Chapter 480 Rescue Zhu Lan

Not long after, Zhu Hongming also came back.

Ever since Zhu Chao passed the imperial examination last year, Zhu Hongming seemed to have suddenly realized something.

I was forced to study by my grandfather in order to bring honor to the family.

It is true that the Zhu family is blessed by Wenquxing, but Wenquxing himself never even looks at them!

But look at the younger generations in the family now, each one is more talented than the other and has a bright future.

Why are you still messing around?

But seeing that all the women in his family were successful in their careers, he felt embarrassed as a grown man to spend his retirement in peace, so he also learned how to do business.

In recent years, I have traveled around the country with some caravans, and gained a lot of experience that I never had when I was studying hard at home. I have also become a much more cheerful person.

During the family dinner, the whole family was having a great time, except Zhu Qingyan who was a little worried.

However, she had many years of experience in officialdom and did not reveal her worries.

Pei Yue asked her with a smile how long she could stay in her hometown this time, and Zhu Qingyan replied that she could stay for half a month.

Du Lanfang was very surprised. "I used to stay at home for only three to five days, but now I can stay for half a month! Sister Su, you must be very happy now."

Su was naturally the happiest and said:

"Yes, Qingyan said that the emperor and the palace went on a tour of the autumn mountains. They no longer have to prepare for the emperor's summons all the time, so they have some free time and asked the court for more time off."

Pei Yue then suggested:

"The academy is closed tomorrow, and Chao'er is free. How about our family go on a picnic while the spring scenery is beautiful?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Chao smiled happily and wished he could set off right away.

"Auntie..." Zhu Qingyan bit her lip and said hesitantly.

"I plan to go to the county government tomorrow. I am returning to Jiangzhou not only to visit you, but also to discuss some matters with County Magistrate Jiang."

"Going to the county government office?" Su asked with concern, "Is it something urgent?"

Zhu Qingyan nodded slightly.

"If this is accomplished, maybe Zhu Lan can come back soon."

Pei Yue was stunned when she heard this, and quickly asked her to explain in detail.

"Longchang Academy is the best academy in the world, and Zhu Lan is the first female top scholar to graduate from here, which is well known to everyone.

I have been planning for a long time, intending to organize an unprecedented grand women's gathering in the name of Longchang Academy, and to gather women scholars from all over the world to attend.

If we can pull off this grand event and attract the attention of the court, then it will be natural for Zhu Lan to come back.

After all, she is indispensable for such occasions."

After saying this, Zhu Qingyan lowered his eyes slightly and said sadly:

"Lingnan is a remote and barren land. She must have suffered a lot this year."

Zhu Qingyan didn't dare to say anything too serious, for fear of making Pei Yue too worried.

Lingnan is such a miserable place. Even if I asked people to send supplies several times, it would still be a drop in the bucket.

Hungry and cold... exposed to the wind and sun... snakes, insects, rats and ants...

Zhu Lan had never suffered such hardship before, and I don’t know how he managed to hold on.

Pei Yue heard Zhu Qingyan's words and exchanged glances with Su. Although she was very moved, she thought for a moment and then tentatively said:

"But judging from the tone in Lan'er's letter...she doesn't seem to be that anxious to come back?"

Zhu Qingyan looked confused.

Pei Yue stood up and went back to her room to get a few letters, all of which were sent by Zhu Lan from Lingnan.

"Lan'er said that everything is fine in Lingnan. She now lives on a small island and has no worries about food and clothing. She asked us not to worry about her.

Strange, has Lan'er never written to you before?"

"Of course there is..."

Zhu Qingyan knew that Zhu Lan wrote that in the letter simply because he was afraid that he and his family would worry too much.

She understood Zhu Lan's painstaking efforts, so she forced a smile and said to Pei Yue:

"Ma'am, I was just joking. Since she wrote to say everything is fine, then she is fine."

Pei Yue pointed at a few dishes on the table and said:

"Lan'er also asked someone to bring back some specialties from Nanzhou. Look at these winter vegetables. We can't eat them in Jiangzhou."

Zhu Qingyan's nose ached when he heard this, and he stood up suddenly and said in a muffled voice:

"I...I'm going to go out for a while."

Su was stunned: "What's wrong? This child..."

Before he could finish his words, Zhu Qingyan had already disregarded etiquette and walked out quickly in a panic.

She came to a deserted place, and finally she couldn't hold back her tears, feeling extremely sad.

Unexpectedly... Zhu Lan has been reduced to digging wild vegetables to survive.

Despite this situation, he still missed his family so much that he sent precious winter vegetables to reassure his family. How can one not feel sad!

But I clearly asked someone to send her a lot of food and clothes. Could it be that someone secretly intercepted them along the way?

Or did Zhu Lan receive the things and then distribute them to the poor people in Nanzhou?

If Madam Pei knew the truth, she would be so heartbroken that she would bleed!

Zhu Qingyan quickly wiped away his tears and walked back, thinking that he must not let anyone see his flaws at the banquet.

Facing Zhu Qingyan's sudden departure, Pei Yue said worriedly:

"Qingyan, are you feeling unwell? Why don't we ask a doctor to come and take a look..."

Du Lanfang was also a little worried. "Oh, could it be that he got sick from eating the winter vegetables just now?"

Then he shook his head again and murmured to himself in confusion:

"That shouldn't be the case... Sister Lan asked the prefect of Nanzhou to send this here at top speed. It was wrapped in ice when it was delivered, so it's impossible for it to go bad."

Su stood up and said he would go and take a look.

As soon as she stood up, she saw Zhu Qingyan coming back with a smile.

There was no trace of sadness on her face. She just said that she remembered that she had left something in the yard, apologized to everyone, and quickly changed the subject.

The family once again ate and chatted happily, and the laughter spread to every corner of the Zhu house.

Zhu Qingyan chatted and laughed with everyone, but he made a secret decision in his heart.

Zhu Lan’s current situation is really miserable.

Even in the face of various obstructions from the Li family in the court, she must make the women's gathering happen as soon as possible and rescue Zhu Lan from the dire straits!