Zhou Yu said in a low voice, “The climate of rebellion in the north has already taken hold, and the rebellion in Bozhou has added fuel to the fire. Now the court is sitting on a powder keg, just waiting to explode.”

The hall fell silent. Apart from Zhou Yu, everyone else had feelings for the country. No matter how incompetent the Emperor was, they were born into the Wang family’s dynasty, and all hoped to live a peaceful life. No one wanted to experience a chaotic world.

Zhong Jin cleared his throat. “It’s not easy for us to get together; let’s talk about something light.”

Zhou Yu took a sip of tea. Hmm, he hadn’t had such good tea in a long time. He couldn’t help but take another sip before putting down his teacup. “It’s been so many years. Brother, you already have three sons and a daughter. You’re so lucky.”

Zhong Jin was secretly pleased. Having many children was indeed a blessing. He said, “You’re not bad either; your second child is about to be born.”

Zhou Yu was looking forward to the child who hadn’t been born in his previous life in ancient times. “I hope it’s a daughter; then I’ll have both a son and a daughter.”

Zhong Jin also had a daughter. Daughters were indeed sweet. “When my eldest niece is born, I’ll definitely give her a big red envelope.”

Zhou Yu was delighted. “Okay.”

Third Yang rolled his eyes inwardly. He spoke as if it were really a daughter. He maliciously thought it was definitely a boy. He was waiting to see his jiefu’s dumbfounded look!

Zhou Xiaodi shoved Third Yang. “What are you laughing at?”

Third Yang picked up his teacup to hide his smile. “You’re mistaken.”

Zhou Xiaodi was speechless. “Do you think I’m blind?”

“Yeah.”

Zhou Xiaodi glared, and Third Yang poured himself a cup of tea with a forced smile, “Have some tea, hmm, a rare find.”

His family couldn’t afford to buy it, and he couldn’t help but smell it again—it smelled wonderful.

Zhou Yu and Zhong Jin were chatting when they caught a glimpse of Third Yang and Xiaodi drinking tea. After finishing one pot, another was brought out, and Zhou Yu’s head started to ache!

Zhong Jin noticed Zhou Yu’s absent-mindedness and paid attention to Zhou Xiodi and Third Yang. He chuckled. “They’re fond of tea. I’ll pack some for them to take back later. Those two really know their tea. This is the first harvest from the tea mountains in my jiefu’s hometown. Last year, he sent me two jin of it. When I came home for the New Year, the old man packed quite a bit for me.”

Upon hearing this, Third Yang was too embarrassed to accept it. “We don’t know anything about tea appreciation. We just think it tastes good. It’s such a waste for us to drink such good tea like gluttons. Brother Zhong, please keep it for yourself.”

Zhong Jin turned to Zhou Yu and said, “The xiaojiuzi you’ve taken on is quite interesting.”

Zhou Yu thought to himself, “This kid is more than just interesting; he’s got a silver tongue!

Third Yang chuckled, “Meeting my jie and jiefu is my greatest fortune.”

Zhong Jin nodded in agreement. “Indeed, it is.”

He knew that Zhou Yu was teaching this kid. Not everyone has the good fortune to be a teacher of a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations). Even though there were many scholars in the south, none were so powerful as to have a Jinshi teach them individually. Many people bring gifts and ask for guidance, but they can’t find a way in!

Zhong Jin thought about the county examination in a few days and couldn’t help but test Zhou Bing.

Before Zhou Bing’s family tragedy, he had a tutor, and it was expected that he would also face the consequences this year, but unfortunately, he didn’t live to see it, as his family was destroyed.

These past few days, under Zhou Yu’s guidance, he has gained confidence in facing challenges.

Time passed little by little, and the meal was finally ready. As the xianling, Zhong Jin had more than a dozen servants in his household, including two older women whose sole responsibility was cooking. A total of ten dishes were served, four of which were northern-style dishes.

Zhu Shi said, “I thought you hadn’t had northern food in a long time, so I specially asked the cook to make a few dishes. I didn’t know what you liked, so I made some northern specialties.”

Yang Xi’s mouth watered at the smell of the pickled cabbage. Northern pickled cabbage was different from southern pickled cabbage, but it still smelled sour, whetting her appetite even before she started eating.

Yang Xi held the chopsticks between her fingers. “I’ve been craving this, and I was even thinking of making lots of pickled vegetables when we build the house.”

