Chapter 1681: Chapter 1681 Writing an Article
Zhou Shuren carefully flipped through the book, "The book is not bad. Did Ming Rui only bring the book back, or did he mention how much the academy needs to charge for student tuition?"
Zhulan shook her head, "He didn’t say. It’s hard to determine the amount of tuition fees."
Orphans are exempt from any fees for schooling. After learning, they gradually repay with the money they earn. If commoners wish to enroll students, tuition must be charged. Some rules need to be established from the outset to prevent endless trouble in the future.
Zhou Shuren put down the book in his hand, "This balance is difficult to strike."
Zhulan curved her lips, "This is Rong Enqing’s concern."
"Right, this is a problem the Emperor assigned to Rong Enqing."
Zhulan said, "The Second Prince’s wedding date is set. I heard from Chang Yi that the Second Prince is at the Ministry of Rites every day. Doesn’t he care much about his own wedding?"
The Second Prince idled at the Ministry of Rites and was unwilling to visit his future wife’s home. Compared to the Crown Prince’s attentiveness to the Crown Princess Consort, the Second Prince’s Consort suffered in reputation.
Zhou Shuren, "Indeed, Mr. Li’s complexion hasn’t been good recently."
Zhulan said quietly, "This marriage is bitter for the young lady of the Li family."
Zhou Shuren sighed inwardly and changed the topic, "After the morning court today, Old Mr. Liu mentioned discussing Yu Die’s marriage date again."
Zhulan was speechless, "What has Chang Yi done this time?"
Zhou Shuren chuckled, "Yuan Bo gave gifts again."
After Yu Die came of age, Old Mr. Liu had mentioned it, saying there was no rush. However, Old Mr. Liu’s words were hesitant, showing his mixed feelings of anger and helplessness towards Yuan Bo’s behavior.
Zhulan laughed aloud, "The old man is indeed distressed."
Zhou Shuren, "I think it’s unfairly blamed on Chang Yi this time. Chang Yi is reluctant for Yu Die to marry early and wouldn’t pick a fight voluntarily. This time, it’s probably Yuan Bo who wishes to marry soon and sent gifts."
"Chang Yi receives filial piety from a son-in-law with peace of mind, but this time he’s hoisted by his own petard."
Zhou Shuren snorted, "Yu Die’s early marriage is partly Chang Yi’s doing."
Now that they’ve received too many gifts, they can’t return them, while accepting them causes frustration. Zhou Shuren had no sympathy for his second son.
Zhulan was also angry, "What should we do?"
Zhou Shuren spread his hands, "I have no way either. Even though Chang Yi has thick skin, with Old Mr. Liu and myself bringing it up multiple times, I can’t withstand it."
With the two families marrying, the Zhou Marquis Residence can’t keep refusing.
Time passed quickly, and suddenly the entire capital knew that the Crown Princess Consort was pregnant. The Crown Prince’s offspring concern the nation, so the people were happy. The Retired Emperor and the Emperor were beloved by the people, both being considered good Emperors. The Crown Prince, as the next Emperor, had legitimate heirs, making the populace glad for the Royal family.
Where there was joy, there was also discontent. As the Emperor is the legitimate eldest son, and the Crown Prince is the legitimate eldest son, the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate in the Royal family was clear. Those who planned to scheme for the Crown Prince’s offspring hadn’t yet entered the Crown Prince’s harem when the Crown Princess Consort became pregnant. Many hoped for the Crown Princess Consort to bear a daughter.
And the Zhou family had good news too. Zhou Shuren finally agreed to discuss Yu Die’s marriage date. Even if Chang Yi was angry, he had no choice.
In the Zhou Hou Residence, Lady Gu joyfully visited, "Madam, which day do you think is good to discuss the marriage?"
Zhulan looked through the auspicious dates Lady Gu handed over. The Liu family was truly in a hurry, all being recent auspicious dates, "How about five days later?"
Since they agreed, there was no need to delay further. Better to be straightforward.
Lady Gu, "I also think five days is good. Shall we confirm this date?"
As she spoke, Lady Gu looked at Madam Zhao. Seeing Madam Zhao smiling, she felt even more pleased. She liked Yu Die, and though the Zhou Hou had not agreed previously, she hadn’t felt anything about it. Now that they agreed reluctantly, she felt uncomfortable. Seeing Madam Zhao’s joy assured her.
