Zhulan unfolded the two “Fu” characters. There were only two “Fu” characters on the red paper. There were no other signatures or seals. It was really as simple as it could be. However, it was the Emperor’s handwriting after all. She had to keep it carefully. This was the Emperor’s original handwriting.

Zhou Shuren finished reading the memorials and immediately noticed the character “福” (fortune/blessing). “It’s usually written for first- and second-rank officials and regional ministers, but this year I’m included. Now, in the eyes of the officials, I’ve truly become the Emperor’s confidant.”

Zhulan put down the “福” character. “Being a confidant has its advantages and disadvantages. When the imperial power changes hands, the new Emperor will promote his own confidants, and then you’ll become a thorn in his side.”

Zhou Shuren smiled. “Our Emperor seems destined for a long life, so the change of imperial power won’t be too early. By then, I’ll have everything arranged and can enjoy my retirement. I’m not a power-hungry person.”

This year’s official career had exhausted him. Although it was his first year and he lacked experience, he knew that in the future, no matter what position he held, there would be no shortage of intrigue and power struggles. It was too draining, and he absolutely didn’t crave power. He wanted to live a few more years!

Zhulan looked at the memorial. “What did the Emperor write to you?”

Zhou Shuren handed the memorial to Zhulan. “It’s all words of encouragement. It must have been written by the Crown Prince.” Zhulan quickly glanced through it. The memorial affirmed Zhou Shuren and encouraged him to continue his efforts. Zhulan closed the memorial. “They say you can tell a lot about a person from their handwriting. Are you sure it was written by the Crown Prince? I didn’t see any trace of his personality in his handwriting.”

Zhou Shuren pulled Zhulan down to sit. “A memorial given to me separately. You see, it’s different from the ‘Fu’ character. It must have been written by the Crown Prince. This shows the Emperor’s boundless grace, so I can wholeheartedly serve the imperial power.”

Zhou Shuren paused and continued: “As for why I can’t discern his personality, let me tell you, I’ve personally interacted with the Crown Prince, and I still couldn’t see his true character. You might say he’s reserved, but he has his own charisma. Standing next to the Emperor, the Crown Prince is impossible to ignore. You might say he’s not reserved, but he rarely speaks. Plus, with today’s calligraphy, our Crown Prince’s cunning is no less than the Emperor’s.”

Zhulan frowned. “You say the Emperor will likely live a long life, but won’t the Crown Prince face another tragedy?”

Zhou Shuren chuckled. “Have you forgotten how old the Emperor was when he got married? And how old is the Crown Prince? He’s only in his early twenties this year.”

Zhulan thought about it and realized he was right. The Emperor married late, and the princes are all quite young.

The Zhou family received the Emperor’s blessing calligraphy, and Chen Daren and He Daren soon found out.

Madam Hua, wife of Chen Daren, clutched her handkerchief and said indignantly, “I admit Lord Zhou is indeed capable, but didn’t you contribute anything in return? Why was only Zhou Daren’s family granted a calligraphy title?”

This was such a great honor! Her husband had worked hard all year, and in the end, all the credit went to Zhou Daren.

Chen Daren felt a pang of bitterness, but compared to the fact that without Zhou Daren, the Chen family would have been raided, his sourness subsided. “Alright, stop complaining. It’s no surprise that Zhou Daren is the Emperor’s confidant. Besides, whether or not a calligraphy title is granted, it’s an imperial favor. We, as subjects, should simply express our gratitude.”

Madam Hua was just angry; she snorted and turned to leave.

He Daren wasn’t sour, just envious. He envied Zhou Daren’s bright future, something he couldn’t compare to. Perhaps in the future, he would need Zhou Daren’s help. He Daren and Madam Miao were thinking about what gifts to bring for their New Year’s visit.

At noon, the Zhulan family had been having a potluck for several years, and this year was no exception. After lunch came the New Year’s greetings.

This year’s greetings had changed.

Li Shi and Eldest Zhou had clearly done their homework; Li Shi went over everything related to official careers.

