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

In the Great Zhou Dynasty, those who had served as Tongpan (assistant prefect) could borrow the scarlet robe, and those who had served as Zhizhou (prefect) could borrow the purple robe.

However, this treatment is only valid during the term of office. After the term expires and the official returns to the capital, he still needs to change back to the color of his robes that matches his actual rank.

"He's been promoted to the fifth rank of Attendant Censor, Zhen Fei. I almost didn't recognize him when I saw him in the court this morning," Sheng Hong said.

Wang Ruofu nodded, preparing to ask Sheng Changbai when he returned.

Sheng Rulan led the way in a low voice. She had thought that only Wen Yanjing would praise her like that, which was a unique recognition of her.

But now that Zhou Ning was praising her like that, it caused a strange change in her. It wasn't that it increased Zhou Ning's favorability, but rather that it decreased Wen Yanjing's.

Do all scholars praise others in this way?

Did Wen Yanjing only praise him like that to himself, or...?

"Fifth Sister, are you angry that I caused you to be scolded? I apologize to you!" Zhou Ning said, bowing.

Rulan turned and returned the greeting, laughing, "Never mind, never mind. You've been promoted? Your official robes are the same color as my father's now."

"Yeah, I'm lucky, I'm on the same level as Lord Sheng," Zhou Ning said.

"Good luck? My father served as an official for twenty years before reaching the fifth rank, and you're lucky enough to be promoted to the same rank in two years? He'd be so ashamed if he knew." Sheng Rulan said bluntly.

Zhou Ning corrected, "It's two and a half years! Fifth Sister is still as straightforward as ever, but if Lord Sheng hears this, you'll be in trouble again."

"What? Are you going to complain about me?" Rulan said angrily.

Zhou Ning smiled and shook his head, then walked forward. Shou'an Hall was just ahead!

At this moment, the door of Mu Cang Zhai opened, and Yu Yanran and Minglan came out, just in time to see Zhou Ning rushing to Shou An Tang!

"My lord!" Yu Yanran called out.

Zhou Ning stopped and looked towards the courtyard on the right. Seeing Yu Yanran, he quickly stepped forward, took a silk handkerchief to wipe away the sweat from eating roasted mutton, and bowed, saying, "How is Sixth Sister?"

Minglan returned the greeting and said, "Greetings, Brother Pengqi."

"My lord, what brings you here? You haven't even changed your clothes," Yu Yanran asked.

Zhou Ning said, "Grandfather went to pick me up. He said you had arrived at the Sheng family and just left me at the door. Is Grandmother with Old Madam Sheng? Take me to pay my respects."

Yu Yanran and Minglan led the way, and Zhou Ning greeted the two old ladies!

Sheng Rulan also greeted her grandmother and Old Madam Yu!

Seeing that Zhou Ning hadn't even changed out of his official robes, Old Madam Sheng laughed and said, "Please sit down. You rushed here as soon as court was over. What, do you want this old woman to regret it?"

Rulan sat obediently and watched the excitement.

"Grandma, you flatter me. I will always be a junior. I was young and ignorant back then, shameless, and presumptuously enjoyed the blessings of having two wives. I apologize to you here." Zhou Ning bowed deeply.

This is the first time I've visited their home since that incident. No matter what, I should just apologize first!

When Sheng Minglan heard Zhou Ning say this, she felt a little bitter. The spirited young man who dared to have his cake and eat it too had changed.

Perhaps it's not a pity to give up.

Grandma Yu asked curiously, "Sister, has my grandson-in-law offended you?"

Grandma Sheng smiled and said, "It's not that I've offended you. You came to see me as soon as you got back to the capital. You're so kind. Please have a seat."

Zhou Ning then sat down and drank tea to cover his embarrassment.

"Tell me quickly, what happened?" Old Mrs. Yu asked gossipy.

Of everyone present, only she didn't know. Even Yu Yanran knew from Minglan that Zhou Ning wanted all three of them, but ultimately chose her.

