Zhu Yuan understood what Yin Shengrong hadn't said.
But this matter is of utmost importance; even the lives and fortunes of his wife and children are in his hands.
He had to consider it carefully.
"You go back first! Give me a few days to think it over. As for the rest, just proceed as planned! Remember, don't let that person find out..."
Yin Shengrong frowned and sighed inwardly, but he shouldn't disobey his master.
He had no choice but to shake hands and say goodbye, then turned around and rode back to Anqing Prefecture at full speed.
In the study, Zhu Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, seemingly lost in thought.
Meanwhile, Zhen Wanwan put the two children to sleep and then came to the warehouse.
Zhang Mama had already given the gift list to the person who came to deliver the gifts yesterday.
Seeing the amount on the gift list really startled her.
They came here as refugees from famine. Apart from their aunt's family, their cousin's family was their only real relative.
There were only a few other families I knew, and those families also sent congratulatory gifts.
To her surprise, the gentry from the neighboring counties of Anqing Prefecture...
In addition, members of the Xu family, the main branch of the Xu family in Anqing Prefecture, sent respectable family members to deliver gifts.
This gift is also a rare and valuable item.
She certainly wouldn't be so narcissistic as to think that people were doing this because of her family's influence.
I'm afraid all these people are here for Zhuyuan!
The thought that Zhu Yuan was marrying into the family made Zhen Wanwan suddenly feel a little insecure.
Such a person could make prominent families in Anqing Prefecture eagerly send gifts to him even without sending invitations.
Zhen Wanwan felt that Zhu Yuan was being taken advantage of no matter what.
However, their marriage contract had already been registered with the government, and from then on, Zhuyuan belonged to the Zhen family.
Thinking too much now is useless.
However, she was somewhat unsure about how to handle the social etiquette of most wealthy families who gave her gifts.
He then hurriedly brought the gift list to find Zhuyuan.
At this moment, Zhu Yuan was still handling official business at his desk, while Zhen Wanwan quietly ground ink for him.
"Does Madam have something to tell me?"
Zhu Yuan did not raise his head, remaining in his writing posture; from a distance, it was clear that the two had a very deep affection for each other.
However, the parties involved all seemed quite natural about it.
Without any hesitation, Zhen Wanwan took out the gift list from her bosom and pointed to the unfamiliar families on it.
"These families are only sending gifts because of my husband, and the gifts on the gift list are too expensive. I don't know how we should reciprocate?"
Zhu Yuan glanced at the gift list, not paying any attention to the names and gifts on it.
He took Zhen Wanwan's hand, sat her on his lap, and looked at her earnestly as he spoke.
"Madam, there is no need to worry about this. These people are local gentry who love to spend money on gifts for others. You can accept them without worry."
"As for returning the gift later, you can send it wherever you want, or just pretend this family doesn't exist. Understand?"
Zhen Wanwan hesitated for a moment: "Isn't this a bit inappropriate?"
She was afraid that if she accepted someone's money, they would use it to ask Zhu Yuan for favors in the future.
However, Zhu Yuan's next sentence dispelled her concerns.
“My lady, with me here, you don’t need to worry about these things. Just do whatever you want. Besides, these people and their families’ lives and fortunes are all under my protection. If they don’t send gifts, they’ll probably live in fear every day.”
Zhen Wanwan felt a warmth in her heart. Wasn't her original plan to have Zhu Yuan protect her?
Capable people certainly don't lack followers.
Now that he is her husband, and they are husband and wife as one, those people who want to curry favor with Zhuyuan will naturally not overlook her.
With that thought in mind, Zhen Wanwan stopped worrying about it.
Instead, she looked around the study and asked curiously, "I heard the servants say that someone came looking for my husband, but I haven't seen him."
Another purpose of her visit was to ask the guests if they had any dietary restrictions, so that they could stay for a meal.
Zhu Yuan raised an eyebrow and said with a faint smile, "Yin Duwei has important matters to attend to and cannot stay any longer."
"Yin Duwei? I remember there was also a Liang Duwei back in Leling Prefecture."
Zhen Wanwan recalled the scene when they first entered the city gate of Leling Prefecture, when they were harassed by the gatekeeper.
Thanks to Madam Fang, otherwise they would have been in jail for who knows how long.
They might not even be able to keep the food they had on them.
After they left Leling Prefecture, they encountered the Liang siblings again, but they didn't know how they were doing now.
Thinking too far ahead, Zhen Wanwan shook her head and looked at Zhu Yuan curiously, asking, "Is this Yin Duwei working in our Anqing Prefecture?"
Zhu Yuan affectionately pinched her cheek, then explained, "Yes! Yin Duwei is in charge of the troops in Anqing Prefecture."
Managing troops? Zhen Wanwan's eyes lit up. In these chaotic times, whoever has troops is the boss!
"Husband, what is your relationship with this Yin Duwei?"
"Why do you ask that?" Zhu Yuan looked at Zhen Wanwan with a puzzled expression, unable to guess what she was thinking.
Zhen Wanwan rubbed the hem of her clothes shyly, but still managed to say what was on her mind.
“Here’s what I’m thinking: things are so chaotic outside right now, war could break out at any time, and you’re always on the move. If you have friends with military power, they could be a great help.”
Zhu Yuan looked somewhat surprised, but a warm feeling washed over him.
He had considered many possible answers, but he never expected that she was worried about his safety.
Thinking of this, Zhu Yuan's eyes welled up with tears, and for the first time, he felt the warmth of being cared for.
Zhen Wanwan sensed Zhu Yuan's unusual behavior. Looking at his defiant gaze, a sour feeling welled up in her heart.
However, a man's pride is paramount, so she could only pretend to be nonchalant and continue talking.
"Didn't you tell me before that the Fifth Prince's men were planning to occupy our Anqing Prefecture? What's the situation now?"
Zhu Yuan's sorrow was only revealed for a moment before it vanished.
Hearing Zhen Wanwan's question, he said seriously, "He does indeed covet Anqing Prefecture. If it weren't for that plague, we probably would have already clashed with him."
What Zhu Yuan didn't finish saying was that if it weren't for that plague, his men would have already breached the Fifth Prince's stronghold.
He dared not say these words, for fear that Zhen Wanwan would hear them and worry.
Zhen Wanwan sighed, "I never thought we'd actually turn misfortune into blessing."
In wars and such, human life is the least valuable thing.
When this topic came up, Zhen Wanwan recalled the words of Master Guiyi.
She glanced cautiously at Zhu Yuan's expression, her mind in turmoil.
According to Master Guiyi's words, if she wanted to save the people of Huachao, she could only choose a worthy ruler first.
First, quell the internal strife, then unite against external forces and drive out the invaders.
But now, she is just an ordinary country woman with nothing of value except food.
In this day and age, with the preference for sons over daughters, even if she offered herself up for a straw mat, someone would still have to accept it!
Suddenly, she had a bold idea.
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