Chapter 1527: Chapter 1527: Persistence

Zhou Shuren returned home from the government office but didn’t bring back any letters. It was only after dinner that he said, “Today I received a letter from Zhao Bo.”

Zhulan responded with a simple “Hmm,” and asked, “What did it say?”

The correspondence between their two families had grown increasingly sparse, mainly because Shuren no longer wished to reply.

“His youngest son is ill. His wife is bringing the child to the capital to see a doctor, and they said they might visit the Hou Residence.”

Zhulan still remembered how Zhao Bo had jokingly proposed an alliance through marriage back in the day. “I doubt they’re only bringing the youngest son to the capital.”

“Hmm, based on the timeline, they’re likely arriving soon.”

Zhulan chuckled. “It’s quite the coincidence that Chang Xhong is not home.”

Zhou Shuren’s smile deepened. “Indeed, it’s quite the coincidence.”

Zhulan added, “Oh, by the way, the Wang family sent an invitation to Lady Li today.”

“I’ve heard the Liu family has been quite active as well. It seems the Wang family is trying to rope people in.”

Zhulan sighed. “I heard from Xue Han that recently the Emperor hasn’t gone anywhere except the empress’s sleeping quarters. The Emperor’s actions are so obvious, and he’s even allowing the news to spread. Doesn’t the Wang family understand what this means?”

Zhou Shuren fanned his wife with a handheld fan. “They understand, but the fact remains that the Emperor is in his prime. Who can predict what the future holds?”

Zhulan sighed again. “The Wang family relies on the history of working with you, so we have to give them some face. Otherwise, I truly wouldn’t want Lady Li to go.”

“Just make an appearance and follow the crowd. As long as there’s no issue raised, it’s fine.”

“Hmm, I know what to do.”

The next morning, Zhou Eldest didn’t leave the city. After breakfast, he came to the main courtyard early and said, “Mother, I want to select a few more children from the family to bring to the capital.”

Zhulan replied, “Didn’t you already bring back six? Isn’t that enough manpower?”

Zhou Eldest explained, “Of the six I brought back, Second Brother liked three and directly took them away. That left me short-handed.”

“I see. As long as you know what you’re doing. But don’t bring too many family children to the capital—it might make the family children restless and neglect their studies.”

Zhou Eldest nodded. “Understood, Mother.”

“Hmm. By the way, the ducks you raised this spring, they must be grown by now, right?”

Zhou Eldest chuckled. “Indeed, Mother, they’re almost ready to eat in a few days.”

Zhulan, who had developed a craving for roast duck after her frugal period, smiled. “Good, when they’re ready, we’ll have roast duck.”

Zhou Eldest nodded, satisfied. He had raised many chickens, ducks, and geese on the estate, all for the family’s enjoyment. Every time the family ate the poultry he had raised, he felt a great sense of fulfillment.

Zhou Eldest then asked, “Mother, should we hold a big celebration for your birthday?”

Zhulan waved her hand. “Your father didn’t hold one, so neither will I. Just a family meal will suffice.”

Zhou Eldest felt regretful but resigned. Frugality was the current norm, and there were far fewer banquet invitations in the capital. Many influential figures in the capital were particularly keen on showcasing their modesty.

Over in the fourth branch, Yu Jiao tugged at Fifth Sister, who just wanted to go back to sleep. “Fifth Sister, it’s cloudy today and not too hot. Let’s go out to the streets, okay?”

Yu Wen wasn’t in the mood to head out. “Go find Third Sister.”

“Third Sister went out with my elder sister.”

Her elder sister found her too noisy and worried about not being able to return quickly if she took her outside. Despite her pleading, her elder sister had steadfastly refused to take her along!

Yu Wen perked up. “Why didn’t you go with them?”

Yu Jiao spread her hands. “My sister wouldn’t let me go.”

If not for that, she wouldn’t have come to look for Fifth Sister. Her sister had insisted that she stay home and practice the zither, but she already knew the music piece inside out. She didn’t want to practice anymore—she wanted to go shopping.

Yu Wen pushed Yu Jiao’s hand away. “No way! If Fourth Sister doesn’t allow it, I definitely won’t dare to take you out either.”

Su Xuan entered at that moment and overheard this. “Perfect timing—I’ve been meaning to visit the shop. Why don’t the two of you join me?”

Yu Jiao was overjoyed. “Fourth Aunt is the best!”

Su Xuan laughed. “You little rascal, always the sweet talker.”

