Chapter 1599: Chapter 1599: Deeply Impressive

Zhou Shuren, you’re no fool; the Ministry of Justice is never idle. “You came just in time, I brought some fine tea from home.”

“Looks like my luck isn’t too bad.”

The water in Zhou Shuren’s room was always boiling, and the tea was soon brewed. He did not inquire about the Minister of Justice’s intentions, and the two engaged in idle chat.

The Minister of Justice sipped the tea, silently cursing in his heart. If he didn’t speak up, this one wouldn’t initiate the conversation. “I heard the Ministry of Revenue has five or six open positions?”

Zhou Shuren raised his eyes, “Do you have young men in your family?”

The Minister of Justice knew that without a clear explanation, this one wouldn’t take the bait. “I have three daughters at home, and my youngest daughter’s husband is a Scholar at the Hanlin Academy, with the three-year evaluation approaching. After much thought, I came to ask for tea here.”

Zhou Shuren suddenly remembered, “Last time, you chose a promising scholar from a poor family for your daughter.”

The Minister of Justice stroked his beard, “Yes, I know the Ministry of Revenue you’re overseeing is strict. Rest assured, my son-in-law is genuinely talented.”

Zhou Shuren took a sip of tea, “You want him to stay in the capital, not be sent elsewhere?”

The Minister of Justice shook his head, “If he is sent away, who knows how many years it will take to return? Staying in the capital, where he is under my watch, is quite good.”

Zhou Shuren thought, being sent away from the capital and then wanting to return relies first on one’s own solid skills and second on maneuvering. The Minister of Justice clearly does not want to waste too many resources on his son-in-law, and the uncertainties of being sent away are too much of a gamble.

The Minister of Justice spoke again, “Your third son has been away for many years. Now he is the Prefectural Magistrate of Ningzhou, and when you think about it, he hasn’t returned to the capital for many years.”

Zhou Shuren sighed, “Yes, serving as an official afar leaves one with no choice. If he were closer, he could come back and have a look, but he’s too far away.”

The Emperor requires him to be rooted in the south. If his third son wants to report back to the capital, it will take some enduring.

The Minister of Justice still felt envious; Marquis Zhou’s third son was only in his thirties, “Mr. Hou, how about my proposal?”

Zhou Shuren touched the teacup, “You know many people have their eyes on these positions, and I’ve blocked them. Since you’ve come personally, I’ll have my fourth son take more notice and then wait for the evaluation results.”

The Minister of Justice understood, “Once I leave, I’ll know what to say.”

Zhou Shuren clinked teacups with him, and the Minister of Justice mentioned next year’s spring exam, “The capital is quite lively recently. Several Graduates are quite famous, and next year’s exam list will be interesting to see.”

Zhou Shuren smiled; the Minister of Justice was so leisurely all because no one in his family was participating in the exam.

At the Duke of Yongan Residence, Yu Wen with a noble title stood out, and those of lower status had to greet her. After making rounds with the elders, she went to the room where the young ladies were gathered.

Lin Xi, who was a Commandery Princess, didn’t come. She was the only one among the young ladies with a title, so this time everyone had to greet her.

Yu Wen sat casually in one place and said to everyone, “Make yourselves comfortable.”

Wen Ling and Miss Qie from the Qie family looked quite displeased, but what could they do since Yu Wen had a title.

Yu Wen loved seeing Wen Ling jealous of her while being helpless. Her gaze swept over Wen Ling’s attire, thinking how different it was from her flamboyant style, recalling Wen Ling’s exclamation at the teahouse, finding it amusing. Clearly, she had someone in mind.

Yu Lu led the young ladies from her family over, “I just realized today that this bold red suits you so well.”

Previously, this girl was lazy and rarely dressed herself up, especially not in such a flamboyant way.

Miss Wang was even more dazed, tentatively calling out, “Magistrate Anhe?”

Yu Wen smiled, “Please be seated.”

Miss Wang was somewhat intimidated by the Magistrate’s attire but found her easy to get along with, “Thank you, Magistrate.”

She was especially well-mannered.

The legitimate daughter of the Duke of Yongan Residence, Zhuo Ya, came to her senses. Being the hostess, she had dressed up especially, but she still felt uneasy when she saw Magistrate Anhe. “Magistrate Anhe, I am Zhuo Ya.”

