Zhulan adapted very well. It was great that she didn't have to greet people politely. The pain of losing three houses was much less. Zhulan felt happy when she was called aunt. She was just an ordinary person. Last time, Mrs. Jiang was indeed kind, but she couldn't hide her condescending attitude. Finally, they were on the same level!
Zhulan smiled, "Together."
Mrs. Jiang Dong was all smiles. After everyone was seated, Mrs. Jiang Dong's eyes fell on Xue Han. Her sister's sister-in-law was indeed pretty, but it was a pity that she was engaged. "This must be sister Xue Han, I have always heard Chu Chu talk about you. I was sorry that I didn't get to meet you last time. Today I finally get to see you in person."
Xue Han was a little nervous. She calmed down and replied, "Xue Han has met the eldest sister of the Dong family."
Her sister-in-law's elder sister called her "sister", and affectionately called her "aunt". She couldn't call her "Mrs. Jiang" either, even though her elder sister was not young anymore, but calling her "sister" was more intimate.
Mrs. Jiang raised her eyebrows. The little girl was young but very smart. No wonder her sister liked her. "Get up quickly."
Xue Han stood up with a smile on her face. She was happy that she had not brought shame to her mother, but she did not show it on her face.
Mrs. Jiang Dong saw that Zhou Xuehan was very graceful and calm, and she looked comfortable. Moreover, her luggage posture was more standard than her daughter's. Her daughter was born into a family of officials and was well-educated since childhood. How long has the Zhou family been established
Mrs. Jiang's eyes fell on Mrs. Yang. This woman didn't look like an old lady from the countryside. It was true that a mother would raise her child like she did. Mrs. Jiang sighed again, feeling it was a pity that Zhou Xuehan was engaged. If she wasn't engaged, she would have been able to marry into a better family.
Mrs. Jiang's daughter and son came in. Mrs. Jiang was delighted to see her own children and said, "Come and meet Grandma Zhou."
Zhulan, “… … ..”
She actually took really good care of herself!
Zhulan had already prepared gifts. Jiang Dong gave birth to a son and a daughter. Both children were not very old, the son was only seven years old and the daughter was only five years old. Zhulan's gift for the boy was a jade pendant and for the girl a forehead pendant.
The only boy in the Jiang family is very steady, while the little girl is a little delicate and naive.
After the greetings, Xue Han took the little girl Jiang Mulan out, while the seven-year-old boy Jiang Muchen went to the front yard.
Mrs. Jiang Dong waited for the children to leave and said, "I thought I could get closer to my aunt, but who would have thought that we would be separated again after today."
Zhulan smiled and said, "We'll meet again in the future."
She was still thinking about her free house, so they had to return to Beijing.
Mrs. Jiang Dong smiled but had no hope in her heart. Although her husband didn't say much, she did understand everything. Lizhou City was not a good place and it would be difficult to return to Beijing!
Zhulan and Mrs. Jiang talked a lot today. This time, Mrs. Jiang made all the suggestions and Zhulan just had to cooperate. The women talked about materials, children, and jewelry.
After having dinner at Jiang’s house, Zhulan and her family returned home.
Zhulan and Zhou Shuren took Xuehan to a carriage. Zhulan asked, "Are we going tomorrow?"
Zhou Shuren nodded, "Yes, I'll take Chang Lian there tomorrow."
Zhulan said: "That's good."
On the second day, Zhou Shuren took Chang Lian to meet Jiang Ming and went to his master's house. Jiang Ming's master was a juren, Juren Meng.
Zhou Shuren and Chang Lian came back in the afternoon. Zhulan asked, "How was it?"
Zhou Shuren has said a lot today. "Let me drink some water first."
Zhou Shuren drank several glasses of water, and his throat felt much better. "If Jiang Ming hadn't introduced me today, Mr. Meng wouldn't have accepted Chang Lian."
Zhu Lan was not surprised. Chang Lian had indeed become impatient because Zhou Shuren's status had changed so much in the past few days. "And then?"
Zhou Shuren said: "I asked Chang Lian many questions before accepting him."
It was really reluctant, and it was only for Jiang Ming's face that he realized that Mr. Meng taught Jiang Ming not because he valued Jiang Ming, but because Jiang Ming's father had done a favor to Mr. Meng. Today's favor was counted on him, and he would have to pay it back in the future. Being a father is really tiring, and he has to bear the favor for his son!
Zhulan asked, "What about you?"
Zhou Shuren coughed, "I didn't hide it from Jiang Ming. I tested Mr. Meng first. Mr. Meng is indeed capable. Then I told Mr. Meng why I came in front of Jiang Ming, and we talked alone for a while. It took me a lot of effort to convince him."
"What did you promise him?"
Zhou Shuren knew that he couldn't hide it from Zhulan, "Mr. Meng's request is very simple. If he helps me for ten years, I will accept his son as my apprentice."
Zhulan: "... No, Mr. Meng is so talented, why doesn't he teach his son himself?"
Zhou Shuren, "It's simple. Mr. Meng's not being an official doesn't mean he doesn't want his sons and grandsons to be officials. No matter how talented he is, there are still some things he can't teach his son. And with the relationship with the Jiang family, I am a perfect master."
Zhulan was about to reply to Zhou Shuren when Zhou Laoda knocked on the door, "Dad, this is a letter from the Marquis' Mansion."