Zhu Shi used serving chopsticks to pick up some food. “Eat more if you like it. You’re eating for two now.”

Yang Xi quickly took a bowl to receive the food. “Sister-in-law, you don’t need to take care of me. You eat too.”

Zhu Shi smiled. “Okay, we’re family. This is also your home.”

Yang Xi wasn’t pretending. She ate with great relish. Sun Liu’s cooking skills couldn’t compare to a professional cook. The cook had a very good grasp of flavor, so Yang Xi didn’t dare to eat too much. Her stomach was full, and she would feel uncomfortable if she ate too much.

She stopped eating when she was about six-tenths full and drank the pork rib and lotus root soup. When it came to the variety of food, the South was the place. It was too difficult to find fresh lotus root in the North. Even the Zhou family, who were well-off, rarely bought fresh lotus root in the capital. It was too expensive.

After the meal, the two families chatted for a while to digest their food before Yang Xi and her group got up to say goodbye.

Ziheng, being the younger generation, was delighted to receive the calligraphy set and wouldn’t let go.

Yang Xi, tugging at her son’s braid, suddenly said, “Son, shall I give you a new hairstyle?”

Her son had very little hair, and she couldn’t help but glance at Zhou Yu, whose hair was quite thick.

Ziheng stopped holding the calligraphy set, covering his head with his hands. “No!”

Yang Xi said, “Look at your dad’s hair; isn’t it thick? Touch yours; it’s too thin.”

Ziheng touched his own braid with his chubby hands, then reached out to touch his father’s hair, his eyes wide.

Yang Xi said worriedly, “I’m afraid your hair will fall out before you grow up. Let’s get a new hairstyle, and after a few more cuts, it’ll be thicker.”

Zhou Yu sighed helplessly; his wife especially loved teasing their son, and he could already picture his son bald.

Ziheng blinked. “Your hair will be as thick as Daddy’s?”

Yang Xi nodded without a hint of guilt. “When you grow it, it will definitely be thicker than your dad’s.”

Ziheng touched his braid again. “I’ll listen to Mommy.”

Yang Xi kissed her son; he was too easy to bully.

That evening, the Zhou family’s little monk was born. Ziheng became a little bald, and then the little guy cried.

Yang Xi laughed uncontrollably. “Alright, stop crying. Your hair will grow back soon.”

Ziheng sobbed intermittently. Ye Shi hugged her grandson tightly, glaring at her daughter-in-law, wanting to laugh again. Her grandson was precocious, like a little adult. Except for her husband’s death, this was the first time her grandson had cried so bitterly.

Zhou Xiaomei covered her mouth with a handkerchief, while Zhou Xiaodi was already laughing uncontrollably.

Ziheng finally stopped crying and turned his head with his bald head, and the room fell silent, then everyone burst out laughing.

Ziheng pouted and then burst into tears again!

For the first time since the Zhou family’s tragedy, laughter filled the air. Ziheng stopped crying and even smiled, touching his bald head.

The little guy’s thoughts were simple; he loved the home filled with laughter, as if he were back in the home where his grandfather hadn’t passed away.

Two days passed quickly. Zhong Jin brought news that the old man had caught a chill in the heavy rain on his way here and, being old, had fallen ill. He would stay and recuperate until he recovered before continuing his journey.

Zhou Yu felt extremely guilty and went to the county government office personally.

Zhong Jin seemed alright; his eldest son and a servant had gone to take care of him, assuring Zhou Yu not to worry.

Zhou Yu was relieved only after confirming that the old man’s condition wasn’t serious; he had been constantly concerned about his grandfather’s safe arrival.

In the blink of an eye, the Zhou family’s house was ready to move into. The whole family arrived at Shanghe Village. Ye Shi alighted from the carriage. “Just looking at the blueprints, I didn’t realize it was better than any house in the capital.”

Yang Xi chuckled. “Mother, you can tell it’s better than a house in the capital without even going inside?”

Ye Shi looked at the house with delight. This was their home; they had a home again. “If I say it’s good, then it’s good.”

Zhou Yu picked up his son. “Mother, let’s go inside and take a look.”

Ye Shi took her grandson’s hand. “Okay.”

The gate was locked. The custom-made furniture had been delivered after the house was built. The current security wasn’t quite at the level where doors could be left unlocked at night.

Third Yang had already asked Li Shi and Ye Shun’s wife to clean the yard; it was now spotless.

(End of Chapter)

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