Even so, Zhao Minggeng has recently been targeted by someone.

Don't go out. If you go out in a sedan chair, young women will stop the chair crying and pleading their cases; if you go out in a horse-drawn carriage, young women will try to extort money from you.

Horse riding is more likely to cause problems.

Those sachets and fragrant pouches were thrown directly at him.

Zhao Minggeng was very worried that sooner or later those sachets and pouches would turn into swords.

Matchmakers came to our door one after another.

Even in its prosperous days, Dawar might not have had as many matchmakers as it does today.

Then, the matchmakers were sent away one by one by Madam Huang.

Finally, Mrs. Huang got annoyed.

“If my son doesn’t get married, and anyone comes to propose marriage, be careful, I’ll beat you up.”

The Huang family has always had a good reputation.

Because she refused countless matchmakers, she gained a reputation as a wicked mother-in-law.

"Why doesn't the magistrate's mother allow him to marry? Is she out of her mind?"

What man, with even a little money, doesn't have three wives and four concubines?

Unfortunately, our county magistrate has no wife whatsoever.

There wasn't even a concubine in his room. Could it be that he suffers from a serious illness, or some unspeakable secret?

The speaker, while speaking, didn't forget to wink at his companion.

And so, Zhao Minggeng became a well-known impotent man in Dawar and the surrounding cities.

That's outrageous.

Just when Zhao Minggeng thought things would finally calm down, a woman suddenly ran up to him and cried her eyes out when he went out to inspect the area again.

"Sir, how could you possibly have contracted that kind of disease?"

"My lord, this is a treasured possession of my master. He specially sent me to deliver it to you. Please take good care of it."

"My lord, you cannot hide your illness from the doctor."

I know a legendary doctor, especially skilled in andrology. He might be able to cure your illness.

Such things are incredibly annoying.

The rumors intensified, and when it came time for the year-end performance review, Zhao Minggeng was met with concern from his colleagues, leaving him feeling helpless.

And there's no way to explain it to them.

"I do not get married because I do not want to bring back a family full of troublemakers."

After all, they now have children and a happy and peaceful life.

If I have a new wife, I don't even know if she will mistreat my children.

If she uses filial piety to bully my children, I cannot allow it.

Therefore, it's better not to get married; living alone is quite nice.

Especially since my ambitions lie elsewhere, I hope to govern well and enable the people to live a good life.

Zhao Minggeng tried to explain, but to no avail. All he got in return were looks from others saying, "I understand, but I feel sorry for you."

The funniest thing is that the matter was reported to the Emperor by the investigating official.

Upon seeing the report, the emperor took another sip of water, spitting it out and wasting a fine sheet of Xuan paper.

"Cough cough cough, how could there be such a joke?"

It's not that Zhao Laosan was particularly healthy, but rather that he was the most skilled fighter among his brothers.

For the sake of stability at the border, should I send an imperial physician to examine him?

Rong Fuhai: Your Majesty, if you can suppress that upturned corner of your mouth, this old servant will believe you.

Zhao Minggeng was not famous for his outstanding political achievements, but rather for his kidney deficiency, which made him well-known among his colleagues.

Rumors say it could kill someone.

During the Chinese New Year, when Han Xuri gave gifts, a large portion of them were actually tonics.

Zhao Minggeng didn't explain; the tonic was innocent, so let's make the best use of it.

They found a doctor and prepared a lot of health-preserving pills for Zhao Qianci and his wife.

The remaining whips and other similar items were sold directly to the pharmacy.

They even made a small profit.

At the end of the year, Zhao Qinglin and her husband came to the north.

First, they went to Xu Dongsheng's place. The cousins ​​were naturally happy to meet.

However, Zhao Qinglin's condition was not very good.

Upon entering, he immediately asked a doctor to examine his pulse.

The reason was simple: Zhao Qinglin was pregnant.

More than two months had passed, and Xu Dongsheng's original plan to invite Prince Rui for some good wine was also cancelled.

"Cousin, is this a problem with your older cousin? How can you invite someone to dinner without wine?"

Xu Dongsheng glanced at Zhao Qinglin, then at Prince Rui.

"My second sister is already pregnant, and it must be very difficult for her."

My cousin should take good care of me. There's always a lingering smell after drinking.

"Don't let the smell bother your little nephew or niece."

During the few days that Zhao Qinglin and her husband were visiting, Xu Dongsheng prepared all the food for them as light and easy to digest.

As for my cousin who likes strong flavors, don't worry about him. He eats whatever his wife eats anyway, so he's easy to take care of.

After Zhao Qinglin had rested enough and felt better, she set off again towards Dawar.

Upon arriving in Dawar, Zhao Qinglin and his wife stayed at the back office.

Looking at the shabby rooms in the back office, Prince Rui began to wonder if he was being treated differently.

Even if the Zhao family were truly from a poor background, their monthly allowance would still be enough for the whole family to eat and drink well.

The accommodation environment will be much better.

As a result, in one room, there was a large kang (heated brick bed). It was covered with a reed mat.

At the end of the kang (a heated brick bed), there was an unpainted cabinet.

It was locked; this was for the couple to use when storing valuables.

Several quilts were placed on top.

The bedding was even stranger; it was all covered with cotton bags, and there wasn't even a single piece of satin.

The only standout feature is the bathroom/shower room inside the house.

Whether you need to wash up or go to work, you can do it all inside.

After use, just rinse it with water, and it's completely clean with no odor.

The walls were painted white, and the transparent glass pane in the window was quite appealing.

That night, it was the first time Prince Rui had stayed at his mother-in-law's house.

"My lady, could it be that Grandmother and Third Sister took all the money from Third Uncle's family to support those orphans?"

How could the living conditions be so rudimentary, without even a decent piece of furniture?

Prince Rui looked at the room and felt it was shabby.

I couldn't help but ask.

Zhao Qinglin snuggled closer to him, "Hey, you don't understand why."

What is this place? This is the back office.

It can only be a temporary place to stay, not a home.

Therefore, there is no need to waste a lot of money on repairs.

The fact that they're willing to build us a bathroom like this is already a huge sacrifice, considering you're a prince.

Don't underestimate that bathroom; all the materials used have to be custom-made, which is very expensive.

When my third uncle is transferred someday, who knows who will benefit from it?

"One day, when the prince comes back to Lingnan with me, he can stay in my little wooden house in Zhao Family Village for a few days, and then he will know the difference between home and a temporary lodging."

After Zhao Qinglin's explanation, Prince Rui no longer felt that the simple residence was shabby.

On the contrary, I feel quite comfortable living in this little house.

Especially when it's freezing cold outside, the indoor temperature remains warm and cozy.

You only need to wear a light jacket indoors.

The New Year is just around the corner, and Davar is bustling with activity.

Zhao Qinglin was pregnant, but the pregnancy was still in its early stages, so she couldn't travel around.

Prince Rui would go out all day, ostensibly to watch the excitement for her.