CHAPTER 1752: CHAPTER 1752: BOOK FANS

Ming Hui felt his purse, full of confidence. Not only had he brought back all the family assets this time, but his parents had also given him a substantial sum of Silver Coin. "I’ll go buy some offerings tomorrow."

Chang Xhong also wanted to offer sacrifices. "Buy some more and bring them back."

As they talked, they entered the inn. The way they were dressed was unlike anything seen in the county town. The fabric of their clothes and the Jade Pendant they wore were evidently very valuable.

This, coupled with the large entourage outside, led to much speculation.

The Waiter took the entourage to the backyard, and the Shopkeeper asked in a low voice, "Have you found out anything?"

The Waiter, rubbing the silver angle in his sleeve, looked very excited. "It’s the Zhou family. No, it’s Marquis Zhou’s youngest son and grandson returning to take the examination."

The Shopkeeper gasped. Although he had his suspicions, hearing them confirmed still left him stunned for a moment. He eyed the Waiter, suspecting he’d been rewarded. "How much were you given?"

The Waiter, alert but honest, replied, "Around one or two silver angles."

"You’re one lucky boy."

News soon spread. In the room, Chang Xhong told the young servant, "No need to pay attention to it. They’ll find out sooner or later anyway."

The young servant replied, "If you don’t leave tomorrow, someone will come to visit."

Chang Xhong didn’t want to meet visitors at the inn and changed his mind, saying, "Let’s return to Zhou Family Village early tomorrow."

It wouldn’t be too late to explore the county town after everything was settled.

Ming Hui felt a bit regretful and instructed his young servant, "Go buy more spirit money and offerings."

The young servant replied, "Yes."

It couldn’t be said that news spread quickly; those with intent eyes were watching the entourage, and the County magistrate soon got wind of it.

The County magistrate had his own thoughts but had to admit that the Zhou family had never caused him trouble and their relationship was fairly good. Of course, there were frustrations; the better the Zhou family did, the less he could benefit, reducing his "grease" as it were.

Nonetheless, the County magistrate was excited. After all, this was Marquis Zhou’s youngest son, the most cherished one. He didn’t want to be a County magistrate for life!

On the following day, Zhulan saw the painting sent by Gu Sheng and learned from the young servant’s information that this was a painting that Gu Sheng had completed a while ago.

Zhulan called Yu Wen to look at it together. The painting was not his usual plum blossoms, but landscapes.

Yu Wen said, "If the Count Residence offers too little, I won’t agree."

Zhulan tapped her granddaughter’s forehead, "Don’t worry, the Count Residence will definitely offer a high price."

Yu Wen smiled, "The landscape painting isn’t as pretty as the Plum Blossom Painting!"

Zhulan, a lover of paintings who had collected quite a few over the years, said, "The Count Residence won’t mind."

Zhulan sent someone to deliver the painting to the Count Residence, without naming a price. The Count Residence generously gave two hundred taels and a set of the Four Treasures of the Study!

Yu Wen flipped through the Four Treasures of the Study, "Such generosity."

Zhulan, "The Zheng family has a solid foundation."

Yu Wen, hugging the Four Treasures of the Study, said, "I like it too much to give it to Gu Sheng."

Zhulan laughed, "It’s up to you."

Yu Wen took it with ease, "I’ll save it for dad to use when he returns."

Zhulan frowned, "Your father has been gone for some time. Where is he now?"

Yu Wen knew her father wasn’t as simple as he seemed; if he were truly simple, the Emperor wouldn’t have sent him out, "I don’t think dad will go to Chuanzhou Province first."

Zhulan, "Your guess is right."

Yu Wen remained seated and made no move to return to her yard. Zhulan found it strange, "Aren’t you going to lie down?"

"My mother has been looking for things to do recently."

Not wanting to disturb her brother, who was studying, she was putting all her energy into Yu Wen, making her quite fearful of her mother lately!

Zhulan was silent, "Your parents have never been apart like this since they got married."

Yu Wen understood and said she would care more for her mother, "Grandmother, I’ll go back and keep her company."

"Go ahead."

Zhulan called over a young servant to send a silver note to the Gu family.

Qing Xue saw the wife not moving, "Wife?"

Zhulan snapped back to reality, "It’s about time for Chang Xhong to head home."

Qing Xue, "The young master will take good care of himself."

"I’m not worried about him or Ming Hui. I just miss them. They’re the most boisterous in the residence."

In Zhou Family Village, Chang Xhong had just returned home for a short while when Ming Qing and the clan elders arrived.

Ming Qing said, "The guaranteed household people are ready, and the county town residence has been tidied up. Uncle, would you like to take a look?"

Chang Xhong, "No need, I trust your work."

The clan had arranged residences in both the county and prefecture city for the younger members preparing for exams, funded by the clan’s Silver. Currently, the Zhou family was not lacking in this regard.

Ming Qing said, "You’re going up the mountain to offer sacrifices tomorrow?"

Chang Xhong nodded, "Yes, thank you for taking care of things these years."

Ming Qing smiled, "It’s what the clan should do."

The Zhou’s greatest support was not the clan members who later excelled in exams but always the Hou Residence.

Chang Xhong didn’t ask about the Zhou family’s status. His father’s established clan rules kept the clan members in check. "I’ll visit the Academy later."

Ming Hui said, "Uncle, I won’t go there. I’ll head to Li Family Village and return early tomorrow."

Chang Xhong said, "Send my regards. I’ll visit the day after tomorrow."

After Ming Hui left, more people visited but stayed only briefly before leaving. Chang Xhong then went to the Academy.

In Zhou Family Village, more clan members had returned, increasing the number of large houses, and the village paths had been renovated since the escape.

The reading sound from the Academy reached far. Chang Xhong paused for a moment to listen; they were young kids just starting school.

Ming Qing said, "Even from all over Prefecture City, some have come here out of admiration."

"Are you accepting them?"

Ming Qing, "We’re selective. Only those with talent are admitted."

Chang Xhong said, "Having rules is good."

There were many children at the Academy, and as life improved for the clan, the birth rate increased.

Chang Xhong also visited the study room in the Academy, where many books were kept.

Ming Qing continued, "The clan also collects some copied books, which are distributed to clan members whose families are financially strained."

"You’ve done very well."

Chang Xhong had come to observe and didn’t intend to teach. He stayed for a while before leaving.

In the blink of an eye, several days had passed, and Zhou family received a letter from Chang Zhi, although it wasn’t under his name.

Zhulan finished reading the letter, confirming that Chang Zhi hadn’t gone to Chuanzhou. He had visited many scholars and concluded that everything was well, so there was no need to worry about him.

Su Xuan, having read the letter, said, "Mother, husband is quite bold."

Her heart had been uneasy since her husband left the capital without any reluctance, and a brightness in his eyes she had never seen before left her feeling unsettled.

Zhulan wanted to comfort but couldn’t find words as the letter showed Chang Zhi was very determined, "He knows his limits."

Su Xuan truly wished to follow and watch over him, but it wasn’t possible. If she left the capital, her husband’s itinerary would be impossible to keep secret. "Are you attending Empress Dowager Chen’s literary gathering tomorrow?"

Zhulan had long received the invitation and knew she had to attend for Empress Dowager Chen’s sake, "I will go. Will you join me?"

Su Xuan, "Yes."

Zhulan said, "I heard she also invited many young ladies."

Su Xuan perked up, "Yes, quite a few admirers of Empress Dowager Chen’s writings, I hear."

Zhulan thought of the autographed copy she received, feeling a bit like a fake admirer herself!