In the following days, people in Bachuan Villa discovered several strange things.
The three fathers and sons of the Qu family, carrying the mason, built slopes wherever there were steps.
There are also halls, arches, and courtyard thresholds, whether wooden or stone, all cut in half and ramps built on both sides.
The head of Pang Yin's Second Mansion stayed in his house most of the time without leaving the house.
But after the renovation was completed, the two of them walked around more frequently and the scope of their activities became wider.
Every ten days when the troupe performs, Pang Gong and Yin Gong will be there, facing the main seat of the stage, and even folding beds are specially prepared for them.
The two masters were quite common, but anyone noticed that Zhou Lang was nowhere to be seen.
What people didn't know was that Zhou Jun was given a long vacation by Pang Gong and went home for a blind date.
On this day, after dinner, Zhou Jun sat on the crescent moon stool in the side hall of his home, holding a cup of tea in his hands, watching his parents flip through the thick stack of papers, and just smiled bitterly.
Luo Sanniang picked out a piece of paper and said: "The daughter of the Qin family from Xuanyifang has a decent appearance, a gentle personality, and is a popular girl. Jun'er will definitely like her when she sees her."
Zhou Dinghai kept shaking his head and said: "The Qin family is just a merchant's home. They have two shops in the West City. They have no other advantages."
Luo Sanniang chose another piece of paper and came out: "Although the appearance of the daughter of the Yu family in Guangdefang is a little inferior, the head of the family is the pavilion chief of Wannian County. The eldest daughter's husband's family is a provincial minister, and she can be regarded as a scholarly family.
No. ”
Zhou Dinghai pondered for a moment and said: "A few days ago, I also thought that the Yu family was a good choice, but now I don't think so."
Luo Sanniang asked: "What do you mean?"
Zhou Dinghai looked at Zhou Jun and asked, "When will the shortlist be announced?"
Zhou Jun: "The day after tomorrow."
Zhou Dinghai turned his head and said to Luo Sanniang: "If Jun'er passed the Xiaoxuan and became a second-level scholar, then the Zhou family can be regarded as an official family. Based on this, why worry about it?
A choice?"
Zhou Jun heard these words, which seemed a bit arrogant, so he advised: "Executive officials are just subordinates, not to mention officials. My father should not be complacent because of this."
"When you enter officialdom, you should be more cautious in your words and deeds. Being complacent may lead to disaster in the end."
After Zhou Dinghai heard this, he immediately became unhappy: "I have dealt with more officials than you have ever seen. What is this officialdom like? How can I, as a father, not know where it is your turn to take care of me?"
Zhou Jun sighed, and then said: "I don't mean to question my father, I just dare to teach you that even if Liu Waiquan gets away with it by luck, the history of the book order is also the result of Pang Gong's efforts."
"If you make a fuss about this job and publicize it everywhere, not only will you fail, but if Mr. Pang knows about it, you might even get a reprimand."
Zhou Dinghai said nonchalantly: "I did something in Bieyuan. Mr. Pang treats you like a close relative. My father has noticed it for a long time. How can Mr. Pang blame you for some trivial things?"
Seeing that Zhou Dinghai still didn't understand the deep meaning of the words, Zhou Jun felt a little angry in his heart, so he simply refused and said: "My child is still young and has a lot of work on weekdays, so he has no intention of marrying."
When Zhou Dinghai heard this, his eyes widened and he slammed the table. Just when he was about to get angry, Luo Sanniang quickly stopped him.
I just heard Luo Sanniang say to Zhou Jun: "Jun'er is seventeen, not too young. If he gets married as soon as possible, he will leave a descendant for the Zhou family earlier."
"Aye and I are envious of the people in the neighborhood who are full of children and grandchildren, so we are a little anxious about your marriage."
Zhou Jun was helpless and wanted to speak again, but he saw Zhou Dinghai suddenly rummaging through the stack of matchmaking books.
Seeing this, Luo Sanniang asked, "What is Alang looking for?"
