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

"Hmm! I just heard from the scholars of the Dragon Pavilion that something interesting happened at the morning court session: the newly appointed censor impeached Han Zhangjun for misconduct and for holding his position without performing his duties. Was that you?"

Although Zhou Ning is not the only censor, he is the only newly appointed one!

"Grandfather, it was Prime Minister Han who interrupted my report at will, and he was wrong from the start. He also treated the locust plague lightly, showing no concern for the safety of the people. That's why I impeached him," Zhou Ning said.

Grand Tutor Yu said, "This matter ends here. I don't think he'll hold it against you anymore. Remember, in officialdom, you can't be blindly ambitious. You've achieved early success and reached the fifth rank. Even if you do nothing, you'll definitely be wearing a purple robe (third rank or above)! But if you want to become a Grand Secretary, you still need to continue being sent to various posts! Once you've served in the Six Ministries and Thirteen Provinces, and your protégés and former subordinates are all over the country, you'll naturally be able to become the Grand Secretary. Do you understand?"

"I have remembered what my grandfather said. If I have the chance, I will not linger in the capital. But I have just returned and want to spend more time with Yanran and you all to fulfill my filial duty. Coachman, find my servant and have him follow behind the carriage!" Zhou Ning said, lifting the curtain.

Pear Head was quickly found, and a car followed behind the carriage!

Sheng Hong kept his distance from Zhou Ning after court, afraid that others would think he had a close relationship with him. He was only relieved when he saw Zhou Ning leave in Grand Tutor Yu's carriage.

"The old Grand Tutor actually came to pick me up in person. His own son is useless, but he cares about his grandson-in-law. It's just a pity about my money!" Sheng Hong thought to himself.

Lord Sheng also boarded the carriage to return to his residence, but when he got off, he saw Zhou Ning!

"Pengqi! What brings you to my residence? Didn't you go to the Yu residence with the Grand Tutor?" Sheng Hong asked with a bow.

Zhou Ning returned the greeting and said, "I'm sorry to bother you, Lord Sheng. My grandfather said that my grandmother and my eldest daughter-in-law came to your residence to pay their respects to Old Madam Sheng, so they left me here."

Sheng Hong nodded and said, "In that case, please come in quickly! Let's talk inside!"

"It would be impolite to refuse. Lord Sheng, it's been many years. How is Brother Changbai's career going? How are Fifth Sister and Sixth Sister?" Zhou Ning asked.

Sheng Hong smiled and said, "Bai'er's time as a junior scholar is coming to an end, and it has been confirmed that he will stay at the Hanlin Academy. The Emperor has officially appointed him as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy. Ru'er and Ming'er are both doing well, but they are still unmarried. However, their affairs are being handled by the eldest daughter-in-law and the old lady, so I don't need to worry about them too much."

He worried about one thing, lost over 60,000 strings of cash, and almost ruined the Sheng family's reputation!

Sheng Songsong no longer wants to personally select a husband; she'll let her mother and eldest daughter-in-law choose for themselves!

"Responsible for compiling documents? That's a prestigious civil service position. Congratulations, Lord Sheng! I came in a hurry and was not very courteous. I will present the engagement gift tomorrow." Zhou Ning said apologetically.

"Pengqi, you're too polite. I haven't even had time to congratulate you on your promotion yet. Go to Weirui Pavilion and have them prepare a feast. Tell them I want to entertain Lord Zhou!" Sheng Hong instructed a passing maid.

Neither of them had eaten, and they were a little hungry.

main hall!

Zhou Ning and Sheng Hong chatted and laughed, discussing interesting cases in Changxian County, while waiting for dinner to be served!

Wang Ruofu received the order and sent someone to prepare. She came in person and saw Zhou Ning dressed in the same scarlet robes as the official. She said warmly, "It really is Zhou Ning! I was just paying my respects to my mother and heard the two old ladies praising you. You and Changbai are good friends. Now that you're back in the capital, you should visit each other more often."

Zhou Ning smiled and said, "Madam, you are naturally upright and dignified. Your eyes and brows are kind and spirited. Even your son, Changbai, is so accomplished. At such a young age, he is already a compiler in the Hanlin Academy. You are the envy of everyone!"

