The playboy county magistrate

Zhang shook her head, feeling both amused and exasperated.

She did hope for a marriage alliance, so that her son would have someone to support him in the future, which would be better than him fighting alone.

Furthermore, with her position as the eldest daughter-in-law becoming increasingly secure, her brothers and father, both legitimate and illegitimate, have all benefited greatly because of Li Xuanzhi.

Even if she, as the mother, didn't mention it, her brothers would still rush over to marry their daughter off.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have sent someone over so early in the morning, before dawn, to deliver the invitation. They were just afraid that other families would act quickly and snatch away the good son-in-law they had their eye on.

Nephews are certainly close, but can they be closer than sons-in-law?

While the mother and son were still discussing this matter, a large group of Zhang's family members arrived in droves.

Li Xuanzhi was also surprised that, apart from his maternal grandfather and two uncles, everyone else was present.

The reason why my maternal grandfather and the two uncles did not come was because two of them went to court, and the other was on duty in the palace and had not yet changed shifts.

"I knew Xuanzhi was a promising young man! Just wait and see, from now on, if anyone says my nephew is a good-for-nothing, I'll smear them in the mud and stand them up as a wall!"

"Quickly let your second aunt take a look! You've grown taller and thinner, you must be exhausted! You definitely haven't been getting enough rest."

"Third sister, fourth sister, sixth sister, eighth sister, come here quickly! Meet your cousin!"

As for why Fifth Sister and Seventh Sister didn't come, it's naturally because they were both born out of wedlock and weren't qualified to come.

All four girls were quite pretty, with fair skin and a delicate, fresh look.

If these people weren't related to him, Li Xuanzhi, by blood, he would have really wanted to carefully choose among them.

"Greetings to my maternal grandmother and uncles and aunts."

Li Xuanzhi politely greeted the elders briefly before standing obediently and resignedly behind his mother.

Although Zhang was born out of wedlock, she was still considered favored in the Zhang family.

Unlike the children of Zhang's other concubines, Zhang's biological mother was the dowry maid of the woman in front of her. They grew up together and had an exceptionally close relationship.

Although Zhang was a concubine's daughter, she was raised as if she were a legitimate daughter in terms of food, clothing, daily necessities, and education.

Otherwise, even if the Earl of Chengen lost his wife at a young age, it wouldn't have been Zhang's turn to remarry as a concubine's daughter.

After all, the most capable person the Zhang family could offer at that time was a vice minister of the Ministry of Revenue; they had no higher-ranking officials and no real power base.

The Zhang family never expected that, just when they thought they were going to decline along with the Chengen Earl's Mansion, they would suddenly receive a huge benefit because of Li Xuanzhi.

If Li Xuanzhi is now a rising star in the imperial court, then the Zhang family is a new force of power.

The Zhang family has truly experienced the feeling of having a mountain to lean on.

"By the way, those rascals at home were also brought to the palace by His Majesty today. I heard that he's going to select suitable children from several families to be the Crown Prince's study companions."

That's His Highness the Crown Prince's study companion!

If the Zhang family seizes this opportunity, they will definitely reap the benefits in the future, as the future crown prince's closest friend is Zhang.

Their children had such an opportunity entirely because the emperor was looking out for Li Xuanzhi; how could they not know that?

"I heard you've had a tough time in Pingzhou. Your third uncle went out to do business a while ago and took three large truckloads of goods with him to Pingzhou. Judging by the time, it's been more than half a year since he left. He should arrive in Pingzhou in another half month or so."

As she spoke, her third aunt took out silver notes from her sleeve and stuffed them all into Li Xuanzhi's arms.

"Your aunt doesn't know you're coming back, and the things your third uncle sent probably won't reach you. Take this banknote; it'll be useful whether you're making friends or buying things."

My third maternal aunt's family were wealthy merchants in the Jiangnan region, with businesses spanning multiple categories including clothing, food, housing, and transportation.

But my third aunt's family wasn't one of those bloodsucking forces; on the contrary, they were righteous merchants praised by everyone in Jiangnan.

Otherwise, given that all the members of the Zhang family were quite well-educated, they would never have allowed their sons to marry a merchant's daughter.

My third aunt was really generous; at a glance, there was a thick stack of large-denomination silver notes, which I estimated to be at least 300,000 taels.

"Good nephew, please don't think it's too little. Your third uncle has the lion's share. Once your aunt goes back, she'll write to your third uncle and ask him to come back from Pingzhou as soon as possible."

Li Xuanzhi smiled and waved his hand, "It's good that your third uncle went!"

Pingzhou is now in dire need of development and needs investment attraction.

The arrival of my third uncle in Pingzhou with various businesses undoubtedly injected another boost into the city.

Today, the eyes of people all over the world are focused on Ping Chau, and more and more people will come to Ping Chau in the future. Doing business in Ping Chau is much easier and more comfortable than traveling all over the country to earn hard-earned money.

My third uncle came to Pingzhou to do business with goods and silver. Even if he didn't become the richest man in Dayong, he would definitely be able to live a life of comfort for several generations.

Li Xuanzhi was incredibly excited to have such a powerful relative.

"I have to leave for Pingzhou this afternoon. His Majesty has given me the authority to go all out and get things done, so I have to make sure things are done well."

As soon as Li Xuanzhi finished speaking, the once lively room fell silent instantly.

Zhang stared intently at Li Xuanzhi with her mouth wide open, and her eyes soon reddened.

"You silly child! You've finally made it back to the capital, why are you leaving again!"

Zhang thought about it every day and longed for it at home. On the first and fifteenth of each lunar month, she would go to various temples and Taoist monasteries to pray.

She didn't know which one was effective; she only knew to pray and worship everywhere. Anything that could help her son, ensuring his safety and health, was more important than anything else.

She thought that her son had finally returned, and that the two of them would never have to be separated again. But the news of their separation came so quickly, catching her completely off guard.

Although I feel very sad, I still need to make the necessary preparations.

"Last time you left the capital in a huff, I didn't even have time to prepare for you. This time, I'm determined not to let you leave in such a shabby state."

Zhang bowed apologetically to the group of guests from her maternal family, saying, "I hope you won't hold my poor hospitality against me. I need to personally arrange things for Xuanzhi now. I will certainly apologize properly later."

The Zhang family members knew it was time to leave; they couldn't very well stay and refuse to go.

But after so long, and seeing such a good child like Li Xuanzhi, the Zhang family was truly reluctant to leave so soon, not knowing when they would see each other again.

Most importantly, several girls were brought along, and Li Xuanzhi was to take a look at them and decide which cousin he liked as soon as possible.

"Let's go back first, and each of us should pack some things for Xuanzhi to take. Pingzhou is quite far, so it's always good to have extra things."