That evening, when the Zhou couple returned home, Zhou Erzhu said to his wife, "You're really something. You said that to the boss in the workshop during the day, in front of so many people. What do you expect the boss to do?"

Zhou Ersao rolled her eyes at Zhou Erzhu and said, "I think our boss, although he is not very old, is very experienced in doing things. Didn't you hear him say that he wants to open a shop in the capital that specializes in selling bamboo paper? Oh my, opening a shop in the capital, I wonder if I can go to the capital to help open the shop."

Zhou Erzhu quickly said, "Don't overthink it. We still need to help manage this workshop. We're just from this small place. How could we possibly manage in such a big city like Beijing?"

Zhou Ersao said with exasperation, "Why are you so unambitious? What's wrong with the capital? I don't believe that all those people in the capital have lived there for generations. Don't underestimate our small place. Once our bamboo paper becomes the emperor's official product, our Huitou Ridge might become known to everyone in Liang!"

Looking at his radiant wife, Zhou Erzhu felt a little uneasy. Ever since she went to the bamboo paper workshop, she had grown up a lot. Indeed, Zhou Er's wife was the fastest learner and the most hardworking person in the workshop. Among so many people in the workshop, she was the first to be able to do everything from the first step to the last. Even Zhou Erzhu himself could not compare to his wife in terms of learning speed and doing well.

Seeing Zhou Erzhu's disbelieving look, Zhou Er's wife said defiantly, "Just you wait and see. I'll show you. Once the shop in the capital opens, I'll beg the owner to let me stay there for a few years. How many years does one have in a lifetime? Since we have this opportunity, why not seize it and see what the outside world is like? Husband, don't try to stop me from going after the owner agrees."

Zhou Erzhu scoffed and said, "Stop calling me the head of the household. Don't you know who's in charge here? I'm just a figurehead. Alright, as long as the boss agrees, do you think I can stop you?"

Zhou Erzhu's son, Gouwazi, burst in from outside, grabbed his mother's hand excitedly, and said, "Mother, Mother, I heard from people outside that your workshop is going to send paper to the capital. They said you even begged the owner to let you go to the capital with him. Is that true?"

Zhou Ersao smiled and said, "That's true, of course. The master has agreed to let me go to the capital with him. By the way, Gouwazi, I heard that you talked back to your teacher at school. Tell your mother what happened."

Gouwazi said nonchalantly, "The teacher made a mistake and punished me, which I didn't want, so I argued with him a bit. Mother, tell me first, when are you going to the capital?"