Time came to the end of the year, and the officials happily took their annual leave after receiving their reward money. However, Zhou Shuren gave the reward money to his youngest son before he could even warm it in his hands.
Zhu Lan stretched out her hand and said, "You are just thinking about your youngest son. You didn't even think about buying me a gift after receiving the reward."
Zhou Shuren took out a bracelet from his arms and said, "I saved up money to buy this."
Zhulan has a lot of jewelry, some of which she customized, and some of which she designed. All of them are exquisite. She only likes the one given by Shuren. "Is it beautiful?"
Zhou Shuren stared at his wife's wrist, which was plump and white. He didn't notice how beautiful her wrist was, but he could see that the bracelet set it off beautifully. "Yeah, it looks good."
Zhulan snorted, "You don't think so in your heart."
Zhou Shuren smiled and said, "You look good in anything you wear."
Zhulan took off the bracelet and put it away. "Hu Xia's family sent a letter yesterday. They will come to visit you tomorrow."
Zhou Shuren, "He came early this year."
Zhulan heard the second daughter-in-law say, "We are not planning to spend the New Year in the capital this year. We are planning to live in the manor for a while."
Zhou Shuren heard this and asked, "Is he hiding?"
Zhulan was happy, "That should be it."
This year, there have been major job changes in the Ministry of Industry, and many officials have come to Beijing. Those who are difficult to visit at ordinary times are now waiting to wish you a happy New Year!
Zhou Shuren felt a little hungry, "Let's eat first."
"Okay, today we have your favorite pork ribs and lotus root soup."
Zhou Shuren raised his eyebrows, "Then I'll drink one more bowl."
Zhulan smiled and said, "A lot of lotus roots were sent from the south, enough to last for a few days."
"That's great. Let's have a pot roast tomorrow. Do you have any butter at home?"
"Want a red soup pot with butter?"
Zhou Shuren was greedy, "Yeah."
The meals he ate at the Ministry of Revenue were all for health care. They were delicious, but the taste was a bit light. He was an old man with a strong taste, so he liked food with stronger flavors.
Seeing Shuren's eager look, Zhulan smiled and said, "Okay, I'll arrange it for you tomorrow."
The maid brought in the food and the two of them ate dinner. They were both slow eaters and could take more than half an hour to finish a meal.
The next day, Hu Xia arrived at the right time, fearing that if he arrived too early, the Marquis would not have woken up yet. When he arrived, the Marquis was drinking fruit tea, which smelled very fragrant.
Through the glass kettle, you can clearly see the dried fruits inside. It seems that Mrs. Hou knows how to enjoy life.
Zhou Shuren motioned Hu Xia to sit down, "You're welcome, pour the tea yourself."
Hu Xia felt satisfied. This was a sign that the Marquis did not treat him as an outsider. "It smells good."
Zhou Shuren also liked it, "I heard that you are going to Zhuangzi to celebrate the New Year?"
Hu Xia sighed, "You've protected me all these years, so I can succeed in the Ministry of Industry. Even if I can't do anything else, I can still avoid causing trouble for you."
He simply benefited from his nephew's influence, otherwise he would not have been able to join the Zhou Hou Mansion.
Zhou Shuren has always liked people who are clear-headed. Hu Xia is one of them, and so is Gu Zhuomin. "It's quiet to go to Zhuangzi."
Hu Xia knew that this was the right thing to do, "The people in the Ministry of Industry who had just arrived in Beijing had a lot on their minds."
Zhou Shuren didn't plan to continue asking. It wasn't worth his attention. "If you don't like it, just reply. You have nothing to be afraid of."
Hu Xia smiled and said, "Yes."
Zhou Shuren mentioned Liu Feng, "Liu Feng wrote back and he's doing fine."
We have found out what needs to be found out, and no action has been taken at the moment. The only trouble is that we know that he is the son-in-law of the granddaughter of the Marquis's mansion, and he has a lot of social engagements.
Hu Xia knew that it would be difficult for him to get promoted, and that his son would be able to rely on his nephew in the future, so he smiled and said, "This child has grown so much."
