At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren looked at Zhang Yang who was serving him tea and was very surprised that Zhang Yang actually lowered his face to serve him tea.
Zhang Yang felt uncomfortable. Although he didn't want to admit it, Zhou Shuren was indeed very capable. The Ministry of Revenue was able to receive the reward today because of Zhou Shuren. He had also seen Zhou Shuren working on the forms and he had laughed at him in his heart at that time. Now his face was particularly painful.
Zhang Yang knew that the Shangshu Lord would avoid him if possible, and officials such as the doctor would be cautious with him and would not say a word more. If he wanted to learn something, he could only pester Zhou Shuren. "Sir, I am sincerely asking for your advice. Please give me more guidance."
Zhou Shuren did not accept the tea. This tea cannot be accepted. "Your Highness has a famous teacher to teach you. I am not worthy of it. Please go back, Your Highness."
Zhang Yang stood still, still holding the teacup, "Sir, I know that I had some unpleasantness with you in the past. I hope you will be more tolerant."
Zhou Shuren raised his eyebrows. If he didn't accept it, he would be petty. But he was indeed petty. "Your Highness, you worry too much. I don't know if I have any unpleasant experiences with Your Highness. Please, Your Highness."
Zhang Yang pursed his lips. He knew that Zhou Shuren would not change his mind. He put down the teacup in his hand and said, "I won't give up."
Zhou Shuren watched Zhang Yang leave, stroking his beard as usual. He wanted to see how long Zhang Yang could hold on.
Zhou Shuren became famous again, and Zhulan received a lot of invitations.
After Zhulan had to attend the banquet, seven days had passed before she knew it. Wu Ming's reply also arrived. Because it was a multiple-choice question, Wu Ming was willing to get married, but he had to wait until he arrived in Beijing.
Zhulan received the confirmation and needed to report back to Bai. Wu Ming was not in the capital, so if she really wanted to go through the engagement process, she had to wait until he arrived in Beijing.
Now the two families have communicated with each other and decided it privately.
The Bai family replied with an invitation. The Song family had prepared a banquet. Zhulan knew that this was an invitation for her to meet the young lady of the Song family, and also to give Zhulan some idea.
Zhulan showed Zhou Shuren the invitation and said, "The Song family is really confident in their daughter."
Zhou Shuren peeled pine nuts and ate them. He threw away the pine nut shells in his hand and said, "Because the Song family is confident, you have also checked that the young ladies of the Song family, whether married or not, are highly regarded in the capital."
"The Song family attaches great importance to education."
Zhou Shuren, "Marrying a virtuous wife will benefit three generations, while marrying a bad wife will be the beginning of downfall. Besides, marriage is a friendship between two families, not an enmity. It is wise to educate your daughter well."
Zhulan took the pine nuts that Zhou Shuren had peeled and ate them. "You know what, the freshly fried ones are quite fragrant today."
"It's getting late, let's rest."
Zhulan wiped her hands with a handkerchief and said, "Okay."
Zhulan did not sleep well that night. She ate too much the night before and her stomach felt bloated and uncomfortable. When Zhou Shuren got up, she also woke up in a daze.
Zhou Shuren changed his clothes and said, "I think you should exercise more. It's winter now and you've been staying indoors all the time."
Zhulan lay in bed without moving. "I'm used to being pampered. I really don't want to go out in this cold weather. If it's not absolutely necessary to go to a social event, I don't even want to step out of the door."
Zhou Shuren pulled the corner of his mouth, "Wife, I've always wanted to say that you have more than just a double chin now."
His wife has really become plump. It is comfortable to hug her at night, but he really hopes that she can exercise more.
Zhulan raised her hand and touched her chin, which was very fleshy. Her face changed. Ever since she realized she couldn't lose weight, she completely let herself go. There was little fun in ancient times. She spent most of her time playing with her granddaughter, embroidering for a while, and then reading and sleeping.
Zhulan pinched her belly again. Yes, life was getting better and better. She had been thinking about food a lot in winter. Several layers of fat were stuck to her belly. She pulled the quilt up to cover her head. She let herself go too much.
Zhou Shuren laughed softly, "It's good to be a little fatter, but don't try to develop like your eldest daughter-in-law. It will be a burden to you."
Zhulan sat up suddenly and said, "No, I definitely can't let myself go like that. I will go out more often."
Zhou Shuren bent down and kissed his wife's forehead, "You sleep a little longer, I'm leaving first."
Zhulan took the handkerchief from under the pillow and waved it, "My spirit is with you."
Zhou Shuren looked at his wife who lay down again, and listened to the cold wind outside the window. He felt depressed, and he didn't want to leave the warm bed.
In the morning, the house search in Jianghuai had been completed and they were heading back to Beijing. They were really fast.
Zhou Shuren counted the days. In a few days, the Ministry of Revenue would be busy as a dog again. He kept his eyes on the emperor, as he remembered that the emperor still owed him a reward.
The emperor understood Zhou Shuren's eyes and looked away. He remembered, he really remembered.
Zhou Shuren looked at the several adults who wanted to talk about Zhang Jinghong and found that they had calmed down. He also looked at the several adults who were still excited a few days ago and had now calmed down. After a long time, most of them had realized the emperor's attitude and would have dealt with Zhang Jinghong long ago if they had wanted to kill him.
Everyone is calm now, even those who have hatred are silent.
After the morning court session ended, Zhou Shuren looked at Lord Wang, the Minister of Personnel, who was standing beside him, and asked, "Sir, is there anything I can help you with?"
This was the first time that Lord Wang wanted to go with him.
Lord Wang did not answer, but said: "The Ministry of Revenue's assessment is over."
Zhou Shuren lowered his eyes, "I know."
Lord Wang said quietly, "Lord Zhou, I have always admired you."
He didn't lie. Zhou Shuren was able to reach Beijing quickly because of his ability. He also relied on himself to gain a foothold in Beijing. Seeing Zhou Shuren succeed smoothly, there were too many difficulties and tests involved.
In the past six months, Zhou Shuren has done so many things, and he has seen them all. It's a pity that the Zhou family can no longer have outstanding in-laws, otherwise, he really wants to get married.
Zhou Shuren said respectfully, "Your Excellency is someone I admire."
The position of the Minister of Personnel is not something that ordinary people can hold. Lord Wang is truly powerful.
Lord Wang smiled and said, "Congratulations on your wish coming true. I will go ahead."
It was not easy to say just a few words, he couldn't get too close to Zhou Shuren.
Zhou Shuren paused. Lord Wang meant that Wang Ju would be transferred to the capital next year. In the eyes of these old foxes, his actions were clear to them. However, it was also a happy thing.
At Zhou's house, the academy was closed today, and breakfast had just ended when Ran Wan and Ran Xun came together.
Zhulan looked at Ran Wan's blushing face, and the smile in her eyes became even more intense. The little girl specially chose the day off to visit her fiancé.
Zhulan winked at Yushuang, who stood up and took Ranwan's hand, "Let's go out for a walk. It's snowing outside, but the scenery in the garden is pretty good."
Yu Lu also stood up with a smile, "I heard that you are very good at playing the piano, so I just wanted to ask you for advice."
Yudie tilted her head and thought for a while, "Grandma, I want to go too."
Zhu Lan said, "Okay, okay, let's go, let's go, but you have to pay attention to the time and don't stay outside for too long."
Yudie nodded, "Die'er remembers it."
Yuyi was unwilling to move. She sat on the small kang with a walnut in her hand, "Grandma, I don't want to go."