Zhou Laoer realized that he was distracted and said hurriedly, "Dad, Zhao's mother was sold in Pingzhou. I only know that she was bought by a family surnamed Yun. I have inquired twice but failed to find out. So I would like to ask Dad to help find out if there is a wealthy family surnamed Yun in Pingzhou City."
Zhou Shuren asked, "Just the last name?"
Zhou Laoer also knew that there was too little information, "Only the last name."
Zhou Shuren thought to himself that there were not many people with the surname Yun, and those who could afford servants must be wealthy. Although Pingzhou City was not small, the Zhao family was an old family in Pingzhou. There was nothing in Pingzhou City that the Zhao family didn't know about. If he asked Zhao Bo, he should be able to find out. "I've made a note of it. I'll ask someone to find out. You guys just wait for the news."
Zhao's heart was at ease, she knelt down and kowtowed gratefully, "Thank you, Dad."
Zhulan stood up quickly and supported Zhao, "It's rare that you've been thinking about your mother. Good boy, get up quickly!"
Zhulan knew that Zhao had something on her mind, but she didn't expect that she wanted to find her mother. She was deeply touched.
Zhou Shuren felt pain when he heard the sound of kowtow, and said to Zhou Laoer, "Hurry up and help Zhao go back. You don't need to thank us as a family."
Zhou Laoer also felt sorry for his wife, his forehead turned red, "Dad, Mom, let's go home first."
Zhu Lan urged, "Come back soon. By the way, roll some boiled eggs on your forehead to prevent it from getting swollen."
Looking at Zhao's appearance, she must have felt uncomfortable in her head because she kowtowed too hard. Fortunately, she was helped up quickly. If she had kowtowed three times, she would have gotten a concussion.
Zhao's nose blushed. She was grateful to her parents for not helping to find her mother because she had sold herself into a slave. She didn't know how much good fortune she must have accumulated in her previous life to be able to marry into the Zhou family.
Zhulan waited until the second son and his wife left, and then said, "Zhao has been married to our family for six years. I don't know if the Yun family who bought her is still in Pingzhou."
Zhou Shuren lay down lazily again, "The official may be promoted and transferred, but if he is not an official, he will not leave his hometown."
Zhulan prayed, "I hope the Yun family hasn't left."
Zhou Shuren took the book and turned to the page he saw last time. "Even in Pingzhou, it is unknown whether Zhao's mother is still in the Yun family. It is common for someone to die in a big courtyard. It is also common to sell off servants. I don't know if they have been resold. Don't hold out too much hope, lest you be disappointed."
Zhu Lan sighed, "And even if we find it, we don't know if the master is willing to release the contract."
The money saved by the second brother and Zhao might not be enough. No wonder Zhao spent all her free time embroidering screens after coming to Pingzhou. If she hadn't forbade her to stay up late at night embroidering, Zhao would have wanted to use all her time at night.
Zhulan couldn't help but sigh again: "Although Zhao's mother had a hard life, she had a daughter who cared about her, so her life was not in vain."
Zhou Shuren nodded, "It's indeed rare."
On the second day, Zhou Shuren visited Zhao Bo and asked Zhao Bo to find out the news. After that, Zhou Shuren was busy plotting against Dong's brother-in-law. Zhou Shuren did not plan to visit him in person, as he knew that if he took the initiative to visit, he would be considered inferior.
He could only start from other places. Jiang Ming's boss liked antiques, and Jiang Ming would cater to his tastes and would go to the antique shop from time to time. He was not allowed to go and stake out the antique shops, as there were too many antique shops in Pingzhou and he could not do it alone.
It was no good trying to get information because it would easily expose himself, so he had his own way. He calculated when Jiang Ming would be on vacation, then visited all the antique shops, selected a few of high quality, calculated the distance to Jiang's house, and then camped at the one closest to the house.
Why did he squat in the nearest place? It was all thanks to Zhulan's information. She learned from Mrs. Dong that Jiang Ming didn't like riding in a carriage. Every time he accompanied Mrs. Dong back to the county town, he rode a horse. In Pingzhou, Jiang Ming preferred to walk to the yamen.
He walked to the government office and also walked when he took a break. Zhou Shuren had a greater chance of blocking people if he squatted in the nearest store.
