Do you know: I should be fat and you should be thin!

"It smells so good!"

Zhou Ning was thoroughly served by Wei Zhi in the bathtub, and all his fatigue from the day disappeared!

Fifteen minutes later!

"That's all for now. I'll go back to my room first. You should come early too," Zhou Ning said.

Attended the Qionglin Banquet in the morning, my brain cells were practically dead in the afternoon, and then I felt so ecstatic in the evening. I'm really sleepy.

Wei Zhi blushed slightly and nodded.

But when Wei Zhi finished bathing and entered the room wearing a thin nightgown, she found that Zhou Ning was already snoring.

"That must have been really tough."

......

next day!

Zhou Ning turned to his side in his sleep and touched a soft mass.

"Um?"

I pinched it!

Zhou Ning suddenly opened his eyes and saw that Wei Zhi was awake, her face flushed with embarrassment, and calmly withdrew her left hand.

Good morning!

"Hmm, Ninglang, are you getting up? Let me help you change your clothes," Wei Zhi asked.

"Don't call me 'slave,' you're not a slave anymore. Change that slowly. Learn to use me! Let's sleep a little longer!" Zhou Ning instructed, then hugged her and continued sleeping.

I slept for another hour!

Zhou Ning and Wei Zhi dined together, and Zhou Ning introduced her to the thirty-four maids in the manor, including her childhood sweetheart.

"Sister Wei, you will be in charge of the household from now on. My childhood sweetheart is my trusted maid, and she can help you manage these people. Keep what you gave me back then; you don't need to give it to me. I'll give you the public funds later. The household expenses need to be accounted for. Thank you for your hard work," Zhou Ning instructed.

Great, I don't have to worry about the accounts anymore!

"Don't worry, Ninglang, I... I will do my best," Wei Zhi said.

That's 3265 taels, and he gave it to me just like that to keep me safe. Ning Lang really put his heart into it.

"Oh, right, prepare three gifts later. I need to go to the Sheng family's house later. The gifts just need to be reasonably valuable!"

Wei Shi (1-3 PM)

Zhou Ning visited the Sheng family matriarch with gifts.

The maidservant left and then returned, leading the way to Shou'an Hall.

"Greetings, Madam Sheng!" Zhou Ning bowed.

"Please sit down. I heard you've bought a house and also passed the imperial examination with top honors. Congratulations!" Old Madam Sheng said with a smile, fanning herself.

Zhou Ning sat down and said with a smile, "Grandma, congratulations! Brother Changbai has passed the imperial examination and will soon enter the central government. The Sheng family will surely prosper even more."

Grandma Sheng instructed, "You all go down and serve, but Ming'er stays here."

Soon only three people remained in the hall.

Old Madam Sheng put on a stern face and said, "I came to Changbai to find you because I have something to say to you. Back then, you asked me to witness your marriage with Molan, and you tricked my son out of his mansion. The money has already been sent from Youyang."

Zhou Ning laughed and said, "The old lady is more insightful than Lord Sheng. The Sheng family has been kind to me, and Changbai's kindness to me is even greater than the heavens. When Lord Sheng first asked me to propose this marriage, I really couldn't refuse. Fortunately, I could tell that my fourth sister was a proud person. Even if I really passed the imperial examination, Linxi Pavilion would definitely cause trouble and look down on me. Sure enough, she didn't disappoint me. Her disgust was obvious. That's how I made this money from Lord Sheng."

"So you're admitting that you were scheming against the Sheng family? Is this what you call being grateful? Or is this your way of repaying that kindness?" Old Madam Sheng asked.

Zhou Ning looked at Minglan and said, "There's something I can't hide from you, Madam. In nine days, I will be taking up my post as the magistrate of Tianchang County. I'm here today to deal with the money for this house."

Grandma Sheng was surprised that Zhou Ning was not a Beijing official, but was instead sent to a post outside the capital, guessing that it was related to his age.

Minglan noticed that Zhou Ning was staring at her, so she glanced away slightly, her mind filled with the same confusion.

"What do you plan to do?" asked Old Mrs. Sheng.

Zhou Ning smiled and said, "I want to give all this money to Sixth Sister."

Minglan was startled. "Give it all to me?"

Could this be a betrothal...?

Old Madam Sheng scolded, "Nonsense! You are an outsider; what are you thinking, sending money to Sixth Girl like this?"

Zhou Ning apologized in advance, saying, "What I said afterward might displease the old lady. Please don't take it to heart."

