A heavy rain passed by in torrents, and the wind and rain were strong and menacing.

After a while, the clouds opened and the rain subsided, and the entire Jiangning city was filled with water mist. The sky cleared and showed a light azure color, contrasting with Fangshan Mountain in the northwest, Houhu Lake, and Zhongshan Mountain farther in the northeast.

A carriage flying the flag of the Zhou Mansion slowly drove into the street where the Taifu Mansion was located. The carriage was surrounded by a team of capable warriors to protect it.

The mud-covered wheels left ruts on the bluestone slabs, which were quickly washed away by the fine rain.

The convoy had just returned from outside the city. It was hit by heavy rain on the way, and the drivers and escorts were covered in mud.

Not all streets in the huge Jiangning City can be paved with bluestone bricks. Several roads near the city are still muddy dirt roads, which are prone to water accumulation on rainy days.

Officials either rode horses, rode in carriages, or sat in carriages, so their feet could not get wet, so they naturally did not think about whether they should allocate money to build roads.

Zhou Xian was sitting in the carriage, wearing a white dress, with a shawl draped over his thin shoulders, and a sad face.

She went to pay homage to Dongmei's tomb outside the city.

Although Dongmei was a slave who sold herself into the Zhou family, she and she grew up together and were as close as sisters.

If Dongmei hadn't struggled to hold on until Zhu Xiu arrived, she wouldn't have been rescued in time in Jujingyuan.

Thinking of Dongmei's innocent death, Zhou Xian felt sad, and his crystal tears fell down like broken threads. His hatred for Li Hongji and Zhou Ling became even more profound.

The carriage drove in through the ear door and stopped behind the screen wall. Zhou Xian sat in silence for a while, then sighed softly, opened the curtain and got out of the car.

A hand stretched out from the side, Zhou Xian habitually handed over his weak and boneless hand, gently held the hand, pedaled and prepared to get out of the car.

"Dongmei..."

Zhou Xian shouted, but suddenly remembered that Dong Mei was no longer there.

So who is this hand supporting her?

I just feel that the hand is broad but not thick, gentle and strong but not rough.

Zhou Xian looked around with slightly red eyes and saw a young and handsome young man with a bright smile standing next to him.

The face looks familiar, um, it's the evil guy...

"Ah!~"

Zhou Xian exclaimed, trying to retract his little hand as if he was electrocuted. His feet slipped, his body suddenly tilted, and he fell into Zhu Xiu's arms.

"E Huang, be careful!"

Zhu Xiu took advantage of the situation and hugged her slender waist, hugging her tightly, and the beauty was warm and fragrant in his arms.

Zhou Xian's cheeks were flushed, his breathing was a little rapid, his heart was beating hard, and he looked at Zhu Xiu for more than ten seconds with his misty eyes before he hurriedly stood up and pushed him away.

Zhu Xiu chuckled and took two steps back. His smile was playful and cynical, like a frivolous gentleman who was successful in teasing a young lady.

"Why are you at my house?" Zhou Xian hurriedly turned around and saw that this was indeed the Taifu's Mansion. You were right.

Zhu Xiu held the folding fan upside down and bowed in salute, saying: "I came here specially to pay homage to the old master. As soon as I walked in, Emperor E came back. I just happened to meet him."

There was a sound of hurried footsteps, and Zhou Zong came to greet him with his two old sons, Zhou Xian's two old brothers, Zhou Min and Zhou Yan.

"Dad? You guys, why are you all here?" Zhou Xian was greatly confused. Seeing his old father and his two brothers greeting him in a hurry, he thought some of the royal relatives were visiting the Zhou Mansion.

Zhu Xiu hurriedly stepped forward and saluted: "Zhu Xiu, who is a later student, has met the old master and the two young masters!"

"Haha, Mr. Zhu is so polite, please take a seat in the main hall!" Zhou Zong nodded in greeting and invited with a smile.

Zhou Xian's second brother Zhou Min suddenly grasped Zhu Xiu's hands tightly and shook them vigorously: "Master Zhu Hou is very kind to my Zhou family!"

"Haha, don't you dare. I heard that the second young master was promoted to the imperial court official and was promoted to the Water Transport Department. Congratulations!~"

Zhu Xiu suppressed his disgust, took off his hands and saluted.

Zhou Min smiled and said: "Master Zhu Hou is quite well informed! Haha~ Thank you very much!"

Zhou Min patted Zhu Xiu on the shoulder and became more and more satisfied with the young man in front of him. He was so affectionate as if he were a family.

Zhu Xiu looked at Zhou Yan and congratulated him: "I heard that the third young master has also been promoted to a bachelor's degree in the Imperial Academy. I'm so happy and congratulations!"

