Chapter 1694: Chapter 1694: Unforeseen Disaster
The next day, Zhulan wanted to take her youngest son to the Girls Academy, but after breakfast, Chang Xhong went out, “Did he mention where he’s going?”
Qing Xue shook her head, “The young master didn’t say.”
Zhulan, “It’s fine, go to the main house and call Ming Hui to come over.”
Ming Hui quickly arrived, “Grandmother, why did you think of bringing me over?”
“You’re the most idle at home.”
“My father is also very idle.”
Zhulan, “Your father is going to the estate today to handle some matters, he’ll be back tomorrow.”
Ming Hui truly didn’t know, he wasn’t concerned about what his father did, as long as it didn’t involve Hou Residence, “What happened at the estate?”
“I heard your father say the fruit trees shipped from the south have arrived, he wants to oversee the planting.”
Ming Hui oh’d and lost interest, “Grandmother, are we leaving now?”
“Alright.”
This time, Zhulan arrived at the Academy in her capacity as dean, one-third of the Girls Academy was still incomplete. Zhulan entered through the main gate to inspect the finished classrooms and took a thorough tour before leaving the Academy.
Zhulan had previously wanted to intervene in the renovations but had no authority. Now that she did, she said to Wong Wei, “Could you help me build a few greenhouses?”
Wong Wei, “There is still budget available, it can be done.”
Zhulan was invigorated, “After building the greenhouses, will there be any Silver Coin left?”
Wong Wei asked, “Grandmother, what else do you want to add?”
Zhulan took paper and pen and drew herself, “I need a wall that can be written on, and build a big house on the empty land for exhibitions.”
In the future, this place will exhibit students’ works and more, which is very significant.
She also wanted to build a library for girls to copy by themselves later; writing stroke by stroke is very meaningful.
Seeing Wong Wei’s silence, Zhulan drew more of her ideas, “Can it all be added?”
Wong Wei took the drawing, noting Grandmother wasn’t demanding excessive buildings, “It can be done.”
Anyway, even if the buildings exceed the budget, Grandpa won’t refuse to provide Silver.
Zhulan turned around, “Where’s Ming Hui?”
Wong Wei was also puzzled, “He was just here.”
Qing Xue went to find him and soon returned, “Old Madam, would you like to go take a look?”
Zhulan said to Wong Wei, “I’ll leave this to you. Once I find Ming Hui, I’ll head back.”
“Grandmother, let me accompany you.”
“No need, you’re busy.”
As she spoke, Zhulan left with her entourage, led by Qing Xue to find Ming Hui. They saw Ming Hui helping a young servant push a firewood cart for a brother and sister, with firewood falling into the ditch beside the road. The siblings were already sweating profusely.
Zhulan signaled for the Guard to help, and after the cart was pushed back up, the siblings hurriedly expressed their thanks.
Ming Hui wiped his sweat and laughed, “Grandmother, why have you come here?”
“I finished my business here and came looking for you to return to the capital.”
After the siblings thanked them and left, Zhulan said, “They’ve gone, yet you’re still watching?”
She had just asked, finding out the brother was fifteen and the sister thirteen, both siblings looked quite good even in coarse clothes.
Ming Hui retracted his gaze, “The girl earlier asked me about the Girls Academy, but her brother interrupted.”
Zhulan, “I see the brother is a scholar.”
“Yes, don’t be fooled by his young age, he’s already a pupil.”
Zhulan said, “Her brother won’t let her go to the Academy; you’re not usually the type to help, why did you personally lend a hand?”
Ming Hui smiled, “Her brother doesn’t want his sister earning Silver to support his studies, so he won’t let her go to the Academy. The girl is literate.”
“You’ve found out quite a lot; it’s getting late, time to head back to the capital.”
“I am doing this for the Girls Academy; Grandson knows there are few female students.”
Zhulan felt reassured, “You’re all very filial.”
