Chapter 1526: Chapter 1526: Thoughts

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, five days had passed. Zhulan didn’t continue to pay attention to Mrs. Yu. Unexpectedly, Ning Ming came to the residence with quite a few live prawns.

Zhulan smiled and said, “Your mother is too kind, such large live prawns are not easy to get.”

Ning Ming understood his mother’s intentions, though he did not agree with her way of thinking. He followed her instructions to visit the Marquis Zhou Residence, as he wanted to repay them for the kindness of sending medicine. This was normal social interaction. “My father loves eating prawns. Every year, he buys a considerable amount of them. Over time, he even acquired a fishing boat. Prawns aren’t lacking at home. These were newly delivered today, and I specifically brought them for you and Mr. Hou to enjoy fresh.”

Zhulan thought to herself, indeed, there is still Silver to spend. Ning Zhixiang has divided substantial family estate. “Alright, I’ll have the kitchen prepare them today.”

Zhulan then asked, “How is your mother doing?”

Ning Ming’s eyes dimmed slightly. His mother had a lot on her mind and loved to ponder, but she was genuinely good to him. “She has been feeling a little better lately, but her appetite is still poor.”

Zhulan understood that Mrs. Yu hadn’t shown much improvement. “People who have consumed too much herbal medicine tend to have a poor appetite. You could try medicinal cuisine.”

Ning Ming froze for a moment before expressing his gratitude. “I’ll ask the Imperial Physician.”

Zhulan then heard Yu Jiao’s voice from outside. She glanced at the time; it was time for her granddaughter’s lesson.

Ning Ming naturally heard it too and quickly stood up. “Madam, I’ll take my leave now.”

“Alright.”

Zhulan had Steward Ding see the guest out, lamenting that none of her grandsons were at home today.

Ning Ming followed the steward out. Yu Jiao and a few others stepped aside in the courtyard. Yu Wen was slower and lagged behind, still a bit groggy from just waking up.

Ning Ming nodded in acknowledgment before walking straight out of the courtyard without looking around.

Steward Ding, a bit worried about the Fifth Miss, wouldn’t share his concerns with outsiders. His peripheral vision caught Ning Ming and wondered whether the latter noticed the Fifth Miss’s disoriented look.

Ning Ming stepped out of the Marquis Zhou Residence and boarded his private carriage. He reflected on what he had just seen and shook his head. Whatever the Zhou family’s Fifth Miss was like had nothing to do with him. His mother had too high hopes. Even if once there had been thoughts of marriage between the Zhou and Ning families, that was meant for a son from the Ning Duke Residence, not for him.

Later, the marriage plans between the two families fell through. The Zhou family’s daughters still didn’t have trouble finding suitors. Even though they were extremely selective in choosing husbands, there were still families willing to sacrifice a son just to forge a marital alliance with them. In contrast, he was neither high-born nor low enough—families with good pedigrees didn’t consider him, and less distinguished families couldn’t meet his mother’s standards.

Ning Ming pondered how he would explain this to his mother without agitating her.

At the Hanlin Academy, Chang Zhi walked out of the room with stiff lips. Patting his own cheeks, he spotted his eldest nephew drinking tea in the courtyard and quickly approached him. “You’re not busy?”

Mingyun replied, “I just returned from the Palace and am taking a short rest.”

Chang Zhi swallowed two cups of tea in quick succession and let out a long sigh. “Ah.”

Mingyun asked, “Fourth Uncle, what’s troubling you?”

“Isn’t it about the marriage prospects for Ming Jia and Yu Wen? Since I came back from the grasslands, no less than three people have brought it up to me.”

Mingyun remarked, “There are plenty of good matches from the Hanlin Academy. Are you dissatisfied?”

“It’s precisely because their backgrounds are too good that I’m worried. You’re well aware of your Fifth Sister’s temperament, aren’t you? Her biggest wish is to live a carefree life. Listen to her remarks—she says her requirements aren’t high. This isn’t high? I’ve never heard of a higher demand.”

Mingyun laughed, “That girl certainly has her own ideas.”

