Chapter 1305 Dead End

Zhulan continued to read the letter in her hand. Changyi was living a good life. Now that the countess had gained power, it had greatly facilitated the diplomatic officials such as Changyi.

The cooperation started when the Countess went back with him. During that year, the Countess built her fiefdom, the living standards of the people in the fiefdom were improved, and she also had loyal soldiers. Of course, these were not the main things, but the Countess was engaged again. The man she was engaged to was the Duke, who had no heir. The Duke was already middle-aged, and it was obvious that this marriage was for profit.

Zhulan didn't feel any emotion after seeing it. She knew this would be the result since this bold countess dared to cross the ocean.

Wang came very quickly, and Zhulan did not beat around the bush. "Mingshan is not very useful abroad, and he has been sick several times. This time, Changyi asked for permission. Once the emperor agrees to take the decree, Mingshan can return to the country next year."

Wang was not happy about it. She felt that this year was the freest time in her life. Her husband could not enter the Earl's Mansion, but she could. She was in charge of the household and did not have to deal with her husband. As for the concubine, her own health had recovered, but unfortunately her daughter was in poor health.

She did not resent her concubines and illegitimate daughters. She knew that the root of the problem was her husband, so she was still very caring towards them. She was not blindly kind.

Because she knew her husband well, she was very careful and would not even look at the concubine who betrayed him, let alone a concubine's daughter.

Seeing Wang was silent, Zhulan pointed at the letter. Changyi's letter was not exaggerated. It could be seen that Mingshan's illness was very serious. The journey back was not short. After traveling on the sea, it was still unknown whether Mingshan could come back alive.

Moreover, Zhulan's eyes were deep. It was obvious that Mingshan's actions back then had disgusted the emperor. Would the imperial physician really treat with all his heart a person whom the emperor hated?

Wang came back to her senses, "My husband only sent one letter this year. Thank you, Madam, for letting me know."

Zhulan, "Yeah."

Wang left, and Zhulan stood up to look at the things Changyi brought back. These were for Zhulan and Zhou Shuren, and the things for the other families had already been divided.

Zhulan really liked the set of silver wine utensils with emeralds inlaid on the wine glasses. Zhulan noticed it at first sight. Changyi's letter mentioned that this was a gift from the king to the envoy, and Changyi gave it to her.

The other items were all delicate and unique pieces. Zhulan picked out a few and went to the warehouse to choose some jewelry from the box where the complete set of jewelry was stored.

Qingxue looked at the man who had picked out a set of ruby ​​headpieces and asked, "Are you going to give this to the young lady?"

Zhulan turned around to look for the jade pendant, saying, "This time Xuemei and her husband are going back to get officially engaged, and as their grandmother, I want to prepare a gift for them."

Qingxue reached out her hand and helped to take them herself. She saw the mistress select two pairs of jade pendants before she finally stopped with satisfaction.

Zhulan said to Qingxue, "Send someone to deliver it."

Qingxue: "Yes."

In the evening, Zhou Shuren came back and read the letter. After a moment of silence, he said, "Mingshan will not come back alive."

Zhulan put down the pen in her hand, "I thought so too."

Zhou Shuren took the pen from his wife's hand and wrote lyrics next to the painting his daughter-in-law drew. When he finished, Zhou Shuren continued, "Let's not talk about the excellence of our sons and grandsons. Let's talk about the Zhou family. The Zhou family has raised good descendants. The emperor has noticed this. The court needs balance, which determines the number of people who enter the court."

Zhou Shuren took advantage of his bloodline, and because he was just starting out, the emperor hoped that the Zhou family would have a certain amount of power in the court. This also represented the power held by the royal family, so he supported Chang Yi and several others. Otherwise, Chang Yi would not have been promoted to the sixth rank before leaving.

Mingshan had a good hand. As the first member of the Zhou clan to stay in Beijing, he should have been under the control of the Zhou family and helped them. Unfortunately, he played such a good hand badly.

Now that the Zhou family has someone better and more suitable, there is no need for Mingshan to exist as this person occupying the position.

Zhulan waited for the writing on the painting to dry as she said, "In fact, Mingshan's mission means that there is no chance of survival."

This also shows that Mingshan’s illness is very strange. It is impossible that he fell ill several times without anyone doing anything.

Zhou Shuren, "Well, since Wang comes here so often, you can look after it when you have time."

All the major families in the capital are within a balance. Some are demoted, and some are promoted. No one family will ever dominate. The emperor has always been in control of the balance.

The couple worked together to put the painting away. This was a picture of a butterfly that Zhulan had painted herself. It was beautiful, but it was just for show. If Zhou Shuren hadn't written the lyrics, the painting would not be worth putting away.

This is the state of mind. Zhulan cannot be as carefree as the eldest son-in-law, so she is just a vulgar person.

The next day, Changzhong accompanied his mother to prune flowers. Looking at the cut branches, he said, "Fortunately, our garden is big enough and there are many flower beds. Otherwise, if mother pruned them every few days, they would be pruned sooner or later."

Zhulan glared at her son and said, "I cut my hair regularly. It's not as serious as you say."

Chang Zhong opened his hands and did not argue. His mother was the one who was right in the family. Everything she said was right. He reached out and took the flower basket from the maid's hand, and walked to his mother's side. "Did Mingyun go back to the Ran family?"

Zhu Lan placed the flower in her son's hand and said, "Well, he and Ran Wan are going back to take the provincial examination. They will be leaving in a few days. Go back and have a look."

Changzhong said "oh".

Zhulan looked at her son in confusion, "What's that tone of voice?"

Changzhong laughed and said, "My son never thought that my nephew who always had a stern face would be so considerate to his wife."

Zhulan, "A wife is someone you will accompany for your whole life. You will understand when you get married."

Changzhong, "Mom, I'm still young. I won't get married before I'm twenty."

Zhulan also hopes that her son will get married later, but she is not young anymore and she is not sure if she can wait until her son is 20. Her good mood is gone in an instant. "We have enough flowers. Let's go back."

Changzhong felt that his mother was unhappy, "Mom, what's wrong with you? What's wrong with what your son said?"

Zhulan, "Nothing is wrong, I just feel that it would be great if I were ten years younger."

Arrangements have been made for the other four sons in the family, except for the youngest son who is still young. Although I have made many plans for him, I am worried about him because I can't see it with my own eyes.

Changzhong hugged his mother's arm and said, "Mom and Dad will live long and see their sons and grandchildren grow up."

Zhulan tapped her youngest son's forehead and said, "Then your father and I would be old monsters."

Changzhong was panicking inside. He had never thought about it before, but suddenly he realized what he would do if his parents were gone. Changzhong couldn't help but hug his mother's arms tightly.

Zhulan let her son hold her in his arms, knowing that she was scaring her little boy.

At the Ran family, Ran Wan and Qi went to the backyard, while Ran Zheng took his grandson-in-law to the study, as he wanted to test him.

Qi and her granddaughter arrived at the main courtyard. Qi looked at her granddaughter's rosy face, her eyes full of happiness, and the curve of her mouth became bigger. "I have been busy these days, and only after I finished my work did I realize what I had neglected."