In Old Zhou’s view, Zhou Yin is an adopted son-in-law, and it’s only natural for Manbao to bear the Xia surna. If she took the Xia surna, then these family assets should naturally belong to Manbao, and he wouldn’t spare a single coin.
But since Manbao has always followed his surna, he didn’t want her to change her surna either. Thus, he felt guilty, feeling these assets were left by the sister-in-law to Manbao, while also feeling that competing with the Xia family over the inheritance seed unjustified. He was still mired in internal conflict.
Manbao, on the other hand, wasn’t as conflicted as her father. These possessions were left by her grandparents to her mother, and then her mother left them to her. Regardless of her surna, wasn’t she still their daughter?
Whether she claid them or not depended on what happened after her biological parents left Shangzhou.
The three of them rode on horseback through the streets, and after a little over a quarter of an hour, they arrived at the county governntal office entrance. The guard had already delivered the visiting card inside and was waiting at the entrance.
The trio dismounted, handed the horses to Daji, and walked up to wait at the county governntal office entrance. Standing in the shade, Bai Shan removed his straw hat.
Manbao, also tired of wearing hers, took it off as well. Just as she removed it, a middle-aged man in official attire hurriedly ca out from the county governntal office.
Seeing Zhou Man, who had just removed the veil, he hesitated for a mont, but still stepped forward to greet, "Is this Lord Zhou?"
Manbao imdiately returned the greeting with a smile, "I am Zhou Man, a writer at the Chongwen Pavilion, here in Shangzhou for so matters. I hope County Magistrate Zhai can forgive the intrusion."
"Not at all, not at all. It’s a great honor for Shangzhou to have you," County Magistrate Zhai, seeing Zhou Man’s politeness, was sowhat reassured and gestured for them to co inside. "Please, Lord Zhou, let’s discuss this inside."
Zhou Man gave a slight nod, glanced at Bai Shan and Bai Erlang, before following County Magistrate Zhai inside.
The steward accompanying County Magistrate Zhai quickly glanced over Bai Shan and Bai Erlang. Seeing their proper attire and luxurious accessories, he compared their ages and guessed their identities.
Compared to Zhou Man, he actually thought it was more important for the official to befriend these two.
Once inside the county governntal office’s rear hall, County Magistrate Zhai invited everyone to sit down. Only then did Manbao introduce, "These are my two junior brothers."
County Magistrate Zhai obviously knew who they were, as the first step after receiving the visiting card was to think carefully with the steward.
Had it been any other official from the capital, he might not have been able to recognize even those of the fifth or fourth rank.
But there was only one female official in the entire court, and because of Zhou Man, the Crown Prince had a son, thereby solidifying the Crown Prince’s faction. Currently, who in the governnt doesn’t know Zhou Man is a divine doctor, favored by the Crown Prince?
Not to ntion, Shangzhou is not far from the capital.
Naturally, Zhou Man’s two junior brothers are also well-known, recognized as students of the Chongwen Pavilion and companions to the Crown Prince’s studies, with futures far brighter than Zhou Man’s. Thus, County Magistrate Zhai was also very cordial to them.
After exchanging pleasantries and sitting down, Manbao finally ntioned the purpose of their visit, "County Magistrate Zhai, you should have heard about the matters between and the Prince of Yizhou."
County Magistrate Zhai smiled awkwardly, unsure why she brought it up. Of course, he knew, as it was the beginning of Zhou Man’s rise in fa within the court.
Manbao continued, "In my youth, I did not know my biological parents. My... my uncle and aunt know very little about my father’s life after leaving ho and dared not search due to certain reasons. It is only now that I dare to seek my maternal family."
County Magistrate Zhai was taken aback, "Lord Zhou’s maternal family is from Shangzhou?"
Manbao nodded.
Upon hearing this, both County Magistrate Zhai and the steward were delighted and asked, "Does the lord know of any remaining family mbers?"
