Read Novel Full Chapter 1840: Becoming a Father
Chapter 1840: Chapter 1840: Becoming a Father
At the Zhou Marquis Residence, Zhulan played chess with the Imperial Grandson. Yes, she was older, playing chess with a little toddler, and the game was evenly matched, which was a bit embarrassing for her.
Zhulan placed a piece, using her age to her advantage, and said with a relaxed tone, "I won."
The Imperial Grandson put down his piece, "I learned a lot today. Thank you for your guidance, Madam."
Zhulan looked at the chubby child with curiosity. Indeed, as Zhou Shuren said, he was charming, "I’ve always heard about the Grandson’s intelligence. Today, I’ve seen it firsthand."
The Imperial Grandson lifted his chin slightly; he had been playing chess with his grandfather since a young age, "Grandfather taught me well."
Zhulan was aware of the Grandson’s precociousness. Despite his young age, he had many thoughts. When she saw Qing Xue bring in fruits, she smiled and said, "Would you like to have some fruit, Grandson?"
In the capital, there was no shortage of fruit at the Zhou Marquis Residence.
The Imperial Grandson enjoyed eating fruits, "I won’t be polite then."
The fruit wasn’t cut, but even though the Residence was safe, the eunuch looking after the Grandson would still check it before cutting some for the Grandson to eat, not too much for fear of upsetting his young stomach.
Zhulan ate a few bites and began reading the newspaper, which was full of reports about examination reform.
The little guy tilted his head, "Does Madam also like to read the newspaper?"
"Yes."
The little guy said, "Grandfather and Father also like it, but they prefer reading the parts about people’s livelihood at the end. Grandfather says a Monarch must care for the people to be a good Monarch."
Zhulan was surprised that the Emperor was teaching the Grandson about being a ruler, and she was pleased. This indicated that the Crown Prince would surely inherit the throne successfully.
For the past two years, the Third Prince had been behaving honestly; other princes had noticed, and the Wang family had been quieter. Even the princes with Wang family blood had distanced themselves somewhat from the Wang family.
Consort Zhung was raising Consort Wang’s second son, not being his biological mother; there was a gap. The Seventh Prince was the youngest and had no opportunity despite having thoughts.
The mother of the Sixth Prince, Beautiful Consort Zhung, was of low birth and had no family support, nor did she receive favor.
Apart from the Second Prince remaining discontent, other princes had already lost hope.
Zhulan thought about how Zhou Shuren had become the Grandson’s teacher, hitting the Second Prince the hardest. Wasn’t this the Emperor indicating the Crown Prince’s accession?
The news spread rapidly that the Imperial Grandson was visiting the Zhou Marquis Residence; there was much discussion, even in the Ministry of Revenue where Zhou Shuren was, not to mention the other departments.
In the Ministry of Rites, because of the examination reform, Chang Yi also became quite popular. When it came to who learned Western studies the most, none dared claim first over Chang Yi.
Chang Yi’s years of research and study weren’t in vain; just when the initial level books were being promoted nationwide, he was close to becoming a master!
This left the Ministry of Rites stunned for quite a while because the examination reform required learning new knowledge, and Chang Yi was pulled out, unable to keep low profile anymore.
Then Chang Yi even thought after the examination reforms a few times, he could try too, and his confidence skyrocketed!
Chang Yi was tutoring colleagues in the Ministry of Rites; he gained respect not because of his background this time, but through his strength.
Yet today, colleagues looked at him sourly. Upon inquiry, it was learned that the Imperial Grandson visited his home!
Chang Yi faced probing questions, "I don’t know; I’m not aware, I’ve not been home for days."
Though he wasn’t the one setting the questions, he didn’t need to stay at the testing site, but he couldn’t go home during the examination!
In the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren was chatting with Zhang Jinghong, "Qiu Yan is going to retire, and he’s recommending you as Deputy Minister."
Zhang Jinghong was slightly taken aback, "Me? I thought I."
Zhou Shuren laughed, "Your achievements over the years haven’t gone unnoticed by those above."
