Zhou Shuren put down the household registration in his hand and stood up. He took the teapot and poured himself a cup. He looked up at Lord Wang who took two steps back and said, "Ah, you talk, I'm listening."
Lord Wang laughed dryly and said, "At noon, please come to the restaurant for a drink."
Zhou Shuren knew that Lord Wang was a generous man, but he would not be generous without reason. "Do you want to ask me for something?"
Lord Wang coughed and said, "I am not the one asking you for help. I am also entrusted by someone else."
Zhou Shuren put down his teacup. There were not many people in the government office who could invite Lord Wang. He thought about it and figured it out. "It turned out to be Lord Wang."
Lord Wang was surprised, "How did you guess that, sir?"
Zhou Shuren said, "The person who has been closest to you recently is Lord Wang."
Lord Wang smiled and said, "Since you have guessed it, please come and visit us when the time comes."
Zhou Shuren saw Wang Ju was about to run away, "Don't leave in a hurry. Now that you are here, you can take a look at the store archives on the table. Write down the questions and give them to me in the afternoon."
Lord Wang glanced at the thick store archives, his fingertips trembling. There were so many, could he finish reading them? And he had to write questions!
Zhou Shuren waved his hand, "No thanks."
Lord Wang walked out of the door trembling with fear, holding the archive file in his arms. His heart was bleeding, and he felt that he had lost out by getting a copy of the ancient book!
Zhoujia Village, Rongchuan's carriage arrived at Zhoujia Village, and followed the villagers' road to his eldest sister's house.
Shen Xing and the servants all dismounted, and Shen Xing said, "Master, we're here."
Rong Chuan straightened his clothes and got off the carriage. Standing at the door, he looked at the nearby streets. "After a few years, Zhoujia Village hasn't changed much."
Shen Xing had looked around the village since he entered it. This was the adults' hometown. "Sir, it's snowing. Let's go into the yard."
Rongchuan nodded and looked at the villagers following behind the carriage, feeling very complicated. A few years ago, he was the man who everyone avoided because his mother had died at any time. Now he was sitting in a carriage, with not only five servants who knew martial arts, but also an uncle's personal bodyguard, two servants and a coachman following him. The scene was just like the travel of a young master from a noble family.
Xuemei had already left the yard. She was delighted to see Rongchuan. "When I received the letter, I thought it would take a few days to arrive. I didn't expect you to arrive today."
Rong Chuan walked forward quickly, "I was afraid that the bad weather would delay my journey, so I rushed to get here early. Sister Xuemei, please come inside, it's cold outside."
Xuemei hurried out and it was indeed a bit cold. "Let's go back to the house."
Rong Chuan said to Xia Mo: "Move the things in the car into the house."
Then he asked his sister who was walking back, "Sister Xuemei, which rooms are empty?"
Xuemei was secretly thankful that she had built a lot of extra rooms when she was building the house. She pointed to the left and said, "The five rooms on this side are all unoccupied. You can arrange them. Once they are cleaned up and a fire is lit, you can live in them. Yes, your room is on the right, next door is Jiang Du."
Rongchuan smiled and said that five rooms were enough. Shenxing could have one room and they could divide the rest among themselves.
After returning to the house, Rongchuan said to Shenxing: "We are home now. Don't be nervous. We are all very tired. Let's light the fire and take a rest."
Shen Xing nodded, "Okay."
After Shen Xing went out, the things Rong Chuan brought back were moved into the hall. Qi Mo and another servant went out to pack the luggage and tidy up the house.
Xuemei pointed at the four boxes on the ground and asked, "Are they all for me?"
Rong Chuan stood up and opened two larger boxes. "These two are what Auntie prepared for my eldest sister."
Xuemei stood up and looked. One box contained cloth and small clothes, and the other box contained food. They were all wrapped, but she knew what the smell was. Her mother often sent her shrimps, dried fish and other food.
Rongchuan opened another box, "This is what the brothers and Xuehan prepared for me."
