Chapter 1691: Chapter 1691 Seeking Wealth
Time flies quickly, Zhulan received the new newspaper. The revised version was not entirely filled with serial stories but also included short stories, with a total of five stories from reputable authors and none from new authors.
The story of the Empress Dowager Chen was on the front page. How to put it? Even though Zhulan was used to reading articles in ancient times, she still thought plain language was better and marveled at the Empress Dowager’s talent.
Lady Li didn’t like storybooks and was shocked at her mother-in-law for buying so many. “Mother, how many copies did you subscribe to?”
“Not many, twenty copies.”
Lady Li, “…”
Is that not many? Her mother-in-law alone subscribed to twenty copies; adding in the subscriptions from various courtyards, her family alone subscribed to nearly thirty copies, and a newspaper wasn’t cheap.
Lady Li considered the price, “Why is the storytelling newspaper so expensive? One copy costs one hundred fifty wen.”
“The paper’s expensive.”
Even with continuous improvement in papermaking techniques, the price of paper still hasn’t come down. The paper used for the newspaper wasn’t the best quality; if good paper were used, the newspaper would be even more costly.
Lady Li said, “Families without wealth can’t afford newspaper subscriptions.”
“It will be better in the future.”
“Daughter-in-law likely won’t see it.”
Zhulan thought to herself that might not be the case. She couldn’t get into the stories now, so she put the newspaper down to read later when she’s free, pondering about writing a post to send to the Qi Prince Residence, with a signature surely needed.
The serialized stories generated quite a discussion. The first trial batch of prints sold out entirely, with subscription numbers being decent. The main buyers were aristocrats and merchants, while common folk did not subscribe.
At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren held the new newspaper, and Qiu Yan was stunned. “Sir, do you also read storybooks?”
Zhou Shuren, “You take a look too.”
Qiu Yan shook his head, “I don’t like storybooks.”
He rarely went to theater courtyards, primarily because he didn’t like them.
The copy Zhou Shuren had was not a subscription; the Propaganda Department sent it to him. He took it to look over and, to say the least, the ending technique was quite skillful, a natural talent!
Qiu Yan sighed, “I really am getting old and somewhat can’t keep up with the changes.”
He had never thought the Imperial court would have so many new departments, yet since he’d known Marquis Zhou, the court seemed to be rapidly changing, and he was feeling a bit overwhelmed by new things.
Zhou Shuren thought to himself about the future being handed over to young people, “Tomorrow’s morning court will surely be lively.”
Not everyone could accept changes; there were stubborn people aplenty. Every time there’s some change, it’s debated as if to assert one’s presence, and he was too lazy to listen seriously.
Ever since the news broke out, there had been commotion. Now that the newspaper had come out, there would be more scenes. Sigh!
Qiu Yan laughed, “I don’t need to attend the morning court tomorrow.”
He didn’t want to watch that kind of excitement.
After leaving the government office, Zhou Shuren arrived home with his fourth son. Getting off the carriage, he saw Chang Zhi holding a box. “What did you buy?”
Chang Zhi, “Father, this is a painting sent by Gu Sheng to your son.”
Zhou Shuren extended his hand without speaking, the meaning clear.
Chang Zhi, “!!”
In the end, Zhou Shuren walked away with the box, leaving Chang Zhi standing motionless for a long time. He hadn’t even looked at it yet, and it was gone!
Returning to the main courtyard, Zhou Shuren smiled as he handed the box to his wife, “This is for you.”
“Did you specially buy this for me?”
Zhou Shuren, “I snatched it.”
Zhulan had already opened the box and laughed upon seeing the painting. “Who did you snatch it from?”
“Snatched from your son.”
Zhulan had seen Gu Sheng’s paintings before and knew his calligraphy. “Ah, this is painted by Gu Sheng, meant for Chang Zhi.”
“He said it was given to him by Gu Sheng, but I don’t quite believe it; he must have hinted at it.”
Zhulan laughed, “Now it’s mine.”
The next day at the Hanlin Academy, Gu Sheng arrived early and rushed up to see the lord. “What do you think of my painting, sir?”
