CHAPTER 1533: CHAPTER 1533: GIVE IT A TRY

Zhulan glanced at the invitation and set it down, signaling Qing Xue to prepare the greeting gifts for the children tomorrow. Song Lan already had two children: her eldest son was eight years old, and her younger son four. In an ancient society that heavily valued sons, Song Lan’s luck was favorable.

Lady Li suddenly paused mid-bite of her fruit. "Mother, I remember Wu Ming has concubines, doesn’t he?"

Zhulan replied, "Yes, two concubines."

Lady Li’s eyes widened in astonishment. "Two? I thought it was just one!"

"Before Chang Xhong returned, he took another one. Now there are two concubines."

Lady Li popped a grape into her mouth without peeling it, swallowing it directly. By the time she processed what she’d done, she’d already eaten two.

Zhulan shook her head helplessly. "Are you really that surprised about Wu Ming taking concubines?"

Lady Li wiped her hands and leaned her plump hands against the table. "Mother, Wu Ming is practically half a Zhou family member. He’s your and Father’s godson. As his daughter-in-law, I always thought Wu Ming would steer clear of concubines."

"Wu Ming’s surname is Wu, not Zhou. Besides, the concubines weren’t entirely his choice. He’s a man with ambition."

Lady Li thought about her husband’s comments on Wu Ming and sighed. Song Lan’s situation wasn’t easy either.

The next day, Song Lan brought her two sons to the Hou Residence. After the children greeted her, Zhulan reached out to hug the four-year-old, smiling as she said, "This young one looks just like you, as if he were cast from the same mold."

Song Lan doted a little on her younger son as well. There was no helping it; her elder son was constantly under her husband’s tutelage and increasingly resembled him. "Don’t hold him; he’s quite heavy."

"It’s no matter, I can manage."

Seeing her younger son’s obedient demeanor, Song Lan finally asked, "I’ve missed the old mistress while being away. How has the old mistress been these past two years?"

"Very well. The household is thriving. Look, we’ve even become a Hou Residence now. But you... It’s been so long since we’ve seen you, you’ve changed quite a bit."

Song Lan smiled faintly. "After leaving the capital, I’ve had to rely entirely on myself. I’ve grown a lot over these past two years."

Zhulan thought to herself, the growth wasn’t small. Before leaving the capital, Song Lan had the support of her natal family and was quite assertive, even showing a bit of temper. But now, the Song Lan in front of her carried the demeanor and stability of a true household matron.

Zhulan continued, "Chang Xhong owes much to you and your husband’s care. He often mentions how you’ve treated him as your own child."

Song Lan responded, "Back when you and Mr. Hou supported my husband, it was only natural for us to give back. Besides, Chang Xhong grew up under our watch. Who else would we care for if not him?"

Song Lan was clever. When she married her husband, she knew he chose her for compatibility. He wasn’t someone deeply immersed in romantic affections. She fulfilled her responsibilities dutifully. The Zhou and Wu families were bound by kinship ties, so in caring for Chang Xhong, she made her husband happy and strengthened her position within the Zhou family.

She understood that her husband lacked elder relatives and that the Zhou family could influence him. Thus, she treated the Zhou family as she would her in-laws.

At a teahouse, Zhou Shuren arrived at the location arranged with Lau Jing. Lau Jing had been waiting for a while. Zhou Shuren said, "The Ministry of Revenue had some matters to handle just now, so I couldn’t leave right away. Sorry to keep you waiting."

"I should be the one apologizing for disturbing Mr. Hou. There’s no keeping you waiting involved. Please, have a seat."

Zhou Shuren signaled Jing Yan to close the windows. "It’s raining outside; the weather’s a bit chilly."

Lau Jing had his mind preoccupied and hadn’t even noticed the cold. "The autumn rains these past two years bring a quick drop in temperature. I wonder how the grain harvest will fare this year."

Zhou Shuren was concerned as well. A reduced harvest was certain, though better than last year. This summer’s rainfall and temperatures had been favorable. "We’ll know once the grains are collected. So, what’s on your mind? Have you decided on a direction?"