After Zhou Shuren worked for two days and made a plan for his stay, he asked Zhao Bo to inquire about the news and received a reply.
Zhao Bo personally delivered the letter, "Brother Zhou, sister-in-law, I have been busy at home recently. I am sorry that you did not come to visit me in person when you came to Pingzhou."
Zhulan heard from Zhou Shuren that one of Zhao Bo's clan grandfathers had retired and returned to his hometown to examine the younger generations. Zhao Bo was also taking part in this year's provincial examination, and it was a rare opportunity, so he had been busy preparing for it these days. Seeing Zhao Bo's happy face, it seemed that he had caught the clan grandfather's eye.
Zhou Shuren said, "Brother, I am ashamed of what you said. I knew you were busy, but you still asked me to find out. I think I am being rude."
Zhao Bo said indifferently: "It's not my effort to find out. I just asked. Brother Zhou is too polite."
Zhou Shuren invited Zhao Bo to take a seat. "Since you don't want me to be so polite, please don't mention it again. You look so radiant, it must be that your wish has come true. I would like to congratulate you."
Zhao Bo smiled and said, "Thank you, Brother Zhou."
This clan grandfather had been serving as an official in Jiangnan. He went to visit him when he traveled in Jiangnan, but unfortunately he did not catch the clan grandfather's eye. Unexpectedly, when the clan grandfather retired and returned to his hometown, he caught the grandfather's eye. It was a great joy for him.
Zhulan stood up and said, "You guys chat first, I'll go make a pot of tea."
Zhao Bo said politely, "Sorry to bother you, sister-in-law."
“It should be.”
Zhulan took out the best tea leaves to make tea, and when she brought the tea in she came out again. She could only wait until Zhao Bo left before asking Zhou Shuren.
Zhou Laoer came over and whispered, "Mom, is there any news?"
"Well, there is news. After the people leave, ask your father."
Zhou Laoer was happy for his wife, "I'll go tell Zhao."
Zhulan held Zhou Laoer and said, "Don't let Zhao get too high hopes. Don't let bad news come out. Zhao can't bear to have her hopes dashed."
Zhou Laoer's heart sank with joy, "Mom, I know."
Zhao Bo left after a short while. If it weren't for the need to make up for the visit and deliver the message, he would have no time to go out today.
Zhulan and Zhou Shuren saw the guests off to the door and returned to the backyard. Zhou Laoer and Zhao were already waiting in front of the main door.
Zhou Shuren said, "Come in."
When Zhao heard her father-in-law's tone, her heart skipped a beat and she couldn't help but grab the head of the family's arm.
Zhou Lao Er patted Zhao's hand and said, "Go in."
Zhao bit her lower lip, took a deep breath, and then walked in.
When Zhou Shuren saw the second brother and his wife coming in, he didn't need to ask. He motioned for them to sit down and said, "One good news and one bad news. The good news is that there is indeed a Yun family in Pingzhou, but they failed in business two years ago and were swallowed up. Now they are down and out and have left Pingzhou to live with their relatives."
Zhou Lao Er interrupted and asked, "Dad, where's the good news?"
Zhou Shuren looked at his second son with dissatisfaction in his eyes. The boy was still a little impatient. When Zhou Laoer saw his father looking at him, he shrank his neck.
Zhulan pulled Zhou Shuren down. She was also waiting for news. Why didn't this man speak quickly and even had time to glare at his son
When Zhou Laoer saw his mother's actions, he thought to himself, look, mom scolded dad, but dad still looked so friendly. Well, in his father's mind, his son is just a debt collector.
Zhou Shuren knew that Zhulan was also worried, so he retracted his gaze and continued, "Good news, the Yun family is kind and righteous, and released all the servants' indentures. Zhao Bo and I specifically talked about your mother-in-law's situation and found the servants of the Yun family at that time. Your mother-in-law did not enter the Yun Mansion as a servant. She entered the Yun Mansion four years ago, and she was the wife of the housekeeper."
Bamboo orchid, "... ... ... "
My mother-in-law is so powerful. She should have sold herself into a slave, but she turned out to be the housekeeper's wife. There seems to be a big story behind this!