Madam Zhao looked at her mother-in-law, saw her nod, and continued, "It’s settled."
Lady Gu repeatedly expressed approval, thinking that her son Yuan Bo’s recent attempts to curry favor were successful. Her son had his own intelligence.
After a while, Lady Gu left, with Madam Zhao personally seeing her out.
Lady Gu, upon boarding the carriage, was speechless, "When did you arrive?"
Liu Yuanbo, "Shortly after you entered the Zhou Hou Residence."
"In five days, we’ll discuss the marriage date. You can set your mind at ease."
Liu Yuanbo was embarrassed, "Mother, I’m not someone who forgets their family after getting married."
Lady Gu gave him a sidelong glance, "Your mother is not someone who makes things difficult for a daughter-in-law."
Though her son was frugal, he was generous to her as his mother. She had no daughter, but Yuan Bo was very considerate and attentive, and she wasn’t jealous of her future daughter-in-law.
Yuan Bo touched his nose, "Recently, Uncle doesn’t want to see me."
Lady Gu chuckled, "You’ve been sending gifts continuously. How could Mr. Zhou not see through your intentions?"
Liu Yuanbo, "Sigh, I haven’t dared to visit recently."
"I thought you had a strong head!"
Liu Yuanbo thought to himself, facing his future father-in-law with trepidation, that even having a strong head was useless.
In Yu Die’s yard, Yu Die was chasing after Yu Jiao, pretending to hit her, "Let me teach you a lesson for teasing me."
Yu Jiao, though young, ran quickly, "I’m speaking the truth, Third Sister. I’m truly preparing items to add to your wedding gifts."
After speaking, seeing her third sister blushing even more, Yu Jiao continued, "Third Sister, I really envy you for receiving the coming-of-age ceremony gifts and now wedding gifts."
Yu Die couldn’t catch Yu Jiao and stood there, looking at Yu Yi, "Aren’t you going to do something about this?"
Yu Yi, "What did Yu Jiao say that was wrong?"
Yu Die pointed at Yu Yi and her sister, "Fine, you two are teaming up to make fun of me!"
Yu Yi laughed, "Third Sister, come sit. You won’t catch Yu Jiao."
Yu Die, tired from running, sat down angrily, "You should discipline Yu Jiao. Look, she doesn’t behave like a proper young lady."
"Her manners are decent; she takes after Third Sister."
Outwardly, she performs well!
Yu Die was choked by words, "I can’t outtalk you."
Yu Yi winked at her sister, and Yu Jiao came over, "Third Sister, I’m apologizing."
Yu Die, "Hmph, you two are bullying me."
Yu Jiao laughed aloud, "We’re caring for Third Sister."
As the government office closed, at the entrance of the Hanlin Academy, Mr. Gu rarely personally picked someone up after the New Year. When he saw his brother get on the carriage, he didn’t speak and asked, "Do you have something on your mind?"
Gu Sheng responded with a question, "Brother, have you found a good piece of land?"
Gu Yan, "I have."
His brother had given him a residence and some land. He also had some money saved from military retirement. During the wars, he scavenged enemy corpses and was lucky to exchange some items for money; therefore, he had some funds. After considering, he decided to buy more land.
Gu Sheng, "Good, then."
"You haven’t said what you’re troubled about? Even if I can’t help, I can give you some advice."
Gu Sheng said quietly, "I heard from Mr. Zhou today that the marriage date for the third young lady of the Zhou Hou Residence is set."
Gu Yan asked tentatively, "Do you want to ask a matchmaker for a proposal?"
Gu Sheng, "The time isn’t right."
Ah, knowing that in the past, he had rejected without leaving room. But speaking of it, if there was room, his life wouldn’t be peaceful.
In the evening, after Zhulan and her husband finished dinner, Zhou Shuren was unnerved by his wife’s gaze, "Why are you staring at me?"
Zhulan leaned closer to Shuren, "I’m Mr. Fengqing, aren’t I?"
Zhou Shuren, "Yes, so what?"
Zhulan picked up today’s newspaper, "With the Emperor’s acknowledgment of my alias, can I start writing articles under Mr. Fengqing?"