The Legend of Zhen Huan: Year after year, we share the spring breeze

Wang Yu quietly raised his eyes and met Liu Zhu's smiling gaze. The familiar gentle expression made him calm down a little.

An Lingrong said softly, "Wang Yu, you don't have to be nervous. Just talk to us as you did when we were in Suzhou."

She paused and asked again, "Brother sent you to the capital, is there something wrong?"

Wang Yu took a deep breath, calmed himself, and pulled out an account book from his bosom, presenting it with both hands. "Boss, this is the account book for the Suzhou workshop, as well as the construction progress of the Hangzhou workshop. As you said, the profits of the Suzhou workshop were originally to go to the Suzhou Weaving Bureau. When Lord Song learned that I was coming to the capital, he asked me to bring the banknotes with me!"

As he spoke, he took out a thick stack of banknotes from his pocket.

Xiao Luzi took it and handed it to An Lingrong.

An Lingrong waved her hand.

Xiao Luzi quickly handed it to Hongxu.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, An Lingrong asked, "Is everything okay in the workshop?"

"Boss, thanks to you, everything is fine in the workshop, but everyone misses you terribly!"

"Okay! Go back and tell Master Song that the New Year is coming soon. Take some money out of the account and buy New Year's goods for the people in the workshop. Give everyone an extra month's salary."

Wang Yu kowtowed solemnly: "Yes, I thank you for your grace on behalf of everyone in the workshop."

Hongxu carefully looked through the account book and asked a lot of questions about the workshop.

Wang Yu knew the situation of the workshop very well, and his answers were clear and logical, with lucid descriptions.

Hongxu's eyes lit up even brighter. "Godmother, I never thought that this workshop would not only provide livelihoods for many weavers, but also bring so much profit to the court."

An Lingrong smiled, "This is all thanks to them."

Her eyes turned and fell on Wang Yu: "Your uncle specially sent him to Beijing to submit the report in person, which shows that he trusts him very much. You must not let him down."

"That's what my godmother suggested."

Hongxu smiled knowingly, and when he turned to look at Wang Yu, he had already put on the majestic demeanor of an emperor. "Wang Yu, listen to my order. Today, I have specially appointed you as a seventh-rank official in the Ministry of Revenue. When you return, you must assist Lord Shen well. If you make further contributions, I will reward you with another title."

Upon hearing this, Wang Yu froze in place as if struck by lightning.

Seeing this, Liu Zhu hurried forward and gently pushed his arm, whispering a reminder: "Why don't you thank me quickly!"

Wang Yu finally woke up from his dream and fell to his knees with a thud. His voice trembled with emotion: "Your humble servant... Your Majesty, I bow to thank you for your grace!"

Seeing this, An Lingrong smiled gently, "Master Wang, you've arrived just in time. Today is Laba Festival, so I'll reward you with a bowl of Laba porridge!"

Upon hearing An Lingrong change her name, Wang Yu quickly replied, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!"

This bowl of Laba porridge bestowed by the emperor may seem ordinary, but in fact it is the Empress's support for him. In the future in official circles, who doesn't know that he has received rewards from the palace?

"Liu Zhu, you must personally escort Lord Wang out of the palace and make sure he is properly settled."

"Yes!"

After the two of them left, Hongxu bowed solemnly to An Lingrong and said, "Godmother, I thank you on behalf of the people!"

"Do we even need to talk about this between us?"

Hongxu sat down next to An Lingrong, his eyes full of admiration: "Godmother, you have worked hard these days. I see you have lost a lot of weight!"

"I only hope that you can be a good emperor and ensure that all people in the world have enough food and clothing."

"My son will definitely live up to my godmother's expectations."

On the other side, wisps of green smoke were emitting from the gilded incense burner in the Cining Palace.

Shen Meizhuang and Zhen Huan had just seen off a group of relatives and wives of noble concubines who had come to express their gratitude, and were about to take a break when they saw Xiao Shi hurried in.

"Your Majesty," Xiao Shi bowed, her voice filled with joy, "The eldest and second young masters' wives of the Shen family are here!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Meizhuang immediately put down the teacup and said, "Please come in."

Turning to Zhen Huan, she smiled and said, "It's unusual today. The eldest and second sisters-in-law are here together."

The one who comes most often on weekdays is the eldest sister-in-law, and the second sister-in-law rarely comes to the palace on her own initiative.

Soon, Wang Zhiwei and Su Yao came in together.

The two saluted in unison: "Your Highness greets the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Concubine."

Shen Meizhuang personally stepped forward and gave him a false helping hand: "There's no need to be so polite when we're family. Please sit down."

After the two of them sat down, Shen Meizhuang asked in detail about the recent situation at home.

After talking for a while, the two sisters-in-law looked strange. Wang Zhiwei adjusted his sleeves frequently, and Su Yao twisted her handkerchief again and again, looking around constantly.

"Sister-in-law, are you here today for something?"

Wang Zhiwei and Su Yao looked at each other.

After a long time, Su Yao was defeated, stood up and stammered: "Your Majesty... Concubine Wengui...isn't here?"

Her voice became softer and softer, until it was almost a whisper.

Shen Meizhuang raised her eyebrows slightly, her eyes darting back and forth between the two of them: "The Emperor invited her to the Yangxin Palace. What's going on? Is there something he wants to talk to her about?"

Su Yao's eyes wandered: "Is there...something...right?"

The ending tone rises, as if asking himself!

As he spoke, he kept glancing towards Wang Zhiwei.

Wang Zhiwei held his forehead with his hand, pretending not to see his sister-in-law's pleading look.

Shen Meizhuang became more puzzled upon seeing this, and turned around and ordered, "Xiao Shi, go to the Yangxin Palace to see if Rong'er has finished talking to the Emperor."

After Xiao Shi left, Su Yao sat back in the chair.

Wang Zhiwei covered his face with his hands and lowered his voice, "Why don't you give the Empress a heads-up first so she can be mentally prepared."

Su Yao's forehead was already covered with fine beads of sweat, and the handkerchief in her hand was about to be twisted into a twist. She also lowered her voice and said, "Sister-in-law, why don't you say anything!"

"You were the one who promised Third Brother, not me! I'm willing to accompany you today because of our long-standing friendship!"

Su Yao opened her mouth, but didn't utter a word.

Seeing their expressions flickering and whispers, Shen Meizhuang's doubts deepened. She couldn't help but frowned, stood up, walked closer and asked, "Sister-in-law, sister-in-law, what happened at home?"

She paused, her voice slightly tense: "Could it be Father and Mother..."

Hearing this, Su Yao hurriedly stood up and waved her hands repeatedly: "Don't worry, my mother-in-law and father-in-law are all well. Don't think too much about it. It's...it's my third brother's business."

Shen Meizhuang breathed a sigh of relief, but she was still worried. She asked, "What happened to him? Did he get into trouble?"

Su Yao finally plucked up the courage: "No, it's him...who wants to get married..."

Shen Meizhuang asked in surprise, "Marry? Which girl?"

When Su Yao heard this, she slapped herself in her heart. She knew which girl to ask first, but she just agreed without asking anything. Why was she so stupid?

Look at sister-in-law again.

Wang Zhiwei was looking at the decorations in the palace with great interest. As expected of the Empress Dowager's bedroom, the decorations were very tasteful.

Su Yao knew that she could only say this today, so she gritted her teeth and said, "My Lady, the person my third brother loves is..."

Suddenly, a clear voice came from outside the hall:

"Sister, I'm back. I heard that my eldest and second sisters-in-law are here..."