Chapter 3297 Henpecked
Last year, Dajin had good fiscal revenue, especially in recent years, due to the promotion of new rice and wheat varieties, grain yields have been high in various places. Although it is not possible for everyone to eat white rice as much as they want, life has indeed become much better.
So years ago, when the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Rites wanted to build the Daming Palace, all the ministers agreed to allocate funds.
In order to speed up the progress and ensure that the project funds are used for the project, all officials discussed and decided to send a censor from the Menxia Province to manage it. The selection would be made by the Zhanshi Mansion.
The Zhanshi Mansion initially favored Bai Shan.
Not only because he had good results in the imperial examinations and was good at numerology, but also because he had served as a county magistrate and had experience in building docks.
They are both large projects and there must be something in common between them, so Bai Shan is the most suitable.
Because of a word from the prince, the matter took a turn and fell on the head of another official, Fang Jieshi Zhong. However, few people knew that the Zhanshi Mansion had originally favored Bai Shan.
So Fang Jishizhong sighed as he packed his things. How could he be so unlucky to be chosen?
Bai Shan didn't know that this matter had anything to do with him. He dealt with the things at hand and thought about his promise to take Zhou Man to eat Ziyang steamed buns at the end of the street today, so he moved a little faster.
As soon as he packed up his things, he bowed to everyone and said goodbye.
After he disappeared, the remaining three officials looked at each other and sighed.
Seeing this, Fang Jishizhong said, "Why are you sighing? I'm the one going to Daming Palace."
"Can't I sympathize with you?"
"Okay, okay, you're going to Daming Palace tomorrow. How about we treat you to a drink at Zhuangyuan Pavilion tonight?"
"What's the point of Zhuangyuanlou? Be more generous and buy wine from Chunfenglou directly."
"That's right. Since Lord Bai isn't going anyway, there's no need to go to Zhuangyuan Building. Let's go to Chunfeng Building instead."
When Bai Shan joined the job, three of his colleagues who were also secretaries and colleagues from the Menxia Province with whom he had a good relationship invited Bai Shan to drink and eat, and Bai Shan naturally reciprocated.
Both times were in restaurants. Later, someone invited Bai Shanshi to drink at Chunfenglou and asked him to go, but he refused.
Although it was only once, everyone knew that Bai Shan would not go to Chunfeng Tower, so if they wanted to invite Bai Shan, they would avoid these places.
It’s not that Bai Shan was particularly aggressive when he refused, but he just glanced meaningfully in the direction of the Imperial Hospital when he refused, indicating that he had to go back to take care of the child, and everyone said they understood.
There were actually quite a few officials in the court who were afraid of their wives, but their colleagues were not afraid of their wives and liked to incite them to rebel against the tigresses at home. However, they did not dare to do so towards Zhou Man.
After all, they are officials in the same dynasty, unlike the wives of other officials, who may never meet each other in their lifetime even if they want.
But they didn't dare to look at Zhou Man, as he would appear everywhere.
After the three officials left the imperial city, they went to Chunfeng Tower arm in arm. As Fang was feeling depressed, he drank too much.
He was drunk and could not hold back his words. He hugged his concubine and complained, "I regret that I don't have a wife like her. Otherwise, why would I have to work hard in the court for more than ten years before being promoted to the position of Jieshizhong, while others have been promoted from the 17th rank to the 5th rank in just five years."
Niu Jieshizhong was still quite sober. He offered him a drink and retorted with a smile, "That's not the case. Lord Bai has been in office for seven years now. If you compare, he was already a fifth-rank Zhongshu Sheren five years ago. When he was sent out, who wouldn't know that it was Your Majesty's intention to cultivate him? Now he's just returning to his original position."
"Brother Niu is right," said Li Jieshizhong, who was standing nearby, shaking his head. "But what I don't understand is why he wants to return to the capital to join the Imperial Household Department? With his qualifications, he should continue to be posted out of town. He could even be a governor of a higher state. Once he returns as one, with his achievements, wouldn't a promotion be a natural consequence? Why would he come back to compete with us for a position?"
Fang Jieshizhong: "Who knows? Maybe it's because being exiled is hard and not as lavish as being in the capital, so he doesn't want to go out anymore?"
Niu Jieshizhong shook his head and said, "No, no, Lord Bai has even been to the Western Regions, so why would he be afraid of hardship? Besides, given his family background, he certainly wouldn't treat himself badly with food and lodging, so how could it be that hard?"
He laughed and said, "I'm afraid that even a hero can't resist the temptation of a beautiful woman. Since Lord Zhou is in the capital, he stayed in the capital."
"Isn't this a case of a hero's weakness?"
"I don't know if it's because he's short of breath, but Lord Bai is indeed henpecked. Last time I rode my horse through the main street, I happened to see the couple shopping. Lord Bai didn't fulfill Lord Zhou's wish, so Lord Zhou stepped on Lord Bai's foot. It hurt just watching."
Overnight, the rumor that Bai Shan was henpecked spread throughout the capital. Within two days, rumors that Zhou Man beat her husband began to circulate among the people.
The rumor was not widespread, but it was widespread. When Zhou Man went to the Yin Mansion to see Old Madam Yin, several aunts of the Yin family kept looking at her secretly.
The hesitation on his face was about to fall off, and Zhou Man couldn't pretend not to see it.
She withdrew her hand and smiled at Old Madam Yin, "I'll change the prescription for you later and give you a few more acupuncture needles. It will make you feel better."
Madam Yin smiled and nodded, "Okay, thank you, Master Zhou."
As usual, Old Lady Yin asked, "I wonder how my grandson's health is these days?"
Zhou Man said: "It's still stable. As long as you keep your mind clear and take care of your body, you can live another ten years without any problem."
Old Madam Yin was stunned. This response was different from the previous ones. She hurriedly asked, "Purifying the mind and nourishing the body? Then...what about getting married and starting a family?"
Zhou Man shook his head, "I'm afraid it will shorten my lifespan."
Madam Yin was a little disappointed, but she had been prepared for this outcome. She quickly adjusted her expression and said, "Thank you, Lord Zhou."
Zhou Man stood up, nodded slightly, turned around and went out to write a prescription.
She handed the prescription to the servant of the Yin Mansion, then looked at the aunts of the Yin family who had followed closely to inquire about the situation. "The old lady's health is the same as before. She is old, so we will do our best to make her feel better."
She paused and looked at them curiously, "Sisters, is there something on my face, or did I comb my hair wrong today? Why do you keep looking at me?"
Sister Yin and the others shook their heads repeatedly, "No, no, Master Zhou looks very good today."
Zhou Man: "Sisters, if you have anything to say, feel free to speak up. I don't mind."
The sisters of the Yin family were even more hesitant to speak, but after opening their mouths several times, they finally said, "It's okay, it's okay."
Zhou Man: ...
She asked Old Madam Yin to prepare for acupuncture, and after the acupuncture she did not leave, but turned around and went to find Yin Huo.
She was much more familiar with Yin Huo's yard. Knowing that all the sisters were coming back today, she was too lazy to go out and just leaned against the yard to read a book.
Hearing footsteps, he lazily raised his eyelids, and seeing that it was Zhou Man, he sat up straight and asked with a smile, "Why are you here?"
"I have finished my medical treatment and have fulfilled your instructions."
Shouldn't you go out, turn left and go home? Why are you coming to him?
(End of this chapter)
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