Chapter 1744: Counting with Fingers

Time passed quickly and it was the end of the year. The officials received their bonuses and happily took their annual leave. However, Zhou Shuren gave the bonus to his youngest son before he could even feel it warm in his hands.

Zhulan held out her hand and said, "You are just thinking about your little son. You didn't even mention buying me a gift when you got the reward."

Zhou Shuren took out a bracelet from his pocket and said, "I saved my money to buy this."

Zhulan has a lot of jewelry, some of which she customized and some of which she designed herself. All of them are exquisite. She only likes the one given by Shuren. "Is it beautiful?"

Zhou Shuren stared at his wife's wrist. It was plump and white. He didn't notice how beautiful her wrist was, but he could see that the bracelet was beautifully set off. "Yeah, it looks good."

Zhu Lan snorted, "You don't really think that way."

Zhou Shuren smiled and said, "You look good in anything you wear."

Zhulan took off the bracelet and put it away. "Yesterday, Hu Xia sent a letter from his residence. He will come to visit you tomorrow."

Zhou Shuren, "He came early this year."

Zhulan heard her second daughter-in-law say, "We are not planning to spend the New Year in the capital this year. We are planning to live in the manor for a while."

Zhou Shuren heard this and asked, "Are you hiding?"

Zhulan was happy, "That should be it."

There have been major job changes in the Ministry of Industry this year, and many officials have come to Beijing. People who are usually difficult to visit are waiting to pay New Year’s greetings!

Zhou Shuren felt a little hungry, "Let's eat first."

"Okay, today we have your favorite pork ribs and lotus root soup."

Zhou Shuren raised his eyebrows, "Then I'll drink one more bowl."

Zhu Lan smiled and said, "A lot of lotus roots were sent from the south, enough to last for a few days."

"That's great. Let's have hot pot tomorrow. Do you have any butter at home?"

"Want some red soup with butter?"

Zhou Shuren was delighted. "Yeah."

The meals he ate at the Ministry of Revenue were all nourishing meals. They were delicious, but the taste was a bit light. As an old man, he had a strong taste, so he liked food with stronger flavors.

Seeing Shuren's eager look, Zhulan smiled and said, "Okay, I'll arrange it for you tomorrow."

The maid brought in the food and the two of them ate dinner. They were both slow eaters and could take more than half an hour to finish a meal.

The next day, Hu Xia arrived at the right time, fearing that if he arrived too early, the marquis would not be awake yet. When he arrived, the marquis was drinking fruit tea, which smelled very fragrant.

Through the glass water bottle, you can clearly see the dried fruits inside. It seems that the Marquis’ wife knows how to enjoy life.

Zhou Shuren motioned Hu Xia to sit down, "Don't be polite, pour the tea yourself."

Hu Xia felt comfortable listening to this. This was a sign that the Marquis did not treat him as an outsider. "It smells good."

Zhou Shuren also liked it. "I heard you were going to the village to celebrate the New Year?"

Hu Xia sighed, "It's because of you protecting me all these years that I was able to succeed in the Ministry of Industry. Even if I can't do anything else, I can still avoid causing trouble for you."

He simply benefited from his nephew's influence, otherwise he would not have been able to join the Zhou Hou Mansion.

Zhou Shuren has always liked people who are clear-headed. Hu Xia is one of them, and so is Gu Zhuomin. "It's quiet to go to the manor."

Hu Xia knew that this was the right thing to do. "The people in the Ministry of Industry who had just arrived in Beijing had a lot on their minds."

Zhou Shuren didn't plan to continue asking questions. It wasn't worth his attention. "If you don't like it, just go back. You have nothing to be afraid of."

Hu Xia smiled and said, "Yes."

Zhou Shuren mentioned Liu Feng, "Liu Feng wrote back saying he's doing fine."

We have found out what needs to be found out, and no action has been taken so far. The only trouble is that we know that he is the grandson-in-law of the marquis's mansion and has a lot of social engagements.

Hu Xia knew that it would be difficult for him to get promoted, and that his son would have to rely on his nephew in the future. He smiled and said, "This child has grown so much."