Returning to the capital wasn’t close, Zhulan asked, “You’re not young anymore; have you thought about what kind of wife you’d like to marry?”
“I haven’t thought about it.”
“Really haven’t thought about it? You have two older brothers above you living more leisurely; what do you think of your Fourth Uncle?”
Ming Hui laughed, “Should I also marry someone like Fourth Aunt with lots of Silver Coin?”
“Alright, seeing you don’t have this thought, I’ll leave it. When you want to get engaged, let me know.”
Ming Hui laughed heartily, “Grandmother, I don’t currently wish to get engaged.”
He felt he was still young and not in a hurry.
Just as the carriage came to a stop, Steward Ding hurried forward, “Old Madam, you’re back.”
“What’s the matter?”
Steward Ding said, “Young master saved the Fourth Prince; his foot is injured.”
Zhulan furrowed her brow and quickly walked into the courtyard, “How did this happen while saving the Fourth Prince?”
An assassination was impossible; the capital was like iron, who would dare make an attempt on a legitimate Prince’s life?
Steward Ding replied, “Young master said it was an unforeseen disaster; a shelf collapsed, and porcelain shattered everywhere. Young master pulled the Fourth Prince aside, but stepped on a porcelain shard.”
Zhulan raised her voice, “Is the injury serious?”
“The doctor has examined it again; it’s just a cut that needs a few days to heal.”
Zhulan finally felt relieved, it had frightened her. She then asked, “How did the shelf collapse? Wasn’t Chang Xhong involved?”
Hearing the shelf collapsed sounded not like a sound, but Silver Coin!
Steward Ding hurriedly said, “It had nothing to do with the Fourth Prince and the young master; it was indeed an unforeseen disaster.”
Zhulan exhaled, being injured and then having to compensate with Silver Coin would be too vexing.
While speaking, they arrived at Chang Xhong’s courtyard, where footsteps were heard. He got up on one foot, “Mother, you’ve returned?”
Zhulan immediately saw her son’s heavily bandaged foot, “Sit down quickly.”
Chang Xhong obediently sat down, still moving his foot, “Mother, the Imperial Physician and doctor have checked it, it’s not a big issue.”
Zhulan glared, “Explain what happened.”
Chang Xhong smiled apologetically and poured tea for his mother, “Today was unlucky. I encountered the Duke of Yongan’s young lady at the antique shop. I don’t know how she started arguing with the Luo family’s young lady, and then the shelf collapsed. I and the Fourth Prince kept dodging, but still got caught in the chaos. The gift the Fourth Prince chose for the Crown Prince broke too.”
After a pause, he continued, “Luckily, the Shopkeeper didn’t ask the Fourth Prince to pay compensation.”
Otherwise, the Fourth Prince would have been upset. Recently, he’s been particularly tight on funds, with only enough Silver left for choosing a gift for the Crown Prince.
Zhulan found it hard to comment, “Aren’t the two families engaged?”
Chang Xhong touched his nose, “It’s not like I was eavesdropping. The young lady from Duke of Yongan’s residence was proud and said some hurtful words, then accidentally knocked down the shelf.”
He didn’t mention that there was another girl there too, her every sentence hit the mark, unexpectedly sparking such a large reaction!
Zhulan was curious, “It’s the fault of two girls, who will compensate?”
Chang Xhong spread his hands, “Grandson doesn’t know. At the time, Grandson was injured, and the Fourth Prince urgently took him to get treated.”
Zhulan was curious and specially sent someone to inquire. Such a big event would certainly spread, and the amount of compensation would be significant; the Duke Residence wouldn’t worry, but it could be the end for the Luo Residence.
Qing Xue gathered the news that the Duke Residence compensated in full. Zhulan remarked, “They have Silver, indeed.”
This time, the entire capital felt the abundance of Silver in Duke Residence; however, the Emperor certainly wasn’t pleased, as the Duke Residence hadn’t donated much during any fundraisers!