Read Novel Full Chapter 1814: Placing Bets
Chapter 1814: Chapter 1814: Placing Bets
Zhou Shuren enjoyed his son’s filial piety, leaning most of his weight on his son. "Another year has passed, and after these busy days, I can finally relax."
Chang Zhi listened and smiled, "Will there be any bonus this year?"
Zhou Shuren gave him a sidelong glance, "Do you still care about year-end bonuses?"
Chang Zhi said, "Why wouldn’t I? Last year’s bonus was quite generous."
Zhou Shuren frowned, "The Emperor hasn’t indicated anything yet."
Chang Zhi thought for a moment, "That might not be good news then."
Zhou Shuren mused, "Not necessarily, it just might not be as generous as last year."
Chang Zhi added, "This year the treasury is full, so next year, you might worry less about Silver Coin matters, Father."
Zhou Shuren chuckled, "The more Silver one has, the more ways there are to spend it."
Chang Zhi felt for his father, "Father, you’re too worried."
Zhou Shuren’s steps suddenly became much lighter, "There aren’t many years left for me to worry about."
He’s waiting for the Imperial Grandson to grow up. Once he continues to improve the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou can fully let go.
Chang Zhi was truly happy for his father, "You can finally enjoy some peace and happiness, Father. We can support the family now."
These words were not empty; people used to ignore him, and now dare not underestimate him.
Zhou Shuren turned his head to look at his fourth son and laughed, "Father is very pleased."
The father and son walked slowly, and by the time they left the palace, only the carriages of the Ministry of Revenue and Hanlin Academy were left. Zhou Shuren didn’t need his son to see him off and, instead, watched as his son took the first step to leave.
Jinyan asked, "Mr. Hou, shall we go too?"
Zhou Shuren sighed a little, "You see, Chang Zhi and the others still have a long road ahead, and all I can do is support them."
He no longer has to bear the weight of the Hou Residence alone, feeling both proud and a bit empty.
Jinyan said, "Mr. Hou, you should be pleased, you have successors."
"Yes, I should be happy, the family descendants are all good."
The days passed by towards the end of the year, Zhulan was communicating with Lau Ling, who took the opportunity of delivering New Year’s gifts to come with Shao Ting.
Shao Ting had not been to the Hou Residence since accepting the headpiece because her sister-in-law had pointed out the implications, making her uneasy about coming with her sister-in-law today.
Especially when Shao Ting saw the Crown Prince’s Consort, she felt even more nervous.
Zhulan gestured for Lau Ling and her sister-in-law to sit. During winter, she rarely went to the academy and hadn’t seen Shao Ting in a while. The girl was at the age when one grows a lot, and Shao Ting seemed to have changed quite a bit, "Shao Ting looks like she’s grown a lot taller."
Lau Ling laughed, "Indeed, she’s grown, all the clothes at home have become small."
Lady Li was also observing Shao Ting. She wasn’t an evil mother-in-law, and even though her family’s status wasn’t high, even as the Crown Prince’s Consort, she didn’t look down on Shao Ting. In her understanding, sons are praised for being good, and she wasn’t a controlling person, as long as her son was happy.
Zhulan looked at her eldest daughter-in-law, and Lady Li understood and smiled, "I have some nice fabrics here, I’ll bring them out later to make new clothes for the girl."
Shao Ting quickly stood up, "Thank you, madam."
Lady Li liked the straightforward kind of girl. Shao Ting managed affairs at the academy and was also sensible. The more Lady Li looked, the more she liked her.
Shao Ting had feelings for Zhou Minghui, and where she didn’t dare to think of these feelings before, now she could think of them, though she faced more of the embarrassment of a young girl being scrutinized.
After chatting for a while, Lau Ling and her sister-in-law left. Lady Li prepared some jewelry and fabric for making clothes for Shao Ting.
Once they left the Hou Residence, Lau Ling smiled, "Now I feel at ease."
She knew the Crown Prince’s Consort was a good person, but without the lady’s assurance, she feared her little sister wouldn’t be liked by the Crown Prince’s Consort.
