CHAPTER 1559: CHAPTER 1559: LUCK

Zhulan pondered aloud, "The Zhang family has just arrived in the capital and their foundation is not deep. Consort Zhung is merely the foster mother of the Seventh Prince, whose biological mother is still alive. The Zhang family’s power is indeed weak. Your Ning family is the Empress Dowager’s maternal family, and although Ning Ming has separated from the Hou Residence, he is still the Empress Dowager’s direct nephew, a good candidate for marriage alliance indeed."

In the eyes of some noble families, Ning Ming is still quite valuable.

Lady Song listened with displeasure, "The Ning family would not engage in marriages with the harem’s influence."

Her son’s early betrothal was precisely to avoid schemes.

Zhulan said, "The Zhang family sought someone to pass a message to Marquis Ning. They are indeed in a hurry, having just arrived in the capital."

Lady Song’s tone carried some sarcasm, "The Zhang family is too rushed. They just arrived and are holding grand banquets. Since Consort Zhung was recently promoted, most attend out of courtesy, but the Zhang family has become self-satisfied. Ah, do they think they can marry just because they want to?"

Zhulan suggested, "Have some tea to calm your anger." Lady Song was infuriated by Ning Zhiqi’s wife’s dismissals and shared her grievances with Zhulan. With most Ning family elders gone, Zhulan got along well with Rongchuan and Lady Song over the years, so she often visited for gossip, and today the topic was Ning Ming.

Lady Song calmed down somewhat, "Indeed, Ning Ming may have separated, but he is not someone easily manipulated."

"Ning Ming knows what he is doing, and being a time of mourning, the Zhang family dares only to pass messages secretly, so there is no need to be angry."

Lady Song was no longer angry, "Ah, I am also worried about Ning Ming’s marriage."

At this point, Lady Song felt a bit embarrassed, for the intentions of both Zhou and Ning families were known.

Zhulan was not embarrassed, "Ning Ming will meet a confidant who can help him."

Anyway, Yu Wen is not that person. Since childhood, Yu Wen has aspired to be a wealthy and leisurely person, and her mindset has not changed over the years, showing the firmness of her resolve.

Zhulan understood her granddaughter too well. Yu Wen would never give up enjoying life for any romance, so it’s difficult for her to like someone. If Yu Wen’s choice not to marry didn’t affect Yu Jiao, her ideal life would be spending her own days with wealth and influence, served by servants; what a beautiful life!

A few days later, Chang Xhong was at the residence waiting for the Fourth Prince. In the main courtyard, Chang Xhong ate dried shrimp, saying, "Mother, Sister-in-law’s cooking is really good."

Zhulan quietly pulled the plate to herself, "These are your sister-in-law’s offerings to me."

"Mother, I only had three."

"Three is already a lot."

Lady Li, being very busy, rarely cooked anymore. She made some dried shrimp, of which Shuren ate quite a bit last night, leaving very little behind.

Chang Xhong still wanted more, "Ah, it’s getting harder and harder to eat sister-in-law’s cooking."

"Your sister-in-law is now a mother-in-law, managing the whole family, she’s too busy."

Chang Xhong glanced again to confirm his mother wouldn’t give him any more. After wiping his hands, he said, "The Fourth Prince said he would take me to the Treasure Pavilion. Mother, can you give me some silver?"

"You just swept your father’s purse last night, isn’t that enough?"

Chang Xhong widened his eyes, "Father promised to keep it a secret."

"He might keep it a secret from others, but there are no secrets between your father and me."

Chang Xhong, used to this, looked expressionless as his parents shared a strong bond, "Mother, are you really not giving me any silver?"

"No, there’s no money."

When the Fourth Prince arrived, Chang Xhong didn’t get any silver, and followed the Fourth Prince out with some gloom. The Fourth Prince didn’t seem too happy either, making Chang Xhong curious, "Is the Fourth Prince unhappy?"

The Fourth Prince spread his hands, "I went to see Big Brother, the Crown Prince before leaving the palace."

"Hmm?"

"He didn’t give me a single coin and even said he wants half of what I win at the Treasure Pavilion!"

Chang Xhong, "..."

The image of the Crown Prince in his mind somewhat collapsed.

In the palace, Zhou Shuren looked exhausted, and the Crown Prince signaled for ginseng tea, "Marquis Zhou has been working hard lately."

"I’ll be able to rest tomorrow, and finally get a good night’s sleep."

Zhou Shuren envied his granddaughter Yu Wen from the bottom of his heart; he too wished to laze about year-round!

He disliked two seasons the most, spring and winter, as the Ministry of Revenue was busiest during these. Even summer was unenjoyable due to numerous accidents; autumn was his favorite.

The Emperor saw Zhou Shuren drink the offered ginseng tea, "After handling recent affairs, things can ease up a bit."

Zhou Shuren set down his tea cup, "Ah, if only we could add more days off."

The Crown Prince, "..."

The Emperor smiled, "Since my ascension, I have added rest days twice."

Zhou Shuren internally rolled his eyes like mad; each addition was only a day, adding two meant two more days per year. The Emperor was stingy with titles for concubines and also stingy with holidays for officials.

The Emperor wouldn’t easily grant more days off. These recent years were turbulent, so wanting more holidays was impossible.

The Crown Prince spoke up, "I heard Ming Rui intends to take the scholar exam."

Zhou Shuren became serious, his tone full of worry, "Yes, but the weather is very cold. This year, even the south is unusually cold, and February temperatures are unlikely to rise. I’m concerned whether the exam candidates can withstand the cold."

The Emperor hadn’t paid attention to these issues, overwhelmed with court matters and hadn’t considered changing the date, "Spring was very cold indeed this year."

The Crown Prince said, "Yes, the snow lingered long before melting."

The Emperor thought of the southern snow and furrowed his brows, "Then we should change the date so the candidates aren’t affected."

Zhou Shuren was a bit stunned; he hadn’t expected the date would be changed so easily and kept all his planned words stuffed in his belly.

At the Treasure Pavilion, the Fourth Prince became excited upon entering the hall, "This is my favorite place to come. I’m telling you, my luck is incredibly good. Follow me and you’re sure to win."

Chang Xhong just couldn’t believe it; he seldom visited because it consumed too much silver. Moreover, it was noisy with crowds, so he rarely came.

The Fourth Prince, however, was familiar and started with blind bets, inviting Chang Xhong, "Choose something too. It’s fun, though among the ten items, only one is real, and it doesn’t cost much silver, just for entertainment."

Chang Xhong silently observed the rule of ten silver coins per choice; how was that not costing much silver?

Chang Xhong didn’t choose the same as the Fourth Prince, he sat waiting for the results.

The Treasure Pavilion wasn’t only for men; many ladies were present, some to gain knowledge, others just to play. They all enjoyed blind guessing.

The Fourth Prince remarked, "Here comes the opening. Wait a moment to see my luck."

Chang Xhong wasn’t focused on the rewards; he was just accompanying the Fourth Prince today.

Soon, the ten boxes on stage opened one by one, the Fourth Prince had chosen number five, while Chang Xhong selected number seven. The first four boxes revealed some porcelain bowls, and upon reaching the fifth, the Fourth Prince felt extremely tense.

And then the Fourth Prince felt embarrassed; inside was just a common civilian porcelain bowl, widely available on the streets.

The Fourth Prince’s face stiffened; at his young age, he felt the embarrassment of losing face in front of his peers, causing an uncomfortable atmosphere in the room.

Soon it was the seventh box’s turn, and the Fourth Prince stared intensely.