieved."
Jiang Miao blinked his eyes, "With you and grandpa here, my life is good!"
"Okay, okay, as long as you understand."
Jiang Miao's family is well-connected. As long as Marquis Zhou is alive, the Jiang family will not dare to neglect her. Look, no one urges the birth of a daughter. She knows that without the protection of her grandfather, it will be too difficult for her husband to make it on his own.
Yudie said, "My cousin has been away from the capital for a long time. How about we go shopping tomorrow?"
Jiang Miao agreed, "Okay."
She had no shortage of money. Not only was her dowry generous, but her father would also give her paintings. When she returned to Beijing, she accepted two more paintings from her father. She kept them all and would share them with her children in the future.
In the front yard, Changzhong and Mingrui entertained Mu Fan. Changzhong said, "I'll take you around tomorrow."
Mu Fan understood that this was to introduce him to someone, "Thank you, little uncle."
Changzhong waved his hand, "It's my duty. Once you recognize all the people, no one will bump into you when you go out in the future. Of course, if someone bullies you, tell your uncle and he will help you vent your anger."
Mu Fan felt a warm feeling in his heart and wanted to laugh because his uncle was still young.
The next day, Yudie and the others went out, and Jiang Miao looked at the street and said, "It's really lively."
Yudie said, "Recently, many scholars have come to Beijing, and the rents of small courtyards in Beijing have increased several times. See, the place in front is where these scholars like to go."
Jiang Miao kept it in mind and went back to talk about it with her husband.