She is different from the empress in the history books

Chapter 22 Zhou Xu
Magistrate Zhou didn't look back, and he knew it was his eldest son——Zhou Xu by hearing the voice.

Zhou Xu is only eight or nine years old and has not tied his hair yet, but he is already showing intelligence at such a young age.

The county magistrate of Zhou came from a mediocre family, so he had to take his mother, wife and children with him when he took office, because he was afraid of being left in his hometown without anyone to take care of him.

When he became an official, he had no one to help him, and he had no useful and credible staff to follow him, that is, to talk to his family after returning home.

Probably for this reason, Zhou Xu has often listened to Zhou Keping discussing county government matters since he was a child. When he understands more, he can come up with some ideas.

Zhou Keping said to his son:
"Well, our Highness is really aggressive. But she doesn't act in a bold and aggressive style. She is not radical. She is very measured and makes people unable to even get angry."

Ever since the news that Pei Peng was coming, Zhou Keping had often mentioned her.

First, he was worried that she would bully the people, and then he was worried that she would arbitrarily interfere in political affairs. After meeting him, he admitted that she "doesn't look like a wanton person", but he was also worried that she was very scheming.

Although Zhou Xu hasn't met Her Royal Highness the princess yet, he has known his name from his father for a long time, so he couldn't help asking:

"What's wrong, what is this His Highness trying to do?"

"She wanted to start with farming."

Zhou Xu was surprised:

"How could it be? If you want to talk about tidying up the wealthy family to gain prestige, they might be good at it. Farming, do the nobles far away in the imperial city also understand farming?... Don't mess around and delay farming."

Zhou Keping also thought so in his heart, but when his son said it with a hint of ridicule, he still felt it was inappropriate:
"Dalang, don't say that, it's not good for people to hear."

Zhou Xu shrugged. Of course he would not say that in front of outsiders.

But uncontrollably, he became a little more curious about this Highness who did not follow the usual path.

He teased Pei Peng that he didn't understand farming. In fact, Zhou Xu, a child of only ten years old, was still unfamiliar with farming even if he was a little smarter.

Zhou Xu was naturally unable to come up with a solution for his father, so in the end he could only say:

"Otherwise, you and His Highness should discuss it. You can't use the entire county's cultivated land for experiments. You can select one or two villages with enough adult men to try their methods. Once they are effective, we can push them further. Guangzhi."

"That's all we can do, take a step and take a look..."

"Sir, someone has been sent from the Princess Mansion to deliver gifts to our two young masters. They are waiting in the living room now."

Halfway through Zhou Keping's words, he was interrupted by a servant who hurried over.

Zhou Xu asked first:
"Gift? What kind of gift?"

"I heard that you and the Second Young Master are extremely intelligent and are studying, so I sent you a few copybooks and some pens and ink."

Zhou Xu looked back at his father strangely.

As the son of the magistrate's family, some people in Chengyang County tried to please his father, and they would say a few nice words to compliment him and his younger brother for their intelligence.

But his family knew about his family affairs, and it had only been four years since he officially started school, and even less for his younger brother, who had only two years. The family hired a teacher, and he didn't even go to the county school.

Although Zhou Xu is confident that the intelligence of the two brothers is not inferior to others, he doesn't think this kind of reputation can reach the ears of Princess Chengyang.

So, it was his father who couldn't help thinking of Xuan'er after he was drunk?
This is really...

The redness on Zhou Keping's face after drinking had faded a little, but after being stared at by his son, there was a tendency of "relapse".

He couldn't help covering his face with his sleeve, and explained:

"Father didn't bring this up on his own initiative. It was a younger sister of Her Royal Highness, Mrs. Cheng San. She somehow started to ask. Then Father can't belittle you, since my son is so good..."

Zhou Xu was quite speechless, although he didn't know what this Mrs. Cheng was doing, but so far it wasn't a bad thing——

His family couldn't afford expensive copybooks and pens, but the ones collected by the princess's house were definitely good.

"Uncle Qian, then go to my grandma's house and call her and my brother over. I'll help my dad clean up."

Zhou Keping lowered his head and saw that because his sitting posture was too relaxed, his clothes were open a little. His dark face turned red again, and he quickly took his son to change clothes.

After a while, Mrs. Zhou strode over holding her skirt, followed by Zhou Rui who was trotting behind.

"Brother, I heard that Princess Chengyang gave us a gift?"

Zhou Rui is only seven years old and has a more lively personality. Unlike his parents and elder brother who have to speculate on the reason, he is purely happy to receive the gift.

"Slow down, watch out for the threshold. People from the Princess Mansion are waiting in the living room, let's go and see together later."

"Oh."

Zhou Rui slowed down, wiped his forehead that was wet from running, and supported the little ones on both sides. Yes, it was okay. Then he raised his smile again:
"Then let's go and have a look."

The one who came to the Zhou Mansion to give gifts was A Yao, Pei Peng's maid who had been by his side since he was in the palace.

Logically speaking, she doesn't need to do such a thing.

But Pei Peng was really curious about the difference between the two children whom Cheng Fei paid too much attention to, so he specially sent a trusted maid over.

Ayao sat quietly. Even after waiting for a while, he did not show any impatience, nor did he look around at the layout of the Zhou family.

She thought over and over what Pei Peng told her:

"Take a good look. Zhou Keping's two sons are really good at what they do."

Ayao originally thought that these two children were famous——

Such child prodigies are not unheard of. In his later years, the late emperor was obsessed with digging prodigies and auspicious signs, and local officials sent them from thousands of miles almost every year.

But she later learned that this was the recommendation of the third wife of the Cheng family.

When did this third lady have such a status in His Highness's heart?And why?
"I'm sorry, Ms. Yao, I kept you waiting."

Zhou Keping hurried over with his wife and children.

A Yao got up quickly, avoiding Zhou Keping's salute, and motioned to the little maid who followed behind to bring the gift:
"Your Majesty Zhou, you are being polite. Your Highness was worried that coming today would disturb your rest, but he was eager for love. He happened to pack up some copybooks suitable for the two young masters of your family. That's why he made a temporary decision to let me come."

Mrs. Zhou saw that although Ayao was only a female official, she was not inferior to some officials' family members she had met, so she knew that this was the person Princess Chengyang needed. She patted her two sons on the shoulders and said in a low voice:

"Why don't you go and thank Her Royal Highness the Princess and Lady Yao."

Zhou Xu grabbed his brother's hand and took a step forward from his parents. He was a little curious, but he saluted meticulously, and then raised his head to look at Ayao:

"Thank you, Your Highness, Princess, and thank you, Ms. Yao. My second brother and I will make good use of it, and we will live up to Your Highness's wishes."

Zhou Xu's expression was clear, and his curiosity was revealed frankly, without appearing restrained.

Behind him, Zhou Rui looked innocent, but obediently followed his brother's movements and saluted.

Ayao also liked it and couldn't help but ask:

"I don't know what books the two young masters usually read?"

(End of this chapter)