Chapter 1688: Chapter 1688 Silver Coin
Zhulan didn’t say anything; she waited for the girls’ answer. After exchanging glances, the girls replied, “Listen to father and mother.”
The courtyard was unusually quiet, and the girls were somewhat flustered, unsure of what they had said wrong.
Zhulan smirked a little. Girls were indoctrinated from birth, and she could only comfort herself by thinking that obedience was also a virtue. As long as they could persuade their elders at home, they would obey. She believed the most important lesson at the Girls Academy should be changing girls’ mindsets.
The Lizheng’s wife felt uneasy, even though the old lady in front of her was smiling, she felt scared, “You.”
Zhulan chuckled, “We’ve already had some water, so we’ll be leaving now.”
As she spoke, she stood up, and Qing Xue hurriedly went forward to support her.
The Lizheng’s wife rose to see them off, only patting her chest once the carriage vanished into the distance, “Scared me to death.”
At this moment, the Lizheng appeared, “What did you all talk about?”
The Lizheng’s wife recounted the conversation they just had, and the Lizheng, being very astute, said, “They came for the Academy.”
He was quite attentive to the surrounding developments. Since the orphan village was established, he knew about seven or eight out of ten things, and he naturally knew that the academy being renovated would teach girls.
Lizheng’s wife, “Darling, what are you thinking?”
The Lizheng turned to look at his granddaughters, “Let me think, think again.”
After speaking, he left without explaining to his wife what he was pondering.
The carriage exited the village, and Yu Yi asked, “Grandma, aren’t you going to ask more?”
Zhulan said, “No need to ask, next village to the Scholar’s home.”
Yu Yi pursed her lips, “Grandma, our Zhou clan girls in the capital can be sent here to study.”
Zhulan had naturally thought about it. Back then, the eldest brought a few clan members, who subsequently moved their families here gradually, increasing the number of clan members in the capital. Once school starts, they’ll be sent to the academy.
Zhulan remarked, “Girls from clan households need not worry.”
The cohesion within the Zhou clan was strong, and Shuren held a transcendent status within the family. Even if Shuren was silent, as she was the dean, the clan members would not resist.
Zhangzhou Province, Yushuang and Liufeng personally escorted mother out of the county town. The carriage reached the gate, and the couple was reluctant.
Lady Hu, however, felt relieved, she was finally returning to the capital city, waving her hand, “You head back, I’ll write you a letter once I reach the capital.”
Liufeng had only one mother, and he hoped to care for her. Naturally, he hoped his mother could stay with him, “Mother, when you’re in the capital, you’ll be alone. You should stay here.”
Yushuang got along well with mother-in-law. Mother-in-law only helped with the children and never interfered with anything else. Even when some secretly advised her to take concubines, mother-in-law rebutted them, defending her. She didn’t want mother-in-law to leave, “Mother, you should stay.”
Mother-in-law staying could help her fend off a lot of trouble.
Lady Hu thought to herself, absolutely not, she had stayed long enough. If not for the little grandson, she would’ve wanted to return last year, “I’m not too old yet; you all don’t need to worry. Just write to me frequently if you miss me.”
Liufeng noted the cheerful tone in his mother’s voice, really not knowing what to say, “How about bringing Zhao Xi with you back to the capital?”
Lady Hu indeed adored her grandson, but she didn’t want to take care of a child now, “It’s getting late now; you should head back.”
As she spoke, she signaled the coachman to drive off. She was eager to return to the capital to discuss designed jewelry with her in-law, having drawn quite a few in her spare time.
Liufeng and Yushuang watched the carriage leave, leaving Yushuang chuckling, “Mother’s worried we’d catch up; look how fast the carriage is going.”
Liufeng also laughed, “Let’s head back too.”
The couple didn’t bring the children out of fear they would cry and fret, thinking of the children while they were out for a bit.
Yushuang mentioned, “Mother-in-law and my mom correspond quite often.”
“Mother and mother-in-law have shared interests.”
Yushuang touched the hairpin on her head, “Mother’s design is better than the county’s jewelry shop.”
Liufeng also admired his mother’s aesthetic sense, holding his wife’s hand, “I’ll design one for you.”
“Do you have time?”
Liufeng now was visibly relaxed, “Yes, I’m unburdened now. I can spend more time with you and the children.”
Yushuang leaned against her husband’s shoulder, gazing at the bustling street, “Such a big change.”
She recalled the quietness of when she first arrived and noticed how the streets were now bustling with more street vendors and fewer numb expressions on people’s faces.
Liufeng commented, “Life will keep improving.”
In the evening, Zhou Shuren returned home, noticing the slightly dim house; he inquisitively looked at Qing Xue standing outside the door, “Is wife resting?”
Qing Xue responded, “The old lady’s in low spirits.”
Zhou Shuren entered, seeing his wife sitting still. He leaned over and said, “Wasn’t this anticipated long ago?”
Zhulan replied, “Imagination differs from witnessing it firsthand.”
“Alright, stop dwelling on it. I’m hungry.”
Zhulan rubbed her neck, “Then let’s eat.”
She gestured to Qing Xue to set the table; she got up and walked about the room, feeling uncomfortable after sitting for so long.
Zhou Shuren got changed, and the food was already prepared. He washed his hands, sat down, and said, “I’ll tell you some news. You’ll find it interesting.”
“What news?”
Zhou Shuren said, “The Emperor has allowed Empress Dowager Chen to write storybooks, but.”
Zhulan interjected, “But not in the current newspapers, is the Emperor planning to start another newspaper?”
“Exactly, the Emperor listened to the profits Empress Dowager Chen made from selling storybooks and even sent someone to investigate, deciding that a new newspaper could earn Silver.”
Zhulan laughed, “Did you nudge this along?”
Zhou Shuren was gnawing on a chicken leg, nodding while eating and only speaking after swallowing the chicken, “The Emperor is more enlightened than I thought.”
Zhulan, “Your contributions.”
Shuren’s thoughts had influenced two generations of emperors, and now it was affecting the Crown Prince. Yet, they were fortunate; not all emperors could be influenced.
Zhou Shuren inquired, “Haven’t seen you write articles lately?”
Zhulan, “It’s not easy to do too much.”
If she wrote articles continuously, it wouldn’t be beneficial for their marriage. She preferred to take it slow, not hurried.
The next day, Empress Dowager Chen visited again, this time with an invitation, “Would you like to write storybooks together, using a new name?”
Zhulan shook her head, “I’m very busy, and I don’t have the talent for writing storybooks.”
Just seeing many stories doesn’t mean she has the talent for storybooks; if she were to write one, it would be dull and flavorless.
Empress Dowager Chen regretted, “You’re very good at narrating stories.”
Zhulan laughed, “The consort is finally satisfied, happy now?”
Empress Dowager Chen, “Happy, indeed happy.”
Being much younger than the Emperor, she was grateful for the Emperor’s late marriage. Her health was still relatively good and she only hoped to live even longer now.
Zhulan remarked, “When the newspaper comes out, I’ll subscribe without missing an issue.”
“You mustn’t go back on your word.”
“I won’t go back.”
She would not only subscribe, but buy more; yes, and ask the consort to sign it. In the future, they’ll be treasures for posterity!
Empress Dowager Chen dashed off, inspired to think of new storybooks and even mentioned writing a great tragedy, all because Zhulan once said tragedies endure forever.
Zhulan told her granddaughter there would be a new newspaper; she didn’t intend to keep it a secret, estimating it was already spreading through the capital.
Yu Wen directly asked, “Will the storybook in the newspaper earn Silver?”
Zhulan didn’t really know but guessed not; during this period, getting published was a huge honor.