Second Zhou and Chang Lian exchanged a glance, their faces blank. Oh well, their sister-in-law was pregnant; they shouldn’t argue with a pregnant woman.

Zhulan smiled and gave Li Shi a red envelope. This year’s red envelopes were bigger: ten taels of silver for adults and five taels for children.

Li Shi beamed as she received the red envelopes. The eldest son’s family had many children, so she received fifteen taels for three children.

The second son’s family was also doing well, with two children, so she received ten taels of silver.

The third wife had been married for two years but hadn’t consummated their marriage and therefore had no children.

Zhulan looked at Dong Shi; Dong Shi had grown taller in the past two years, but the Dong family members weren’t very tall, and it was already quite good that Dong Shi had reached 1.6 meters.

Dong Shi’s face had also matured; the childishness was gone, and she didn’t look like the eldest daughter of the Dong family at all; Dong Shi looked more like Lin Shi.

After everyone had finished paying their New Year’s respects, the children gathered together to play. No matter how much they studied, children were still children. Ming Yun took her younger siblings to play in the garden.

Dong Shi watched her nephews and nieces running around, and she was truly envious. She was always uneasy about not having consummated their marriage, but unfortunately, another year was still to come. The only thing that could comfort her was that her husband treated her fairly well.

Several daughters-in-law sat around Zhulan; the year was coming to an end. Zhou Shuren, on the other hand, led Boss Zhou and the others to the front yard.

Li Shi finally got to eat bananas, which she had been longing for these past few days. “Mother, bananas are so delicious, but there are too few to eat.”

Zhulan looked at the sliced ​​bananas on the plate; indeed, there weren’t enough. “Next year, we’ll buy more.”

Zhao Shi handed her mother some peeled pine nuts, secretly envying her sister-in-law. She liked them too, but she didn’t have her sister-in-law’s confidence and dared not speak up.

She had heard that her sister-in-law was going to sell her recipe again, and her husband said it would fetch a good amount of money.

In the past, the eldest branch of the family was always short of money, but now the second branch was at the bottom. Zhao Shi comforted herself, thankfully her mother-in-law had let her husband manage the family’s outside businesses. Zhao Shi thought about the family businesses; she never imagined her mother-in-law had so many properties under her name.

Li Shi blinked, noticing her mother-in-law was in an exceptionally good mood. “Mother, can I ask you for a favor?”

Zhulan asked curiously. “Go ahead.”

Li Shi said, taking out a purse from her bosom. “Mother, this is all the money from the eldest branch of the family. Mother, you know my husband and I aren’t very clever. I was thinking of having you help me buy some shops so the eldest branch can have some income in the future.”

Zhulan was quite surprised that Li Shi was saying this in front of Zhao Shi and Dong Shi. Looking at Li Shi’s completely trusting eyes, Zhulan felt reassured. “As long as you trust me, I’ll definitely choose something for you.”

Li Shi had been thinking about this ever since her husband returned. “Thank you, Mother.”

She had decided that in the future, when the eldest branch had money, she would ask her mother-in-law to help buy property. She truly admired her mother-in-law’s ability to handle money. She couldn’t be her mother-in-law, so she would ask her for help!

Zhao Shi wanted to speak, but swallowed her words. She knew her mother-in-law was formidable; her husband had often told her so. But she still didn’t trust her mother-in-law with her own money; she preferred to keep it in her own hands.

Dong Shi had income from her shops and land. She glanced at her second sister-in-law; their situations were different. All she could do now was cling tightly to her mother-in-law. “Mother, I also have some money here. I’d like to give it to you like my eldest sister-in-law.”

Zhulan smiled, “As long as you trust me, Mother will arrange it for you.”

Dong Shi smiled and said, “Thank you, Mother.”

Zhao Shi opened her mouth again but ultimately didn’t speak.

Zhou Shuren returned, and the three daughters-in-law went back. Zhulan relayed Li Shi’s suggestion.

Zhou Shuren said, “Whatever makes you happy, just don’t overwork yourself.”

(End of Chapter)

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