Yu Wen hesitated. “…Mother, I didn’t agree to go.”

“Your objection is invalid. Go change your clothes now.”

Su Xuan, noticing her daughter’s attire, grew annoyed. For the sake of sleeping in, Yu Wen had dressed herself extremely simply. All her thoughts were focused on how best to slack off.

By the time they left the residence, nearly an hour had passed. Su Xuan led the group to the shop first, met with the steward, and then took the two girls to browse the streets.

Throughout the outing, Yu Wen followed sluggishly. Even though it was cloudy, the weather remained stuffy. She utterly disliked shopping. What she would much prefer was to place a few basins of ice nearby and then sleep comfortably under a light blanket.

Yu Wen thought Yu Jiao was truly her mother’s ideal child. Yu Jiao and Su Xuan were the only two in the family who loved shopping the most. Look at them going from shop to shop together—Yu Wen didn’t want to take another step again. “Mother, there’s a tea shop up ahead. I’ll wait for you there.”

Su Xuan, with Yu Jiao as her companion, decided to give her listless daughter a break. “Fine, go ahead.”

Yu Wen entered the tea shop, picked out a seat by the window, ordered a cool tea, and had a maidservant fan her. She felt immediately more reinvigorated.

After finishing her tea, rain suddenly started pouring down outside. Pedestrians either opened umbrellas or scrambled to find shelter if they didn’t have one.

Yu Wen was momentarily worried for her mother. But then she remembered her mother was in a shop and wouldn’t get wet, so she relaxed and continued waiting.

“Miss Zhou.”

Yu Wen turned her head. “Young Master Ning.”

They exchanged brief greetings and then quietly kept to themselves.

Ning Ming had come in to escape the rain. He didn’t sit at the same table as Miss Zhou but instead chose one nearby and ordered a pot of tea. Ning Ming, frowning slightly, checked the box of pastries he had brought and was relieved to find they hadn’t gotten wet. A faint smile appeared on his face.

Yu Wen listened to the sound of the rain. “Ah, it’s so soothing—it feels like it could put people to sleep.”

The maid behind her stood guard, shielding her from the gazes of others behind them. “When the rain lightens and the carriage arrives, you’ll be able to return home.”

Yu Wen nodded. “Hmm.”

The heavy rain quickly lessened, and the Zhou family’s carriage arrived. Su Xuan had already boarded the carriage with Yu Jiao.

Yu Wen stood up, nodded politely toward Young Master Ning, and then left with her maidservant to board the carriage and depart.

Ning Ming, recalling his mother’s persistent schemes, felt a headache coming on.

Several rainy days followed in the capital. The Emperor had only recently commented on how favorable this year’s rainfall was—no flooding in the south and a smooth year overall—but the very next day, an urgent report arrived in the capital about a locust plague in Jiaozhou.

The Emperor’s cheerful demeanor disappeared instantly. Locusts—just hearing the word was enough to dampen anyone’s spirits. Zhou Shuren sighed heavily, hoping the plague wasn’t too widespread.

That evening, upon returning home, Zhou Shuren said to Zhulan, “Jiaozhou is a major grain-producing region. Among all the significant prefectures, its grain yields are ranked at the top. The grain for the entire region—ah, it’s disheartening.”

Zhulan remarked, “If only there were more chickens and ducks raised this year.”

Zhou Shuren replied, “Because of grain shortages, most poultry were slaughtered. There’s not much being raised this year, and large-scale farming isn’t feasible right now. Even if every household had chickens and ducks, it wouldn’t help much.”

Zhulan said thoughtfully, “I’ve heard locusts can be eaten.”

“Hmm,” Zhou Shuren affirmed.

Zhulan continued, “Let’s organize efforts to catch them, then dry them out and mix them into cornmeal—it’s not bad. Even if they’re not for human consumption, they can be used to feed chickens and ducks.”

Zhou Shuren smiled. “I’ve already suggested it to the Emperor.”

“It’s good that you brought it up.”

Despite this small comfort, they both worried that the locust plague might spread to other regions, leaving them powerless to prevent it.

Fortunately, the situation in Jiaozhou wasn’t as severe as feared. Although grain production dropped, some crops were spared. Of course, it was possible the reports exaggerated the positive news.

One day, Zhulan unexpectedly received a visit from Mrs. Yu. She was utterly surprised, given how ill Mrs. Yu was. How had she managed to personally come over?