Zhang Jinghong truly thought he would work in his current position till he died. Since his son successfully got engaged, there was no word from above, he was already content. Now, hearing there was a good news like this?
Zhou Shuren secretly thought it was a time of prosperity, with good seeds and the national policies of these years, royal power reached its peak, and what people wanted was simple - to eat and dress warmly. Even a prince from the previous dynasty? Only a madman would want to overthrow all this now.
Thus, in the Emperor’s mind, Zhang Jinghong’s background as a descendant of the previous dynasty was void; Zhang Jinghong truly behaved honestly, and the Emperor also wished to give him chances.
Zhang Jinghong wasn’t foolish, quickly vowed, "I will swear my loyalty to the Emperor till death."
His relation with Qiu Yan was quite good; he knew Qiu Yan as a prudent man who wouldn’t recklessly recommend him, evidently it was at the Emperor’s suggestion.
Zhou Shuren smiled, "Work hard in the future."
Zhang Jinghong asked tentatively, "What about you, Master?"
He had long felt that Master was preparing to leave the Ministry of Revenue.
Zhou Shuren touched his beard, "Look, my beard’s turned white, I naturally have my destination."
The Ministry of Revenue had been thoroughly reformed under him; even without him holding office, it wouldn’t deviate. Now his focus was on the Imperial Grandson, as he was the future of Zhang Chao, the hope for national reform.
Moreover, he should also rest; he and his wife had done enough, the seeds to be planted had been sown, and they wished to lead easier lives.
That afternoon, Zhou Shuren left the Ministry of Revenue early to go home, surprisingly finding the Imperial Grandson still there, "Your Highness, were you waiting for this old minister?"
The Imperial Grandson nodded, "Yes."
Zhou Shuren first went to change from his official attire, then emerged, "Did Your Highness have fun today?"
The Imperial Grandson nodded again, "Yes, the scenery of the Marquis Residence is beautiful, and it’s quite lively."
Zhou Shuren laughed, "Shall this old minister take Your Highness to the study in the front courtyard?"
"Sure, Grandfather said many want to steal from the Zhou Marquis Residence study."
Zhou Shuren chuckled; the biggest thief was the Emperor himself. The Emperor copied all the scripts from the study, and now most of the test books sold on the market originated from his study.
Luckily, the Emperor provided Silver and even wrote names of Chang Zhi and others on the test books.
Thinking of books, Zhou Shuren’s lips curved; Ming Rui’s editorial books for the Men’s Academy were also printed, Ming Rui’s future lay in education, so he wouldn’t need to worry about this child.
Arriving at the study in the front courtyard, the Imperial Grandson looked at the bookshelves, "Wow, so many books."
Zhou Shuren lifted the Imperial Grandson and took him to the third bookshelf, "These were rewards Your Highness’s great-grandfather gave to this old minister; when receiving them, this old minister was dumbstruck, all were copied books without a single authentic copy."
So stingy, the Retired Emperor for three years hadn’t given him a dream. Whether he dreamed of the Emperor, he didn’t know.
The Imperial Grandson was silent, thought for a while, and then said, "I’ll give you real ones for Master in the future!"
Zhou Shuren, "..."
He dared not take anything from the Imperial Grandson; receiving one thing required returning double!
At the Hanlin Academy, it was somewhat late when Chang Xhong finished work and came out with his fourth brother, talking as they walked. Upon exiting, they saw a young servant with a face full of joy.
Chang Xhong raised an eyebrow, "Look at your happy appearance, is there some good news?"
The young servant grinned widely, "Great news, huge news, Young Master, you are going to be a father!"
Chang Xhong reacted for a moment and then turned his head, "Brother, did I hear wrong!"
Chang Zhi was also pleased for his younger brother; sister-in-law’s pregnancy dispelled rumors about younger brother’s offspring, "You heard right, you’re going to be a father."
Chang Xhong laughed heartily, "Brother, I’ll go pick up Xingyi to go home."
Chang Zhi said, "I imagine sister-in-law has already headed home."
The young servant hastily nodded to confirm, and Chang Xhong grinned widely, "Brother, let’s hurry back home."