Zhulan motioned for Zhao Shi to sit down first. After Zhao Shi sat down, she said, “Mother has nothing else to say. I just want to give you some advice. Wu Ning’s brother Wu Ming, a sixteen-year-old scholar, is now a disciple of Xu Jinshi, who is the dean of Qingshan Academy. Wu Ning’s brother is young and has a famous teacher. He has a promising future. Mother means that you should not only guide Wu Ning but also accept Wu Ning as your apprentice if possible. With the status of master and apprentice, you can also have a good relationship in the future.”

Zhao Shi was touched by her mother-in-law’s consideration for her. Since the head of the family could not take the imperial examination, the family did not split up and lived together. The current gap was not too big, but with the third and youngest brothers taking the imperial examinations, the second branch, which was not the eldest branch that had the eldest son and grandson, would have less and less status in the future.

It would take many years for her son to grow up and support the second branch!

Now that her mother-in-law was guiding her, the second house would also have its own network of contacts in the future. “Mom, I understand. Thank you for planning for us.”

Zhulan liked to talk to people who understood things, it was really effortless, “As long as you understand, that’s enough, go back!”

“Mom, I’m going to my room first.”

“OK.”

Zhulan watched the Zhao Shi leave and rubbed her neck. She and Zhou Shuren had tried their best to maintain a balance, but as time went on, the differences between them would only grow. Right now, everything seemed harmonious, but conflicts were inevitable over time. Even tongues occasionally clashed with teeth; how could a large family like theirs avoid conflicts?

The eldest couple might have been clumsy, but they knew how to have sons. In a few years, Mingyun would grow up and be able to take on the responsibilities of the first house. With Mingyun’s status as the eldest grandson, the position of the first house would remain stable. Therefore, despite their shortcomings, the couple of the first house was the most fortunate in the family.

The second house was different. The son was too young, and it would take more than ten years for Mingrui to grow up. As for the marriage through Yushuang, Zhulan would not allow it. She hoped that Yushuang could find someone to care for her, so the second house would be the weakest among the houses.

In the third house, Zhou Shuren was training Chang Lian, who had potential and could be helped by his in-laws. Even if Chang Lian was separated, he could still live a good life.

Changzhi was good at studying. Although he was not familiar with household affairs, he was not stupid. He had a clear mind. As long as he had a good wife to help him, his future would not be bad.

Now that the Wu family had brought this good fortune to their doorstep, it was a rare opportunity. If the second branch seized it, it would also be beneficial to Yushuang and Mingrui in the future.

Zhulan also felt relieved and waited for Zhou Shuren to come back in a good mood.

At noon, Zhou Shuren didn’t come back. Zhulan understood that he must have been waiting for him, otherwise he would have come back long ago.

In the afternoon, Second Zhou came back, looking unhappy. Zhulan was prepared, so she patted Zhao Shi to comfort him and glared at her second son, “Don’t be so gloomy and silent, your wife and I are waiting!”

After Second Zhou found out, he was very angry. “Mom, I found out in Qianjia Village that the man my mother-in-law married later was very capable. When he was the steward, he bought himself a family business. After he became free, he bought some land. He lived a good life in Qianjia Village. He is one of the richest families in Qianjia Village. But even though he is such a rich family, my mother-in-law doesn’t live a good life.”

Zhulan had guessed that Zhao Shi’s mother was sold into the Yun Mansion. Even if she was not sold to the Yun Mansion, she had no maternal home and was a stepmother, who was sold. If Steward Qian had protected her, her life would have been better. Unfortunately, the situation was now heading in a bad direction.

Zhao Shi was anxious, “What happened to my mother?”

Second Zhou Laoer let out a long sigh. “From what I heard, my mother-in-law not only takes care of the Qian family’s children but also has to take care of the whole family, cooking three meals a day. Her health is not very good, and the child she gave birth to is also bullied. I saw him at the door of the Qian family. Several children were pushing him, but I didn’t dare to stop them. I was afraid that if I chased away the children who bullied him, he would be bullied even more severely when he went back home. I waited until the children left before I helped the little guy up and stuffed a few cakes into the child’s mouth.”

The younger xiǎo jiù, though still young, dressed decently but had some injuries, indicating he was often bullied. Recalling the children’s teasing words, it was clear that they had heard them from the adults at home.

