Three days passed in the blink of an eye. The Gu family's hometown was not too far from the capital. A round trip by fast horse only took two days. The first news that came was from Gu Liufeng's grandfather's branch.
Zhulan and Zhou Shuren read the news together. Zhulan was surprised, "Liu Feng's grandfather died a long time ago."
Zhou Shuren pointed at the information on the paper and said, "The Gu family has a lot of wealth."
Zhu Lan took a quick look and said, "This person passed away, and they didn't mention it to the Hu family. The Gu family really doesn't want Liu Feng."
Zhou Shuren, "I don't think so. He is my grandson after all. Love leads to hatred. The longer you hate, the more you miss him. I just said that the Gu family has a lot of wealth. No one wants Liu Feng to go back."
Zhulan narrowed her eyes, "This is just your guess."
Zhou Shuren spread his hands. Indeed, this was just his guess. "Too little information has been sent back. We will know once we find out."
Zhulan and Zhou Shuren didn't expect that on the 29th day of the lunar year, Gu Liufeng's cousin and his family would come to Beijing.
Zhou Shuren was already on vacation at home. He had just repaired Ming Teng yesterday and was in a good mood when Hu Xia came with the news.
Zhou Shuren looked at Hu Xia and asked, "I just came to Beijing and I'm already visiting your house?"
Hu Xia nodded. He was also very surprised. "The Gu family has an old house in the capital. The house is not big, but it is a ready-made place to live. We arrived in the capital last night and sent a letter to this humble official today. I hope you can come to visit after the New Year."
Zhou Shuren, "I remember Liu Feng's uncle joined the Ministry of Industry?"
Hu Xia nodded, "The head of the Ministry of Industry."
Zhou Shuren nodded. He had been busy building up his network of contacts for the past six months. His friend Lord Fang from the Ministry of Works was the second in command when the Minister of Works was not around, so he was right under his nose.
Zhou Shuren asked, "What else do you know about the Gu family?"
Hu Xia shook his head, "I don't know much."
He didn't interact much with his brother-in-law back then. At that time, he was focused on making progress and didn't pay much attention to the Gu family.
Zhou Shuren was originally looking at a chess manual and playing chess by himself. He pulled Hu Xia and said, "Play a game with me."
Hu Xia was conflicted. He only had a basic understanding of chess, so he could only go ahead and do it.
Before a cup of tea had passed, Zhou Shuren waved his hand, saying that Ming Teng was better off leaving, so he decided not to leave. "Are you planning to stay in the Ministry of Revenue like this?"
Hu Xia had never thought about rising all the way in the Ministry of Revenue. The Ministry of Revenue was full of talented people, and he was a practical person who could not compete. Now he had an idea, "Please give me some advice, sir."
Zhou Shuren was quite satisfied and clever, "You need to work harder next year and try to get a good evaluation in the Ministry of Personnel's assessment next year."
Hu Xia was excited. This was clear instruction. "I will definitely work hard."
Zhou Shuren continued: "As for the Gu family, you should keep an eye on them."
Hu Xia kept it in mind. Even if the adults didn't say anything, he would still pay more attention to it. This concerned his nephew's future as well as his own future, so he had to be cautious.
Zhu Lan waited for Hu Xia to leave, then walked out from behind the screen and said, "The Gu family is smart enough not to send an invitation to our family."
Zhou Shuren, "It's better to have brains than no brains. By the way, what New Year's gift did you give to Zhang Jinghong?"
Zhu Lan, "Zhang Jinghong is really generous. He picked out the best tonics for his New Year gifts. I gave him some nice furs in return. Didn't you say that Zhang Jinghong couldn't catch a cold? We have a lot of good furs in our family, so giving him some more is also a token of our thoughtfulness."
Zhou Shuren hummed, "Even though Zhang Jinghong has been released, his life is still not very good. Even if he wants to buy things, he has to go out of Beijing to buy them, otherwise what he buys will not be good."
