Chapter 1814 Betting

Zhou Shuren enjoys his son's filial piety and puts most of his weight on his son. "Another year has passed. After these few busy days, I can relax."

Changzhi smiled and said, "Is there any bonus this year?"

Zhou Shuren squinted his eyes, "Do you still care about the year-end bonus?"

Chang Zhi said: "Why wouldn't I look down on it? Last year's prize money was very generous."

Zhou Shuren frowned, "The emperor didn't say anything."

Changzhi thought for a moment and said, "That's enough."

Zhou Shuren thought, "Not necessarily. I guess it won't be as abundant as last year."

Changzhi added: "The treasury is full this year, so Dad will have less to worry about money next year."

Zhou Shuren laughed, "Money has many uses."

Changzhi felt sorry for his father, "Dad worries too much."

Zhou Shuren's steps suddenly became much lighter, "There aren't many years left to fuck."

He was waiting for the emperor's eldest grandson to grow up, and when he had continued to improve the Ministry of Revenue, he could let go completely.

Changzhi was really happy for his father, "You can enjoy a peaceful life now. Dad and I can support our family now."

These words are not false. No one took him seriously before, but now no one dares to look down on him.

Zhou Shuren turned his head to look at his fourth son and laughed, "Dad is very happy."

The father and son walked very slowly. When they left the palace, only the carriages from the Ministry of Revenue and the Hanlin Academy were left. Zhou Shuren did not ask his son to see him off. Instead, he watched his son go ahead.

Jinyan asked, "My Lord, let's go too."

Zhou Shuren said with emotion, "Look, Changzhi and the others still have a long way to go, and all I can do is support them."

He no longer had to support the Marquis' Mansion by himself, and he felt proud but also a little empty.

"You should be happy, my Lord. You have a successor."

"Yes, I should be happy. All my children and grandchildren are good."

As the year was drawing to a close, Zhulan and Jiang Ling kept in touch, and Jiang Ling took the opportunity to bring Shao Ting along when she was delivering New Year gifts.

Shao Ting hasn't been to the Marquis' Mansion since she became the head of the family. It was all because her sister-in-law pointed out the meaning of it. Shao Ting felt a little uncomfortable coming with her sister-in-law today.

Especially when Shao Ting met the Crown Prince's wife, she became even more nervous.

Zhu Lan motioned for Jiang Ling to sit down. She rarely went to the academy in winter and hadn't seen Shao Ting for a long time. The girl was at the age of growing up and saw that Shao Ting had changed a lot. "I think Shao Ting seems to have grown a lot taller."

Jiang Ling smiled and said, "It has indeed grown. All the clothes at home are too small."

Li also looked at Shao Ting. She was not an evil mother-in-law. Besides, her family background was not high, so she did not look down on Shao Ting even though she became the prince's wife. In her opinion, the girls praised by mothers-in-law were all good girls. She was not a person with a strong desire for control, so as long as her son liked her, it was fine.

Zhulan looked at her eldest daughter-in-law, and Li smiled knowingly and said, "I got some good fabrics here. I'll take them out and buy new clothes for the young lady."

Shao Ting stood up quickly after hearing this and said, "Thank you, Madam."

Li likes girls who are open and generous. Shao Ting is in charge of the academy and is a successful person. The more Li sees her, the more he likes her.

Shao Ting has a crush on Zhou Minghui. She didn't dare to think about it before, so she had to give up immediately. But now she can think about it and feels embarrassed when facing her little daughter who is looking at her too much.

After chatting for a while, Jiang Ling and her sister-in-law left, and Li prepared jewelry and fabrics for Shao Ting to make clothes.

After the aunt and sister-in-law left the mansion, Jiang Ling smiled and said, "I feel relieved now."

She knew that the Crown Prince's wife was a good person, but the lady didn't express her feelings and she was also afraid that her younger sister would not be liked by the Crown Prince's wife.