Lau Jing’s tone was heavy. "Yes, I’ve considered all possible options, but it’s saddening to find that they’re all idle posts."

"In the capital, important positions are always filled. Every person holds their spot firmly and won’t budge. You’ve stayed in the Ministry of Justice for too long."

Back when the Liu family allied with the Ning Duke Residence through marriage, Lau Jing should have sought a position transition. After Liu Jia married Ming Teng, Lau Jing should have seized the opportunity to advance. But he didn’t!

He was too busy and couldn’t focus on everything—especially peripheral matters like extended family ties. This time, Wong Wei’s recent actions had caught his attention. Knowing this, he naturally provided a few reminders.

Lau Jing lowered his head. "I used to focus only on self-preservation. Over time, I grew too comfortable and didn’t want to move."

Zhou Shuren wasn’t interested in listening to Lau Jing analyze himself. "Where do you want to go?"

Clearly, this hurried request for his presence meant Lau Jing already had a destination in mind and was seeking affirmation.

Lau Jing lifted his head. "I heard Minister Wu has gone to the grasslands. After much thought, I realize I’m not too old yet. My children are already married, and I don’t want to waste away in an idle post until retirement. I want to go to the grasslands and give it my all."

Zhou Shuren remarked, "You’ve truly surprised me."

It was quite a leap.

Lau Jing said, "I just can’t bring myself to accept it."

"Being unwilling at this point is a bit late."

Lau Jing, "..."

Back at the Zhou residence, after Song Lan had departed, Lady Li sighed repeatedly. She couldn’t believe Wu Ming’s concubines were raising suspicions. "Does this mean Wu Ming might have an illegitimate son or daughter?"

"After listening for so long, all you remembered were illegitimate sons and daughters?"

Lady Li chuckled awkwardly. "Mother, I distinctly recall Song Lan saying that once she returns to the capital, she plans to keep a low profile and live quietly."

Zhulan nodded in satisfaction. "You and Qing Xue should distribute the gifts that Song Lan brought among the various households."

Lady Li was still sighing over the matter. An illegitimate son or daughter... The Zhou Hou Residence had none of that. She observed Song Lan’s indifference and thought to herself that she herself lacked such tolerance.

At the hour government offices closed, Zhou Shuren returned home and immediately noticed the box on the table. "Was this sent by Wu Ming’s wife?"

"No, it was delivered by the Wong family this afternoon. This is Lingzhi that your grandson-in-law brought from Dongbei. They sent over some with good quality."

Zhou Shuren clicked his tongue twice. "Wong Wei didn’t skimp on good finds during his time in Dongbei. I recall he sent us deer antlers and ginseng a while back."

"He’s not one to be overly rigid, and with his wife pregnant, he’s been collecting fine items. He said that by winter, he plans to pick out good furs to send over."

Zhou Shuren perked up. "We’ve stored quite a few good furs in the household, haven’t we? My older and younger brothers send some over every year."

"We have plenty stockpiled. I suspect this winter will be particularly cold again, so I’m thinking of choosing some to make you a warm cloak and vest."

Thinking about the early court sessions in winter, Zhou Shuren shuddered slightly. "Good."

After dinner, Rong Yu Dang arrived, holding a sheet of paper. "Shuren, come over and take a look at this. These are the names I asked the master of the Huguo Temple to select. See which one you like best."

Zhou Shuren and Zhulan saw the paper filled with names. This was overwhelmingly comprehensive. The master of the Huguo Temple certainly showed respect for his uncle, allowing him to stay and suggest so many names without chasing him away.

Zhou Shuren said, "The child’s diagnosis is still fresh. Isn’t it too early to pick a name?"

Rong Yu Dang sighed. "I’m just overjoyed. The Rong family has finally secured an heir."

Zhulan listened and inwardly noted that Rong Enqing’s branch still wasn’t included in the count. In her fourth uncle’s mind, any child with Yao Yao’s bloodline wasn’t considered a legitimate heir of the Rong clan.