The emperor clenched his fists. It is difficult to catch the tail, so he must hold it tightly this time.
The prince lowered his head and looked at the memorial, not daring to look up. It was the first time in his life that he saw his father express his emotions. He felt cold all over when he saw his father's anger just now. He was exposed to more and more things, and his father gave him more things to do. He realized that there were too many things he couldn't see. The more he was exposed to, the broader his horizons became. Sometimes he thought that he had put too much energy on his younger brothers in the past.
The prince marked the memorial with a pen and picked up another one. He was the prince. As long as his father recognized him, his position would be stable. And at the moment, it seemed that his position was really stable. The sight of him looking at the memorial was proof of that.
The next morning, Zhulan prepared gifts for returning home, and after breakfast, she sent the county lord and Changzhi away. Because the county lord had no parents, she only had one cousin in Jinzhou, Lady Wang's family.
This is also because Zhou Shuren recognized Lord Wang. According to Zhou Shuren, Lord Wang has always cooperated with him in official duties and made up for all the gaps. He is a rare person who gets along well with him.
Zhulan took Li out to the jewelry store to pick up some jewelry. Zhulan had squeezed out a lot of gold jewelry, and they were all outdated, so she melted them all down and had them remade. Li also sent some along.
Zhulan didn't buy the gold jewelry for herself. She made a set of gold head ornaments to give as dowries to her daughter and granddaughter. She kept the style confidential when choosing it so that it could be passed down from generation to generation.
The design that Zhulan ordered is very demanding of her craft. It took almost two months and was only completed today. It should be delivered to your house. Zhulan thought that she hadn't been out for a long time, so she came to the shop.
The shopkeeper said respectfully, "It's all here."
Zhulan picked up the hairpin, but she didn't dare to make any big movements. The petals on it trembled, and she was afraid that the petals would fall off if she moved. It was too thin.
Li stared, "It's so beautiful, just like a real flower."
The shopkeeper was very proud, "The craftsmen in our jewelry store can't be said to be the best, but they are among the best."
Li nodded in agreement, "It's really amazing."
Zhulan shook her hairpin and felt it was magical. Many of these pure handmade crafts have been lost in modern times. There was also a butterfly-like hairpin, which Zhulan had an urge to collect.
Li's jewelry is also good. Li made it for Yu Lu. It was not a dowry, but something Yu Lu is wearing now.
Zhulan checked them one by one, then glanced at the cabinet where the jewelry was placed, and resisted the urge to look away. She was really itching to get her hands on new styles. Zhulan thought about the household expenses, as half of the family assets were gone when the fourth brother got married. She had better bear it and wait for the money to come into the account.
The shopkeeper was very happy. Mr. Zhou's wife had very high standards and the styles she chose were difficult to choose. This transaction brought him a lot of money.
Zhulan paid the money and saw Li looking at the jewelry, "Do you want to buy it?"
Li nodded, "I want to buy a pearl bracelet for Yu Lu."
She only has this one daughter, and she doesn't want her daughter to have what Yushuang has. She didn't care before, but now that the family has some money, she doesn't want her daughter to have less than Yushuang from the second wife. Her daughter is so sensible, she never envy others, and never makes demands, which makes her, as a mother, feel heartbroken.
The first wife didn't have as much money as the second wife, and they had always been tight on money, but she was willing to let her daughter suffer. Now that Zhao had bought something for Yu Shuang, she would also give something for her daughter.
Zhulan looked at Li. Her thoughts were too easy to guess. Zhulan sat back in her chair and waited. She liked both granddaughters. In fact, in terms of personality, she was more optimistic about Yu Lu's future because Yu Lu was a girl with good character, contented, good attitude and broad mind.
Although Yu Lu doesn't say anything most of the time, she is a very clear-headed person. The most difficult thing for a person is to live clearly and know what he wants.
On the other hand, Yu Shuang, not to mention her appearance, is a thoughtful person who worries too much and is a little too strong-willed. She lives a tiring life and is destined to bear too much in the future.
Li carefully selected the pearl bracelet. The pearls were not big and it cost a lot of money. Li felt painful, but thinking about seeing the surprise in her daughter's eyes, Li felt that the pain was worth it.
Zhulan and Li went downstairs when someone came up from downstairs and bumped into Li. The woman who bumped into Li hurriedly apologized.
Li waved her hand, "I'm too fat, it has nothing to do with you."
The woman was stunned for a moment and then smiled.
Zhulan and Li got on the carriage. Zhulan frowned and said, "The handkerchief in your sleeve is not yours."
Li's handkerchiefs have always been darker in color, and this one is very light in color.
Li cried out, took out the handkerchief and was stunned, "Mom, why are there words on the handkerchief?"
It was indeed not her handkerchief. Li then became nervous. Fortunately, her handkerchiefs were never embroidered with flowers or other symbolic things. Li was embarrassed again. What was she thinking? Just based on her looks, no one would plot against her.
Li thought silently that she looked really safe.
Zhulan took the handkerchief and squinted her eyes. The woman just now deliberately bumped into Li. She took the handkerchief and looked at the words on it, then put it away.
Li asked, "Mom, aren't we going back to look for someone?"
Zhu Lan waved her hand, "No need. By the way, just pretend you don't know what happened today."
Li covered her mouth with her fat hands. She realized that the situation was a bit serious. However, her mother looked somewhat relaxed. Li thought that this must be a good thing. Forget it. She should just stay calm and be the eldest wife of the Zhou family.
After returning to the mansion, Zhulan asked Mrs. Song to put away all the jewelry. The masters of the main courtyard were only Zhulan and Zhou Shuren, and Changzhong was too young to be counted for the time being.
There are many vacant rooms in the main courtyard, and probably only a few are occupied. Zhulan used them as warehouses, and the dowries of the eldest and youngest daughters were kept separately.
In just a few years, Zhulan has accumulated a lot of things, and now she is accumulating more and more. Next time she moves, it will definitely be a grand move.
In the room, Zhulan took out her handkerchief and put it away in front of Mrs. Song. There was nothing to hide from Mrs. Song.
Mrs. Song laughed in her heart. The mistress and Lord Zhou were so alike. She knew in her heart that the mistress would sometimes send her away to chat with Lord Zhou privately. She also knew that the couple would chat at night, but she knew it but didn't keep an eye on them.
She knew in her heart that she had entered the Zhou residence and was a member of the Zhou residence. She knew what she should and should not say.
Zhulan put the handkerchief away, thinking that there were too many things in the warehouse, and wondered whether she should send some of them to the house in the capital. The people in the house in the capital are people rewarded by the emperor, so their safety can be guaranteed, and there is no need to worry about things being lost. The leather and other things that need maintenance can be left behind, and things like wood can be sent there first.
At night, Zhou Shuren came back and Zhulan took out a handkerchief, "I'm asking for help."