Gift from Grandfather Zhou

"Grandfather, everything is ready." Zhou Yan reported to his grandfather.

Zhou Wanwu nodded in understanding, then looked at Ye Ningjie warmly. "Your room is ready. You can begin to rest."

"Thank you. But I want to mention one request. Don't know if Grandfather Zhou is willing to help or not." Ye Ningjie said earnestly.

"Of course. We will certainly help as much as we can."

Ye Ningjie looked around to make sure no one else was around. After that, she said, "If there is any important news in the imperial palace, please let me know."

Zhou Wanwu nodded. He still wasn't sure what Ye Ningjie wanted. Perhaps helping the girl would put his family in danger. However, if it weren't for ancestor Ye's help, the Zhou family would also have been lost long ago.

He, Zhou Wanwu, was truly sincere. But, he didn't know if his children and grandchildren were in line with his thoughts.

He has two sons and one daughter. His two sons, Zhou Ming and Zhou Jingran, were imperial officials. That's also what makes his family status still survive until now.

If Zhou Lin wasn't a woman, maybe she was already an official. However, despite not being an official, the woman wasn't bad either. She has her own thriving business.

Zhou Wanwu himself was so old that he retired five years ago. All of his family are not ordinary people. It was undeniable that the family that Ye Ningjie was in was a respected family.

"Don't worry. I will let you know the progress, especially if it's about Xianqi," Zhou Wanwu replied.

At that time, Zhou Yan's father, Zhou Jingran, suddenly returned after his return from the imperial court assembly. He looked a little confused, seeing Ye Ningjie's presence in the Zhou family pavilion.

Before the man asked, Zhou Wanwu immediately called out to him. "Jingran, come here. There is a guest you must see," said the old man.

Zhou Jingran obediently stepped closer. He saluted his father and lightly patted Zhou Yan's shoulder. After that, he turned to look at Ye Ningjie.

Before going to Xianqi, Zhou Yan only said he wanted to go see his aunt. Then, of course, Ye Ningjie's arrival made him start guessing. Did his son go to Xianqi to pick up this beautiful girl?

"You must be confused, right?" Zhou Wanwu laughed. "Jingran, what do you think if your son likes this girl?"

"Uh?!" Zhou Yan was the first to be surprised. What does grandfather mean?

Meanwhile, Ye Ningjie was silent. Perhaps it was part of Zhou Wanwu's plan to give her a reason to stay there without making people suspicious. Moreover, they had confessed to Tang Yin before that she was from Jinshi.

"Is that true?" Zhou Jingran asked Zhou Yan. The asked child could only look down without knowing what to answer.

"Father, if there is something, just say it," Zhou Jingran said to Zhou Wanwu. "If Yan'er likes this girl, then tell me, who is she?"

Zhou Wanwu laughed. Then he shooked slowly. Zhou Jingran took it too seriously. Perhaps it was because Zhou Yan was his only son, and coincidentally he had already matured. Even some of his friends are already married.

"Jingran, I have serious things to say, but not now. This girl is Ning Jie'er. She will stay here for an indefinite time," Zhou Wanwu explained. Then he turned to look at Ye Ningjie.

"Jie'er, this is my second son, Zhou Jingran, as well as Zhou Yan's father," he continued.

Ye Ningjie nodded in understanding. She lowered her head and greeted Zhou Jingran politely. The middle-aged man nodded in response.

"Miss Ning, may I know where you lived before?"

"She is from Jinshi." Zhou Wanwu answered quickly.

Zhou Jingran was surprised. "Why didn't Father tell me?"

"It was a little sudden, so no one knows." Zhou Wanwu waved his hand, requesting not to discuss it any further. "Is there anything interesting in the trial this time?" he asked.

Zhou Jingran nodded but seemed hesitant to speak. Of course, the meeting results in the imperial assembly cannot be discussed carelessly. Moreover, there was Ye Ningjie, who he thought was still a stranger.

"Just say it, Jingran, especially when it comes to Xianqi," Zhou Wanwu said deeply.

Finally, Zhou Jingran cleared his throat. "His Imperial Majesty does not wish to appoint a king soon. He has simply appointed a new duke to handle Xianqi's affairs."

Ye Ningjie, who heard that was somehow relieved. She was unhappy to see a new king taking her father's place. However, there will be times when that place will be replaced.

"Then who is the new duke?" Ye Ningjie asked.

"That… Bai Zhicheng. His family has served the empire for generations."

Ye Ningjie didn't know who Bai Zhicheng was. Is he a good person?

Zhou Wanwu, who sensed Ye Ningjie's concern, immediately smiled. "This Bai Zhicheng should be the same age as Zhou Ming. So I think he can be relied on."

"Good," Ye Ningjie muttered.

"Jie'er, come with me for a moment. I have something to show you," Zhou Wanwu said as he rose from his seat.

"Alright." Ye Ningjie stepped after Zhou Wanwu without asking much. She wanted to know what the old man wanted to say.

Meanwhile, Zhou Jingran looked at his son in confusion. "What did your grandfather want to show her?"

"I don't know." The boy shrugged his shoulders. "Father, I am home now, right? When are you going to give me the painting I want?"

Zhou Jingran cleared his throat, then walked away muttering, "What painting? I won't give it to you."

"So stingy!" Zhou Yan grumbled.

***

Ye Ningjie had already arrived at Zhou Wanwu's private room. The old man seemed to open a box, then took out a roll of paper that was a little worn. What scroll is that?

"Jie'er, you may still be unfamiliar with Jin An city. So, I will give this to you," Zhou Wanwu said as he handed her the roll of paper.

Without hesitation, Ye Ningjie immediately accepted it. She slowly opened the scroll and was immediately surprised when she saw the map of the capital drawn in great detail.

All important places, officials' residences, and even restaurants and inns were also listed. How could Zhou Wanwu be so bold as to give her a secret item like this?

This map is a very useful thing. Ye Ningjie only needed to study the map, then the details of the location in the capital would be known. At least she didn't have to waste too much time.

"Grandfather Zhou, this is too precious," said Ye Ningjie, feeling uneasy.

"This is nothing. Take it and study it. I just want you to know more about Jin An city."

Ye Ningjie lowered her head. Secretly she felt very grateful. The map made the plan easier. She would not forget the Zhou family's kindness.

Ye Ningjie's gaze was then drawn to the image of the imperial palace in the center of Jin An city. Even on a map, the imperial palace looked big and majestic.

She gritted her teeth. The distance from the Zhou residence to the imperial palace was not too far. It seemed increasingly impatient to immediately go there and save her sisters.