CHAPTER 1582: CHAPTER 1582: INJUSTICE

After finishing reading the letter, Zhulan put it on the table. The letter was written by Ming Qing and mainly discussed changes in the family. Recently, many engagements have been set, either with local landlords or with the daughters of minor officials.

But this wasn’t the main reason for Zhulan’s frown; the real reason was the Zhou family wanted more members to go to the capital.

However, now is not a good time to go to the capital, alas.

At this moment, Zhao Shi walked in with a face full of joy, "Mother, I have good news for you."

Zhulan’s eyebrows relaxed, and she smiled, "Is it that Lin Qing has good news?"

Zhao Shi was going to be a grandmother, which felt different from being a maternal grandmother, "I knew I couldn’t hide it from you. This morning Lin Qing felt a bit nauseous while eating, so I invited a doctor to check her pulse. And sure enough, she’s already two months pregnant."

Zhulan calculated the days, "She got pregnant right after getting married."

Zhao Shi said, "Indeed, I thought we’d have to wait a bit longer, but who would’ve thought the child would come so soon."

She had seen how long it took Ming Teng to have children, so she wasn’t really anxious. Who would’ve thought, hmm, her son is truly impressive.

Zhulan asked, "Have you sent the news to the Lin Residence?"

Zhao Shi patted her forehead, "Look at me being so happy, I’ll send someone over right away."

"Good."

After speaking, Zhulan asked Qing Xue to prepare a gift for Lin Qing, then couldn’t help but laugh. Thankfully, her family’s wealth was growing, or else she wouldn’t be able to afford gifts for the younger generation.

Zhao Shi was genuinely happy and quickly left; she was worried about her daughter-in-law.

The news from Zhou Mansion was sent to Lin Residence, and then Lin Qing’s mother arrived, clearly pleased with Lin Qing’s good fortune. Shortly after Lin Qing’s mother arrived, Ning Zhiqi’s wife, Song Shi, paid a visit.

It had been a long time since Zhulan had seen Song Shi, and today she noticed Song Shi looked considerably worn out, "You don’t look well, have you seen a doctor?"

Song Shi replied, "I’ve been too busy lately."

Zhulan motioned for Song Shi to drink tea, "You didn’t just come here casually to see me. Is there something going on?"

Song Shi was indeed embarrassed, "Ning Ming is bothered by the Yu family’s pestering, so he wants me to help find a suitable marriage proposal, to get engaged first and marry when the mourning period is over. I have searched extensively for suitable girls, but none match Ning Ming well. I am here to ask for your assistance."

Zhulan thought as long as they were not eyeing her granddaughter, everything would be easy to talk about, "You know many young ladies, but not one is suitable?"

Song Shi curled her mouth, "There are suitable ones, but because of the Yu family’s pestering, even the suitable ones become unsuitable."

Zhulan was surprised, clearly indicating that the story behind it was quite complicated; she hadn’t paid attention before. Since Yu Shi died, Ning Ming was in mourning and never visited, so she paid even less attention.

Zhulan commented, "Even Ning Ming, this child, has a soft heart."

Song Shi forced a smile, "Ning Ming only tolerated them because of his mother’s face. Now the feelings are completely gone."

Zhulan didn’t interfere in Ning family matters and agreed with a smile, "I’ll help you look around. Oh my, this child doesn’t have it easy."

Song Shi thought none of them had it easy, "Thank you for your troubles."

If it weren’t for her husband repeatedly asking her, she wouldn’t have visited personally. Her husband asked the elderly lady to play matchmaker, not only to elevate Ning Ming’s marriage proposal but also due to Ning Ming’s bad reputation because of the Yu family; no family wants troublesome relatives.

At the time when the government office was closing, Zhou Shuren was returning home with his son who had come to fetch him, but halfway through the journey, their carriage was stopped.

Zhou Shuren didn’t look out, just heard someone shouting, "Please, Marquis Zhou, help a commoner. I have been wronged; please let the family of this commoner rest in peace."

Zhou Shuren, "!!"

No way, he’s the Minister of Revenue; he deals with silver and grain, this has nothing to do with him handling cases.

Chang Yi looked at his father and whispered, "Father, this is a busy city street; he’s doing it on purpose."

Zhou Shuren said, "Yes, purposely. Couldn’t he have secretly waited at the Ministry of Revenue entrance for me? Why does he have to do it on a busy city street?"

The street was already filled with discussions; he didn’t even need to look to know the speaking man must look pitiful, only then can he garner sympathy.

Zhou Shuren wasn’t in a hurry to speculate whose handiwork it was, a select few families could be behind it, and he didn’t believe the man was acting alone. He chuckled, still saying that if truly wronged, why not secretly seek him out? That’s normal thinking.

Chang Yi listened to the debates outside the carriage, "Father, we can’t move forward."

Zhou Shuren heard the continuous shouting outside the carriage, laden with injustice, "Since we can’t move, let’s get down and take a look."

Interesting enough, throughout the years many have tried to trap him, yet this method he encountered for the first time.

As Zhou Shuren stepped off the carriage, the surrounding people made way, and Jing Yan was tense, worried about a deeper plot, fearing the Marquis might get hurt.

Chang Yi was also vigilant, wary of any trouble arising.

Zhou Shuren observed the man kneeling and kowtowing on the ground, who appeared to be in his thirties, dressed in coarse fabric clothes with frayed cuffs, indicating his poor financial state. His gaze fell on the man’s hands, and then looked at the petition the man raised high.

Zhou Shuren kept silent, and for a while, no one dared to debate; in ancient times, social hierarchy was clear-cut, and people feared getting into trouble, with few acting unwisely.

Life was hard enough in ancient times, why would anyone want to get involved with strangers?

The man kowtowed with great effort, his forehead was blue and purple, lips pale, "Marquis Zhou, I heard back home that you care about the people. So I dared to come to the capital amidst challenges, hearing about Marquis Zhou’s incorruptibility, risking blocking the carriage, and respectfully ask the Marquis to save my life."

Zhou Shuren still didn’t respond, Chang Yi was infuriated. What does this mean? My father cares about the people, but how would the Emperor perceive this statement? And if my father does not help, then he’s not just?

Chang Yi was so angry he wanted to strike, tightly clenching his fists, barely managing to restrain himself.

Zhou Shuren watched the man kneeling before him with half a smile; unfortunately, still no one dared to discuss. Thus the man could only act solo, without audience interplay, solo acting was quite awkward.

Zhou Shuren was entertained as the man went on, but his voice increasingly got smaller.

He felt annoyed. By this time, he’d be home already changing clothes; soon he could dine, squinting and speaking, "I’ve been busy all day, it’s tiring with age. What was it you said before, say it in more detail."

Chang Yi, "!!"

Father did that deliberately.

The man was slightly dumbfounded, seeing Marquis Zhou’s earnest demeanor, lips trembling, and again hearing people around expressing concern for the Marquis, he could only repeat again.

Zhou Shuren interrupted midway, "Stop there, you said you dodged those seeking revenge? This sounds off; you might say it’s possible to overlook a kid, but how could they overlook an adult? Explain that in more detail."

Chang Yi, "..."

The man was a bit stunned, while Chang Yi chuckled.

The man felt a bit panicked; why discuss such matters in a public street, why not find a more secluded spot?