Marrying the Crown Prince

Seeing that Zhou Bai was upright in conduct, quick-witted, and a member of the Crown Princess's family.

Emperor Chenze gave Zhou Zhou face and transferred Zhou Bai to serve him.

As for what good impression Zhou Bai can leave on Emperor Chenze and what official position he can obtain in the future, that is up to his own ability.

After all, if someone doesn't have the talent, forcibly lifting them up will eventually lead to them being pulled down by others.

Therefore, Zhou Zhou spoke calmly and naturally: "We are all family. Besides, I am just making a recommendation. It is because my elder brother has real ability that Father Emperor personally selected him."

"Yes, it's all thanks to Your Majesty." Madam He was very accommodating. She took the wooden box from her maid and placed it on the table. "This is what the Old Ancestor asked me to bring into the palace as a tribute to Your Majesty."

Zhou Zhou did not open it, but gently stroked the wooden box lid with his hand. "Sister-in-law, don't worry. My eldest brother is ambitious and highly educated, and my nephew is also a sensible and obedient child. Our family will surely prosper and flourish."

"Oh, with Your Majesty's words, I can finally put my mind at ease." Madam He's face was beaming with smiles.

After speaking with Madam He, Zhou Zhou looked at Zhao Yuehua and asked, "Brother, have you been busy with official duties lately?"

Zhou Chengan also passed the exam, but he is currently still studying at the Hanlin Academy.

"It's just organizing books and listening to the scholars' lectures. There's nothing tiring about it."

"Wealth and honor must be earned through diligence and hard work; a man must read five cartloads of books. Listening more and seeing more is always good."

It's not that we necessarily need someone to accumulate seniority there, but Zhou Zhou has already brought one person out, and bringing in another would be an unseemly move.

“Yes, that’s what my husband said too.” Zhao Yuehua nodded, indicating her understanding.

Clearly, she already knew Zhou Zhou's plan beforehand; moreover, Zhou Cheng'an also understood Zhou Zhou's meaning.

Mentioning Zhou Cheng'an reminded Zhao Yuehua of something, so she took out a letter from her sleeve pocket. "Your Majesty, this is a letter from Ninth Sister, who asked me to give it to you."

Ninth Sister – Zhou Yue.

Zhou Yue also got married last year; she married Du Hongyou, the eldest nephew of the Du family.

On her wedding day, Zhou Zhou did not attend; she only called Dong He and Ju Fang back to witness the ceremony.

This is the hardship of marrying into the palace. You can't easily leave the palace or attend banquets. If you really want to attend, you can only go incognito and sneak a peek.

However, Li Ziyan did attend the ceremony and later described what she saw on the wedding day.

He said, "The Du family is indeed very wealthy."

Moreover, it is said that after the wedding ceremony is held here, it must be held again in the northern regions according to the customs there.

"Thank you for your trouble, sister-in-law." Zhou Zhou took the letter and opened it directly.

The letter begins with greetings and then says that everything is fine with him.

The father-in-law and mother-in-law in the household treated her very well and never mistreated or belittled her.

As for Du Dalang, he treated her very well, often taking her out to play and even teaching her how to do business.

Of course, most importantly, she met Princess Shun'an in the Northern Region.

I never expected to see news about Li Zixiao here...

Zhou Zhou's eyes narrowed slightly, and a faint smile appeared on her face.

It's not easy to encounter someone from Kyoto in the northern region, so Li Zixiao secretly glanced at Zhou Yue several times while in the shop.

Zhou Yue looked at her with a questioning look in her eyes, but still nodded politely as a greeting.

People from the Northern Regions don't express their emotions in such a subtle way, which further convinced Li Zixiao that Zhou Yue was not from the Northern Regions.

She raised her chin and asked, "Are you from Kyoto?"

Seeing Li Zixiao ask this, Zhou Yue could only bow and greet Princess Shun'an, "Zhou Jiu of the Yongjing Marquis's Mansion greets Princess Shun'an. May the princess be well."

Li Zixiao's eyes lit up instantly. "You're from the Yongjing Marquis's mansion?"

"Who is Zhou Zhou to you?"

"It is indeed my elder sister."

Meeting a fellow townsman in a foreign land, who happens to be the younger sister of someone from her hometown, Li Zixiao was naturally overjoyed.

The two girls spent a few moments together and found that the other was a person of consistent words and deeds, and a magnanimous person, so they became friends.

Zhou Zhou closed the letter and sighed – what a small world this is.

"Ninth Sister said everything is fine." Zhou Zhou looked up at Zhao Yuehua and succinctly summarized the central idea of ​​the entire letter.

"That's good."

The three of them chatted for a while longer when Donghe came in at the opportune moment. "Your Majesty, someone from the small kitchen has come to ask if you would like to order?"

In the past, Zhou Zhou and Li Ziyan would eat directly from the imperial kitchen. They would eat whatever the imperial kitchen made, and only seek out the small kitchen in the Eastern Palace when they needed extra food.

Now that her family has come to visit, this meal definitely needs to be added.

"Okay, let them in."

Soon, a young palace maid entered, her eyes lowered. As soon as she reached Zhou Zhou, she knelt down and said, "This servant greets Your Highness the Crown Princess. May Your Highness be well."

With such impeccable manners, it's no wonder the kitchen nanny called her over.

Zhou Zhou smiled kindly. "Yes, get up and answer."

"Thank you, empress."

"What ingredients are prepared in the kitchen today?"

"Knowing that the imperial kitchen has been serving plenty of meat and fish these past few days, the small kitchen has prepared some pickled vegetables that were pickled at the beginning of winter, as well as a plump black carp."

"Hmm," Zhou Zhou responded softly, gesturing for the maid to continue.

Seeing that Zhou Zhou didn't ask any questions, the palace maid quickly reacted and continued to introduce, "These pickled vegetables include sauerkraut and spicy cabbage."

"You can stew the pickled cabbage with that big black fish, and sprinkle some dried chili peppers on top to remove the fishy smell, making pickled cabbage fish. It's sour and spicy, appetizing and warming."

"Kimchi looks spicy and sounds spicy, but it's actually not spicy. You can eat it raw. It's fragrant, crunchy, sour, and spicy, and the taste is quite good."

"Of course, you can also chop it up, add flour, shrimp, chopped green onions, etc., make a batter, and fry it in a red-hot iron pan until both sides are golden brown, and the pancake is done."

"Take a bite, and you'll find a crispy, caramelized crust on the outside, a chewy and soft texture on the inside, and fresh, delicious shrimp inside. The taste is exceptionally good."

Upon hearing the little palace maid's words, Zhao Yuehua chuckled, "Your Majesty, this little girl is quite the talker; she's making me hungry."

"Yes, as expected of someone who serves Her Majesty, she's truly exceptional," Madam He added in a flattering tone.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhou also praised him, "He is indeed a good child. Then I will listen to you and ask your master to make a sauerkraut fish and a kimchi pancake."

"Yes." The young palace maid bowed and was about to leave.

Zhou Zhou raised her hand again, and Ju Fang, who was next to her, walked over to the little palace maid and took out a small purse. "This is a gift from the Crown Princess to you."