Shi Qing left early the next morning. For the Zhou family, Shi Qing's departure had no impact. The children still went to the academy to study every day, and each family was still busy with their own little home.
Zhulan only sighed for one day and then let it go. Everyone has their own path to follow and their own life to continue.
On the second day after Shi Qing left, the only important event was that Lord Lin's case was closed. Those who deserved to be beheaded were beheaded, and those who deserved to be exiled were exiled.
The capital city was filled with the smell of blood, and the same was true for Jinzhou. Many of those left in Jinzhou’s prison cells were beheaded as a public display.
Zhulan was worried about Zhou Shuren, but in the end, Zhou Shuren was fine. You know, Zhou Shuren personally watched the execution. Finally, she couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you afraid?"
It wasn't just one or two people who were killed, it was beheading!
Zhou Shuren held Zhulan's hand and said, "I've seen so much, and my heart has become hardened. I'm no longer the same person I was when I first came here."
Although he felt a little uncomfortable, he didn't feel that bad after one night. He didn't even have a nightmare, which surprised himself. Later he thought that this road to power was destined to be a bloody road, and he had already prepared himself mentally.
Zhulan felt sorry for Zhou Shuren. She had relied on Zhou Shuren all along. In the ancient times when men and women were the most unequal, she could not help much. "I didn't help much. Thank you for your hard work."
Zhou Shuren saw Zhulan was disappointed and kissed her hair. "You have helped me a lot. With a stable backyard, I can work hard outside without any worries. Your contribution is not small."
Zhu Lan felt better. Thinking of the news she got this morning, she leaned on Zhou Shuren's shoulder and said, "I didn't expect Miss Lin to commit suicide at the wedding banquet."
She thought that Miss Lin would occupy the position of concubine and always annoy the Fifth Prince.
Zhou Shuren said: "Someone must have pointed it out."
Zhu Lan was stunned, "Who could it be?"
Zhou Shuren shook his head, "Except for the princes, there is no one else. Miss Lin committed suicide at the wedding banquet, and it will be difficult to find a wife for the fifth prince."
Zhulan sighed, "There's calculation everywhere."
Another connection was sacrificed on the road to imperial power.
Zhou Shuren hugged Zhulan and said, "Go to sleep. These are not things we should worry about."
Zhulan closed her eyes, then suddenly opened them again, "Yes, I almost forgot, Xuemei's letter arrived today, and we are going to be grandparents again."
Zhou Shuren's mouth twitched, "Xuemei already has four children."
Zhulan rubbed her forehead and said, "Yes, if we continue to have children at this rate, seven or eight is not enough."
She had implicitly told her daughter that having children continuously was not good, but she still got pregnant.
Zhou Shuren was silent for a long time, "Let me just say it in a cryptic way. This time we have five babies, that's enough."
Zhulan: "Yeah."
In the capital, at the Fifth Prince's residence, all the red decorations have been removed. Outside the study, the sound of smashing and throwing things can be heard. The guards and maids shrink their necks, fearing that the emperor's anger will be vented on them.
Zhang Jinghong's eyes were red, a wedding for a prosperous marriage was a joke in the first place, marrying a concubine was not grand, but he could not help but watch the fun. There were so many people here today, he was ready to be laughed at, but he did not expect that before he could kill Miss Lin, Miss Lin actually dared to commit suicide.
At the Second Prince's mansion, the Second Prince was confused. He had clearly told Miss Lin that she was alive and that he would protect her so that he could use her in the future. So why did she commit suicide
The third prince looked at the information he had found out and didn't expect that the second prince had sent people to contact Miss Lin. The second prince made a good move, and the fifth prince's marriage would be difficult.
The Fourth Prince was in a good mood as he drank his wine. He didn't care who did it. He had learned to be patient in the last game. If someone couldn't stand it and took action, there was no need to dirty his own hands.
At the Crown Prince's Mansion, the Crown Prince was speechless. No one would believe him if he told them. Was it him who did this, or was it his father who instructed him to do this? The second son took the blame!
Time flies, and it is the end of the year in a blink of an eye. People are forgetful. Because of the beheading incident in Jinzhou a few days ago, few people went out. Now the streets are bustling again, with lights and decorations everywhere.
Zhulan's foot was completely healed. She hadn't left the house for a long time, so she took Xuehan and Wu Ning out for a walk.
Zhulan walked slowly, while the two little girls walked faster, followed by maids and old women who looked at each stall.
Zhulan looked at Wu Ning. It had been a while since Shi Qing left, and Wu Ning really didn't seem to care anymore. The smile on her face couldn't lie. Zhulan was in a good mood. This was good. She would find a suitable family for Wu Ning in the future. This girl was suitable for a stable life.
Xue Han waved her hand, "Mom, hurry up."
Zhulan quickened her pace and walked over. Jinzhou City was indeed the closest city to the capital. The streets were bustling and close to Pinggang. Zhulan also saw some foreigners.
Zhulan just took a look and quickened her pace to catch up with the two girls.
There was a cry of surprise in front of him, a cry that was too familiar in this life, Wu Ning's voice, and then there was Xue Han's voice, Xue Han shouted, "Liu Jin, catch him quickly."
Zhulan quickened her pace and walked over. She saw the maid and the old woman protecting Xuehan and Wu Ning. Zhulan asked anxiously, "What happened?"
Xue Han said, "Mom, someone stole Wu Ning's purse. I've asked Liu Jin to chase after him."
Zhulan breathed a sigh of relief. It was just a robbery. Fortunately, nothing serious happened. "Now that it's the New Year, there are many people, and there are many thieves who rob people."
Wu Ning apologized, "Aunt, it was all my fault."
Zhu Lan comforted the frightened Wu Ning, "It's not your fault. The way you were dressed has long attracted the attention of thieves."
Moreover, the servants followed Xue Han all the time, so Wu Ning was robbed of his money so easily.
This cannot be blamed on the servants. Xue Han is the young lady of the Zhou family, so the servants’ first reaction is naturally to their own young lady.
Soon, Liu Jin came back, followed by a young master. Liu Jin said, "Madam, when I caught up with him, this young master had already caught the thief."
Zhu Lan said, "Thank you for your help, sir."
He Shu hurriedly said, "Madam, you are too polite. Anyone would help."
As he said this, he took out the purse in his hand.
Zhu Lan motioned Liu Jin to take it. He Shu said embarrassedly, "I didn't come here for any other reason. I just wanted to confirm if it was the owner. Well, I have something else to do and I'll leave first."
Before Zhulan could finish her words, the young man in front of her quickly left. Zhulan nodded to Mrs. Song beside her. Mrs. Song took two steps back and was soon followed by the servants behind her.
Because something unexpected happened, the shopping trip ended.
Back in the carriage, Xue Han said to Wu Ning, "Quickly check if anything is missing?"
Wu Ning hurriedly opened his purse, and found that not a penny was missing from the purse. "The silver is all there."
Xue Han was relieved, "It's good that it's not lost."
Wu Ning clenched her purse tightly, luckily it was not lost. There was a lot of silver in the purse. If it was really lost, she would be very sad.
After returning to the mansion, Zhulan signaled the two maids to go back and rest. After waiting for a while, the servant who had gone with them came back. Zhulan asked, "Did you find out anything?"