Chapter 1256: I owe the Zhou family a favor

As winter came, the days became shorter. When Zhou Shuren left the government office, it was already dark and there were still granular snow particles floating in the sky. Although they were as small as sand, if people stood outside for a long time, some snow would still stay on their shoulders.

Zhou Shuren looked straight at Ran Zheng and shook the snow off his cloak. "Okay."

Ran Zheng smiled and extended his hand to invite him in. Zhou Shuren got on the carriage without any hesitation. Ran Zheng followed him, and the Zhou family's carriage followed behind.

Today Shenxing is with the master. Jinyan's wife is pregnant again. The master has given Jinyan a holiday for the past two days. Shenxing is riding a horse. Compared with the guards of the Ran family, he is so happy. He has a cloak on his body and leather gloves on his hands, which are all bought by the Zhou Mansion.

The carriage did not go far before it stopped at a lighted restaurant.

Neither Zhou Shuren nor Ran Zheng spoke in the carriage. Zhou Shuren simply closed his eyes.

The two of them went up to the private room, which was occupied by the servants of the Ran family. The wine and food had already been placed on the table. After the two of them sat down, everyone in the room left.

Zhou Shuren poured herself a glass of wine first, took a sip and raised her eyebrows. It was her favorite wine.

As soon as Ran Zheng saw Zhou Shuren drinking, he started eating. If he didn't say anything first, Zhou Shuren would definitely not speak first. "If I don't say anything, you really ignore me!"

Zhou Shuren put down his chopsticks, "I just didn't expect you to look for me at this time."

As time goes by, the influence of establishing the crown prince becomes greater and greater. Now, as a result of the fate of many people, the veteran minister who started first fell into the emperor's trap and has been unable to escape, while those who fish in troubled waters are becoming more and more courageous.

If the Ministry of Revenue was not under his tight control and the Emperor Emeritus came over from time to time, the Ministry of Revenue would not be so peaceful.

Zhou Shuren had heard complaints from the Minister of Personnel every day after court. The Ministry of Personnel was the most powerful organization, and many of its people had evil thoughts.

Zhou Shuren glanced out the window and saw that it was already completely dark. It was the time when the Ministry of Personnel was in power.

Ran Zheng smiled bitterly, "I don't have your confidence. Don't worry, I don't have any ambitions just because of the appearance of Concubine Ran in my family."

Zhou Shuren was surprised, "Then why are you looking for me so formally?"

Ran Zheng saw that his expression was too serious today, so it was hard for him not to misunderstand.

Ran Zheng took a sip of wine and said, "I'm doing this for others to see."

Zhou Shuren immediately understood, "You were forced to join the team?"

Ran Zheng put down his wine glass, "Yes, our Ran family has no power. Even if we have a concubine, it is just a bonus to the power of the harem. It is difficult for the queen to keep herself out of trouble in the harem. If, if I had not retired, I would not have been so passive."

As he spoke, Ran Zheng looked at Zhou Shuren. All the powerful forces in the harem knew what Zhou Shuren represented. Everyone wanted to pull Zhou Shuren under their wing, but no one was willing to force Lord Zhou.

When Ran Zheng couldn't sleep at midnight, he was in a daze. How did Zhou Shuren get to his current position? Not to mention Zhou Shuren's position as a minister, just look at his relationship with the royal family. It's all real. Three of his sons are officials in the court, one has already occupied a position in the local area, one has a bright future, and another is slowly making his own way. In addition, he has an uncle, and yes, his daughter is the Princess of Qin.

Zhou Shuren has unknowingly become a top force in the capital.

Ran Zheng's eyes were full of confusion, and he continued, "You also know that my son is in the countryside, and my original intention is for my eldest son to return to Beijing next year."

Zhou Shuren narrowed his eyes and said, "You are afraid that someone will stop you."

Ran Zheng smiled bitterly, "That's why you forced me to take sides. I think you can see that there will be no conclusion to the appointment of a crown prince before the end of the year."

