CHAPTER 1741: CHAPTER 1741: NOT SURPRISED

The Crown Prince, having gained a legitimate eldest son, appeared even more vigorous during morning court assemblies. The Emperor was all smiles every day. The Royal family and the Shangguan family were elated, which only caused distress to the noble families with ulterior motives.

They couldn’t show it, though, and had to offer fake smiles to congratulate the Crown Prince.

Zhou Shuren, having watched several days of fake smiles, found himself breaking into a cold sweat. Shangguan Elder couldn’t take it anymore and took a leave of absence.

Of course, people still speculated about the mystery of the third-day ceremony, but unfortunately, no one could find out anything. Marquis Zhou did not grow any closer to the Crown Prince. The more they couldn’t find out, the more it fueled their imagination, as if there were some colossal secret.

Zhou Shuren dismissed those probing and said to Master Wei, "Isn’t this just asking for trouble?"

Master Wei’s nerves trembled, having listened to Marquis Zhou’s retorts for two days, he had his eyes opened, and let out a dry laugh, "They won’t give up just because they’re getting nowhere."

Zhou Shuren flexed his gloved hands, "Do you want to know?"

Master Wei shook his head, "No, I don’t want to."

Zhou Shuren laughed out loud, noting that his younger son’s father-in-law seemed a bit timid, "The year-end is approaching, and this is the last salary distribution of the year."

Master Wei exhaled slightly; while discussing salaries, his tone carried some joy, "I wonder if there will be any rewards at the end of this year."

So many officials’ homes had been raided; it should be a good year!

Zhou Shuren thought, "There should be."

Master Wei smiled. Although he had a foundation, additional rewards were still good, "Master Wang hasn’t attended court for two days now."

Zhou Shuren gave an acknowledgment. The old man’s health was failing, yet he continued to endure, hoping to make it through the year.

In the afternoon, at the Hou residence, Ming Hui returned from outside the city, his cloak covered in snow. Zhulan frowned, "Couldn’t you shake the snow off before coming in?"

Ming Hui handed his cloak to a young servant, "Grandson has good news and forgot to shake the snow off in the excitement."

Zhulan hummed; Ming Hui wasn’t as diligent going to the academy, this being only his third time this winter, and she had heard that Shao Ting had returned to treating Ming Hui normally again, "What’s the good news?"

Ming Hui rubbed his hands by the fire, "Miss Jiang is getting engaged."

Zhulan, "Oh."

Ming Hui saw no surprise on his grandmother’s face, "You knew?"

Zhulan put down the book in her hand, "There’s nothing in the academy I don’t know about. Miss Jiang and Shao Ting are close, so Shao Xun getting engaged to Miss Jiang is no surprise."

Ming Hui, "Grandson was so excited to tell you!"

Zhulan also knew that Shao Ting had helped make the match, the two girls were a perfect team, convincing many families to send daughters to the academy. Shao Ting admired Miss Jiang, leading to this outcome, and Shao Xun, despite Miss Jiang’s looks, did not despise her, and even respected her. She felt Ming Hui had a good eye for people.

Ming Hui said, "Grandson thought to wait a few days until Miss Jiang returned to tell you personally."

Zhulan had thought the same, after all, she was someone under the Hou residence’s care, and periodically, she had to help make a match.

Ming Hui didn’t know about Miss Jiang’s background, "She’s likely getting engaged first, planning for marriage after passing the scholar exam next year."

"That’s not for you to worry about."

Ming Hui asked, "Grandmother, will you add to Miss Jiang’s dowry?"

"Since the Emperor entrusted her marriage to our Hou residence, I will prepare a dowry."

Ming Hui peeled an orange, "The Shao family’s not well-off."

Zhulan waved her hand, "Alright, don’t bother me, you go rest as well."

Ming Hui swallowed the orange, "Grandmother, I’m leaving then."

Just as Zhulan left, Lady Li came in, holding a list of annual gifts given over the years, "Mother, with my younger brother-in-law having more in-laws this year, I don’t know how to draft this year’s gift list."

The youngest son of her parents-in-law was like their lifeblood. She went through several gift lists, pulling out her hair in frustration, and in the end, she could only come to consult her mother-in-law.

Zhulan pondered for a while, "Add twenty percent compared to families like the Ran family."