Zhou Yan curled his lips and muttered: "A Hanlin scholar is responsible for compiling the history of the country and squeezing my time to study Buddhist scriptures. How can I congratulate you..."

"Uh~" Zhu Xiu was speechless.

"Third brother! What are you talking about?" Zhou Min glared at him.

Zhou Yan then cupped his hands in a perfunctory manner: "Thank you, Mr. Zhu~"

Zhu Xiusan smiled and said he didn't dare.

It seems that this week the old man's third son has really become stupid by reading Buddhist scriptures, and he is not happy about being promoted.

Before, he worked as a painter in the Hanlin Academy and had a lot of leisure time, but he had no future at all.

Now that he has been promoted to a Hanlin bachelor's degree and is responsible for compiling national history, he has a chance to be appreciated by Li Jing.

Zhou Zong was also very dissatisfied with his third son. He glared at him and said, "Okay, if nothing happens, you can go back home first."

Zhou Yan, as if he had been granted amnesty, quickly left Taifu's Mansion with his hands in hand.

Zhou Min accompanied Zhu Xiu to the mansion.

Zhou Xian pulled Zhou Zong behind and asked in confusion: "Dad, why did he leave Honglu Temple? And come home? When did the second brother become so familiar with him?"

Zhou Zong said with a smile: "My father doesn't know the specific reason. Zhu Xiu went to the palace to meet His Majesty, and when he left the palace, he got His Majesty's decree, allowing him to freely enter and leave Honglu Temple, as long as he did not leave Jiangning City, he could go wherever he wanted.

He is now a distinguished guest of the imperial court, and he comes to the house for a visit. How can I not welcome him personally as a father?"

Zhou Xian blinked his eyes, still a little confused.

Even so, his old father and two old brothers, who were the current imperial tutors, were a little too enthusiastic towards him.

Zhou Zong saw his daughter's doubts and chuckled: "In order to appease the Zhou family, your Majesty specially rewarded a lot of gold, silver and jewels. Your second brother was promoted to one rank and was promoted to the Water Transport Department.

"The Sword Comes"

Your third brother was promoted to a bachelor's degree in the Imperial Academy, and even your eldest brother, who is far away in Hezhou, received His Majesty's grace and also held the post of transfer envoy!

Haha, our Zhou family has gained a lot from this incident.

After all, these have nothing to do with Zhu Xiu, so you should be more polite to others!"

Zhou Zong was twirling his beard in high spirits, and it could be seen that he was satisfied with the final outcome of this incident.

The Zhou family got rid of Zhou Ling, the source of restlessness. In order to compensate the Zhou family, the emperor specially promoted and conferred positions on Zhou Zong's three sons.

All of this was achieved by Zhu Xiu in exchange for his own life and that of Li Hongji in Jujingyuan.

Without his shocking adventure, the current situation might be very different.

Zhou Xian bit his lip lightly, his eyes full of complex colors.

She couldn't understand the chaos in the court.

Zhu Xiu transformed from a fierce bandit who crossed the river and kidnapped the crown prince into a guest of the Tang Dynasty. Even her father and brother were polite to her. This change was so great that she felt a little agitated for a while. Difficult to adapt.

"Zhu Xiu said something about him and you in front of His Majesty. Now that the matter has spread, even Your Majesty seems to be talking about it...

Now there are rumors in both the government and the public that His Majesty will use the Zhou family to marry the Northern Dynasty... Haha~~"

Zhou Zong seemed to be mumbling to himself, with a slightly strange look on his face. He couldn't be said to be happy, but he didn't look obviously angry or dissatisfied.

"Dad, what did you say?" Zhou Xian was startled, obviously not aware of the rumors coming from the palace.

Zhou Zong glanced at her and said with a smile: "It's nothing. I'll think about it as a father, so I won't mention it for now..."

By the way, why did you leave the city today?"

Zhou Xian said sadly: "I will go to worship Dongmei outside the city."

Zhou Zongdao: "Dongmei has done her job faithfully. Her father has sent people to comfort her family. You don't need to be too sad. In a few days, my father will choose a maid for you again..."

"My father is busy with his affairs, so there is no need to worry about these little things. My daughter can take care of herself and does not need a maid for the time being!"

Before Zhou Zong could finish what he said, Zhou Xian interrupted in a low voice, bowed and bowed, then left quickly, pursing his lips to hide his dissatisfaction and sadness.

Perhaps Zhou Zong's tone was too indifferent and ruthless, which made her feel a little uncomfortable.

But she knew she couldn't blame her father. Her father was a royal tutor, but Dongmei was just a slave from a poor family.

When a slave dies, Zhou Zong, as the master, will not be too touched. It is considered a benevolent act to send someone to care for her relatives.

But Zhou Xian didn’t think so.

She and Dongmei get along day and night, and their relationship is deep.
Chapter completed!