CHAPTER 332: CHAPTER 332: THE JOY OF FAMILY

But these are not things that the Princess Consort Zhan, who has long lived in the inner quarters, could have imagined.

Hearing her daughter’s words, she was deeply moved.

"Only now do I feel at ease, knowing that in the latter half of your life, someone will care for and love you. I can die peacefully."

"Mother, what are you talking about? You’re still young, at least with decades of life ahead. When you and my brother follow us to Ji City, we’ll live well as a family. By then, we’ll find a suitable marriage for my brother, and you will become a grandmother."

These days, Princess Consort Zhan had never imagined before.

She had managed to hold on until now, all to see her two children start families.

But now, the appearance of her daughter Yu Wenjie provided her with another possible way of living.

It’s impossible for Princess Consort Zhan not to be moved.

Yet, she couldn’t immediately agree at once.

After being weak for decades, even if one suddenly gains control, there’s still some hesitation.

Yu Wenjie knew her mother had been moved, but needed more days to think about it.

So she didn’t continue to push her.

Instead, she thought more about how to be filial to her mother at the manor, letting her enjoy a comfortable life and family happiness.

By then, perhaps without much urging, her mother would naturally come to understand.

How the days should go in the future.

The convoy of carriages slowly headed towards the manor outside the city, which seemed to Princess Consort Zhan like a smooth path after tribulations.

Since Shengjing City entered winter, the days seemed to slow down.

Day by day passed, with nowhere to go.

Except for those still making a living, continuing to weave through the heavy snowfall, striving for a better New Year.

Most of the nobles stayed indoors, unwilling to go out.

So was it in the Imperial City.

However, today, Cining Palace was bustling.

That day, after the Second Prince finished his studies, he went to the Empress Dowager’s Palace to listen and receive training.

He loved going very much.

Previously, he thought the Empress Dowager was distant and unreachable. Now he found her with the kindness of a grandmother and a strategic vision.

Sometimes, her simple words resolved his persistent doubts, bringing him enlightenment.

This feeling of sudden clarity was truly comforting, so he always went happily.

It wasn’t just about listening to lectures but also spending time with the Empress Dowager, fulfilling filial duties.

Inside the inner hall, the Empress Dowager was holding a scripture, reading through the long winter days with such things.

Therefore, she read page by page, very diligently.

When Nanny Wen lifted the curtain to enter, she brought in some cold air.

"What is it?"

Before Nanny Wen could speak, the Empress Dowager, in a rich voice, asked.

Nanny Wen said with a smiling demeanor.

"Your Majesty, the Second Prince has arrived."

"Oh? Wasn’t it mentioned they didn’t need to come these months? The snowy weather with strong winds and slippery roads might cause one’s hands and feet to freeze."

Speaking of which, she immediately pointed to the brazier and said.

"The Second Prince doesn’t like the carbon, remove it. Have them bring more hot water bottles for his hands and feet."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

After several months of contact between the grandmother and grandson pair, they understood some of each other’s habits.

Therefore, after the Second Prince entered, apart from a faint sandalwood scent, he didn’t smell any hint of the silver wire carbon.

Using hot water to soak a cloth, the Second Prince wiped his face and hands.

The journey indeed brought much coldness.

But his heart was filled with excitement, because today at school, he learned a new article, specially coming to Cining Palace to consult the Empress Dowager.

Once he finished washing, the hot water bottle in Nanny Wen’s hand was ready and placed at his usual seat.

Prepared early to warm him up.

"Grandson greets the Grand Empress Dowager, wishing you peace."

"Hmm, rise."

The Empress Dowager never maintained airs with the younger generation.

Especially the Second Prince who came in the heavy snow, she grew more fond of him.

Therefore, her tone bore slight ease.

"What brings you here in the heavy snow? Wasn’t it said to wait until spring before coming again?"

"Grand Tutor taught ’Bai Gui’s Words to Xincheng Jun’ today, and I found it intriguing, so I came to seek the Grand Empress Dowager’s guidance."

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager laughed and said.

"Is it: The night traveler can avoid wrongdoing, but can’t stop dogs from barking. So, ministers can refrain from discussing the monarch but can’t stop others from discussing them."

"That’s right, the Grand Empress Dowager is truly knowledgeable and insightful."

Then the Second Prince analyzed word by word.

"Grand Tutor mentioned that it means the night traveler can avoid doing wicked deeds but cannot prevent dogs from barking at them. So, I can avoid discussing you at the King’s place, but can’t stop others from discussing you about me. It means we should all act as upright gentlemen."

His precise words amused the Empress Dowager.

Although the Second Prince entered school late, he had his unique method when learning principles.

Never memorizing by rote but understanding and applying knowledge, later able to make analogies.

This inevitably commends the guidance of Lin Wanyi.

Not just forcing knowledge into his mind, but teaching him how to view problems correctly and understand them deeply.

The Empress Dowager liked this very much.

"Hmm, the Grand Tutor’s words are correct. But do you know what that person eventually became?"

The Second Prince shook his head, as he indeed knew nothing about this.

"Became the Ancestor of Merchants."

"Ancestor of Merchants? What does that mean?"

The Second Prince asked out of curiosity, and the Empress Dowager patiently explained to him.

"Abandoning politics for business, becoming a well-known merchant in Luoyang at the time."

Hearing this, the Second Prince’s eyes widened.

The Grand Tutor only mentioned his talents at the Prime Minister’s Mansion, never mentioning the later part.

Probably considering that part of his life to be less ’glorious’, right?

So he curiously asked.

"Why is that?"

"A person’s life isn’t only about achieving success in the court to live correctly. Instead, it’s about letting a hundred flowers blossom, making it interesting. Being useless in politics doesn’t mean being useless elsewhere. Rather, one should leverage their strengths in other areas to shine, shouldn’t they?"

After saying this, the Empress Dowager asked Nanny Wen to bring brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.

Then she wrote four words: Wisdom, Courage, Benevolence, Strength.

The Second Prince didn’t understand, so the Empress Dowager explained word by word.

"Don’t underestimate the path of business. Throughout ancient and modern dynasties, they have emphasized agriculture while restraining commerce. This concealed intention to fool the common folk. Compared to the clever merchants, they found honest farmers easier to rule, which is why they always lowered mercantile status, purely for the eternal stability of their dynasty."