Chapter 1701 Jade Pendant

Zhulan was washing her hands when Li came in hurriedly. "Mom, the well water is a little muddy."

The kitchen was preparing to cook dinner, but not only was the well water turbid, but the chickens and ducks delivered from the farm in the morning were uneasy. She thought of the pre-earthquake reaction her mother-in-law had mentioned.

As for earthquakes, she had never experienced one, but she had heard that there was an earthquake in a state a few years ago, and that many houses had collapsed. She was now terrified.

The natural disaster my mother-in-law was talking about was because she had never faced an earthquake. Thinking about it made her feel cold inside and she muttered, "This is the capital city. How can there be an earthquake in the capital city?"

Zhulan didn't have time to explain that there had been earthquakes in the capital before, so she wiped her face and said, "I'll go and see for myself."

She was also shocked. After all, she had been in the capital for so many years and had experienced natural disasters but had never suffered any harm. If there was an earthquake in the capital, she would be scared.

Soon Zhulan checked the well water, then went to the kitchen to check on the chickens and ducks, and she also looked at the lake in the garden. After checking them out, her heart skipped a beat.

Before returning to the main courtyard, Zhulan sent a message to Shuren. As she walked back, she told Li, "Let everyone in the mansion leave the house, and prepare some water and food."

Li was extremely frightened, but after hearing her mother-in-law's instructions, she gradually felt at ease, knowing that she had nothing to be afraid of as long as her mother-in-law was around.

Zhulan called housekeeper Ding and sent someone to inform her children and in-laws. There were records of earthquake precursors in ancient times. When Zhulan told them, she was just following what was written in the books. As long as they were informed of the news, they would be alert.

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren heard the news and immediately sent Jianyan to inquire about it. Jianyan came back very quickly, and there were indeed some signs. Zhou Shuren called Qiu Yan over and said, "I want to go to the palace."

Qiu Yan was a little confused, "Why did you give me this book?"

Zhou Shuren turned to the page he had just found and said, "Take your time to read it."

After saying this, he stood up and left. He didn't know whether anyone in the palace had noticed him, so he wanted to go back into the palace immediately.

As for his family and grandchildren, he feels relieved having a daughter-in-law around.

Facts have proved that the ancients were not simple at all. When Zhou Shuren entered the palace, someone had already reported it to the emperor. Although they could not predict when an earthquake would occur, they would rather believe it.

The emperor gave orders one by one, and then spoke to Zhou Shuren, "My dear, please stay in the palace."

He can only feel at ease if the thing remains under his supervision.

Zhou Shuren said: "I still have to go back to the Ministry of Revenue."

The emperor said: "I have sent someone to inform them."

After hearing this, Zhou Shuren could only wait for the result.

The palace reacted quickly, a shed had been set up on the open ground, the emperor entered the shed, and the prince returned.

The Emperor asked, "Is everything okay, Your Majesty?"

The prince said, "The emperor asked me to tell him not to worry about them."

The emperor nodded. His father had seen many storms and waves, so he was not worried. He turned around and said, "I don't want an earthquake."

Zhou Shuren, "I don't want that either."

"There have been signs before but no earthquakes, and I hope there won't be one this time."

Zhou Shuren had a hunch that this time it was real, but he didn't know where it happened or what the magnitude was.

Zhulan had made all the arrangements at Zhouhou Mansion, built several sheds in the garden, and also brought back all the grandchildren from the academy.

Steward Ding came over and said, "The officials have already informed us of the news."

Zhulan was surprised that he reacted so quickly, but then she thought it was normal. After Shuren's changes to the Ministry of Revenue improved its efficiency and affected other departments, the efficiency of the entire court improved a lot. Moreover, an earthquake was a big deal, so she dared not delay it. At the same time, she admired the emperor's courage.

Time passed by and Zhulan did not see Changzhong. She asked Qingxue, "Is Changzhong not back yet?"

Qingxue said: "The young master and the fourth prince went to the horse farm and should be back soon."

