After all the money and wealth sent from Luzhou were stored in the treasury, Tao Ren handed over the account to Zhu Zhongjun.

  Zhu Zhongjun handed it over to Gu Jin in front of Tao Ren.

  Gu Jinzhi didn't say a word of courtesy, and directly flipped through it, then told Zhu Zhongjun one by one.

  Tao Ren thought to himself: Does Wang Ye understand?

  Then, he secretly glanced at Zhu Zhongjun and found that he was indeed playing with the tassel on Gu's jade pendant.

  Tao Ren let out a deep sigh in his heart.

  The king will probably never be okay in this life.

  However, this princess is quite sensible. Although she knows that the prince doesn't understand, she still reads to him and treats him with respect everywhere, unlike Qianlan who always treats the prince like a child.

  Although he is still young and inexperienced, he is also the master of this royal manor.

  After finishing reading, Gu Jinzhi closed the account book and asked Zhu Zhongjun: "The things are still handed over to Tao Guan Shi. If you want anything, let Tao Guan Shi send it over, okay?"

  Zhu Zhongjun looked at Tao Ren with a few parts of confusion in his eyes.

  Then, Gu Jin quietly hinted to him, and he nodded only after that. He took over the account book and handed it to Tao Ren's hands, saying: "You take care of it, if I need anything, I'll send someone to tell you!"

  Tao Ren hurriedly took over and said yes.

  As soon as Tao Renyi left, Zhu Zhongjun said to Gu Jinzhi: "He is very honest and loyal. The more loyal a person is, the less courage he has to do things. As the chief manager of the mansion, there must be many shortcomings..."

  Judging people is a basic skill from their past lives.

  After decades, there are still times when I misjudge people, but I have learned a lot of lessons. Nowadays, my judgment of others is generally not far off the mark.

  "It's too late now, at least I'll have to stay in the capital for another two years. Who is treacherous and who is loyal, let's think about it later." said Gu Jinzhi.

  Zhu Zhongjun didn't say anything else.

  It's been more than half a year since he came here, and he rarely mentions his own future.

  Learn something, do something?

  He didn't ask about anything in general, but instead spent his days hanging out with Gu Jin, leisurely passing the time.

  Gu Jinzhi thinks this is pretty good.

  Isn't your previous life tiring enough?

  Now being an idle prince is the best way to enjoy life. Eating and drinking without worries, just like retirement, with a strong and vigorous body, this is the best way to spend one's golden years, a gift from heaven.

  In Gu Zhen's small courtyard, the eastern wing was warm with a heated kang, and the quiet stream flowed gently.

  The weather is fine and there is no wind, which is extremely rare in Beijing on a winter day.

  Zhu Zhongjun lay on a pillow embroidered with ink, holding the Analects of Confucius and silently reciting it sentence by sentence. Whether he understood or not, he didn't delve deeper, just memorizing word for word and sentence by sentence in his heart.

  After lunch, the sun is in the west, and the bright light shines on the window frame.

  Zhu Zhongjun pushed open the window.

  Under the window, two short green plum trees lie lazily in the warm sunlight, serene and peaceful. A hint of fragrance wafts through the air, subtle yet unmistakable. Without pretension or ostentation, they stand quietly amidst the biting cold winds of winter, adding a touch of elegance to the simple beauty of the season.

  Across from him sat Gu Jinzhi, wearing a casual green cotton-padded jacket. She had her hair styled in two buns and had thick bangs that covered her smooth forehead. The crescent-shaped bangs and dense eyelashes merged into one piece, hiding her eyes.

  She lowered her head to write, the scorching sun shining on her face. Occasionally, she slightly raised her wrist, gently brushing aside the bangs that covered her eyes. Then, she continued writing.

  Quiet and elegant, simple heart as ever.

  Zhu Zhongjun suddenly saw her childhood self in front of Buddha.

  At that time, her smile was like a shallow and clear lotus flower.

  He likes her more this way.

  As if possessed by a mischievous spirit, he got up and gently kissed her cheek.

  Gu Jin suddenly raised his hand, and the brush slid across Zhu Zhongjun's face, from the middle of his eyebrows to the corner of his lips, covering his entire face with ink.

