The disgraced official I took care of was actually Zhu Houcong's childhood friend.

Chapter 657

"Auntie, these are the pills His Majesty gave you."

As Zhou Chu spoke, he placed the box containing two pills in front of Yang Shi.

"Your Majesty is very kind, but giving us two each time is a bit too much. You can take one."

Yang couldn't help but say.

Over the years, Yang and Lu Song have been taking the pills given to them by Jiajing. Although they are both over forty years old now, they do not look old at all. Yang, in particular, looks almost the same as when she first met Zhou Chu, like a woman in her early thirties.

Having consumed these pills for several years, Yang naturally realized how precious they were, so she cherished each one and kept some for her family.

"No need, His Majesty gave it to me as well."

Zhou Chu smiled.

Upon hearing this, Yang did not persist.

"The medicines Your Majesty concocted are truly excellent. I gave Yun Jin one before. She had suffered from some hidden ailments during her years of fighting, but now they are all cured, and her skin has become much fairer."

Yang said with a somewhat animated expression.

Generally speaking, Yang Shi shouldn't say such things to a man, but Yang Shi never treated Zhou Chu as an outsider. In Yang Shi's eyes, Zhou Chu and Yun Jin would be together sooner or later, not to mention that Yun Jin had grown up with Zhou Chu since childhood and didn't care about such formalities.

"Mother! Why do you say such things?"

Upon hearing this, Yun Jin blushed instantly.

"What's wrong? Hengqi isn't an outsider. You grew up with him when you were little, and you'll be one of his people in the future. What can't you say?"

Yang's words were actually directed at Zhou Chu. Thirteen years had passed since Zhou Chu came to the capital, and he was now twenty-three. Even Yun Jin was eighteen. Girls from ordinary families usually got married at fifteen or sixteen, and some even as early as thirteen or fourteen.

Both Yun Jin and Lin Yao were actually past the age of marriage, which made Yang Shi somewhat anxious, but she did not dare to tell Zhou Chu directly, so she could only hint at it to Zhou Chu in this way.

“Auntie, I’m afraid my relationship with Yun Jin will cause her some trouble. His Majesty wants me to marry Lin Yao as well. I’ve been dragging this out for so many years, but the county princess still hasn’t given up. Lin Yao is already over twenty, practically an old maid. If I don’t marry her, she’ll probably become a laughingstock.”

Zhou Chu thought for a moment and then said.

"Didn't I already say this? His Majesty also said that he could issue a separate decree for you to marry them both, and they would both be considered your principal wives. You know Yun Jin; her mind has never been on the inner quarters. And the county princess isn't the kind of person who's easily jealous."

Over the years, Madam Yang had frequently visited the Princess's residence and had developed a sisterly relationship with Princess Deqing. She also regarded Lin Yao as her own junior, and thus knew Lin Yao quite well.

"But in doing so, I'm afraid it would be unfair to Yun Jin."

Zhou Chu looked at Yun Jin with some guilt.

"What grievance is there? Second Brother has the world in his heart. What he has done for the Ming Dynasty and for the world is unmatched by any other official in the court combined. Back then, Shang Yang's confidante supported his reforms by marrying a princess of the Qin royal family. I am too selfish to do that. This is already the best outcome."

Yun Jin blushed and said.

"In that case, after I discuss it with His Majesty, we will set a date to propose marriage to you two."

Zhou Chu said.

Upon hearing this, Madam Yang breathed a sigh of relief. After all these years, she had finally received a definite answer from Zhou Chu.

.........

On the other hand, the Ministry of Revenue waited and waited, but neither the memorial was returned nor any news came from the palace, leaving Zhang Cong and the others looking at each other in bewilderment.

"My lord, what does His Majesty mean? Does he think this price is too high? We can't lower it any further, or something bad will happen."

The Vice Minister of Revenue said anxiously.

"What's the rush? His Majesty hasn't returned the memorial, so the price shouldn't be too high. But there's still no approval, so there must be other problems that His Majesty can't say directly."