Grandma Sheng laughed and said, "I'm willing to tell you, but I'm afraid your grandson-in-law won't allow it. I won't say anymore; this old woman won't do such a disliked thing."

Grandma Yu, who hadn't gotten any melon, said unhappily, "You're so tight-lipped, you only tell half the story."

"Grandmother, please don't be angry. This was originally a favor from the Sheng family, who were willing to marry either Fifth Sister or Sixth Sister to me, an eighth-rank county magistrate who was stationed in the countryside. But my grandson-in-law was just beginning to fall in love and developed feelings for Fifth Sister, Sixth Sister, and Sister Yanran at the same time. He thought it would be best if he could take the other two sisters as concubines. You know what happened after that," Zhou Ning said honestly.

Not mentioning Mo Lan's matter was to preserve the Sheng family's reputation and conceal the fact that they had been swindled out of the house. Although she had given all the money to her sixth sister, Ming Lan, as a dowry, it wouldn't be good for anyone if word got out!

Minglan and Rulan were inwardly disgusted that he had the nerve to bring it up again, but they also admired his honesty and were glad that he hadn't mentioned Molan's matter.

Grandma Yu froze, regretting hearing such outrageous gossip, and didn't know how to respond.

Seeing that Zhou Ning didn't mention Mo Lan, Old Madam Sheng nodded in satisfaction and smoothed things over, saying, "See? Even if I told you, you wouldn't be happy to hear it. He chose your granddaughter back then, so be happy!"

Yu Yanran was shy and went to hug her grandmother. She no longer cared about these things.

Over the years, Zhou Ning has proven with facts that taking a concubine does not affect his feelings for her; otherwise, she would not have brought that up with Minglan.

"Grandma, I wonder when Brother Changbai will return? If it's still early, then I'll have to go back to the manor to handle official business. There are quite a few imperial edicts and documents issued by the Secretariat and the Privy Council, so I can only come to visit him another day," Zhou Ning said as he stood up.

Grandma Yu was waiting for Grandma He to arrive, wondering how to ask her to let Yanran stay and take care of her body.

Old Madam Sheng said, "Changbai usually doesn't return until the hour of You (5-7 PM). You should go back to the mansion first, and leave Yanran and your grandmother here to keep me company for a while longer."

Zhou Ning dared not refuse, and after bowing, he was about to leave.

"Take care. There's a question I'd like to ask you again. You said you were young and ignorant back then, but what about now?" Old Mrs. Sheng asked, digging a hole for her.

She was afraid that Minglan still had feelings for Zhou Ning, so she planned to have Zhou Ning say it again in person!

Zhou Ning looked at Ru Lan and Ming Lan, puzzled, and said, "What kind of question is that? Am I not young now? If you two sisters are willing, what wouldn't I dare to accept? Even if all the civil officials and upright scholars came to attack me, it would only mean I'd abandon my pen for the sword. I can become the top scholar in six years, and I can also become the Marquis of Weiyuan in three! Yanran, let's go back to the manor early, your husband is off!"

After saying that, he lightly touched the ground with his toes and leaped four zhang away, arriving outside the hall!

To everyone's astonishment, he leaped over the courtyard wall, which was about ten feet high, and disappeared!

"Am I seeing things...?" Rulan exclaimed in surprise and immediately chased after him.

Grandma Sheng, Grandma Yu, and Minglan all turned to look at Yu Yanran, their bedmate, clearly wanting an explanation.

They all doubted their eyes.

Yu Yanran blushed and said, "It's nothing. My husband often leaps and bounds like this. He's incredibly strong now; he can toss a 500-pound stone tool up and play with it. I'm used to it."

Zhou Ning even used this as a bet to trick her into using her mouth...

"You're used to it? We're not!" everyone thought to themselves.

This is unbelievable!

Minglan's heart was in turmoil. He Hongwen was really a good person, and she was quite satisfied with him.

But faced with Zhou Ning's official robes and abilities, she suddenly had an indescribable feeling.

This little brother is now accomplished in both academics and martial arts?

He reiterated today that he still wants to take me as his concubine...

"Mother, what should I choose?"

......