(Whether it’s the comment section or what I’m talking about in this chapter, it’s not even bullshit. Could it be that what I write below is really bullshit?)
On the tenth day of October, in Yuanyang City, the cold wind was biting.
The temperature changes so quickly. Not long after autumn begins, people feel the coldness of winter in advance.
But even if it's cold, people still have to do the work they should do. After all, the family still has to live.
Therefore, even though there are few people on the street, there are still hurried pedestrians, carrying, picking, or carrying various goods.
The common people had to run around for a living, so their lives were more difficult, while the officials had a relatively easy life, so Zhao Yanxun did not agree to give these people a salary.
Of course, officials are also divided into different classes, and naturally there are those who have a better life than others.
For example, the Zhou family, as the chief minister of the palace, had the smell of meat wafting from the kitchen at this moment, which could arouse the greedy neighbors nearby.
In the kitchen, Mrs. Zhou Wang is busy, and she is very skilled in chopping vegetables.
Zhou Chengping came from an ordinary family. He worked hard in the imperial examinations for more than 20 years before he won the second and fifth place and became a Jinshi.
Although the second-class Jinshi is not as good as the first-class Jinshi, it is already a remarkable achievement, especially for Zhou Chengping.
Logically speaking, with such good results, Zhou Chengping should have a prosperous official career.
But reality dealt a big blow to Zhou Chengping. With his upright character, he could do academic work, but he encountered obstacles everywhere when he became an official.
Zhou Chengping originally thought that he would work hard in the Ministry of Rites for the rest of his life, and finally retired as a Yuanwailang.
But the emperor's decree allowed him to come to Yongwang's Mansion to serve as chief historian. This decision changed Zhou Chengping's fate.
As Zhou Chengping's wife, Zhou Wang has experienced all the ups and downs of Zhou Chengping, and has also witnessed the joy of her husband's long-cherished wish coming true.
Although I often hear my husband complaining about the flaws in the royal palace system, scolding certain officials for being slippery and not close to the people, and even admonishing His Highness for the inappropriate things he has done...
But Mrs. Zhou could also clearly feel her husband's love for the palace's career, his loyalty to His Highness, and his full hope for the future.
Ever since he came to the palace, my husband, who had already given up his heart, suddenly came back to life. It would be no exaggeration to say that he was completely reborn.
So now, Mrs. Zhou is trying her best to do everything, just hoping to help her husband and not have to worry about family affairs.
It's off to rest today, and Zhou Chengping is reading in the study.
"Husband, wash your hands quickly... get ready for lunch!" Mrs. Zhou Wang greeted from the kitchen.
As one of the four senior officials in the palace, Zhou Chengping's courtyard is similar to that of ordinary people's homes. It is the simplest courtyard. This is the residence that Wangfuzui first allocated to him.
Nowadays, the people who originally lived in the palace area have moved out. After all, there are many vacant compounds in the North City, and there is no need for officials to crowd here.
For example, Guan Hetai, who is the Right Historian of the Privy Council, has now found a place in Beicheng and entered the courtyard, where he feels much more comfortable.
As for the two "locals" Chen Anmin and Cheng Wenguang, they lived in even larger houses, and Zhou Chengping seemed very "obtrusive" among these people.
"I got it, come right over!" Zhou Chengping put down his book.
Originally there were five members of their family, and their two sons came to Longyou with them. The younger son was studying at the School of Political Science, and the eldest son had gone to Ningyang Mansion to work as a minor official.
"Junzi, you are far away from the kitchen. What are you doing in the kitchen?" Mrs. Zhou Wang, who was serving the dishes as her husband came over, asked dissatisfiedly.
Zhou Changshi, who looked dignified outside, was full of smiles at this moment. He walked to his wife's side with his hands behind his back, leaned over and smelled the aroma of the meat on the plate.