Grandma Sheng stared at him and said in a deep voice, "Speak!"

"The daughters of the Sheng family are wonderful. Sister Hualan goes without saying, and Fourth Sister is also quite talented, though she has rather high standards. Fifth Sister is innocent and lovely, and has no guile. Sixth Sister, in particular, has been raised by you like a flower, taught to be knowledgeable, reasonable, clear-headed, and open-minded. So I'd like to see if I could take Sixth Sister by my side as a concubine," Zhou Ning said guiltily.

Old Mrs. Sheng threw down her fan and angrily said, "Don't even think about it! What an ungrateful scholar!"

"Grandmother, please calm down." Minglan patted Grandma Sheng's back.

He wanted to become her concubine...

Zhou Ning apologized, "Grandma, please listen to me. My other two sisters are born of the principal wife and concubine, respectively. But Sixth Sister only has you, her sage, to support her. You are the legitimate daughter of the Marquis's family, but you are also getting on in years. You took off your shoes and socks tonight, and it's uncertain whether you'll wear them again tomorrow. Sixth Sister is so cautious at home these days, don't you feel sorry for her? In the Great Zhou Dynasty, dowries are very important when a wife marries; the size of the dowry directly determines the wife's status in her husband's family. If Grandma is reluctant, then please pretend we didn't mention this tonight. Consider this money for the house as my dowry for Sixth Sister, and no one else will know about it. It's also a way of repaying the Sheng family's kindness!"

Old Mrs. Sheng said irritably, "You certainly know how to use someone else's flowers to curry favor! It's not that I have no other choice, but I will absolutely not become someone's concubine tomorrow!"

"Grandma, could you let me speak with my sixth sister alone? Xiao Tao can accompany her, so it won't be considered being alone in a dark room and won't ruin her reputation," Zhou Ning pleaded.

Of course, Old Madam Sheng was unwilling. Since she had already been told she would be a concubine, there was nothing more to discuss.

"Grandmother, don't worry, your granddaughter wants to hear what he has to say," Minglan said, pulling on the old lady's arm to comfort her.

What she really wanted to know was who Zhou Ning's true love was!

Grandma Sheng sighed, called for help, and left Shou'an Hall. She then ordered Xiao Tao to come inside and serve her.

"Xiao Tao," Minglan said.

Xiaotao: "Eh!"

"Quickly, refill the guests' tea," Minglan said.

Xiao Tao: "Yes!"

Zhou Ning asked, "Sixth Sister, you haven't reached the age of marriage yet, have you?"

Minglan shook her head and said, "No, it's only after the end of the year."

Zhou Ning asked, "Then, Sixth Sister, would you like to know who I have chosen as my principal wife?"

Minglan didn't speak, but her expression clearly showed that she wanted to listen.

"It's Sister Yanran! You two are so close, don't you want to be together every day after you get married? You two are in the same boat, both of you grew up relying on your grandparents' pity. I really don't want to put you in a superior position. But the Yu family is a noble family, how could they allow Sister Yanran, a legitimate daughter, to become a concubine, especially since she is older than us..." Zhou Ning said.

When Minglan learned that it was her best friend Yu Yanran, she felt less sad and more relaxed.

"Pengqi, have you considered what if Yanran can't accept it? You think you've made proper arrangements, but how do you know I'll be willing to become your concubine? Don't forget, your betrothal letter is still in Linxi Pavilion," Minglan reminded her.

Zhou Ning said, "Sixth Sister, don't worry. I have my own plans regarding your marriage to Fourth Sister. Actually, at our age, it's too early to talk about these things. I'm here today for two reasons. First, I pity you, Sixth Sister, and want to express my feelings to you, promising to take you away from this hellhole at any time. Second, I want to leave you some money to live on, so that I can fulfill my feelings. No matter who the Old Madam betroths you to in the future, you'll still have money. Even if you lose your husband's favor, you can still make a living."

Minglan nodded, thinking, "It's kind of you to care about me and to be so willing to spend so much money. I appreciate your kindness, but for Yanran's sake, it seems my plans need to be brought forward!"

"You're leaving in nine days?" Minglan asked.

"Yes! The Emperor himself said he won't be back for three years!"

"You really want all these tens of thousands of coins to protect yourself? You don't regret it? I never agreed to be your concubine."

"I don't seek the happiness of having multiple wives; I just want to give my sixth sister more options!"

......