Chapter 673 Someone burned down the Zhou family's rice granary
Mianmian stood up barefoot and nodded repeatedly. "That's right. I know that Father and Mother plan to go back to Changliu Village to live in seclusion in the future. It just so happens that I want to go too. Then our family can be together just like before."
Du Wanchun felt a lump in her throat as she listened, and reached out to put her arms around Mianmian's shoulders, her voice full of tenderness, "Alright, but you and Qing'er must be careful in everything you do when you go out to travel."
Mianmian raised her head, full of fighting spirit, "Mother, don't worry. Since I was tied up last time, I have learned some self-defense techniques from Mr. Qingyang. Ordinary people can't make things difficult for me."
Seeing her enthusiastic expression, Du Wanchun couldn't refuse. She thought to herself, "Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. We can't control what happens to the children, so let them be."
She pulled Mianmian along and said, "Since you're not getting a wedding dress, then Mother will get you some new clothes."
Mianmian obediently followed her, "Then make one for Sister Wan'er too."
Du Wanchun replied with a smile, "Of course, I'll also pick out a piece of jewelry for your sister Wan'er while I'm at it."
Cheng Wan'er entered the palace as the Crown Princess a month ago. Du Wanchun treats this eldest daughter-in-law the same way she treats her own daughter, just as Aunt Zhou had treated her in the past.
Whether it's food or clothing, if Mianmian gets a share, she gets a share too.
Cheng Wan'er now has a loving husband, a doting mother-in-law, and a sister-in-law who is like a sister to her. She can be said to be the happiest among the Cheng family's young ladies.
The embroiderer Du Wanchun found was surnamed Mo. She was the best embroiderer in the entire capital. Originally, she was to make wedding dresses for Mianmian, but now she can only make a few fine clothes for her and Cheng Wan'er.
After taking their measurements, it was already evening.
Du Wanchun kept the two of them in her palace for a meal.
"Wan'er, how has Yi'er been treating you lately?" Du Wanchun always spoke directly, asking Cheng Wan'er as she had a maid serve her tea.
Cheng Wan'er lowered her head, blushing, and smiled, "Your Highness treats me very well."
Seeing her flushed face, Du Wanchun slowly breathed a sigh of relief.
She feared that Yi'er would become like Zhou Ruiyuan's father in the past, fickle and abandoning his wife and children.
Fortunately, her and Zhou Ruiyuan's years of education have not been in vain.
Yi'er was also a man who loved his wife and was devoted to his country.
Just as they were chatting, Eunuch Zhang arrived.
Since recovering from his illness, Eunuch Zhang has been staying by Zhou Ruiyuan's side. His sudden visit to Du Wanchun today must mean something important.
Du Wanchun asked him, "Eunuch Zhang, what brings you here?"
Eunuch Zhang said slowly, "Your Majesty, His Majesty wishes to invite you to come."
Seeing his flustered expression, Du Wanchun quickly stood up and said, "Okay, I'll go now."
She quickly got up.
Mianmian stood up and said, "Mother, do you want us to come with you?"
Du Wanchun turned around and said, "You stay here with your sister-in-law, I'll go check and be right back."
“Mother…” Mianmian wanted to say something, but Cheng Wan’er persuaded her to stop.
Du Wanchun followed Eunuch Zhang into Zhou Ruiyuan's palace.
Zhou Feng was also there at that moment.
Seeing that the two of them looked strange, Du Wanchun's heart sank. "Ruiyuan, second brother, what happened?"
Zhou Ruiyuan was looking down at the letter when he heard Du Wanchun's voice and turned to look at her, "Wanchun, the grain in Cheng'an County has all been burned."
Du Wanchun was startled; she hadn't sensed anything amiss in Cheng'an County these past few days.
Zhou Ruiyuan was also puzzled by this, "Just three days ago, it burned for three days and three nights. The fire was so big that it couldn't be put out at all."
It's only the beginning of spring, and the grain in the granary was harvested last year.
If all the grain is burned, the Zhou family's rice shops across the country will be unable to supply rice.
Zhou Feng's face was also very grim. "It's a small matter that rice shops can't do business. What I'm worried about is that the grain supply will be insufficient and the people will go hungry."
Most of the grain in Xuan Yue Kingdom is now in the hands of the Zhou family. If the Zhou family has no rice, the people will not be able to buy grain and will naturally go hungry.
Du Wanchun slowly walked in and advised them, "Don't rush, we can think of other ways."
Zhou Feng sighed and said, "My elder brother and I want to use the money to buy rice elsewhere to fill the rice shop, but we can't put all of our Zhou family's money into the rice shop. Otherwise, we'll fall into their trap and lose both money and our money."
Zhou Ruiyuan and Zhou Feng were right to worry. Today, they burned down their rice granary to force them to pay up the money.
Once the Zhou family has spent all their money, they will be unable to withstand any further trouble.
Du Wanchun looked up at Zhou Ruiyuan, "Ruiyuan, do you still remember the key that the Lu family's butler left for us?"
Zhou Ruiyuan suddenly remembered, "The key is still in my hand."
Du Wanchun said solemnly, "Let's open the treasury left by the Lu family, see how much silver is inside, and then use that silver to buy rice from the Northern Di and Cheng Zhou Kingdom. We'll temporarily supply the rice shops with it."
Zhou Ruiyuan was still somewhat worried: "Do the Northern Di and Cheng Zhou have enough rice to sell to us?"
Du Wanchun said with great certainty, "As long as there is enough silver, there is no need to worry about not being able to buy rice."
After hearing this, Zhou Ruiyuan and Zhou Feng both fell into deep thought.
Du Wanchun then asked, "Have you found out who did it?"
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