Zhou Jiao cald her mind and strolled back to the living room.
At this mont, Mr. Zhang finally started a conversation with Zhang Guoqing, and the father and son began to whisper to each other.
She looked over at Zhou Xiaozheng. When she saw her father signaling her with his eyes, her eyes instantly brightened. She finally waited until her father-in-law left her father, leaving Zhang Guoqing and his father to chat.
She quickly stepped forward, pulling her father along, and the two of them happily walked towards the bedroom.
"I’m leaving this afternoon. While no one’s around, let tell you a few things. When you go to the provincial city in the future, no matter who ntions your grandmother, always push it to Dad, safety first. On this return trip, apart from the usual letters, for important ssage delivery, Dad will teach you a thod. Don’t tell anyone."
After speaking, Zhou Xiaozheng took out a book and handed it to her, pointing to the numbers on the pages, and explained the thod of sending an urgent telegram to him when faced with an ergency that others shouldn’t know about. For things that aren’t suitable for outsiders, he explained how to hide words within letters. Seeing her nod knowingly, he told her to keep the book safe. These standard editions could be bought in Beijing when he returned.
Zhou Xiaozheng went on to advise her on how to interact with Zhao Chuan Guang and his wife. When he heard that Zhou Jiao planned to make two sets of clothes and buy two jade pendants as gifts, he was both pleased and heartbroken. Pleased that the child had grown up and handled things flawlessly. He was also heartbroken for the child, as making two sets of clothes by hand would tire her out. He quickly stopped her, suggesting that she just pick a pattern and give it to the tailor, offering more money would suffice.
Zhou Jiao watched her father, full of jealousy, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, she had finished her father’s coat last night. Seeing him repeatedly saying it was too tiring, she decided to tell him before he left.
Zhou Xiaozheng stood up, squatting in the corner, and continued sorting out the secret compartnt from last night. After a while, he stood up to find Zhou Jiao at the doorway, feeling secretly proud of how clever his Jiao Jiao was.
He gestured her over, taught her once, and whispered, "Don’t tell even Xiao Wu about this. Dad has placed two thousand yuan inside for your ergency use. In the future, put your private money here, nobody can open it."
Zhou Jiao frowned and muttered, "Why are you giving so much? I have money. You spend a lot when away, you shouldn’t run out of cash. Who knows when Gu Ruyi will repay the family’s savings."
Zhou Xiaozheng stood up, pulled her back to sit at the table, and exhorted her, "Don’t worry about spending it. Besides what she owes, Dad has other reserves. In the future, no matter what you think in your mind, don’t make a mistake in addressing her. ’Grandmother’ is just a code na. Don’t accidentally blurt out Gu Ruyi." Watching his precious baby cover her mouth and laugh while blinking, he rubbed her head and laughed along with her.
"Dad, Grandpa probably knows. He was a bit off last night."
Zhou Xiaozheng thought about his father-in-law’s character and nodded, "Don’t get involved in the Lin Family’s affairs. More troubles will arise in the future. Your eldest uncle inherited your grandmother’s shrewdness and your grandfather’s straightforward temper. Would such a person be manipulated by your grandmother?
Your second uncle is a bit cowardly, afraid of his wife, and has a soft heart. Your second aunt has her eyes on high things but is incapable of achieving them, extrely vain, and easily swayed. Your grandmother was strongly opposed to this marriage initially, but after two years of marriage, the relationship between daughter-in-law and mother-in-law turned harmonious like between a biological mother and daughter.
This ti Dad got a promotion. The Lin Family must have so ideas. Last night, Grandpa must have realized we’ve connected the Cheng Family, Zhao Family, and Zuo Family. But so what?"
Zhou Jiao, seeing her father’s slightly upturned lips, imdiately smiled. What she was worried about, it seems her father was well aware of.
Then, thinking about the unpredictable dangers, she looked outside and softly said, "Dad, whatever you do, don’t take sides. The Cheng Family might have done you a favor, but back then, Grandma Gu’s Family saved Aunt twice. Even if there is a generational agreent for the three families to ally, it’s an agreent behind the scenes.
What can one Zuo Sen from the Zuo Family do? He’s rely setting as the sun. The power of the Zhao Family and their in-laws, the Huang Family, is entirely in the provincial city, using an outstanding son to scout ahead, they can advance or retreat easily.
Now you’ve returned and got promoted, how many people are secretly waiting for you to make a mistake?
Don’t take sides. Stability is most important right now. You have plenty of opportunities to rejuvenate the Zhou Family. You’re only forty, already living in a small courtyard. Advancing steadily, remaining neutral, that’s your path.
Don’t rush to make achievents. Think about it, even if you make achievents, can you really rise several levels within two years? Our family can only seek stability. Although it seems the Lin Family and Cheng Family are behind us, with only you, the strength is too weak. Trust no one; don’t trust anyone. Human nature changes easily, be cautious when you’re outside."
Zhou Xiaozheng raised his eyebrows, nodding and smiling. He finally understood his daughter’s excellence. She could connect everything together and see the situation clearly just from a bit of information.
"Then tell what action you think the Zhao Family in the provincial city will take next? Tell Dad, if it were you, would you choose to advance or retreat?"
Zhou Jiao slightly squinted her eyes and said softly, "I can’t guess which side they’ll decide to lean on, for now, they should be in contact with both powers. Actually, the Zhao Family has already approached the Cheng Family, eting at worship is anticipated as well.
Yesterday, Uncle Guang must have ntioned you and the Cheng Family when he returned ho. Uncle Guang is a good man, conducts himself uprightly. The way he looks at is like he’s seeing a beloved junior, full of joy. His wife, when she saw , wasn’t curious or scrutinizing, should be under the guidance of elders, recognized as a niece. She wanted to make her niece but hadn’t discussed it with Uncle Guang, who was a bit surprised.
Besides Uncle Guang’s sincerity, the Zhao Family’s next step will be to strengthen the relationship between and their family, preferably making you owe them a favor. It seems the Zhao Family head is quite smart, approaching the Cheng Family quietly, appearing neutral but hasn’t made a solid decision for a long ti, they are waiting for an opportunity. Uncle Guang’s brother is definitely still watching the situation and hesitating. If it were , I would do the sa. Let’s keep an eye on the developnt."
Hearing this, Zhou Xiaozheng fell silent for a mont, looking at the tense Zhou Jiao watching him, he patted her head, "You have a keen eye for people. But there’s one thing, the Zhao Family isn’t quite enough. Right now, you just lack so insight. By the end of the year, when you return ho, Dad will take you to et so folks in the Big Courtyard, with your cleverness, you’ll understand everything at a glance.
Uncle Guang is a good man. He secretly advised last night to ignore trivial matters. As for Uncle Guang, just follow Dad’s instructions. Sotis owing a favor is also a strategy." Pausing to see her frowning and deep in thought, Zhou Xiaozheng’s lips curled slightly, "Don’t overthink it. So things you’ll understand naturally after seeing more and being frequently in the upper circles. That’s the difference between children of aristocratic families and those from ordinary families. Aristocratic children look at things from top to bottom. Children from ordinary families like to look from the bottom up. You are already excellent."
After speaking, seeing Zhou Jiao blink her eyes, he burst into laughter.
After a mont, Zhou Xiaozheng hesitated again and again, pondering for a while, and asked her cautiously, "Jiao Jiao, Dad asks you, don’t feel burdened. Have you planned what you want to do in the future?"
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