The Lucky Farmgirl

Minister Liu promised, "Lord Zhou, rest assured. Whether it’s Liu Huan or your Third Lady, once they arrive at my home, my wife and I will fully support their career paths and absolutely not hinder them."

Manbao rolled her eyes, "Does the minister’s wife not mind girls pursuing a career?"

What’s there to mind? Weren’t the couple initially planning to support Liu Huan, failing that, their granddaughter-in-law, then bring up their great-grandson?

Among the couple, one must make some achievements in their career so that they can pass on their network to their great-grandson in the future, right?

Liu Huan can’t be relying entirely on his elder brother, can he?

In the future, when his elder brother Liu Yi’s children grow up, they will inevitably prioritize their own sons before their nephews. No matter how close nephews are, can they be closer than sons?

Minister Liu felt he truly has a loving father’s heart, worrying about his son and then his grandson, now he’s even worrying about his great-grandson. There are not many elders in the world like him who worry so much.

Minister Liu and Zhou Man assured that their couple absolutely wouldn’t obstruct Zhou Liru’s career path. As for Liu Huan’s biological parents, his son and daughter-in-law, Minister Liu wouldn’t consider them at all.

Manbao didn’t consider them either. Liu Huan didn’t even visit Suzhou City when passing through Suzhou’s territory, so his parents’ influence on him is limited.

Although they are elders and naturally have an identity advantage, in a family, the most authoritative person is actually Liu Huan himself, then the family head Liu Hui, and as for Liu Huan’s parents, they rank even lower.

Moreover, if Liu Hui were to pass on the power of family head to his eldest grandson Liu Yi in the future, Liu Yi’s authority would be greater than his parents.

Manbao was extremely happy in her heart but didn’t readily agree, letting the matter be decided by Zhou Liru and Liu Huan. So, she said, "Minister Liu, it’s almost New Year. Why don’t we arrange a time after the holidays for our families to visit the Guardian of the Nation Temple to see plum blossoms?"

Too bad the peach blossoms in Xuandu Temple aren’t blooming; otherwise, this kind of thing would be most fitting to view peach blossoms.

Minister Liu had no objections. Finally, some progress on a matter that had been at a standstill for a long time, he was already too happy. He immediately smiled and said, "Good, good, we can arrange a time then. Lord Zhou, you should invite your father, mother, Second Brother, and Second Sister-in-law."

Manbao expressed no issues.

The two agreed, both feeling accomplished about settling a matter, exchanged a glance, and were very happy.

A light cough suddenly broke out, causing both Manbao and Minister Liu to tense.

It’s not scary to be caught slacking off, but the voice sounded somewhat familiar.

Only then did Manbao realize the reflection on the bluestone slab looked like a human shadow, and she cried out inside to Keke, "Why didn’t you tell me there was someone? When did they arrive, and how long have they been here? Wait, who are the people on the bridge?"

Keke only responded after she asked, "No detection of malicious intent towards the host, no forecasting of threat to the host; people arrived when the host first slapped the thigh and said, ’Regarding the personalities and character of these two children, I have no objections.’ There are a total of eight people on the bridge..."

Minister Liu was already trembling as he stood up. Seeing Zhou Man still squatting, he shook his head secretly, thinking, still a child, after all, not as calm as him.

Minister Liu felt proud inside but didn’t dare show it on his face, reached out to pull Zhou Man a bit, and then walked out from under the bridge with his head lowered before finally looking up.

Manbao followed and looked up, seeing the Emperor standing on the bridge with the Crown Prince, Lord Wei, Lord Tang, and Li Maoyue, with Gu Zhong and two attendants standing behind them.

Indeed, there are eight people, just as Keke counted.

Manbao, lost in thought, raised her hand and, together with Minister Liu, greeted the Emperor and Crown Prince.

The Emperor looked down at the two, saying faintly, "Why are you two discussing personal matters here instead of handling affairs at the Ministry of Revenue and Imperial Hospital?"

Being caught by your superior discussing private matters is quite awkward, but Minister Liu had thick skin. He respectfully said, "I was just about to go and unexpectedly encountered Lord Zhou here. Thinking of the unresolved marriage of my grandson at home, I couldn’t help but complain a few words, and realized Lord Zhou faced the same dilemma, so we talked. Unexpectedly, time is like flowing sand, never returning, and before we knew it, here we are. Truly, spring is fleeting."

Manbao looked at Minister Liu with shock, filled with admiration.

Those who had sons, daughters, or grandchildren of marriageable age in their families couldn’t help but feel somewhat sentimental, except for Lord Tang.

Lord Tang couldn’t understand: he neither had unmarried children of marriageable age nor grandchildren; and secondly, he is the chief officer of the Censorate!

The Emperor’s tone softened slightly, but he still said, "It would be fine if you were discussing marital matters, but how could you speak ill of others?"

Minister Liu didn’t immediately react; who did he speak ill of?

Wei Zhi faintly said, "So the ministers were secretly cursing me. I wonder if Minister Liu ever spoke of me?"

Minister Liu’s spine tightened, feeling his back almost tense up completely. His eyes slightly widened; did they arrive so early?

The Emperor also faintly said, "How can Minister Liu randomly speculate on my intentions? When did I ever secretly curse Lord Wei?"

He typically does it face-to-face.

Whether he wins the argument or not, he always confronts face-to-face.

Wei Zhi faintly glanced at the Emperor, and then everyone together looked down at the two below the bridge.

Seeing the focus was on Minister Liu, Manbao quietly shifted her small steps, trying to distance herself a bit.

Wondering if this lack of immediate help today would affect future family alliances...

Zhou Man didn’t get a chance to help because Lord Tang and Li Maoyue were present, and so Lord Tang directly impeached Minister Liu and Zhou Man right in front of the Emperor for negligence, requesting a one-month salary deduction based on severity.

Li Maoyue, this Minister of Personnel, immediately approved. Thus, the Emperor slightly nodded to the two and said, "Alright, you can return. The Ministry of Personnel will send over the paper later for them to sign."

Then he was about to turn away, but Wei Zhi stopped him and said, "Your Majesty, weren’t we just out looking for Minister Liu?"

"Oh, right," the Emperor tapped his head, remembering the matter at hand, and waved to Minister Liu, "Liu Qing, come, let’s go to the Imperial Garden to discuss the budget items submitted by various departments for next year."

The Emperor returned from the Grand Assembly feeling suffocated and learned that Wei Zhi and others had come concerning next year’s budget matters. So he took them outside intending to walk and talk in the garden, as every year, the budgeting discussions take several days to settle.

As it was a matter of budget discussions, the Minister of Revenue was naturally needed. The Emperor immediately sent someone to find him, but they hadn’t found him yet when they themselves stumbled upon him first.

Minister Liu also felt faint, glancing a little at Zhou Man who was lowered his head, then chased up the bridge, and walked together with the Emperor and the others.

Manbao waited until they walked far away, then exhaled a deep breath, lightly patted her chest, and then quickly ran off carrying her official robe.

The Emperor occasionally turned back, seeing her, his mouth moved but ultimately didn’t speak, yet he already decided to talk with Prince Hejian later, who was the Minister of Rites, about the demeanor of officers.

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