“Hmph, getting married and managing a household—how could you not have worries? Even living alone comes with its own burdens. She’s been spoiled by your Fourth Aunt.”

Mingyun’s lips twitched slightly. “Fourth Uncle, would you dare say this to Fourth Aunt?”

Chang Zhi hesitated. “…Why wouldn’t I dare?”

“Your tone suggests otherwise.”

Chang Zhi harrumphed but said no more. Alright, he indeed wouldn’t dare. Truth be told, his daughter ended up this way largely because of him. “Ah, don’t be fooled by her leisurely demeanor. Your Fifth Sister isn’t someone to suffer losses. When provoked, her ability to retaliate is formidable. Can I truly feel at ease with her?”

Mingyun leisurely sipped his tea, “The Zhou family’s girls certainly each have their own personalities.”

Chang Zhi agreed, “Too much personality, to be precise. Though it’s not a bad thing—it means they won’t get bullied. The marriage arrangements for Yushuang and the others turned out well, and Yu Wen should also find someone who suits her.”

He didn’t mention that his daughter once expressed a preference for living alone, which shocked him to the core. Luckily, she later added that she was just entertaining the idea. For the sake of their family’s daughters’ reputations, she couldn’t avoid getting married.

In Zhangzhou Province, Ming Teng had seen too much poverty. He had witnessed the struggles of grassland people, where even obtaining salt was a challenge. Hence, Zhangzhou’s hardships didn’t faze him much.

Ming Hui was similarly unfazed—he had traveled extensively with his father and seen quite a lot. Chang Zhong, being even more widely traveled than Ming Hui, was indifferent as well.

Lau Jia, on the other hand, was deeply affected. Along the way, she saw barely anyone whose clothes weren’t patched. Moreover, everyone she passed looked pale and emaciated. “This place is so impoverished.”

Since entering Zhangzhou Province, she hadn’t seen a single sheep herder, whereas she could spot them occasionally in other provinces.

Ming Teng explained, “That’s why it’s called a poor province. The land here is not fertile, crop yields are low, and the people often struggle with hunger year-round. Without Silver, their lives are extremely difficult.”

As the days grew harder, there appeared to be no hope in sight.

Lau Jia sighed, “You truly don’t realize the extent of poverty without venturing out. I had mistakenly thought that even during tough times, people would be like the capital’s common folk.”

Even if the capital’s people looked thin, they still had a certain energy about them. Her assumptions were far too optimistic.

“That’s why it’s important to step outside and see the reality for oneself.”

Soon, their carriage arrived at the county office. Having sent a message ahead, Yushuang was already waiting at the entrance, cradling her pregnant belly. She smiled upon seeing Ming Teng and his group. “You’ve had a long journey. Meals are prepared; let’s eat first.”

Ming Teng noticed that Yushuang was in good spirits and smiled back. “Grandmother and Aunt couldn’t prepare anything for you.”

Yushuang had noticed this already. She glanced at the several carriages and said, “Grandmother and Mother have been worried about me.”

Chang Zhong chimed in, “Then write home often.”

Yushuang called out warmly, “Uncle.”

Chang Zhong smiled broadly. “Let’s talk inside.”

The group made their way to the backyard. The meal laid out wasn’t luxurious, and Yushuang apologized, “Good things are scarce here.”

On the table, there were fish, chicken, and some dried seafood. Beyond that, there wasn’t much else.

Once Yushuang’s mother-in-law had seated herself, Chang Zhong sat down and remarked, “We’re living frugally nowadays. This is already more than enough.”

Yushuang replied, “Ah, this place is inherently poor. Even the officials in the county office struggle to get by. Even if we don’t practice frugality, there’s barely any substance to be had. The only reason we have fish and chicken is thanks to the animals my father raises on his estate.”

Chang Zhong laughed, “Second Brother truly cares for you.”

Yushuang’s father wasn’t expecting much income from his estate. To put it plainly, the livestock were raised purely for Yushuang’s benefit, so she could eat better.

Back in the capital, at the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren accepted the letter handed to him by Jing Yan. After glancing at it briefly, he set it aside without paying it much attention.