Zhou Dinghai: "I remember that there was a family that the matchmaker once mentioned..."
Luo Sanniang: "Which household? What's your last name?"
Zhou Dinghai: "My surname is Xiao, and I live in Yongningfang."
Luo Sanniang thought for a moment and then asked: "Isn't it that Xiao Bumarry?"
Zhou Jun was stunned after hearing this, "Xiao Bu Marry? What kind of name is this?"
Zhou Dinghai nodded and said, "That's her."
Luo Sanniang took the matchmaking book, turned to the last page, took out the piece of paper, and handed it into Zhou Dinghai's hands.
Zhou Dinghai looked at it carefully, nodded and said, "Yes."
Luo Sanniang said: "Then Xiao is not married, she is the eldest daughter of Xiao. I heard that she is already twenty this year. The matchmaker told her that the husband she was told was over a hundred, but she was still picky and refused to marry her.
.”
Zhou Dinghai said: "Jun'er can go and give it a try."
Luo Sanniang shook her head and smiled: "Alang is overthinking. How could the Xiao family like us?"
Zhou Dinghai glared and said: "The Xiao family's daughter is already over twenty and has passed the marriageable age. Even the matchmaker said that the Xiao family master worries about this daughter's marriage every day until he sighs."
"Jun'er is not bad looking. He is the manager of the Pang Mansion, and he was immediately promoted to the second rank of Liuwai."
"Go to Xiao's house and try, maybe the marriage will happen."
Luo Sanniang just kept shaking her head: "The ancestors of the Xiao family were members of the noble family of the previous dynasty. Although they are considered a side branch, they are also noble."
"The head of the Xiao family is in charge of the Ministry of War, and he is an eighth-grade Beijing official. How can our family get one?"
Zhou Dinghai placed the matchmaking book in his hand on the table beside him and said confidently: "Since the Xiao family can entrust the eldest daughter to find a matchmaker, we can give it a try."
After Zhou Jun heard this, his heart thumped, and he realized that Zhou Dinghai was already a little dazed.
Before his son became a high-ranking foreign official, his father was already thinking about clinging to the rich and powerful, and he looked like he would swell as soon as he gained power.
If this continues, if Zhou Dinghai is allowed to be publicized outside, the Zhou family will probably have trouble sooner or later.
Just when he was about to say no again, Zhou Jun accidentally caught a glimpse of the Xiao family's matchmaking book on the desk and was stunned.
After thinking for a while, he leaned over and took a closer look. Zhou Jun suddenly gave up his plan of persuasion, but he had his heart in mind.
Zhou Dinghai was still there and said: "The day after tomorrow, Liu Waiquan will release the results. If my son passes the test, then we will go to Xiao's house and take the test."
Luo Sanniang just shook her head and said: "The Xiao family is a well-established family and is extremely expensive. I feel uncomfortable when I leave. If Alang wants to go, he can go alone."
Zhou Dinghai smiled and said: "Women have stage fright, so I went with Jun'er."
"If this matter comes to fruition, the Zhou family will be considered as in-laws with a famous family."
"Let's see if there will be any white-eyed people in the future who dare to say something mean about Zhou Ya!"
Two days later, early in the morning, Zhou Dinghai and Zhou Jun set out from home and went to Anshangmen to watch the announcement of the leaked official.
On the list posted outside the door, Zhou Dinghai saw Zhou Jun's name at a glance.
"It's done! It's done!" Zhou Dinghai looked crazy, dancing and laughing loudly: "My son has become an official! The Zhou family has become rich!"
Compared to his father's extreme excitement, Zhou Jun looked as usual. Seeing that everyone around the list was looking over, he grabbed Zhou Dinghai and pulled him into the corner.
Zhou Jun said to Zhou Dinghai: "Father, this is the close gate of the imperial city. If you scare the nobles, you will be punished."
Zhou Dinghai turned a deaf ear and just kept smiling and said: "Jun'er will go home with me to clean up. Let's go to the Xiao Mansion tomorrow!"