CHAPTER 1608: CHAPTER 1608: THE HOU RESIDENCE IS OPEN AND ABOVEBOARD

Zhou Shuren smiled again before leaving, and Wong Ju caught up, "I haven’t really paid attention to the orphans on the estate. Should I go take a look another day?"

Zhou Shuren, "You’ll definitely be surprised."

The current estate is like an Academy. The children from several estates are re-grouped based on their knowledge for regular classes. The number of orphans has reached nine hundred.

Wong Ju was even more curious, "I’ll go have a look during my break."

Zhou Shuren, with his hands behind his back, "The children from the nearby villages also want to learn."

Wong Ju asked, "Have they been accepted?"

Zhou Shuren shook his head, "No, the wife has already informed the Empress Dowager, who hasn’t replied, so the estate doesn’t dare to accept village children."

Because the village children wanted to learn, he discussed it with his wife. They didn’t expect it to develop so well and continue to improve. As soon as the time is right, an independent academy can be established for learning skills.

Currently, they need to wait for the older orphans to graduate and show results to the Emperor. Without results, the royal family remains observant.

The two chatted as they walked and only spoke at the palace gate, "I want to send a group of Wong family offspring to the grassland states."

Zhou Shuren tilted his head, "On the old man’s orders?"

Wong Ju glared, "My father has stepped down. In the future, I will be in charge. I am also the Clan Leader of the Wang family."

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, "Time flies, and you’re already the Clan Leader."

Wong Ju said solemnly, "The grassland states need development. Since you’re willing to let Mingyun go to the grassland, I’ve been keeping an eye on it this entire year. Without Wu Ming’s Zhezi today, I also planned to send the offspring next year."

He’s focused on the grassland trade, which is quite lucrative. A family’s legacy cannot do without Silver Coin. Grabbing the early advantage now can avoid future contention.

Zhou Shuren marveled internally, this is what noble families cultivate in their successors from an early age, "Since you’ve decided, you should act quickly."

Wong Ju’s eyes lit up, "With your support, I’m even more assured."

In the afternoon, Zhulan received a message from the palace. Tomorrow, the Emperor will visit the estate with the Crown Prince and several ministers, she doesn’t need to arrange anything.

As the person in charge, Zhulan certainly has to accompany them. She’s surprised that the Emperor seems to have only notified her, a woman.

When Shuren returned, Zhulan asked, "Something’s not right!"

Zhou Shuren touched his nose, "It’s my doing. I mentioned you in court today."

He then recounted the conversation from the court.

Zhulan’s eyes widened, then she grew excited, "Am I finally not just the woman behind you?"

Zhou Shuren clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, "In the future, I hope my dear wife will guide me more."

Zhulan glanced askance at him, "No problem, no problem."

Zhou Shuren straightened up, "Don’t be nervous tomorrow."

Zhulan was actually not nervous, "Don’t worry, I will certainly make you proud."

Zhou Shuren had confidence in his wife, "If anyone bullies you, tell me when you get back, and I’ll seek justice for you."

Zhulan smiled with arched brows, "Okay."

After dinner, Zhulan sorted out the account books from the estate. There were quite a number of them, along with well-trimmed monthly reports and data from various states. She ensured nothing was missing before resting.

The next day, Zhulan took the eldest and Ming Rui along. Old Zhou was very familiar with the estate, and Ming Rui often went there to teach, even starting medical classes. Zhulan brought them to make a good impression on the Emperor.

Zhulan had breakfast before leaving the capital, whereas the Emperor and the others would finish the morning court before heading out. This time, the Emperor didn’t bring Zhou Shuren along.

Zhou Shuren watched as the Emperor and his entourage left. Wong Ju asked, "Aren’t you worried?"

Look at who the Emperor brought: Liu Laoda, Wen Laoda, and others, none of them easy to deal with. Yesterday, Zhou Shuren had offended someone.

Zhou Shuren didn’t reply, instead humming a little tune as he walked away. As if his wife was that easy to bully.

Zhulan didn’t mention the Emperor bringing ministers to the estate when she arrived. She went about her visit as usual, with the children attending class as they usually did.

The Emperor arrived only half an hour later than Zhulan, and she got the message and waited at the estate’s gate.

The Emperor descended from the carriage first, and as others followed, Zhulan walked up with her son and grandson and greeted them, "This humble wife greets the Emperor and the Crown Prince."

After the greeting, the Emperor stepped forward and helped her up, showing respect for Zhulan.

Zhulan felt more assured, stood upright, and said, "This is the largest of the estates. Shall we start with this one?"

The Emperor nodded with a smile, "Good."

Zhulan signaled her son and grandson to follow and said, "Class is currently in session, let’s head to the classroom."

With so many children, they no longer attend large classes. Small classrooms are set up based on children’s learning progress. Those advancing quickly can already build models on their own.

Zhulan said, "The wood is collected by the children themselves. After use, it’s not wasted and can be used as firewood. The children from several estates are largely self-sufficient."

The Emperor had already seen the ship models and was surprised, "They learn quickly."

"This class has the best talent."

The Emperor nodded, then visited other classes. The ministers behind him squinted, witnessing such scenes firsthand was indeed astonishing.

They then went to the nearby estates, and at the medical estate, the children were identifying medicinal herbs.

This time, Ming Rui had taken over the explanations, "The herbs used are dug up by the doctor with the children, and the rest are traded for grain from the village."

The String of Pearls in the Emperor’s hand spun quickly, and his thoughts remained his own.

Zhulan noticed the Emperor glanced at her, "Time is not early, would the Emperor like to have a meal?"

The Emperor, "Sure."

The meal was quickly set on the table, with fish, meat, chicken, and duck.

Wen Laoda, who hadn’t found a chance to speak, finally said seeing the meal, "Didn’t you say the meal was from the estate’s production? Is everything on the table provided by the estate?"

Zhulan looked at Old Zhou, who stepped forward, "Indeed, it’s produced by the estate, all raised by the children. If you don’t believe it, you can go see."

Wen Laoda was still skeptical. With over nine hundred children among the estates, the daily consumption is massive. How can they afford fish and meat?

The Emperor signaled Eunuch Zhang to check, and Old Zhou confidently led the eunuch for inspection.

The Emperor remained still, and so did everyone else. Zhulan had the steward bring over the stored examination papers for the Emperor’s review.

The Emperor became interested, turning the pages to witness the children’s progress, touched at heart. He realized the estate’s current positive development was inseparable from Mrs. Hou’s contributions, "Mrs. Hou, you’ve worked hard."

Zhulan smiled, "It’s no trouble."

Eunuch Zhang soon returned, "They indeed are raised by the children."

Old Zhou explained, "With a year of farming experience, we raised more this year. Because there are many children, they only eat until they’re 60% full but haven’t been without meat."

Only then did the Emperor pick up his chopsticks to eat. Liu Laoda and the others, looking for trouble, wouldn’t be satisfied.

After the meal, Liu Laoda smiled and said, "With such expenses for over nine hundred children, may I see how the estate remains self-sufficient, Mrs. Hou?"

In essence, he wanted to see the accounts.

Zhulan was already prepared, "Our Hou Residence is always open and honest, nothing to hide. By chance, I brought everything today."

Old Zhou glanced at Liu Laoda, whose smile froze; his mother is just as sharp-tongued as his father!