On the way home, Zhou Ersao said to Zhou Erzhu, "Dad, we must not back down this time. The capital is not an easy place to navigate. If these family members go there, they will not only fail to help us, but they may also cause us trouble. That could really cost us our lives. If you can't resist your parents' persuasion, we'd better not go."
Zhou Erzhu had learned so much from Xu Zhi over the past six months, so naturally he wanted to go to the capital to see the world. Moreover, his child was about to be sent to the Marquis's clan school to study. Was this something an ordinary person could do? If not for anything else, just for his child's education, he had to go to the capital and work hard for his employer.
Zhou Erzhu nodded and said, "Don't worry, Mom. I understand this principle. We'll go to Uncle Lizheng's house later and explain things clearly. We'll ask Uncle Lizheng to keep an eye on the people in the family so they don't sneak off to the capital. Otherwise, it will cause us trouble."
Second Sister-in-law was relieved to see that her husband had thought things through.
Zhou Erzhu and his family of three left early in the morning without anyone seeing them off. They quietly rode in the workshop's carriage along the newly built main road towards the Miao River. From there, they took a boat downstream to the Grand Canal and then turned towards the capital. The journey took more than twenty days, and they finally arrived in the capital at the end of July.
Xu Zhi had already tidied up the shop. When Zhou Ersao's family arrived, Zheng Yuanyuan was in the backyard of the shop watching people repair the west wing that was to be used as a storeroom. When she saw Zhou Erzhu's family of three, Zheng Yuanyuan quickly came over and said with a smile, "Sister-in-law Zhou, you've arrived? My sister-in-law had to go out on some business and told me to wait for you here. She said that after you arrive, you should settle in first, and then wander around the capital and the surrounding area. In a few days, our shop will be ready to open."
Before Zhou Erzhu could say anything, Zhou Er's wife quickly smiled and said, "It's kind of you to wait here, young lady. We'll get your luggage ready and then take a stroll around."
Zheng Yuanyuan smiled and nodded, then went to the front. Zhou Erzhu waited until Zheng Yuanyuan was far away before asking in a low voice, "Is this our boss's sister-in-law?"
As Zhou Ersao busied herself unloading the luggage from the carriage, she replied, "Yes, this is the master's aunt. She has a gentle nature and is very polite to us. Father, it is our greatest fortune to have met the master. No matter what happens in the future, we must work hard for the master. This capital city is bustling with people. We must guard our hearts and not do anything to let the master down."
Zhou Erzhu quickly nodded in agreement. Gouwazi had already run out of the room and said happily, "Dad, Mom, this house is so nice! There's even a desk in the room. Mom, is that for us?"
Zhou Ersao thought of the old elm wood desk in the room. This desk wasn't there when she left; Xu Zhi had someone buy it for Gouwazi these past few days. So she said to Zhou Erzhu and Gouwazi, "Dad, Gouwazi, this desk was bought for Gouwazi by our master these past few days. Gouwazi, when you're studying, no one else has bought you anything, but our master bought you this desk so you can study well. When you go to school, don't compare yourself to others in terms of food or clothing. Just follow your teacher and study hard, understand?"
Gouwa nodded repeatedly and said, "Mother, I know. We come from Luzhou, so naturally we can't compare with these gentlemen in the capital. They wear fine silks and satins, while we wear coarse cloth. Anyway, whatever we wear is fine as long as it's clean and tidy. Don't worry, Mother, I won't compare myself to them."
Zhou Ersao nodded. A child's character should be cultivated from a young age. The capital is a good place, whether it's making money or learning, but it's also a dazzling world. If children aren't properly guided, they can easily be blinded by its prosperity and lose their true nature. Zhou Ersao wanted to bring her child out, but she didn't want her child to get lost in the capital. Therefore, she couldn't relax her efforts in raising her child.
The shop in front was already neatly arranged. Zheng Yuanyuan stood inside the shop with her sleeves rolled up. The evening sunlight shone in from the back door, making Zheng Yuanyuan, who was backlit, appear to be bathed in golden light.
This is the girl Zong Chengping saw from outside the door. This girl who had captured his heart was standing right in front of him. Zong Chengping wanted to step inside, but his steps felt like they were sinking into a quagmire, so heavy that he couldn't drag himself.
Zheng Yuanyuan had already seen Zong Chengping. She came out with a smile and asked, "Why don't you come in? Come in and take a look. These papers are all produced in my sister-in-law's workshop."
Zong Chengping tried his best to suppress the bitterness in his heart and said with a smile, "Your sister-in-law is so amazing. She can actually make bamboo paper. This bamboo paper is really well made."
Zheng Yuanyuan said proudly, "The bamboo paper is naturally of good quality. If it weren't made well, it wouldn't have become a tribute to the Emperor. Brother Zong, what brings you here now? Did you have something to do outside the city?"
Zong Chengping explained, "I came back from outside the city and saw your carriage, so I came to check. I didn't expect it to really be you."
The two stood at the shop entrance talking. Xu Zhi looked over from afar, and when she saw clearly who was standing next to Zong Chengping, she couldn't help but feel a little pity for him.
These days, Xu Zhi has inquired a lot about the Duke of Cheng's mansion. She learned that Zong Chengping's mother died early and he grew up alone in the back courtyard. He was also ambitious. Knowing that his stepmother did not want him to have a great future, he stopped studying at the clan school when he was around ten years old and instead ran away to learn how to manage the estate and shops from the family manager.
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