Chang Zhi, “…”
He hadn’t even opened the box, and his father was at morning court, and he hadn’t seen his father!
Gu Sheng’s heart sank slightly. Could it be disliked? He had put effort into the painting, taking several days to complete it. “Sir?”
Chang Zhi coughed, “I haven’t seen it yet.”
Gu Sheng was dumbfounded. Taken home without looking? He returned to his senses, and the lord had already walked away.
A sneer sounded, as Zhuo Guyu approached, “You really disappointed me. I thought you wouldn’t give gifts, but I didn’t expect this.”
Gu Sheng, “…”
He had painted because he got a hint!
Zhuo Guyu, feeling rather pleased, entered the room with less weight on his mind as Gu Sheng turned out to be no more than that, and his heart relaxed significantly.
Chang Zhi didn’t realize his actions had damaged Gu Sheng’s reputation further, pondering the matter of viewing the painting later in the evening.
At the Qi Prince Residence, the Empress Dowager Chen used breakfast early, waiting. For the first time, someone had come to ask for her signature. After receiving Yang’s post yesterday, she knew the intention. She hardly slept that night. Who was Yang? A uniquely talented woman capable of compiling books and writing articles. Yang asking for her signature was an acknowledgment!
The Princess Qi sat beside her, not believing her mother-in-law until she saw the Marchioness Zhou carrying the newspaper in silence!
Zhulan put down the newspaper, somewhat embarrassed, “I’ve subscribed to twenty copies.”
The Empress Dowager Chen’s eyes smiled, “It’s alright. Don’t say twenty; even hundreds wouldn’t be much.”
Zhulan, “Then I’ll subscribe to more next time.”
The Empress Dowager Chen, “Sure, however many you subscribe to, I’ll sign.”
Zhulan thought that she must subscribe to more now since one newspaper cost 150 wen, knowing not if it would double in the future. It wasn’t merely a newspaper; it was gold!
The Princess Qi was quite puzzled, not believing the Marchioness Zhou would only flatter her mother-in-law by praising her, “Why subscribe to so many, madam?”
Zhulan knew she couldn’t fool the two women in front of her, so she spoke frankly, “I shall keep them for my descendants.”
The Princess Qi found the Marchioness Zhou’s thoughts peculiar, yet a consideration that Mrs. Hou could compile books and write articles, those somewhat unique thoughts were understandable.
Zhulan then addressed the Empress Dowager, “Your manuscript must be well preserved. You may not be famous now as Master Yan, but in the future? Your manuscript will be proof.”
The Empress Dowager Chen, “Yes, you’re right.”
Having been reminded, the Empress Dowager Chen sent someone to buy the first issue of the newspaper, intending to store more. These would serve as evidence.
Once Zhulan returned home from the Qi Prince Residence, Lady Li attended a banquet and returned, bringing Yu Yi and Yu Jiao along, with the two girls resting in their courtyards while Lady Li waited in the main courtyard.
Zhulan, “You didn’t rest upon returning. Did you perhaps hear some news?”
Lady Li helped her mother-in-law change clothes, “Yes, regarding the Duke of Yongan Residence.”
“What news surprised you?”
Lady Li hung up the mother-in-law’s changed clothes before replying, “The Duke of Yongan sought to send the granddaughter to the Crown Prince Residence’s back courtyard, as you know. I’m surprised the Duke Residence’s young lady engaged.”
Zhulan was astounded, “That Zhuo Ya?”
“Yes, it’s her. Hence, the daughter-in-law was shocked.”
“Indeed surprising, who is she engaged to?”
Lady Li’s expression was difficult to describe, “Engaged to the Luo family.”
Zhulan, “…”
The Luo family sought wealth, not people, with surely a generous dowry for the Duke of Yongan Residence’s legitimate granddaughter, while the Duke Residence sought support.
Lady Li said, “All Duke of Yongan Residence’s marriages are alliances.”
She disliked children being treated as bargaining chips in marital transactions, disliking the Duke Residence and having little fondness for the Luo family.
Zhulan said, “Interests above all.”
Lady Li then smiled, “Today, the daughter-in-law heard some stories about the Luo family, with their reputation suffering substantial impacts recently.”