Xuemei took a look and saw that most of them were for the children, and some were for Jiang Sheng. She took out a box and opened it. There was a gold bracelet inside. "What is this?"
Rong Chuan smiled and said, "This was prepared by my fourth sister-in-law."
Xuemei touched a pair of solid gold bracelets and thought that the county princess's brother-in-law was so generous.
Rong Chuan continued, "The last box includes some for the clan members, some for Brother Wu Ming, and some for the Dong and Li families. I will deliver them tomorrow."
Xuemei saw Rongchuan looked tired and said, "Go to Jiang Du's room and rest for a while. I'll call you when your brother-in-law comes back."
Rongchuan was in poor health and had been taking care of himself for several years. He had been exercising to keep himself in good health. Although he was in good health, he couldn't stand the continuous running around. "Then I'll go and rest first."
Xuemei: "Go ahead."
Rongchuan's return caused quite a stir in Zhoujia Village. The poor kid who had no food to eat back then has now become a rich young man. Everyone spread the word about his return, dancing and gesticulating.
At noon, Zhou Shuren and Lord Wang arrived at Jinzhou Restaurant together, but Lord Wang had arrived earlier.
Zhou Shuren sat down and looked at the young man next to Lord Wang, who looked to be about sixteen or seventeen years old. He was obviously very nervous, but he was able to hold on.
Lord Wang smiled and said, "The food and drinks have been ordered and will be served soon."
Lord Wang stroked his beard and said, "We are not strangers, no need to be so polite. Old Wang, you take a seat too."
Zhou Shuren glanced at Wang Ju, and the words "not an outsider" became more interesting. "Old Wang, please sit down."
Lord Wang's mouth twitched. He had a name. These two people were either Lord Wang or Old Wang. Forget it. If he got angry with two foxes, he would be the one to die of anger.
Lord Wang smiled and said, "Shu Ren, this is He Shu, who is taking the Tongsheng exam this year."
Zhou Shuren sneered, "Old Wang didn't even rush to introduce us, but you spoke first. I think you have ulterior motives."
He didn't forget that the Wang family's concubine's daughter hadn't found a successor yet!
Lord Wang had a wooden face, knowing that he could not deceive this fox, "I believe in my own judgment."
Lord Wang gritted his teeth. Pah, he said, why did Wang Ju agree to help so readily? She even had her eyes on He Shu. This was the only promising grandson of my mentor. He couldn't be harmed by the concubine of the Wang family. "Haha."
Zhou Shuren smiled. Lord Wang's sneer was directed at Wang Ju. However, Wang Ju had high standards, otherwise the concubine of the Wang family would have dumped her long ago. "Your name is He Shu? How old are you this year? Where are you from in Jinzhou?"
I am still in Jinzhou City and my native place is Jinzhou.
He Shu listened to the adults talking and laughing, and felt more relaxed. He was no longer nervous and said in a steady voice, "I am seventeen years old this year, and I am from Luo County, Jinzhou."
Zhou Shuren nodded, then drank his tea and stopped asking questions.
Lord Wang looked at He Shu. Well, he wanted to accept He Shu as his own, but his mentor had given him a new life, so he naturally had to make the best plans for He Shu. Lord Zhou was the best master in the whole Jinzhou. He didn't come here with much hope, but just wanted to give it a try. If it worked, it would be a lifetime fortune, and if it didn't, at least he had tried.
Wang Ju had the same idea. After testing He Shu, he thought he was a good candidate for son-in-law, so he gave him a push. It turned out to be a pleasant surprise. If it didn't work out, there was no loss. At worst, he could just accept him.
Lord Wang was very upset. Lord Zhou must have guessed his purpose, but Lord Zhou did not talk about it, which made his intention clear. "Lord Zhou."
Zhou Shuren raised his hand, "The food and wine are here."
As soon as he finished speaking, the waiter knocked on the door with wine and food.
The courage that Lord Wang had finally mustered was gone, and it became difficult for him to speak again.