Chang Xhong was the uncle among Mingyun’s siblings, twenty percent more would suffice.

Lady Li felt reassured, "I’ll go back and draft the list now."

Zhulan looked at the thick stack of gift lists, and these were just the important ones, "It’s been tough on you lately."

Lady Li smiled, "Lau Jia has been helping me."

She would also provide guidance on the side, and with Marquis Rong’an Hou’s gifts being numerous, her daughter-in-law was often overwhelmed and scrambling.

Zhulan said, "When you go out, take Lau Jia with you. When there’s nothing important, talk more about the female taboos."

Women could hold grudges for real, and an unintended offense could lead to them causing trouble for you next time, so it’s better to avoid it where possible.

Especially the women in the ancient inner courtyards, the results of house fights often led to psychological issues, either a strong desire for control or a rigid temperament!

Lady Li, "There have been more banquets lately."

"With the Crown Prince having a legitimate eldest son and the Royal family in a good mood, everyone wants to relax."

Since the Retired Emperor passed away and the court was restructured by the Emperor, invitations had decreased significantly. Even when there were gatherings, they dared not laugh and make merry too much. Now that the Royal family’s clouds have cleared, everyone wants to relax.

Lady Li recalled a rumor she heard, "I heard the Crown Prince is taking a concubine."

Zhulan, "Nonsense."

Lady Li chuckled, "That’s why I just listened and didn’t take it to heart."

The Crown Princess Consort has a legitimate eldest son, and the Crown Prince isn’t mad; these rumors only show some people’s impatience.

In the blink of an eye, the Wei family returned their annual gift. The gift from the Zhou residence was sent early, due to frequent interactions, if not sent earlier, it would definitely be a scramble at the last minute.

Zhulan took the return gift from the Wei family, hmm, it indeed mimicked the Zhou family’s return gifts, only with different priorities.

Zhulan asked, "Is Chang Xhong at home?"

Qing Xue replied, "He went out early in the morning."

Zhulan put down the gift list, "Select the ones useful to Chang Xhong and send them to his courtyard."

Qing Xue, "Understood."

Lady Li asked, "Mother, is my younger brother meeting with the Wei family miss?"

Zhulan, "He should be."

Next year, Chang Xhong would have to leave the capital to return home and study for the scholar exams. He would be away for quite a while, and with young love, it’s hard to bear being apart.

At a foreign goods shop, Chang Xhong accompanied his fiancée in selecting items. After standing for a while watching, "Why are you choosing all these men’s things?"

Wei Xinyi asked, "Do you like them?"

Chang Xhong was not lacking in these things; he received many foreign goods, more exquisite than those in the shop, but, "Everything you choose, I like."

Wei Xinyi, with a sweet smile, "Take them all with you when you leave."

Chang Xhong mentally calculated the price, estimating that his fiancée’s purse would be quite deflated, "Alright."

Wei Xinyi, sweetness tinged with pain, felt distressed when it came time to pay. The hard-earned silver she had saved up, she so willingly handed over.

Chang Xhong knew his fiancée well; just seeing her clutching her purse was enough to know she felt the pinch!

Wei Xinyi took a deep breath, knowing she could continue saving, "Load them all onto your carriage."

"Quite generous."

Wei Xinyi couldn’t help but laugh, "Come on, let’s go choose some pens."

Chang Xhong turned his head slightly, "Buying more?"

"Mm."

Chang Xhong was about to say he had too many famous pens already, his father’s storeroom contained even more; he had never bought a pen himself. But seeing his fiancée’s sparkling eyes, he smiled, "As you say."

After the two bought pens, they went to a bookshop where Chang Xhong paid for travel journals for Wei Xinyi.

Zhou Shuren took a couple of hours’ leave to visit Master Wang. Coming out of the Wang residence, he was in a foul mood and wanted to stroll around the streets to feel the city life. As it turned out, he saw his younger son and future daughter-in-law, both not taking a carriage, laughing and chatting happily the whole way.

Zhou Shuren felt a tap on his shoulder. Only a few could pat him so in the capital; he turned to see Li Zhao, "It’s you."

Li Zhao, dressed in casual clothing, asked, "Why are you clutching your stomach, feeling unwell?"

Zhou Shuren, "Feeling stuffed."

Li Zhao, "Hmm?"