Shao Ting felt sweet in her heart as she held the jewelry box. Although she hadn't seen Zhou Minghui for a long time, the Crown Prince's wife's attitude was that of Zhou Minghui, "Sister-in-law."

Jiang Ling sensed shyness and said, "Okay, okay, I won't say anything."

But in my heart I was thinking about my younger sister-in-law's dowry. The Shao family is not wealthy, and the current wealth, not counting her dowry, is all what her husband got after he became pregnant. These things are not enough for my younger sister's dowry, and a dowry of high status will not look good without enough dowry.

Jiang Ling was thinking about how to buy more dowry.

At the Marquis' Mansion, Li also talked about the betrothal gift, "Minghui's betrothal gift cannot be higher than that of his two brothers."

She wanted to give more betrothal gifts so that Miss Shao's wedding dress would not be ugly, but she didn't want to be too excessive.

Zhulan understood, and thinking of the books Minghui had sorted out, she smiled and said, "Minghui has a plan, let him figure it out himself."

Li, "What else can he do? Is he going to secretly send all his savings over there?"

Zhu Lan smiled but said nothing, "Just follow your plan and don't worry about him."

Zhulan had no intention of adding Minghui privately. She had many grandchildren and she would not make an exception.

Another day passed, and the brothers Mingrui and Minghui went to the bookstore. They had ordered books from the bookstore and went to pick up the books today.

Changzhong thought about it and followed them. Sitting in the carriage, Changzhong smiled and said, "You look more like people who are going to take part in the Spring Examination than I do."

Mingrui has a complete plan for the future, so he is not in a hurry to do the imperial examination. "Even if we don't do the imperial examination, we still have a heavy burden on our shoulders."

Changzhong, "I have been busy with my homework and haven't paid much attention to you. How is your progress?"

The two frowned, "Ah, even with Uncle Si's guidance, our progress is still slow."

"I will help you after my spring exam is over."

Mingrui smiled and said, "Well, uncle, don't say anything wrong."

Changzhong didn't know how big a hole he had dug for himself, and smiled cheerfully, "I will keep my word."

When the carriage arrived at the bookshop, Changzhong saw the third prince at a glance. Next to the third prince was Lord Du, the third prince's cousin.

The Third Prince also noticed Changzhong and the others and said with a smile, "It's a rare opportunity to meet the three Young Masters of Zhou at the same time."

Changzhong smiled and said, "We came to the bookstore to pick up books. Are you here to buy books?"

The third prince also picked up the book and said, "Pick a few books about architecture."

Chang Zhong understood. He had heard from his father that a royal garden would be built next year and that the Ministry of Works had the most complete collection of such books. The Third Prince did not read the books in the Ministry of Works but bought them in the bookstore instead. It was obvious that he did not want people to suspect his intentions, but at the same time he did not want to see the opportunity slip away.

Lord Du remained silent. He had also had this thought, but unfortunately the Third Prince was obsessed with becoming a virtuous king. He also threatened the Du family and even threatened that he would report to the Emperor if the Du family dared to harass him. The Du family gave up completely.

The third prince bought a book and left. Changzhong also chose a book. After returning home, Changzhong went to the main courtyard to tell the emperor about the third prince's behavior.

Zhu Lan said: "The Third Prince is a man with a promising future."

Opportunities come to those who are prepared. The Third Prince already has a good time in the Ministry of Works. If he works hard in secret, he will have the right time, place and people.

Changzhong thought so too. "I think the Du family is very well behaved. The third prince is quite sober."

Zhulan smiled and said, "Only when you are sober can you live a good life."

Changzhong smiled and said that as long as the crown prince was not involved, the emperor would arrange for other princes.

Time flies, and in a blink of an eye it is the New Year again. In a blink of an eye it is the twelfth year of Shenghui. The big event after the New Year is the Spring Examination.

Many eyes in the capital were on the Zhouhou Mansion. When the youngest son of Zhouhou learned that he had passed the imperial examination, some people privately placed bets on whether the Zhouhou Mansion would have another runner-up.

(End of this chapter)