"It's not just a matter of background, but also Zhang Yang's relationship. No one wants to offend Zhang Yang for Zhang Jinghong. Mrs. Song heard that the tonic Zhang Jinghong sent was bought at a high price in Pinggang."
Zhou Shuren said: "Their lives would not be much better even without Zhang Yang. Everyone is afraid that the emperor will suddenly change his attitude and be implicated."
In the Ministry of Revenue, the only person who can speak to Zhang Jinghong is him. When other people have official business, no one will take the initiative to talk to Zhang Jinghong.
Zhulan smiled and said, "You seem to appreciate him more and more."
"What I admire is the character and tenacity. Even in the face of difficulties, one is not afraid. This is rare."
Zhu Lan said quietly, "There has been a huge change, even for Yao Xin. Yao Xin came to the mansion twice, but she was sensible and didn't come more often."
Zhou Shuren hummed, and suddenly laughed, "I haven't taught this proper disciple much, and now he is still browsing the beautiful mountains and rivers. This non-disciple has taught me a lot."
Zhulan was also feeling emotional. Just as she was about to speak, her youngest son Changzhong came in and said, "Dad, you promised me to make ice lanterns. The ice is ready. I just need you to hurry up."
Zhou Shuren happily held his youngest son's hand and asked, "Has the carving master your eldest brother hired arrived?"
Changzhong nodded, "Here we are, here we are."
Zhou Shuren turned his head and asked, "You're not going?"
Zhulan didn't want to go. The weather was cold enough, and she had to face a pile of ice. "I won't go. You should take care of our son and don't stay outside for too long."
"knew."
At night, the Zhou family lit up ice lanterns, which were colorful. Well, the kids at home stayed outside after dinner. There were so many ice lanterns that even with candles lit inside, the whole yard was bright.
Zhulan and Zhou Shuren stood at the door of the house. Zhulan said, "Tomorrow is the 30th, and it's a new year. Mr. Zhou, do you have any wishes for the new year?"
Zhou Shuren looked at his son and grandchildren. The children's laughter softened his face. "I want to better protect this home, the home you and I built together."
Protect the children's laughter and better protect this home from wind and rain.
Zhulan looked at the children who were already having a snowball fight. Even Changli and the others had joined in. Even though there were constant plots outside, returning home was the best safe haven. "This is the best wish."
Zhou Shuren held Zhulan's hand. He and Zhulan had a home that they had built with their own hands.
On New Year's Eve, the Zhou family was in a festive mood. When Zhulan woke up in the morning, she saw Yudie and Yuyi walking hand in hand. The two little girls were the first to arrive.
Zhulan smiled, "You two are here really early."
Yudie was wearing a round dress, "Grandma, I got up the earliest and then went to find Yuyi."
Yuyi was still yawning, "Sister got up too early."
Zhou Shuren picked up the two little girls. These two granddaughters were very attractive. "Come on, grandpa will take you to wake up your uncle."
Yudie hugged Grandpa's neck and said, "Grandpa, let's go quickly."
Zhulan watched her husband carry his two granddaughters out. Her husband was serious with his grandsons, but to his granddaughters he was the best grandfather. No matter how naive the questions the little granddaughters asked were, Zhou Shuren would patiently explain them.
Soon, the yard was filled with the giggles of Yudie and Yuyi, as well as the somewhat angry voice of their son.
Changzhong sat wrapped tightly in the quilt, glaring at his father, "Dad, your son is your uncle."
He is an uncle, woohoo, my little niece will definitely laugh at him in the future.
Zhou Shuren was in high spirits. Even if he didn't go to court, he didn't have time to communicate with his children every day. So he was naturally happy during this break. Seeing his son's angry look, he felt particularly happy. What a dark history his son would have when he grew up!
Yudie covered her eyes and said, "Uncle, shame on you."
Yuyi looked at her uncle and nodded heavily, "Shame on you."
Zhou Shuren saw his youngest son’s blushing face and laughed out loud.