CHAPTER 1591: CHAPTER 1591: METHOD

Zhou Shuren returned to the residence with his granddaughter, changed clothes, and went to the front yard to see Jiang Zhu and Mu Fan. The two were reading in the study with Ming Rui and others. The Zhou family’s collection of books was already quite rich, with many rare works. Mu Fan and Jiang Zhu didn’t dare to slack off and seized the time to read.

It’s rare for him to come back so early, intending to give some pointers.

Chang Xhong hugged his father’s arm, "Dad, why are you back so early today?"

Zhou Shuren sighed, "You rascal, don’t you know how heavy you are? Don’t press on me."

Chang Xhong chuckled, but his hand still didn’t let go.

Zhou Shuren spoke indulgently, "Today I accompanied the Emperor to the teahouse, and at the teahouse, I encountered Yu Die and others, so I came back together with them."

Chang Xhong understood, "Because of several exciting debates?"

"Yes, the quality of this year’s graduates is very high."

Even though today’s debates weren’t thrilling, in just a few days, there had been several exciting debates, which already proved how fierce this year’s rankings competition was.

Jiang Zhu listened nervously, "Grandfather, I."

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, gestured everyone to sit down, and then spoke, "The capital’s teahouses will not be calm before the new year. You can go to the teahouses too, to get to know your opponents better, have a sense of the competition, and plan your studies strategically."

Jiang Zhu and Mu Fan said, "Yes."

Zhou Shuren laughed, "You two, don’t be nervous. Our family has participated in the imperial exams multiple times and is very experienced. It’s a pity Mingyun is on the grassland, but your fourth uncle is at home, so let him teach you in the evening."

Jiang Zhu and Mu Fan were excited, as their fourth uncle was the best at studying and had spent many years at the Hanlin Academy. With their fourth uncle, they felt more assured.

Zhou Shuren pointed to the bookshelf, "There are past exam questions on it. You can try them out. If you don’t understand, just ask. There are so many people at home!"

Jiang Zhu and Mu Fan stood up, "We’ve troubled grandfather."

Zhou Shuren, like elders everywhere, hoped younger generations would succeed. He took the books they were reading, "If there’s anything you don’t understand, take advantage of today’s opportunity when I have time to ask anything."

This opportunity was rare, mainly because he was usually very busy.

The next day, Zhulan was at home waiting for the Qi Clan. Qi Clan first came to say hello, then went to see Ran Wan and two children, returning after about an hour.

Zhulan had already pasted a small piece of art with flower petals. Qi Clan looked at it approvingly, "You have this skill?"

"When I’m idle, I find something to do for myself. Sit down."

Qi Clan sat down, speaking enviously, "You live comfortably."

The Yang Clan’s daughter-in-law was filial, and there were no distressing matters at home, unlike her. In recent years, she’s worried too much, aging quickly, thinking only of family affairs every day, having no leisure.

Zhulan, "You can live comfortably too. Honestly, you shouldn’t have taken back the steward’s power."

Qi Clan was troubled, "Ever since my eldest daughter-in-law and granddaughter-in-law had a falling out, the backyard has been chaotic. I wish to let go too."

Zhulan pushed a cup of calming tea to Qi Clan, "This will cool you down and reduce the fire."

Qi Clan, "..."

Indeed, her anger was high, and her temper was worsening, with meditation and prayer useless.

Qi Clan drank the tea, gave Zhulan a look, Zhulan signaled the maidens to leave, "Anything to discuss?"

Qi Clan whispered, "Have you heard of the rumors in the capital?"

Zhulan was intrigued, "The selection of the Crown Prince’s side consort?"

"You know?"

"I’m not deaf; how could I not know? Judging by your demeanor, does the Qi family have ambitions?"

The more Zhulan thought, the more plausible it seemed. The Qi family had been silent for so many years, and with Consort Ran there, Prince Chu had taken care of them privately, so things were favorable in recent years.

Qi Clan shook her head, "The Qi family is scared; how could they dare? Being beaten down once is enough; next time, luck won’t be on our side."

