The Zhou family had a new member, and Zhulan gave everyone a gift of wedding money as per previous custom. When Zhou Shuren left in the morning, he also gave the child a name, Yujiao.
Zhou Shuren chose the name himself, which also made Mrs. Dong feel at ease.
After breakfast, Zhulan went to see her granddaughter. The little girl had just finished her milk and fell asleep with her eyes closed.
Zhulan waited until Mrs. Dong had eaten the millet porridge before asking, "After a night's rest, do you feel better?"
Dong smiled, "Mom, I'm really fine."
She was telling the truth. After her mother left last night, her husband sneaked in. Seeing that she was not resting with her eyes open, her husband mentioned the oath he had made. She also remembered that he had mentioned it once before she and her husband had not consummated their marriage, but she forgot about it later and didn't care.
Now that her husband has brought it up, she can say that she will still be his daughter in the future and it’s all her husband’s fault, so she shouldn’t feel burdened.
Mrs. Dong learned what her husband said, and Zhulan remained silent. She and Zhou Shuren did not believe it, but the ancients did. However, it was better for Changlian to take all the blame.
Zhulan took out the birth gift for the child. This gift had been prepared long ago. She prepared the zodiac sign, so it could be given to either a boy or a girl.
Coming out of the third room, Li and Zhao came over together. Zhulan motioned them to go in. She was not in a hurry to go back to the yard. Instead, she took Mrs. Song for a walk in the garden. The lake in the garden had been somewhat opened up. The lake in the house was still relatively deep, and the fish would not die all winter.
The lakeside was fenced off by bamboos. There were many children in the house, so it was better to be careful in dangerous places. Even the rockery was blocked by bamboos. Everything was done for safety, and of course they were also afraid that something might happen during the banquet.
Back at the main courtyard, Wu Ning arrived. Zhu Lan smiled and said, "What a coincidence that you came. I haven't announced the wedding yet."
Wu Ning was stunned for a moment, then reacted, "My third sister-in-law gave birth?"
"She gave birth to a baby girl weighing seven kilograms."
When Wu Ning heard this, she knew that her third sister-in-law would be disappointed, and she couldn't help but touch her belly. Now she was already showing signs of pregnancy. This child had caused her so much trouble that she was vomiting now. She had not gained any weight and had become thinner instead. The only thing that was obvious was her belly.
Zhu Lan watched Wu Ning's actions and said, "Don't put pressure on yourself. How old are you? Besides, He Shu is not an only child. He has a younger brother."
After a pause, Zhulan continued, "Don't rush to have another child after this one is born. You should raise the baby for at least three years. It will be good for both you and the baby."
Wu Ning knew that her aunt was doing this for her own good. She said this out of concern for her. "I've taken note of it."
She was not in a hurry to have a child. First, her husband was preparing for the imperial examination. Second, she was confident as her eldest brother had become an official in Beijing, and she also had Uncle Zhou and Aunt Zhou. She was not an alone and helpless girl.
Zhulan talked about Wu Yong's marriage again. After chatting for a while, Wu Ning went to visit Dong.
In the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren had a smile on his face all day, so Lord Qiu asked about it, and then everyone in the Ministry of Revenue knew that Lord Zhou had a granddaughter.
At noon, Wang Ju was extremely envious, "Your Zhou family is really prosperous, with five grandsons and now six granddaughters."
Zhou Shuren stroked his beard and said, "It's still not enough."
The Zhou family cannot rely on their clan, they can only rely on themselves. If they want to pass on the legacy, they need people. For the Zhou family, talent is the most valuable now.
Wang Ju's face was distorted with jealousy. He didn't know why the Wang family had such a bad fate with descendants. He was considered a powerful one, as he had two legitimate sons and one legitimate daughter. As for his son, he only had his eldest grandson. Over the years, none of his son's wives and concubines had gotten pregnant. Yes, they didn't even get pregnant. The old man even asked the imperial physician to secretly check on him, and it was confirmed that there was nothing wrong with his son, but he had no fate with descendants.
Wang Ju asked his father more than once whether the ancestors of the Wang family had done anything immoral. His father blew his beard, and the old man wanted to ask too!
Qiu Yan interrupted and said, "The betrothal gifts and dowry cost a lot of money. Master Zhou, you have worked hard."
Zhou Shuren has always been fair. He would contribute a portion of the dowry and betrothal gifts, and then each family would make up the rest. "What a sweet burden!"
Wang Ju wanted to say that their Wang family was not afraid of the burden. Even if eight or ten were given to the Wang family, they would be able to afford it. This was the foundation of a big family.
Qiu Yan kept calculating in his mind, "Your little girl will marry into the Ninghou Mansion at the end of the year. Have you prepared a large dowry?"
Zhou Shuren nodded, "It was ready last year."
Wang Ju had heard a lot of news. "I heard that you prepared two manors for your daughter in the capital?"
There is nothing to hide about this. Even if he doesn't say it, everyone knows it. "Yeah."
Qiu Yan took a deep breath and looked at Wang Ju. The granddaughter of Zhou family was going to marry into the Wang family, so the dowry could not be small. Thinking about Zhou Shuren's other granddaughters, yes, they were all legitimate granddaughters. As long as Zhou Shuren did not fail, the granddaughters of Zhou family would have no trouble finding a husband, especially the daughter of Mr. Zhou Zhou. Mr. Zhou Zhou was a member of the Hanlin Academy through the imperial examination system. Together with Zhou Shuren, Mr. Zhou Zhou's daughter would be very popular.
Zhou Shuren had no idea that Qiu Yan had settled an account with him. He only knew that if Qiu Yan hadn't said anything, he wouldn't have felt any pressure from having a granddaughter. Now, he felt a little stressed, so was he trying to earn a reward
Zhou Shuren was a little undecided. Should he take it out or not? No, no, he couldn't take it out. He was in charge of the money, just the money!
Chang Lian went to the Hanlin Academy with wedding candies and announced that he was going to be a father again. Everyone accepted the candies and congratulated him, and some even said that a full moon banquet would definitely be held.
In the afternoon, Chang Lian and Rong Chuan returned to the Hanlin Academy together. Today they entered the palace together.
After entering the Hanlin Academy, Rongchuan and Changlian separated. Changlian had always walked very lightly, and now that there was no snow, there was even less noise. When he reached the door and listened to the conversation inside, he was not in a hurry to go in because he was mentioned.
Lu Liang didn't know who he was chatting with. "I don't know if Zhou Changlian is really happy or just pretending to be happy now that he has two daughters."
Someone actually responded, with a gossipy mind, "He must be really happy."
"I also think it's true happiness. The whole capital knows that the daughter of the Zhou family is precious."
Everyone in the capital knew about Zhou Shuren not giving his daughter a dowry.
Lu Liang just complained, he didn't dare to say anything else, he just laughed dryly, "Anyway, Zhou Changlian is still young."
Chang Lian felt that there was nothing to hear, so he walked into the house. The door was usually not closed except in winter. When Chang Lian entered the house, the people inside were stunned, and they were all unsure when Zhou Changlian would come back.
Lu Liang lowered his head guiltily, and the others greeted him and went about their business.
Chang Lian returned to his position. Since his father often went to the palace, no one dared to mess with him in the Hanlin Academy. Although no one had messed with him before, he could still feel some jealous eyes. After all, he had a powerful father!
In the evening, Xuemei and her husband came back for dinner. After dinner, Jiang Sheng said to his father-in-law, "Dad, I have something to tell you."