Shao Ting hugged the jewelry box sweetly, even though she hadn’t seen Zhou Minghui for a long time, the attitude of the Crown Prince’s Consort represented Zhou Minghui’s, "Sister-in-law."
Lau Ling heard the shyness, "Alright, alright, I won’t say anymore."
But in her heart, she was planning her little sister-in-law’s dowry. The Shao family’s assets weren’t much, and what they had now was all from her husband’s success, but this wasn’t enough for a good dowry for her sister. A small dowry didn’t look good for a high marriage.
Lau Ling was calculating how to gather more dowry.
In the Hou Residence, Lady Li also talked about the betrothal gifts, "Ming Hui’s betrothal gifts shouldn’t be higher than his two brothers’. "
She did want to give more betrothal gifts to avoid Shao’s family’s dowry looking bad but knew she shouldn’t overdo it.
Zhulan understood, and thinking about the books Ming Hui had organized, she smiled, "Ming Hui has a plan, let him find his own way."
Lady Li said, "What can he do, is he going to send over his savings secretly?"
Zhulan just smiled without speaking, "Do what you have prepared, don’t worry about him."
Zhulan didn’t intend to secretly supplement Ming Hui either. There were many grandchildren, and she wouldn’t make an exception.
A day passed, and Ming Rui and Ming Hui went to the bookstore, they had ordered books there, and today they were going to pick them up.
Chang Xhong thought for a moment and decided to go with them, sitting in the carriage, Chang Xhong laughed, "You seem more eager to take the spring exams than I am."
Ming Rui, having complete plans for the future, wasn’t in a hurry for the Imperial Exams, "Even though we’re not taking the exams, we still bear a great responsibility."
Chang Xhong said, "I’ve been busy studying and haven’t followed up, how is your progress?"
Both of them frowned, "Oh, even though Fourth Uncle is tutoring us, our progress is still slow."
"When I’m done with the spring exams, I’ll help you."
Ming Rui laughed, "Alright, Little Uncle, don’t break your word then."
Chang Xhong didn’t realize the pit he had dug for himself, laughed heartily, "I always keep my word."
Arriving at the bookstore, Chang Xhong immediately noticed the Third Prince, accompanied by Mr. Du, who was the Third Prince’s cousin.
The Third Prince also noticed Chang Xhong and his companions and smiled, "It’s rare to see the three Zhou young masters together."
Chang Xhong replied with a smile, "We’re here to pick up books. Are you here to buy books?"
The Third Prince generously picked up a book, "Choosing a few books on architecture."
Chang Xhong understood. He had heard from his father about the Imperial Garden construction plans for next year. Speaking of which, the Ministry of Works had the most comprehensive books on such topics. The Third Prince was buying from a bookstore instead of consulting the Ministry, clearly to avoid arousing suspicion about his intentions while not missing out on the opportunity.
Mr. Du remained silent. He once had aspirations, but the Third Prince, intent on being a benevolent king, had reprimanded the Du family and even threatened to report them to the Emperor if they misbehaved. Consequently, the Du family gave up their plans.
After buying his books, the Third Prince left, and Chang Xhong also selected his books and returned home to recount the Third Prince’s actions.
Zhulan commented, "The Third Prince is calculative."
Opportunities come to those prepared. The Third Prince already had the advantage in the Ministry of Works, and all he needed was to quietly make his efforts, aligning time, place, and people.
Chang Xhong shared the same thought, "I see the Du family is quite well-behaved too; the Third Prince seems sober."
Zhulan smiled, "Only with clarity can one live a good life."
Chang Xhong laughed, as long as it didn’t involve the Crown Prince, other princes had arrangements from the Emperor.
Time flew, and before you knew it, the New Year arrived again. And in a blink of an eye, it was the first year of Shenghui, with spring exams being the big event after the New Year.
In the capital, many eyes were on the Marquis Zhou Residence, as the marquis’ youngest son won the First Place Candidate, and some people privately bet whether the Marquis Residence would produce another second-place scholar.