"Oh my, my lord, look at him! After all these years, Zhou's son has become even more eloquent. No wonder he has such a smooth career at such a young age and has returned to the capital to report on his duties," Wang Ruofu said happily.

"Madam Sheng, where is my mistress? I wonder if she has eaten yet? If not, may she join us at the table?" Zhou Ning asked.

Wang Ruofu asked, "Don't worry, she has eaten and is talking with Sixth Sister in her room. Should I call her over?"

"It's good that they've eaten. They haven't seen each other for many years, so let them have a good chat. I'll go to Shou'an Hall to pay my respects later, and then go find her. I'll need to trouble you, Madam, to send someone to show me the way," Zhou Ning said.

"Of course, of course. Try this rose shortbread. It was your favorite when you were in school. I remember Changbai always brought you some," Wang Ruofu said with a smile.

Zhou Ning was grateful and indeed hungry, so he ate as politely as possible.

Wang Ruofu became more and more satisfied with what she saw. After what happened with Sheng Hualan, her longing for the families of earls and other nobles had lessened over the years.

The dignified Earl's family still had to use the daughter-in-law's dowry to fill the hole, causing the sensible eldest daughter to suffer greatly and shattering her worldview.

Only then did she slowly begin selecting a partner for Rulan, fearing that her straightforward youngest daughter might repeat the same mistake. But no one is perfect, and it was difficult to find someone who satisfied both herself and Rulan, so the search dragged on until now.

When Zhou Ning wanted to ask his daughter Ru'er to become his concubine, she naturally disagreed a hundred times over. After all, although Zhou Ning was the top scholar in the imperial examination, he was only a minor eighth-rank official who was sent to a remote area.

The difference between the eighth and fifth ranks is not something that can be achieved in one go unless one has outstanding political achievements and someone to help them.

Her husband had spent twelve years just getting his way into a high-ranking official position in the capital, so naturally she was unwilling to marry Rulan, let alone make her a concubine.

(In the Great Zhou Dynasty, respectable families would never willingly allow their daughters to enter other high-ranking families as concubines. Powerful and wealthy people also dared not casually take daughters from respectable families as concubines, as that would offend the entire group of civil officials and respectable families. But the protagonist is not a powerful or wealthy person, and the Sheng family is not a respectable family; they are simply a scholarly family with upright family traditions and a scholarly background.)

But the situation is different now. Zhou Ning's potential is so bright that even a blind man could see it. His family isn't wealthy or powerful, and he doesn't have in-laws to be filial to.

If Rulan is willing, and with Changbai's influence and the prestige of the Sheng and Wang families, how could she be bullied after becoming a concubine?

Wang Ruofu gave a wink to his trusted confidante, Liu Mama.

Madam Liu immediately understood and went back to Wei Rui Xuan to invite Fifth Miss.

At this moment, Sheng Rulan had just received a letter from Wen Yanjing and was happily frolicking in bed when she saw Liu Mama coming to find her. She had no choice but to hide the letter and follow her.

"Mother, Father..." Rulan bowed, noticing that Zhou Ning looked familiar but she couldn't recognize him.

"This is Pengqi. He studied at home for half a year and became friends with your second brother. Have you forgotten?" Wang Ruofu asked anxiously.

Zhou Ning put down her chopsticks, stood up, and bowed, saying, "It's been many years. Fifth Sister, you are still in good spirits and your presence is always refreshing."

Rulan was taken aback. His words were similar to what her brother Jing had said, and this recognition deeply touched her, who had been lacking love.

"How can you be so ignorant of etiquette? Pengqi bowed to you, why didn't you return the bow?" Sheng Hong scolded.

Rulan snapped out of her daze and quickly returned the greeting.

"Lord Sheng, Madam Sheng, I've finished eating. I'd like to go to Shou'an Hall to pay my respects to the old lady and grandmother," Zhou Ning said.

"Ru'er, take Pengqi with you. You should also pay your respects to your grandmother," Wang Ruofu said.

Rulan should be the one who led the way for Zhou Ning, along with the maid.

"What are you planning?" Sheng Hong asked.

"My lord, has Pengqi truly reached the fifth rank? Is it a genuine title or merely a fabricated one?"

......