Zhou Shuren thought that he was happy that the emperor could reduce his workload by half, not only so that he could work less, but also because the emperor was not confused. He was really afraid that this wise monarch would become more and more confused as he got older. Fortunately, this man's brain was always online.
As for the fact that the emperor did not mention Wang Ju, he actually had a plan in mind. He expressed what he should have expressed and set the trap he should have set. Wang Ju was unaware of it and the plan went smoothly. The more the emperor kept it in mind, the less likely he would say it out loud. It was almost certain that the Ministry of Revenue would be able to meet Wang Ju next year.
At the Jinzhou government office, Wang Ju kept sneezing. Lord Wang asked with concern, "Did you catch a cold?"
Wang Ju shook her head. "I don't know what's wrong with me recently. I'm not sick, but I keep sneezing and my ears are burning. I don't know who's thinking about me so much."
Lord Wang laughed, "Lord Zhou has been writing to you quite frequently recently, could it be Lord Zhou?"
Wang Ju patted her chest in fear, "Please don't let it be him. He has come to Beijing and can still order me around. I have been dreaming about him these days."
Every time he dreamed, Zhou Shuren was assigning him work. He dreamed that not only his hair was falling out in clumps, but Zhou Shuren was also drinking tea leisurely. He was so angry that he wanted to take action.
In the capital, Zhou Shuren walked out of the palace slowly. The Ministry of Revenue's carriage was waiting outside the palace. Lord Xiao had not attended the morning court in the past two days, and he would not have to attend the court tomorrow either.
Zhou Shuren got on the carriage, and the driver said, "Sir, please sit down. It snowed last night and there is a lot of snow."
"Um."
When he returned to the Ministry of Revenue, all the officials he met greeted him warmly. He was a favorite minister and was summoned several times this month, two of which were summoned alone, which made a large number of officials pay attention to him.
At Zhou Mansion, Wu Ting and Wu Yong arrived in the capital. Zhu Lan looked at the New Year gifts they brought with them and said, "You live so close, yet you send New Year gifts so early."
Wu Ting explained, "We received a letter from our eldest brother, asking us to come to the capital to buy everything needed for the new house. We thought it would be a good idea to send the New Year gifts together. We will have to wait for our eldest brother to come to the capital next time."
Zhulan heard this and it seemed that Wu Ming was almost certain to go to Beijing next year and had probably already made contact with the Crown Prince. "The house was bought according to your eldest brother's request. I've been to see it and the yard is quite large. It has already been tidied up. If you see anything missing, just tell the housekeeper. Butler Ding knows where to buy it."
Wu Yong said: "Sorry to bother you, auntie."
"A lot of things have happened since we came to Beijing. You two must stay in the mansion today. Someone has been sent to clean up the yard."
Wu Ting, "We listen to aunt."
The two brothers were so excited after receiving the letter from their eldest brother that they couldn't sleep all night. Finally, their eldest brother didn't have to stay in the border anymore. At the same time, they were even more grateful to the Zhou family. The eldest brother mentioned that he was able to come to Beijing because of the Zhou family.
Zhulan motioned for the two brothers to go and rest, and then looked at the gift list the two brothers had prepared, "It's half as expensive as in previous years."
Mrs. Song, “The Wu family is grateful.”
Zhulan said: "The Wu family's children are all very good."
Mrs. Song nodded in agreement. The Zhou family was growing richer and richer, and anyone with ill intentions would have come close to them or become arrogant long ago. As for the Wu family, Miss Wu Ning came only once because she was afraid of causing trouble, and went back after a few days.
This is the first time for the two brothers of the Wu family to come to the capital. If it weren’t for the letter from Lord Wu, they would probably not come until the end of the year.
In the Academy, Class B, Ran Xun took off the book covering Ming Teng's head, "Don't hide anymore. Tell me, you are very popular now. My mother has even mentioned you!"
Ming Teng has a carefree personality, but he is still shy when it comes to marriage. He snatched the book and said, "You're talking as if you're not popular."
Ran Xun curled his lips, "I'm really not popular. Even my cousin doesn't like me. Anyway, I won't stay with one person after I get married."
He always felt that the education in the Zhou family was terrible and he couldn't stand it.
Jiang Du took the book to cover his twitching face. Ever since he came to the academy, cough cough, the clan school in his hometown was too simple. In this academy, anyone could say anything. He found that he was like a little girl before!
Ran Xun lowered his voice, "The Zhou family has been looking for you, is there anyone suitable? We are brothers, why don't you tell us?"
Ming Teng said, "You think I'm you? I won't say that. I'm a gentleman. Do you understand what a gentleman is?"
Ran Xun sneered, "They say birds of a feather flock together. We are so good, I am a beast and you are not much worse."
Ming Teng said dimly, "It's all because I was ignorant back then. It's too late to regret now. I can't talk about it. If I talk too much, I'll just shed tears of regret."
Ran Xun was furious. "Okay, very good, Zhou Mingteng, I'm going to break up with you."
Jiang Du couldn't help laughing out loud, no, he was going to die of laughter. It had only been a few days and he had heard of three times of breaking off a friendship.
Ran Xun was embarrassed, snorted and ignored Ming Teng.
Ming Teng laughed, he was not afraid of breaking off the friendship!
At the Zhong Mansion, Zhulan took Yushuang and Yulu to attend the tea party hosted by Gao. Drinking tea and appreciating the snow on this winter day was very satisfying to Gao.
It’s the first time Zhulan is taking care of two granddaughters together, and she’s so enthusiastic. Ahem, because Lord Liu’s wife brought her daughter to participate.
Zhulan had found out everything about the family of the Shaoqing of Dali Temple. They did not have a complicated family background. The Liu family had come to power step by step, steadily and steadily. The key was that they could pretend to be ignorant. This was what Zhou Shuren said.
The two sisters, Yu Shuang and Yu Lu, walked hand in hand affectionately, and occasionally lowered their heads to talk in a low voice.
Yu Shuang no longer had to worry about her marriage, so she was very relaxed now. She whispered, "In a moment, talk to Miss Liu more. What's important is her character."
Yu Lu lowered her voice, "I heard that Miss Liu is quite introverted."
Yu Shuang curled her lips, "I don't think it's true. I've also asked around these past few days, and the Liu family seems to be introverted and non-competitive."
Yu Lu realized that this was a good character. In the capital city where the rich and powerful gathered, it was a skill not to attract attention. "I'll make a note of it."
Zhulan coughed, and after the two granddaughters let go of their hands and stood properly, Zhulan walked in with a smile, "I heard the laughter outside, am I late?"
Gao stood up and came over, "It's not too late, just in time, come and sit down."
Yu Shuang and Yu Lu have already gone to where the other young ladies of the Zhong family are. These young ladies do not have much hostility towards Yu Shuang and Yu Lu who are already engaged. Since they are already engaged, they will not compete with them and all smiles are very polite.
Zhulan also felt the enthusiasm of the officials' wives. As husband and wife were one, Zhou Shuren was valued by the emperor, so she felt more at ease attending the banquet.
Especially since it was set in stone that Zhou Shuren would be promoted from the third rank to the full third rank after the new year, Zhulan felt even more confident.
Zhulan noticed Lord Liu's wife. It was the first time Zhulan saw her in person because of Gao's introduction. Lord Liu's wife was a plump person with a round face and very beautiful eyes. She seemed to be able to speak, making people feel friendly.
Well, it is also a face of good fortune. After she went to ancient times, she heard a lot about it and actually remembered a few things.