In the blink of an eye, another seven days passed, and the Zhou family finally received the New Year's gift from the Yang family and Qian Keqi. This year's New Year's gift from the Yang family was heavier than in previous years. Also sent with the New Year's gift was Guoyuanzi's gift. Silver, this year's harvest is not good, there is a lot of rain, the fruit tastes bad, and the price is much lower than in previous years, but it is still a good income.
Zhulan distributed all the leathers sent by the Yang family to each room, and did not keep any of them for herself. Mainly because this winter, each room had paid tribute to the skins, and she had enough money to send a few pieces. The main courtyard had already enough.
Zhulan has sorted out some other annual gifts and is waiting to give them out in a few days.
After entering Beijing this year, the expenses for the New Year's gifts have increased again, mainly for the Ningguo Duke's Mansion in Dafen.
Zhulan saw Zhou Shuren entering the room and said, "You came back earlier than usual today."
With a smile on his face, Zhou Shuren said, "I have calculated some calculations. The emperor means that there is no need to be so urgent in winter, and I don't have to work overtime. Moreover, I had a few words with the prince in the palace today."
"What did we talk about?"
Zhou Shuren drank hot tea to warm himself up, "It's a good thing, the prince mentioned Wu Ming and also mentioned the Ministry of Rites."
Zhulan raised her head from the list of New Year gifts she was drafting, "What do you mean, Wu Ming will go to Beijing and go to the Ministry of Rites after the new year?"
Zhou Shuren held the tea cup, his hands were much warmer, "You also know that the Ministry of Etiquette has always been in Feng Huai's hands. The prince found a problem, but the punishment department just broke out, and it is difficult to touch the Ministry of Etiquette for a while. I don't care about Wu Ming. ”
Zhulan heard the sound of walking, Mrs. Song came back with the girl, and whispered quickly: "So you are not only happy that Wu Ming comes to Beijing, but you are also happy that the prince uses Wu Ming."
Zhou Shuren smiled and said, "My wife is smart."
Zhulan was thinking in her mind. At present, it seems that the crown prince's accession to the throne is almost certain. As long as the thorough cleaning is completed, the crown prince should ascend the throne. At this time, the prince will use Wu Ming, and Wu Ming will move closer to the prince. The imperial power will alternate. As long as Wu Ming seizes the opportunity, The road ahead will be smooth.
Mrs. Song came in at this time, "Dinner is ready and the hot pot has been served."
When Zhou Shuren heard this, he said, "This is the time to eat hot pot in winter. What kind of pot is it today?"
Zhulan said: "The mutton pot will heal your body. You should go change clothes quickly."
"good."
When Zhulan and Zhou Shuren arrived, everyone in the room was already seated. Rongchuan also came today, um, and Gu Liufeng, whom Zhulan told Mingyun to invite in the morning.
Zhou Shuren saw Gu Liufeng's face flushed and sweat on his forehead, "Why, the room is very hot?"
Gu Liufeng breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Mr. Zhou, "It's not hot."
Zhou Shuren looked at his youngest son covering his mouth with his fat hands and snickering. Come on, this kid bullied Liu Feng again. He looked away and said, "Take your chopsticks and eat. The mutton pot in winter is the most filling. Eat it quickly."
With that said, he took off his chopsticks first.
There are many people in the Zhou family, including many young men. I don’t know how many kilograms of meat I ate during this meal.
At the Duke's Mansion, Ning Guogong saw his youngest son coming over for dinner, "Rong Chuan went to the Zhou Mansion again?"
Ning Xu said pitifully, "Yes, so my son is here to help."
In the past, he didn't think anything of eating alone, and instead enjoyed the quietness. But since Rong Chuan accompanied him to eat, he no longer likes to eat alone. Unfortunately, this son is like a daughter, thinking about running to Zhou's house all day long.
Ning Guogong asked, "Hasn't Zhang Jinghong's life experience been fully investigated? Why does the Emperor still have to wait?"