Manbao shook her head and smiled bitterly, "All I know is that my grandparents have long passed away, but what other relatives I have at ho, I do not know. My father returned ho and the next day..."
County Magistrate Zhai showed a look of pity.
"Due to the short ti, my parents ntioned little of ho matters, which is why I ca seeking, hoping to find relatives and learn the location of my grandparents’ graves to pay my respects," Manbao said, "I hope County Magistrate Zhai can assist."
County Magistrate Zhai, upon hearing that it was such a small matter as seeking relatives, imdiately agreed with a smile, "The household registers from over a decade ago should still be available at the county governntal office. If you know where you lived, it will be easier to find."
Manbao imdiately replied, "I do know."
Manbao took out a house deed and smiled, "This is where my grandparents used to live. To my knowledge, my parents stayed there prior to returning ho."
County Magistrate Zhai raised an eyebrow at the sight of the house deed, sensing that sothing might not be quite right, but thought it over and still accepted it with a smile. After carefully examining the address, he said, "It’s not far, at Songhua Alley, yes, over in Songhua Alley. Soone, go invite Officer Xu."
Manbao took a sip of tea without showing any change in expression, exchanged a glance with Bai Shan, and slightly lifted the corner of her mouth.
By the ti Officer Xu followed the governnt officer into the room, Bai Shan, along with the other two, was discussing the recent articles published by Lord Wei in the Di Court Newspaper with County Magistrate Zhai.
Of course, it was mainly Bai Shan speaking, with Manbao occasionally interjecting. Bai Erlang felt it was not the right ti for him to speak, lest he diminish the stature of his senior brother and sister. Therefore, he quietly ate snacks and drank tea.
In just a short while, County Magistrate Zhai’s attitude towards the two had shifted from initial aloofness and courtesy to admiration and respect, with a slight hint of friendliness.
He observed the trio, mainly Bai Shan and Zhou Man, and thought to himself: These young people stand out for a reason, possessing such insight at a young age. The capital is truly a place of hidden dragons and crouching tigers.
As the conversation was at its peak, he turned to see Officer Xu entering, causing County Magistrate Zhai to pause in regret. He then introduced Zhou Man and the others, "This is Officer Xu, who happens to manage that area."
Officer Xu looked at Zhou Man with a mixture of curiosity and uncertainty. He was at ho waiting for Xia Yi’s family to co, only to be summoned to the county governntal office by a governnt officer. Seeing County Magistrate Zhai treating Zhou Man and the other two so courteously, he was unsure about their identity.
Manbao had already nodded with a smile, not standing to greet him, but gestured, "Officer Xu, please sit. We et again."
County Magistrate Zhai glanced at Zhou Man and then at Officer Xu, who was sweating, and asked with a smile, "So, Lord Zhou has t Officer Xu before?"
Manbao nodded with a smile, "Yes, but since we are outsiders, there are many things the Officer cannot discuss with us. As an official, I understand. After all, it concerns the people’s privacy, and it’s right for the Officer to be cautious."
County Magistrate Zhai then laughed, "That’s true. However, Officer Xu need not worry, as Lord Zhou is also an official of the court, and would surely not use the people’s privacy to do anything unlawful."
Manbao nodded with a smile, then looked brightly at Officer Xu. Seeing him still standing, she quickly said, "Officer Xu, please sit down. Let’s sit and talk slowly."
Officer Xu sat on the edge of his chair and, pulling a forced smile, asked, "I did not realize the young lady is a lord. Please forgive my offense."
But for a woman to be an official... Could she be a female official from the palace?
But so young...
County Magistrate Zhai had already guessed that these two sides had crossed paths before, and Zhou Man must not have been able to get any information from Officer Xu, which is why they ca to him.
At this thought, County Magistrate Zhai’s smile faded sowhat as he seriously addressed Officer Xu, "The reason for calling Officer Xu here is to ask about a person."
He glanced at Zhou Man before saying, "Officer Xu, are you familiar with Xia Yan?"
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