Zhuangzi, after Zhou Shuren and Zhulan sent away their maids, the old couple planned to spend some quiet days together. Zhulan even took an interest in cooking herself, but after so many years, she hadn't made much progress. For the couple, who were accustomed to finer tastes, the kitchen maid had to redo the meals in the end.
Over the next three days, Zhou Shuren lived a fulfilling life, admiring the snowy landscape, painting with his wife, or going hunting with others, which only made him yearn for retirement even more.
Winter passed quickly, and before they knew it, the new year had arrived. It had become an annual ritual for the Zhou family to set small goals and reflect on the past year's gains and losses, a good habit indeed.
After the New Year, Mingyun prepared for the spring imperial examinations. More and more people in the capital were betting on Mingyun's success.
