CHAPTER 1580: CHAPTER 1580 BANQUET INVITATION

Zhou Shuren took a deep breath, "Bah, I won’t let them do business. If I remember correctly, there are quite a few caravans every year. Caravans entering the grasslands hire many escort guards, yet with bad luck, the losses can be heavy."

Li Zhao finally responded, "You mean escorted by the soldiers?"

Zhou Shuren, "Yes, since there are fixed patrol duties anyway, they can escort the caravans and make some silver as well."

Li Zhao opened a new door, yes, escorting while on patrol, there are no losses to be had and they can make silver. If they can also be responsible for food along the way, all the better, there’s a shortage of food now, his mental calculations were particularly clear.

Li Zhao continued to think creatively, "They could also raise some cattle and sheep for self-sufficient meat, this would lighten the burden significantly."

Zhou Shuren, "Hmm, not bad."

Li Zhao was excited, "I’ll go back and think it over carefully and present the Zhezi to the Emperor tomorrow."

After Li Zhao left, Zhou Shuren exhaled, the yearly military supplies truly weigh him down, especially in years of reduced crop yield.

Li Zhao is a quick person, the next day the Emperor saw the Zhezi, the Emperor was pleased after reviewing it, "Good idea."

The Crown Prince also looked at the Zhezi, "This isn’t asking for silver, Marquis Zhou provided a solution."

After looking at the Zhezi, the Emperor thought even more, let alone the fatigue of Marquis Zhou with military supplies, even he, the Emperor, is tired, the navy is an enormous expense, if not for the income from trade routes, the Imperial court’s burden would be even heavier.

The Emperor approved the Zhezi, feeling slightly lighter, and rare concern turned to the Crown Prince’s marriage matters, "Have you visited Shangguan’s residence lately?"

The Crown Prince paused with the pen in hand, "No, I’ve been busy lately, father."

Seeing his son’s expression, the Emperor, who raised his child personally, understood deeply, "I know you have no feelings for Miss Shangguan, but I hope you will invest more effort. A wife is for a lifetime."

Even if the Empress has her faults, her merits cannot be denied, he never thought of replacing her, nor did he consider reappointing an Empress if she were gone, the promise made to the Empress remains unchanged, one wife for a lifetime is enough.

He and the Empress have feelings, so he hopes his son’s future marriage will be smooth and harmonious, a united couple is very important.

The Crown Prince was moved, he understood his father’s meaning but tried to reassure, "Miss Shangguan is very good."

She fits the role of Crown Princess Consort, but something is lacking in their interaction, he thinks it may be because they aren’t married yet, once wed they will be closer.

The Emperor looked deeply at his son, then sighed inwardly, initially not capturing his son’s attention, likely harder in the future.

At the Zhou residence, Ming Rui returned with his wife from the estate, Ming Rui said, "Grandmother, a few gifted orphans from the estate have been able to assist the doctor now."

Zhulan was pleased to hear this, "They learn quickly."

Ming Rui nodded, "Yes, the doctor we hired is very fond of them and wants to take them as formal disciples."

"What do the children say?"

Ming Rui’s eyes were full of warmth, "The children are willing, they said they aren’t learning for themselves alone, they plan to stay and teach at the estate after they master their skills."

"The children are good."

Knowing they plan to give back after learning is heartening, not having raised ingrates is fortunate.

Zhulan thought of ingrates, not all orphans are good, there are both good and bad, naturally, there are children like ingrates too.

Lin Qing looked at her husband, she was extremely happy after marriage, spending each day with her husband’s work, and her mother-in-law treated her well, her sister-in-law was a friend, her post-marriage life was like falling into a honeypot, every time she returned to her parental home, her family’s sisters were extremely envious.

Zhulan chatted with Ming Rui for a while and signaled the two children to go rest, lately, Ming Rui had been managing the orphanage, quite the hardworking child.

After government office hours, Zhou Shuren returned and saw the letters on the table, picking one up, "A letter from Mingyun."

"Yes, it was delivered in the afternoon, along with some herbal medicines."

Zhou Shuren had already taken out the paper to read the letter, it was just an ordinary family letter, stating what Mingyun had learned, focusing on how Wu Ming hadn’t held anything back, "Mingyun has been away for over half a year."

"Yes."

Zhou Shuren put down the letter, "Wu Ming is looking after Mingyun, you should also take care of Wu Ming’s wife and children."

"I know, Wu Ming’s illegitimate child is already born now."

The pregnant concubine from before had given birth to one son and one daughter, she had seen both children, Song Lan did not mistreat them, treating both children quite well, as for the concubine, she did not meet her.

After dinner, they dismissed the servants and continued chatting, Zhulan spoke about Yu Wen, "There are still people remembering Yu Wen, lately there have been quite a few invitations for the fourth household."

Zhou Shuren, "There have always been many invitations before, how often have you seen your granddaughter attend?"

"Yu Wen is going to tomorrow’s banquet, Shangguan’s family is rarely having a flower banquet, and as it’s the future Crown Princess Consort’s family, everyone invited has to attend."

Zhou Shuren was not worried about his granddaughter, "Yu Wen is very clever."

"Too clever is the problem."

Among the granddaughters, she is the smartest.

The next day, at Shangguan’s banquet, Yu Die and Yu Yi also attended, several young ladies went, accompanied by Lady Li and Su Xuan.

Miss Shangguan, the future Crown Princess Consort, held her first flower banquet, many young ladies attended.

Yu Jiao, familiar with Shangguan Li, was taken away by her upon entering the garden, Yu Die and her sisters first went to see Shangguan Jia, the future Crown Princess Consort, already surrounded by quite a few young ladies.

Upon seeing Yu Die and the others, Shangguan Jia was noticeably more enthusiastic, "You’re here."

Yu Die, as the older sister, stepped forward and said, "Sister Shangguan, we haven’t arrived late, have we?"

Shangguan Jia smiled, "Not late at all, look, there aren’t many people yet."

Upon hearing this, Yu Die knew many young ladies were invited today, after exchanging a few more words, Yu Die and the others followed a maid to take their seats.

Yu Jiao returned looking like she had just heard some gossip.

Yu Yi frowned, using a fan to tap her sister’s hand lightly, indicating she should restrain herself at Shangguan’s residence. The garden was full of young ladies from different families; it’s best to avoid becoming the subject of gossip.

As the time approached, all the young ladies from various families arrived, a few among them especially stood out.

Yu Die and her sisters exchanged glances, they had heard the date for the Crown Prince’s grand wedding had been set, many families in the capital eyed the position of Crown Prince’s side consort, unlike concubines of other Princes, the Crown Prince’s concubines also required competition.