Zhulan felt anxious and couldn't help but hug Yujiao. The soft little girl didn't let her calm down. She didn't say anything, and Li and others in the shed didn't dare to speak either. Everyone was very nervous.

For those who have never experienced an earthquake, an earthquake is a punishment from heaven, a concentration of emotions such as fear and terror. How many people have never experienced an earthquake in their entire lives?

Suddenly the ground shook. Zhulan and the others sat on the ground, which was covered with bamboo mats and thick carpets. The garden of Marquis Zhou's mansion was very large, and a large area had been cleared for enough flowers.

The shaking of the ground made the frightened people scream, and Zhulan's mind went blank for a moment, but she then calmed down.

Boss Zhou fell to the ground, staring at his mother. He was relieved when he saw that she did not fall despite shaking.

Zhulan didn't know the magnitude of the earthquake. She only knew that the tremor passed very quickly and the magnitude was unknown. It should have occurred near the capital.

The shaking stopped and the garden was very quiet. Boss Zhou stood up, his voice trembling, "Mom, are you okay?"

The earth was shaking, and with such fear, even Boss Zhou could no longer remain calm.

Zhulan sat still, "It's okay, I heard the sound of tiles falling, go see if anyone is injured, be careful and pay attention to the aftershocks."

Boss Zhou: "Yes."

Butler Ding also went along. Zhulan signaled Qingxue to go and see if any maids were injured. Because the earthquake came suddenly, she heard many maids fall down.

There were several more aftershocks afterwards, and Zhulan finally got up and left the shed. Most of the servants in the house were injured, but fortunately there were no serious injuries.

Zhulan then sent people to inquire about the situation and find out where the damage was severe. She also asked people to wait for Changzhong. Changzhong never came back, and she felt uneasy as she could not see her son. As for Shuren, she was relieved.

Xuemei and Xuehan sent servants to inquire about Zhulan and told her that they and the child were fine.

Several relatives also sent in news that none of them were seriously injured.

Steward Ding came back with Changzhong. Seeing that her son was not injured, Zhulan asked in a nasal tone, "Why did you come back so late?"

Chang Zhong felt guilty, "My son and the fourth prince were found by the guards. An earthquake occurred just after they entered the capital, so we could only wait where we were. Mother, I am sorry to have worried you."

Zhulan sniffed and held back her tears, "Fortunately you are okay."

Changzhong, "Mom, are you scared?"

Zhu Lan glared, "I'm the one who taught you all this knowledge, how could I be scared?"

Changzhong supported his mother, "You are the best."

"Is the Fourth Prince injured?"

Chang Zhong shook his head. "With the guards protecting him, the fourth prince didn't lose any hair."

Zhulan looked at Steward Ding, who reported the news: "I heard that an earthquake occurred in the suburbs south of the capital."

Chang Zhong said, "I don't know what's going on in the suburbs."

Zhulan: "Wait for the news."

The medical situation in the capital is currently serious, I don’t know how it is in the suburban counties!

The losses in the capital were not great because the city had been planned and many houses were newly built, so there was not much damage to the houses. As for the injuries and deaths, statistics are still needed.

Zhulan didn't let anyone go back to the house, fearing that there would be aftershocks. When she took Changzhong back to the tent, Zhulan realized, "Where is the jade pendant on your waist?"

Chang Zhong was stunned for a moment, then looked down and saw that it was indeed gone. "The situation was a bit chaotic at the time, and it might have fallen into the carriage on the way back."

After saying this, Changzhong signaled the servant to look inside the carriage.

The servant returned quickly, but did not bring back the jade pendant. "I searched along the road but could not find it."

Changzhong slapped his forehead and said, "It must have been lost during the chaos."

This jade pendant was a birthday gift from his father. Not to mention the money, it is a token of his father's love.

Steward Ding came in at this time, "Sir, someone sent the jade pendant back."

He wanted to send someone out to look for it, but unexpectedly someone came to his door.

Changzhong asked, "Who picked up the jade pendant?"

(End of this chapter)