Zhulan sighed, “Bullying children is just a test for the Qian family’s sons. As long as Steward Qian protects them a few times, the sons won’t dare to go too far.”

It was a pity that the steward of a merchant family paid more attention to value. The older sons were more valuable, so the mother-in-law and the younger son were naturally abandoned.

Zhao Shi couldn’t help crying, “Master, I will go and meet my mother tomorrow.”

Second Zhou felt sorry for his wife and said, “Okay, we will go tomorrow.”

Zhulan did not stop her. With Second Zhou around, there was no need to worry about the Zhao Shi being plotted against. Now that her mother-in-law had a son, she would no longer be helpless, and the Qian family would be able to restrain themselves a little.

In the afternoon, everyone in the Zhou family knew why Zhao Shi was crying. Li Shi felt even more sympathetic towards Zhao Shi, as Zhao Shi’s mother also had a miserable life.

Dong Shi had seen a lot of things, so her reaction was not that big. She just disliked the Qian family and felt that this relative was annoying.

Zhou Shuren returned home after dinner. Although he acted as usual in front of the children, Zhulan knew him very well and knew that the matter must have been settled.

After Zhulan finished washing up and returned to the room, Zhou Shuren picked her up and spun her around twice. “Okay, next time Jiang Ming has a day off, come with me to the competition.”

Zhulan glared, “Put me down first.”

She was just spun around twice so fast that her heart was beating fast.

She was scared.

Zhou Shuren also felt his hands a little sore and let go of Zhulan. Well, he still overestimated himself.

Zhulan sat down on the kang, and after a while, she said, “Do you have anything else to prepare?”

Zhou Shuren rubbed his arm and said, “To be more certain, I will visit more antique shops these days. I will know more and be more certain.”

Zhou Shuren had always been thorough in his work. Zhulan stopped asking questions and told Zhao Shi’s mother’s situation. “This is what happened. Tomorrow, Changyi and his wife will go to recognize their relatives. I was thinking of sending a pair of decorative vases as a return gift from Dong Shi’s brother-in-law. What do you think?”

They acknowledged each other openly and were not begging for money, so naturally, they had to bring some valuable gifts, especially since Qian had been a steward and had seen a lot of good things. The only gift that the Zhou family could give to Zhao Shi to support her was a pair of decorative bottles.

Zhou Shuren didn’t like to display bottles. It was not his taste. This pair of bottles was not valuable for display. What mattered was the style.

Although it was not an antique, it was worth dozens of taels of silver. “I have no objection.”

Zhulan continued, “You can’t bring the same gift when you visit a relative. We have a lot of pens and ink at home. Take out two sets of unused ones. The Qian family lives in the village, so they must want to take the imperial examination. Their children must be educated. It’s appropriate to give them pens and ink, and it can also show that we are a family of scholars. Add some fabrics. Most of the fabrics that Dong Lin sent during the New Year are new styles from the south, which are hard to find in the north. Let the second wife take the last thing. Zhao Shi has a small embroidered screen, which would be nice to take with her.”

Although he didn’t like the Qian family and didn’t want to give them an advantage, Zhao Shi’s mother was a member of the Qian family after all. He didn’t know what Zhao Shi’s mother was planning, so the most important thing right now was to make her live a good life.

The Qian family would also be cautious about the Zhou family giving out so many things, but there was no need to be impatient about what would happen in the future.

On the next day, Zhulan took out the gift of recognition. Needless to say, Second Zhou understood her intention and felt guilty, “Son is ashamed.”

He couldn’t refuse the recognition gift his mother brought him, but he didn’t have the money to buy a high-end gift.

Zhao Shi was so moved that she wanted to kneel again, but Zhulan hurriedly pulled her back, “Okay, it’s getting late, you should go early and come back early.”

Zhulan glanced at Zhao Shi’s face again. Although her hair was still blocking her view, the scars on her face were painted so realistically. She never expected Zhao Shi to have this skill. It showed that when she was in her hometown, Zhao Shi had learned a lot from Wang Ru. She was really clever and skillful.

In the afternoon, Zhao Shi and Second Zhou came back. Zhulan looked at the gifts they brought back and was a little surprised. Even if it was a return gift, it shouldn’t be so much!

(End of this chapter)

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