The next day, the Ministry of Households all knew that Zhou's eldest granddaughter was engaged. The engagement was successful, and everyone congratulated Hu Xia.
Qiu Yan didn't believe the news at first, and even asked Zhou Shuren in person if it was true. He had a lot of doubts in his heart, but then he thought it was not good to interrupt and ask. Seeing Zhou Shuren in a good mood today, he smiled and asked, "Have you set a date for the wedding?"
Zhou Shuren was beaming with joy, feeling relieved and in a good mood. "My granddaughter is still young, so let's get her engaged first. The wedding date will be when she passes the imperial examination."
Qiu Yan thought of Hu Xia's nephew, who was not very old and was just focusing on the imperial examination. "Congratulations."
Zhou Shuren accepted it and smiled: "Thank you."
About an hour later, Zhou Shuren and Qiu Yan met Zhang Jinghong in the Shangshu's room. Zhang Jinghong's face was white and his hair was pale. He still looked seriously ill. He coughed every time he stood up to greet others, as if he was going to fall down at any time.
Xiao Qing looked at the toothache and said, "Hurry up and sit down. You said you haven't recovered yet, why did you come to the Ministry of Revenue to report?"
Zhang Jinghong smiled bitterly in his heart. He was no longer a prince, and he didn't know if it was because he always followed the Second Prince, but the Second Prince actually had some good feelings towards him. He even went to see him at the house he moved to these days.
Of course, he was also given news that when the Second Prince went to see Zhang Yang, Zhang Yang hated him, and he could not lie down anymore. He could not expect the Crown Prince or the Second Prince to take care of him more because it was unrealistic.
The only one he can rely on is himself. If he can't lie down for a few days, he has to get up and report to the Ministry of Revenue. As long as he reports, he has the protection of his official status.
Zhang Jinghong coughed while holding a handkerchief. "I am much better now. The Ministry of Revenue is busy every winter, and I can't lie down, so I came here today."
Xiao Qing rolled his eyes in his heart. He didn't believe this nonsense. His news told him that Zhang Jinghong would have to lie down for at least one or two months. It had only been a few days. He calculated that he had only been lying down for eight days. "I know what you mean. You should go back and recuperate first. Then return to the Ministry of Revenue after you recover."
Zhou Shuren stroked his beard. He saw Zhang Jinghong's anxiety. Lord Xiao must have seen it as well, but Lord Xiao didn't want to cause trouble for the Ministry of Revenue at this busy time. Lord Xiao would not be polite to Zhang Jinghong, who was not a prince.
Zhang Jinghong was not too disappointed. At least he reported in today. He covered his wound and said, "Thank you for your sympathy, sir. I will take my leave now."
Xiao Qing hummed, "Let's go back."
Zhou Shuren weighed the matter in his mind, thought of Zhang Yang, and curled the corners of his mouth. Because Zhang Jinghong walked slowly, Zhou Shuren quickly caught up with him.
Zhang Jinghong was really surprised. "Sir, what do you want from me?"
Zhou Shuren sighed that Zhang Jinghong's identity change was so natural. With this naturalness and the ability to survive well, he is a character. "The current Fifth Prince is not friendly to you."
Zhang Jinghong was a little dumbfounded, his mind was a little blank, he didn't understand why Lord Zhou said this to him, he said calmly: "Isn't this normal, I took the seat."
Of course, the current one is also fake. He is not afraid that Zhang Yang will be unfriendly to him, or that he will hold a grudge against him. Zhang Yang is now an important chess piece of the emperor. Even if it is fake, it is still real in the eyes of everyone. If someone really does something secretly to Zhang Yang, he will have no power in his hands now. This is what he is afraid of.
Zhou Shuren saw that there were not many people around, "The fifth prince has already learned the rules and regulations, and will move into the prince's mansion in the next few days."
Zhang Jinghong was still a little confused. Lord Zhou seemed to know too much. He didn't even know the exact time when Zhang Yang would move. "Sir, what do you want to tell me?"
