Rebirth of the Evil Stepmother and the Four Villainous Children

Normally Zhou Rongrong doesn't like to dress up, but today she is going to enter the palace. As she is a county lady, she naturally has to dress up well, otherwise she will be suspected of disrespecting the emperor's grace.

Zhou Rongrong taught it to Madam Li herself. She didn't understand anyway. When she was wearing who knows how many pieces of clothes, she couldn't help but asked uncomfortably: "Madam, do I have to wear so many clothes? I can't even breathe. It's so uncomfortable."

Nanny Li's subordinates continued to adjust the belt around her waist and replied, "County Lady, this is the etiquette for entering the palace."

Zhou Rongrong secretly complained, I wonder if the emperor also wears so many clothes? It's just torture.

After getting dressed, she began to put on makeup. Nanny Li used two thin cotton threads to open Zhou Rongrong's face to make her face smoother and more delicate, and also to remove the small hairs on her face to make it easier to put on makeup.

While other noble ladies were crying in pain, Zhou Rongrong was as if nothing had happened, staring at Li Ma's craftsmanship with curiosity.

Soon after the face-opening was finished, she began to put on makeup. The white and delicate powder and the black pencil decorated with gems, even the packaging of these things are very beautiful. Taking out any box can be equivalent to the chewing habits of an ordinary person for half a year.

After the makeup is done, the next step is the hair. Zhou Rongrong's hair has been getting better and better over the years, and it is black, shiny and smooth, Li Ma praised.

"The county lady's hair is so nice, black and thick."

Zhou Rongrong said: "Eat more black sesame seeds and oil." She couldn't say that she only used the cleaning and care products in the space, right?

It took a really long time to put on makeup. Zhou Rongrong felt like it took more than an hour to finally finish.

Now Zhou Rongrong finally understood why those ladies needed support. The weight on their heads, the weight of their clothes, and the high embroidered shoes on their feet, didn't they need support? She felt that the things on her head were too heavy and were about to crush her.

Nanny Li helped Zhou Rongrong out. Several children were waiting outside the door. They wanted to see what their mother looked like dressed up.

She had her hair in a bun with flowers blooming in the air and was wearing a brocade skirt of a rosy blue color. Whenever she moved, the hem of her skirt rippled in the light, which was very beautiful.

A face that was cold and clear, clean without a trace of worldly air, but, there was an aggression in those eyes, charming and lustful, and her lips were red and enchanting, and her temperament was indescribably alluring and beautiful.

The sunlight made her cheeks a little red, and her lips were glistening and charming, with a touch of tenderness and beauty.

When the children saw Zhou Rongrong's outfit today, they covered their mouths in surprise. After a moment of surprise, they started to cry around Zhou Rongrong. The praises made the usually shameless Zhou Rongrong blush.

Seeing the children so happy, Nanny Li couldn't help but feel that her cooking skills were getting better and better. Fortunately, she had already dressed up the county lord's children, which saved her a lot of trouble.

Not only is the county princess good-looking, her children are no different. It is hard to tell about the younger ones now, but the eldest son is so outstanding that it is no wonder that His Majesty wants to meet even the children.

Nanny Li said, "This time the county lady came to the palace not only to see the county lady, but His Majesty also said he wanted to see your children."

Zhou Rongrong's face turned pale when she thought of Dabao's background. Could it be that Dabao's background has been discovered? She suppressed her worries and asked in a normal tone, "Why did Your Majesty summon them? The children are still young and they are all naughty."

Nanny Li replied, "The prince said that His Majesty just wanted to take a look and had no other intentions. The county lady can rest assured."

"By the way, where is your prince?"

"Waiting for you at the door."

Zhou Rongrong said to the children, "Let's go, don't act naughty in the palace."

The dolls responded obediently: "Yes, mother."

Zhou Rongrong walked in front followed by a group of dolls. The scene was really beautiful.

When Xie Wuyou saw how she was dressed today, his eyes lit up again and again. He extended his hand to her and spoke in a lower voice.

"County Lady, how about I be your guard today?"

Dabao rolled his eyes as he watched Xie Wuyou spread his feathers like a peacock and said, "Hmph, you're thinking about my mother all day long, as if you can get my mother's favor. Ha."

Zhou Rongrong held his hand and said, "It's feasible. I'll give you this chance."

"Well, it is truly an honor for this king."

Inside the palace.

Zhou Rongrong is about to die. No one told her that the palace of the Great Zhou is also so big. Moreover, she has to walk to the imperial study. This outfit is so tiring.

It was really a torture. I was sweating all over.

Xie Wuyou saw her distress and consoled her, "It's always better to dress up solemnly for the first meeting, but you don't have to dress like this afterward. We'll be there soon, very soon."

Eunuch Yu, who was beside Xie Anming and came to greet him, was serving beside His Majesty. He knew something about the gentleman mentioned earlier. He only knew that the prince had a favorite woman. Seeing the prince's attentive look today, he thought it must be the newly appointed county lady mentioned earlier.

But what’s going on with a string of dolls following behind him?

