Chapter 1662: Chapter 1662: Straight to the Point
Zhou Shuren stopped his tears too, and retreated appropriately. This river transport involves many connections, and money really moves the heart!
After the morning court session, Minister Yu hurried over, “Mr. Hou, without your Guard arrangement, Yueyang would have faced a lot of danger.”
Zhou Shuren, “Don’t say that, both you and I know why Yueyang left the capital.”
Minister Yu laughed heartily, “This child is straightforward.”
Zhou Shuren doesn’t think so, Yu Yueyang isn’t lacking in cunning, he’s bold too, with a deceptive face, a typical master of pretending to be a pig to eat the tiger.
Wong Ju came over, and Minister Yu didn’t leave. Zhou Shuren asked, “Which family does this Magistrate Wu belong to?”
He can remember the network and officials in the capital, but really doesn’t have the skill to remember those across the country.
Wong Ju was stunned by the question, “I don’t know either. I’ll check when I get back.”
Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, “You’re not capable.”
Wong Ju, “…”
The Ministry of Personnel has numerous official profiles. Does Zhou Shuren think he has a photographic memory!
Zhou Shuren looked disdainful, if he were the Minister of Personnel, he’d surely categorize officials methodically, memorizing them based on their background and potential. All these are resources!
Unfortunately, he’s the Minister of Revenue, dealing with money and food all day!
Minister Yu lightly coughed, unexpected to see Marquis Zhou and Mr. Wong casually conversing privately.
Wong Ju was used to it, whispered, “Why didn’t the Emperor send someone to investigate, and what does the last comment mean?”
Zhou Shuren, “Slaughter the pig for New Year’s!”
It’s hard to catch all in one go, Magistrate Wu has already alerted them. Now the Zhezi has reached the capital, investigating further would find the traces erased, and the pig being slaughtered now is the scapegoat pushed out.
Wong Ju, “…”
Minister Yu, “…”
Zhou Shuren laughed heartily, walking away in large strides, a minister ahead heard the laughter and turned around speechless; humph, shameless old fellow!
Zhou Shuren snorted, colleagues are just jealous of his great acting skills!
When Zhulan heard the news, it was already afternoon, brought back by her youngest son, Zhulan took a deep breath, “These children are brave enough, and the letter they sent didn’t mention it.”
Chang Xhong regretted it, should have gone with them to see their third brother, “They were afraid of worrying the family.”
Zhulan, “At least they’re safe and sound.”
Chang Xhong said, “Mother, should we tell the eldest sister?”
Zhulan waved her hand, “Don’t tell her for now, your eldest sister’s not in good spirits recently.”
Chang Xhong continued, “What about third brother?”
Zhulan, “Wait until the children return home and have Yu Yi write a letter to inform him.”
“Once they return home, they shouldn’t go out.”
Zhulan nodded in agreement, “Cutting off someone’s money is like killing their parents, this time the Water Bandits will be quiet for quite some time.”
Even indirectly, caution is still the best.
Chang Xhong fiddled with chess pieces, “This Magistrate Wu is indeed clever.”
Zhulan, “Hmm.”
Chang Xhong smiled squinting, “This official is also quite bold.”
Zhulan said, “His courage is indeed considerable, indicating he has no other options.”
In the evening, Zhulan learned why this Mr. Wu acted this way, all because this nearly fifty-year-old magistrate was born a poor scholar, “He’s quite smart, was he suppressed?”
Zhou Shuren, “He seized this opportunity to catch the Emperor’s eye, this time they can’t suppress him.”
“A few children should also return soon.”
Zhou Shuren also recalled, “They’ve been out long enough.”
At the estate, Ming Rui sat by the brazier writing, Rong Enqing pushed open the door, “Still organizing?”
Ming Rui put down the brush and rubbed his wrist, “Always wrote down casually, organizing it for grandmother to read makes it convenient.”
Rong Enqing extended both hands to the fire, “It’s snowing, we won’t be able to leave tomorrow, you don’t need to rush to finish organizing today.”
Hearing this, Ming Rui stopped tidying up the writing materials, “Stay one more day, tomorrow I’ll go give lessons to the children.”
Rong Enqing, “These children quite like you.”
Ming Rui smiled faintly, “Children have their own intuition.”
Hearing the howling wind, Rong Enqing felt the room still cold, “Add more coal to the brazier.”
The young servant quickly went out and brought in more coal, but the room temperature still didn’t rise.
Ming Rui, “Having visited several provinces, still the orphans in the capital live better.”
Rong Enqing looked up, “Old Madam is admirable.”
Management matters greatly, Old Madam worked hard on several estates in the capital. Despite the winter cold, the children weren’t severely suffering.
Ming Rui felt proud, “My father laments grandmother isn’t a male.”
Rong Enqing chuckled, “If Old Madam were a male, where would you all be?”
Ming Rui laughed too, “You’re right, it’s better for grandmother to remain a woman.”
Rong Enqing warmed up a bit, “The magistrate knows how to handle affairs. As soon as we arrived, he sent plenty of donated cotton clothes and food.”
“A smart person.”
Rong Enqing leaned against the chair, “Next year, the estate’s houses need rebuilding.”
“Yes, otherwise winters are too cold.”
If not for their arrival, no one knows how many children would fall ill and die. Having seen the life of capital’s orphans often, wherever he goes he reflects, even though orphans in various provinces find life good now.
A knock on the door, the young servant went out and returned saying, “The estate steward sent over roast chicken.”
Rong Enqing, “Leave it here, send it to the kitchen in the morning for the kids.”
Add it to porridge to lend flavor, sigh, capital’s orphans supplement their meat often, while provincial orphans struggle to taste meat.
Ming Rui, “Wonder how things are at home.”
He regretted missing his great uncle’s funeral in the capital.
Rong Enqing pursed his lips, the fallen leader of the Rong clan left a hollow feeling; Fourth-grandfather both protected him and detested his wife, simultaneously resented his birthplace, that illegitimate identity is something he can never change.
Fourth-grandfather was family and rule bound, despite his efforts and filial piety, it was useless. Old man had family rules ingrained in his bones.
After a few days, Ming Hui and the party finally returned home, just in time for snow, arriving at the Hou Residence by noon.
Zhulan examined her grandson and granddaughter thoroughly, “They’re thinner, you’ve suffered a lot.”
Ming Hui said, “Grandson won’t travel during winter anymore.”
Despite maids and old women serving along the journey, he suffered greatly, feet were somewhat frostbitten, itching now.
Yu Yi’s two daughters weren’t as hardy as Ming Hui, extremely haggard.
The couple from the main house warmly cared for their son, Ming Hui has been pampered since childhood, Ming Jung’s birth didn’t affect Ming Hui’s standing, having a good-looking face can enjoy ease for a lifetime!
Zhulan said, “I won’t say more, go back to your courtyard for a bath and rest, and later have a doctor check your pulse.”
Yu Yi couldn’t stand it anymore, they later had no energy to appreciate the scenery along the way, simply wanted to get home soon, “Grandmother, granddaughter will return first, chat with you in the evening.”
Zhulan said, “Alright, come over for dinner tonight.”
Ming Hui and Yu Yi brought quite a few gifts, Zhulan kept some for themselves, distributing the rest among various courtyards.
Qing Xue entered, “The doctor checked Ming Hui’s pulse, he’s fine, Yu Yi and Yu Jiao miss need proper recuperation.”
Zhulan felt reassured, “As long as there’s no serious issue, these children suffered greatly.”
Thinking of Ming Rui made Zhulan more worried, while Ming Hui and others returned, Ming Rui was still traveling with Rong Enqing!