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard. Ran Zhengjia knew the new emperor well. The new emperor had already made up his mind and had been dragging it out just to get the greatest benefit in the game.

Zhou Shuren thought that Ran Zheng really had no other way to go, so he came looking for him. Why did he look for him? The Ran family and the Zhou family were related by marriage, and the eldest grandson's wife was Ran Zheng's biological granddaughter.

Zhou Shuren asked, "The Queen in the Palace?"

Ran Zheng, "The queen is not young anymore, and it's good enough that she can protect herself."

Zhou Shuren understood. To put it bluntly, she was not favored. If she did not have a princess, it would be even more difficult for her to see the emperor. Now the emperor was happily fighting with various forces, so how could he care about the family of the unfavored concubine.

When the emperor wants to cultivate her, he must also win the game. The Ran family is weak, unlike other forces in the harem who are strong and are not afraid and can afford to wait.

Ran Zheng didn't want to delay his son, and was also afraid that something might happen to his son outside. The Ran family had been attacked before the new emperor ascended to the throne. Now that the new emperor has ascended to the throne, the empress in the palace still can't protect the Ran family. If it weren't for the emperor's only princess, his life would be even more difficult now.

Ran Zheng drank another glass of wine, "In the fight in the capital, the weak are guilty."

Zhou Shuren raised his eyes. The two confrontations had dealt a heavy blow to Ran Zheng. "I will not get involved in the power struggles in the harem, but we have been friends for many years, so I will say a word for you."

Ran Zheng's eyes showed joy, "Thank you."

Zhou Shuren looked straight at Ran Zheng, "The last time I helped the Ran family, it was because of our marriage. This time, you Ran family owe the Zhou family a favor, and you have to repay it. As for when to repay, my descendants will go to the Ran family to ask for it."

Ran Zheng stared at Zhou Shuren blankly, lowered his eyes, and quickly raised his head, "Okay."

Zhou Shuren didn't want Ran Zheng to get something for nothing. Last time it was the future of his second legitimate son, this time it was the future of his eldest legitimate son. The eldest legitimate son and the second legitimate son are different, and in-laws cannot be exploited.

Zhou Shuren drank. Ran Zheng was too weak today. Unfortunately, he was not a soft-hearted person. There was nothing more to talk about. "It's getting late. I'll go back first."

Ran Zheng stood up to see him off, "I'll take you there."

Zhou Shuren waved his hand, "No need."

Ran Zheng waited for Zhou Shuren to leave, with a complicated look in his eyes. Even if his granddaughter married into the Zhou family in the future, she would only be the eldest granddaughter-in-law of the Zhou family. Zhou Shuren had reached his current position because he made too clear distinctions. It would be difficult to repay the Zhou family's favor.

Zhou Shuren returned to the carriage, played with the jade pendant around his waist as usual, thought about the power in the harem, and then closed his eyes.

The next morning, Zhou Shuren attended the morning court. Speaking of the morning court, Zhou Shuren was a little unhappy. When he was an assistant minister, he could take turns to rest, but now that he is a chancellor, he has to attend the morning court every day.

At today's morning court, Zhou Shuren was too lazy to listen to the bickering between the various forces and just wanted to get back to the Ministry of Revenue as soon as possible.

The emperor will come to the Ministry of Revenue today, and he said he would bring roasted sweet potatoes. Thinking of this, Zhou Shuren's beard couldn't help but twitching. The emperor is really getting more and more down-to-earth, and he is really letting himself go.

Especially when the emperor was pretending to be stupid, Sanjiaojiu was very understanding. When he was not busy, he would share the glorious deeds with him. Oh, yes, he also taught how to pick locks. Yes, he lit up the skill of picking locks!

After the morning court ended, Zhou Shuren rushed away and returned to the Ministry of Revenue. The emperor had not arrived yet!