None of the children looked like the county lady. I heard that her husband disappeared after she got married, and she was left raising several children by herself. It took her several years of hardship before she gradually got better.

But after all, she is a country woman, but how can her demeanor be like that of someone from the country?

And this group of children were not timid at all. They were very open and didn't look around. They were very polite when they saw him. Even the two youngest ones were polite and very likable.

After walking all the way, we finally arrived at the imperial study.

Xie Anming is now very nervous because he is finally going to meet the woman Wuyou likes. He is in a restless mood when he goes to court, waiting to meet Zhou Rongrong.

Zhou Rongrong was kneeling in front and there were a bunch of dolls kneeling behind her. There were even more dolls than those in the imperial palace. How did her ex-husband give birth to these children?

Xie Anming said: "No need to be polite, someone come and show the county lady and the children a seat."

Zhou Rongrong leaned forward to thank him before she dared to sit down.

After a round of greetings, Xie Anming asked, "Does the county lady still plan to go back to the village?"

Zhou Rongrong thought for a moment and didn't know how to answer. The children can naturally learn much more in the capital than in the mountain village. Even if Mr. Zhuang and Doctor Zhao said that they might find a better teacher for the children, their level is really limited. Zhou Rongrong is the only one who understands this truth. Otherwise, there wouldn't be so many parents in the past who would fight for their children to go to a good school, right? Thinking of this, Zhou Rongrong hesitated a little.

Xie Anming really wanted her to stay in the capital. Not to mention Xie Wuyou's matter, Zhou Rongrong's importance to the Great Zhou was self-evident. Only by keeping her under his nose could he protect this county lady.

Let's not talk about other things, how many soldiers could his third son's suturing skills save? Du Wen was simply stunned by the memorials he submitted, saying that he had planted a thousand acres of potatoes and harvested them in more than a dozen large warehouses, but they were too many to eat.

He also talked about how amazing Sanbao's suturing skills were, which were simply amazing.

This family originally thought that Zhou Rongrong was already very capable, but they did not expect that the children she taught were more promising than each other. That was why they wanted to meet these children. As expected, they were not only good-looking, but also well-educated and well-mannered. Even the chubby little girl could speak eloquently.

Seeing Zhou Rongrong in deep thought, Xie Wuyou immediately said, "Rongrong, you see, the children need a better education now. Why don't you consider staying in the capital?"

Zhou Rongrong said: "But the reward that His Majesty gave me is still there."

Xie Anming smiled like a fox and said, "You are worrying too much, it can also be done in the capital."

Zhou Rongrong: "..." She asked the children: "Are you willing to stay in Beijing?"

San Bao said, "Mom, I want to learn more from Doctor Shen, but it's okay if you want to go home. It's the same if I stay here alone."

Dabao also said: "Mom, I want to go find Mr. Dongli. If you don't like being in the capital, it's okay for me and my third brother to be in the capital together. You can rest assured."

Now both children wanted to stay in Beijing. After looking at the other children who looked nonchalant, they made a decision immediately.

"Then stay in the capital, Your Majesty. But I don't want to live in the city. Can I live in the manor you gave me?"

Before Xie Anming could say anything, Xie Wuyou was already so excited that he immediately said, "Okay, all right, I'll find someone to build a house for you, and you can stay here for the time being."

Zhou Rongrong rolled her eyes at her but finally made up her mind.

Xie Anming was very interested in what Zhou Rongrong had seen and heard along the way. Sitting in this position, all he heard were words about peace and prosperity for the country and the people. Now that Zhou Rongrong, who was finally here and spoke frankly and came from the village, naturally he had to ask about the situation.

Zhou Rongrong sighed, "The Great Zhou is already very powerful, but there are still many people who don't have enough food to eat and clothes to wear. Many officials and even gentry own farms one after another, so the people have no land to farm and can only become tenants. They don't even have enough food to eat. Some even use coercion and bribery to get the people's good land, and collusion between officials and businessmen is everywhere.

Your Majesty is a man of great talent and vision, and hopes for a peaceful and prosperous country. However, if the trend of land annexation is not curbed, the people will suffer in less than ten years. Your Majesty, only those who win the hearts of the people can hold on to the throne. Those who lose the hearts of the people will not be able to hold on to this position for long, and someone will naturally drive you out, even without a rebellion."

These words were extremely disrespectful. He didn't know that the trend of land annexation had been going on since the time of the previous emperor. The aristocratic families were rising, just like the Nangong family, who were local tyrants in Jiangnan. He attacked the Nangong family in order to disintegrate the aristocratic families step by step.

This time, when the Nangong family's property was confiscated, not only was countless wealth seized, but more than half of the land outside Yangzhou city belonged to the Nangong family. Jiangnan is rich, and the rich are those aristocratic families, while the common people are still living in poverty.

Some officials in the capital did not dare to openly buy farms near the capital, so they asked my aunt to return to her hometown to do so.

After hearing what she said, Xie Anming felt that the county lord was really an extraordinary woman. It was rare for a woman to have such insights, so he asked.

"I wonder what the county lady thinks?"