  He was furious and slapped him again, wanting to wipe it on Gu Jin's face.

  Gu Jinzhi knew his intention, turned around and was about to run, but was tripped by the bed frame and fell directly to the ground.

  A loud bang.

  Wai Jian's servant hurriedly came in with his mother and others.

  Then they saw Gu Jinzhi fallen on the ground and Zhu Zhongjun with a face full of ink, everyone wanted to laugh but didn't dare to, all holding back their breath.

  "Mother and Niu Rong hurriedly helped up Gu Jinzhi, laughing and saying: 'Miss is fooling around with the king again.'"

  Gu Jinzhi got up and saw Zhu Zhongjun with a continuous ink stain, which he had smeared on himself, his whole face was black, and he laughed until he was out of breath.

  When they heard her laugh, the maids could no longer hold back and burst into loud laughter.

  Zhu Zhongjun couldn't help but laugh at himself.

  Niú Yāng also laughed and then scolded others: "Quickly go get water to help Wang Ye wash his face!"

  She went by herself.

  You Hao took out the pancreas cream that Gu Jin was used to using and gave it to Zhu Zhongjun.

  Zhu Zhongjun didn't want others to serve him: "Let Xia Qi wash for me!"

  He bullied Gu Jin.

  Gu Jin found it increasingly amusing, got up and applied the cream to his own hands first, then rubbed it on his face.

  After washing it twice, there were still some ink marks that hadn't been washed away.

  Zhu Zhongjun glared at her.

  Gu Jinzhi burst out laughing: "Let you be unruly!"

  Zhu Zhongjun was furious in his heart, his fists clenched tightly, and he glared at her fiercely.

  At dusk, when going to the main courtyard for dinner, Song Pan'er had sharp eyes and saw that Zhu Zhongjun's face was a bit dirty. She called out to Mu Qing to fetch water to wash Zhu Zhongjun's face.

  Then she asked Yuhe who followed her: "How can you not even give the king a wash for a whole day? The less I urge you, the more you slack off!"

  The young lotus wanted to laugh, but didn't dare argue, and said in a low voice: "I remember, I won't dare next time."

  Gu Jin was also laughing with his head down.

  Song Paner knew there was a reason for it.

  After Qingyu finished serving Zhu Zhongjun and came back with a clean face, his expression was still the same, unwashed.

  Song Pan'er furrowed her brow and pulled Zhu Zhongjun over to take a look: "What's this? Jin sister, what's on the prince's face?"

  "Xiao Qi!" Zhu Zhongjun immediately found a way to get revenge on Gu Jin. He resentfully said to Song Wang'er, "Xiao Qi used ink to smear my face!"

  Gu Jin let out a snort of laughter.

  Song Pan'er was slightly angry: "You're so old, why are you still so playful? If the Empress Dowager and Prince Wang enter the palace now and see this, wouldn't they be heartbroken? You're seeking death!"

  Gu Jin smiled and explained: "It was just a joke, I didn't know he wouldn't hide..." Before she could finish speaking, she thought of Zhu Zhongjun's comical expression earlier and couldn't help but laugh again.

  Song Pan'er scolded her daughter and then turned around with a smile to Zhu Zhongjun: "Xiao Qi likes the king, that's why she's making trouble with him."

  Also spoke well of Gu Jin.

  Zhu Zhongjun evaluates a person from many angles, so it's hard for him to truly like someone.

  But he actually liked Song Duaner.

  In any case, Song Pan'er is a good mother. Maybe she's not strict enough and spoils the child a bit, but she can provide stability and safety for her child.

  Frank in character, treating people she likes with genuine tolerance and care.

  Zhu Zhongjun thought of his childhood and his mother, and couldn't help but glance at Gu Jinzhi, thinking that she was indeed blessed with good fortune in this life.

  After a while, Huan and Xiu also finished school.

  Song Pan'er asked her two brothers as usual, what they learned in school today.

  Mr. You teaches books, reasoning in the morning. Writing in the afternoon, lecturing and reciting in the afternoon.

