CH 93

Posted by:Chaitali Das (Chaitali’s Musings)6-8 minutes 11.06.2023

Zhou Shuren said lightly: “You heard me right. After the spring, Mingyun will join the clan school. By the way, not only Mingyun but also your two younger brothers and Rong Chuan will go there to study.”

Eldest Zhou was shocked. What kind of stimulation did Dad experience when he went out? He has always been out of touch with the clan. “Dad, it’s difficult to get into the clan’s school.”

The Zhou family’s clan school was the most renowned in the surrounding villages and towns. The Zhou family had a long history of inheritance, and even though they may have lost some books, they still had a valuable collection. This was their most precious asset.

Moreover, the Zhou family had a lot of rules, and the quality of teaching was good. If they are not Zhou, other surnames in the village had to pay a high amount of money. Not only that, they must be of good character, so as not to spoil the children of the Zhou family who are studying.

In the beginning, his father was estranged from the clan, which is why his younger brothers didn’t go to clan school. They were all sent to more famous private schools.

Zhou Shuren didn’t care what the boss was thinking and continued: “Tomorrow you will be busy with your work, and the day after tomorrow, I will take you and Mingyun to the Patriarch and a few elders’ homes. You know what you have to do.”

Boss Zhou couldn’t understand what his father was thinking. Yes, he wasn’t very smart and didn’t want to think too much, so it’s right to do what Dad says, “Got it.”

Having said all that needs to be said, Zhou Shuren signaled that the eldest couple can leave.

Boss Zhou watched his father pour tea for his mother, and the corners of his mouth twitched. No wonder his father warned them not to come to the main room unless it was very important. Just look at how Father was serving Mother, he can’t even look at him!

The next morning, after breakfast, the elder couple not only went to the county by themselves but also took their two sons with them. Zhulan was worried that the children would suffer, but the two grandsons looked excited, and Zhulan didn’t stop them.

Zhulan looked at her little grandson, and she had to admire how the second child can take care of others. Zhao shi and the child were well taken care of.

Zhulan returned to the main room, saw Zhou Shuren drinking tea leisurely, poured herself a cup, and said, “Now that I have money in hand, when shall we buy a shop?”

Zhou Shuren had already planned, “Let’s go to Pingzhou the next year.”

“Buy a shop and a house, the house is for imperial exam preparation, the rent of the shop is high in Pingzhou, and it will be convenient to change hands in the future.”

Zhulan was excited, “I will go after the year!”

Zhou Shuren smiled, “Okay, let’s go together.”

Zhulan calculated the money in her hand, “Are the shops and houses in Pingzhou expensive? We need to keep some money in our hands, so is one thousand taels enough for us?”

Zhou Shuren said, “Don’t worry, I’ve inquired about it. The good shops have already been divided up among others, so we can only afford a third-rate shop. The prices won’t be too expensive, as the property prices in Pingzhou are not as high as those in Jiangnan. Two hundred taels will be enough for a house with two entrances, and even the well-located houses won’t be too expensive.”

Zhu Lan understood the situation. Zhou Shuren wanted to buy a house with two entrances because there were many people in their family, and one entrance wouldn’t be enough. The thought of soon becoming property owners in ancient times made Zhu Lan happy, and she said, “Once you become an official in the future, we won’t be commoners anymore. We won’t have to be so cautious and careful. I will definitely acquire more properties.”

Speaking of this, Zhulan was worried again. They had quite many sons, and the children were debt! (1)

Zhou Shuren smiled, he liked Zhulan to be considerate of his family, “Yes.”

At noon, Zhulan made lunch. Zhulan had been learning from Li shi in the kitchen for a few months, her culinary talent still didn’t shine, but she still made progress At least she can make soup. If it’s salty, add more water to control it. Although the soup she makes doesn’t taste very good, steamed buns and a pot of soup are enough for the staple food in the morning.

It was getting dark in the afternoon, and the eldest couple came back with their children. They bought a lot of things in big and small bags. After moving the things back to the house, the eldest couple came to the main room with the boxes.

Li shi opened the box ingratiatingly, “Mother, this is the silver hairpin that I and the head of the family chose for you. It costs two taels of silver. Do you like it, Mother?”

They both wanted to show filial piety to their father, but unfortunately, their father didn’t smoke, and the family already had enough writing materials. After much thought, they decided to spend all the filial piety money on their mother instead. She knew that her father-in-law would be even happier with this decision. Li Shi noticed her father-in-law’s gentle expression and knew that she had made the right choice in showing filial piety.

Zhu Lan glanced at Li Shi and noticed that the two taels of silver carried considerable weight. Not to mention the rarity of a silver hairpin adorned with carved wax plums. Zhu Lan accepted it with gratitude, saying, “You two have put in a lot of effort. Mother likes it.”

Li shi’s heart was full of joy, and the pain was much less, “It’s just as long as mother likes it, oops, I’m stupid and can’t make clothes like my dimei, so I can only spend more money to honor my mother.”

Zhulan, “…”

Li shi’s cleverness was all used for stepping on Zhao shi every day.