After nodding his head in affirmation, Zhou Chengping turned to look at Mrs. Zhou Wang and said, "Madam, you have taught me that your husband does not dare to compare himself to a saint, so naturally he can go into the kitchen to check it out!"
Seeing her husband say this so seriously, Mrs. Zhou couldn't help laughing.
"Let's go, it's time to eat!"
In fact, there are only two dishes, one meat and one vegetarian with pickles, and then porridge as the staple food.
Holding chopsticks, Zhou Chengping couldn't help but sigh: "Food is the most important thing for people. It is not easy to feed everyone in this season!"
Unexpectedly, Mrs. Zhou Wang said at the side: "You are really contented. Other people have meat every meal at home, but our family only has one meal every now and then!"
The so-called other people's homes naturally refer to several other high-ranking officials, and even some of Zhou Chengping's subordinates.
Zhou Chengping picked up the pickles and put them in his mouth. After taking a sip of the porridge, he said: "Others are others, we are us!"
But Zhou Wang said again: "You are noble, I am a common person... okay?"
Only a wife who has been through thick and thin together can dare to say these words in this era where the husband is the wife's guide.
Seeing that her husband didn't answer, Mrs. Zhou took a few bites and finally couldn't help but said: "Husband, I know you are noble, but why didn't you agree to everyone's suggestion to complain to the princess before?"
"I'm just proposing a salary increase, and I'm just asking for mercy from the princess. Why don't you agree? Let me go and say a few words!"
Zhou Chengping objected, so Ms. Wang Zhou could only stay in her seat. Then she was completely isolated. Now besides Zhou Chengping, she couldn't even find anyone to talk to.
Putting down the bowl and chopsticks, Zhou Chengping said with dissatisfaction in his tone: "Salary increase? Is the current salary not enough to eat and drink? There are hundreds of officials in the palace. Do these people need to increase when they become servants? How much food will this consume?"
"Madam, do you know...how many people work hard and risk their lives outside the city just to feed their families!"
"In comparison, we are already doing very well!"
After hearing her husband's lesson, Mrs. Zhou Wang also put down her bowls and chopsticks and said with a straight face: "Then do you know why I said this?"
"Am I just coveting those enjoyments? It's not just for the sake of getting closer to each other, but also for your future!"
"You are noble and upright, but have you forgotten the difficult situation you were in when you were sitting on the bench in the Ministry of Rites?"
In fact, Zhou Chengping knows his wife very well, so he also understands her purpose of mentioning these things, so he can't be angry at all.
There was silence in the room, and after a long time Zhou Chengping spoke: "Madam, I know... you are doing it for my own good!"
"I know what my husband is doing, so you don't have to worry about me!" After saying this, Zhou Chengping put a piece of meat into his wife's bowl.
After all, they were a couple in need. Zhou Wang's anger gradually disappeared. She looked at Zhou Chengping and said, "Whatever you do, I don't care!"
In fact, Mrs. Zhou Wang has said these words before, but how could she not think about this family and her husband!
At this moment, in her mind, she was already thinking of ways to repair the relationship with other families. The Zhou Wang family was already very good at "lady diplomacy".
"Perhaps, it would be good to find an opportunity to go to the palace and have a good relationship with the princess!" Prince Zhou had already begun to make plans.
As the mistress of the palace, the princess would summon officials and family members to visit her from time to time, sometimes to chat about family matters and sometimes to talk about business.
While Zhou Wang was thinking, Zhou Chengping smiled and urged: "Madam, eat, eat, eat!"
Ten minutes later, when the couple finished their meal, there was a knock on the door.
Zhou Chengping opened the courtyard door in person, and saw a young eunuch standing outside. He said with a smile on his face: "Master Zhou, the prince has summoned me. Please come to Jinshen Hall for an audience at the next moment!"
At noon, it is two o'clock in the afternoon, still more than half an hour from now.
"Why has His Highness summoned you?" Zhou Chengping asked.
"It seems like you are watching some kind of movie... I can't even tell you!"
