Chapter 1651: Chapter 1651 Satisfaction
Outside the government office, at the entrance of the Hanlin Academy, Chang Zhi saw his family carriage and Jin Yan, who was riding a horse outside the carriage, at first glance. Chang Zhi nodded to his colleagues beside him and quickly walked towards his family’s carriage, "Dad."
Zhou Shuren gestured for his son to get on the carriage, but his gaze turned towards the entrance of the Hanlin Academy, and he suddenly laughed.
Chang Zhi sat down, puzzled, "Dad, why are you laughing?"
Zhou Shuren turned his head, "Let’s take a look at this Mr. Gu."
Chang Zhi looked out the window and saw Gu Sheng chatting with colleagues, "Why did you suddenly want to see him?"
The carriage moved, Zhou Shuren said, "Today, I had a casual chat with the Crown Prince about Gu Sheng, so I came over to take a look."
Chang Zhi became curious, "Why did the Crown Prince bring up Gu Sheng?"
Zhou Shuren explained the reason, Chang Zhi became indignant, "Luckily, the Crown Prince didn’t believe Zhuo Guyu’s words."
Outside the entrance of the Hanlin Academy, Gu Sheng didn’t see his family carriage and stood waiting outside. He heard colleagues envying Lord Zhou; some he agreed with, some he didn’t. Even if Lord Zhou wasn’t capable, having Marquis Zhou wouldn’t allow Lord Zhou to live so freely.
Zhou Shuren returned home in a good mood and saw a table full of account books upon entering. He picked up one, "It’s neither a holiday nor a festival, why are you looking at account books?"
Zhulan was busy and dazzled, "Look carefully at what kind of account book it is."
Zhou Shuren looked carefully, "Account books for orphan estates in various states?"
Zhulan put down the abacus and rubbed her forehead, "Yes."
Zhou Shuren put down the account book and reached out to help massage his wife’s head, "Why did they suddenly send it to the capital for you to see?"
"Not all estates can be self-sufficient. After the Empress Dowager found out, she had all states send the account books to the capital for me to review. As a result, a few boxes of account books were sent this afternoon."
Zhou Shuren, "Is there any embezzling?"
Zhulan, "There really is, as commodities vary by state, some prices differ but shouldn’t be exorbitant. The bookkeeping is clever, but unfortunately, with you being so knowledgeable about national prices, they’ve been caught by me."
Zhou Shuren, "I’ll help you look later."
Zhulan turned her head, "You’re not busy today?"
Zhou Shuren withdrew his hand and got up to change clothes, "Not busy today."
Zhulan felt a bit more spirited, noticing, "You’re in a good mood today."
Zhou Shuren smiled, "Indeed."
"Then after dinner, help me review them. I need to finish quickly to send to the Empress Dowager."
"Alright."
After dinner, the couple continued to look at the account books. Zhulan, having reviewed them all day, had a mind that wasn’t focused, while Zhou Shuren examined quickly and marked discrepancies directly.
When it was time to rest, Zhulan was eager to fall asleep.
Zhou Shuren’s mind remained clear, "It’s best to send someone to visit various states personally."
"Yes, I will suggest it to the Empress Dowager. What do you think about letting Rong Enqing and Ming Rui go?"
Zhou Shuren stroked his chin, "Very good. In recent years, Rong Enqing has devoted significant effort to orphans, and the Emperor knows and has not stopped him, which is a form of recognition."
Zhulan hummed in agreement as she drifted into sleep.
The next day, closest to Yu Clan’s county, Yu Yi and others rose early. They arrived the day before but hadn’t gone to Yu Clan, not to gather information, but to rest and prepare to visit in the best condition.
After breakfast, they set off towards Yu Clan’s land, Yu Yi was nervous, looking out the window as the commoners who had risen early were busy. Yu Yi opened the window and took a deep breath, relaxing a bit.
Yu Jiao, "Sister, you’re nervous."
"Yes."
Yu Jiao was also a bit nervous; the place was unfamiliar, but seeing her brother on horseback eased her worries.
The road was smooth, and the carriage traveled quickly. Yu Clan was soon reached; clan members lived together, the buildings formed a grand complex, and Yu Yueyang was already waiting at the door.
Ming Hui dismounted and greeted Yu Yueyang’s uncle and aunt, "We’ve kept you waiting."
Yu Yueyang’s uncle smiled, "Receiving the message from the young servant earlier, I haven’t waited long."
Yu Yueyang’s aunt glanced at the carriage, curious about her future niece-in-law; she saw the girl alight, with delicate features and gentle manner, nodding in approval, just as her sister-in-law described.
Lady Fang approached, "The old lady talks about you every day, finally meeting you today."
Yu Yi smiled, "Yu Yi has disturbed you."
Lady Fang reached out to hold her, "No disturbance, hoping you come more often."
Yu Yi blushed slightly, quickly introducing, "This is my sister Yu Jiao."
Lady Fang, "I have no daughters, enjoy girlish company; such a sweet girl is endearing."
Yu Jiao relaxed, "Good day, aunt."
"Good, good."
The group entered the courtyard, the old lady laughed when she heard the commotion and her eyes never left her future granddaughter-in-law, nodding approvingly, "Good child, come here."
Yu Yi greeted first before approaching, "Father and mother asked me to convey their regards."
The old lady chuckled, "Good, good. How are they?"
"They’re well, thank you for your concern."
The old lady held her future granddaughter-in-law’s hand and signaled for the maid to bring the greeting gift, "Nothing fancy, I’m old and can’t wear it, just refashioned things for young ladies."
Yu Yi glanced at the rare gemstone’s quality, "Too valuable."
The old lady, "Not valuable, as long as you like it."
As she spoke, the old lady also gave Yu Jiao a set of jewelry, as Ming Hui had given last time. From the jewelry, it’s evident the old lady is satisfied with Yu Yi.
The old lady caught a glimpse of her grandson and saw him sigh, amused, thinking she wasn’t senile, she wouldn’t trouble her future granddaughter-in-law, her future granddaughter-in-law’s family background aside, she must show satisfaction for the sake of her grandson’s reputation.
Yu Yi also presented the gift her father had prepared, meticulously chosen, pleasing the old lady.
Yu Yi and others, having rested in the county, were in good spirits, and accompanied the old lady for a while until she tired and went to the prepared courtyard.
Yu Yi planned to rest, "You still haven’t left?"
Yu Yueyang appeared aggrieved, "You haven’t said a word to me."
He looked longingly, his fiancée hadn’t spared him a glance, tagging along, his fiancée expressed dismissal.
Yu Yi’s ears reddened, "This is your family."
She must maintain decorum, decorum.
Yu Yueyang regretted the busy maids and older servants, "Then I’ll return to the courtyard, come fetch you for dinner."
"Alright."
Yu Jiao and others left, smiling contentedly, "I finally feel at ease."
She feared a storybook-like twist might occur.
Yu Yi chuckled softly, "You."
"As if sister wasn’t worried."
Yu Yi turned, "You’re the talkative one, go see your room."
In the capital, Zhulan enlisted her daughter-in-law and granddaughter’s help for accounting, finishing by afternoon. After organizing, Zhulan sighed, "Four states’ estates have embezzlement issues."
Su Xuan was furious, "Even stealing money meant for children."
Zhao’s daughter, "Mother, will you deliver it to the palace tomorrow?"
Zhulan nodded, "Yes."
Yu Wen said, "Can’t be entirely prevented."
People’s desires grow.
Zhulan smiled, "So we must be more rigorous. That’s it for today, you’ve all worked hard, go rest."