“I’ve honed it over the past few years.”

Hu Xia sat for a while and then left. Coincidentally, just as he was about to get on the carriage, he met Chang Zhong coming back from outside.

Changzhong stepped forward, "Master Hu."

Hu Xia replied, "The young master just came back?"

"Yes, Master Hu, I have something to ask you."

Hu Xia was puzzled, "What do you want to ask, sir?"

Changzhong swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue and said with a smile, "No need, I'll go back and ask my dad."

Hu Xia didn't think much about it, "There is nothing in the capital that the Marquis doesn't know."

Changzhong watched the Hu family's carriage leave, turned around and walked back. Never mind, he found out that Lu Jiaqing was checking people and just had to wait.

The servant knew a lot, "Master, do you want to ask about the An family?"

Changzhong, "You know a lot."

"I am the young master's servant."

Changzhong glanced at the servant and the servant shut his mouth. Only then did Changzhong return to the main courtyard with satisfaction.

Zhou Shuren looked away for a while before seeing his son coming back. "Who did you meet today?"

Changzhong sat back without any image, "It must be someone who made an appointment with my son."

"The fourth prince?"

Changzhong shook his head, "Wu Shangheng made an appointment with my son and introduced several people to him."

Zhou Shuren asked casually, and put down his book when he heard this, "Who did you recommend?"

Changzhong pointed to the south and said, "What a coincidence that the young masters from the southern noble families are not traveling together. Their destination is the capital."

Zhou Shuren understood, "I came here to get information."

"Seeing is believing. My son counted on his fingers and knew someone was going to get into trouble."

Zhou Shuren picked up the book again and said, "Don't go out recently."

Changzhong really didn't plan to go out, "Dad, you can stay at home and teach your son recently."

"Do you still need my guidance?"

My son can just teach himself at this level.

Changzhong stood up and leaned against his father, "Son wants to spend more time with you."

Zhou Shuren moved his shoulders and said, "You don't even know how to feel sorry for your father. You're pressing hard and your shoulders are hurting."

"Son will give you a shoulder massage."

"That's more like it."

When Zhou Laoda came in, he saw the loving father and filial son. Although he was not young anymore, he was still envious. "Dad, the letter from my third brother has arrived."

Zhou Shuren reached out and took the letter. The letter said that Dong's pregnancy was stable and that the maid who was sent over had helped a lot. The letter also expressed apologies for not being able to spend the New Year with his parents.

Changzhong also took a closer look and said, "It's not easy for Third Brother either."

Zhou Shuren put down the letter and asked, "Which of your brothers has it easy?"

Changzhong said, "Fourth brother."

Zhou Shuren: “Nonsense.”

The several sons in the family have all made contributions and efforts, and each has his own difficulties behind them.

At the Prince Qin's Mansion, Xue Han took her youngest son back to stay for a while. She looked at him with such a frown that Xiaer felt embarrassed.

Rong Chuan saw his son's ears turn red, so he reached out and picked him up, "Look, my son is embarrassed."

Xue Han then retracted her gaze and said, "Xia'er has gained a lot of weight. I'm sorry for the worry, uncle."

Rongchuan thought about going to pick up the child, and his uncle looked at him eagerly, "Xia'er is your uncle's lifeblood."

Xue Han was grateful to her uncle for taking good care of Xiaer. "Would you like to invite your uncle to come over to celebrate the New Year this year?"

She was reluctant to send her son back.

Rong Chuan shook his head, "You forgot to enter the palace."

Xue Han felt sad. Her father, the emperor and mother were gone. She no longer felt warm in the palace. She didn't like to go to the palace unless it was necessary. This year's New Year's Eve dinner was not delicious!

Linxi and Ze'er walked in with smiles. Linxi warmed up the gift she brought back for a while and handed it to her younger brother. "Sister and brother are going to get a gift for Xia'er. Does Xia'er like it?"

Xiaer's eyes were big and clear, full of gifts. "I like it."

(End of this chapter)