Ning Xu nodded, "Well, it's not lively enough now. The focus these days is on expanding the navy, and no one mentioned Zhang Jinghong's life experience, so there is no rush."
Duke Ning Guo hummed and waited for the dishes to be served, "Eat."
In the Zhou Mansion, Xue Han wore a cloak and escorted Rong Chuan out of the house. The two of them walked very close to each other. It was dark and they were both wearing cloaks. The girl behind them was a few steps away.
Rong Chuan became a little bolder due to the strength of the wine. He stretched out his hand and grabbed Xue Han's hand. His palm felt like it was burning. Xue Han's hand was slightly cold and he couldn't help but squeeze it a little tighter. Xuehan struggled, her hands clenched tighter as if controlling her brain.
Xue Han didn't drink, but his face was red. He couldn't explain it away, and he didn't dare to make any big move. He glared at Rong Chuan angrily. This man was getting bolder, but he could hear the sound of stepping on the snow. , and slowly became quiet, wishing that this road would never end.
Rong Chuan slowed down his pace and grinned. Sometimes, it's good to have disobedient hands. Well, it's just that the hands have their own ideas.
Unfortunately, when he quickly arrived at the door of the house, Xuehan stopped and coughed. When Rongchuan let go, he quickly hid his hand and lowered his head, "There is snow on the road. The carriage will be slow on the way back. a little."
Rong Chuanjiao also had his own thoughts and didn't want to leave, but when he heard the coughing, he rolled his eyes inwardly, "I heard it, please stop coughing."
Xia Mo rolled his eyes happily because it was dark and no one could see him. Every time the young master and the young lady separated, he was reluctant to leave. But he remembered the words of the Marquis and asked the young master to go home early.
Xuehan wanted to get into the snow, but quickly turned around and ran away, "You don't need to come these days."
When Rong Chuan heard this, he looked at Xia Mo resentfully, "I asked you to talk too much. There is no one around now, so I'm coughing hard."
Xia Mo, "..."
He is not a human being inside and out, simply, terrible.
At the Gu family, Gu Liufeng entered the house and saw his mother embroidering a handkerchief while waiting for him, "Mom, my son is back."
Mrs. Hu, "You came back so early, I thought you would come back later."
Gu Liufeng explained, "I drank two glasses of wine today, and because there was snow on the road, I didn't stay any longer."
Mrs. Hu was surprised, "Have you been drinking?"
Gu Liufeng nodded, "Mr. Zhou said that his son is not young anymore and can practice properly to avoid suffering in the future, so he gave it a try. Unexpectedly, his ability to drink is not bad."
When Mrs. Hu saw that her son was indeed awake, she smiled and said, "Mom doesn't know much. Just listen to what Mr. Zhou says. Mr. Zhou will not harm you."
Gu Liufeng nodded, "Yes."
Then his cheeks turned red. Today, Mr. Zhou's youngest son asked him to call him uncle again. Yushuang helped him and smiled silly.
Mr. Hu came over and smiled. It seemed that his son was really interested in Miss Zhou's eldest grandson, and he was relieved.
The next day, County Master Shen came to visit again, the second time in the past few days. Zhulan said politely: "I'll send someone to call Su Xuan over."
Shen Yile shook her head, "Su Xuan has two children to take care of, I can just go find her."
Zhulan said, "Okay, I'll send someone to lead the way."
She and Shen Yile had nothing to talk about. Since they were looking for Su Xuan, she didn't stay much.
Zhulan waited for Shen Yile to go out and said to Mrs. Song, "I heard that the Queen has not seen County Master Shen now?"
Mrs. Song, "Yes."
Zhulan said quietly: "The Shenhou Mansion is going to fall into silence."
Mrs. Song is used to her mistress hitting the nail on the head from time to time. She is indeed someone that Mr. Zhou takes very seriously. Even though the mistress is dealing with the women in the back house, her vision is not limited to the back house, and her view of the situation is very accurate.