Zhou Rongrong cupped her hands and said, "I don't have any good ideas, but I do have a few methods for your reference."

"Oh? Tell me quickly!" He even picked up a pen to write down what the county lady said.

Zhou Rongrong said, "Your Majesty, why don't you listen to my eldest son's ideas first? He has studied this issue."

Dabao stood up from his seat respectfully, standing straight despite his young age. Xie Mingan knew Dabao and knew that he was the top scorer in both the provincial and county examinations. Seeing him today, he was indeed a good boy. "Okay, I'll listen to you."

Dabao said, "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, there are two policies that can be implemented. The first is that all the good farmland in the Great Zhou needs to be remeasured to understand how much land can be cultivated. The second is the tax reform of the land tax. The land tax and land tax are collected based on the amount of land, which reduces the burden on farmers without land or with little land. The third is to start with the court officials to strictly investigate those who illegally occupy land. No matter if they are the person or their family members, if they are improperly restrained and forcibly occupy the land, they can be severely punished. The most important thing for the country is the people, not the court officials and the aristocratic families."

Xie Anming was shocked and couldn't believe that such young children said such insightful words, as if they had been officials in the court for many years. Such people would become loyal ministers and pillars of the country when they grow up.

He got down from the chair, looked around at Dabao, and said in amazement: "But you thought of it yourself?"

Dabao nodded and said, "Well, what does Your Majesty think?"

Xie Anming couldn't help but pat his little head and laughed, "County Lady, you have raised this child well, really well."

Zhou Rongrong thought to himself, isn't it? His last name is Xie, and his ancestry is good, so he must be good, right?

But he still said modestly: "We still need to work hard, we still need to work hard."

They chatted for a while longer before returning to the palace.

Since he had decided to stay in the capital, there were many things to do in Dashan Village, so he wrote a letter to hand over the property to Fu Qing and asked her to look after it, which made him feel at ease. Li Zhenglin asked him if he was willing to come back.

Li Zhenglin thought for a moment, and seeing that the academy was getting better and better, it was considered to be formal, so he handed the academy over to County Magistrate Yang and went to Zhou Rongrong's house. He called Zhou Rongrong's servants and packed up their things to go to the capital.

Anyway, what he wants to do is to open more academies, and since he hasn't been home for a long time, he might as well go back and take a look.

Ever since that day when she met the emperor, Zhou Rongrong had nothing to do, so she took Dabao, Sibao and others to look for Mr. Dongli.

According to Xie Wuyou, this gentleman is giving lectures in Wenzhai Hall near the South Gate.

The Wenzhai Hall was crowded with people, and Zhou Rongrong and the others also squeezed in, looking at the second floor to see when the gentleman would come out. Soon, they saw an old man with a white beard appear on the second floor.

He was dressed in cloth and had a hunched back, but he looked in very good spirits, with an air of an immortal.

Seeing that so many people came today, Mr. Dongli didn't want to give a lecture anymore. He moved closer to talk to the little boy next to him. After a while, the little boy relayed Mr. Dongli's words.

The boy said loudly, "Teacher said that there will be no lectures today. Since so many people have come, why don't we talk about the current trend of apprentice mergers?"

As soon as these words came out, everyone was silent. Who are the people who can annex land? Who doesn't know? Who dares to talk about such things? If someone remembers their name, then there is really no hope for their career. What's the point of talking about this? It's better to keep your mouth shut.

But His Majesty had just tested Dabao on this question, and he went back to look at the information himself. Even Xie Wuyou had found countless memorials from his royal brother that mentioned this matter.

When His Majesty heard that it was for Dabao to see, he directly packed a large box and sent it to Dabao, and all the ins and outs of the matter were made clear to him.

I was so lucky that I guessed the question right. I walked onto the stage with my robe lifted, cleared my throat and started speaking.

One person saw that Dabao was so young and started to make a scene, saying, "Whose child is he? Why are you standing there? You might as well go home and find your mother."

Zhou Rongrong picked up a chess piece, aimed it at the man's head and threw it over. The arrow hit the man's forehead right in the center. In an instant, the man's forehead swelled up, like three eyes.

The people in the room burst into laughter, and the man covered his face and ran away. Someone below said, "Young man, you can say whatever you want to say, but you have to be careful about the limit."

The man was obviously reminding Dabao what to say and what not to say. Dabao appreciated the man's kindness and bowed slightly to thank him.

Then he started talking. As Dabao spoke more and more in-depth, he gave corresponding solutions for each point, and he even described clearly what would happen in the next ten years.

Mr. Dongli, who was sitting on the second floor, came downstairs to listen to what Dabao said. The more he listened, the brighter his eyes became. When he was young, he was disliked by the late emperor in the hall and did not get an official position because he had a hunchback.

He then quit being an official and began his own journey of studying abroad. As he read more books and became more famous, more people came to him to become his disciples. He looked down on all of them and thought they were lacking something... Today, he looked at the young man who was speaking eloquently on the stage.

He knew what those people lacked: a heart that serves the country and the people. If he wanted to accept a disciple, he wanted one like the young men on the stage.