  "...the teacher said that Ba Ge's handwriting is nice and even gave him a pen." Xuan Ge'er said happily, more excited than if he had received something himself.

  Xu Geer was a bit nervous.

  He got it, but Huan Ge didn't. Mother probably won't like it.

  Song Pan'er smiled and said: "Your father used to say that your handwriting is good. It's not easy to write well at such a young age, so you must be more careful in the future."

  Xu Ge'er was taken aback and delighted, hastily getting up to pay respects, saying: "I will definitely study hard and not disappoint Mother's teachings."

  Song Pan'er asked him to sit down.

  Gu Yanzhong arrived last.

  He went out again today.

  “...Hú Zéyù's family and Mei Qīng have all arrived in the capital.” Gù Yánzhēn said happily to Sòng Pàn'er, “I was originally drinking with Hú Zéyù when his servant suddenly came to report that Madam and Miss, along with Qín Tàiyī, had come to the capital together and were already at home.”

  Mei Qing is the courtesy name of Qin Shen Si.

  Last time his elder brother Qin Wei Si died, because he was in prison, the Qin family felt ashamed and offended many people. So there was no grand funeral, and condolences from relatives and friends were not accepted. Only a thin coffin was used for burial.

  Qin didn't come back either.

  I don't know if he came to Beijing this time to pay respects to Qin Wei or for some other matter...

  Song Pan'er responded with a soft "oh", showing no interest.

  She had no good feelings towards Hu Ze Yu's wife Jiang and daughter Hu Jie.

  After dinner, Gu Jinzhi and her mother talked in the house.

  She smiled and said: "At first, Hu Jie had some feelings for Second Brother, but in the end she didn't settle anything and came back..."

  Song Pan'er said: "Your eldest aunt is so picky, she doesn't even think you're good enough, how can she possibly approve of Hu Jie?"

  Gu Jinzhi thought so too.

  The next day, Qin Shenshi and Hu Zeyi's family came to visit the Gu family.

  When they saw the Gu family's mansion, Hu Jie and Mrs. Hu were both stunned.

  Their courtyard in Beijing was cramped and small, not even comparable to a single pavilion in this mansion.

  Entering from the main gate, there is a pool corridor first, and then the formal entrance hall. This alone takes up a lot of space, truly luxurious.

  Going further in, I entered through the main gate and walked around for half a day before reaching the entrance of the Weeping Flower Gate.

  After entering the gate with hanging flowers, there was an old woman waiting with a cart.

  Mrs. Hu and Hu Jie entered the inner courtyard to visit Song Pan'er and Gu Jinzhi, while Hu Ze Yu, Hu Zhuo, and Qin Shen went to the outer study.

  When she saw Mrs. Hu, Song Pan'er was not very enthusiastic.

  After chatting for a while, the maid outside said that Old Master Hu wants to leave and invites the madam and young lady.

  Mrs. Hu took the opportunity to bid farewell.

  "I don't like her," Song Xiang'er said to his daughter.

  Gu Jin's smile.

  "What's with your proud air?" Mrs. Hu also said to her daughter.

  After leaving the Gu's house, Hu Ze Yu took his wife and children to the Yong Xi Hou Fu.

  Yongxi Marquis Hu's family is their main family, but they are outside of the three degrees of mourning.

  Mrs. Hu was eloquent and the old lady of the Hu family and Mrs. Hou also liked her and her daughter very much.

  It's said that they came from the Gu family. Yong Xi Hou Fu Ren suddenly lit up, smiling and asked: "Do you have some connection with the Gu family?"

  Mrs. Hu nodded hastily: "At Yanling Fu, we often lived in one place."

  Madam Yongxi said: "Another day, please invite Madam Gu and the young lady to our home for a visit. Since we are not familiar with each other, it's not good to be too forward. Since you know them, can you make an introduction?"

  Mrs. Hu was slightly surprised in her heart.

  She has just arrived in Beijing and doesn't know many things.

  "Yes." She replied readily.

  ——*——*——*——

  Thank you for the rewards from Sudaez, Sven, Cao Shemingyuan and Enya2013.