If not for Prince Chu being well, the Qi family wouldn’t even have a chance to rise.

Zhulan, "Then what do you want to say?"

"It’s about your family’s fifth girl. Recently, the rumor has it that she’s already been chosen."

Zhulan spat out the tea in her mouth, "What?"

Qi Clan rolled her eyes, "Is such a big reaction needed?"

"I was shocked! Didn’t the Empress talk with me privately last time? Could that be the source?"

Qi Clan nodded, "Yes."

Zhulan spread her hands, "Falsely accused! Last time, the Empress said my Yu Wen had already chosen a husband, and the Empress wanted to grant a marriage!"

Qi Clan trusted Yang’s words. The Zhou family’s daughters could have married into the royal family; the position of Crown Princess Consort could have been contested. Since they didn’t, they wouldn’t consider the side consort’s position, as it’s still a concubine.

Zhulan felt quite exasperated, "How could there be so many people with blind eyes?"

Qi Clan, "..."

If you say so, there are indeed too many blind people.

Zhulan spun the cup, "Someone is definitely inciting this, testing our Hou Residence. If it’s false, it’s to disgust our Hou Residence!"

The Ran family was already related to the Zhou family by marriage, and with Ran Wan being successful, having a daughter and son, Qi Clan spoke candidly, "Who make the ladies of Hou Residence block the way."

Zhulan sighed, "Hasn’t our Hou Residence shown it clearly enough? My son-in-law hasn’t taken a concubine at all."

Qi Clan sighed, "Your girls draw the jealousy of the capital’s young ladies."

Zhulan couldn’t refute, as her granddaughter was indeed envied.

After Qi Clan left, Zhulan called Su Xuan, "Have you heard?"

Su Xuan, "Haven’t been out recently, truly haven’t heard."

"The royal family can’t explain personally, and prolonged discussions would tarnish Yu Wen’s reputation."

If the royal family explained, it would seem like they overlooked Yu Wen, somewhat insulting Hou Residence, a truly disgusting tactic.

Su Xuan also felt angry, as their family truly had no such intentions, a real nuisance.

Zhulan looked at Su Xuan, a thought came to mind, deciding to discuss it with Shuren when he came back.

At night, as she rested, Zhulan spoke of the rumors, "This isn’t good for Yu Wen’s reputation."

Zhou Shuren, knowing his wife well, realized she had a solution upon hearing her, "What solution do you have?"

Zhulan, "The Empress has already expressed her stance, and the royal family can’t explain personally, abruptly marrying Yu Wen isn’t good either, as it’d wrong our granddaughter, making it seem like Hou Residence slighted the Crown Prince."

Zhou Shuren, "Tell me your plan."

Zhulan whispered into Shuren’s ear, with Zhou Shuren’s eyes brightening more as she spoke, "You can discuss it with Su Xuan."

Zhulan curled her lips, "Yes."

The next day, Zhulan told her idea to Su Xuan. After listening, Su Xuan’s eyes widened, pondering over it. The more she thought, the brighter her eyes, "Mother, I’ll prepare first."

"Alright."

As days passed, several snowfalls occurred. Each snowfall deepened furrowed brows, fearing a snow disaster. Every time the snow stopped, a few prayers were recited.

In this atmosphere, the Emperor’s brows furrowed as he occasionally looked at the sky, regretting, "Lacking cotton, lacking food."

Zhou Shuren stayed calm because he knew times like these would last long, until the Little Ice Age ended. His only frustration was leaving the Ministry of Revenue was difficult, as the Emperor trusted him too much, well, trusted his abilities.

The Emperor added, "The border soldiers are suffering."

Zhou Shuren sighed inwardly, truly having no solution, "Let’s make more frostbite ointment then."

Seeing the Emperor furrowing his brows, Zhou Shuren commented, "It’d be great if there were abundant cotton."

The Emperor looked at Zhou Shuren, puzzled, "What are your intentions?"

Zhou Shuren, "..."

Where’s the mystique between sovereign and subjects?