Hu Xia said, "I counted the dowry that my sister gave back to our family this morning and gave it back to her. Although the dowry is not much, it is enough to buy a house. Today, my wife has asked someone to help my sister buy a house, so I told you, sir."
He really didn't expect this dowry. After the engagement yesterday, his wife came home and told him about it. She also pulled him aside and talked for a long time, of course focusing on the pressure from the Zhou family.
The lady was afraid of the Zhou family, so she took it out despite the pain. He was happy, so he told Lord Zhou.
Zhou Shuren was in a good mood indeed. Living under someone else's roof was different from living alone. Moving out would also distance him from the Hu family. He had thought about it, but it was not easy to make any moves since they had just gotten engaged. If the Hu family could handle it themselves, he would have less worries. "It's really a good thing. Your uncle really worries a lot."
Hu Xia felt the joy in Lord Zhou's tone, and cold sweat broke out on his back. The happier he was, the more it showed that Lord Zhou was thinking about it. Fortunately, his wife was afraid. "It's as it should be. It's all as it should be."
Zhou Shuren smiled and said, "It's getting late, you should go home early."
"Okay, sir, take care."
Even though the two families are engaged, he doesn't dare to call him grandfather-in-law. This is too close, and his generation is still too low.
Hu Xia watched the Zhou Mansion's carriage leave and wiped the sweat from his forehead. Fortunately, he was really good to his nephew. But on the bright side, he wouldn't have to worry about the relationship between his wife and sister in the future.
Zhou Shuren sat in the carriage, pointing his fingertips. Yesterday, the eldest grandson mentioned the Wang family, with the focus on Wang Wei, who was also his grandson-in-law. Zhou Shuren had a toothache. Yu Lu was a good matchmaker, but it was not easy to be the daughter-in-law of a spoiled grandson, and it was even harder to be the daughter-in-law of the Wang family.
He wanted to let Yu Lu and Wang Wei interact more, but unfortunately it was not possible. Wang Wei was studying in the Wang family and was the eldest great-grandson. Grandpa Wang paid great attention to him. Forget it, just wait a little longer until he climbed up.
At the Prince's Mansion, the Prince was drinking and admiring Zhang Yang, who was shocked by the news. Zhang Yang looked incredulous and angry at the same time. "Before, I had no family background, and Zhou Changlian warned me. Well, I was not worthy of him then. But now, what does the Zhou family mean? They don't take me seriously."
The prince slammed his chopsticks and said, "Shut up, look at what you are like. I know what happened. You proposed to marry me before, but you didn't even ask for a matchmaker. You were insulting the Zhou family. Now that the Zhou family has found the right person, it's normal to get engaged."
Zhang Yang's mind cleared up, but he felt wronged, "Brother, didn't you and the emperor mention this to Lord Zhou?"
The prince laughed angrily, "Who do you think Lord Zhou is? He is an important official in the heart of the emperor, a relative of the Ningguo Mansion, and also a relative of the Wang family. Do you think he is just a random official?"
Of course, he still had the loyal subjects in his heart. He also hoped that Zhou Shuren would stay in office for a few more years after he ascended the throne. The more he came into contact with Zhou Shuren, the more he realized that Zhou Shuren had never revealed his true colors, and he was waiting to dig out more value.
Of course, the Zhou family is no longer the same Zhou family as before. It has its own strength, and even the emperor cannot touch his subjects at will.
Zhang Yang's mind was buzzing, "I thought the prince was high and mighty."
The prince sneered, bah, a prince without power is nothing, if he really treats himself as an important minister, he will give face to everyone. The identity of a prince is really useful, the second sons don't need to win over important ministers.
Zhang Yang shuddered when he saw the contempt in the prince's eyes. This look also hurt him, and he felt as if he was very ignorant.
The prince said in a gloomy voice: "Jingyang and the others must be polite to Zhou Shuren. I warn you that this matter should stop here."
Zhang Yang didn't dare to look into the prince's eyes. The prince's eyes were too cold, as if freezing his blood. He was terrified. The prince was his elder brother. He was the prince first and then his brother. "I understand."
At the Zhou Mansion, the Zhou family's dinner had ended. Zhou Shuren returned to the house and told them about the Hu family's actions.
Zhulan was pleasantly surprised and said, "It is indeed a good thing. With this dowry, I can buy a house. I will have more confidence in my future. In fact, whether it is Jin or Hu, they may have shortcomings, but they are all sensible people."
Zhou Shuren, "No one is perfect, we both have our own shortcomings."
He has never denied his shortcomings. It is normal for him to have shortcomings because he is a human being. He is not a god.
Zhulan continued, "Today, Zhao showed me the dowry that she and Changyi had saved for Yushuang over the past few years. I really didn't expect that Changyi and his wife were so complimentary."
Zhou Shuren was curious, "How much?"
"In the past few years, Changyi has bought a lot of shops and land. He has shops that even the wealthy families in Beijing can't afford. Moreover, he bought a small farm in the suburbs of Beijing a few days ago."
Zhou Shuren calculated, "If Chang Lian didn't have the thank-you gift from the Ningguo Mansion, Chang Yi's assets would be ranked second."
Zhulan was also shocked. Changyi had saved a lot of money over the years. "Zhao and Changyi discussed that they would give Yushuang a shop in the capital, a house in the capital, a farm in the suburbs of the capital, and some land in other states. The rest will be added later."
Zhou Shuren, "They are planning early enough. It will take Yu Shuang several years to pass the imperial examination!"
"It's not too early. The current dowry is just the foundation. We will have to add more in the future. By following Yu Shuang's, we can also sort out Yu Die's. The girls of this aristocratic family have been saving up for dowries since they were born."
Zhou Shuren touched the edge of the teacup, "We two can't bring anything with us when we die, so we can give some more dowries to the maids at home. When the families split up, we can divide the family assets and keep some for the two of us. What do you think?"
Zhu Lan smiled and said, "Of course I agree. We agreed at the beginning that no valuables would be buried with the dead. It's good to divide them all."
Zhou Shuren grinned, "Yeah."
However, we still need to save more things for future generations. Stroking his beard, he felt a little disappointed. The emperor had learned a bad lesson and actually gave away handwritten copies instead of the originals!
The next day, Zhang Yang moved into the Fifth Prince's residence. It was big news in the capital, but unfortunately the Crown Prince did not go, and neither did the Second Prince or the Third Prince.
The crown prince was almost about to set off firecrackers to send people off, but the second and third princes felt that it was an insult to their intelligence and were unwilling to see Zhang Yang.
Zhang Yang looked around the Fifth Prince's Mansion, feeling both happy and gloomy. This place had been occupied by Zhang Jinghong for so many years, and he had to take over the place where Zhang Jinghong had lived.
Zhang Yang was unhappy, but in front of the Ningguo Duke's son, he held back, "Hello, second uncle. I was going to visit my grandfather earlier, but I have been learning the rules. I will definitely visit my grandfather more often in the future."
Ning Hui's mouth was a little stiff. No, there was no need. At the same time, he was upset. His younger brother had a job and could use it as a tool to talk. Dad was the senior, so only he could come. He didn't want to see Zhang Yang either!
Zhang Yang asked, "Where's my third uncle?"
Ning Hui did not hide it, "Your third uncle was assigned to investigate Zhang Jinghong's background."
Zhang Yang's eyes suddenly lit up.
Ning Hui, "... ..."