Chapter 315 Talking by Candlelight
After returning to the mansion, Shangguan Jin went to the backyard to see Old Madam Shen as soon as possible.
Madam Shen had a rosy complexion and was showing everyone the congratulatory gifts she had received a few days ago.
"Jin'er, come and see. This jade Buddha is nice. When your mother celebrates her birthday, send this to her."
This screen is fine too, I'll send it to your grandmother!
And this set of jade bowls—your brother's child is getting married; you can send them as a wedding gift.
When Madam Shen saw Shangguan Jin arrive, she quickly pulled her along to look at her.
Shangguan Jin, being very accommodating, accompanied Old Madam Shen as she critiqued the congratulatory gifts.
Finally, Madam Shen remembered.
"Jin'er, the families who give gifts are expected to reciprocate."
If you don't have enough gifts to give in return, come to me. Let's do what others do and give the gifts from one family to another.
"No need, Mother, I have plans for these things."
What's moved into your house is yours; just keep it safe.
"If I like a junior in the future, I'll give them a few more items," Shangguan Jin said with a smile.
Madam Shen smiled.
Looking at all these gifts, she felt happy, knowing she could live a few more years!
Thinking that her daughter-in-law had brought her many things when she returned from the north, and that her son was doing very well there, Old Madam Shen felt even better.
My daughter-in-law is right, take good care of your health.
When I have the chance in the future, and the children don't need my care anymore, I'll go to the north to see my son...
Shangguan Jin chatted with Old Madam Shen for a while, and it was almost time for dinner.
That's not right! Usually, the children would come to greet the old lady at this time!
Just as Shangguan Jin was wondering if there was too much homework today, the children hadn't finished yet!
Shen Qingyue arrived with Shen Qingyu and the youngest, Shen Qingrui.
"Greetings to Grandmother!"
Greetings to Mother!
The three of them bowed respectfully and formally.
Shangguan Jin frowned.
"Where are Jun-ge and Ming-ge? Why didn't they come?"
Before Shen Qingyue could answer, Old Madam Shen interrupted.
"I almost forgot to tell you, people from the palace came this afternoon."
It is said that His Majesty wants to speak with Jun-ge and Ming-ge.
The two packed up and went to the palace.
"But it's already this late, it's time to come back," said Madam Shen with a smile.
Shangguan Jin breathed a sigh of relief.
He went to the palace! Then it's alright!
The imperial guards in the palace have been replaced by a new batch of eunuchs and palace maids, so it's very safe!
"It's nothing! Since His Majesty summoned me, there must be something on his mind."
"Mother, let me serve you your meal!"
As Shangguan Jin spoke, she instructed the kitchen staff to bring out the dinner.
Because of her advanced age, Madam Shen's diet has become much lighter than before.
The refreshing side dishes, along with rice porridge and a few snacks, were quickly finished.
Just as Shangguan Jin was leading a few children into her courtyard, she saw Steward Shen hurriedly bring in a young eunuch.
Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be Hu Zhouquan.
"Young Master Hu? What brings you here?" Shangguan Jin asked hurriedly.
Hu Zhouquan smiled and bowed.
"Greetings, Madam Shen! Greetings, Princess Pingning! This servant has come to deliver a message."
His Majesty said that he hadn't seen the eldest and second sons for many days and they had so much to talk about.
The eldest and second sons will stay in the palace tonight.
We'll send the eldest and second young masters back tomorrow.
The palace has everything you need, so please, Madam Shen and the Princess, have no need to worry.
Shangguan Jin sighed.
These kids are still like little kids; they talk all night and never go to sleep.
But now there's nothing she can do about it; at most, she can only offer a few more words of advice.
"Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Hu!"
Thank you for your hard work, Uncle Hu. Please tell Jun-ge and Ming-ge when you get back.
His Majesty has to attend court every day now and can't rest too late, so tell the two of them to be careful.
Also, they should both come back as early as possible; the tutors in the manor need to supervise their studies!
As soon as she finished speaking, Shen Qingyue had Sheng Guanjian hand her a purse.
Hu Zhouquan hurriedly tried to wave his hand to decline.
"What? Is Eunuch Hu now trying to distance himself from the Shen family?" Shangguan Jin teased.
Hu Zhouquan chuckled and then hid the purse in his sleeve.
"Please wait a moment, Eunuch Hu. I have a few words to convey to His Majesty."
"I've written it down. Little Eunuch Hu can take it to His Majesty on his way back," Shangguan Jin added.
Hu Zhouquan respectfully agreed.
......
When Hu Zhouquan returned to the palace to report, he presented Emperor Xiao Wu with a letter.
At this moment, Emperor Xiao Wu was sitting in the bedroom with Shen Qingjun and Shen Qingming.
All three of them were sitting on the ground.
Because of the cold weather, several charcoal braziers were placed in the sleeping quarters, and thick blankets were laid on the floor.
Between the three people was a large map of the Great Yu.
Emperor Xiao Wu took the letter handed to him by Hu Zhouquan, opened it, and immediately smiled.
My aunt said that Prime Minister Xu is already considering resigning, and that I should just make a token effort to persuade him to stay.
"Your Majesty, does Mother have something to say?" Shen Qingming asked with a smile.
"I told you two not to eat anything too cold."
Alright! Your aunt was just worried about you.
Cousin, please tell us more about the situation in the North.
"Is the land there really that fertile?" Emperor Xiao Wu looked again at the map he had taken down and spread on the ground.
Shen Qingjun nodded, holding a candle in his hand, and pointed at the map.
"Once you leave the capital, the further north you go, the more desolate it becomes."
But the further north you go, the more fertile the land becomes.
I've eaten rice grown on that land, and it's incredibly fragrant and sweet.
As I walked with my mother along the way, I saw a lot of barren land, and many people would rather leave it idle than cultivate it.
This was the case all the way to where the Weiyuan Army was stationed.
However, once they arrived in the north, although it was still desolate, there were many trading merchants there.
The newly independent border town of Beihu is now everyone's trading center.
"Your Majesty, there is great potential in the North!" Shen Qingjun said earnestly.
Emperor Xiao Wu and Shen Qingming both went over.
Emperor Xiao Wu wondered if there were still such desolate places within the territory of Dayu.
Shen Qingming wondered, "Are there so many people doing business in the border city? Could I do some business there too?"
"There is great potential..."
"Cousin, you must have thought a lot about this!" Emperor Xiao Wu looked at Shen Qingjun.
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