Chapter 1550: Chapter 1550 Wonderful

The next day, during the morning court session, Zhou Shuren already knew yesterday about the instability between the two countries on the Dongbei border. He didn’t sleep well last night, and it wasn’t due to worries about provisions; he simply did not want to see war or chaos.

A considerable number of citizens from both countries have already gathered at the border. As long as they don’t cross the line, the border soldiers won’t take action. However, the cannons remain aimed at the border, ready to fire if there is any disturbance.

Zhou Shuren didn’t sleep well last night and looked a bit haggard, his back bending slightly involuntarily. He felt like yawning twice but sensed something was off. When he looked up, why did it seem like everyone was looking at him?

Zhou Shuren perked up and glanced around; he hadn’t done anything!

Currently, the movements of the two countries are still kept secret, known only to the high-ranking officials and not discussed in the court. Today’s morning discussion still centered on the snow disaster.

After the morning court session ended, Zhou Shuren walked a bit slowly. The snow-covered steps were somewhat slippery, and his old arms and legs meant a fall would be half his life.

Li Zhao coughed and said, “You don’t look so well. Please take care of your health; don’t fall ill.”

Zhou Shuren tugged at the corner of his mouth, “You’re afraid if I fall ill, you won’t get provisions, right?”

Li Zhao lowered his voice, “I am concerned about you too.”

Zhou Shuren rolled his eyes, not wanting to bother with Li Zhao, and hurried off with a snort.

Returning to the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren’s face turned dark upon seeing the Imperial Physician, “I am not ill.”

The Imperial Physician also looked awkward, giving a dry laugh, “I understand, my lord. I will stay at the Ministry of Revenue for the time being; anyone feeling unwell can come to me.”

Zhou Shuren’s expression finally improved, realizing how busy things really were lately, “Hmm.”

Thus, the Imperial Physician stayed at the Ministry of Revenue. The weather was indeed very cold, leading to many feeling unwell and keeping the physician busy.

The news that the Ministry of Revenue had an Imperial Physician spread quickly, especially reaching the Ministry of Personnel, the head of The Six Ministries. The Minister of Personnel wasn’t feeling well either, and faced with inquiries, he retorted, “Don’t nag here; have the guts to invite one yourself.”

Zhou Shuren couldn’t care less about the other ministries; the Ministry of Revenue was the busiest at the moment.

In Zhangzhou Province, Yushuang had just sent away the wives of the county officials, rubbing her facial muscles, stiffened from smiling, and turned to check on her younger son.

Lady Hu heard footsteps and gestured for silence, signaling to talk outside.

Seeing that the younger son was asleep, Yushuang didn’t dare make a sound. The elder son was well-behaved, but the younger son had never been easy since birth, crying unless content or comfortable, especially at night. The nanny and maid’s eyes were always dark from exhaustion, and she was also afraid of him.

Lady Hu breathed a sigh, “This child is adorable when asleep but too noisome when awake.”

No matter how adorable her grandson was, she couldn’t say he was easy to take care of against her conscience.

Yushuang personally poured tea for her mother-in-law, “Thank you, mother, for your hard work.”

Lady Hu smiled, “It’s no trouble. We have the nanny and maid; this child was born into comfort within the officials’ family.”

Yushuang shared this sentiment, but also believed the child was spoiled, becoming tense at every cry and unable to bear disciplining him.

Lady Hu asked, “What did they come to see you for?”

Yushuang sighed, “It’s about the food again. In families of these minor officials, some are well-off while others are tight on resources. Compared to commoners, they’re indeed better off, but in our impoverished county, while they aren’t lacking food, although they can’t eat refined grains every meal, they can still eat enough; it’s just the meat that’s gone.”

Lady Hu understood, “Wanting to borrow from you, then?”

Yushuang, “Not quite. No matter what, Liufeng is still the county magistrate, the biggest in the town. They know my father has a farm with livestock and that I’ve never been short of meat since childbirth due to my parents’ help. Knowing our family’s abundance, they want to buy poultry from the farm.”

Lady Hu frowned, “I don’t know much about the officialdom, but I think you shouldn’t set that precedent. What about next time?”

Yushuang, “I didn’t agree. It’s for my father to raise and feed the child.”

Lady Hu laughed, “Not agreeing was right. They bullied you for being thin-skinned, thinking the group pressure would make you relent.”

“Yes, their plan was quite good. Unfortunately, I don’t care what they say behind my back. I know they’re jealous of me, and I delight in seeing them both jealous and trying to curry favor.”

Lady Hu’s smile widened, “Right, you needn’t worry about them. They only dare to talk behind closed doors, not outside.”

Why should the daughter-in-law’s family be any less than the Hou Residence? No matter how modest her father’s official position, he was still an official in the capital, let alone her grandfather’s high rank and power.

Zhulan was unaware that her eldest granddaughter was being schemed against. She divided all the poultry her eldest son brought back, splitting it among relatives and good friends, depleting what seemed an ample supply.

Zhulan, “No matter how much, it’s never enough to share.”

The eldest Zhou, “This year, with Rongchuan not in the grasslands, there’s no beef.”

He was tempted by the cattle at the farm but decided against it since the cows were healthy.

Zhulan also craved beef, “Ah, forget about the beef.”

This year, the checks are exceptionally stringent. Cows are critical agricultural labor, making beef scarcely seen in private, prompting the noble families in the capital to be more restrained.

The eldest Zhou pondered and asked, “Mother, it’s so cold this year. It won’t warm after the lunar New Year; will Ming Rui still be prepared to take the Scholar exam next year?”

“It’s been on my mind too; I’m just afraid he might fall ill from the cold. However, you know the Lin family’s dowry is almost ready; once Ming Rui takes the Scholar exam, it’s time to discuss the marriage date.”

He chuckled, “The Lin family seems eager.”

Zhulan, “We originally thought there’s no rush, but your second brother felt it’d be good to marry early.”

She knew that Chang Yi also wanted to become a grandfather. The eldest son had grandchildren, and Chang Yi was envious. Meeting the children, Chang Yi would accompany them for a while, being the favorite adult among them.

The eldest smiled upon hearing it was his second brother’s idea and remarked, “Marrying early is indeed good.”

Mother and son continued their conversation for a while. The eldest Zhou wanted to take some people to the river to fish, but Zhulan stopped him, saying there was already plenty of sea fish.

Two more days passed. Jiang Ping, now well enough to get out of bed, couldn’t stay at home and ran to the Hou Residence. It was also Chang Yi’s day off. Upon seeing his nephew, Chang Yi felt guilty, knowing if it hadn’t been for his maneuvering, the twins wouldn’t have taken this path.

Jiang Ping said, “Second Uncle, I’m really enjoying life now, it’s exciting.”

Zhulan threw an orange she was holding, “Exciting for you, but causing anxiety for us. Your departure has left your mother sleepless.”

Jiang Ping felt remorseful, “Grandmother, what we are doing is meaningful.”

This time, it was him who brought back the intelligence, knowing it in advance could reduce the number of casualties.

Zhulan knew her grandson was right but couldn’t help feeling heartache; the children were so young. “Is Jiang An doing well?”

Under the watchful eyes of his second uncle and grandmother, Jiang Ping could only answer, “He’s doing fine. With one of us in the open and one hidden, my return to deliver the news did not arouse any suspicion towards Jiang An.”

Being twins who were alike was exceedingly rare. Along with their lifelong habit of mimicking each other’s nuances, even their minor habits were identical, making it hard for anyone to discern they weren’t the same person.

At this moment, Steward Ding entered, “Madam, a message has been sent from the palace by the Female Officer, inviting you to the palace tomorrow.”