From a son-in-law to a favorite of the empress

Chapter 559

After not seeing his mother-in-law for two years, Zhou Yuan, who returned to the Zhao Mansion, was filled with emotion. In two years, so many things have changed.

At first, he was a centurion of the Jinyiwei, and he went to the capital alone. When he came back, he was already a duke, with power over the government.

But Chen didn't care about that. She just held Zhou Yuan's hand and sighed, "You should have come back a long time ago. You've been away for two years. We old people have been living alone at home. It's so boring."

"How is Jianjia? She gave birth to a child. Did she have any illness? You must pay attention to her confinement."

"And you, Yuan'er, you run around every day. You must take care of your health while serving the country!"

She seemed to have endless words to say, crying and laughing at the same time.

Zhou Yuan also hurriedly comforted: "Don't worry, mother-in-law, Jianjia and her son-in-law are both in good health. Although they are a bit busy, they are finally calm now."

Chen said: "You were assassinated not long after you arrived in Shenjing two years ago. I was so worried when I received Jianjia's letter. I wanted to come to Shenjing to take care of you, but your father-in-law didn't let me. He said that as an official, these storms are inevitable."

Zhou Yuan smiled and said: "Mother-in-law, you worry too much. No matter how difficult it was before, you have survived it now. You should take care of your health. I think father-in-law will come to Beijing soon, and then our family can be reunited."

"Really?"

Chen's eyes lit up and she hurriedly said: "Yuan'er, don't lie to me. Now you are the Duke and the favorite of His Majesty. You should say a few good words to His Majesty and quickly transfer your father-in-law to Shenjing. I miss Jianjia."

"In the past, I couldn't see her for so long."

Zhao Cheng frowned and said, "Nonsense, His Majesty has his own considerations for the official position assignment. Now the Jiangnan salt crisis is huge, and one move will affect the whole body. How can I be transferred to Shenjing."

"You should chat about family matters with your son-in-law, and don't get involved in official affairs."

Chen raised her eyebrows and said immediately, "Is it your turn to say something when I talk to my son-in-law? As for whether to say good things, my son-in-law naturally knows the difference."

The two of them started to quarrel.

Zhou Yuan had to be a peacemaker and said good things to both sides.

"Don't argue with him anymore."

Chen took Zhou Yuan's hand and said with a smile: "Ziyi, have a good rest. Your mother-in-law will cook for you and welcome you tonight."

Zhou Yuan said: "Mother-in-law, the Bai family will invite you to dinner tonight. Since it involves official business, I still have to go there."

Chen blinked and said: "Is it really official business? The matter of the twin sisters..."

"Mother-in-law! That's their wishful thinking! I don't have any idea at all!"

Zhou Yuan was sweating profusely and continued: "I just went to investigate the case. It has nothing to do with women."

Chen smiled and said: "Yuan'er is sensible, unlike your father-in-law, who goes to the brothel every day."

Zhao Cheng smiled bitterly: "That's not going every day. Being an official is also being a human being. There are also interpersonal relationships in politics. That's socializing."

Zhou Yuan looked at Zhao Cheng and asked in confusion: "Really?"

Zhao Cheng stopped talking and glared at him fiercely.

In the afternoon, I had a good chat with my father-in-law and mother-in-law at home. My father-in-law knew everything about the situation of Jiangnan Salt Administration, and even dug up the backgrounds of the eight major families.

This made Zhou Yuan sigh that his father-in-law was able to find out these things with limited resources. His ability was not exaggerated.

The Bai family sent someone to invite Zhou Yuan again, and their attitude was very humble, almost kowtowing to Zhou Yuan.

Zhou Yuan naturally agreed, and then lowered his voice and said: "Father-in-law, I will go with my guards tonight, you can rest at home."

Zhao Cheng said: "Are you afraid that I will affect your hunting?"

"Father-in-law!"

Zhou Yuan was sweating again, and smiled bitterly: "Zi Yi may take action tonight."

Zhao Cheng laughed out loud, patted his shoulder, and said: "You have your ideas, then do it according to your ideas, just in time for me to accompany your mother-in-law for dinner."