Yu Wen, “Hello.”

This legitimate daughter of the Duke of Yongan Residence was fourteen this year and was full-blooded kin with Zhuo Guyu. She rarely went out, but after today, she wouldn’t be confined to the residence anymore.

Zhuo Ya had been flattered a moment ago, so this bland greeting made her smile stiffen. Remembering her mother’s admonitions, she warmly invited, “The Duke Residence’s garden was newly renovated a few years ago, and it snowed again last night. Would the Magistrate like to enjoy the snowy scenery?”

Yu Wen, “…”

No, she just wanted to sit still until the banquet ended.

Yu Lu fiddled with her handkerchief, refraining from speaking, while Miss Wang dared not make a sound.

Zhuo Ya, “Magistrate?”

Yu Wen coughed, “Isn’t it nice to stay indoors listening to music and drinking tea?”

Zhuo Ya was momentarily confused, “Yes, it is.”

“Since it’s nice, I prefer the indoors. Miss Zhuo, if you wish to enjoy the snow, remember to bring a heater; it’s cold outside.”

Zhuo Ya, “…”

It wasn’t that she wanted to see the snow; she wanted to take the Magistrate to see the snow, to see the people!

Wen Ling came over at this time, “I was just thinking of enjoying the snow, please, Miss Zhuo.”

Yu Wen was amused, “Go on, Miss Zhuo, there’s no need to specially entertain me. I’ll just stay here to listen to the music and not go anywhere.”

Eventually, more people wanted to enjoy the snow, leaving Zhuo Ya in an awkward position, having to accompany the young ladies outside.

Yu Lu lowered her voice, “Inviting you alone to see the snow?”

“It wasn’t to see the snow, it was more to see the people.”

Yu Lu, “…I thought the same.”

At this moment, a maid from the Wang residence came over, and Yu Lu took Miss Wang to the elder’s room. Yu Wen sighed, her second sister, the housewife, had it tough having to worry about everything!

Meanwhile, Lady Qin, having finally led the women to enjoy the snow, originally thought to see a perfect match. Instead, “!!”

Su Xuan chuckled at the sight; there were quite a few young ladies here to enjoy the snow, and only Zhuo Guyu’s brisk silhouette was visible.

At the Jiang family, Zhulan arrived at the door of the birthing room, asking her eldest daughter, “How did she fall and go into premature labor?”

Xue Mei, “Mother, don’t worry.”

How could Zhulan not be worried? The message said it was very dangerous, or she wouldn’t have come personally. “What exactly happened?”

Xue Mei helped her mother to a seat, “One of the maids in the household’s steward had a scheme. I’ve already punished her with plans to sell her, but who knew she’d hold a grudge and lay a hand on Mu Lan.”

Zhulan, “…”

She thought such things wouldn’t happen around her!

Then Zhulan got angry, looking at the servants in the courtyard, she rarely intervened in her daughter’s house matters. Her daughter and son-in-law weren’t even home often; previously, Jiang Miu kept things in line. The old madam of the Jiang family didn’t matter, she couldn’t manage the servants.

Have the main family been away long enough for you to consider yourselves half the masters?

Zhulan’s face darkened, “You’ve been too lenient.”

Xue Mei lowered her head, recognizing her fault, “Mother, I’ve already found a broker to sell them.”

Zhulan maintained her stern expression, “I say sell not just one, clean up all the servants in the courtyard for me.”

A lenient mistress in a daughter’s household, and the servants dare to bully their masters for revenge, that’s quite something.

Xue Mei felt a shiver, knowing her mother was truly angry, “Mother, I will handle it properly.”

“Don’t make me intervene.”

Xue Mei, “Yes.”

Mu Lan’s labor was dangerous, but luckily she had good fortune; not long after, she gave birth. Because the child was premature, his body was weak and required slow nurturing. Mu Lan also suffered some physical injury and needed a couple of years to recover.

The child was a son, making the old lady of the Jiang family so happy that she kept chanting prayers.

Zhulan confirmed that both the child and mother were alright and, not wanting to watch her daughter handle the servants, she stood to return home.

Meanwhile, Su Xuan and her daughter also left the Duke’s Residence. Yu Wen, who had been drowsy, was invigorated upon seeing someone standing at a door; she had a lasting impression of this person!