Zhou Shuren said quietly, "I like you and I also value your talent. The Fifth Prince will not be returning to the Imperial Academy in the future, so this person will be free. It is not enough for a prince who grew up outside the palace to just learn the rules, don't you think?"
Zhang Jinghong grew up in the palace, with his mouth twitching. Although he was a prince and had learned a lot, it seemed like a nightmare to him when he recalled it now.
Zhou Shuren continued, "I have also seen this fifth prince, and I think he is still too naive. Do you agree with me?"
Zhang Jinghong was sure that Zhang Yang must have offended Lord Zhou. At the same time, he was happy because he knew how to hold Zhang Yang back. He had to find some good officials for the Prince's Mansion. "Your Excellency is right."
Zhou Shuren said meaningfully, "It's almost winter. It's not suitable to go out much in winter, especially if you are seriously injured. It's better to take good care of yourself at a young age, so as not to suffer when you are old. Whether you can stay at home and recover from your injuries in winter depends on you."
Zhang Jinghong: "... Thank you for your kindness, sir."
Although he was clearly being used as a knife, he was sincerely grateful to Lord Zhou, who at least helped him solve the problem. Who wouldn't want to recover from his injuries? He was a person who valued his life.
Zhou Shuren was very satisfied watching Zhang Jinghong walk out of the Ministry of Revenue. He originally wanted to find someone by himself. He followed the prince around and gained a lot. He got to know many people. Of course, he knew why he dared to do so. The emperor liked Zhang Yang and honest people the most. Especially after Zhang Yang shamelessly mentioned his granddaughter this time, the emperor must have wanted to capture Zhang Yang.
His idea was considered to be helping the emperor, and he also won praise for his method and gained favor from Zhang Jinghong.
Zhou Shuren returned to the house, "Why does Lord Qiu look at me like this?"
Qiu Yan, "Why did you go after Zhang Jinghong? I'm telling you, it's better to stay out of this trouble."
Zhou Shuren explained: "I have met Zhang Jinghong several times, and I saw him today so I chased him over to ask him."
Qiu Yancai didn't believe it. Zhou Shuren was not a sympathetic person. After working together for so long, he more or less understood Zhou Shuren. Zhou Shuren had his own standards in his heart and was not a soft-hearted person.
Zhou Shuren was in a good mood and was willing to chat more with Mr. Qiu. "I think Zhang Jinghong will be a big shot in the future."
Qiu Yan, "After all, he grew up in the royal family and has experienced great changes. As long as his background is not a problem, his future is indeed promising."
Zhou Shuren didn't want to talk anymore. Zhang Jinghong's identity was problematic, so even if he was a prominent figure, Zhang Jinghong would never be able to gain power in his life.
Inside the palace, although there was no one around when Zhou Shuren was talking, the emperor still knew the content of the conversation between Zhou Shuren and Zhang Jinghong.
The prince laughed softly, "The last time Lord Zhou got angry with a child, it seemed to be Master Zhou Si?"
The emperor didn't care about Zhou Shuren's little action. "For so many years, he and his wife have been protective of their children, especially the girls of the Zhou family. Now that Zhou Shuren's eldest granddaughter is engaged, he may not be the most satisfied. It's normal for Zhou Shuren to be angry."
It would be abnormal not to get angry, but fortunately I knew my limits and helped him solve the problem.
The prince thought of the fact that Lord Zhou did not give his daughter a dowry, "My son has not yet told Zhang Yang about the Zhou family's engagement, but he has been thinking about it."
The emperor snorted, "Tell him today and warn him not to have any other ideas."
Compared with a fake fifth prince and Zhou Shuren, the latter is naturally more important.
The prince felt happy when he thought of Zhang Yang's expression when he heard the news. Zhang Yang had tortured him a lot these days, and he couldn't just leave him alone. He had to finish the show.
In the afternoon, Zhou Shuren was about to go home. Hu Xia hurried over. Zhou Shuren didn't rush to get on the carriage. "What do you want from me?"