Chapter 1631: Chapter 1631: Peach Blossoms in Bloom
Gu Yan did not ask much about the Marquis Zhou Residence, just as his younger brother did not dare to hope for too much, he dared even less. The two brothers focused their efforts on building their family foundation and establishing enterprises.
The fourth wife of Mr. Hou, Chang Zhi, returned to the courtyard with his hands behind his back, seeing his daughter was not surprising, "I knew you’d come over."
Yu Wen, "Father, are you satisfied?"
Chang Zhi snorted, "Not satisfied."
Yu Wen poured tea for her father. Clearly, he was quite satisfied; if he wasn’t, he would have said something on Gu Sheng’s first day at work and would not have invited people today for evaluations, "Father, have some tea."
Chang Zhi, due to Gu Sheng’s poor scholar background, frequently inquired about poor scholar sons-in-law in the capital, "There are quite a number of poor scholar sons-in-law in the capital, but very few who live well. Those who cause quite a stir are also present, and some endure for the sake of family reputation. Father is not saying scholars are bad, but the gap is too big, which isn’t good. Father hopes your future will be better."
Yu Wen, "Father, Gu Sheng isn’t an ingrate, he won’t cause commotion. Gu Sheng doesn’t have troublesome relatives, he is prudent and won’t bring serious trouble in the future. Actually, simpler is quite nice."
She didn’t intend to choose the children of noble families either; she couldn’t escape family, with many social interactions come many matters. With elders above and relatives below, once she does not do well, there will be gossip. Conflict becomes inevitable between a couple, she doesn’t want to gamble, she prefers a future she can control.
Ningzhou Province, Ming Hui nestled in the residence behind the Government Office, sitting in the pavilion fishing.
Yu Yi and Yu Jiao returned from outside the office, passing by the pavilion, Yu Jiao asked, "Brother, how many did you catch?"
Ming Hui said idly, "I didn’t count."
Yu Jiao sat down, "Brother, why don’t you go out anymore?"
Ming Hui said expressionlessly, "What do you think?"
Yu Jiao chuckled and then counted with her fingers, "Let me check, since coming to Ningzhou Province, brother encountered two coincidences, three heroic rescues of beauty, brother, your charm is quite strong."
Yu Jiao thought of her brother calmly observing a beauty in distress, and she wanted to laugh!
Yu Yi couldn’t help but chuckle too, "Indeed quite strong."
Ming Hui rolled his eyes, "If you want it, you can have it."
Yu Jiao laughed even more, "I want them, but the girls don’t fancy me."
Ming Hui pinched Yu Jiao’s cheek, "Gloating, huh?"
Yu Yi didn’t try to rescue her sister, "It’s still brother’s status that attracts them."
Ming Hui said quietly, "Should I be blamed?"
His grandfather is Mr. Hou, his father will also be Mr. Hou in the future, and he is genuinely the future Mr. Hou’s son, huh, being born too well results in too much popularity, the lady on the ship was still reserved.
Yu Jiao stopped laughing, "Why is brother the best status they have encountered, and brother is also quite handsome, of course, they have their eyes on him."
Yu Yi chimed in, "The men of our Hou Residence don’t take concubines. Without mentioning the benefits you represent, just speaking of happiness, the reserved ladies can’t remain reserved either."
Ming Hui said quietly, "I suddenly found the ladies in the capital really quite reserved."
Though some showed shyness, none were as exaggerated as in Ningzhou Province!
Yu Yi, "Under the Emperor’s feet, one person affects a whole family, who dares to exceed the bounds."
Ming Hui stopped fishing, "Wait for Yu Yueyang to come, I’ll return with him."
Ningzhou Province is unbearable; he genuinely doesn’t dare to go out, fearing being tricked into gaining an unwanted fiancée and returning to the capital.
In a moment, ambassadors from various countries entered the capital, Zhulan received the news, took her granddaughter, and booked a box, with a long procession and exquisite carriages.
Yu Die stood at the window, "The beauties have arrived."
Zhulan looked expectantly; indeed, there were beauties on the carriage, grateful for today’s wind, blowing the window screen to reveal beauties sitting inside.
After the carriage went far, Yu Die said, "This time quite a few beauties came, several countries really have shared thoughts."
Zhulan thought, it’s a pity the Emperor doesn’t favor beauty, since these beauties were sent here, they won’t be taken back, wonder who will gain from them in the end!
The caravans behind carried gifts that were unfortunately covered, unknown what was inside.
Suddenly, Zhulan’s gaze fell upon a horseman, her heart skipped a beat, the rider sensed it, glanced at the tavern, and then turned his head nonchalantly.
Zhulan was thrilled that Jiang An just passed by, still in official attire!
Yu Wen observed her grandmother’s expression. Though she never participated in the game of guessing her twin cousins, she could distinguish between the cousins, a fact she never told anyone before; the person just now was cousin Jiang An!
Yu Wen held the fan, leisurely fanning, cousin Jiang An was impressive, from the position just now it was evident he was a representative of a nation.
The bustle ended, Zhulan stood up, "Let’s go back."
In the embassy, Chang Yi along with other ministers received the ambassadors, Shang Yi paused upon seeing Jiang An, Jiang An’s beard appeared longer, rendering him a bit older.
After arranging the ambassadors, it was already afternoon.
Chang Yi did not leave; he quite wanted to find a chance to say a word to his nephew, wishing to ask about Jiang Ping’s wellbeing.
When Chang Yi finally found an opportunity to get to the courtyard where his nephew was, he heard people inside conversing; the Guard found him, as Jiang An emerged from the house, Chang Yi’s sharp eyes, saw a princess.
Jiang An asked, "Lord, any matters to discuss?"
An accent slightly odd, as if new to learning Mandarin.
Chang Yi, "... I just wanted to ask if there’s anything needed."
Jiang An smiled, "Nothing is needed, everything is terrific, thank you."
Chang Yi stared deeply at his nephew, finally smiling, "That’s good."
If not for the people around him, he greatly wished to understand why the princess cried?
Chang Yi left the courtyard with doubts, the official behind him asked, "Lord, it’s getting late, should we return to the Ministry of Rites?"
Chang Yi, "Okay."
Getting off duty, Chang Yi went to the Ministry of Revenue to pick up his father, passing along the discovery, "With just one glance, I felt the princess sobbed quite sorrowfully."
Zhou Shuren, "When beauties are sent here, how many are willing? Even a princess as a ceremonial gift, sobbing is quite normal."
Chang Yi thought so, "The helplessness of a weak nation."
Zhou Shuren, "Yes, all wish to exchange for grain to return, indicating the difficulties small nations face."
Chang Yi also said, "Quite a surprise Jiang An became an ambassador’s representative."
Zhou Shuren was surprised too, "The boy has indeed grown capable."
Chang Yi said quietly, "It also means discovery could be very dangerous."
Zhou Shuren worried too, but worrying was futile, "Ah."
Returning home, Zhou Shuren entered the house and saw the box on the table, "Who sent this?"
Zhulan’s eyes were red, clearly having cried, "Jiang Ping sent it over under cover of darkness."
Zhou Shuren had already opened the box; inside were two old ginsengs, "The lad is bold, their situation is quite dangerous now."
Zhulan, "The two brothers, one in the open and one in the shadows, returned to the capital saying they’re not in danger."
It meant there were many people cleaning up for them, so there was no need to worry excessively.
Zhou Shuren asked, "Was this only sent to me, or was it sent to all?"
Zhulan laughed, "Jiang Ping first secretly returned home and then came over, ah, these two kids, I wonder where they got the old ginseng, look these two are over a hundred years old."