“It’s been honed over the past few years.”
Hu Xia sat for a while and then left. Coincidentally, just as he was about to get on the carriage, he met Chang Zhong coming back from outside.
Changzhong stepped forward, "Master Hu."
Hu Xia replied, "The young master just came back?"
"Yes, Master Hu, I have something to ask you."
Hu Xia was puzzled, "What do you want to ask, sir?"
Chang Zhong swallowed the words that came to his lips and said with a smile: "No need, I will go back and ask my father."
Hu Xia didn't think much about it, "There is nothing in the capital that the Marquis doesn't know."
Changzhong watched the Hu family's carriage leave, then turned around and walked back. Forget it, he found that Lu Jiaqing was checking people and just waited.
The servant knew a lot, "Master, do you want to ask about the An family?"
Changzhong, "You just know a lot."
"I am the young master's servant."
Changzhong glanced at the servant and the servant shut his mouth. Only then did Changzhong return to the main courtyard with satisfaction.
Zhou Shuren saw his son coming back after a while, "Who did you meet today?"
Changzhong sat back without any image, "Someone must have made an appointment with my son."
"The fourth prince?"
Changzhong shook his head, "Wu Shangheng made an appointment with my son and introduced him to several people."
Zhou Shuren asked casually. He put down the book after hearing this and asked, "Who did you recommend?"
Changzhong pointed to the south and said, "What a coincidence that the young masters of the noble families in the south are not traveling together. Their destination is the capital."
Zhou Shuren understood, "I came here to get information."
"Seeing is believing. My son counted on his fingers and calculated that someone was going to get into trouble."
Zhou Shuren picked up the book again and said, "Don't go out recently."
Changzhong really didn't plan to go out, "Dad, you should stay at home and teach your son recently."
"Do you still need my guidance?"
My son can just teach himself at this level.
Changzhong stood up and leaned against his father, "Son wants to spend more time with you."
Zhou Shuren moved his shoulders and said, "You don't even know how to feel sorry for your father. Hurry up and get off the pressure on your shoulders."
"Son, give you a shoulder massage."
"That's more like it."
When Zhou Laoda came in, he saw the loving father and filial son. Although he was not young anymore, he was still envious. "Dad, the letter from my third brother has arrived."
Zhou Shuren reached out and took it. The letter said that Dong's pregnancy was stable and that the maid who was sent there had helped a lot. She also expressed her apologies for not being able to spend the New Year with her parents.
Changzhong also came closer to read it, "It's not easy for Third Brother either."
Zhou Shuren put down the letter and asked, "Which of your brothers has it easy?"
Changzhong said, "Fourth brother."
Zhou Shuren, "Nonsense."
Each of the sons in the family has made contributions and efforts, and each has his own difficulties behind the scenes.
At the Prince Qin's Mansion, Xue Han took her youngest son back to stay for a while. She looked at him with a frown, which made Xiaer feel embarrassed.
Rong Chuan saw his youngest son's ears turn red, so he reached out and picked up his son, "Look, my son is embarrassed."
Xue Han then retracted his gaze and said, "Xia'er has gained a lot of weight. Uncle is worried about you."
Rongchuan thought about picking up the child, and his uncle looked at him eagerly, "Xia'er is your uncle's lifeblood."
Xue Han was grateful to her uncle for taking good care of Xiaer. "Would you like to invite your uncle to come over to celebrate the New Year this year?"
She was reluctant to send her son back.
Rong Chuan shook his head, "You forgot to enter the palace."
Xue Han felt sad. Now that her father the Emperor and her mother the Empress were gone, she no longer felt warm in the palace. She didn't like going to the palace unless it was necessary. This year's New Year's Eve dinner was not delicious!
Linxi and Ze'er walked in with a smile. Linxi warmed up the gift she brought back and handed it to her younger brother. "Sister and brother are going to get a gift for Xia'er. Does Xia'er like it?"
Xiaer's eyes were big, and her clear eyes were full of gifts. "I like it."