...

Zhou Yuan did not bring other guards, just wanted to take Li Yu'an to protect his safety, but he didn't expect that Guan Caixi also wanted to go.

Seeing her dying expression, Zhou Yuan's heart softened and he agreed.

It always takes a process for many people to accept the real world. Since this Jiangnan investigation is related to her, let's take her step by step.

Just as the eldest sister said, follow along all the way, Guan Caixi will be mentally prepared to accept it.

As one of the eight great families in Yangzhou, the Bai family is still very wealthy, even if it is only the lowest class.

The courtyard is not only spacious, but also elegant. The stone lions at the door are all made of white marble, and the wall is nearly two meters high., this is the symbol of a big family.

Although Zhou Yuan was low-key, the Bai family did not dare to slack off. A family of dozens of people came out to greet him and knelt down and kowtowed when they saw Zhou Yuan.

Zhou Yuan said: "No need to be polite. I am a guest today, not to show off. Everyone, stand up."

"Thank you, Duke Wei."

Bai Jingtang bowed and said hurriedly: "Please come in, Duke. Your presence really makes my humble home glorious. Today, the Bai family has prepared a simple banquet. I hope you don't mind it."

After walking through the first two courtyards, they finally arrived at the large dining room next to the main hall. The specifications were directly full.

One by one, the servants served the dishes, and soon the table was full. The carefully prepared dishes made Zhou Yuan, who had been eating dry food on the ship for more than ten days, salivate.

Bai Jingtang said: "Duke, the Bai family has been selling salt for more than 70 years. My generation is the third generation. At present, the Bai family is managed by me and my two brothers, and the younger generations are responsible for running around and taking care of the business in various places."

Zhou Yuan nodded and said: "I also know something about your Bai family. They started selling salt during the reign of Emperor Shun, and they also started from the smallest things. They have built up their current family business step by step. It is not easy to come by."

As he sat down, Zhou Yuan continued: "At the end of last year, the war in Shanhaiguan was urgent, and your eight major families in Yangzhou also contributed a lot of money. It is said that the Bai family gave more than Over 300,000 taels of silver. "

Shi Jingtang hurriedly said: "It's all because of our patriotic heart. It's reasonable. As long as the court opens its mouth, our Bai family will have no choice but to do it."

He waved his hand outside and smiled: "The Duke of Wei is a scholar, good at poetry and songs, and is also the apprentice of Master Su Youzi, with extraordinary martial arts."

"My two girls, the elder girl likes to wield swords and guns, and the younger girl likes poetry and songs. They admire the Duke of Guo very much and want to meet the adults. I hope the adults will agree."

Zhou Yuan sneered in his heart. The Bai family really wants to seduce this?

But the moment Bai Bing and Bai Xue came in, Zhou Yuan was still shocked.

What big waves have you not seen in so many years?

But I have never seen such a big one.

The two girls are not tall, probably only about 1.6 meters. Compared with Qu Ling's tall body of more than 1.7 meters, they can only be considered petite and cute.

This may be a problem with the talent tree. Qu Ling's talent is in height, while Bai Bing and Bai Xue's talents are in other places.

Zhou Yuan rubbed his eyes, not because he was lustful, but because his eyes were really swollen. They were too big.

Bai Jingtang looked at his expression and breathed a sigh of relief, saying, "My Lord, please forgive me. Although the two girls look young, they are already seventeen years old."

Zhou Yuan nodded secretly. It was indeed the cheeks of little girls. They looked very young, but... they had advantages that could not be ignored.

Sister Bai Bing had a cold face and looked reluctant. Her eyes seemed to want to eat Zhou Yuan.

Sister Bai Xue lowered her head and looked aggrieved. She was obviously shy and afraid.

There was a thunder, and it started to rain outside.

The summer rainstorm came, and the sound of it made the atmosphere in the house more ambiguous.

Zhou Yuan said, "Sit down, sit down, eat first, eat first."

Eat first...? Then...what to do next?

Bai Jingtang had a plan in mind, and couldn't help but sigh that this move was really a surprise victory. The Duke of Weiguo was indeed an old hand in sex.